Chapter II- An Account of the Sisters Black
Pomfrey finally does arrive, and tut at me. But what really matters is that she washes the blood off of my face and lets me stick my head in the basin to rub the particles out of my stringy hair. She then insists that I take a quick bath in the Wing's small tub, most likely not for the sake of blood,but for the sake of my humiliating body odor which is another reason why I despise broom flying. For this, I will forever give my thanks to her for her beautiful timing.
She lets me use a robe while she prepares some sort of inhalant that is supposed to make my burning nose feel better. I sit stiffly upon the hard mattress, numerous dates running through my head as I pray that Professor Binns will at least let me have five minutes to study, given the
circumstances.
At this precise moment in time, there comes a smooth knock at the infirmary door, followed by a voice asking,"Hello?", and then lastly, a louder voice yelling," Ah, you scaredy! Let's just go in!"
The door flies open, and instantly, my heart races.
It isn't my fault I have these feelings, these dreams, these thoughts.
It's not me at all.
It's the Black Sisters. All three of them, standing in the doorway, three perfectly curved silhouettes.
Mistress Pomfrey looks agitated. And I don't blame her.
The eldest, Bellatrix Black, strides in first. "Hey, Sevvie," she greets coolly. Her black ringlets fall down her shoulders and her throat shows off an amber coloured amulet.
Pomfrey glares.
Next is Narcissa Black, fifth year, moving slowly and dreamily. "Hello, Snape," she smiles, throwing back glowing blond bangs. Her skirt is drooping unusually and her makeup seems to have been applied on a whim.
Pomfrey sighs.
Last is Andromeda, youngest, a puzzle. Moving almost robotically. Nods, business-like. "Good afternoon, Severus." Her dark hair drawn up into a bun, and a loaded back pack over her shoulders and mine in her hands.
Pomfrey gapes.
"What are you lot doing up here?" I question.
"Exactly what I would like to know!" Pomfrey snaps. Whatever she's just mixed bangs loudly. "Don't you girls have anything else better to do!? And why, must I ask, do you move in a herd?"
Bellatrix grins widely. "We're not cows, or something, Pom. We're a pack. We're fierce lionesses! RAWR!" She scratches the air with a clawed hand. "Lay off the inquisitions, eh?"
"What she means is-"Andromeda adds quickly-" that in all actuality, we did notintend to travel together. I am in Severus' History of Magic class, and I heard from Rory Bulstrode that during Flying class there was a bit of accident, so I decided I should assist a peer in need. That is why I've got his book bag. So he can study for our test next period, after lunch."
As always, I feel stupid by the time she's finished. She's fourteen, in nearly all sixth year classes. It doesn't boost my ego that much.
"And I," Narcissa continues, smiling brilliantly,"was coming back from-" she stops, looking at the ground and thinking through what she's about to say. "I was coming back from talking to Lucius Malfoy- that's it! Talking to him. About- erm- things! Things that people talk about!" She pauses. "He's my boyfriend, you know," she smiles, the pound of gloss on her lips winking. "I saw Andy here making her way up to visit Snape, so I figured I'd come along as well."
Bellatrix realises it's her turn to make an excuse. "I'm here because MuggleStudies is a shitty class. It's about Muggles! And I didn't sign up for it, either. Our father said I could skip it any time I wanted."
"LANGUAGE, MISS BLACK!"
"Daddy won't let me skip Arithmancy," Narcissa pouts, glaring at the floor.
"I certainly wish I'd skipped Flying today," I roll my eyes. "That's why I'm here."
"It's good for your colouring, Severus," Andromeda tells me. "The outside word," she adds, a hinted intonation that she thinks I have not heard those words before.
"Oh, shut up," Bellatrix says happily. "Broom flying is for Gryffindor gits who want to show off, not our Schnapey," she finishes in baby talk.
Pomfrey looks displeased. "Quidditch means school spirit, Miss Black. I wish you'd try to respect tradition, at least."
Narcissa snaps to attention. "What did I say?"
Pomfrey sighs and disappears behind the little curtain.
Bellatrix and Narcissa giggle, and then both sit down at the end of my bed. I have a feeling that this will be (the first and) the last time that I will ever use the words 'Bellatrix', 'Narcissa', and 'bed' in the same sentence.
This situation would have given me a pleasurable heart attack if only it had occured last year. My crush on the Black Sisters has calmed down considerably since my hormones cooled a bit. I used to be infatuated with Bellatrix- that is, until I realised that she really doesn't care whether I exist or not. She doesn't do anything in particular to me- she just isn't...
I come out of my thoughts as Bellatrix begins to speak.
"So, what happened to you?" Bellatrix questions, flopping back so her curls spread across the sheets. Narcissa cocks her head to the side and looks concerned.
"What happened when?" she inquires, obviously very befuddled.
Andromeda rolls her eyes. "Did you not hear what I told you? Broom flying class?"
The others look blank. I clear my throat.
Bellatrix laughs. "Well, I wasn't listening, was I? Tell us why you're here, Sev."
"Your cousin was threatening me again, and I lost my train of thought, and I got hit with a Quaffle," I explain gruffly, wondering how she could start a conversation after hearing me say I got hurt in broom flying and then forget I'd ever said that.
Bellatrix groans, as Narcissa looks murderous. "That ass!" she hisses.
Yes, the lovely Black Sisters are indeed relatives of "cute denim shirt and bands written on mypants which I've purposely cut holes in" boy, aka Sirius Black. Bellatrix wishes he'd go die somewhere, Narcissa is always screaming at him because he does things such as stealing one of her bras and then making an appearance in the Great Hall screeching "Helloooo! I'm Narceeeeaassaaa!", but Andromeda seems to like him. She never really says, though.
"I'll speak to him, Severus," Andromeda nods, as Bellatrix gives a loud shout of a laugh.
"And do you think he'll listen? Sirius is just hopeless. Beyond saving," Bellatrix snaps. "You'd have to be seriously messed up in the mind to even consider being friends with that Potter prat."
"Oh, Bellie, you think he's gorgeous! Admit it! I saw you checking his bum at the last Quidditch match!" Narcissa grins wryly. I swear, her brain completely disapparated after Lucius Malfoy began paying attention to her!
"WAS NOT!" yells Bellatrix.
I make a face. "Remember my condition, Narcissa. I might have to be sick if you keep talking about Potter's backside."
"We all might be," Bellatrix adds, looking around. Her eyes fall upon her watch," Oh damn. It's time for Transfig. I had better get a move on."
Andromeda looks slightly amused, which is uncommon. "You? Attend Transfigurations? You must be in jest!"
Bellatrix smiles calmly. "I told Lestrange I'd meet him in the Astronomy tower." She winks. "I'm off to my favourite subject of all!" she cries out, throwing her arms in the air, amulet sparkling. Andromeda coughs rigidly.
I fold my arms tight around myself. Said Rudolphus Lestrange is Bellatrix's boyfriend. He's a macho kind of bloke- at least, he thinks he is. He spends so much time trying to be tough that it makes me wonder when he has time for doing normal things, like brushing his teeth. The thing is, Bellatrix has got him so completely controlled that it's amusing to me that he even thinks he's capable of making his own decisions. I really loathe Lestrange. He's a bully. His arrogant manner drives me up the wall. I don't have tolerance for arrogrance.
Unfortunately, my feelings must be easily misinterpreted, because Bellatrix says," Oh, Sevvie. You can still think about me on your own!" After this totally embarrassing (and normally untrue) remark, she strokes my knee, laughs and hurries on her way.
Narcissa waves a giggling goodbye and says something about Charms class.
There is an awkward silence.
"I apologise for that, Severus," Andromeda tells me in a most serious tone, which almost makes it worse. "You never do know what she'll come up with." She looks away. "Well, here are your books," she puts in quickly, handing over my black bag which is falling to pieces.
"Thanks." I grab it, and set it on the bed beside me.
Andromeda looks down. "It seems you won't be returning after all, though, so you'd better use this time wisely. Which means I'd better leave you." She backs up.
"Right. Well, best o' luck on the test."
"Thank you. Talk to you later?" she says, and then ducks through the covering, hurrying out of the infirmarary.
And as always, I am completed bewildered upon the departure of the Black Sisters.
I feel my knee where Bellatrix touched it, wondering if a girl will ever want to do that willingly- not simply joking around.
Most likely not.