The Fourth Sister

Chapter One

I had never wanted to feel sorry for the character Bellatrix Lestrange.

But after having been reborn as the youngest child to Druella and Cygnus Black, when they had once more tried for a boy after hearing of Orion and Walburga trying for a child, it changed how I had perceived the right-hand woman of Voldemort's.

The complete disdain that I came to know from those who called themselves my parents was ridiculous even as I fought back the urge to retort or tell them off.

Because all it brought was pain that left my limbs trembling and body quaking.

Something I refused to let happen if I could help it.

"We will not speak of her ever again," ordered Father as he gathered us inside the room face stern and cold as he overlooked the three of us while Mother stayed silent at his side. "She has betrayed this family and our beliefs by running away with that boy."

This was something I had seen coming with how Andy had been acting.

Now it was time to face my new reality.

Today I have lost a sister.

"Yes, Father," Narcissa demurred while Bella just scoffed with a sneer at the news of Andromeda even though no surprise covered her face. "We will not speak nor reach out to her."

"What is to be done with her marriage contract?" asked Mother, finally speaking up while I remained silent only listening to what was said around me.

There was a good age gap between Andromeda, Bellatrix, and I making it harder to gain a close bond with them compared to Narcissa who was only four years older than myself.

Though considering how protective Bellatrix was of us had been surprising to realize when she had begun to take the punishments meant for Narcissa and myself.

Something I had never thought would happen.

Andromeda had kept her nose to the ground, so it had come to a surprise to our parents that she would run away from her marriage contract with Rodolphus Lestrange.

Especially to be with a muggleborn who had nothing.

Being here and living this life had really changed me, and not in a good way.

It made me realize how important family could be, and just how much that betrayal could hurt.

"We shall offer Lyra's hand," answered Father making me twitch in place as I fought to keep my eyes on the floor. "Narcissa is already engaged to Heir Malfoy."

"Better you than I sister," mused Bellatrix under her breath from beside me making me bite my tongue. "Though considering he is my age, well, you have a lot to live up to as future Lady to the Lestrange House."

Because that was all we were good for to our father since we weren't born male.

Meaning we could never gain the Headship to the Black House.

Such a shame that.

"As you say, Father," I stated voice soft when I felt his eyes land upon me causing me to look up to meet his eyes. "I will do what is expected of me."

"Wouldn't Bellatrix be a better match?" asked Mother with a thin smile as she looked disdainfully towards her eldest child. "She is of age, and it isn't as if we will get many other offers for her. What with her personality and broken mind."

Well, seems the hatred there is still going strong.

"But I am already working to improve our standing dearest mother," retorted Bellatrix with a sneer of her own as she pushed back her wild curly hair off her shoulder. "Which is something Father is aware of as well."

Meeting a younger, and still sane, Tom Marvolo Riddle hadn't been what I had wanted on my eleventh birthday, but I knew it would be in a few years that he would make his move.

Already he was gaining a following.

Which meant I'd have no choice but to meet him due to my family.

"You will not question me," snarled Father wand twisting as Mother let out a scream as she fell to the ground. "Remember your place."

"Though it is curious that Rodolphus didn't ask for me," added Bellatrix herself barely sparing our twitching mother a glance. "Why is that?"

"You are too wild for Heir Lestrange," answered Father sending a look of warning to Bellatrix who dipped her head. "As for Lyra, she has shown herself to be a perfect wife for any man considering her raising and demure."

Only because I was a coward.

Unlike Sirius, I couldn't fight back in fear of being tortured considering how much looser both my parents were with their wands. So of course, I forced myself to show only what they wanted.

I learned the languages they demanded of me, learned how to run a house, to be a perfect pure-blood lady, and every other lesson and demand commanded of me as it brought me a reprieve from the pain. I was nothing more than a broodmare to them in truth.

But one small mistake would bring the pain back, so I bit my tongue.

"Now you're all dismissed."

None of us said another word as we left with Narcissa grabbing my hand to lead me into her large bedchambers that were placed near my own.

The fact we lived in an actual manor, close to that of a castle, spoke of how old-fashioned our parents were. Something not even the Head of our House did.

"You did well," praised Narcissa as she sat me down at her vanity allowing me to look at my reflection of pale skin, dark black curls, and light silver eyes before looking away. "I'm glad you remembered to remain silent."

"Do you know anything of Heir Lestrange?" I asked eyes meeting that of Bellatrix's as she joined us in the room with a flourish.

"He's also working to improve his family's standing with Lord Voldemort," answered Bellatrix easily enough while flouncing forward. "From his fighting style he is not a man to take lightly nor is he known to be kind."

So, a beast of a man was what I had to look forward to.

"You will likely also be married before you graduate to make sure you do not pull an Andromeda," added Narcissa with some hesitation as she smoothed a hand down her dress skirts. "Though I am unsure when exactly."

"When she blooms into a woman," answered Bellatrix with a scoff at her own words before smirking as she leaned forward. "But considering how well you take to my lessons on spells you should be able to hold your own."

"Possibly," I answered smile strained and bitter before turning back to my reflection and realizing for not the first time how alike I took after Bellatrix. "But you know the reaction Father would have if he ever found out."

But where my dear Bella was all harsh beauty, my own features were softer.

"He would never know," reassured Bellatrix, hands moving to run through my hair as she leaned against the chair that I sat in. "You know that as well as I do."

Her words were never truer.