Chapter 14 – Madame Lestrange
October 1976
Andromeda carefully stepped into the head master's office and closed the door behind her. She cleared her throat to get his attention. "You wanted to see me, sir?"
Albs Dumbledore raised his head from some parchments on his desk. His eyes watched her friendly, from somewhere inside his greyish beard. "Ah, Andromeda. Come in and sit down please." He gestured at the chair in front of his desk.
"I understand that you had a request?" he said as he searched through the stacks of parchment. "You are asking for special permission to leave the school next weekend at Halloween along with your sister Narcissa and your cousins Regulus Black and Evan Rosier? Is it a family gathering?"
"Yes, sir," answered Andromeda politely. "My oldest sister is getting married in France and she expects us to be there. There is no problem I hope?"
"No, not at all," said Dumbledore and pulled out the documents he had been searching for. "Your mother has sent certificates for you all. It would be far from me to keep you from attending Bellatrix's wedding. Wish her joy from me."
"I will, sir," Andromeda assured him. But when she made a move to get up from the chair, she realized that the head master was watching her with a frown over his forehead. "Was there something else?"
Dumbledore nodded slowly. "Yes, actually there was. I am not sure if you are the right person to talk to, but with your sister out of school, you are the head of the Black clan at this school right now, unless I am wrong?"
Andromeda squirmed. Being the middle sister, she didn't feel comfortable in the leading position, not like Bellatrix. "That's right, I suppose... What is it?"
"I couldn't help but notice that you did not ask that I give leave to your cousin Sirius as well. There seems to be a certain... distance between him and the rest of your family."
Dumbledore's voice was flat without a hint of accusation and yet Andromeda couldn't help feeling guilty. "Sirius has... cut the ties with his family."
"Has he? Or did they cut the ties with him?"
Andromeda bit her lip. "He refused to live the way his parents expected him to."
Dumbledore raised his eyebrows. "So he was cut off because he chose another way? Is it better to sneak and go behind other people's backs?"
Why did he have to ask her this? Why would he let her carry the responsibility for what her family had done? How could he possibly know what it was like to have two conflicting loyalties? "I didn't make the rules, sir."
"I know you didn't, Andromeda. I am just asking for your opinion. Sirius is given the cold shoulder by his family because he wouldn't follow their lead. Maybe he was being selfish? Or maybe he wasn't? What do you think?"
"I... I am not sure, sir," stuttered Andromeda, feeling horrible. "We are not quite like other families. We have a history, you know. But it doesn't seem to be very important to Sirius. Anyway, I can't bring him to the wedding. Besides, he wouldn't want to go. They would eat him alive. And my younger sister... well, she wouldn't like it either."
Dumbledore nodded slowly. "I understand. To tell you the truth, I am a bit worried about Narcissa as well. I have observed her lately and it seems like she is wandering around in her own world. Professor Slughorn tells me that her grades are suffering."
"I know," mumbled Andromeda feeling guiltier than ever. "She is not quite well at the time. I'll try to have a talk with her, I promise."
"You are her sister, Andromeda, but not her mother," said Dumbledore gently. "Have you considered talking to your parents about this?"
"My parents..." Andromeda almost wanted to laugh at the headmaster, as disrespectful as it might be. Did he not know what her parents were like? Didn't he know that their children were pieces in a game to them? "There is probably not much they could do, sir," she said honestly.
He nodded slowly. "Very well. Then let's hope Narcissa can find her way out of this on her own or I might have to take some measures."
"I understand, sir. Thank you, sir." Andromeda stood up and headed for the door when Dumbledore called out her name. Reluctantly, she stopped and turned back.
The headmaster approached her slowly. The look in his face was compassionate, but his eyes were piercing. Suddenly, she felt uneasy. Did he know something? He might, she realized. He always seemed to know what went on in his school, practically before it had even happened. He wasn't a gossip, he just knew.
"Andromeda," he said gently, putting his hand on her shoulder. "When I see you, I see someone who is torn. And I fear that it will only get worse. But you are all still a family, always remember that. Two Blacks fighting won't improve anything. And secrets and lies are not the best way to solve anything."
The day was grey and foggy and a light rain was drumming against the windows in the castle. It was not an ideal day for travelling, but it didn't matter. The wedding wouldn't wait for them.
"Are we ready to go then?" asked Narcissa in the listless and suffering voice she had used for the last few months, as if every word she said brought her closer to the grave.
Andromeda put her suitcase down by the door. "Have you got everything? All the wedding presents?"
"Yes."
Andromeda wrinkled her nose at the weather outside. "It's too bad that we need to put up with this rain. Do you think we should bring the magic umbrella?"
"I don't know. I don't care. Should we go?" Narcissa made a move towards the door.
"No," said Andromeda, looking sharply at her sister. Suddenly she felt like she had taken all she could stand. She had put up with Narcissa's gloomy looks, her stoned face and her cold lack of emotion for almost two months since they came back to Hogwarts. She had tried to treat her sister with compassion and sympathy since she knew that she was distraught and unhappy. Nothing had helped and Narcissa had only closed herself deeper inside her shell. But not today.
"Listen to me, Narcissa," Andromeda started firmly. "I know you are hurt and I know you feel horrible even if you prefer to stick your head into the sand and pretend like nothing has happened." When Narcissa opened her mouth to protest, she raised her and to silence her. "But right now it doesn't matter. You can't go on like this. Not for this holiday. It is Bellatrix's wedding. And no matter what complete oaf she is dragging to the altar, we owe her something. You can't behave like this when we get to France, do you understand? For Bella's sake."
Narcissa glared quietly at her sister's determined face. Finally, she sighed and shrugged. "I... I won't. I promise."
"Good," said Andromeda and indicated the door. "Then let's go. Evan and Regulus are waiting downstairs."
Their cousins were both looking eager and excited as Andromeda and Narcissa came down the stairs. They were going to walk down to Hogsmeade where their parents would pick them up.
"There you are girls!" said Regulus. "Let's get going!"
As they walked out through the gate together, Andromeda caught something out of the corner of her eye. Sirius was standing slightly hidden behind a statue with his friends. The others were talking, but he was looking straight at her and her sister. His face didn't reveal anything, but there was something in his eyes that made Andromeda unable to look at him. She turned away and followed the others.
The bride was ready. The dress in silky white with green ribbons fitted her slim body perfectly and left her pale shoulders bare. A silver necklace hung around the slender pillar of her neck with a single green emerald. Her hair was pulled away from her dramatic features and pinned up on her skull with a comb of silver. A few raven curls were allowed to flow freely against her back.
Andromeda watched her sister with the shadow of a smile over her face. "You look beautiful."
Bellatrix smiled and shrugged. "Thank you. You only do it once so it should be worth some effort – or so I've heard." Her tone of voice suggested that the wedding was some kind of ordeal she needed to overcome.
Andromeda quietly moved closer to her. They were in the dressing room at Chateaux Lestrange. Their mother and the other women had left them to join the other guests in the main hall where the ceremony would take place. "I heard you are going to Italy on your honey moon?" she said.
"Yes, to Venice," nodded Bellatrix. "Not exactly original, but what could you expect?" She dismissed her future husband with a gesture from her hand. "Anyway, we will be back here in a couple of weeks. I could use some relaxation after all these endless preparations."
Andromeda frowned. "Will you be staying here?"
"This is Rudolphus' home, isn't it?" said Bellatrix as she made sure that her earrings were properly fastened. "But of course he has got a house in Cornwall too. And we have talked about getting a flat in London."
"You should do that," mumbled Andromeda
Bellatrix raised her head and looked at her sister in amusement. Andromeda did not look happy. As a matter of fact, she looked almost miserable. "Why? Are you going to miss me so much?"
Andromeda shrugged sadly, like she didn't know what to say. "It would be nice to know where you are so I could..."
"Andromeda!" Bellatrix sighed deeply and grabbed her younger sister's shoulder, shaking her lightly. "How many times do I have to tell you that this is my choice? I am not going to be unhappy or miserable. So stop worrying and start looking for a husband of your own instead. Believe me, it's not that hard."
Andromeda shook her head, fervently. "I am not worrying, I just... I just wanted to say that if you would ever need me... If there is anything I can do..." Her voice broke and when she raised her head, she had tears in her hazel eyes.
"Andromeda..." Bellatrix sighed as she pulled her sister into a hug. As annoying as Andromeda's silly sensitivities could be, she also found them strangely moving sometimes.
"I just love you, Bella," mumbled Andromeda throatily against her shoulder. "I love you so much and if you should ever be hurt, I'd..."
Bellatrix pulled back and shook her head in amusement. "It's Rudolphus Lestrange we are talking about here. I could eat him for breakfast. I will have him safely wrapped around my little finger. There is nothing for you to cry for."
She pulled out a handkerchief and started wiping Andromeda's eyes. "No more tears," she commanded her. "You are a Black and besides, it's not good for your makeup."
Andromeda chuckled and blew her nose like a strangled goose. "Is there any time when looks aren't important to you?"
"No," smiled Bellatrix.
They were interrupted as Narcissa stepped in. Like Andromeda, she was wearing a simple dress in light green with a garland of autumn flowers in her hair. She looked surprised to see her sisters in such an affectionate position. "Oh, I didn't mean to intrude..." she started, but Bellatrix waved at her to come in. "The guests are gathering in the hall. Mr. Lestrange is waiting for his bride."
"A little waiting is good for him," grinned Bellatrix. She turned away to the mirror, checking her dress and appearance one last time. Finally, she turned back, reaching her arms out. "Are you going to wish me good luck, sisters?"
Narcissa hurried up to hug her oldest sister tightly. "Good luck Bella. You and your husband will be a pride to the wizard world."
Andromeda managed a smile and clutched her hand. "Good luck. I really hope you'll be happy."
Bellatrix smiled at them both. "Well, let's go and face the enemy then."
"And let us all make a toast to this splendid woman who will stand by my side on my journey through life!" shouted Rudolphus Lestrange, raising his goblet of wine. Every one in the dining hall followed his example, even Andromeda, though she was not very enthusiastic about it. The wine tasted acid in her mouth, just like the delicious wedding meal.
Rudolphus sat down again, somewhat dazed and received a kiss from his new wife. The ceremony had been finished quickly and before she knew it, her sister had become a Lestrange. Arm, in arm, the wedding couple had received the cheers from the guests that were gathered in the hall, the pure and inbred aristocracy of the wizard world. Not a single fanatic nutcase had been left out.
Their mother had been crying with joy and their father looked like he would bust with pride. Rudolphus' brother, the best man Rabastan, had looked like his life was over. Bellatrix had been smiling and waving graciously and Andromeda didn't miss the looks of triumph she had given Lucius Malfoy, who was also present. Andromeda thought they could have done well without him, but he was, after all, a friend of both the Blacks and the Lestranges.
By now, they were all gathered in the dining room, which was beautifully decorated in autumn colours. Two banners were hanging on opposite sides of the walls. One of them had the Black motto written upon it: Tojours pure and the other had the Lestrange words, pureté et fierté: purity and pride.
Two families had now become one. Or at least that was what her father Cygnus said as he stood from his chair and prepared to offer yet another long and sleep-inducing speech. Andromeda glanced around the room. Lucius Malfoy had a wine goblet in his hand and listened with a flat, somewhat uninterested face. If Bellatrix had hoped to make him jealous, she seemed to have failed.
Rabastan Lestrange on the other hand was clearly bothered. He had already had too much too drink and was starting to get sappy and rambling. He had tears in his eyes when he watched the newly wedded couple, who were sitting close to each other, constantly smiling and sharing the same cup of wine.
Sometimes, Andromeda felt like crying too. But she realized that she couldn't break down in front of everyone. Besides, it would be silly. Bellatrix had been right. It had been her choice and there probably wasn't much to worry about. Rudolphus might not be a Prince Charming, but nor was he wicked or cruel. He would probably spoil Bellatrix rotten, but he wouldn't hurt her. Andromeda was not sure that Bellatrix would be happy though, but that was not something she could meddle into.
No, she probably had better reasons to be concerned for the younger of her two sisters. Andromeda's eyes roamed to the other end of the table, towards Narcissa who was engaged in a conversation with one of their Rosier cousins. Seeing that she was smiling and trying to look happy, like Andromeda had ordered her, was actually even sadder than the gloomy face she usually displayed these days.
She just didn't know what she was going to do to help her sister. She was at her wits' end. She remembered what Dumbledore had said about her grades. It had been more than two months. Was she ever going to recover? Sometimes when Andromeda looked at her sister, she wanted to put a killing curse on Sirius. But still, she knew that it wasn't really his fault. And that made her feel guilty.
And sometimes it was very difficult to think about Narcissa, or Sirius, or anyone else for that matter. Andromeda's mind was constantly filled with other things. It was difficult to hide that she, despite everything, was having the best time of her life. Love was a selfish thing, she guessed.
Even here in the crowded hall, she could see his face before her. They had met behind a hedge at the school yard, in secret as always, before she left for France. The feeling of his warm lips and his strong, vivant body against hers was still fresh in her mind.
"We shouldn't be doing this I suppose. What is happening to us? What have you done to me?"
She couldn't hold back a smile. She smiled often these days and completely unexpectedly.
Narcissa was standing in a corner of the ballroom. Naturally, Bellatrix had opened the dance with her new husband. He was not a particularly gifted dancer but his wife made up for his mistakes. Despite her long, heavy dress, she moved smoothly and gracefully and the smile on her face was enchanting. Her beauty was radiating and she was the centre of attention to everyone in the room. Her new husband watched her with adoration and he was not the only one.
Bellatrix had ordered Andromeda to drag Rabastan Lestrange into a dance. He needed to be distracted. He had been reluctant, but finally Andromeda had been able to persuade him to join her on the dance floor. His attention was clearly not focused on the dancing however. Every now and then, he glanced at the bride and groom and his lower lip trembled slightly.
His behaviour was pathetic and yet Narcissa couldn't blame him. When she looked at the happy couple, she sometimes felt like her throat had been constricted. It should have been her out there on the floor; she should have been the bride. Her groom should have been smiling down at her with that mischievous twinkle in his eyes that she loved. His arms should have held her tight as they left the world behind them.
But it would never be. All her dreams were crushed. Narcissa felt like a hard, tight shell had closed around her heart that kept all of her feelings locked inside. She did not dare to remove it, since she was afraid that she would drown in them if she did.
How can you keep living when there is nothing to live for?
That was what she had asked herself these last few months. And the only answer she could think of was simple: you could not.
"Why are you standing here all alone?" asked a voice.
Narcissa flinched violently and looked up. She hadn't noticed that Lucius Malfoy had walked up to her. He was watching her with a frown on his face. "You shouldn't deny the young men the opportunity to dance with you. It would be cruel."
Narcissa felt embarrassed, like she had been caught doing something criminal. "I... I am sorry. I am just not in the mood for dancing."
His eyes roamed over form. He looked disapproving. "You seem to be in no mood at all," he remarked. "This is a wedding, not a funeral."
His tone of voice annoyed her and her answer was stiff and cold. "I am sorry, Mr. Malfoy. I was just thinking."
"There will be a lot of time for thinking later. Your sister only marries once, doesn't she?
Malfoy's blue eyes seemed reproaching and Narcissa blushed. "Yes, I am sorry..."
"Why do you keep apologising?" he asked her lightly. "No one is accusing you."
"I am sorr... " She managed to stop herself, embarrassed and confused. She couldn't stand his curious eyes and she just wanted him to go away. "Sir, I am not very entertaining for the time being, so could you just leave me alone, please?"
He didn't. Instead, he kept scrutinizing her. "I heard your betrothal was ended?"
Narcissa stiffened like a fork. "Yes," she confirmed shortly. "Are going to rub it in my face?"
He shook his head. "No." He did not seem the least bit uncomfortable that he had brought up a sensitive subject. His face was thoughtful. "And I suppose it will be no comfort if I tell you that you are lucky to be rid of him?"
"I don't need comfort." Her voice was cold and dismissive.
He slowly placed his hand on her wrist. "Dance with me."
It was not a request. He started walking towards the dance floor, leading her with him. Narcissa was surprised at his abrupt change of subject, but she went with him, even though she felt no enthusiasm. She was well aware that it would not be acceptable to turn down a powerful wizard like Malfoy.
Malfoy was a good dancer with his height and smoothness. Narcissa didn't want to be an unworthy partner and did her best to follow his movements. As he swung her around, he smiled at her and she returned his smile, somewhat uncertain.
She couldn't help but wonder what Malfoy would say if he knew that this would be the last time he ever saw her.
"I think it is time for us to retire, don't you agree, dear wife?"
Rudolphus' knowing words were received by subtle giggles and low whistles from the guests. Bellatrix managed to keep her amiable smile and control the feeling of faint disgust that had spread in the pit of her stomach.
"As you wish, husband," she said sweetly and stood from the chair to take his hand.
Rudolpus had obviously had too much to drink. His face was sweaty and reddish and when he bent over to sweep his wife off her feet, he let out a sound that resembled a bull in heat.
Everyone cheered and Bellatrix smiled stiffly, even though she felt humiliated. She hid her face by her husband's damp collar as he carried her out of the room. She caught a glimpse of her sisters as they left. Narcissa seemed distant as always and Andromeda looked troubled as she watched her sister.
Bellatrix noticed that Lucius Malfoy was standing next to her. He watched her with an amused, somewhat sympathetic smile on his face and raised her goblet to her as they passed. "Don't worry, your secret is safe with me," his eyes said.
Bellatrix wished she could kick his smug face, but he was too far away and Rudolphus was already out through the door. She tried to steel herself. Let's just get this over with.
The wedding suite was at the third floor and Bellatrix knew that the house elves had prepared it with care for their master and his new wife. Rose petals would be spread all over the giant bed and it would be made with the finest silk.
But when Rudolphus eagerly pushed the door open, they were both surprised to see that someone was waiting for them. A tall, black-haired man was standing with his back against them.
Rudolphus almost dropped Bellatrix in his surprise. "My lord!"
He turned around and smiled at them. "Excuse me for my intrusion. But I have a wedding gift for you and I did not want to deliver it where everyone else could see."
Bellatrix moved closer. "What is it?"
Lord Voldemort watched them both closely and pulled out his wand. "I am very happy that two of my followers have been joined today. The bonds between us make us stronger until the day we are ready to take over. I am here to visit because I know that the two of you are faithful and true to my cause. I know you will never fail me."
"Never," they both said in chorus, but he raised his hand to silence them.
"I am here because I want to give you proof of my belief in your loyalty. I want everyone to know that you have been chosen to serve me and that I believe in you. I want to mark you as my own." A small, green flame was burning by the point of his wand.
"Give me your wrists," he said softly.