Hello everyone, I'm sorry this took a while to post. I got a bit caught up in how to portray the sisterly dynamic. I'm afraid I won't be posting too frequently this week either, I am going on holiday and the house I'm staying in has no wifi. I will try to post when I can, and will be typing away whatever happens. Thank you so much for reading, please review but most of all enjoy.
Disclaimer: I do not and have never owned Harry Potter or any recognisable content - credit for that goes to JK Rowling.
Chapter 10
It was almost eight o'clock when Andromeda caught Narcissa's eye in the Slytherin common room and tilted her head towards the wall that would allow a Slytherin to enter or leave their collective territory. Not that the Slytherin students would acknowledge the rest of the castle as anything but their territory. It's just that the common room was their particular domain, a place only the cunning and the pure could enter without being sniffed out as an imposter almost immediately. It was something like a court but with many queens vying for centre stage and a lot of kings trying to assert their dominion over all – and no matter what, they were all courtiers out to promote their own cause.
Leaving the 'court' Narcissa passed through the wall her sister had used minutes before. She turned right, towards the main part of the castle, and was unsurprised when Andromeda appeared and walked along with her. Narcissa turned and tilted her chin up a little to smile at her sister, who smiled back before fixing her eyes ahead.
"This shouldn't take too long Cissy, it's just Bella wanting to check up on things. They always used to be over within a half hour last year." Andromeda said and then sighed "She just wants to remind us who's the most senior Black at Hogwarts."
Narcissa nodded as they rounded a corner and Andromeda indicated they should head up the stair case that rose in front of them. It wasn't dark in the castle really, but the dusky September light would have been of little use without the help of the sconces and torches. Some portraits murmured as they went past – it was surprisingly rare to see two Black sisters together. The Black family considered it more strategic to deploy their daughters to circulate the different year groups rather than clump together and risk missing vital information. And of course, the circle of Black sister's admirers and conquests would be wider if they moved in slightly separate circles.
They reached about the third floor and Narcissa began to recognise her own route to the library. Now that she thought of it, this part of the castle was ideal for a private family meeting tonight. No one would be milling around the library studying on a Saturday evening this early in term – except maybe the odd Ravenclaw but they would be few and intent of their studies. They reached the library corridor and, much as she thought, it was deserted but for a ghost who casually passed up through the ceiling without sparing them a glance.
Andromeda headed to one of the smaller doors to the left of the Library and Narcissa followed. The room was little, a classroom that was probably rarely used and only then for tutoring, and perched in the chair behind the teacher's desk was Bellatrix. The moon was starting it's slow ascent above the grounds and it's light brightened Bellatrix's dark hair and illuminated her fair skin.
"Good evening sisters" she greeted them with a small smile and a nod to the two chairs before the desk. Obediently but perhaps, in Andromeda's case at least, grudgingly the sister's took the seats indicated. "As you know Cissy, we are all expected to keep Mother and Father updated as to our progress, however any incident at Hogwarts that affects us all should be reported to them by me. Likewise, any information on a major occurrence in family affairs at home will be given to me to distribute to you two.
Here Narcissa's smooth brow creased a little with concern and Bellatrix out a short burst of her cackling laugh. "Don't look so worried Cissy, Father's not been expelled from the Wizardgamot. I'll also be having little catch ups with you two every now and then – just to check how you're getting on. Speaking of which, how was the first week? Any new developments?"
Andromeda protested that there really had been no new developments and briefly outlined the week. She was continuing to excel in her classes and she was still maintaining her status within the same group of friends. Nodding at this Bellatrix turned expectantly to Narcissa. Narcissa swallowed, clearly she was supposed to describe her week and apparently that would involve more detail as she could not say things had gone as usual.
"Well," she began "I've developed what I think we would all acknowledge to be an appropriate and enabling circle of friends. They are principally the first years, but also some of the second and third years, in Slytherin. I seem to be doing well in my subjects, there have been no formal assessments but the Professors appear to be pleased and other students have asked me for assistance."
Narcissa had hoped that this summary would be enough, but Bellatrix siezed upon the comment on third years and demanded specifics. Even in Slytherin, where family and social bonds were already so firmly decided, it was unusual bounds of year groups to be assaulted very vigorously, let alone breached. It was especially unusual for a student in their first week at Hogwarts to make a significant friendship with someone two years older. Bellatrix wanted details.
Reluctantly – though she could not say why she was unwilling – Narcissa gave the names, Crabbe, Dolohov... and Malfoy. With the name Malfoy the light of ambition flashed in Bellatrix's eyes. She looked Narcissa over as though assessing a cow that might be sold at market.
"This is a great opportunity for you Narcissa, for us. Father told me about what you overheard – their staying with the Minister during summer. I must write to Mother and Father. And you, Narcissa, you must be impeccable from now on. No indiscretions Cissy: No careless words, no thoughtless actions... and no blushing Narcissa. You have the chance to do us all honour, bring glory to our family and maintain our proud name.
You're too young for romantics yet but if we play our cards right… who knows. Perhaps a betrothal will be arranged within the year. If not, we can still milk this interest for all that it is worth… the Malfoys have funds as well as power and influence and we may be able to expand our own prospects. We must not lose focus. Andromeda, you will help Narcissa particularly over the coming months and so will I. A truly excellent opportunity… and we, we must make the most of it."