"For the love of god," Bellatrix complains from the doorway. "Narcissa Black, you look fine. Let's go already."
"You don't understand how important tonight is," Narcissa says, leaning against her vanity to fix her eye makeup for the third time. She carefully adds mascara, lengthening her lashes.
Bellatrix growls. "No. You don't know how important tonight is going to be. The Dark Lord will be there."
"Who?" Narcissa can feel the sharpness of Bellatrix's eyes on her. Of course she knew who the Dark Lord was-it would have been impossible not to while living with her father- but Narcissa felt a spark of humor at riling Bellatrix so easily.
"Can we bloody go already? I swear to god if you are not ready in the next five minutes, I'll slap a blonde wig on Andromeda and drag her along instead."
Narcissa lets out a sigh and puts the mascara brush down, smoothing out her pale blue dress. She steps away from the vanity and turns to Bellatrix. "Well? How do I look? Presentable?"
Bellatrix pauses from her impatient foot-tapping to assess her. "That lipstick is too dark," she notes, stepping forward and wiping off Narcissa's lipstick with a bit of cloth. "Especially if you're going to meet his parents. Pink suits you better." She rifles through Narcissa's makeup before settling on a rosey pink. Narcissa allows her to gently paint her lips with the light color. "There. Perfect. You look innocent and lovely and a perfect little match to his highness, now may we please go?"
Narcissa nods, checking her reflection with satisfaction in the mirror. Bellatrix had been right about the lipstick shade. As cruel and unbothered as Bellatrix liked to pretend that she was, she was helpful when Narcissa needed her. She grabs a thin shimmery shawl and wraps it around her lower arms before following Bellatrix out of the room. "Is that the only reason you're accompanying me tonight? To catch a glimpse of the Dark Lord?"
"Of course," Bellatrix says plainly. She makes no attempt to hide her admiration (or obsession, as Narcissa suspected) towards the mysterious figure that was the Dark Lord. He had emerged within the past couple of years, slowly seeping into the conscious awareness until he was unavoidable. Narcissa hadn't been paying attention, but even she could feel the stirring of something impressive shifting.
Narcissa shakes her head but follows Bellatrix down the stairs. Druella stops them before they reach the door and pulls Narcissa into a hug. "Impress them, my darling," she whispers softly, arms tight around her. "Be your dazzling self."
"I will, mama," Narcissa promises, kissing Druella's cheek. "I promise."
"And tell that boy he has until summer to do the proper thing and speak to your father," Druella says firmly. "I won't stand for a scandal. And Bellatrix?"
Bellatrix groans, stopping halfway to the door.
Druella glares at her sharply. "Keep an eye on your sister. Remember, you are only going in a chaperone capacity. I expect you to keep her from harm or gossip."
Rolling her eyes, Bellatrix nods, grabbing Narcissa's arm and tugging her out the door to where their family carriage awaits. Narcissa gives her mother a little wave goodbye before Bellatrix forces her into the carriage, the older girl in a hurry. "Floo powder would be faster," Bellatrix grumbles, climbing in and settling in her seat.
"Floo powder would muss my hair," Narcissa complains. She leans out the carriage as they take off, loving the view as Black Manor shrunk beneath them. "And you needn't worry about me, Trixy. You can run off and fawn over the Dark Lord. I shall be just fine with Lucius to escort me."
"You should learn to speak with more respect when it comes to the Dark Lord," Bellatrix says briskly.
"Is he as powerful as they say?" Narcissa asks curiously, settling down across from Bellatrix.
"More. They all underestimate him. He's more powerful than even Grindelwald was. He'll be the man to change the world, Cissa. I promise you that. And I'll be right there by his side when he does."
Narcissa smiles softly but rolls her eyes. "Politics never interested me much," she admits.
"Well, you should start taking an interest," Bellatrix says bitingly. "Lucius feels the same way I do. And if you're truly going to be his blushing little bride, you'll have to get used to the world he's going to live in. The world is going to change, little Cissy, and the Dark Lord will be the cause of that change. Things are stirring. The world is shifting, tilting, twisting into a new form. I would hope that you were smart enough to be aware of that change. But your sweet little naive head is too concerned with what little twit is going to share your bed at night."
Narcissa flushes. "I'm no fool, Trixy. I know things are changing. I've heard enough from Father. And forgive me for not being as single-minded as you, but this is an important night for me. I need to make a good impression on the Malfoys. All that… politics and such, well, I trust Lucius to make those decisions. I'm sure the likes of you and him are much more suited to such discussions. I'll do my best to learn more, though, but there's no need for you to be calling me a fool."
Bellatrix leans forward, looking to Narcissa with a dark intensity. She takes Narcissa's hands, holding them tightly. "The world is changing, Narcissa," she says seriously, her eyes aglow. "It is time for you to open your eyes. Now is not the time to be blind. Get wise or you will be left behind."
Wincing slightly, Narcissa shakes her head. "What else can I possibly do?" she asks, alarmed. "I'm doing what I was raised for, what I've always been told is my role! What else do you want from me?"
"Respect for the Dark Lord," Bellatrix says firmly. There was something different in her nature as they spoke. The layer of burning intensity that always lay dormant in her older sister now burned brightly in her dark eyes, like two smoldering coals.
"I-I'm sorry," Narcissa said, hanging her head. "I'll be more respectful. I promise, Trixy." She tries to pull away her hands but Bellatrix holds them tightly. Her eyes were searching Narcissa's face, looking for something in particular. Falling into old habits, Narcissa wipes her face of emotion, returning Bellatrix's stare until the older girl finally releases her hands.
"You'd do best to start caring for politics," she scolds softly. "Whether you like it or not, your life will one day be dictated by it. You cannot rely on Lucius for everything, little Cissa."
Narcissa nods, the night having turned somber with Bellatrix's threats.
The two girls fall silent with each other until the carriage pulls up to Malfoy Manor. Narcissa grabs her shawl, wrapping it around her arms to ward away the cold until they can reach inside. She's about to leave the carriage, but Bellatrix stops her once again, taking her arm. Her touch is more gentle this time and the look in her eye is sisterly rather than the menacing force from earlier.
"I know tonight is important to you," Bellatrix says softly. "But you will do wonderfully. The Malfoys would be idiots not to be dazzled by you. Now, chin up. Remember your manners. And no sneaking away with Lucius tonight. The two of you can keep your lustings for Hogwarts, understand? You don't want to start a scandal. Not like this."
Narcissa nods, both relieved at the sisterly care that Bellatrix is talking to her and scornful at her condescension; Narcissa knew this world infinitely better than her older sister and the advice was not needed. This was Narcissa's world of expertise. There wasn't anywhere in the world that Narcissa Black shone brighter than at a ball. Smoothing out her dress, Narcissa takes a deep breath. Letting a smile charm her features before ever leaving the carriage, Narcissa steps out onto the large staircase leading into Malfoy Manor. She kept her head high, her back straight, and her chin up. This was her night to take her future into her own hands.