Different: The Story of the Black Sisters

Different: The Story of the Black Sisters

Prologue

With one last push, Desdemona Black pushed a tiny baby into the world. The only thing that she didn't want to know at this moment was the gender of the child...

"Mrs. Black, you are now the proud parent of a healthy baby girl!" exclaimed one of the St. Mungo's trainees.

"WHAT?" she shrieked, kicking her legs around. "I WENT THROUGH TWENTY FOUR HOURS OF LABOR AND I GET A GIRL? AHHH!" she screamed, her hands clenched into fists as she slammed them down on the thin mattress. "THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT, FLAVIAN!" bellowed the enraged wife at her husband, her face purple. "AN ARRANGED MARRIAGE AND YOU GIVE US THREE GIRLS IN A ROW! DAMN YOU! CURSE YOU! YOU ARE A WASTE OF PURE BLOOD!"

"Now, Mrs. Black...it's not that terrible...she's healthy, see?" said the healer, holding the newborn baby up in his arms for all to see. Peach-like blonde fuzz was draped over her tiny little head.

"NOT THAT TERRIBLE? NOT THAT TERRIBLE? WHAT ARE MY PARENTS GOING TO SAY!?! YOU...YOU SON OF A BLUDGER! THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!" she said, turning to face the healer.

"I'm not the one who determined the gender of the baby!" defended the healer.

"FLAVIAN DARIUS BLACK NAME IT! RIGHT NOW! I DON'T WANT ANYTHING TO DO WITH HER..."

"Mrs. Black...you're going to have to nurse her..." said the trainee quietly.

"YOU CAN'T MAKE ME!" she squealed, "SHE IS NOT MINE!" and with another blood-curdling screech, chest-heaving, Desdemona Black started crying, tears cascading down her face.

"Could you leave us with the babe and give us a moment alone for a minute?" asked Flavian, taking the child from the healer's arms.

"Yeah...we'll leave now. Good luck," said the healer, patting him on the back as he left.

Flavian rubbed his wife's back. "Shh..." he said comfortingly, "it'll be alright."

"How can it be alright? Look at her...she's...she's..."

"She has the beauty of her mother..." whispered Flavian, handing the sleeping baby over to her mother.

"I c-can't h-hold her..."

"Yes, you can...you've done it two times before."

Desdemona cradled her baby in her arms and let her nurse. "What are we going to name her?"

"Hmm...well...she's already had to fend for herself...she didn't get your love right away...and my great-grandmother's name was..."

"Welcome to the world, little Narcissa."

"Do you think we ought to call Bellatrix and Andromeda up here from the waiting room?" asked Flavian.

"Yes. They ought to come up here and meet their little sister."

"I'll go get them."

Ten minutes later, Flavian, four-year-old Bellatrix and two-year-old Andromeda showed up inside the room, only to find Desdemona and Narcissa asleep; Narcissa in Desdemona's arms.

"Daddy...is that the new baby?" asked Bellatrix, her shoulder-length black hair trailing behind her.

"It most certainly is, Trixie."

"Baby..." murmured Andromeda, reaching out her toddler hands to touch the baby.

"No, Andie. Don't touch the baby."

"Want to touch..."

"I said no," said Flavian firmly.

"I want to."

"Don't."

"I want to."

"Andie..."

"Why?"

"Because you'll wake her up."

"I want to talk to Cissy."

"Yeah...I want to talk to Cissy, too!" said Bellatrix indignantly, putting her toddler hands on her toddler hips.

"Leave them both alone or we'll all go home!" said Flavian, pulling the two girls away from their little sister. They both tried to overcome his grasp and reach out to their peach-fuzz sister. "They'll be home in a few days, I promise. And then we'll all have a party to celebrate!"

"How long is a few?" asked Andie.

"A few is three."

"And how many hours is that?"

"About 78."

Andie crossed her arms over her chest. "I'm not leaving."

"Come now, children, we're flooing back home."

"Already, daddy?"

"I told you, Bellatrix, they'll be coming back soon."

"Goodbye, Cissy," whispered Bellatrix.

"Bye-bye, Cissy," said Andie, waving goodbye.