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

Personal Timeline Check: This takes place sometime in June, 1970. Meda just finished her seventh year. Because I like July thunderstorms, I've always imagined Meda leaving in July... of this same year. :'( Just ask if you want a more specific set of dates; I drafted something in compliance to JKR's timeline for personal clarification.

Wedding

Bellatrix looked so unusual in white. Narcissasquinted, wondering if the blurred vision might resolve the image in front of her. The luminous mane of thick black curls for once did not obscure Bella's face like a veil. Rather, her hair was pulled up and twirled elaborately on top of her head and Narcissa could only wonder why Bella wouldn't wear her hair like that more often. But even with the odd clash of the literal darkness that was Bella with the pure white of the ancient dress she wore, Bellatrix possessed an ethereal beauty as she stood facing the equally dark Rodolphus Lestrange.

Narcissa wasn't entirely surprised by the look of contempt etched in Bellatrix's face. Such feelings, Narcissa had always known, Bella held towards marriage and the expected duties of a pureblood wife rather than Rodolphus himself. Still, Narcissa had hoped that Bella might, for once, take into account the public opinion of her actions and force a smile. The only person, Narcissa noticed out of the corner of her eye, who rivaled Bellatrix in looking positively dismal was Andromeda. A childish and very present part of Narcissa thought that Andromeda had no reason to sulk as Bella had appointed Meda Maid of Honor over her littlest sister.

However, the scowl on Andromeda's face only deepened as the ceremony proceeded. Narcissa hoped that Andromeda's expression would just come across as extremely haughty, rather than sullen. While it wasn't particularly exciting, Narcissa had attended too many weddings before this, she didn't understand why Andromeda would look so disgruntled. She suspected that Andromeda had fought with Bellatrix before the wedding. They were arguing more and more frequently since Meda's graduation from Hogwarts. Narcissa suspected that the clash came because Andromeda was afraid to grow up while Bellatrix was yearning to break free… of something, Narcissa wasn't sure what. All she knew for certain was that Bella would be moving out of their house into the Lestrange's drafty castle. And three would become two. While she loved her sisters equally, Meda was no Bella.

Rodolphus and Bellatrix were now exchanging smirks, in addition to vows. Narcissa would have been rather frightened of Rodolphus, she supposed, if she hadn't grown up with Bellatrix. He was broad and tough looking, as he had been in many fights and lost very few. His hair was a mess of dark brown, untamed waves but his eyes were wilder still. They unnerved Narcissa; his eyes were entirely too intrusive, but at the same time, cold. Their mother had noted that Rabastan was much less independent and would be easier to control, to manipulate. Bellatrix had laughed in reply, because she always thought Druella a fool, besides, didn't she like a bit of a challenge? Narcissa thought it was only fair that Rodolphus present a challenge to Bella. After all, he was certainly going to have his fair share.

"I declare you bonded for life," the ancient wizard said as he drew his wand to end the ceremony. Green and silver shot from his wand and fell over Bellatrix and Rodolphus as they met in a kiss that lasted five seconds too long. Andromeda was finally grinning at Bella's obvious last laugh to Druella. Narcissa resisted the urge to shake her head; some things wouldn't change.

As was evidenced by the dress Bellatrix changed into after the wedding. She had done away with the stifling material of the Black family heirloom and was now dressed in a silky dark emerald that looked much better against her pale skin. Skin which, to Narcissa and Druella's distress, Bellatrix showed far too much of. Unfortunately, though, Bella's typical fashion taste was about the only exciting thing to happen at the reception. Nothing exploded, no guests caught on fire, the orchestra played without interruption. If Narcissa had not wanted to present such a good face to society, she might be a little bit disappointed in her sister's lack of antics.

As it was, however, Bellatrix was no where to be found and Narcissa stood with Andromeda as some woman whom Druella had entertained only occasionally talked without restraint. Little class, little money, little importance, Narcissa thought wearily, hoping that Lucius might spin by to sweep her onto the dance floor.

"…and in only a year or two Andromeda will be married off, won't you?" the woman smiled, nudging Andromeda teasingly.

Andromeda looked as though she had been pulled out of another world as she gave a startled, "What?"

"Marriage, dear. Soon the three pretty Black girls will all be married off; a shame, really. I had hoped my sons might have at least a chance," she laughed. Sobering a little, she stared at Andromeda thoughtfully through her pince-nez before continuing, "Though, your mother tells me you aren't seeing anyone at the moment?"

Andromeda's "no" was sharp and quick.

The woman (maybe a Prewett, Narcissa guessed) looked rather taken aback for a moment before Andromeda amended, "That is to say, I'm sifting through some possibilities, but no. At the moment I am not seeing anybody."

The woman nodded with a smile as if she understood perfectly and then tapped Andromeda patronizingly on the shoulder before saying in departure, "Well I wouldn't fret too much if I were your parents. If they can marry off Bellatrix they can marry off you, certainly. You're much more pleasant. Besides, I always did think you were the more attractive of the two."

"Well then, that's entirely a matter of opinion, isn't it?" a laugh came from behind.

Narcissa recognized the low cacophony to be that of Rodolphus. Andromeda turned to face him first. "With charm like that, it's just a wonder why you'll never catch Bella," Andromeda taunted, her eyes gleaming with a strange malice. While Narcissa had never exactly grown a fondness for the man who was now her brother-in-law, Andromeda straight out loathed Rodolphus.

"She's wearing my wedding ring, isn't she?" Rodolphus countered with equal contempt.

Andromeda smiled at his apparent naïveté. "Yes, for now."

Maybe the extra boost of confidence came from the firewhiskey Narcissa had seen Andromeda consume with uncharacteristic neediness throughout the night. Or maybe it was Andromeda's last chance to claim ownership over Bella. In any case, her words were unfiltered as she asked, "But who will she belong to afterthe honeymoon's over, hmm? Who'll be the first to put their mark on her?"

Rodolphus let out a growl of warning as his eyes flashed dangerously. "I'm afraid I don't understand what you mean," he said through gritted teeth.

Narcissa couldn't help but agree with Rodolphus. Meda's words were strained with anger, and perhaps, a touch of madness.

"Don't think you're going to stop her, Rodolphus. I know Bella, I know what she wants. And she won't let anything stop her… now," Andromeda finished, breathing heavily.

Rodolphus seemed to find this amusing as he chuckled, "Now? Implying that the precious bonds of sisterhood aren't enough to keep up with the changing times?"

Andromeda winced with almost physical pain. Narcissa wanted Rodolphus to stop talking. He was cruel at best, but always at his worst.

"Now, now, Andromeda," he continued, "What makes you think your dear sister and I haven't had this conversation a million times over. And… what makes you think I don't plan to give her everything her very heart desires?"

Andromeda let out a ragged, shaky breath before spitting, "You can not give her freedom."

She grabbed Narcissa's arm roughly, yanking her away from the scowling groom.

"Meda, what did you mean-"

"I hate him," Andromeda interrupted, pushing her way through the crowd.

"Well, I don't like him much myself. But Bella did marry him so she must at least-"

"Bella doesn't love Rodolphus, Narcissa. Don't let yourself believethat she holds any sort of tenderness towards him. She married for something beyond herself; if I knew what it was, I'd tell you. It wasn't just status; Bella doesn't give a damn for politics and you know it. She married him because…" Andromeda was suddenly helpless. It pained Narcissa and she needed, more than anything at that moment, to finish the statement.

"Because Rodolphus is just like Bellatrix?" she guessed.

"No. He's not."

Narcissa was not surprised by such a defiant reaction, so she merely shrugged. "They've dated for… I don't know, a long time. Would it be so bad to believe she married him because she loves him?"

"Narcissa," Andromeda finally snapped. "Don't pretend to be stupid because I know you're not. Bellatrix doesn't love Rodolphus any more than she… Bellatrix… Bella doesn't love anybody, Cissy."

If Andromeda hadn't been acting odd throughout the entire wedding, Narcissa might have taken the words more personally. But, as it was, Andromeda didn't seem to know what she was saying, and Narcissa noted this.

"You couldn't make me believe that if you tried."

Andromeda looked as though she might protest for half a second before a shadow of defeat fell over her.

"Of course not... I don't mean that, I'm sorry Cissy," she sighed, suddenly looking very weary as though she'd been fighting for days without sleep. "I'm just… I'm just mad at the world."

Somehow Narcissacouldn't shake off a nagging feeling even as Andromeda laughed at herself. She had always figured that Bella was the one who held anger for the entire human race and everything above and below it. Meda was just… Narcissa had never been sure what exactly, but then the tremulous thought flooded her brain.

"You're not mad at the world, Meda. You're just… mad at your life."

There was an electric pause, and then they laughed uneasily at this statement; it seemed so irrational, just after a wedding. In fact, none of their conversation felt real to Narcissa. It was like they were stumbling through a sleepless dream where everything was fuzzy but stung even more for that reason.

"I'll so miss your poorly construed, Bella induced, perceptions of life," Andromeda said with a sad smile.

"What do you mean, you'll miss them?" Narcissa demanded in a small voice.

A strange blush crept into Andromeda's sharp cheek bones but she waved it off, saying, "Oh, you know what I mean. Like, when you change and, see the world differently, Cissy. Just one of those growing up things, I mean."

"I don't think I'll change much," Narcissa decided finally, staring curiously at her sister.

Andromeda blinked rapidly as though there was something in her eyes as she gave a resigned laugh, "Oh, I think you will. At least a little bit, I hope. You know, so you can have your own identity apart from three."

"I don't know if that's possible," Narcissa teased, "with you and Bella always following me around like I need looking after."

"I guess not."

Narcissa didn't like the stifling silence so she said the first thing that came to her mind, "Even if you and I change, though. Bella won't change, will she?"

"No. Never."

There was another desperate silence between them.

"Cissy, find Bella, please," Andromeda whispered hoarsely, staring into the distance.

Narcissa nodded swiftly, gathering her dress robes to stand gracefully. But as soon as she turned around she was facing Bella, her cheeks flushed from dancing. Before Narcissa could react to Bellatrix being there right at the moment they needed her, there was the sound of a strangled cry. Brushing past Narcissa, Bella knelt next to Andromeda swiftly.

"Meda," Bella laughed in a voice so soft it worried Narcissa, "What's the matter? If anybody has reason to cry, it's me. I just got married, didn't I?"
"That's not helping," Andromeda whined into her older sister's shoulder.

"I don't know…" Narcissa said, deep in thought, "I'd be a little bit upset too if my last name was 'Lestrange'. It just sounds…"

"Strange?" Andromeda giggled, hiccupping as Bella swatted her head.

"Laugh all you want. See if anybody forgets the name Bellatrix Lestrange."

"Just watch me…" Andromeda muttered, a rueful grin pulling at the corners of her mouth.

Bellatrix rolled her eyes. She turned her attention to Narcissa. "I'm surprised at you, in any case, Cissy, hiding from the party. I saw Lucius before; he was looking for you, I think."

Narcissa grinned, trying to hide her delight with the appropriate smugness. "Well, let him search for me, then."

"Lucius wants what he can't have," Andromeda mumbled tiredly, still burying her face in Bella's shoulder. "Cissy is doing exactly what she's supposed to be doing."

As she stroked Andromeda's hair absentmindedly, Bellatrix noted, "But you're not, Meda. You should be flirting, at the very least."

"Well, clearly the inability to behave oneself is genetic," she said in reply.

Bellatrix's smile contained something of a pride Narcissa knew that only Andromeda could obtain. "Be that as it is, you'll endure a lot less scorn from Mother if she sees you dancing instead of moping around with your little sister."

Narcissa would have protested to this insult, but Andromeda's words were more troubling.

"I will not parade festivity for something that does not deserve celebration."

Bellatrix looked torn between insult and agreement. She settled for neither, and chose to speak the words Andromeda needed to hear and Narcissa wanted to hear.

"It's just a wedding ring, Meda. I'm not going anywhere; not really, I'm not leaving you guys."

Narcissa was comforted by what she already knew to be true. She watched Andromeda fiddle with a loose hem on Bella's dress. Bellatrix stared at her left hand, somewhat in a trance.

Meda finally spoke in a whisper, "No, of course you won't."

Author's Note: I fail at posting stories on holidays... But that aside, I can't tell you how very thankful I am for all the positive support you guys have given me! Reaching chapter 20 would have been a much longer slog had you not read/alerted/favorite-d/reviewed this story. Ahem, I took wedding technicalities from the "Wedding" chapter of DH. Bella's actual wedding and reception gala was sadly not as detailed as I'd hoped (Meda got out of hand)... so I might just write this chapter from Bella and or Meda's pov. Let me know if that would be interesting or just plain redundant...