The Golden Snitch, Star Gazers Club. Beta Draconis (Rabastan): Write about Draco Malfoy's relationship with his aunts or uncles.
School, House: Beauxbatons, Melusine
Summary: in which Bellatrix meets Draco and her idea of children's songs shocks Narcissa.
"Good morning, Draco," Bellatrix cooed at the baby in her sister's arms, her voice high-pitched and childish. "All things considered, he's rather pretty, a fine heir, indeed—Black and Malfoy blood." She traced a blue vein on his forearm with her finger.
Narcissa trembled slightly but said nothing; she merely tightened her hold on her child who squirmed. I know, I know, Draco. I'm sorry.
"Yes," Bellatrix said again, unaware of her sister's and nephew's discomfort, "a fine heir. You did a good job, sister." She finally looked up.
"Job? He's not my job, he's my son!"
Bellatrix shrugged. "Precisely what I'm talking about." She glanced at Draco's veins again. "It's blue, pure." She looked up. Then, "Can I hold him?" she asked innocently, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
Narcissa hesitated. She seemed to recognize something vaguely similar to jealousy in her sister's dark eyes, but it was gone in the span of a moment as the older woman waited, her arms outstretched.
"Come on, it's not like I'll have other chances to hold any other baby. Just my little nephew."
Narcissa wanted to believe her, but the thought of what her sister could do—had done to her when they were children—scared her. Yet, this time, the older woman seemed genuinely interested in Draco; maybe she had matured.
Bellatrix pouted.
Or maybe not, Narcissa dryly thought. Then, against her better judgement, she put her son in her sister's arms—her only sister. Bellatrix was family, she was Draco's aunt, and he had the right to know her. Hoping she had done the right thing by following her heart, she looked at her baby; his lip trembled slightly, but he didn't cry, which made Bellatrix grin and Narcissa feel proud of the two of them.
"Next time, I'll bring Rodolphus along. The man needs to be introduced to his nephew too," Bellatrix said, rocking the precious charge in her arms.
"Really, Bellatrix, I would have never thought—"
"You never had enough imagination, sister. Do you mind if I sing something to him?"
Narcissa almost choked. "Sure." She smiled.
Bellatrix sat and started humming.
Five filthy Muggles went walkabout,
One of them was crucio'ed until he faded out.
Four filthy Muggles went to the mountain,
One of them drowned in a fountain.
Three filthy Muggles went to the sea,
One of them was killed by a banshee.
Two filthy Muggles went and had a picnic,
One of them begged for his death to be quick.
One filthy Muggle was all alone,
It only remained for him to beat his head on a stone.
Draco was motionless and Narcissa hurried to check on him; his eyes were fixed on his aunt's and the ghost of a smile played on his lips. Suddenly, he started gurgling happily and his little hand found Bellatrix's finger.
"Well, that was... interesting!" Narcissa said. "He liked it."
"Of course he did. I loved it too when our grandmother sang it to me. Do you remember it?"
"Sadly, no. I was too little."
"Merlin! I'll teach you. How can you think of raising a child without knowing the right children's songs?"
As Narcissa listened to her, she idly wondered how she had come to the point where she needed her Death Eater, childless sister's advice about babies.