XXI.

"Repeat the rules back to me, Bella."

Bellatrix looked utterly exasperated. "I'm not a fucking child, I know what you said—"

"Bellatrix. Do not make me have to ask you twice."

Bellatrix exhaled a dramatic puff of air, the force of it so hard that it blew a stray curl away from her face as she rolled her eyes. Draco was due to step off the Hogwarts Express in about an hour though, and Narcissa needed to be absolutely certain that there were no gray areas in the rules she set down for their household. "Don't scare your feeble offspring— play nice, don't let him know that you love putting my cunt in your mouth, don't talk about the Dark Lord's plans around him…"

"And?" Narcissa prompted.

"I don't know, there was a lot and I was only half-listening 'cause you look hot as fuck when you're trying to order me around." Bellatrix smirked at her, but Narcissa merely narrowed her eyes in response. She wasn't kidding around and Bellatrix seemed to understand that as she exhaled a sigh, leaning back in her seat and looking bored. "Something about our bedroom?" she guessed.

"My bedroom," Narcissa corrected. "You will be acting as though you stay in one of our guest rooms. You may apparate into my room and sleep there if you wish, but you are no longer allowed to be in there unless you use Muffliato the second you come in. Is that clear?"

"Yes, Mother."

"I'd prefer 'ma'am' if you wish to be submissively sarcastic about it."

Bellatrix's lips curled up into a devious grin. "Yes, Ma'am," she drawled, sliding her hand down her breasts as she looked up at her sister invitingly. Narcissa was absolutely exasperated by Bellatrix's desire to turn everything sexual, but at the same time she did look rather delicious when she played like she was at her mercy. Still, they regrettably did not have time for this. "You still owe me, you know," Bellatrix reminded her, as though Narcissa could ever forget.

"I'm aware. However, you missed your window when you left me waiting in those foolish clothes to do the Dark Lord's bidding," Narcissa responded, causing Bellatrix's expression to sour. "That is not to say that it will never happen, but certainly not while my son is under this roof."

Bellatrix looked horrified by that news. "He'll be here for three months, Narcissa!"

"Well then I guess somebody didn't take their little fetish too seriously, because the opportunity has passed you by. Oh, don't pout— it looks absolutely ridiculous on a woman your age," Narcissa chastised, which only made Bellatrix look even more unhappy. "Honestly, you're lucky I plan to even bed you while he's here, but I shudder to think what you'd bring home if I didn't satisfy you. I don't want my son walking by your bedroom to see you engaged in some kind of hooker orgy."

"I can't get hookers, Cissy, my fucking face is plastered across every wanted poster in Britain. Even whores will know who I am."

Narcissa pretended to contemplate this. "True. Perhaps I shouldn't concern myself with your satisfaction then; it would make things a lot easier…"

"What— what?" Bellatrix sputtered in rage, and Narcissa couldn't help herself and exhaled the chuckle she had been holding in. Bellatrix glowered as her sister reached forward and affectionately pinched her chin.

"You're far too easy sometimes. Look at you, so upset."

Bellatrix snapped her teeth at her sister's hand and Narcissa laughed, pulling it away. "Relax, my love. I will keep you well attended to, so long as you play by the rules I've set down. Does that seem agreeable to you?"

"You know, you're being overly snooty right now and it's annoying as fuck."

"Is it?" Narcissa questioned disbelievingly, standing in front of the chair her sister was sprawled in. Bellatrix just shot her a sarcastic look but it was washed over in surprise as suddenly Narcissa's foot was on the edge of the seat, pushing it back so far that Bellatrix would have fallen over backwards if not for the half-wall behind her. Still, she was at a strange angle now and she had let out a very undignified shout when she thought for a moment that she was going to end up on her arse.

"Jesus fucking Christ, Cissy—"

"I will say this once," Narcissa began, allowing her honesty to seep out from behind the mask she was currently wearing. "My anxiety about Draco coming home and living here with you, with us, and everything that we fucking do in this house, is through the roof right now. I am trying, in the only way I know how, to feel like I have some semblance of control over the situation. Maybe it's turning me into a snooty prat, but at least it's turning me into a bossy one, which is what seems to get you wet these days so apologize to me, Bella. Now."

"—Sorry."

Bellatrix's apology was rather immediate, which at least caused Narcissa to exhale the breath she was holding. She quirked a demanding eyebrow at her though as she prompted, "I'm sorry, what?"

"Ma'am," Bellatrix drawled, suddenly far more interested in this side of her sister than she was five seconds ago. "I'm sorry, Ma'am…" Her fingers trailed up Narcissa's supple thigh, the younger woman's dress having ridden up from the position she was now standing in. The blonde trapped her bottom lip between her teeth, staring at the woman beneath her. "Mmm… want me to show you how sorry I really am…?"

"As tempting as that is, I need to meet Cassandra at the station in fifteen minutes." Narcissa took her foot away, allowing Bellatrix's chair to rock back into place. The older woman glowered.

"What have I told you about pouting? Come here, look at me," Narcissa chastised, gently grasping her sister's chin in her hand. Her thumb dragged along the edge of the brunette's mouth, gently tugging on her bottom lip. "I want you as calm as you can possibly be when I get home with my son, so I expect you to go upstairs when I am gone and to fuck the hell out of yourself so you can get rid of all that pent up energy that I, admittedly, might have exacerbated. Second drawer to the left on my vanity has quite a lot of things you may enjoy, but if you'd like my recommendation…"

Bellatrix snickered, although her gaze had gotten significantly darker in desire. "You're getting off on this just as much as I am, Cissy, don't even fucking play; look at you. How are you gonna pick up your son when you're going to be thinking about me fucking myself on your bed with your favorite toy while you're gone?"

"I have excellent restraint, but thank you for your concern. Do you want my recommendation or not?"

Bellatrix rolled her eyes, but her interest was piqued. "Tell me."

"The pink one."

Bellatrix looked at her like she had to have gone mental to even suggest such a thing to her. "You're fucked if you think I'm gonna shove anything pink up my cunt. What, does it have flowers on it too?"

Narcissa just shrugged casually, stepping away from her. "Your loss then."

Bellatrix looked immensely frustrated. "…How good is it?" she finally ground out, enjoying this whole light dom act that Narcissa was putting on enough to want to do what she said regardless. If this was the closest she was going to get to her kink right now, then she clearly wanted it.

"Good enough that if you're a good girl and do as I say that I'll fuck myself with it in front of you later tonight. If you go above and beyond my expectations, I may even use it in my arse; I know how much you adore a filthy show, after all. Consider it; I'll be back in an hour," Narcissa finished before leaning in, giving her sister a parting kiss on the cheek. She was half-surprised that Bellatrix didn't just grab her right then and just have her way with her as, truth be told, it would have been embarrassingly easy for her to turn the tables on her, but perhaps Bellatrix really was enjoying this little role-reversal enough to actually do as she was told.

But hey, whatever kept her under control.

Fifteen minutes later she and Cassandra were waiting for their sons to return home from school. Usually the boys preferred their fathers to pick them up, but they were left with little choice now. Platform 9¾ was packed with people and the stench of mudbloods and the like was overwhelming. One of them actually brushed by her and Narcissa nearly had a fit over her nice jacket being soiled until Cassandra grabbed her hand, hissed at her to 'stop making a fuckin' scene' and pulled her into one of the windowed waiting areas that laid on the outskirts of the platform.

If Narcissa was remembering correctly, this might have been the very same one she sat in with Bellatrix after Christmas leave of her fifth year, but that reminded Narcissa that these places were not as private as they needed them to be if they were going to have an actual conversation, and Narcissa immediately cast a silencing charm on the small area to make sure that they were not overheard.

"Christ, Cissa— everyone's already fuckin' staring at us cause of what our husbands did, do ya gotta make it worse?" Cassandra swore, looking at the woman incredulously. Her hands were on her hips and the look she was being given made Narcissa feel about an inch tall, when usually her over-dramatic racist bullshit made her feel bigger than everyone else around her.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry— I'm just so…" Narcissa tried to explain as she sat down, shaking out her hands in anxiety. "Having to bring Draco back home to Bella is making me feel like I'm having a nervous breakdown. I think I have her under control, but who even knows anymore. I just don't want Draco to be negatively affected by her presence in his life. She can be— a lot."

Cassandra exhaled a long, drawn out sigh. Bellatrix was definitely not her favorite topic but, for now, the younger woman was resigned to the reality that Narcissa had made a commitment to her sister whether she liked it or not. Narcissa had begged her to understand that everything would just go smoother if she continued on as normal while at home and they kept their relationship hidden from Bellatrix any time they were away from the manor, but Narcissa had the feeling Cassandra was only obliging her because their sons were going to be home from school and she did not want them in the middle of what would no doubt turn into a very messy war.

Cassandra had zero issue with fighting Bellatrix for her, especially after finding out that Bellatrix had been put under the Unbreakable Vow. Narcissa panicked though, trying to explain to Cassandra that just because Bellatrix couldn't physically hurt her did not mean that she couldn't emotionally destroy her, or worse— hurt someone that she cared about. That did, at least, seem to give Cassandra pause, and considering Gregory would be home for the summer, she did not want Bellatrix going after him for her crimes. It was why she had reluctantly agreed to play the role of Narcissa's secret mistress, but in return Narcissa was trying to be an attentive and caring girlfriend because, honestly, she really needed to stop pretending that that wasn't what they were now; after fifteen years of an on and off sexual relationship, perhaps it was time they actually started dating.

Took damn near long enough.

"Damnit, I'm making everything about me again," Narcissa realized, pinching the bridge of her nose. She looked back up at the woman across from her, brow creased apologetically. "I shouldn't have embarrassed you, I'm sorry. Will you sit down while we wait? I really need to hold your hand right now but we can't hide it well enough unless you're next to me."

"Bollocks that we gotta hide it, honestly," Cassandra muttered, but did as requested and sat by the blonde. Narcissa took the younger woman's hand in her own, weaving their fingers together as she allowed their bodies to hide the proof of their care for one another. She squeezed, and Cassandra returned the gesture in kind.

"I know, but we're already the topic of gossip as it is, and I know Draco would never forgive me if I embarrassed him by looking like a lesbian in front of his little friends."

Cassandra side-eyed her. "He really say that shit to you?"

"I mean. It was a couple years ago, after he found out about us, but… yes. He told me people knowing about our affair would embarrass him since we're both women; that's why he never told your son. Well, that and he didn't want to make things worse for Gregory, considering he was apparently well-aware that Peter was sleeping with Ursula at the time."

"Fuck, I knew it," Cassandra swore, exhaling a defeated breath as she leaned back, gently banging the back of her head against the glass. "He was always so… withdrawn around his Dad. Wanker— if he wasn't in prison I'd rip his bollocks off. Kids don't need to know what adults are doin'; we're all a bunch of fuckin' idiots anyway— screwing everyone's husbands an' wives, makin' everything go to shit. We're all bloody terrible role models."

"While I don't disagree, Lucius and I did at least try to have a conversation with Draco about our consensual, albeit unorthodox arrangement; it was the closest we could get to making this mess seem anywhere near the realm of healthy. Perhaps you should talk to Gregory."

"An' say what? That his Dad's likes stickin' his prick in ugly mingers and his Mum likes lickin' cunts? Pass. We didn't have an arrangement, Cissa," Cassandra reminded her, needing Narcissa to realize that their situations were wildly different. "Peter knew I was bloody obsessed with you, we tried to work through it but couldn't cause I dunno how to keep my fuckin' feelings in check apparently, an' now he's in prison so what does it even matter? Gregory doesn't need to know a damn thing about my life— it'll only confuse him. My life already confuses me."

Narcissa gently bit down on her lower lip as she looked at the woman next to her. "If I'm exacerbating your confusion, I apologize."

Cassandra snorted. "If?"

"I know— I know that you and I have been all over the map over the last decade and a half, but I promise you, Cass, this is what I want," Narcissa insisted, her hand squeezing Cassandra's. She knew it must be difficult for Cassandra to see this as something genuine considering the circumstances surrounding Bellatrix, and the fact that Narcissa had always been quick to label their relationship as something closer to friends with benefits than anything else. "Let me take you on a date this weekend."

"You want to take me on a date," Cassandra repeated, as though the concept was foreign to her.

"Why do you have to say it like that?"

"Because — an' don't take this the wrong way — ya seem like the type to want to be on the receiving end of romantic gestures. Why are you trying so bloody hard?"

Narcissa looked at the woman's profile until Cassandra's gaze caught hers. "Because that's what you do for someone you care about. That's what you do for your girlfriend; you take her on dates, you make her feel special. I just want— I want to make you happy… that's all." Narcissa's cheeks turned a bit pink at her admission and she averted her gaze, choosing instead to stare at their locked hands. "I know I haven't been for a long time, and I'm sorry. I want to do better."

Cassandra did not say anything for a long time, but she could hear the woman inhale a sharp breath, and when she spoke her voice was a little strained as though she was trying to stifle the emotion she held inside. "'Girlfriend', is it now? You've never… ya never called me that before," she softly realized, but her voice was so tight and Narcissa had trouble deciphering what that meant. "I mean, we've both said we were 'practically' that, but it was always after it was over…"

Yeah, it was, wasn't it? They always were rather stupid when it came to trying to define what they had. Narcissa wished she didn't feel so utterly foolish, but suddenly she felt a bit like a twelve year old with a crush as she tried to find the definition that worked for them, if that wasn't it. "I mean, I know the term seems rather juvenile when we're both nearing middle age—"

"You more than me."

"Yes, thank you," Narcissa stressed and she could see Cassandra smirk out of the corner of her eye. The blonde looked up at her then, hoping she didn't look as vulnerable as she felt. "What do you feel like we are? God, we probably shouldn't be having this conversation at the bloody train station, I'm sorry…"

"Stop apologizing; you've said you're sorry to me like fifteen bloody times already. I know you feel like shit 'cause of everything that happened over the last six months, but stop dwelling on it. You've got me."

"I know I do, but I want to keep you as well," Narcissa stressed, needing Cassandra to realize that she needed to change if she wanted her life to go in a better direction than it had before. "I feel like perhaps it's time I expend an actual effort towards a romantic partner; I've always been selfish, I've always been entitled. But I shouldn't be. I do not, in any way, deserve to have you, so I know I need to show you that I'm worth it; that this is worth it, especially since I know it won't be easy."

Cassandra exhaled a small sigh, gently reaching out to affectionately tuck a piece of hair behind Narcissa's ear. "You've always been worth it to me, Cissa. An' you've always been the woman I've wanted to call my girlfriend, regardless of that makin' us sound like we're fuckin' sixteen again. I don't care. S'what I want; what I've always wanted with you."

Narcissa's brow creased in emotion as she looked at the woman beside her. "God, I wish we had this conversation somewhere else, because I desperately want to kiss you right now." Cassandra gave her a shy smile, and Narcissa's heart lurched in her chest. Cassandra had always been one of the most heart-stoppingly beautiful women she had ever seen, but she was so much more so when she was happy.

"I wish I could kiss you too."

The horn from the train blared through the station then, indicating its arrival and thankfully tearing the two women away from their staring contest with one another. Cassandra tsked in irritation when she realized they were still being stared at, despite trying to find some privacy. Perhaps the entire waiting area being made of glass did not help, but now that Narcissa realized many eyes were still upon them, she felt a bit like she had been put up in a window display.

"So much for not looking like desperate lesbians. Even without my tongue down your throat, I doubt our mannerisms were subtle. Damnit, Draco is going to be so angry with me if rumors start."

Cassandra untangled their hands and rose from her seat, Narcissa following shortly afterward. "S'that all you care about? How Draco would feel about it?"

Narcissa snorted. "If you think I should be concerned about my reputation, need I remind you that we are the blight upon the wizarding world right now? Besides, most if not all of the Death Eaters know about my true relationship with my sister, and I'm resigned to the fact that gossip like that spreads rather quickly— those who weren't locked up, who weren't in hiding have no doubt heard about it from those who were, and from there…" Narcissa sighed heavily. "I haven't had to face that shame yet, as I'm sure none of them wish to induce my sister's ire, but I'm sure I will one day. I've given up on my reputation, and in hindsight, people finding out that I'm in a relationship with you is the least of my concerns. At least you're not related to me."

"I mean, I am. Distantly, but still. At least I tick off one of your boxes."

Narcissa laughed, gently bumping the younger woman with her shoulder as they exited the waiting area. "Shut up." Cassandra laughed as well, and Narcissa felt much lighter as she looked at the woman next to her, infinitely glad that she had decided to give into her selfish desires. If only Lucius was still here, things would be perfect.

No, they wouldn't, Narcissa had to remind herself. She was being foolish again. As much as she would love a world where she was free to be with both her husband and Cassandra, such a world did not exist. Everyone was too judgmental and it would reflect badly upon their son. Besides, while Narcissa knew Bellatrix's social circle was extremely limited right now due to being a wanted criminal, being public about such a relationship would no doubt end up circling back around to her, and everything would fall apart again.

So despite how badly Narcissa wanted to grab Cassandra and kiss her, to tangle her fingers in her hair and give everyone on this stupid platform a reason to stare, she refrained. Narcissa might be old enough now to realize that some things were just more important than her reputation, but she was still tied down by societal expectations and the desire to keep Bellatrix happy.

Bellatrix, who was probably on her bed right now with a pink dildo shoved in her cunt and hating Narcissa for making her use that color toy, yet obliging her all the same. Narcissa smirked, a deep desire burning in the pit of her stomach by just how powerful that made her feel. She wished she was there to watch, honestly. Being the one in control in their relationship was, admittedly, making Narcissa enjoy it a lot more. She had always felt like a slave to her sister's whims, and while being the one who was used and abused had always been endlessly sexy to her, Bellatrix was too rash and impulsive for Narcissa to just ride along on her coattails anymore.

Thinking about Bellatrix while she was with Cassandra though made the pit of Narcissa's stomach twist in guilt. She needed to start separating them, both in her heart and in her mind. So Narcissa pushed her sister from her thoughts as she approached the train with her girlfriend, watching the students through the windows begin to grab their luggage before filing off the train.

"Shit," Narcissa swore softly, her gaze landing on a woman with short, bubblegum-pink hair a ways away, knowing exactly who it was. "Aurors."

"What?" Cassandra asked, instantly panicking.

"Don't stare," Narcissa instructed, and both women chose to keep their gaze on the train as they waited for their children. "My niece… did I tell you I had the absolute displeasure of meeting her while she ransacked my home, by the way? She's with the Weasley blood-traitors and a few others— I think that older man was one of the Aurors who searched our house the first time Lucius was arrested."

"Why're they here, you reckon?" Cassandra whispered, keeping her body close to Narcissa's so they could speak without being overhead.

"Probably Potter's entourage, after what happened in the Ministry. Hopefully they don't bother us— oh my God!" Narcissa shrieked in horror, finally seeing her son step off the train. Well, step might be generous. He and what Narcissa could only assume were the forms of Vincent and Gregory were barely recognizable as they practically slid off the train, and Narcissa's eyes welled up with tears. Who had done this to her precious child?

"Greg! Gregory! Who did this to you? Bloody trolls, the lot of them; should be thrown out of the fuckin' school for shit like this— Cissa, we need to get them to a hospital! Where the hell is Ursula?!"

But then there was a distinct shriek from a ways down the platform, and that question was answered rather quickly.

"Draco— Draco, my love, come here," Narcissa exhaled in a hurry, ridding herself of her coat so she could wrap it around her son's form so that people would just stop staring. God, would no one really help them? It looked like their children were hit with multiple hexes at once— no matter what their family did, their kids did not deserve to have it taken out on them!

Ursula Crabbe was crying and fussing over her son as well now, but all three of the boys were unable to speak due to their current state. Narcissa was enraged and had half a mind to curse the children who were laughing at the scene, but with Aurors present she did not dare. She knew it was probably that nasty Potter boy anyway— him and all his friends, what horrible children, the fucking lot of them…

It took St. Mungo's over two hours to set the boys right again. According to them they had been attacked simultaneously by no less than six of their classmates, although Vincent had been certain there were at least ten. Draco was quick to blame Potter, and Narcissa was not surprised that it was he who was at fault; of course that nasty child would take the opportunity to strike down her boy when he was already at his lowest. His father had just been imprisoned for fuck's sake; what awful, awful behavior…

But then again, what else could she expect from an orphan? Perhaps if his silly mother hadn't tried fighting the inevitable, she would have been well enough and alive to teach the boy some manners.

When Narcissa apparated into the foyer of her home with her son at her side, Draco immediately wrenched out of her grasp. "Mother, stop fussing— I'm fine, just leave it!" But his expression immediately fell away to one of fright as he realized they were not alone, and his already pale face went so white he could have been mistaken for a ghost.

Bellatrix was leaning against the threshold of the doorway into the parlor, looking rather irritated as she picked at her nails. Before she started in on Narcissa being late though, as no doubt that was what had sparked her ire, Bellatrix dragged her gaze over Draco, assessing everything from the way he looked to his suddenly timid demeanor as the boy was confronted with the unknown. "This him?" Bellatrix asked, at least forcing herself to be as polite as she could manage.

Narcissa looked at her in exasperation. "No, it's some stranger I kidnapped— yes, this is your nephew. Draco, say hello to your Aunt." She tried to give him a little push on the back, but Draco would not budge. He clearly wished to keep a safe distance away, and Narcissa's stomach tightened. She didn't want her son to be uncomfortable in his own home, but it wasn't like Bellatrix had anywhere else to go.

Perhaps this was just first meeting jitters; in time, Narcissa was certain they would warm to one another. Right now though, both of them looked as though they would like it better if they didn't occupy the same space. Draco was obviously wary about what his aunt was capable of, and Bellatrix had zero idea how to deal with children— or, at the very least, a young man who was Narcissa's child, and therefore was off-limits when it came to viciously destroying his manhood.

"…Hi," Draco reluctantly greeted, torn between looking terrified and judgmental, as Bellatrix wasn't the most put together person in the world. Narcissa still hadn't had a chance to go shopping for better clothes for her sister, so Bellatrix had taken to cutting up some of her dresses to make them better fit her figure and her style. Her hair was an absolute mess and her makeup was a bit smudged, but as that was something Narcissa found sexy she never really considered how it might look objectively.

Bellatrix's lip curled as she continued to evaluate him. "He looks too much like Lucius," she told her sister, as though that was a bad thing. But then she paused, taking in the parts instead of the whole. "Although…" she reassessed, "he's got the Black cheekbones that seemed to have skipped you. Perhaps you weren't a product of an affair after all, Cissy; just a puffy-faced blonde unicorn in a mess of shit."

"Puffy-faced?" Narcissa repeated, horrified. Despite herself, her hands went to her cheeks. She was not— ugh, she hated her. Just because her cheekbones couldn't cut glass didn't mean Bellatrix had to call her puffy.

"Don't get all offended over it; it was meant to be comforting. He is clearly a Black, which means you are too; don't pretend like you didn't agonize over the possibility when you were younger— you always bloody hated that father refused to name you after a star."

"I did agonize over it, but you didn't," Narcissa reminded her, suddenly feeling a little betrayed by her sister's lies. "You would have ripped out someone's tongue if they ever had the audacity to imply that I was only made up of half of what you are. I can't believe you actually thought that and never told me."

"You had enough self-esteem issues; I wasn't about to fucking give you another. Besides, I didn't like to think about it; everything is so much more fun if we're full-blooded instead of half-sisters, don't you think?" Bellatrix responded with a smirk, her tongue snaking out to press against her incisors. Narcissa shot her a furious glare at the implication they both knew she was making, but Draco thankfully had no idea what was going on. Honestly, he looked a little overwhelmed by the familiarity the two women shared, as he didn't know Bellatrix from a hole in the wall, and seeing his mother so comfortable with a murderer was no doubt putting him a bit on edge.

"You're treading a very thin line, Bella; or did you forget our earlier conversation?"

Bellatrix scoffed, pushing herself off the wall with her foot. She left a dirty print on Narcissa's pristine white walls and the blonde nearly popped an aneurysm. "Fuck your rules— you told me one hour and you left me here for three, Cissy. If you can't respect your sodding promises then neither will I."

"I was at the hospital, you absolute child. A bunch of kids viciously attacked my son and his friends while they were on the train—"

"And you couldn't defend yourself?" Bellatrix questioned, startling Draco as she directly addressed him this time instead of talking about him like he was merely a foreign object in her general vicinity. "Pathetic. I know you're useless in this area, Cissy, but I would have thought Lucius would have taught the boy something."

"I can defend myself fine; there were six of them and they hit me when my back was turned! What else could I have done?" Draco protested, not wishing to look weak. He puffed up in defense, standing a little taller than he had been before as he tried to convince his aunt that he was merely a circumstantial victim, and that this wasn't his norm.

Bellatrix, however, looked unimpressed by his excuse. "That's what you get for turning your back on your enemies. Are you stupid?"

"Bella!"

"It's a valid question; who the fuck does that?" she defended, looking at Narcissa like she was the ridiculous one for getting angry over a justifiable inquiry about the boy's intelligence. "You, child— you want to get back at them? I could teach you how to rip out someone's eyeballs with just a wave of your wand; it's terribly bloody but the screams are well worth it."

Oh. My. God.

"You are not teaching him anything," Narcissa ordered before Draco could get a word in, as a part of her was concerned he may take Bellatrix up on her offer. She knew Draco felt rather humiliated about being bested on the train, but his pride was not worth becoming someone horribly violent in order to never feel like a victim again. "And I explicitly asked you not to scare my son, yet you're already talking about ripping out people's bloody eyeballs—"

"If I'm scaring him then he's just a pussy— that's hardly my fault."

"I'm not scared, Mother," Draco insisted, and while that looked to be true he at least still seemed a bit wary over Bellatrix, which Narcissa was endlessly thankful for at this point. It looked as though Draco was intrigued by his aunt, but also knew it would be dangerous to get too close; much like one who wished to pet a wild animal. And considering all of Narcissa's trust in her sister went right out the bloody window over the woman's inability to follow simple instructions, she no longer believed Draco was safe from being bitten.

"Draco, go unpack. I think that's about enough for this family reunion," Narcissa ordered tersely, although her gaze was still furiously focused on Bellatrix.

"Mother, I'm fine—"

"Now, I said! I need to speak with your Aunt— alone."

"Ohh… Mummy's angry," Bellatrix cackled, and Narcissa's face reddened in fury. Draco thankfully did what he was told though and stomped up the stairs in a huff, leaving Narcissa alone with her sister who she grabbed and pulled into a different room, as she knew Draco had a tendency to spy. After casting Muffliato, she rounded on the source of her irritation.

"Was it the simplicity of my instructions that confused you, or do you just get off on being insufferable? I specifically asked you not to do a number of things you just did— this isn't a joke, Bellatrix!"

"Oh, calm down. I'm still playing by your bloody rules— he doesn't know we're fucking and as he plainly stated, he isn't scared of me. Honestly though, you're doing him a disservice by coddling him; if he's getting bullied then I could easily rectify that with a few lessons."

"He's not getting bullied. He just…" Narcissa tried, but trailed off as she didn't want to voice it out loud. But she knew. She knew what Draco did; she wasn't stupid.

"What? Does the bullying but his victims got a leg up on him this time?" Bellatrix guessed, and Narcissa flushed in shame because she was certain that was more than likely the case. She hated it, as she had been bullied as a child, but it wasn't as though she could police Draco's behavior while he was at school. "Either way, he's still shit at defending himself if he had to be taken to the sodding hospital. You want me to bond with your spawn, don't you? Don't act as though that isn't your twisted endgame here; you want me to have a relationship with him, because you feel robbed of the bullshit family unit we could have been if I hadn't been carted off to Azkaban. If you want me to play nice, Cissy, then this is my nice— take it or leave it."

Narcissa was silent, not expecting to be so blatantly called out like that. But yes, obviously she wanted Bellatrix and Draco to have a relationship, and yes she felt robbed of the kind of family they could have been if Bellatrix hadn't been arrested. She hadn't been the most attentive aunt in the world while Draco was an infant, but she had still played with him on occasion and bought him toys, and Narcissa would like to think that over the years their relationship would have grown. She loved them both so much, was it so stupid to hope that they could one day love each other as well?

Besides, maybe this was all Bellatrix had to offer. It wasn't as though she was particularly affectionate, after all, but she was a better witch than Narcissa was by far, and could teach Draco things that his mother could not. Maybe Bellatrix was trying after all— it may be the only olive branch she had, but she was at least willingly extending it, and that had to mean something.

Suddenly, Narcissa felt a little bad for getting cross with her; it was obvious Bellatrix did not know what to do or how to act around Draco, but offering to give up some of her time to teach him things? That was actually a rather big sacrifice for her, and Narcissa felt stupid for not recognizing that immediately.

"If he wants to be taught by you," Narcissa conceded in lieu of an apology, as she didn't want Bellatrix thinking that she could just do and say whatever she wanted so long as she did one singular thing right. "You may only teach him defensive magic and minor jinxes. I will not have you teaching Draco the Unforgivable Curses, Blood Magic, or anything else horrific like that eyeball— is that honestly a thing?"

"Not specifically, but if you have a strong enough pull with Accio they can just—" Bellatrix made a popping noise with her mouth and then smirked, "right out."

Narcissa's lip curled. "That is… vile."

"I think 'creative' was the word you were looking for, Cissy, and thank you."

Narcissa exhaled a long breath through her nose. "I am serious though," she reminded her. "Keep that part of your life to yourself while you're around my son. The last bloody thing I want is him seeing you as some kind of role model."

Thankfully, Bellatrix did not get offended by that, but perhaps she was already well-aware of what a terrible influence she was. "How many times are you going to remind me about your stupid rules? I know, Narcissa— shut up about it already."

Narcissa pursed her lips into a tight line, but did not press any further; apparently, Bellatrix had gotten the point.

"Now, can we go upstairs so I can collect my prize for doing what I was told? I really wanna see you do yourself in the arse," Bellatrix said, her lips slowly curling into a smirk as she leaned back against the wall, her eyes trailing down her sister's slender form.

Narcissa snorted. "You're joking if you actually think that constituted as going 'above and beyond' my expectations. You passed, but just barely."

"Me offering to spend actual time with the brat didn't go 'above and beyond'? Because I'm pretty damn sure you weren't expecting that," Bellatrix countered and, damn, she got her there. Narcissa hesitated and Bellatrix's smirk widened, knowing she had won.

"Pay up, Princess."

"Later— we're only having sex at night now, after Draco's gone to bed. Keep it in your pants until then," Narcissa hushed her, endlessly irritated by being bested by a technicality. Still, she kept her promises; in the end, she knew it was the best way to keep her sister in line. Bellatrix grinned, positively thrilled that she had come out victorious.

"Oh, this is going to be filthy, Cissy; I can't wait."

"Everything I do with you is filthy, my love," Narcissa reminded her with a small sigh as she gently leaned her body against her sister's, placing a resigned kiss on the woman's cheek. They were dirty, the two of them; it did not matter what they did, as their very love for one another was tainted by a stain that would never wash off. "But I suppose that's why we both like it."

TBC…