Disclaimer: I do not own any part of the Harry Potter series.

Unwrapping

Light streaming into the room like as the first trumpet to mourning, Narcissa sat whispering excitedly to her sisters. They had not slept a wink, and having welcomed in the new day eagerly, their patience was vanquished. Bella was the first to jump up from the floor of her bedroom where they had made camp. Laughing, she tore down the walls of their fort of blankets just as skillfully as she had hung them. Andromeda crawled out of the fallen remains of a once glorious construction with equal giddiness. Only Narcissa was left, slightly smothered, under the pile of blankets.

With a flourish, however, her sisters removed the remains of their crafted fortress and Narcissa was free to beam up at them. Bellatrix pulled her upright and spun in circles around the room barely holding onto Narcissa so that she eventually flew into Andromeda. As they fell to the ground with clumsy giggling, Bellatrix tapped her foot impatiently.

Andromeda, seeing this, wrapped her arms around Bella's legs and pulled her to the ground as she sang, "Happy Christmas, Bella!"

Bellatrix screamed in surprise as her legs gave way and then promptly pushed Andromeda for pulling her down. Andromeda, however, hopped up quickly to avoid further berating and said, "Come on! Let's see if Mother and Father are awake yet!"

As she ran towards the door, Bella grabbed Narcissa's arm and then Andromeda's and said, "Why wait for them?"

She pulled them behind her as they galloped down the staircase and through the house until they came to an immaculate Christmas tree, underneath which sat an array of colorful presents. Narcissa's eyes grew wide with excitement, and she was about to follow her sisters in their unwrapping when a timid thought occurred to her.

"Won't Mother and Father be upset if we don't wait for them?"

Andromeda snorted happily and threw a bow at Narcissa's face. "Of course not; if they do, who cares? We'll just blame it on Bella."

That was reason enough for Narcissa who promptly opened a very pretty set of robes.

"Oh! Bella, help me put these on, please," Narcissa asked as she twirled around, clutching the soft blue material to her chest.

"Cissy, put them on later," Bella replied as she unwrapped another package.

Narcissa briefly considered throwing a tantrum, but luckily Andromeda feared the same thing and said gently, "I'll help you."

When they returned, Narcissa now twirling around like a princess in a shade of blue that so very well set off her eyes, their parents had also arrived. As they half-heartedly chided their oldest daughter who sat alone amongst the wrapping paper, Bellatrix's mouth was opened wide in protest.

"They unwrapped their presents too!" she retorted, pointing accusingly at her sisters.

"Only because Bella made us," Andromeda replied sweetly, sticking her tongue out at Bellatrix when her parents' backs were turned.

"Then you should learn not to follow quite so closely behind your sister," Druella warned softly, "Merlin knows where she'll lead you. It's all the better, though, I suppose. Your aunt and uncle will be arriving shortly and it would be best if you did not appear the wild savages that two of you are."

Her gaze warmed when her eyes fell upon her youngest daughter, "Narcissa is at least already dressed."

Narcissa felt a smug arrogance over her sisters as she pranced around in her new outfit to her mother's delight. She heard Bellatrix mutter "Suck up", but Narcissa didn't care. She didn't need to suck up when her mother liked her best.

However, especially as she stood, several hours later, in the parlor of Narcissa's house, Aunt Walburga had always frightened Narcissa. And not in the way that Bella sometimes frightened her, because while Bella would never lay a finger on her little sister, there was never the guarantee that her aunt also wouldn't. But, she was an elder, and Narcissa had been taught properly to thus respect her. Besides, she wasn't nearly as bad as Bellatrix who couldn't keep her mouth shut for more than two minutes at most. Or Andromeda, who had a way of looking at people that could often say more than Bella said in her most longwinded rants. Quite truthfully, Narcissa thought her aunt rather repulsive, especially in comparison to her own mother. (Though, whenever she pointed this out to her sisters, Bellatrix said that Narcissa was biased because she looked so much like their mom.) Regardless, most of the time, Narcissa just ignored her aunt and received the same treatment.

But, subtlety had never been her sisters' strong suit. Even as Uncle Orion helped their aunt out of her travelling cloak, Andromeda and Bellatrix had run over to her, still in their nightgowns.

"Oh, Auntie," Andromeda said excitedly, "Are you going to have a baby?"

The obviously pregnant Walburga wrinkled her nose and shot their mother a look, "Your daughters, Druella, have never failed to be completely insolent and bold."

But instead of retorting angrily as Narcissa thought the comment would allow, her mother walked behind her two dark haired daughters and spoke politely, "Thank you, Walburga. I would think such traits to be prized by the Black family."

Narcissa looked up at her mother, expecting an explanation as she had always been taught that boldness was not an admirable trait. (And whatever insolent meant, that didn't sound flattering either.)

In reply, Walburga merely sniffed distastefully as she stared down at her two nieces.

"Yes, I am, Andromeda," she said stiffly, "But regardless of what your mother says, it is not polite to be so forward."

This comment completely flew over Bella's head. "A boy or a girl?"

While Walburga glared harshly down at Bellatrix, Narcissa knew that her eldest sister would escape reprimand. Walburga always made sure to inform their parents, after every gathering, that they weren't completely failing at their duties because Bellatrix seemed to be turning out alright. "A boy, Bellatrix," she paused to smirk at Druella, "It seems we will be quite successful in preserving the noble name of Black. Unlike your poor mother and father."

Druella looked as though she might finally lose her veneer of hospitable coolness. Luckily, Bellatrix spoke cheekily, "You can have all the sons in the world, auntie. But you'll never have three daughters as lovely and talented as us."

Walburga snorted, "Talented. Well that remains to be seen."

"Does it?" Bella asked, her eyes wide with innocence, but her mouth was a taunting grin.

They soon dined and the adults exchanged conversation on the issues of the day. Bellatrix was being utterly annoying and refused to join a game of exploding snaps because she wanted to listen to the boring arguments that Narcissa didn't care to understand. She had a feeling that her sister probably didn't either, but Bella at least pretended to and would later be sure to spout off terms about the minster being "a mud wallowing troll" to her sisters. Eventually, however, Andromeda managed to convince her to join their game, because, well, Bellatrix had always liked exploding things.

After their family had left, Narcissa found herself sprawled on the lavish carpet playing with her new dolls. She was secretly trying to determine which doll to name after her sisters (of course the prettiest blonde one had already received the title of Cissy). However, she spoke not of this to Bella or Meda, because her sisters, particularly Bella, were sure to tease her for doing so. Andromeda was in front of the fire and Narcissa thought she looked rather like a cat, even as her fingers turned the pages of a large tome filled with, as her father explained earlier, history of the pureblood world, and thus, primarily the Blacks. Narcissa couldn't imagine why anyone would want a book for Christmas when there were so many other pretty things to have. Andromeda seemed to be having similar thoughts for her nose was wrinkled in either distaste or confusion as she sighed over the long pages with far too little pictures. Narcissa caught the watchful gaze of her mother and smiled up and Druella's face was one of pride in her youngest, fairest daughter.

Bella, however, was sitting on her father's lap laughing wildly as she tried to catch the rings of smoke from his pipe. She roared in good natured frustration as she could never quite catch them because the smoke clouds merely sifted through her hands. And Cygnus was only antagonizing his daughter's silly whims, and in turn, antagonizing his wife for it was hardly ladylike to squeal with unhindered delight at something so trivial. But Cygnus ignored the glare he received for his wife because he seemed to enjoy finding new levels of giddy aggravation his daughter could rise to.

In that way, Bella had always been father's favorite. Just as it was obvious to anyone and everyone that precious, perfect little Cissy had always been their mother's favorite. As for Meda, while neither would ever admit it, she was Bella's. Even Narcissa knew that much.

As Bella sobered slightly from a fit of giggles, she asked, "Father, can I go with you and Uncle Orion tomorrow?"

Cygnus stared down at his eldest as though displeased by such boldness, but Narcissa could see how his eyes glimmered with pride. "But of course not, Bella; you might get your feet dirty."

Bella frowned at her father's taunting and pressed on, "Please, Daddy. Last time you went hunting, you promised-"

Cygnus laughed as he caught a pair of angry eyes from his wife. "Now, Bella, I'm very aware of what I promised. And next time, I will. However, this time the situation is a little different."

Narcissa heard her sister huff in indignation as Druella shot Cygnus a disapproving look. "But that's stupid. What do you mean, different?" Bella whined. "You must take me with you! It'll be so boring if I have to be stuck inside all day when I know you get to be having fun. Why can't I?"

Cygnus took Bella's chin in his hand for a means of controlling her rather than coddling her. His voice was quiet and secretive when he finally spoke, "This time it's different because your uncle and I aren't hunting in the sense you mean, not exactly animals. We have… a matter of business to attend to. You see, my Bella, there is a man and-"

"And that is quite enough, Cygnus," Druella finally snapped causing both Andromeda and Narcissa to look up from their distractions. "It is far time Bellatrix learned to behave properly. Putting these ideas in her head isn't helping."

Cygnus gave a soft chuckle as he brushed a dark curl from Bella's face. "I'm quite sure those ideas are already in her head, Druella."

Narcissa wasn't sure what ideas her parents were speaking of, but she heard her mother inhale sharply. "She is your daughter, Cygnus, not your son."

"As society continuously reminds me, Druella," Cygnus replied coolly, lifting Bella off his knees to stand, as if to overpower his wife.

Druella raised an eyebrow, not missing the gesture. "Then treat her accordingly."

"Yes, Mrs. Black," he replied, smirking as he returned to his seat.

Narcissa frowned in confusion, though she wasn't about to speak. She pulled her doll closer to her as her sister sulked over because Bellatrix had a tendency to kick things when she was angry. Curiously, Narcissa blinked up at her eldest sister. Bella was obviously annoyed even though Narcissa thought the idea of being angry at Christmas rather silly. Still, Bellatrix didn't have to speak for Narcissa to realize that it was time to go elsewhere.

With a pout, Narcissa gathered up her dolls. Bellatrix stamped over to the door, not even bothering to gather Andromeda. If Andromeda was going to come, it was going to be because she wanted to, not because Bellatrix ordered her to do so. But Andromeda needn't have been summoned anyway; she wasn't about to be left out, especially not at Christmas. As if awakening from a daze, Narcissa watched Andromeda snap the large book shut, clutch it to her chest, and hurry after Bellatrix.

"Bella!" Narcissa cried as her sister stormed up the steps. "Wait."

As Bellatrix stopped, she folded her arms impatiently as she muttered, "Why are you always such a baby?"

Narcissa's eyes watered, feeling like she had been slapped across the face, as she gazed up at her sister, "I'm… I'm not a b-baby…"

Rolling her eyes, Bellatrix picked up her littlest sister and carried her the rest of the way up the stair case.

"Bella, what's wrong?" Narcissa asked timidly, for they were travelling at a brisk pace. "Why are we in Meda's room?"

"Because Meda's got the balcony," Bellatrix replied tersely, pushing the door to the outside world open.

It was cold, and for a moment Narcissa wished her sister had left her inside. Quietly, Andromeda slipped through the door behind them holding a blanket, always the practical one.

"Here, Cissy," she said gently, handing her the blanket. She sat next to Bella without saying a word, and already Bella seemed less angry. "Bella, will you read this to me? I don't understand it."

She pressed the book into Bella's hands.

"Later Meda," she said, gently fingering the pages.

"But what does it mean?"

Bellatrix let out a sigh and stared at her two sisters and then up at the expanse of stars above her. "It means a lot of things, Meda. It means pride and importance and not having to do what other people say, because we're the purest. Always pure."

Narcissa clung to every word that fell from her sister's mouth because they were said with such conviction. Pride and importance sounded so familiar in her small ears. Her parents and relatives and practically everyone she knew drilled it into her head constantly, always pure, always pure, always pure. But it didn't make sense until Bella said it. When Bella said it, it was as if the words came alive and might swallow them whole if they weren't careful.

"It also means," Bella mumbled glumly, "That if you're a girl you aren't as important. Because we can't pass along the name of Black…"

Andromeda breathed in slowly before beginning, "Bella… you shouldn't talk like that… Mother and Father-"

"Mother and Father know it just as well as you, Andromeda, so don't pretend to be stupid," Bellatrix retorted angrily, "Didn't you hear them? Didn't you hear Walburga? Mother and Father are ashamed because they couldn't have sons."

Narcissa flinched as her sister spoke now. Andromeda stared back at Bellatrix, never crying, but shaking all the same. "Bella. You think you hear things that you don't. Mother boasts about us; her three beautiful, talented, daughters."

Bellatrix snorted derisively, "Mother boasts about everything and means nothing by it but to make herself look better. Well, she'll see. I'll make Father proud, if anything."

Narcissa nodded vigorously because it seemed like the right thing to do, though she couldn't imagine why Bella would not care to make their mother proud.

Standing up to lean on the railing, Bellatrix pointed up to the sky. "Look, there you are, Meda. And that one's me… Female warrior," Bellatrix mumbled to herself. "Just wait; I'll make the whole Black family proud."

As Andromeda and Narcissa jumped up to look, Narcissa complained, "Why aren't I up there?"

Andromeda stroked her soft blond hair soothingly. "But you've already got a place among the stars. Right here, with me and Bella."

Narcissa smiled as she linked arms with her sisters. Staring at Bella, she asked suddenly, "Do stars ever disappear?"

Bella laughed, "Only when they fall. But not Black stars. Blacks never fall."

Narcissa breathed a sigh of relief as she embraced her sister, "Oh good."

And because she couldn't think of anything else to say, Narcissa beamed at her now mollified sister, "Happy Christmas, Bella."

With as smile to Andromeda, Bella pinched Narcissa's nose and sighed, "Happy Christmas, Cissy."

Author's Note: Ok, so it wasn't as fluffy as I had originally intended... and if you were looking for that, I apologize. I'm also sorry if Narcissa seemed like a side-note in this story (I blame her age and my uneasiness in writing five year olds) or if you picked up on the Alice in Wonderland feel that the chapter occasionally possessed (I blame Tim Burton movie trailers). I got a little bit carried away with writing the dynamics of the parents/Walburga (which I'd love to receive feedback for) and subsequently wrote a one-shot called Corsets that deals with similar themes... so check it out! Anyway, next week is the coming of a new year... so expect Black/Pureblood style gatherings... maybe even some Lucius/Narcissa! Again, thank you to all of my faithful readers/reviewers and I hope you continue to have a Merry/Happy Christmas season!