3 december 1976
The Lestrange mansion was dark and quiet. In the dining room, there were people gathered around a long table, which was decorated with candles and black roses. One would never have guessed that this was actually a child's birthday Party. Bellatrix didn't see the point of it, after all, Kali was too young to remember any of this. But Rodolphus wanted to do it, and even worse, he had invited his parents as well.
Everyone at the table was eating dinner quietly. Rodolphus was sitting at the edge of the table, and Bellatrix was in front of him. Next to them were his parents and on the other side were Rabastan and Kali, who was in a child's chair, playing happily with her food. Eldora Lestrange was observing the little girl with a look of disgust on her face.
"Bellatrix, didn't you teach your daughter not to play with the food?"
Bellatrix looked up a bit astonished by her mother-in-law's comment, but quickly regained herself and frowned.
"She's a baby." She answered dryly. Eldora only gave her a snort. Bellatrix glared at Rodolphus, who only made an apology face.
"So how long are you planning on staying in England?" Rabastan asked, trying to change the subject.
"We're leaving next week to Paris." Roderick Lestrange answered.
"And has she shown any sign of magic yet?" Eldora continued, in the same condescending tone.
Rodolphus opened his mouth to reply but Bellatrix was faster.
"Again, she's just a baby."
"Well, she's already one. You know you have to stimulate them, instead of waiting like lazy parents."
Bellatrix's patience was already on edge. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. Feeling the tense atmosphere, Rabastan decided to intervene again.
"Paris, huh? How long are you staying there?"
"Not now, Rabastan." Eldora cut him off. "We're talking about important matters. If she turns out to be a squib, you'll have to figure out what to do with her."
Bellatrix scowled at Eldora, a murderous glint in her eyes.
"That's enough, mother." Rodolphus warned her.
"You don't get to talk to your mother like that." Eldora snapped. "Listen carefully to me-", but before she could finish her sentence, Kali who had been playing with her spoon, threw smashed potatoes towards her grand-mother.
Eldora was livid, she quickly got up from her chair and glared at Kali.
"This girl has no respect whatsoever!" She yelled at Kali. "She's a disrespectful, little brat!"
Kali, startled by this sudden outburst, started to cry. That was the last straw for Bellatrix. She also stood up from her chair, being followed by the three other men. Bellatrix was fuming with rage and Rodolphus was ready to stop her from doing something she might regret.
"We better be going." Roderick said to his wife.
Eldora quickly cleaned her dress with her wand and without saying a word, exited the living room with her husband.
"Well, that was fun." Rabastan said, while pulling a cigarette out of his pocket. Rodolphus glared at him before turning his gaze to his wife. She wasn't looking at him, instead she had her eyes closed and was leaning on the table with her hands.
"Bella…" Rodolphus said softly and put one hand on her shoulder, but she shook it off. She grabbed Kali – who was still crying – and went upstairs.
"Don't follow me!" She snapped.
She entered Kali's bedroom and hold her tightly against her body, when Kali stopped crying she put her daughter inside her crib. Kali stared at her mother with her wet blue eyes. Bellatrix stared back at her daughter before bursting into laugh.
"Good work out there." She said. "You are definitely my daughter."