Disclaimer: I do not own any part of the Harry Potter series.
Announcing
The only person more detestable than Rodolphus, Bellatrix was fond of telling her sisters, was his mother. "Because at least Rodolphus is good for the occasional shag," Bella said, spouting the phrase that was quickly becoming an aphorism for her approaching marriage. "And that vile excuse for a woman-honestly, she looks like the wrong end of a centaur-does nothing but nag me every time I grace her with my presence."
As she talked, Bellatrix brushed Andromeda's hair with attention she never bestowed upon her own dark curls. Andromeda pushed a strand from her eyes as she watched her older sister through the mirror.
"Ignoring the continually unneeded comments about Rodolphus," Andromeda said, "Mrs. Lestrange can't be worse than Mother."
Narcissa bit her tongue as she concentrated on her own hair. Though she disliked the Lestranges more than Bellatrix did and just a little less than Andromeda did, Narcissa felt obliged to look her best. A dinner party to announce Bellatrix's engagement was just as well an opportunity to display the available Black sisters, their mother had said.
"I suppose they're similar in many dreadful ways," Bella replied. Narcissa noticed that her brushing became less gentle as she continued to talk about the two women. "But I'm expected to tolerate Mrs. Lestrange if I want to become Mrs. Lestrange."
Narcissa scoffed at the joke. Andromeda made a face.
"Which, I really don't want to become, but that's hardly the point," Bella said, somewhat bitterly as she pulled Andromeda's hair away from her face. "If she's not lecturing me on my behavior now, she's lecturing me on my future duties. Merlin, she's a complete nightmare."
"You might as well get used to it, as she'll soon be your mother-in-law," Narcissa said. She weaved her hair above her head.
Bellatrix groaned. "Please, stop, you're making Druella sound appealing."
"Look at how much fun you have at her expense. I shudder to think how Rodolphus and you will team against his poor mother."
Bellatrix considered this with a crooked smile, and Narcissa regretted suggesting such future injustices.
"Your hair looks nice, Cissy," Andromeda said. "Can you get the back of my dress while you're admiring yourself."
Narcissa pulled herself from the mirror to help her sister.
Bellatrix, though her own hair still hung wildly around her face, fixed Andromeda's hair slowly. It seemed to soothe her of some restlessness.
When Bella spoke again, her voice was casual, but Narcissa could sense ulterior motives, "You might pay attention to Rabastan; he fancies you, you know."
Andromeda applied her lipstick carelessly, touching up the corners of her mouth with her fingertips.
"No, Bella, he fancies you. I just happen to be available."
Bellatrix's hands fell still on the crown of Andromeda's head. She looked fiercely at her sister's reflection.
"You could snatch him easily, Meda," she said. Her hands began to fix Andromeda's hair once more as she returned her gaze to the soft curls. "Then we could be sisters through and through."
Andromeda smiled. Bella rarely entertained silly daydreams. At least not out loud.
"And leave poor Cissy out?"
Bellatrix finished her work and wrapped her arms loosely around Andromeda's shoulders. Andromeda touched the up-do gently, her fingers resting at the side of her face. She looked thoughtful.
"You're right," Bella said, "Besides, I wouldn't let Rabastan so much as dance with you. He's part Rodolphus, after all. I hate to think what a younger, needier version would do to you."
"Your taste in men, Bella…" Narcissa muttered through a mouthful of bobby pins, "It's enough to make me sick."
"Mother's taste in men," Bella noted.
"Don't pin this on Mother. She likes Rodolphus less than Meda does. More like Father's taste in men."
Bellatrix snorted, and then they all giggled.
"Oh, I guess I should dress," Bella said, as though wearing clothes to a social gathering was optional.
"We've had hours, Bella."
"I know, but I couldn't decide on a dress," she said, retreating to her wardrobe.
Narcissa examined Andromeda's hair.
"It's actually not too bad," she said. She didn't bother to hide the surprise in her voice.
Andromeda nodded. "I like it. Bella knows refinement, even if she won't apply it to herself."
Narcissa had to question the extent of this knowledge, however, as Bellatrix emerged wearing little more than a bolt of lace.
Bellatrix scrutinized herself in the floor length mirror. "Yes… I think I'll wear this."
Andromeda didn't even look up from organizing her purse. "Bella, that is not a dress."
Bellatrix twirled around and made a show of dancing with an imaginary partner. They tangoed.
"It's barely a nightgown," Narcissa added.
Bellatrix leaned backwards as her imaginary partner dipped her towards the bed.
"So, the old bat wants to make sure I'm capable of bearing children," Bella drawled. "I think this outfit is perfect."
"Childbirth is not the capability that attire seems to suggest," Andromeda said. She vacated her seat at the vanity to pull Bella from the mess of covers.
"On the contrary," Bella said, tapping Andromeda's nose with a smile, "I feel very motherly."
"More proof that you should never have children," Narcissa muttered as she rouged her cheeks.
Bellatrix sighed dramatically as she slipped out of the negligee. "And I was so hoping…"
Andromeda rolled her eyes then turned her attentions upon Narcissa.
"Not so much blush, Cissy. You'll look too flushed."
"And that should come naturally," Bella advised from behind her changing screen.
Narcissa ignored Bella's comment. Running a finger across her reddened cheek bones, Narcissa peered into her reflection. She thought the color made her face look fuller.
"Do you really want to look like Bella?" Andromeda muttered in Narcissa's ear.
With a huff of indignation, Narcissa snatched the cloth from Andromeda's hand and began wiping off the rouge.
Bellatrix emerged in the mirror wearing a dark dress and a smug expression.
"What a lovely color for a bride to be," Narcissa said, eyes scanning the material.
"I t does set your skin aglow," Andromeda agreed sarcastically. "No, Bella."
Bellatrix put her hands on her hips. "Well, what then? Don't tell me you want me to wear that thing Mother picked out for me."
Andromeda shook her head. She began to rummage through Bella's closet, muttering something about subtlety. If that's what she was searching for, Narcissa thought she'd better try another wardrobe.
"Ah, here," Andromeda said, extracting a gown and handing it to Bellatrix.
"I wore that two years ago," Bella protested, even as Narcissa unfastened the current dress.
"Good. Mrs. Lestrange won't be able to decide what offends her more: the outdated fashion or the tightness."
"It was tight to begin with," Narcissa said, helping Bellatrix slip on the dress.
Still, as Andromeda fastened the gown's back, Narcissa thought it was as subtle as Bellatrix would wear.
Even so, the ensemble received Druella's exasperated disapproval as they walked the lengthy path to the Lestrange's entrance hall an hour later.
"What happened to the gown I gave you," Druella asked, expression cool.
Bellatrix shrugged. "House-elf ripped it, I think."
Before Druella could inquire further, Bellatrix looped her arm through her father's.
"Don't lie to your mother," Cygnus drawled. He looked down upon his daughter who pretended innocence, poorly. "You look a scandal to the family, Bella."
"Oh, Father. Don't pretend you're not dying to give me away."
Cygnus laughed. Narcissa thought he was far too indulgent of Bellatrix's disrespect, probably because he was just as disrespectful.
"Don't pretend you didn't hope differently," Cygnus retorted, kissing the top of her head.
"The way you encourage her," Druella muttered, pulling her husband away from the influence of his eldest daughter.
"If Father didn't, we would," Andromeda said, yawning as she replaced Cygnus at Bella's side.
Druella made a reproachful sound between her teeth. Over her shoulder she peered sharply at Andromeda.
"You'd be wise to pay some of your wandering attentions to Rabastan, tonight."
"Funny, that's what Bella suggested," Andromeda replied.
Ignoring this, Druella turned her eyes upon Narcissa. To her youngest daughter, Druella said nothing but gave Narcissa a pleased smile.
Behind her, Narcissa heard her sisters whisper conspiratorially.
"Mother, Bella's making fun of me," Narcissa sniffed.
Narcissa stuck her tongue out at her sisters as Druella glared at Bellatrix.
"Take your father's arm, Bellatrix," Druella hissed. "You aren't marrying Andromeda."
Andromeda and Bella exchanged smirks as Bella proclaimed loudly, "Pity… I think she looks absolutely ravishing this evening."
By the expression on the harsh face of Mrs. Lestrange, Narcissa guessed that she'd heard.
Noticing this, Bella grinned, and stepped forward with her father in tow.
"Mrs. Lestrange!" Bella exclaimed, kissing the woman briskly on each cheek. The gesture left dark stains on Mrs. Lestrange's face, and Bella seemed rather pleased with her work. She grinned. "But I should call you Mum!"
"Madame Lestrange will do for now…" she replied stiffly. She gave Bellatrix a very forced smile. For a moment, Mrs. Lestrange stared at Bellatrix as though dumbfounded by the sheer cheek of her daughter-in-law-to-be. Recovering with a slight shake of her head, and a small laugh, she turned her attentions. "And, Druella, Cygnus. How wonderful."
Druella imitated Bella's greeting, but with less mocking flourish and more obvious disdain. Cygnus pressed the top of Mrs. Lestrange's hand to his lips.
"Roddy," Bella said, casting a suggestive wink to his mother as she took her fiancé's arm.
Rodolphus bowed to Cygnus. The two men shook hands and exchanged smirks. Narcissa thought she might have heard her father mutter "thanks" as he gave a sarcastic nod in the direction of his most unruly daughter.
Cygnus led Druella into the dining hall, followed by Bellatrix and Rodolphus.
"Your sister," Mrs. Lestrange sighed as her son and Bellatrix disappeared, "always manages to make a spectacle of herself."
Before Andromeda could open her mouth to defend Bellatrix, Monsieur Lestrange approached.
"Excuse me," she said, following her husband into the dining hall.
Andromeda sighed, boredom already overtaking her manners. Narcissa frowned as she looked at her sister.
"I wish Lucius was here. At least I'd have someone to dance with."
Andromeda snickered, "I'll give you a dance with Rabastan. Don't worry."
Though this was far from comforting, Narcissa walked to the dining hall without further complaint to Andromeda. They sat with their parents, subdued by Bella's absence as she sat at a table with Rodolphus and his parents. The hall was sparsely populated, but the prestige of the guests filled any void of numbers. Still, Narcissa felt a twinge of disappointment. She preferred the grand affairs of Malfoy Manor to this sort of arrangement. But the Lestranges never had been a family to welcome outsiders into their home. Bella would like that.
Narcissa occupied the duration of dinner imagining Lucius's proposal. She wished Andromeda would hurry up and get engaged. Because Lucius was a man of so many formalities, Narcissa had a feeling he was waiting for the middle sister's engagement before stealing away the youngest.
But when Narcissa tried to explain this theory, Andromeda merely laughed.
"Cissy, I think that you're more in love with the idea of marrying Lucius than Lucius himself."
Narcissa began to reply to the contrary, but her voice trailed off. Andromeda wasn't listening. Bellatrix was making faces over her goblet. How typical of Andromeda to find Bella's childish antics more amusing than legitimate marriage concerns.
But as a staff of house-elves cleared the tables of the finished meal, Mrs. Lestrange stood, and Bellatrix peered at the woman.
"Madame is speaking in the place of Monsieur?" Narcissa scoffed, leaning to whisper in Andromeda's ear. "What a statement on the family…"
Andromeda gave a tight laugh. "Yes, you'd think Bella would like that, though."
It appeared, however, that Bellatrix did not enjoy Mrs. Lestrange's speech. As Mrs. Lestrange laughed too often and too falsely, Bellatrix calculated her with piercing eyes.
"I understand Bella's lack of appreciation for respectable women of society," Narcissa continued softly, "But I almost think she hates Madame Lestrange for the sake of it."
Andromeda shrugged. She grinned as Bellatrix began making faces at the unknowing older woman. "Um, I guess. But Madame Lestrange has never approved of Bellatrix for Rodolphus, and that annoys Bellatrix. That Bellatrix isn't good enough? I don't need to tell you it's quite the opposite."
Narcissa nodded, but sank back in her chair as Mrs. Lestrange continued her speech. Andromeda was so eager to attack Rodolphus, and yet, Narcissa didn't think it was such a bad match. Certainly they would be an abomination at all social gatherings, if they even attended. And Narcissa knew for a fact that Bellatrix had no intention of bearing children, regardless of societal pressure. But, Bella tolerated Rodolphus, and Rodolphus was tough enough to hold his own against Bellatrix's raging personality.
Narcissa clapped politely, if not insincerely, as Mrs. Lestrange sat and Rodolphus stood.
"Dear friends," he said. His voice was so low Narcissa wondered how friendly he could pretend to be. "My mother made jokes about my stubbornness and my hesitation to settle down with a family. But I have found a force of nature that rivals my shortcomings with her own wildness and never delicate passion."
Bellatrix smirked.
"Ms. Black. And, within a year," Rodolphus said, offering his hand to Bellatrix as she stood with him, "I shall marry this fiery temptress."
Mrs. Lestrange met her son's word choice with obvious disapproval, but the rest of the onlookers approved with a general chuckle. As the couple kissed, music began to play, and the tables moved to the sides of the room. Standing too close for decency, Bellatrix talked rapidly with a mischievous glint in her eyes. Rodolphus gave a bark of a laugh, then slid his arm around his future wife. With his large hand on her hip, Rodolphus led Bellatrix to the dance floor.
As Narcissa watched the couple, she wondered if Bellatrix would ever learn to dance properly. Admittedly, Rodolphus was little better as his hands slid further and further down Bellatrix's back as the song swelled.
"It's repulsive," Andromeda seethed, "the way he acts as if he owns Bella."
The sudden exclamation startled Narcissa at first. She turned to see Andromeda, clutching her glass with white fingers.
"Don't be so harsh, Meda. You know the only reason Rodolphus parades their relationship is because he realizes how little of Bella he actually owns."
"I still loathe him. If there was even the smallest possibility that some man other than Rodolphus Lestrange could maintain our sister, I'd disapprove of this marriage entirely. As it is, Bella shouldn't be maintained-"
"By anyone but yourself?" Narcissa said knowingly. She taunted Andromeda with unfair bait, but still Narcissa continued, "Really, Meda. It would seem Rodolphus isn't the only possessive one."
Andromeda exhaled slowly, cheeks red with indignation. "I only meant that, Bellatrix shouldn't just marry… If Rodolphus didn't make her happy, that is to say, if Bella didn't enjoy him so much, I'd tell her to break off the whole engagement."
Narcissa looked solemnly at her too impassioned sister. From the dance floor, Narcissa heard Bella's laughter. Andromeda's face remained steely and thoughtful. Narcissa gazed at Bella and wondered if marriage would be so terrible for her. There was a tiny pang for her sister. Narcissa wanted Bella to be in love.
"Meda," Narcissa whispered. She leaned towards her sister. "Don't you dare tell Bella that."
"What?"
"The extent of your disapproval for Rod."
Andromeda's mouth curled in disgust. "Why not? Bellatrix speaks bluntly enough about the man, why can't I?"
"Because," Narcissa sighed. She gave Andromeda a pitying look. "You know Bella would call off the engagement if she thought the marriage would hurt you."
Andromeda examined the hem of her sleeve. "Don't say that, Cissy. Bellatrix is impulsive, but she's not stupid. That sort of stunt could cost her."
"You know she would."
Andromeda faced Narcissa as though ready to fight. Her face contorted to something akin to Bellatrix's, Andromeda said bitterly, "And sacrifice such a true love?"
"For her sisters?" Narcissa scoffed, eyebrows raised and incredulous.
Andromeda's face softened into a smile. "So-noble Bella."
As though summoned, Bellatrix approached her sisters. Her face glistened with perspiration, and her hair was a shamble, but Narcissa thought she looked happy. Bella grabbed Andromeda's hand.
"Quit hiding, Meda. Come on, I promised Rabastan you'd dance with him."
Andromeda laughed in defeat as Bella pulled her across the room, indulging her older sister one more delusion.
Author's Note: I have the next update partially written, so I could possibly update in the near future. We'll see if I study for finals... Also, I've been thinking about writing something with Ted Tonks; I'd love to hear suggestions/requests. I really appreciate the reviews!