The Promises Of Bellatrix Black
NOW:
The Malfoy Manor is huge, rooms upon rooms, brimmed with luxury items and wealth. Nothing is out of place, the floors are glittering and shining, the items dusted and cleaned, but most of all, every person within the columned hallways and glorious rooms is of the highest ranks. Backs straightened, pristine clothes, rigid conversation. Everything is in place… Everything except a women with bushy black hair skipping down the halls as a wild giggle floats from her throat, and specks of blood printed on the floor where her feet were previously.
However no one comments, not even a glance of shock is thrown at the ill mannered women. They all grew used to it, or really, they are forced to not mind. Because complaining might cost the lives of themself or their family. So the women–Bellatrix Lestrange–is completely ignored by all, except the Dark Lord…
“My Lord,” another giddy laugh rises from the women's mouth as she throws herself to the feet of a tall man. “The task has been completed.”
“As expected.” The Dark Lord replies coldly as he flashes her a cruel smirk. “You are dismissed.”
Bellatrix smiles back even as her insides curl, she did well, the Dark Lord is happy, proud even. He never told her directly but she can sense it. She is his favorite. That's the reason no one dares to make eye contact with her sunken black eyes, and why fear radiates off every person she walks by… especially the children. They are terrified of her, and she loves it. Loves the feeling that nothing can stop her, that she is above them all… except for the Dark Lord. He is magnificent, like a god. Another smile creeps up her face. And she is his favorite , she is preferred over any other Death Eater over any other person, and it is the first time in her life that anyone has chosen her first.
A weird feeling seeps over her… isn’t it?
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7 Years Ago:
On the first floor of 12 Grimmauld Place Druella Black screeched at her eldest daughter from the door. Her patience was gone–although there wasn’t much to begin with. “BELLATRIX BLACK!” Her voice going an octave higher than what should have been possible. “COME DOWN AT ONCE! I WILL NOT HAVE YOU BE LATE!”
Bellatrix Black however was not coming down at that moment, in fact she wasn’t even ready! She stood in front of a large framed mirror hurriedly brushing down the locks and locks of curly brown hair that didn't seem to have an end, her two younger sisters meanwhile–Narcissa and Andromeda–threw things of random into the large trunk destined to go with Bellatrix to school. “I told you that you should have packed days ago Bella!” Andromeda complained as she struggled to close the bulging trunk.
“And I said I would manage!” Bella replied in a strained voice as the brush she was yanking through her hair got caught on a large knot.
“ This ,” Andromeda muttered. “is not managing…” Andromeda and Bella always seemed to have a sense of dramatics that just seemed to grow as they got older.
“Oh shush Andie,” Narcissa Black rolled her eyes. “Did you really think Bella would actually responsibly do something for once? She was too busy daydreaming to bother.” Their youngest sister had a more regal air to herself, soft spoken, and proper she was the “perfect” child at only the age of seven. That was except for when hints of sarcasm breached the surface of her mask.
“I heard that Cissy!” Bella grumbled.
“And?” The youngest sister asked in a mocking voice. “What are you going to do about it?”
“I’ll respond to that when I come back for Christmas break… Then I’ll have some magic to show you.” Bella grunted, finally yanking the brush through her hair. Andromeda and Cissy went quiet as they looked at each other to say would she really ?
In a low enough voice to avoid Bella’s ears Andie murmured grabbing onto her sister's hand “Don’t worry Cissy she wouldn’t really, she’s joking.” But growing up in the Black household the seven year old felt some doubt creep in, afterall the three girls hadn’t been raised with timeouts or cleaning the bathroom when they did something wrong… instead they were hexed with stinging curses when their backs were not straight enough, their voices were silenced when they talked too loud, and had revoked food and water privileges when they argued. Narcissa’s feeling of doubt was quickly replaced by shame. No, Bella was her sister! She thought, and Bella would never hurt her sisters.
Bellatrix, still in the bathroom, had no clue the impact her words had had on her sisters, she was too busy staring in the mirror trying to work up the confidence to walk down stairs and leave her sisters in this horrid home.
“BELLATRIX BLACK!” Druella’s voice screeched once again. “NOW!” One breath left Bella before she stepped outside of the bathroom.
“Wow,” Andie breathed in amazement. “Bella, you look so mature!”
“Don’t worry you’ll be coming to Hogwarts too in a few years, and I’m sure you’ll look just as good… if not better!” Bella smirked. “I’ll tell you everything when I get back!” Narcissa ran to her eldest sister burying her head in the clean robes, Andie followed soon after. “Stay safe,” Bellatrix whispered, hugging her sister. Praying that their parents would lighten their punishments on the young girls. “I’ll see you soon,” she added before detaching herself from her sisters.
Bellatrix Black made her way down the stairs after calling the house elf to get her trunk. She was finally ready, surely someone there would like her?!
“Bellatrix, you have made us late,” Druella scowled, taking out her wand. Bellatrix winced internally but didn’t let her mask fall. At eleven she had already been trained not to let any emotions to the surface when in public. “That is unacceptable behavior, however, I can not be seen… Disciplining my daughter, so I will tell you now. Any more of this behavior from you while at school, your sisters will take the cost. Do you understand?” Bella’s eyes widened but she didn’t let the mask slip.
“Yes Ma'am.” Bellatrix’s voice was cold and unfeeling, so different from the soft voice she had been using with her sisters not even five minutes ago.
“Very good, and remember, stay away from… impure mudbloods, you are required to keep company with fellow pureblood families. I will not let you taint this family. Now, let us go.” Druella grabbed her daughter's hand but her grip wasn’t kind and motherly, but then again there was nothing “motherly” about Druella Black. Then suddenly with a crack they were gone from 12 Grimmauld place leaving two sisters numbly thinking about what they would do without their sister, she was after all the one who looked after them. The one who actually cared for their wellbeing. However, they didn’t know that Bellatrix was still looking after them, because she had decided that for the first time in her life, she was going to be the daughter her family wanted in order to protect her sisters.