Here is the new chapter, named after the song by Thirty Seconds To Mars. No Lucissa in that one, sorry, but Lucius will appear again in the next ;) Enjoy!
Lestrange Hall did not look different in the slightest.
Walking up the drive that led to the house, Narcissa dimly wondered whether her father had felt as strange, as puzzled, unsure, helpless as she now did, while he followed the same path just the day before. She recalled the tension of his jaw when he had bleakly told her the latest news – that Bella had come and talked to Arcturus, to no avail; that Cygnus had visited her, to no avail. Narcissa hardly believed that her own attempt would prove any more useful, and yet abandoning was unthinkable. She knocked lightly on the great wooden doors, which swung open before her.
The foyer looked wide and dark, and she could hear the echo of her own footsteps. She hovered there for a moment, even more disturbed by the lack of any reception. Eventually, as she was stepping forward hesitantly, a door opened and somebody came out.
Cissy gasped a little, and then caught herself. It was not her sister who was staring silently at her, but her brother-in-law. Rodolphus raised an eyebrow. "Hello, Narcissa," he said. "I see that the whole family is strongly feeling the purpose of an amicable visit these days."
She swallowed, her mouth opening and closing. She had always thought Rodolphus to be quite unsettling; now, however, as she gazed upon his face, she found herself recalling many small details, some quite recent, some years prior. She felt dizzy.
"You knew we would end up figuring things out," she said automatically. Rodolphus' eyes sweeping over each one of their faces, looking for a reaction, a hint. "You always knew."
"I was expecting it," he admitted without reservation. "Your father is a clever man."
She set her jaw. "Is Bella home?" she asked.
He bowed slightly, wryly. "If you will follow me."
She stepped after him into the drawing room. Bellatrix stood by the window; she turned as she heard them, but did not come any closer. Rodolphus reclined in an armchair and motioned for Cissy to do the same. She preferred remaining upright, however, her hands finding the back of a sofa for support.
Bella did not seem quite sure what to say. "Why did you come?" she eventually uttered.
Narcissa blinked, shocked and taken off guard. "I had to see you," she blurted. "Did you really think I'd stay away?"
"You're not coming without a purpose," Bella said impatiently, waving aside her exclamation. "You didn't have to, don't be ridiculous. You don't do politics. This is none of your business."
"You're not even denying it anymore," she murmured.
"Of course not. After my little spat with Arcturus, the mystery is unveiled, I wouldn't doubt. If you are here, then someone told you what's going on, someone who knows exactly what they're doing – wagering that the little sister's tears will do what the elders' mighty word could not."
There Narcissa had to sit, and Bellatrix snorted like it were a comedy – a lie – with a quick, angry shake of her head. Once the first shock had subsided, a stronger wrath flared hot in its place. Cissy looked up. "You're wrong," she said harshly. "They see me as a little girl, or perhaps an aspirant lady, still in the making, who would do well to remain in her place – but not as an instrument, the way you seem to."
It was Bella's turn to be lost for words, though she pulled herself together rapidly. "So, have you come to ask me to stop?" she inquired. "Or to let me know that I'm being an embarrassment to the family? I've already been told all of that."
"You've only just stopped lying to me, and you're accusing me next," Narcissa said, struggling to sound calm and dignified.
"But don't you see you were better off not knowing?" Bellatrix had a shrill, mirthless laugh. "I can see fear in your eyes now, when you look at me."
"Fear for you!"
"Are you quite sure?" Bella stalked closer, forcing Narcissa to lean backwards. "What did you feel when you learned the truth, little sister? Were you frightened? Disgusted? Appalled? Didn't you consider, even for a moment, that I might be right?"
"Stop." Cissy was starting to shake, her legs, her hands, her whole body was trembling. "Bella, stop. Calm down."
"Don't tell me to calm down, and don't tell me to stop!" Suddenly, it seemed that Bellatrix was shaking just as hard as she was. "I can't stop," she whispered. "I've made my choice."
She could hear Rodolphus shift, but she did not look at him, taking in her sister's white face instead. "What's keeping you?" she asked.
Bella's mouth twisted. "I've made my choice," she repeated. "I've given my loyalty. I'm fighting for my blood, Cissy, for our birthright. I've committed myself to a new era, a great change – to the Dark Lord…"
Narcissa blinked. "Who? Who is the Dark Lord?"
Rodolphus was up in a flash. "I think that's enough," he spoke in a low voice. He looked straight into his wife's eyes. "You've told her enough. She will or won't understand, but that will do."
Bellatrix's head bobbed abruptly. "Fine," she breathed. Of all things, Narcissa was bewildered by her sister's obedience, which roused an unexpected rush of rage towards Rodolphus from the depths of her. Bella stepped back and dropped into a seat. Cissy stood impulsively, and walked forward, ignoring her brother-in-law.
"I don't know what you're doing," she whispered. "I don't know what or whom you're fighting for, and yes, I'm scared. But I'm scared of losing my sister. I'm scared you'll get hurt. I'm scared you'll abandon me."
Bella blinked up at her. "I don't expect you to understand," she replied a bit hoarsely. "But I'm not going anywhere. It doesn't have to change anything, not between us…"
She hardly sounded like she believed what she was saying, but Narcissa still knelt at her level and gripped her hand. "Do you promise?" she whispered.
Bellatrix swallowed convulsively. "I promise," she muttered. "And you?"
"Of course I promise."
Rodolphus snorted lightly, amused. "Sweet."
"Shut up," Bellatrix mumbled, and Cissy thought about Rabastan. The Lestrange brothers probably did not have the same problem.
Squeezing Bella's cold fingers, she remembered that secrecy and bitterness had already cost her a sibling.
Narcissa was doing her hair when Lucius' owl arrived. Rushing to the window to let it in, she dimly thought that her reaction now could not have been different to the one she'd had after the ball. What was more, she was growing quite used to the bird, and the bird to her – and of course, she was getting very used to regular letters from Lucius. A smile briefly grazed her lips as she recalled the first one; it had been waiting for her when she came home from Lestrange Hall, a most prized comfort.
Cissy's eyes only briefly scanned the missive, before she put it aside to be read later. She hardly had the time at the moment. Resuming her flutter of activity, she was promptly finished, and rushed downstairs to meet her parents. Very shortly, they would all be leaving for Grimmauld Place, where a family gathering was scheduled.
Her father was alone in the drawing room when she walked in, the Prophet in his hand. Narcissa's stomach had a twist at the frown on his face. "Anything interesting?" she called.
He glanced up at her. "Always the same," he responded. Shaking his head slightly, he put the Prophet down. "They are speculating about the name of the leader."
She did not need to ask what leader he was alluding to. "Oh," Narcissa murmured. "Who is the Dark Lord?" she asked quickly, remembering Bella's words.
Cygnus raised his eyebrows. "So she let this slip with you, too." He sighed. "It would seem that it is what his followers call him… I doubt that Bella would have come up with the name on her own, and it seems enigmatic and awe-inspiring, which is exactly the effect they are going for, as far as I can see. The actual name of the man is unknown. He has only been seen a few times, carefully chosen – the most striking and symbolic. A gaunt, dark-looking silhouette with a stunningly powerful aura, they say… It is all flawlessly planned out so far, and bearing fruit. The idea of him is beginning to frighten the masses. Rumour has it that his name is secret and ill-cursed. Of course, it allows him to keep his true identity concealed, for reasons only he is aware of – though I cannot imagine your sister ever working for anybody less than pureblood, let alone Duncan Lestrange and some other old families who seem to approve of his actions. Some are starting to simply call him You-Know-Who." He snorted.
"That is quite odd."
"Part of a larger strategy, and all meant to plant seeds of fear into mundane minds and the public opinion. This tactic with the name works surprisingly well. The whole group has used it before: never quite stepping out into the open, creating an atmosphere of anxiety and mistrust, leaving people to speculate as to their identities and aims. It makes their impact all the greater… At the beginning, the name that went around was the Knights of Walpurgis, an organization based on old legends and traditions, revived and thirsting for blood… Then their movement became more defined… They call themselves Death Eaters now."
Cissy shuddered, taken off guard. "It sounds… strange. Frightening."
"Does it not?" Cygnus had a disillusioned smile. "The man standing behind this must master the art of fear, and manipulating the minds. There is an aesthetic quality there, a symbolism… The mark that started appearing recently, for instance. A skull and a snake – the crest of Slytherin, champion of the pure of blood. And this name, the Dark Lord… the way your sister speaks it…" He shook his head, his jaw rigid.
"We ought to be going."
Narcissa started violently, whirling around. She had not heard her mother step into the room behind her. Druella, pale and tight-lipped, walked past her youngest child and wordlessly summoned the box of Floo powder. Cygnus stood, folding his paper, and gestured for Narcissa to go first. She stepped forward, into the flames her mother had just lit.
When she arrived in the drawing room of 12, Grimmauld Place, it was already populated. Her first cousin twice removed and her grandfather, Arcturus and Pollux, as well as their wives, were seated with her uncle Orion. Her aunt Walburga was pacing the room, and seemingly telling off Sirius, who leant against the wall with a rebellious expression on his face. Regulus was in the corner, looking about with an air of shyness mixed with excitement.
"Here you are!" Walburga called. Druella and Cygnus stepped in after Cissy, and brother and sister briefly embraced. "Alphard said he would not be able to come," she commented as they parted. "He is in Russia or someplace similar."
"How surprising," Cygnus responded wryly.
Arcturus had stood, looking imposing and cold. "Your eldest is late," he spoke.
"She will come."
"I hope so, if she still respects the family at all." Narcissa stiffened. She spotted Sirius leaning forward, frowning. Apparently, the boys could sense the tension in the room just as well as she could, guess that something was off, but had been given no further hint.
There was a whooshing sound from the hearth, and they all turned swiftly, just in time for Bellatrix's appearance. Narcissa immediately noticed her sister's squared jaw and the harsh, determined glint of her black eyes. "Good day, everyone," she spoke flatly, after a few beats of silence.
"Bellatrix," Arcturus said coldly.
Cissy felt ill at ease, disturbed by the intensity of the focus converging on her sister. She glanced aside, and Sirius drew her attention again. He seemed restless, frustrated, and was peering intently at Bella. As for Regulus, he appeared bothered by the strain they all seemed to be under, too; apart from Narcissa, he was the only one looking away.
"There is no reason to remain standing there," Arcturus said in a low, authoritative voice, making Cissy jump. "Walburga, let us have lunch."
"Of course," she replied stiffly, leading the way to the dining room. The whole family followed.
Narcissa found herself sitting between Regulus and her distant cousin, Melania. From where she was, she could see Bellatrix clearly, but she stared at her empty plate instead. The table filled silently, and Arcturus gave a toast for the Black family before the meal began.
It was a quiet event. The pressure in the room seemed to be mounting higher and higher – but nobody spoke a word to shatter the ice. Between two courses, Cissy accidentally met Walburga's burning gaze. She seemed to be dying to send her children from the room already. Regulus, who kept his head bowed low, except for a few furtive glances around the table, gave the impression that he would have skipped dessert and hurried off gladly enough, despite his obvious curiosity. Sirius, however, appeared to be getting almost as irritated as his mother. He was visibly struggling to meet Bella's gaze, but the latter paid him no mind, and Walburga eventually rebuked him, sharply commanding that he sit straight.
By the time they were done with lunch, the tension could have been cut with a knife and the lump in Cissy's throat was such that it made the sheer notion of any more food impossible. At a tiniest nod of Arcturus' head, Orion stood from the opposite end of the table. "Narcissa, would you mind taking the boys to the lounge upstairs?" Walburga asked sharply.
"I am sure an elf could look after them," Cygnus swiftly interceded. They both turned towards Arcturus, indifferent to Sirius' indignant cry.
The family elder nodded, his gaze weighty upon Narcissa's face. "She may remain, with her mother."
Walburga scowled, turning away. "Boys, upstairs," she ordered. "Kreacher will watch you. You are not to leave the room, under any circumstance. With me now, quick."
"I want to stay!" Sirius roared, unmoving, as his mother strode to the door. "I want to know what's going on! I'm old enough – I'm going to Hogwarts!" He shouted it like it were an amulet against the adults' will.
"There will be no talking back, young man," Walburga hissed, and Orion boomed: "Obey your mother this instant, boy, and be grateful your insolence will be tolerated this once. Out of my sight!"
Sirius stood straight and still for a few more seconds, quivering with rage. Then, with a half-yelled profanity that made Narcissa wince, he stomped out of the room. Judging on Walburga's murderous glare, the boy might have to regret his outburst quite shortly. He had blatantly inherited her fearsome temper.
Regulus scurried off after his brother, then Cissy followed the adults back to the drawing room, her hands shaking slightly. The family elders – Arcturus and Pollux, Irma and Melania – took seats, but the others remained standing. Bellatrix strode arrogantly to the middle of the room, her gaze defiant and her mouth a tight line. The door slammed, marking Walburga's return – it made Narcissa wince. "Well," Bella called out, "unless I am very much mistaken, it is me you all wished to discuss. Shall we get on with it, then?"
"Control your vanity, child," Arcturus responded darkly. "The family had planned this gathering long before you opted to make a disgrace of yourself."
"And yet you brought it forward, didn't you? Why is that, I wonder?" Bellatrix sneered, her gaze challenging him.
Cissy frowned, biting her lips as Walburga shrilly cut in and the quarrel became more animated. Bellatrix's outrageousness should not have surprised her. She had always been dismissive of traditions, claiming the young generation deserved no less respect and rights than the elders, for their blood, equally pure, was all that mattered; however, Narcissa knew that her sister would not have willingly disrespected Arcturus. The man embodied their family's standing and pride, a living symbol with his charisma, his commanding voice and his aura of strength and authority. Cissy feared him; Sirius was wary, Regulus in awe of him. Her sister respected him. And yet she was shouting at him now, in the name of this Dark Lord of hers. Some figure this might be, if his ideals had turned such a girl as Bellatrix Black against her very family. A chill raced down Narcissa's spine.
"Make her stop," she breathed, very low. Druella twitched at her side.
"You can't order me anything," Bellatrix was telling her father passionately. "I am married. Exactly what you wanted, wasn't it? Only my husband has authority to question my choices. And my husband supports me."
"Your husband is a fool and his whole family as well," Pollux replied harshly. "Who is this man you are following? I suppose he must be pure, so why does he feel the need to hide his name?"
"A murderer, of course," Melania muttered. "A criminal – why else all this secrecy?"
"His name will be known and feared in good time," Bella said fiercely. "He is pure, and powerful – the purest of them all. If only you knew –"
"Let him speak to us, then," Orion cut in impatiently. "If he truly is mighty and pure –"
"Have you lost your mind, cousin?" Arcturus hissed. "His methods are the wrong ones. We have influence over this Ministry he wishes to overthrow! How would he defend the interests of the pure? It is his own personal dominion he is after!"
"And rightfully so!" Bella exclaimed. "The Dark Lord will rule, and the purebloods will get the respect we truly deserve, at last! We will get rid of the plague of Mudbloods!"
"A child's dream," Irma said haughtily. "There are too many of this filth. If we want to control them, we must act cleverly, keep them at bay, under a false sense of security. Your rash plots will only threaten our reign."
"You don't understand!" Bellatrix's voice was getting louder and shriller. "You are old and content with sitting there and pulling strings, satisfied with whatever influence you have, but you cannot keep the scum from breeding! Think of your children! You will be thankful when the Dark Lord's revolution saves us all from rotting in an ocean of impurities!"
"Don't speak of the children you haven't borne," Melania snapped with malice. "None of us really expected you to be a true lady, Bellatrix, but at least we hoped you would remain dignified. Look at you, throwing yourself at the feet of the first radical upstart, screeching senselessly to make yourself heard. You disgust me, daughter of the Blacks."
Bellatrix reeled back; she struggled to answer, but only a scream of frustration erupted from her shaking lips. Whirling around, she whipped out her wand. The men gripped theirs and Cissy cried out in shock, but Bella made a sharp sweeping motion, and the vase of Floo powder on the mantlepiece exploded; fire flared to life, flashing green.
"Stay right where you are!" Cygnus bellowed, but Bellatrix was already across the room, and then gone.
Narcissa stumbled back. Her hands found the wall for support. Pollux sighed; Arcturus shook his head darkly. Cygnus was staring blankly after his eldest daughter. Druella reached a trembling hand to her youngest.
Cissy shut her eyes tightly, hoping to block everything out.