The Houses Competition (THC)
House: Gryffindor
Class: Transfiguration
Category: Standard
Prompts chosen: [Category 1] Marauders Era; [Category 2] Siblings
Word count: 2975
AU: The characterization of the three Black sisters is AU. The dates are all AU. I know that Andromeda is six years older than Sirius but, for the sake of this story, the time-line has been interfered with.
Beta(s): Crissie (secretfanficlover)
Bellatrix 'Bella' Artemis Black looked at the crowd of first years waiting to be sorted. In the past two years, she hadn't bothered with it but now that her sister and cousin would be starting Hogwarts, she had to pay attention. Outwardly, she told everyone that they would end up in Slytherin—they were Blacks after all. However, inwardly, she was worried.
Andy, though quick-witted and resourceful, had a loyalty streak a mile wide. Bella was damned if her sister ended up in Hufflepuff. On the other hand, Sirius was very rash. He jumped into things without thinking them through. Sirius Orion Black had a high chance of being sorted into Gryffindor.
"Bella? Bella? Are you there?" Rodolphus' voice called her out of her thoughts.
Bella didn't particularly like Rodolphus but he wasn't like most Purebloods who wanted their wives to be obedient and follow their every command. Bella knew that she would've to marry a Pureblood and she'd rather let it be him.
"Yes," she said. Then, she looked around and noticed that the Sorting Ceremony had already started.
"Black, Andromeda"
Bellatrix paid attention to this Sorting. Andromeda went towards the Professor in measured and graceful steps with her head held high; like a Black. She sat down on the chair as Professor McGonagall put the hat on her head.
"Slytherin!"
Bella internally sighed in relief.
"Black, Sirius"
Both Andy and Bella looked closely. Andy wanted Sirius to follow what he wanted while Bella wanted him to follow his family's tradition to be Sorted into Slytherin.
Sirius walked over to the chair while McGonagall put the Hat on his head.
One minute…
Please, please let him be a Slytherin, thought Bella
Two minutes…
You can do this cuz. Follow your heart, thought Andy.
Three minutes…
Why in the name of Morgana is it taking so long?!
Four minutes…
"Gryffindor!"
Bella and Andy sucked in a breath. When Andy told Sirius to follow his heart, she thought that he would get Sorted into Hufflepuff at worst. She never even thought of the possibility of him being a Gryffindor.
All the people in the hall were stumped. Never before had a Black been Sorted into Gryffindor.
Bella and Andy shared a look. They would have to inform their family.
Bella had sent a letter to their parents informing them of Andromeda's expected Sorting and Sirius' unexpected Sorting.
"Hello, Osiris," she said softly to her owl as she snuck into the Owlery. Osiris immediately swooped down and landed on her shoulder.
He gave a hoot.
"I couldn't believe that Sirius was Sorted into Gryffindor of all Houses. Though, I guess that it was inevitable. Sirius had always been too rash for his own good. But, even then, he is the Heir to the House of Black and it is a great blasphemy for him to be Sorted in that god-forsaken House! I might not like Sirius that much but, even then, I do not want him to be disowned. Is it a bad thing? He has made the Black Family look like fools. The other Pureblood Families will have our head if we do not give a reasonable explanation. Even so, I can't help but think of the boy who used to team up with Andy to prank Cissa," she said it all in one breath. Her owl was her only confidant. He won't go about telling everyone of her fears and desires. He always listened to her and comforted her. She loved her owl.
Osiris gave another hoot.
"Well, now we can't really do anything. I'm sure that word will spread fast. Osiris, can you take the letter all the way to Grimmauld?"
Her owl gave an indigent hoot as if it were annoyed that she thought he wouldn't be able to make it.
"Okay then."
Bella watched as Osiris became a speck of grey in the sky. Then, she made her way back to the Slytherin Common Room. Heavens forbid if she were to be caught—she had a reputation to uphold.
The next day, Sirius received a Howler from aunt Walburga. It wasn't pretty to say the least.
Andromeda 'Andy' Reha Black was sitting patiently at the Slytherin table for the Sorting Ceremony to begin. She gave a fleeting glance at the Gryffindor table where her cousin Sirius was talking in hushed voices to Potter, Lupin and Pettigrew. Andy sighed internally. Sirius was Sorted into Gryffindor two years ago and he had made it clear of what he thought of his 'family'. He was lucky that aunt Walburga and uncle Orion hadn't disowned him already.
"I hope that Regulus won't end up like the traitor," Bella said as she looked where her sister was staring.
After Sirius was sorted into Gryffindor and made his views on family rather clear, Bella and Sirius had been the bitterest of rivals. It was even more than the rivalry between Potter and Lucius Malfoy. Bella couldn't stand in the same room as his and Sirius couldn't help but prank her viciously whenever he had a chance.
"Regulus is a perfect Slytherin. I'm sure he'll end up here. If anything, I'm worried about Cissa," Andy admitted to her sister who had been made Prefect.
"Why?" Bella asked curiously.
"Well, Cissa would be a great Slytherin with her cunning. However, she has a great thirst for knowledge and while I wouldn't be too against it if Cissa were to be Sorted into Ravenclaw, I'm afraid that the House will mock her relentlessly and we both know that Cissa is no Sirius," Andy said it all in one breath.
Bella gave a little laugh and said, "Don't worry about it. Cissa loves to impress Lucius."
"I don't know why. He is six years older than her for Merlin's sake!" Andy blurted out.
"I know but you know Cissa. Once she puts her mind into something, it is very difficult to convince her. You know what, Andy? There was one time where I was afraid you would end up in Hufflepuff."
"No way!"
"Yes way."
"Bella, it's your sister's turn," Rodolphus told her.
They stopped talking and focused on the Sorting, both praying that she would end up in Slytherin.
"Black, Narcissa"
"Slytherin!"
Both the Black sisters sighed in relief.
"Black, Regulus"
"Slytherin!"
Andy had a tiny smile which no one but her sisters could see.
They had returned home for summer after another year. It was Narcissa's second and most exciting year and she was eager to tell everything to her parents.
When they finally got to their room, Bella said, "Rodolphus invited me to the Dark Lord's meeting. You both want to come?"
Without hesitation, Narcissa said, "Learning new magic? Of course!"
However, Andy had a little frown on her face. Seeing this, Bella said, "What is it, Andy?"
"I don't know. The Dark Lord has killed so many people-"
"Muggles. People who deserved it," Narcissa pointed out.
"And I am worried that he might try something."
"Come on, Andy. You know that he won't dare to try anything because we are from a family whose allegiance the Dark Lord wants and we are invited by a Death Eater in-training."
"Fine. I will go," Andy finally said. She didn't like the Dark Lord and how he killed muggles just for them being muggles. It isn't as if the muggles had a choice in what they wanted to be. Besides, she had sneaked into the muggle world once or twice—the wonders of glamour charms—and had found them quite good. Not all of them were bad.
Nevertheless, the three sisters quickly grabbed their cloaks and Floo'ed to the place where Rodolphus was waiting for Bella.
"M'lord, I have brought Bellatrix, Andromeda and Narcissa Black. They have great magical prowess and would make a good addition to the ranks," Rodolphus told the hooded man from his position on the ground.
"Hmm. When you told me of the Black sisters, I did not assume that they would be this young. A sixth year, a fourth year and a second year student? They wouldn't survive the training," his voice was soft with the velvet-like quality only found in born and bred Purebloods.
However, Bella was not a person to be called 'nothing' and she would prove herself to the Dark Lord.
"I will prove my worth to you," Andy almost screamed at Bella for saying these words. He was the bloody Dark Lord for Merlin's sake! One who could kill someone in less than a second. Andy was sure that the Dark Lord would smite her sister for saying that.
Fortunately, the Dark Lord just looked amused.
"Is that so?" How could his voice sound so velvety?
"Yes," Bella replied with her head held high.
"Very well then. Duel me, Bellatrix Black," Andy almost fainted right then and there. A duel? Yep, Bella was going to die. Cissa, on the other hand, looked interestedly at Lucius Malfoy. Though he did look rather handsome, it was not the time to ogle at him!
Bella smirked at him—honestly, it's not a random guy asking her to duel! It's an extremely powerful wizard more than capable of casting the 'Avada Kedavra' and ending her life if he so wished.
Bella then shrugged out of her cloak which Rodolphus picked up. The Dark Lord also slipped out of his cloak, with a grace that Andy admired. Then, Andy saw the Dark Lord's face.
He.
Was.
Hot.
The ruby red lips, perfectly immaculate black hair, aristocratic features, deep red eyes like the wine her mother liked to drink and the confidence with which he held himself all contributed to his handsomeness. Andy was sure that she had a vast vocabulary but she couldn't think of anything but 'handsome' and 'hot' to describe the Dark Lord. She was sure that her brain had short-circuited.
Bella, too, was enamored by the man's face before snapping herself out of it.
They did the traditional bows, backed ten steps and assumed their fighting stance.
The duel that followed was breathtakingly dangerous. Every spell was aimed to incapacitate. Every movement was to avoid the spells. It was like a dance—if one of them misstepped a bit, the duel would be over. Andy knew that the Dark Lord wasn't using his full power, or even a fraction of his power.
Finally, the Dark Lord seemed to have had enough of it since he did a complex spell which Andy didn't know about and bound Bella to a post.
He walked towards her in measured steps—like a predator. As he got near her, he whispered, "You have potential, Bellatrix Black. I would like to teach you."
"It would be my honor to be taught by you," Bella replied.
"However, you must remember something—fear and love will bind you. Don't let them control you,"
He let them go.
Since that day, something in Bella shifted. No, it wasn't a big something but something that Andy noticed because she was the closest to Bella.
Bella became distant and detached from her two sisters. It was as if she didn't care about them anymore. Bella also became more ruthless, willing to use whatever to get what she wanted. She was also more temperamental and would snap at the littlest of things. Also, she wouldn't talk to anyone about her private lessons with the Dark Lord.
These signs were to be expected when learning so much of the Dark Arts at once. Even their parents didn't make them learn everything at once. However, the Dark Lord didn't seem to have any reservation.
Andy didn't like it.
Narcissa 'Cissa' Venus Black looked at her eldest sister with something akin to longing. She was the youngest of the Black sisters. She wasn't adventurous like Bella or quick-witted like Andy. The only thing she had was her good looks and cunning. Bella and Andy had always been there for her. Now, as Bella was slipping away, she felt such a deep longing, she couldn't describe it.
She had been enamored with Lucius Malfoy. Yes, he was six years older than her but why does it matter? He had the looks, the cunning, the power, the prestige. The fact that Lucius liked her was just an added bonus. She had always dreamt of being powerful and while she won't be able to do that in the Black family, she could always start a new family. Narcissa Malfoy had a nice ring to it.
Andy had been talking to Bella day and night to instill some sense into her, but, of course, to no avail. In some ways, Bella was just as stubborn as Cissa.
Andy shrugged into her cloak and said, "Sorry, Cissa, but I have to go now."
Cissa was surprised. "Where are you going? She asked Andy.
"Oh here and there," she replied nonchalantly.
"Okay. Have fun," Cissa said.
"You too. I heard Lucius is visiting today," Andy said, winking at her.
It had been a year since the sisters had first met the Dark Lord. Bella had graduated a couple weeks ago and had rarely been seen at Grimmauld Place. She had become a permanent Death Eater if the tattoo was anything to go by.
Andy was most displeased when she heard of this. She ranted and raved and tried to make Bella understand but, of course, Bella didn't. Their parents wanted Bella to marry a Pureblood but she has her sights set on a certain Dark Lord.
She heard sounds of shouting from downstairs. She looked at Andy who, in a rare case, was at home. More often than not, she would be out of Grimmauld doing who knows what. Andy nodded at her and they both went down.
"Don't you see? You would be doing the Dark Lord a favor!" Bella screamed at her parents looking a bit deranged.
"Bellatrix, we are not going to give up our Manor over to a Half-blood," their mother exclaimed.
"But, if you do then you would be solidifying your faith and trust in the Dark Lord. You would be showing your allegiance and, in turn, the Dark Lord won't hurt our family!" she shouted. Cissa knew that Bella had hit gold. Their parents had always wanted to protect their family.
Druella wanted to say something but Cygnus whispered in her ear. Druella sighed as she sat down on her chair and said, "Fine. We will do what you ask."
Bella looked positively giddy.
"But you must marry," Druella continued.
Seeing Bella's face, Andy knew what she was thinking.
"Bella, don't," Andy said. Bella looked surprised that they were here. Anyhow, she didn't pay heed to Andy's words because she said, "How does…Lestrange sound?"
Andy groaned as she sank into a chair.
After the wedding, something significant in Bella shifted. She wouldn't spare a glance at her sisters as though she were a queen and they, her peasants. Cissa didn't like it. She didn't like it at all. Both she and Andy heard of the things that their sister was rumored to do.
Her sister wasn't the adventurous Bella Black. Rather, she was the bloodthirsty Bellatrix Lestrange.
It was a year after the wedding when it happened. It was inevitable, really. Sirius ran away from home. Andy was most distraught. She and Sirius had been close, close enough to be called siblings instead of cousins. Cissa wasn't really sad since she didn't particularly care about him.
After a year Sirius ran away, Andy invited her and Bella to a meadow. It was beautiful.
"Andy? What are you doing with the Mudblood?!" Cissa shouted. Normally, she was a calm person but seeing a Mudblood holding hands with her sister was a little too much.
"I have chosen my way," her sister said calmly, "I have called you both here to see if you will respect it."
Bellatrix's mouth twisted into a snarl and said, "Respect the fact that you are dating a Mudblood?"
"He's not a 'Mudblood'. Stop calling him that!" Andy said.
"Sticking up for your boyfriend, are you?!" Bellatrix shouted.
"Fiancé, actually."
"Andy, come with us! Tha-that Mudblood has poisoned you! Come back!" Cissa said.
Andy looked at her sadly and said, "I thought that you would accept it. It seems not. Sorry, Cissa, but I'm not coming back anymore. I have seen the Blacks as what they truly are."
Bellatrix moved forward to grab her but, before she could, both Andy and the Mudblood Apparated away.
From that day onwards, she wasn't Andy Black anymore, rather she was Andromeda Tonks.
When Andromeda ran away, it felt like a veil was being lifted from Cissa's eyes. She looked at the world with a new perspective and she knew that she wouldn't find true happiness in the wizarding world. However, she wasn't brave or strong like Andromeda, so she could only nod and act happy when her parents announced that she had been betrothed to Lucius Malfoy at the age of fifteen. Now that their second-eldest had run away, they couldn't take any chances.
However, Cissa had wanted nothing to do with Lucius Malfoy anymore. Yes, he had good looks and power in spades but she wasn't looking for that. Lucius Malfoy won't be able to give her what she wanted.
She was engaged at the age of sixteen with the promise to marry at seventeen. She should've been happy, ecstatic really that she was getting the man of her dreams. However, she wasn't the naïve Cissa Black anymore, she was Slytherin's Ice Queen Narcissa Black.
But, the fact still remained that she wasn't as strong as Andromeda. So, when her mother showed her their bed, Narcissa could only smile and enter the room.
After that night, she wasn't Narcissa Black anymore, she was Narcissa Malfoy. And, no, the name sounded disgusting.
Three sisters, once united, now represent three sides of a war—black, white and grey.
A/N- Hope you like this. Have a wonderful day/night.