Written for "The Hunger Games Challenge" on HPFC. I used prompt 10.
Emotion/Feeling: Embarrassed (ashamed)
Pairing: None
Rating: K
Word Count: 865
Removing The Mask
Bellatrix Black had always felt as though her main responsibility was to do her duty to her family, in being a role model to her sisters. She sometimes felt as though her true emotions were being supressed, squashed down until she wasn't even sure who she really was. Over the years, she had created a cold mask that she wore every second of every day. It had become a permanent fixture.
Bellatrix was very proud of her life, and of her achievements. She had managed to get through Hogwarts with straight O's, and her future was looking promising. Not only was she due to wed the prestigious Rodolphus Lestrange in under six weeks, but she had just been asked to work for Lord Voldemort, by no other than the man himself. She felt honoured.
Andromeda Black and Narcissa Black, her two younger sisters, were also doing well for themselves, and Bellatrix prided herself in their accomplishments. If it hadn't been for her example, then who knows where they would be?
It was summer, and so Narcissa and Andromeda were home for the holidays. Narcissa had disappeared to a formal meeting in which she would present herself to Lucius Malfoy's parents, in order to see whether they'd approve of her. Bellatrix had no doubt that her youngest sister would blow them away.
Bellatrix was sitting in her bedroom, writing a letter to Rodolphus, when she heard the faintest of knocks on her door.
"Come in," she said coolly, not looking away from her parchment. She heard the door open, and then someone shuffled into the room.
"Bella," came the quiet voice of Andromeda. Bellatrix swivelled round to face her sister. She was a little concerned with Andromeda's tone.
"Is everything alright, Andie?" she asked softly. The younger Black looked as though she had seen a ghost. She was pale as a sheet, and her eyes had dark red circles around them. Andromeda opened her mouth to reply, but was overwhelmed by whatever was bothering her and before Bellatrix could react, Andromeda had thrown herself into her arms. Harsh sobs filled the room as Andromeda held onto her sister.
Bellatrix, never the one to comfort people, held onto her. She didn't say a word, but kept a hand on Andromeda's back, slowly soothing her pain.
When Andromeda finally composed herself, she took a step back and sighed. "I love you, Bella. I want you to know that before I tell you what's wrong."
Bellatrix nodded. "I know you love me, and I you. What's bothering you?"
Andromeda closed her eyes as though unable to bear the sight of Bellatrix's reaction. "I've fallen in love," she whispered. "I… he's… not someone that our family would… approve of."
Bellatrix did not like the sound of this. Trying to keep up her cool façade that she had spent years mastering, she kept her voice calm. "Why would we not approve?"
"He's n-not… he's in Hufflepuff," Andromeda stammered, her voice going uncharacteristically high.
Bellatrix closed her eyes – this could not be happening. "What is his blood status?" Bellatrix practically spat, despite her attempt at remaining calm. She opened her eyes again to see Andromeda looking particularly scared at this question.
"He's a… well, he's a muggle-born. I mean, it shouldn't really make difference-"
"-Get out."
Andromeda blinked quickly, a few tears escaping again. "I'm sorry?"
Bellatrix was now furious. "GET OUT OF HERE!" she screeched, feeling the blood boil beneath her skin. "How dare you come to me with this? What did you expect? Sympathy?"
"I was hoping for your understanding," Andromeda murmured, her voice thick with sadness. "I love him, but I also love you, and I don't want to lose either of you."
"Andromeda," Bellatrix said coldly. This was the first time in her life that Bellatrix had called her sister 'Andromeda' rather than 'Andie', and the younger girl didn't fail to notice this. "You will choose, right here and now."
"I can't choose between-"
"You will choose."
Andromeda shook her head and started to cry again as she stared at her sister's infuriated face. "I have to choose him, Bella. He's everything to me."
"Get out, then," Bellatrix demanded. "Count yourself lucky that I'm sending you away rather than punishing you for your disgusting behaviour."
"Bella, please… we're sisters…"
"You," Bellatrix whispered harshly. "Are no sister of mine. GET OUT!"
With that, Andromeda took one last fleeting look at Bellatrix and ran from the room. Bellatrix wasn't sure how she was meant to process what had just happened. She was angry, yes, but most of all, she was ashamed.
Embarrassed, even. Because Bellatrix had tried her hardest to set a good example for Andromeda. She had failed, and miserably so. Bellatrix was an embarrassment to the Black family, for she viewed her sisters' actions as her own responsibility.
So for the first time in a long time, she pulled away her mask and let her emotions run wild. She let out a strangled cry, and then she could not stop the sobs that came out of her, because despite all of her effort, Bellatrix Black had failed as a sister.
And that had been the most important thing.
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