Work Text:
Fandom: Harry Potter
Main Relationship: Bellatrix Black and Andromeda Black and Narcissa Black
Side Pairing: mentions of Bellatrix Black/Hope Lovelace and background mentions of Cygnus Black III/Druella Black
Warnings: alternate universe; mentions femslash and het; Cygnus Black is a horrible parent; Druella Black is a horrible parent; original characters (Vega Black and Hope Lovelace); and Pollux Black is a good parent
Prompt: (Dialogue) “If you do this, you will be dead to me.”
Summary: In which the Black sisters were tired of their parents.
Overthinking
Bellatrix Black glared at her parents from across the room. Cygnus and his wife, Druella, were telling everyone about the good news concerning their eldest daughter. According to her parents, Bellatrix was betrothed to her sweetheart – and long-time secret boyfriend – Rodolphus Lestrange. The idea of her and Rodolphus made Bellatrix’s lips curl in disguise. It was nothing against Rodolphus. He was a nice wizard, and he would make an excellent husband for someone else.
In fact, Bellatrix and Rodolphus were friends.
There were no romantic feelings whatsoever between them.
Bellatrix was certain of that.
“What a load of threstle-dung,” Vega Black snorted as she stopped next to Bellatrix. She wore a small smirk on her ruby red lips.
Eyeing her eyes, Bellatrix commented, “I want that color.”
Vega rolled her gray eyes. “It’s called Griffin’s Ruby,” she explained. “It’s from FAE.”
“That’s so Gryffindor ,” Bellatrix muttered.
Vega’s lips twitched upwards. “You should probably interrupt their conversation at some point,” she said, crossing her arms.
Bellatrix stared at her cousin, raising an eyebrow.
“I know your type, cousin,” Vega explained. “You prefer blondes from Hufflepuff.” She offered a cruel smile before she turned and walked away.
A whitenoise filled Bellatrix’s ears as she watched Vega walking away. How could she know that? Not even her sisters knew.
“Here,” Andromeda Black said, thrusting a glass into her sister’s hand, “drink this.”
“It will help,” added Narcissa Black, appearing on her sister’s side.
Bellatrix quickly drained the contents of the glass, following her sisters’ suggestion.
“Why are we plotting Vega’s murder?” Andromeda asked, leaning into her older sister’s side.
“Do we need a reason?” Narcissa said. “We don’t really like her.”
“Not really,” admitted Andromeda, “but it would make things easier with Great-Uncle Arcturus and Grandfather Pollux.”
“Tourjorous pur,” Narcissa muttered, raising her own glass in a mock toast.
To a Black, family mattered.
It had been decades since a one member of the House of Black killed another. It was taken lightly.
Listening to her sisters, Bellatrix found herself feeling lighter. She didn’t know what she would do without them. “Privacy,” whispered.
Andromeda raised her head as she flicked her right hand, fingertips curling around her wand. With a series of flicks and twirls, she cast a Privacy Dome around them. A Privacy Dome was a bit of original magic that Andromeda was perfecting that was a combination of a Silencing Ward and Protective Enchantments. Privacy Dome was merely an area that warded for privacy, allowing the occupants to escape prying eyes and ears.
“When can I learn that?” Narcissa asked, looking at her older sister with begging eyes.
“After achieving an Outstanding on your Charms OWL,” the middle sister replied.
Narcissa sighed.
“Cease with the dramatics, Cis,” Bellatrix said, fondly rolling her eyes.
“What’s going on?” Andromeda asked with a serious expression as she looked at her older sister.
Bellatrix sighed. She debated her next words carefully. Could she trust her sisters?
That was a ridiculous question. There was no one Bellatrix could trust more than her sisters. It was always them – them against their parents, mainly.
“I’m a witches’ witch,” she told them, glancing at her younger sisters. A weight was lifted off of her shoulders.
Silence fell between them.
Narcissa blinked. “That’s it?” she asked.
Andromeda leaned forward, slapping their younger sister on the arm. “Be nice,” she hissed.
Bellatrix frowned, glancing between them. “What’s going on?” It was clear that she was missing something.
“Thank you for trusting us,” Andromeda began, sounding like a heart-felt Gryffindor speech about feelings .
“Cis?” the eldest Black sister said.
Narcissa glanced between her sisters before facing Bellatrix. With a shrug, she explained, “We already know.”
Gray eyes widening, Bellatrix stared at her youngest sister in shock. “How?”
Andromeda shot a glare at Narcissa before saying, “We’re sisters, Trix. We know you, we accept you, and we love you.”
Looking between the pair, Bellatrix knew there was more. Her eyes landed on Narcissa.
“I saw you with Hope,” she commented, “back in my first year.” She shrugged. “Friends don’t look at friends that way.”
Involuntarily, Bellatrix felt her mouth open slightly as she stared at youngest sister.
“Trix,” Andromeda began, trying to sound gentle, “we’re Slytherins , not Gryffindors. We notice these things.”
Bellatrix closed her mouth as she swallowed.
“ This doesn’t change anything,” Narcissa said. “Toujours soeurs.”
Filled with emotion, Bellatrix muttered, “Toujours soeurs.”
“Group hug?” Andromeda asked, sounding hopeful.
“If you do that, you will be dead to me,” Narcissa stated, crossing her arms.
Bellatrix opened her arms, giving her younger sister a hug.
Andromeda grinned, squeezing her sister.
Once their hug ended, Andromeda had her wand back in hand as she removed the Privacy Dome.
“What’s the plan?” Sirius Black demanded, jumping up and down as he glanced between his cousins. He wore a grin and his gray eyes held a look of pure mischief.
Next to his brother, Regulus Black shook his head. “For your parents,” he added. “We know they’re wrong.”
“Grandfather Pollux,” Narcissa said.
Everyone turned to look at her.
“How so?” Andromeda asked. “There’s nothing he can do.”
“Like he would have anything to do with this,” Sirius said, dismissively. “He’s barely around, and there’s nothing he can do.”
“Do you really think he would approve of Hope?” Bellatrix asked.
Regulus and Sirius looked at her with wide gray eyes.
Since being accepted by her sisters, Bellatrix found she didn’t care what anyone else in the family thought.
“Lovelace?” Sirius asked. “Selene’s sister?”
“That a problem, cousin?” Andromeda demanded, her tone sharp.
“No,” Sirius answered, raising his hands. “Just surprised. Lovelace is wonderful.”
“How is your grandfather the plan?” Regulus asked, changing the subject.
“Yes, what is my role?” asked the amused voice of Pollux Black from behind the group.
Turning, Bellatrix found her grandfather staring at her. His gray eyes traveled over the group before settling on her. There was something in his gaze.
“You won’t let my parents do this, will you?” Bellatrix demanded.
“Never, mon chéri,” he promised. “I will take care of this.”
Bellatrix nodded.
Her sisters looked uncertain, but they didn’t say anything.
“How would you three like to live with me?” he asked. “I feel I’ve been away from England too long.”