Disclaimer: I do not own, nor do I have any rights relating to the Harry Potter Series, nor any of the Characters mentioned. All rights remain with their respective owners.
Each chapter is inspired by a different song, and the chapters have no chronological order. Generally, the storylines will be consistent in the sense that if an event happens in one chapter in 1968, then in another chapter set in 1969, it is presumed that they have occurred in the same timeline.
In this series, the age relationship between the major characters is as follows: Bellatrix, Lucius and Rodolphus are the same age, born in 1951. Andromeda and Rabastan are a year younger than Bellatrix. Narcissa is two years younger than Bellatrix. Sirius remains much younger than his cousins, in line with the Harry Potter Wikia page, which lists his birth year as 1959.
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Look What You Made Me Do (1968)
Bellatrix took her seat next to her father, Cygnus, at the annual meeting of the Black Family. Having just come of age, it was her first time attending the gathering. Across from her sat Great-Uncle Arcturus, his hands folded and face blank. On her other side sat her Grandfather Pollux, his hand resting on her armrest, as if he was prepared to defend her if necessary.
"He need not worry," she thought, "tonight the family will approve my betrothal to Rodolphus Lestrange. We will be strengthened by this alliance." This thought calmed her greatly. Ever since she was a toddler, the family had agreed that she was to become the head of the family when Arcturus stepped down.
Yes, she may have been female, and yes, technically the children of Uncle Orion and Aunt Lucretia had a greater claim to the Lordship. But Bellatrix had greater potential and greater loyalty to the family than any of the other claimants. She would be the Lady Lestrange and the Lady Black.
"Alright, quieten down, all of you." The gruff voice of Great-Uncle Arcturus snapped her out of her reverie. Bellatrix looked up and down the table of her male relatives, almost feline in her expression.
"Tonight, we must congratulate our dearest Bellatrix, as she has secured a betrothal to Master Rodolphus Lestrange, the heir to the House of Lestrange." Arcturus's voice was filled with pride. There was a quiet rumble of congratulations around the table. Bellatrix smirked and straightened up in her seat, imagining that it was her throne.
"However, now we must address the real business of this evening, the heir to the great House of Black." Arcturus continued. A look of surprise flickered momentarily across Bella's face. She discreetly tilted her head forward, her curls falling to obscure some of her face. She peeked through her curls to gauge her father's expression. He did not look surprised, nor did her grandfather.
She pursed her lips as Arcturus began his speech. "I know that a number of you here tonight have expressed your concerns regarding the line of succession. When I named Bellatrix as my successor, I did not make that decision lightly." His voice was firm, and Bellatrix smiled at his words. "However," he continued, and her face quickly reverted to a deep scowl, "recent events must be taken into account. We cannot ignore that the circumstances have changed. Bellatrix is to become the Lady Lestrange and some members of the family have expressed concern that the interests of the Black family may be subverted to those of the Lestranges. Furthermore, as Bellatrix will be married, she will be expected to provide heirs, meaning she will not have the internal fortitude to continuously manage the affairs of our great family."
Bellatrix was frozen in her seat and her blood ran cold. She was speechless in that moment. Luckily, her Father spoke for her. "We named her Bellatrix as it means Female Warrior." His voice became progressively louder as he spoke. "She has bested many of you with her duelling skills," he gestured around the table, "and you will not find a better advocate for blood purity than her." He slammed his hand down on the table.
The table fell silent, and Bellatrix chose this moment to prepare her rebuttal. "Who did you wish to replace me with, Great-Uncle?" Her voice was low, daring him to name her competitor.
"Orion's boy, Sirius, would be the new successor." Arcturus replied, causing Pollux to nearly choke on his wine.
Bellatrix cackled. "SIRIUS? The nine year old?" Her voice was filled with mirth. "I make an alliance with one of the other most powerful houses in Europe, and you decide to give MY title to a child?" Bellatrix's eyes were ablaze with anger.
"Now now Bella," Arcturus began, his tone still even, "Sirius has great prospects to be a leader. He won't have to focus on child-rearing."
Bellatrix stood sharply, her fists clenched. "You've made a mistake Arcturus." For once, she used his name. He needed to know that she would be his equal, and one day, he would be beneath her. She stormed out of the room, her heels clicking against the marble flooring. She practically hissed into the Fireplace that she wished to floo to Lestrange Manor.
Once she arrived, she sought out Rodolphus. She found him in the library, and collapsed into her armchair. Rod ran his hand over her hair while she recounted the meeting, adding his encouragement when necessary. His insides burned with rage against the Black family for treating his fiancée with such disrespect.
"Mon cherie," he spoke to her in French, knowing that she would be more receptive to his input, "nous aurons notre revanche." She met his eyes, grasping both of his hands in hers.
"À la première chance!" She sealed her sentiment with a kiss, and Rodolphus could have sworn that he could feel her internal fire through her lips.
It was a long six months before another Black family gathering was arranged. Bellatrix, Andromeda and Narcissa made the journey home from Hogwarts to attend the birthday celebrations of the head of the Black house. Arcturus was turning sixty-seven. Though it was a family event, Bellatrix had insisted that Rodolphus accompany her. The four of them sat inside the enchanted carriage that was to carry them home to Black Manor.
"Bella… you're not going to… do anything… are you?" Narcissa was quiet and diplomatic in her tone. "I know you're still angry about Sirius." Narcissa watched her older sister carefully through her crystal blue eyes.
Bellatrix's nails dug into Rodolphus's hand at the sound of Sirius's name. "Of course not Cissy, this is my family, I won't do anything to harm them." She turned her head to look out of the carriage, not wanting to meet her sister's innocent gaze. Narcissa exhaled a sigh of relief, though not completely convinced of the sincerity of her sister's response.
Once they arrived home to Black Manor, they were led to the glass ballroom. A single long oak table, similar to those of the Great Hall, bisected the room. After a number of glasses of wine, and a night of speaking to some of her favourite relatives, Bellatrix was just beginning to enjoy her evening. That was, until Great-Uncle Arcturus decided to make his speech. It was dull and boring enough to begin with. However, it was when he decided to state that Bellatrix had given up her claim as successor that she began to feel every raw emotion return. As the meeting had only comprised of a few representatives of each branch of the Black family tree, many members of the family were not yet aware that Bellatrix would not succeed Arcturus.
"Bellatrix has graciously recognised the superior right and potential in our dear young Sirius and has agreed to forfeit her claim to become the head of this family upon my departure." Arcturus announced forcefully.
Bella could not contain her anger. "I did no such thing." Her voice was almost shrill with anger. "There is no comparison between me and that insignificant little prat." She stepped up onto a bench before stepping onto the table to continue her response. "I am the future of the House of Black." With each word, she kicked another object off the table, causing as much damage as she could. "I am more worthy and more powerful and I will end Sirius's claim to my title." Bellatrix finally reached the end of the table, towering above Arcturus, who was seated at the head of the table.
In a show of strength, she turned sharply on her heel and raised her wand above her head. As she pulled it back, every pane of glass in the room shattered, leaving the entire room exposed to the elements. A manic, slightly insane smile came to her face as she observed her handiwork. She stepped off the table, her thirst for destruction quenched.
She spun around to look into the eyes of her nine year old cousin, and in a saccharine voice she spoke directly to him, "Oh look at what you just made me do."