Different: The Story of the Black Sisters

Different: The Story of the Black Sisters

Chapter Three

Their Start at Hogwarts

Dear Dad,

As you know, I started my term at Hogwarts last year. And now that I'm a second year, I'm starting to think about boys. My question: Can I date somebody? I mean, it won't be serious or anything...just somebody to go to the Christmas dance with...and somebody to go to the Spring Fling with now that I'm of age to go. So, please, daddy? Please? I promise you don't have to give me anymore gold for allowance if you don't want to.

Please think about it!

Your Loving Daughter,

Bellatrix D. Black

Andromeda took the small parcel from Trixie's owl...let down that it was addressed to her father.

Flavian Black didn't exactly love either her or her sisters...he was mad by now. He kept thinking that his wife was alive...though he killed her a few years back. Andromeda wished she'd had a mother...somebody to talk to when Bellatrix wasn't around. She wrinkled her nose as she thought of Bellatrix.

Bellatrix (in her opinion) deserted them. Deserted her. Left her alone to care for a very scared six year old at the time...and now she didn't even write.

'At least she comes home for Christmas and spring break,' thought Andie as she pounded down the stairs to her father's sitting room.

"Dad...this just came from Bellatrix," she said, handing him the letter.

He only grunted. "What does she want?"

"I don't know...I don't read your mail..."

"Your mother reads my mail. She always does," he was off topic...and his words were slurring again. Andie looked into his goblet. Firewhiskey. Great. He'd been drinking.

She started to head back up the stairs when he started yelling. "NO, BELLATRIX! I WON'T LET YOU DATE ANYBODY! STOP BEING STUPID...I'VE ALREADY GOT SOMEBODY FOR YOU!!!" he bellowed. Andie stopped dead in her tracks. Bellatrix already had an arranged marriage? But...she was only twelve!

Dear Bellatrix,

I'm afraid father couldn't write this message back to you...he's been drinking again. Though...he did give me the name of your betrothed. Yes, you are twelve (lucky) and at Hogwarts (lucky) but he told me you are betrothed to a man in sixth year...by the name of Rudolphus Lestrange. They are (obviously) pure-bloods...so if you know him...it might do you some good to start dating him whilst you can and see if you can acquire some love.

Your Loving Sister,

Andie

Bellatrix sat in the Slytherin Common Room, reading the letter over and over. Engaged? To a...a...Lestrange? There had to be some mistake, there just had to be.

She glanced over her shoulder at the tall, black-haired young man. Okay, so he wasn't ugly. At all. He was actually kind of cute. He was tall, and thin, and his face was the perfect shape.

She walked over to his armchair. "Hello Lestrange," she said bitterly.

"Oh, it's you. My betrothed," he said, rolling his eyes and looking away from her.

"You know we're betrothed?" she questioned.

"I've know since I was twelve. If you think that we're going to go off snogging in the corner, you're wrong. Way wrong. I wouldn't be caught dead snogging a second year."

"Well, if you don't mind, I'm not about to snog you either. Look, I just wanted to tell you that my father..."

"That drunken bludger?"

"Don't you dare call him that!" said Bellatrix, her temper flaring.

"Go on, Bellatrix dear..."

"Don't call me that! Anyways...my father sends word that he wants us to start dating. You know...you might actually enjoy me..."

"You're crazy. You're not yet thirteen! That's bloody crazy! I'll date you when you turn thirteen."

"Good, I turn thirteen in two months."

"October 13^th?"

"You got that right. And you're going to take me to Hogsmeade with you," said Bellatrix, smiling evilly.

"Oh no I'm not! You don't even have a permission slip and can't go!"

"I didn't say legally. Look, there's a secret passage on the fifth floor. Leads to Honeydukes. Don't ask me how I know this...I've just got sources. So, on my thirteenth birthday, you are to take me there and we'll go to Hogsmeade."

"Bugger! I'm not doing anything you want me to do!"

"Want me to owl your parents? Dear Mr. and Mrs. Lestrange: Your son has been treating me terribly. He won't take me anywhere, won't snog me...I'm feeling very left out! Perhaps you could..."

"Fine, I'll bloody take you there, but you can't tell anybody...especially not my friends that we're dating or sneaking to Hogsmeade or anything, alright?"

"Like I would tell them anyways..."

"Do you understand me?" he asked sternly.

"Fine. But then you owe me a good snog."

He groaned. "Fine."

****

"Andie...read me a story..." said Narcissa, as she lay in her bed with pillows propped up behind her.

"One from a book or..."

"No...I want you to make it up."

"Okay...erm...let's see...once upon a time...there were three princesses. The first's name was...uh...Princess Bella...and she was the oldest of all the princesses. The second one's name was...Princess Meda, and she was in the middle. The last one's name was Princess Issa. Their father, King Flavor, and their mother, Queen Desiree lived in harmony for quite some time. But a mysterious force drove King Flavor to destroy his beautiful wife, Queen Desiree.

"The three princesses had no idea what to do...the Queen was dead, and their father who they used to love so much was insane.

"Now, the three Princesses were smart and sensible, so they ran away to a far away land, and lived together in a bigger castle than their old one; waiting someday for their handsome Princes to come and take them away. When Princess Bella turned eighteen, a knight in shining armor and his noble black steed drew his sword, and declared his everlasting love for the beautiful Princess Bella. The two of them rode away; and the last two princesses were still stuck in the tower, waiting for their loves.

"When Princess Meda turned eighteen, her brunette hair was soft and smooth as silk. When her prince came, he cried, 'Princess, beautiful Princess, please let me come up and see you!' and the Princess replied, 'But valiant sir, you have no steed and nothing to climb up to get here!' The Prince was distraught. 'Princess Meda, Princess Meda, let down your curly hair so that I might climb up it and rescue you!' And so, only Princess Issa was left in the tower.

"Princess Issa was the most beautiful of all the Princesses, and she began to fantasize about her sisters when she received an invitation to a ball by the prince of the kingdom! And since Princess Issa was so resourceful and desirable, she charmed the vines so that they would form a ladder for her to climb down. And after Princess Issa climbed down the ladder, she took out her luxourious pink gown from the top of the tower, putting it on and wearing it to the ball. She and the Prince fell in love and lived happily ever after; just like her sisters! The End."

"Goodnight, Cissy," said Andie, preparing to turn out the lights and head to her room.

"But...Andie!"

"Yes, Cissy?"

"Will I meet my own Prince Charming and live happily ever after?"

"Cissy...I'm sorry. That story is just made-up. Things like that don't actually happen. Not in our world at least..."

"What's different between our world and the mudblood's world?" asked the curious Narcissa.

"Cissy...in our world...there is no love. Only lust and heirs. We cannot marry for love...we meet the man we will marry and that is that."

"I wish I could marry for love."

"I'm sure you'll grow to love the man once you get used to him."

"Goodnight, Narcissa."

"Goodnight, Andromeda."

"Pleasant dreams."

It was at this time that Andromeda Black figured a few things out.

She was not going to marry for blood.

She was going to marry for love.

****

Bellatrix awoke from her dormitory at dawn...it was her birthday after all...and later she knew she'd enjoy a free snogging session, courtesy of Rud. She called him Rud because Rudolphus sounded too long.

She quickly dressed and headed downstairs for breakfast. Only she and Professor Dippet were seated...nobody else was present. He stared at her with watchful eyes...as if knowing what she was going to do later that day. She looked up from her scrambled eggs to see him.

"Good morning, Professor Dippet," said Bellatrix.

"Good morning, Ms. Black. Sleep well?" he asked politely.

"Exceptional. You?"

"Marvelous...even if Fawkes kept me awake for several hours. He's a phoenix you know...a rather exceptional one, I might add. He burst into flames last night and was reborn quickly from the ashes."

"Interesting," lied Bellatrix. She could care less about some silly phoenix named Fawkes.

The young woman was very surprised when Professor Dippet joined her at the Slytherin table.

"Is there something you wish to tell me, Bellatrix?" he asked gently, his eyes twinkling.

She paused for a moment. "No, sir...why?"

"Nothing...it just isn't like a normal twelve-year-old girl to get up about five in the morning on a Saturday..."

"I've got business to attend to..."

"What sort of business..."

"Look, Professor Dippet...I don't want to be rude or anything...but it's my business...strictly my privacy. And you're intruding it right now. So if you'll excuse me, I will go attend my business, thank you, Professor," said Bellatrix slamming her spoon down, flipping her hair and leaving the Great Hall. She felt his eyes upon her as she left. 'Does he know about today? About Hogsmeade...damn...I would give anything for an invisibility cloak right now...' thought Bellatrix as she headed down the stairs and back to the Common Room.

"Good morning, my dear," said Rud as she slid through the canvas tapestry.

"Oh, hello."

"Ready for today?" he asked her, grinning.

"Are you serious? I've been waiting forever to be a teenager. And today, I get my first long snog."

"Hmm...I hope you'll find it pleasing."

"Well, I'm not going to snog anybody else my entire life..."

"True...I guess you have no choice but to like it."

"Shall we?" she asked him.

"We shall," he answered, lacing her hand inside his as they headed out of the dungeons.

"Lestrange, Black! What are you doing up so early?" asked Professor Simon, the Potions teacher and head of Slytherin house.

"Just heading down to the Great Hall for a bit of coffee and eggs, Professor," said Rud a little too quickly.

Professor Simon passed by...whispering something in Rud's ear, "The secret passage on the third floor will lead you to the Deserted Shack. You know...for some privacy...but be careful, the ceiling's cracked and a bit sloped in...watch your step..."

"Thanks, Professor."

"I won't tell anybody of your whereabouts."

They headed off again, now to the third floor. They both passed a miss-colored brick...

"I bet this is the one..." whispered Rud. The brick read Adnitor appello adbuco dehisco. It was obviously in Latin.

"You take Latin?" I whispered to him.

"Eight years. It says 'Press here to open'. Hmmm..." said Rud, pressing hard on the brick. Slowly, the brick turned around to make a doorway for two people to get through. Once the two of them were inside, the doorway quickly shut and the brick turned right side up again.

"Lumos," muttered Bellatrix.

"You know that charm? I thought nobody learned that until third year!"

"My father taught it to me. He said I'd need it when I was scared at night. Though my dad's insane...he's really not that bad of a father."

"My dad is. He never taught me anything. All my mother. He only sticks around to watch me grow up."

"I'm sorry. I don't have two parents either...I..."

"You...what?" asked Rud, his eyes boring into mine.

"My...my mother's dead. She uh...she was murdered," said Bellatrix a little shakily.

"That's not the whole story, is it?" asked Rud strangely.

"You know what? Nobody cares about the whole story! Nobody in hell cares about the whole damn story...so why do you?"

"If I'm destined to spend the rest of my life with you, then I might as well know all the details."

"Well, we've got our entire life..."

"But I want to know this now, Bella."

"What did you call me?"

"Bella. It means beautiful in Italian."

"You think I'm beautiful?"

"Marvelous. You're beauty is very...striking. There. You don't exactly have the classic button nose, soft blue eyes and blonde hair. But, you strike me as a Bella."

"Um...thanks?"

"Look...we're here..." said Rud as they both saw the light of day again and walked up the stairs.

The 'Deserted Shack' as the villagers called it was one of the weirdest things Bellatrix had ever seen. The outside was gray and shabby...but the inside was warm and bright. And though it was a crisp day in October, the second the two of them walked in, it seemed to have warmed up quite significantly.

The floor was made of soft pine wood; obviously worn from decades upon decades of use. The walls in the vast entrance hall were lined with girly, flowery wallpaper--Bellatrix shuddered. Obviously, whoever wallpapered the room first was definitely out of their mind.

Rudolphus led Bellatrix up the rickety staircase and through the hall to the library.

"Can you believe that couple that lived here actually left all these books behind?"

"Why'd they leave?" asked Bellatrix, trying to find the title of a book underneath decades of dust.

"Nobody knows...but that won't keep us out..." said Rud grinning.

They found a cozy couch in the middle of the room. Rudolphus kissed Bellatrix, first politely...as if waiting for her permission. She kissed him back, and after a while, they became part of an in-depth snog session.

Bellatrix lost track of the time after a while, and they both were only reminded of it when both their stomach's started growling.

"Has it really been that long?" whispered Rud.

"I d-don't know..." stuttered Bellatrix.

"You know...you're pretty good at this, my Bella. I mean...you're only a second year, and you've never snogged anybody before..."

"I'm only good because you are," said Bellatrix, blushing fiercely.

"Do I see some color in those pale cheeks of Bella?" whispered Rud, nibbling on her ear.

"Rud...stop!" giggled Bellatrix, caressing his face.

"We've got to head back," he said grudgingly, as he stopped nibbling on her ear.

"I er...I think I'm starting to like you, Rud. And you snog really well..."

"Er...thanks? We ought to come up here again sometime. And when you're older, we'll go further..." he said, winking at her.

They headed back under the trap door, hand in hand.

****

Dear Miss Black,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Students shall be required to report to the Chamber of Reception upon arrival, the date for which shall be duly advised.

Please ensure that the utmost attention be made to the list of requirements attached herewith.

We very much look forward to receiving you as part of the new generation of Hogwart's heritage. We expect your owl no later than August first confirming that you will attend.

Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titllandos

Armand Stone

Deputy Headmaster of Hogwarts

Andromeda Black excitedly pushed the first letter back into its envelope and pulled out the second one.

First Year Students will require:

And the following set of books:

All students must be equipped with:

And may bring if they desire, either an owl, a cat, or a toad.

Lucinda Thomsonicle-Pocus

Chief Attendant of Witchcraft Provisions

"Cissy, Cissy! I've been accepted into Hogwarts!" shouted Andie, her face red from jumping up and down on her bed.

"Shocker there," said Narcissa groggily, waking up to yawn and stretch.

"D'you think Dad'll take me?" she asked excitedly, sitting down next to Narcissa.

Narcissa laughed. "Are you kidding? Never. He's too...well...insane to take either of us anywhere! If you know what's good for you, I suggest you owl Aunt Adrienne and see if she is taking cousin Sirius."

"You're very resourceful for a nine-year-old."

"Thanks. You aren't too bad yourself. Happy Birthday, by the way."

"It's good to be eleven on June 12^th."

"Owl her, then. I'll make breakfast...if I can find Dad's wand..."

"It's where we put it yesterday...on the kitchen counter. And why do you want to make breakfast? The house-elves can do that!"

"I know...but it makes no sense...they take forever...and I'll just do it in a few minutes. I'm going to clean today too...the house-elves aren't doing the best of jobs..."

"Why are you so obsessed with being a house-wife?"

"Because. I just like it, okay? And when I'm married to rich, wealthy, handsome, and pleasurable pure-blood man, you'll be jealous that I like to clean and that my house looks better than yours!" defended Cissy, poking her finger in Andie's ribcage.

"Whatever, Cissy."

"I'll be downstairs."

Dear Aunt Adrienne,

First off, how are you? I haven't seen you in a while, how are Sirius and Regulus?

I've decided to owl you because I got my Hogwarts letter today...and I was wondering (since Sirius and I are the same age) if I could go with you and Sirius to Diagon Alley to get my school things? Dad's been really busy with work lately...or else I'd ask him. Please respond as soon as possible!

Your Niece,

Andromeda D. Black

Andromeda sealed the letter and sent it with the family owl, Accursius. She sighed and looked at her letters again, grinning. 'I'm going to be at Hogwarts! And with Bellatrix, no doubt! Three months and I'm out of here!' she thought happily; as she head a familiar tap at the window fifteen minutes later.

Dear Andromeda Desdemona,

I'm doing fine, thank you. Regulus looks and acts just like his noble father...but we are concerned about Sirius; he's not exactly acting like he's a pure-blood.

I'm taking Sirius to get his school things tomorrow, and Regulus is coming with us. Narcissa Desdemona can come if she wants as well; just to see everything. I can't believe that little Bellatrix Desdemona is going to be a third year! I hardly can remember when I took her to get her school supplies. I send two brooms for you both to fly over here; the weather is perfect for flying.

See you soon.

Adrienne Tristana

From the Ancient and Most Noble House of Black

"Cissy! Cissy! We're going to Aunt Adrienne's house..." called Andie.

"We're what?" questioned Cissy from the stove.

"We're going to Aunt Adrienne's house. Now. She sent us two broomsticks to fly! We've never flown anywhere before, isn't this exciting?"

"Um...sure...um...how do you fly a broomstick?" asked Narcissa timidly.

"You don't know how to fly a broom?"

"Er...no..."

"Damn. We'll never get to the Black's mansion now."

"Oh, calm down. I'm the resourceful one, right? Which means I can do anything I put my mind to. Now, let's find out about this broomstick, shall we?"

The two of them headed out into the backyard, two 'Comet One-Hundreds' in hand.

Flying over the beautiful British countryside was everything that Andie had dreamed of; she loved the thrill of flying with Bellatrix before their father confiscated their brooms from them.

"How much longer?" asked Narcissa sourly.

"Only a few more minutes, I see their mansion now!" yelled Andromeda back.

"Good, because I'm freezing!"

"What?"

"I said I'm freezing!"

"You're such a baby, Narcissa!"

"Am not!"

"Are too!"

"Am not!"

"Shut up and swoop down after me, there's the house!"

The Black Mansion was hardly how Narcissa imagined it at all. It simply looked like a deserted muggle shop. The only ting that gave away that a wizarding family lived there was the door knocker in the shape of a twisted serpent. Andie timidly knocked on the door thanks to the knocker.

Inside, they heard a screaming noise... "Mudbloods! Creatures of scum!" it shrieked.

"I'm bloody coming! Shut up mother!" yelled Sirius, opening the door at last. "Cousin Andie! Cousin Cissy!" he said, hugging them each.

"Is your mum around?" asked Andie, peeking through the doorway to look for her.

Sirius grimaced. "Yeah...she's downstairs..."

"Wow...you've a nice set-up here!" exclaimed Cissy, looking at the vast entrance room.

"Yeah...well...it's home. Mum! The girls are here to see you!" Sirius called, pushing his two cousins down the stairs.

The appearance of Mrs. Black was none whatsoever like Sirius's. Her round, pug face, tiny button nose that pointed upward, and small, frowning mouth would be enough to scare anybody away. Her long black hair was tied back in a braided knot at the back of her head, a few strands loose from the day.

She was dressed like she was still living in the 1800's; her bodice was very tight and her skirt fanned out at her hips. All in all, she was quite the odd looking witch, very scary and striking.

"Sit down, girls. I'm afraid we have some business to discuss," said Mrs. Black, not bothering to look up from her papers.

She took her eyeglasses off and looked up.

"Hello, Aunt Adrienne, Narcissa and I were wondering if..." started Andromeda politely.

"I don't want to hear it. I know you forgot your Gringotts key at home. The nerve of you girls! I thought you'd both be responsible enough to find the..."

"Um...Aunt Adrienne...we didn't forget our..." started Narcissa.

"To find the key. And now, you're going to ask me if you could borrow some of our fortune? Not a chance! We have the Black fortune and it's not going to be spent on some first year's supplies..."

"AUNT ADRIENNE, WE HAVE THE KEY!" shouted Andromeda, her heart pounding.

"Well, there's no need to get upset about it. You could've told me!"

Andromeda and Narcissa looked at each other. Now they realized why their mother was never in close contact with her sister...she was a nightmare.

"Now, onto other things. Your financial statement..."

"Financial statement?" questioned Andie.

"Don't interrupt me, child, or I shall have to hurt you."

Cissy cowered and shivered at these words.

"As I was saying. Your family has never been in debt before...but as of next week, all of the land at your estate belongs to the bank."

"But...father's always paid everything...never missed a payment!" objected Andie. Mrs. Black lowered her glasses.

"Have you been monitoring his intake of firewhiskey, Miss Andromeda?" she said in an interrogating voice.

"I'm eleven years old! I can't worry about my father, he should be worrying about me!" said Andromeda hotly, shooting up from her chair.

"You've been taking care of your little sister for two years now! It's high time you learn about business! If you don't, I'm withdrawing your acceptance from Hogwarts!" shrieked Mrs. Black, shooting up from her chair like Andromeda.

"I CAN'T BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR MY FATHER'S MISTAKES! IT'S MY LIFE AND I'M GOING TO LIVE IT!" Andromeda bellowed.

"YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO SUCK IT UP AND PAY FOR HIS PROBLEMS!" raged Mrs. Black.

"THEN WHY DON'T YOU GO CALL HIM? HE IS YOUR SISTER'S HUSBAND! HE'S RELATED TO YOU, YOU KNOW WHETHER YOUR SISTER IS ALIVE OR DEAD!" screamed Andromeda; Mrs. Black was only feeding her rage now.

"YOU SCRAWNY LITTLE PIECE OF WORK! I KNEW THE MOMENT THAT DESDEMONA HAD YOU...YOU'D BE A LITTLE..."

"WELL, DESDEMONA'S DEAD NOW! SO IT'S NONE OF YOUR CONCERN WHETHER I GAVE HER A HELL OF A LABOR OR NOT..."

"SHE IS NOT DEAD!"

"WANT TO BET? BELLATRIX WATCHED FATHER KILL HER WITH THE KILLING CURSE!"

She'd spilled it all. And now, Flavian was going to end up in Azkaban...

They stood there glaring at each other for quite some time, angers flaring and all. After quite some time, Mrs. Black spoke in a low voice.

"What did you say?"

"I said that Bellatrix saw father kill her," said Andromeda shakily.

"I can't believe this. This is made up...a fairytale..."

"You want to go to Hogwarts and ask Bellatrix herself?" Andromeda demanded.

Aunt Adrienne paused for a moment as if considering something. "You sound exactly like her."

"What?" said Andromeda slowly.

"You sound exactly like your mother. I remember her telling me one night that she knew she was going to die...she knew that Flavian was going to kill her. When exactly did Bellatrix witness the event?"

"December 22^nd, three years ago."

Andromeda looked into her aunt's eyes and knew that she finally understood.

"I'm switching your guardianship and Narcissa's to your Aunt and Uncle on your father's side. Another wealthy Black family...but you've never met them. Uncle Alphard and Aunt Elladora are their first names. We'll floo back to your house, leave a note for your father and you'll never look at his face again."

The new beginning was going much too fast.

Author's Note: In Latin, Desdemona means 'of the devil' or 'misery' as Desdemona was the wife that Othello murdered, and I thought it'd be appropriate to make Bellatrix, Andromeda, and Narcissa's mum to be called that.

Flavian means blonde, and as Narcissa is blonde...

Adrienne means rich, wealthy, and dark, and Sirius's mum represents all three of those. Her middle name, Tristana, means sad and insane.

I've really worked hard on this story, so please review! Thanks!

Nymphadora_Florida