Druella Black stood dutifully on the edge of Platform 9 and 3/4, amongst a crowd of fellow parents. She watched and waved as the Hogwarts Express slowly chugged from the station and disappeared into the distance. Managing a weak smile, Druella Black lowered her arm and turned on her heel, readying herself for a quick departure, as to avoid the mindless chatter which always followed such events. As much as Druella hated the idea of returning back to the misery of Black Manor, she could not bare the thought of having to discuss the upcoming nuptials of her daughter and Mr. Lestrange with the gossiping pureblood housewives, who alike her, had obediently ventured from their luxurious homes to farewell their children like common muggles.
Druella spotted a clearing amongst the crowd, and walked briskly toward it, however her attempt to make a quick escape was hindered by the excited shriek of Gertrude Bulstrode.
"Druella!"
Druella paused and sighed to herself, how foolish she had been to think that she could avoid being spotted, especially when women such as Gertrude Bulstrode were on the prowl. Mrs Bulstrode was well known within the pureblood circles for being "quite a gossip", she enjoyed chatter of every kind and particularly relished in scandalous rumours, such as those which had accompanied Henrietta Zabini last year, after she was caught snogging a muggleborn at her sister's wedding. While Druella in no way approved of young Henrietta's disgraceful behaviour, she still felt for the girl who due to the relentless gossip and rumours circulated by Gertrude Bulstrode, had been disowned by her family. Druella turned swiftly to her right, quickly replacing her facial expression of utter annoyance with a welcoming and somewhat unconvincing smile,
"Gertrude! How lovely to see you".
Gertrude scanned the elegant and finely dressed woman in front of her before replying, "And how lovely it is to see you also."
Druella widened her smile, and nodded respectfully at the haughty woman, whilst all the while trying to think of a good excuse for a quick exit from the conversation.
"Who have you come to see off, is it just Narcissa that is now left?"
Druella recognised a tone of boredom in the woman's voice, and knew well Gertrude's intention to create polite and meaningless chatter before addressing her real concerns.
Druella shook her head, deciding that maybe it was best if she continued to chat with Gertrude for a few moments more, otherwise she would most likely risk the chance of seeming "too rude".
"No, Andromeda and Narcissa. Andromeda is doing her NEWTS this year and Narcissa will be completing her OWLS."
Druella knew her introduction of OWLS would surely ignite interest in Gertrude, as her son, Herbert Bulstrode had just recently received his OWL results. While Druella had already heard of Hebert's outstanding grades from his doting aunt, Florencia Bulstrode, she was more than prepared to listen to Gertrude's rant on the wonderful talents of her son, rather than having to discuss Bella's upcoming wedding.
Just as Druella had predicted, Gertrude seized the opportunity to give an overbearing and indulgent speech about the results her son had received. Druella nodded and smiled politely, as Gertrude recounted with great pride, the perfect grades that Herbert had been awarded.
"An O in Potions! Would you believe it? Of course I have always known Herbie is a smart boy, but I had been under the impression that Potions was one of his weaker areas, but how very wrong I was! And Ferdinand was so pleased, as was Florencia, she bought Herbie a new broom as a gift, not that is old one that we bought for him was anything to be ashamed of. His results in transfiguration and Ancient Runes were just as pleasing, I have no doubt he shall be just as successful as his father, did I mention Ferdinand just got a promotion?"
The conversation continued for some minutes before Gertrude, noticing that Druella was constantly glancing at her wristwatch, abruptly changed the subject to the issue which she most desired to discuss,
"I hear your summer has been rather busy. May I be the first to offer my congratulations to you and Cygnus. And do pass on my best regards to Bellatrix and Rodolphus; it is a fine match indeed! I must confess though when Genevieva Carrow first informed me I was quite determined not to believe her. I mean your Bellatrix has never been the one to show must interest in marriage, but indeed she has done well, the Lestrange's have quite a fortune, or so I hear."
Druella smiled feebly and thanked Gertrude for her many offers of congratulations, though she was sure the woman had noted her lack of enthusiasm. Druella allowed the discussion on Bella's marriage to continue for a few moments more, offering only vague details about wedding plans and dates, before insisting that she must be off or she would be late for a luncheon with Walburga. It was well known that Gertrude Bulstrode admired Walburga Black, and would most certainly be more than willing to allow Druella to leave if she was risking the chance of interfering with Walburga's plans. Druella was correct in her assumption, and upon hearing of Druella's luncheon with her sister in law, Gertrude allowed her to leave without a moment's hesitation, commandingly stating,
"Well then off with you! We shan't want to keep dearest Walburga waiting. Do be sure to pass on my regards to her and Orion. And do send my best wishes to Bellatrix and Rodolphus."
Druella bid Gertrude goodbye, and quickly sped off toward the back of the station where an apparition check point had now opened, offering an alternative route home for the parents who no longer had large trunks and children to cart with them.
After only a few moments of waiting, Druella took her place in the marked circle and apparated back to the sitting room of Black Manor. Druella had chosen the sitting room as she had assumed that it would be empty and therefore her arrival back at Black Manor would most likely go unnoticed, however Druella was quite wrong and when her vision readjusted she realised that she was not alone in the sitting room, instead her eldest daughter sat in the armchair by the fireplace, a letter clutched in one hand and a shocked expression across her pale face.
"Bella?" exclaimed Druella, who was just as shocked to see her daughter out of her bedroom, as Bella was to see her mother suddenly materialise in front of her.
Bellatrix quickly shoved the parchment she had been reading behind her back, and stared at her mother, clearly waiting for an explanation regarding her sudden and evidently unwelcome appearance.
"I am very sorry, I'd thought... I just presumed the sitting room would be empty since Narcissa and Andromeda are now gone. I didn't mean disturb you. Sorry."
Bellatrix scanned her mother suspiciously before stating, rather unconvincingly, "its fine."
Druella managed a small smile at her daughter, and was relieved when Bella returned the favour.
A few moments of silence passed, and Druella feeling oddly uncomfortable turned to leave, however Bellatrix stood to stand at the same time, causing Druella to pause and face her daughter once more.
"The Lestrange's are coming for dinner again", stated Bella, her tone was neither excited or annoyed, "I believe Aunt Walburga invited them, she wishes Uncle, Sirius and Regulus to meet the Lestrange's before the wedding", the last word was mumbled and almost undistinguishable, and Druella felt the sudden urge to wrap her arms around her eldest daughter, however she refrained and merely managed a nod of acknowledgement.
Bella took one last glance at her mother before replying, "They are coming at six", and with that she walked from the room, taking the letter with her.
Druella watched as Bella walked briskly up the long corridor and toward her bedroom. Upon hearing the slam of Bellatrix's door, Druella took a seat by the window and gazed around the now empty room. Whilst Black Manor had by no means been a happy or noisy place these past couple of weeks, Andromeda and Narcissa's absence made it seem even miserable and quieter than before, and Druella sighed trying to think of how to busy herself until six when she would once again be forced to entertain the Lestrange's. In all honesty, Druella did not mind the company of Madame and Monsieur Lestrange, they were far more likeable than many of the other Pureblood couples that she had forcibly been associated with ever since marrying Cygnus, but it was the tension and falseness that their arrival brought, that annoyed her the most. The facade that she would have to pretend, a mask of excitement, happiness, pride, whilst all the while feeling the complete opposite.
Druella's thoughts were interrupted by a small knock at the door. Beadey the family house elf stood in the doorframe, watching his mistress with much apprehension.
"Mistress, Beadey is sorry to disturb you but mistress is wanted in the dining room."
"Who wants me?" asked Druella
"Ma'am, Master's sister is here, she has bought Kreacher with her. Mistress, she is making Beadey share his kitchen with Kreacher! She doesn't think Beadey will be able to do all the cooking for tonight by himself. But I told her Mistress, I told her that Beadey does all the cooking by himself all the time, and that Beadey has never made a bad meal! But no Mistress, she is making me share with Kreacher, she is saying Kreacher is a better cook than me and that..."
"Yes, yes Beadey", interrupted Druella as she rose from her chair, "tell Walburga I shall be down in a moment."
"Yes mistress", mumbled the house elf, clearly embarrassed, and with a loud crack he was gone.
Druella sighed and walked toward the door at the right of the room, deciding to take the longer route to the dining room.
