Shades of Grey

Quality Time with Narcissa

Bellatrix sat in the winged back chair in her sister's library nursing the cup of tea that their childhood house elf had delivered. After all these years, the elf was still able to produce the perfect cup of tea specific to Bella's liking. "Twigg does make a good cup of tea, doesn't she?" Narcissa hummed in response as she drank from her own cup.

"So Bella, how has everything been since your quick departure at Christmas?" Narcissa asked putting down her tea cup and folding her hands on her lap.

"It's only been a little over a month, Cissy. It's hardly like I abandoned you and Draco." Bellatrix responded rolling her eyes dramatically.

"Where is it you went again?" The blonde witch smirked at Bella as only a Black could.

"Minerva asked me to help a student return memories to her parents. We had to go to Australia to locate them and not that you asked but it was a success."

"Who was the student? Draco didn't mention anything about students in need to your specific skills."

"Just a special project from Minerva. Nothing of concern or interest to you and that I'm sure of." Bella said soundly trying to end the conversation.

Narcissa of course noticed the slight shift Bella made in her seat and the small almost unnoticeable blush on her sister's cheeks. "Bella..."

"Cissy..."

"This wouldn't have anything to do with certain muggle-born who I was told had recently come back to Hogwarts to teach and study would it?"

"What makes you think that?"

"Well Bella, you are wearing your emotions on her sleeve and if you have forgot... you aren't the only master Legilimens in the family." Bella look at her sister as if offended. "Oh relax Bella, I didn't need to look into your mind to see your eyes light up with the mere mention of the Muggle-born. Granger is her name right?"

"Hermione and yes. I helped her with her parents and we've grown quite close over the past few months. I wasn't looking for anything other than friendship with her and honestly after the torture I put her through here in this very mansion, I wasn't even expecting her to allow me to help her with her parents let alone become her friend."

"Bella, the way you help others and speak of this girl who just a few years ago wouldn't have cared whether she lived or died, shows how much you have changed."

"I don't know about all that Cissy but I am trying and everyday it's a struggle. In here." Bellatrix said pointing to her head.

"You know, I'm always here if you ever wish to talk about anything Bella. I may not have always been the warmest person growing up but without Lucius around, I have been spending a lot of time with Andy and Draco when he is home and it's helped me to realize that all the ideals we grew up with haven't done us any favors."

"No, I suppose they haven't. I spent a lot of time doing stupid and foolish shit. Spent 14 years in prison for a crime I didn't commit for fucking nothing."

"And now you have feelings for a 20 year old muggle born."

"So it seems, Cissy. I do indeed." Bellatrix said smiling behind her tea cup.

"Wait until I tell Andy. She's going to call you a hypocrite." Narcissa said with a chuckle.

"No, you can't tell her Cissy. She won't understand."

"She won't understand falling for a muggle born? That's exactly what happened with her.'

"Obviously I know that." Bella said with an annoyed bite to her tone. "What she won't understand is how I basically exiled her for it and didn't speak to her for over 20 years. She won't be able to just forget and forgive what I have done, what I was a part of. The people who killed her daughter and her husband." Bella sighed and looked away from the blonde witch.