Bellatrix Lestrange (marginallymad) wrote in cm_history, @ 2009-10-30 10:51:00 |
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Entry tags: | [1973] july, [char] andromeda tonks née black, [char] bellatrix lestrange née black, [char] narcissa black |
RP Log
Who: Bellatrix Lestrange, Narcissa Black, brief appearance by Andromeda Tonks
When: July 1973
Where: Diagon Alley
What: Planning Narcissa's wedding and running into someone they don't want to see.
Rating: PG
Status: Complete
Bellatrix Lestrange was not one to go shopping. Generally she had a tailor and dressmaker come to Sanguine Palace to have herself fitted for new clothing, as the lecherous looks of shopkeepers kept Bellatrix quite away. If she needed something for the Palace, she had personal servants (the only halfbloods allowed in the house) went out and picked things based on her specifications. She had more important things to attend to than the upkeep of the Palace or her own wardrobe, but society rules dictated that she maintain a certain standard of living. Given that she had married into a nearly royal wizarding family (though the Blacks were also considered as such, were they not), rules dictated that she keep an even higher standard of living. But today was different. Bellatrix stood in front of Gringott's bank, dressed to summer perfection, waiting for her sister. Narcissa, fresh out of Hogwarts, was starting to prepare for her wedding and needed to do some shopping and other planning. Druella was driving both of the Black (or former Black) girls mad, what with Narcissa's wedding upcoming (in two years), and Bellatrix's miscarriage not far enough behind them. So, to placate their mother, Bellatrix had agreed to go with Narcissa to pick out various accoutrement for what was sure to be one of the most extravagant and beautiful weddings in years. Probably since Bellatrix's own, which had been an extravagant affair that had nearly made her vomit with how much it was her mother's design and not her own. It was barely a few weeks into planning her wedding and Narcissa was already tired of her mother. She had a sneaking suspicion that Druella had every intention of making this event more about herself than her daughter, and Narcissa refused to stand for it. This was her special day, and she had been planning it ever since she attended her first wedding and she would let no one try and steal her attention, not even her mother. Bellatrix had allowed her wedding to be taken over, but Narcissa would not. Thankfully, Bellatrix agreed to accompany her on the initial errands, and for once, Narcissa was spared Druella's constant opinion. Of course, it would come this evening when Narcissa would eventually spill over every single detail of the afternoon to her mother, but for now, she had a few hours to herself, and her wonderful older sister. Dressed simply in a yellow sundress and cream cardigan, Narcissa met her sister at Gringotts with an exhausted smile. "Hello Bellatrix." She leaned in and pressed a brief kiss to her sister's cheek, watching her engagement ring sparkle in the sunlight as she did so. "I trust you have not been waiting long." Looking lovely as usual, Narcissa approached and Bellatrix leaned in to lightly kiss the air next to her sister's cheek, "Of course not. I have just arrived." She adjusted her skirt and looked over her sister, "You are looking lovely, as usual, Cissa." It was always amusing to Bellatrix that Narcissa and she were even related at all, given their vastly different appearances. Of course, Bellatrix and Andr- No, no she would not think of those long dead. "Where are we headed? I am afraid I did not do much of the planning, as I let mother take care of the details. You, obviously, are a much braver woman than myself to take on our mother." "Thank you." Narcissa received her compliment simply. She was quite used to people telling her how lovely she looked; it almost barely registered now. Allowing her blue eyes to look over her sister, she gave a brief smile of approval. "As do you. Those colours are most becoming." She always preferred her sister in clothing appropriate for a woman of her stature, whether or not it was what Bellatrix preferred to wear. But then discussion of the wedding returned, and Narcissa's smile quickly disappeared and removed a list of parchment from her small pocketbook. "Today I must visit the florist and the baker. I am afraid it will not be anything terribly exciting, simply going over possible designs for bouquets, centerpieces, and the cake, of course. However, I am increidbly grateful you agreed to join me. I do not think I could take much more of our mother's opinion. I am beginning to wonder if I should follow your example and simply allow her to do everything." "Oh Cissy, dear, do not do such a thing. Or you may end up with a ghastly dress like my pillowed fiasco." She began to make her way down the street toward the florist, immediately taking charge now that she knew what the plans were. No, she would not make decisions for her sister - Narcissa was quite capable, after all - but she would direct their direction. Truthfully, Bellatrix's wedding had not been a complete fiasco, but it was unlike anything the eldest Black daughter would have chosen for herself. She truly hoped that Narcissa was given the day of her dreams. "If mother begins to give you trouble, do direct her to me. I can handle her, as she will not harrass me too much given... circumstances." Idly her hand went to stomach, though there was no regret in her gaze. Yes, Bellatrix had lost her baby. But she was not quite... upset over that fact. Not that she would ever openly admit something like that -- especially not to Narcissa, who was destined to be the epitome of the perfect society lady, with a perfect society husband and their perfect society children. Narcissa talked and complained, but she knew in her heart she would never allow her mother to take over her wedding. She had been planning for this day ever since she could remember, attended wedding after wedding and made notes on what she liked and what she did not. There was no way that anyone would take this day away from her, not even someone as scary as Druella. But for once, Narcissa's attention was drawn away from herself and back to her sister. The miscarriage. It forced a frown upon her lips, but she did not know what to truly say. One did not talk about these things, even to one's sister. Still, she imagined this was terribly difficult, so she did the best she could and lightly clasped her sister's hand for a moment in support. But they had arrived at the florist's shop and quickly her hand dropped. "Ah, here we--" Narcissa stopped her subject change as her blue eyes fell upon a woman. A very pregnant and familiar woman. Andromeda. "Perhaps we should go to the baker first." Bellatrix squeezed her sister's hand to accept her support, though she wasn't in need of it. However, it was important to her that Narcissa thought she needed the support, and so she accepted it graciously. At Narcissa's words though, her brow furrowed ever so slightly, "Oh, do not be ridiculous, Cissa. We are already here. Why would-" And then her eyes laid on her sister. A woman she had not seen since she defected what seemed like yesterday and years ago all at once. And to add insult to injury she was extraordinarily pregnant. With mudblood filth, Bellatrix thought with a sneer. Her nose raised ever so slightly and without another glance at Andromeda, she strode forward to the counter. "We are here to discuss wedding arrangements. We would like a private consultation now, please." "Bella?" The familiar voice cut through the air like a knife. Bellatrix turned to face the woman who's looks reflected her own far too much for her liking, "I am sorry, do I know you?" Narcissa had never been one to be at a loss for words, whether or not she verbally expressed her opinion was entirely determinant upon the situation at hand, but here, in this flower shop, with treacherous and very pregnant ex-sister before her, Narcissa could not think of one word to say. She was grateful for Bellatrix's certainty, even if she would have preferred to see the baker first and never enter the flower shop to begin with, but she followed her sister's lead, her nose held perhaps a bit too high in the air as if compensating for the presence of Andromeda. Maybe they would be lucky and Andromeda would ignore them as well and this could be one of those peculiar meetings where nothing was said, but that was sincerely unlikely. Her head turned to the noise, and Narcissa took a moment to look over the girl she had not seen in two years, the girl who had torn her family apart. Pregnant. And carrying well from the looks of it. It was not fair. Bellatrix was far more loyal and deserving, she should be the one pregnant at the moment, not the whore who had chosen a mudblood over family. "Cissy!" The voice rang a bit more pleased. Narcissa stared for a moment but then turned back to the florist who stood there petrified, well aware of what was going on. "I am Narcissa Black, I have an appointment at two-fifteen." She would not even deign to acknowledge her, not after all she had left her with. "Of course, Miss Black, Mrs Lestrange, please, follow me." Without another look to either sister, Narcissa followed the florist, resisting every temptation to peer over her should and catch one last glimpse of the other sister she once had. "Come now, Bella. Don't be like-" But Bellatrix raised a hand to silence the other woman, "I am sorry. You do not know me, therefore you have no rights to call me Bella. If you must call me anything, you must call me Mrs. Lestrange. However, I do not have time to waste with strangers." Her eyes wandered down to Andromeda's swollen belly and her lip curled slightly before she turned and followed Narcissa and the florist to the backroom. She touched Narcissa's lower back slightly as they walked, both encouraging her to keep walking and not look back, and also assure her that Bellatrix was here to support her. It was comforting to know that her sister had followed rather than stayed with Andromeda to exchange angry words, or even hexes (with Bellatrix, one could never be too sure which was more likely). The walk to the private room felt like forever as the feeling of abandonment from two years ago swept over Narcissa like wildfire, but she would not allow Andromeda to upset her. She was planning her wedding, nothing would ruin that. Still, despite her best efforts, Narcissa remained slightly distracted throughout the meeting. Hydrangeas, orchids, gardenias, daffodils, they all seemed to blur as she thought on Andromeda. Of course, the florist would notice none of Narcissa's distraction, however, it was likely her sister would. How could the woman who had torn their family apart be happily pregnant? How could she expect to be greeted with open arms? She left the florist with prospective designs in hand, grateful to see Andromeda had left as well. Pushing through the door and back into the sun, Narcissa turned to her sister. "Would you like to take tea before we visit the baker?" If they did not rest between these two, Narcissa knew her meeting with the baker would be as futile as the one with the florist. She needed to refocus. "Whatever you need, Cissa dear," Bellatrix said, heading to the nearest cafe. Truthfully, she would rather be done with this madness, go back to the Palace and go hunting with the dogs and perhaps Rodolphus. She wanted nothing more than not to think about Andromeda, nor have the slight possibility that she might run into the (former) middle Black daughter again. However, protective as she was of Narcissa, she would do whatever was necessary to ensure that her sister was comfortable and happy. She opened the door and allowed Narcissa to pass through first. She glanced behind them and thought she saw Andromeda at the end of the street, but with a blink of her eyes, the vision was gone. "Do you have more ideas now that we've met with the florist, Cissa?" Bellatrix said as she seated herself at the table. She, also, had been unable to concentrate on the florist, but it was not her wedding being planned. As she took her seat, Narcissa contemplated her sister's question. "I suppose I do have a few, although nothing I am certain on just yet." Thankfully, she had time; two years time, she could sacrifice a day to distant thoughts and memories. "I confess, I truly did not fully process much of what the florist was saying. I was...otherwise distracted." "You do have time," Bellatrix folded her hands in her lap and her face when to an almost cold expression. She did not look at Narcissa, but rather over the room as a whole. She pursed her lips as she watched the other patrons discuss various things over their tea, apparently unaware that they were in the presence of two of the more powerful women in high society. Or rather, if they were not considered so yet, it was only a matter of time. "I certainly hope it was not due to the pregnant woman we encountered at the florist?" She would not speak her name. She would not. "Certainly she was rude, but I did not think to spare her more thought." A lie, of course, and one she was certain Narcissa would not believe. There were very few times where Narcissa disliked the rules society laid before them. Of course, she was never one to question them, and generally she enjoyed the structure of adhering to a certain code, but every so often, she found herself wishing she were more common so that she could break them without much guilt. This was one of those times. "Bella." Narcissa's voice rang both annoyed and tired and begging all at once, but the waitress came before she could continue. Pleasantly, Narcissa ordered a pot of mint tea and waited for the woman to leave before she continued. "Perhaps we should discuss this." "Discuss what, Narcissa?" Bellatrix pursed her lips and looked at her fair sister, "That we just came across our traitorous former sister who appears to be happily pregnant with mudblood filth while I myself just lost a child? That she called out to us as though she did not abandon us years ago? You wish to discuss such things? Then please, discuss. I will not stop you." She knew her words were harsher than necessary toward Narcissa, but she couldn't help be annoyed. Bellatrix did not want to discuss Andromeda. The hurt was too deep, yet so near the surface that she felt like it could bubble over at any moment. It made her feel weak, and Bellatrix hated feeling weak. She set her steely gaze on her sister and then sighed, a long, resigned sigh. "I am sorry, Narcissa. You do not deserve such harsh words." Narcissa had been expecting this sort of reaction from her sister, how could she not? Andromeda was a tense subject in and of itself, but to include pregnancy along with it? It was almost hurtful. Still, she firmly believed that if there was anyone she could discuss this with, it was Bellatrix, and if there was anyone who might actually need to discuss this, it was Bellatrix. "No, no, Bellatrix, you are correct. I merely thought that--" She stopped herself, the tea had arrived and perhaps the subject was not a good one, necessary or no. "I believe I should like a vanilla cake for the base, what do you think?" "No, Cissa. We need to discuss this," she idly turned her teacup on its saucer, her jaw tightening and loosening as she contemplated what to say, "She looks well. I cannot decide if this angers or pleases me." It was the only concession that she would give that she still cared about Andromeda - as much as she didn't want to. "Should we mention this to mother?" But Narcissa did not wish to discuss this if it only was going to anger her sister. But evidently she had little choice in the matter and so she sipped her tea before replying. "I thought she looked incredibly puffy." She said with an air of haughtiness, "I hope that when I am pregnant I carry far better than she, but I do not suppose you can carry well with mudblood spawn inside of you." Perhaps it was petty to tear apart Andromeda's looks, but it was the easiest thing for Narcissa to do. "She looked exhausted and disheveled, I would far from call that well." It was always easier to stick to the superficiality of things than delve deeper into questions Narcissa had buried away for so long. She missed her other sister, yes, but it was not as though she was returning home any time soon. "No, I do not believe we should tell mother. It would only upset her." and you would not be home to deal with it, Narcissa added silently. Being the only one still living at home had its advantages, surely, but it also led to listening to the brunt of Druella's lectures. "Besides, would she even acknowledge knowing her?" "Puffy, yes, but with child," Bellatrix pointed out, picking up one of the biscuits on the table and breaking it delicately before taking a small bite. She couldn't extinguish her bitterness that Andromeda was well with child and Bella herself had just lost her child. Why should that mudblood filth have an heir when Rodolphus did not? It was a cruel trick of the fates. "And, of course you will carry better than she. You were always the prettiest, and certainly carrying a Malfoy will have its advantages." She took another bite of her biscuit and nodded, "You're correct. I doubt she would even admit to knowing her, and you do not need to deal with her wrath if she does." She set down the biscuit and dusted her fingers over the plate. "You have to deal with her enough. It is hardly fair to put more upon your plate." "I must admit though, if I hear word that she bears a male, I will spit." "But with halfblood child." It was not much of a consolation to be sure, but Bellatrix surely would desire a pureblood child before she even dreamed of having a halfblood one. But still, it was not fair. a child was a child and Bellatrix deserved one. Andromeda, for all her sins, did not. She could not help but smile at the idea of carrying a child, herself, however. The day she would become pregnant with Lucius's child would be a happy one indeed. She could not wait to dress it and cuddle it, and watch it grow over time. There was nothing Narcissa desired more than to be a mother. "I just think it would be frivolous." Narcissa continued with an involuntary flick of her hair. "Mother would either grow very upset or not care at all, and either way, it is unimportant. Surely if she wishes to find out about Andromeda, she has her ways." Druella knew everything, Narcissa would not be surprised if she was well aware that her ex-daughter was with child. "She will not bear an heir." Narcissa replied with the utmost confidence, "surely if she is destined to continue with children, they will be all girls. The fates can grant us that at least." "Yes, you are correct in that, Cissa," Bellatrix said, her eyes growing dark and her lips drawing into a purse of contempt, "The fates can grant us that at least." |