A/N: For Rosie0522!
"You will at least meet Malfoy," Bellatrix commands, lounging on a sofa in 12 Grimmauld Place.
Her sister walks across the room to sit, straight-backed, on a chair. "I've had enough of you ordering me around, Bella."
"Imagine you with Lucius Malfoy, on the Dark Lord's left hand side!"
Narcissa snorts. "I presume you're on his right hand side."
"Of course," Bellatrix glows with pride, apparently having missed the laced-with-sarcasm tone. She leans forward eagerly, "It will be a massive honour for the Black family!"
"Why don't you just marry Lucius Malfoy if it will be such an honour?"
Bellatrix glances down, almost ruefully, at the wedding ring on her left hand. "Rabastan is as high, if not higher than Lucius in the Dark Lord's favour."
"Now that's a lie, and you know it."
"How dare you insult my husband!" Bellatrix starts to rise, her wand suddenly at attention. She catches herself and settles rigidly back into her chair, clearing her throat. "Was that you standing up for Lucius, Cissy?"
Narcissa pauses, frowning at her sister. "No, I was merely stating a fact that Lucius Malfoy is more highly regarded than your… husband."
Narrowing her eyes, Bellatrix stands; the movement causes Narcissa to flinch.
"Oh, Cissy, relax," laughs Bellatrix, leaning around the door. "Kreacher!" she calls.
A few seconds later, the drooping house-elf lumbers into the room. "Yes, Mrs Lestrange?"
"Go to the Malfoy's," she orders, "tell that creepy little Dobby that Narcissa Black wishes to see Lucius."
"But–" Narcissa protests, but Kreacher has already disappeared with a crack.
Bellatrix turns around with a cold smile. "You have no choice now, you wouldn't want to disappoint Mr Malfoy, would you?"