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we've all got both light and dark inside us
what matters is the part we choose to act on
that's who we really are
- sirius black
⇸ |14| the burdens we bear
After the tearful goodbye with the Donovan family, Narcissa was set to return home. Margo's parting words echoing loudly within her mind,
"Don't ever forget that you will always be welcome here, Narcissa. Anytime."
The last thing she had wanted to do was leave, but she knew it was inevitable. She couldn't possibly stay there forever, no matter how much she wished to.
Upon her return to the Black Manor, after a quick trip to the shops for appropriate wizarding attire, Narcissa was expecting to be questioned about how her time in France had fared and she was more than prepared to answer. However, what she hadn't expected upon walking through the door was to catch sight of her eldest sister, her black hair wild and unruly as a lion's mane framing her elegant features.
"Bellatrix," Narcissa started, a smile gathering on her lips, "what in the name of Merlin are you doing here?"
Her dark eyes met Narcissa's, a wild grin on her lips as she stood, "a girl can't visit home merely because she feels like it?"
Narcissa pushed her confusion aside at that seeing as Bellatrix had only been home a handful of times since she had graduated Hogwarts nearly three years ago. The woman always insisted she was far too busy and as Narcissa's eyes drifted to the mark that Bellatrix proudly let all see, she could only guess what exactly it was that had been keeping her sister so tied up.
Moving forward quickly to embrace the other girl, Narcissa held her tight. She had never been nearly as close to Bellatrix as she had been to Andromeda, but she was glad to see her all the same.
"How's Rodolphus doing?" She asked as she pulled back, excited to hear of her sister's fiance.
Bellatrix waved her hands distractedly as they both moved to sit, "Oh the same as always, consumed by work and rising quickly in rank." She smirked proudly, as Narcissa felt her stomach curdle at the words. Rank? However, she hid her uncertainty behind a mask of practiced happiness.
"That's wonderful, Bella," Narcissa said softly, "I'm so happy you're both doing well."
Narcissa hesitated, as she studied Bellatrix more closely. The girl was different, perhaps not in all ways, but there were little things that threw Narcissa off. Bellatrix had always been a wild spirit, but as Narcissa watched her now she had the sudden feeling of being rather uncomfortable. The grin that clung to her lips, that Narcissa had seen so much of growing up, was strange. As if it tugged involuntarily, stretching her smile in a way that Narcissa could only describe as neurotic. Her eyes, the dark beautiful gaze that once held so much life, almost appeared crazed as she took Narcissa in. There was something horribly off about her eldest sister, but Narcissa couldn't seem to find exactly what it was.
