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Post by Druella Black on Sept 28, 2008 1:11:38 GMT -5
Dearest Bella and Narcissa,
I have a few matters to discuss with you that are of utmost urgency. I would like to meet you both at Bella's apartment in Diagon Alley. Be there at 1:00 PM sharp. I will be waiting.
Love always,
Mother.
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Post by Bellatrix Black on Sept 28, 2008 21:00:42 GMT -5
Bellatrix received the message at half past noon, and figured she knew what their meeting would pertain to. If it was about Andromeda, she didn't care to have any part in it. But to go against what her mother said and requested would be a betrayal to the family. And she wasn't about to turn around and start acting like Andromeda. She sighed, resigning herself to doing as her mother commanded, whatever it may be. She crumpled the letter in one hand and threw it in the bin. Immediately she began to pick up the front room.
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Post by Narcissa Black on Sept 28, 2008 21:04:43 GMT -5
Narcissa recieved word from her mother that she was going to arrive at Bella's apartment at one. It was at half past noon. Knowing that it would be better to arrive early so that she could be ready for her mother, Narcissa left the school in a hurry.
There was no telling what their mother wanted to talk about. Although, the thought of Andi entered her mind. Of course that would probably be what it was about. She didn't just come around for random visits. Narcissa sighed at the thought.
Arriving at Bella's door, she politely knocked on her sister's door, waiting patiently for her to answer.
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Post by Bellatrix Black on Sept 28, 2008 21:08:44 GMT -5
"I see you got mum's owl as well." Bellatrix opened the door wide for Narcissa to step inside, then shut the door again. "Was your letter just as vague as mine?"
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Post by Druella Black on Sept 28, 2008 21:32:32 GMT -5
Narcissa never got to respond to Bella's question, for at that moment, the door opened without so much as a knock. "Oh, good," Druella said, smiling joylessly. "You both made it on time. My lovely girls... I trust you both received the wedding books I sent you? I am positively ecstatic about both of your upcoming nuptials."
Her expression, however, showed that she was anything but ecstatic about anything. "I imagine you both know why I've summoned you here."
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Post by Narcissa Black on Sept 28, 2008 21:42:03 GMT -5
Taking a step inside, Narcissa nodded however she did not get to verbalize her answer because their mother appeared. "Hello mother," she greeted with a smile. Once again, Narcissa nodded but before she got the chance to answer, her mother's expression changed.
Narcissa didn't really want to talk about Andi. She hated being two people. One person was one that her family knew and acted as if she despised muggle-borns and such, the other was her true self. A person that knew family was more important than anything and that she didn't care if someone was muggle-born or not. She didn't quite understand the hatred, but she wasn't about to let her parents and Bella know that.
"I have an idea of why," she replied politely.
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Post by Bellatrix Black on Sept 28, 2008 21:50:25 GMT -5
Oh please let this be about anything other than weddings. Bellatrix would gladly take a conversation on Andromeda over one about her upcoming marriage. She and Rodolphus had not been on good terms since his impromptu visit earlier in the week, where they argued, or more like yelled, with each other over Bella's waining affections.
To her mother's question she said nothing, but shook her head ever so slightly. Was she supposed to know which one thing her mother would stop by to discuss? She was her mother after all and had many opinions on many things in her life.
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Post by Druella Black on Sept 28, 2008 22:11:46 GMT -5
Druella pursed her lips tightly and looked at each girl in turn. "I am highly disappointed in the both of you," she said sternly. "You both knew that your sister Andromeda was dating a... mudblood..." she paused to shudder in horror at this, "and neither one of you saw fit to inform me of such dire circumstances before I had to read about it in the Daily Prophet! Imagine my humiliation, finding out at the same time as the rest of the wizarding world, of my daughter's disgraceful behavior! Thank Merlin the relationship is ended now, but I should have known about it ahead of time! However can I look in the eyes of my friends at the Witches' Auxilliary? Not to have put a stop to it before it appeared in the paper! It's a disgrace!"
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Post by Bellatrix Black on Sept 28, 2008 22:19:46 GMT -5
Bellatrix felt like a five year old being chastised for stealing cookies from the kitchen before dinner. She was far too old to have to report everything back to her mother, but still she knew what her mother was saying was right. She should have said something. She was silly for thinking to deal with it herself. She instantly felt bad for her mother, knowing she would hate to be in her shoes. "I'm sorry, mum. It's my fault, I wanted to deal with it on my own. I know now that it was foolish of me."
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Post by Druella Black on Sept 28, 2008 22:29:33 GMT -5
Druella scowled for a moment, then considered what Bella had said. "Deal with it yourself?" she repeated. "Do you mean that you orchestrated the breakup in order to rescue your sister from the scandal?" She smiled coldly. "If so, Bella, dearest, you did well. I only wish you had found a way to do it that was a little less... public. The story in the newspaper was a serious mistake... we do not need such news spreading around like that. Still... she is rid of the boy... and I hear talk that she has expressed an interest in marrying Rabastan Lestrange?"
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Post by Bellatrix Black on Sept 28, 2008 22:35:04 GMT -5
"I hadn't meant for it to be in the paper. I- I chose poorly, I'm afraid. But Rita has always been so convincing..." She drifted off, not needing to bore her mother with her thoughts on the subject. She was not in trouble, yet. So there was no reason to point out her obvious flaw. At the mention of Rabastan Bellatrix suppressed a laugh. She bit her lip and looked to the floor, unable to meet her mother's gaze.
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Post by Druella Black on Sept 28, 2008 22:57:11 GMT -5
Druella heaved a melodramatic sigh. 'Yes... poorly chosen, indeed... yet effective. We are at least spared the indignity of having such an inferior son-in-law. I've no doubt the fool would have married her, if not for your intervention... the prestige of marrying into the Black family would surely have been enough of a draw." She clucked her tongue disapprovingly.
Sitting down on Bella's sofa without having been asked, Druella peered at each girl. Narcissa was being rather quiet, she noted, but then, the girl was often quiet. She thought nothing of it.
"At any rate, you both know, I am sure, that your father disowned Andromeda. I have prevailed upon him to offer her one last chance, which I will discuss with her later. If she can get an engagement from Rabastan Lestrange, she will be accepted back into the fold. If she fails at this, she will be cut off completely, for good. Bella, you are friendly with the younger Lestrange, are you not? Can you find out if there is any interest on his part? Do not tell of the deal, or the fact that she was disowned... just find out if there is interest there. I know they courted briefly in school--perhaps there is lingering affection there. Or perhaps he'd be willing to tolerate her, while quietly continuing his private dalliances. I care not for the details, only that he be willing to make an honest, pureblooded woman out of her."
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Post by Bellatrix Black on Sept 28, 2008 23:02:33 GMT -5
She didn't think Andromeda had been serious about Rabastan, but if her mother wished her to pursue the boy, who was Bellatrix to interfere? At least then someone might have a civil relationship with a Lestrange. "Yes, mama. I can speak with him." She still did not meet her mother's gaze, but followed her over to the couch nonetheless.
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Post by Druella Black on Sept 28, 2008 23:29:46 GMT -5
Druella smiled, though it was still a cold smile. "Excellent. Thank you, Bella, I knew I could count on you. With any luck, we can get her safely married off, and put this whole fiasco behind us." Clapping her hands together, she said, "Now, then... while I have you both here, please tell me about your wedding plans? I trust everything is proceeding nicely? We must have grand weddings for both of my girls, you know. Andromeda, not so much. Best to get her married off quickly, so everyone will forget about the scandal. But you two... my good girls... your weddings must be grand affairs, if we are to outdo the Flints."
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Post by Narcissa Black on Sept 29, 2008 6:51:58 GMT -5
Narcissa kept quite during the conversation about Andi. She was shocked to know that she had even said anything about marrying Rabastan, but of course Cissa didn't show her emotions about the topic. If Andi was in her right mind, she wouldn't have said anything like that, and Cissa knew that she must have been exaggrating.
Relief came when their mother changed the topic. "The wedding is going to be in June as Lucius suggested. We're going to have it in his family's garden. You remember how lovely it is there, don't you mum?" Of course Cissa was excited about the marriage to Lucius, but she didn't let all of her excitement show. "The dresses have already been picked out."
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Post by Druella Black on Sept 29, 2008 22:30:31 GMT -5
Druella noticed how Narcissa had stayed silent on the subject of her older sister. But she assumed it was because the girl was so shocked by her sister's outrageous behavior that she couldn't bring herself to speak on it. Sweet Cissa, such delicate sensibilities... It was all too much to take for her. But when the subject changed back to weddings, Cissa came alive. It did Druella's shriveled heart good to see her youngest so happy.
"Oh, darling, it sounds wonderful and perfect!" she gushed. "And I only hope, for your sake, that we can mend this situation with your sister in time for your wedding. You should be able to have both sisters attend you, of course. Oh! I can barely contain my excitement for your wedding, my child. But Bella, what of you? How are your wedding plans, dear heart?"
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Post by Bellatrix Black on Oct 4, 2008 1:17:14 GMT -5
She shifted, uneasy with the focus suddenly on her wedding. She kept her gaze on her mother, knowing she would recognize her uneasiness if she averted her eyes. "Cissa's much farther along with plans than Rodolphus and I are." She knew this would not appease her mother, but she said nothing more for the moment. She silently pleaded for Narcissa to bring the attention back to her and Lucius.
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Post by Narcissa Black on Oct 4, 2008 8:33:39 GMT -5
Narcissa caught the glance from her sister. "Rodolphus wants to see if they can out do our wedding," she began. "You know how men are. But I'm not as far along as Bella says I am. I've still got several things to finish. The invitations are not complete. I've tried to work on them whenever I have the chance. I've still got to worry about all the little things, as well as what colors I want to go and the like. Mother, would you care to help me finish the invitations?"
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Post by Bellatrix Black on Oct 5, 2008 21:55:57 GMT -5
"Well Cissa, as the older sister I do think it would say something if my wedding were after yours and less impressive. And with the way I plan things you and Lucius are certain to be wed before Rodolphus and I." Bellatrix's eyes widened slightly as Narcissa invited their mother to help with a part of the wedding. Just the other day Narcissa had complained that their mother was too involved. But that was Narcissa, always trying to please everyone.
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Post by Druella Black on Oct 7, 2008 12:24:27 GMT -5
Druella nodded, "Yes... of course, if your wedding is to be after Narcissa's, it must be grander than hers. But I am dismayed to hear that you are not further along in your wedding plans, dearest. If you are having trouble, I would be quite willing to make some preparations for you. Have you, in fact, set a date yet?"
In regards to Narcissa's offer to "let" her help with the invitations, however, Druella waved her hand dismissively. "Now, dear, you know I'm much more of a planner than a doer. But if you need help, I'm sure I could spare a few house elves to finish with those invitations."
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