Bella stumbled slightly as Narcissa guided her onto the Knight bus. Lucius was right behind them, equally as drunk and twice as happy. His laughter at Bella tripping was infectious, and soon Bella was doubled over and even Narcissa's face was lit up in mirth. They struggled to walk down the bus to the seats at the back while the bus weaved its way around London. It had been an excellent night at the Leaky Cauldron, and all three were getting on like a house on fire. That was strange in itself, but firewhisky tended to loosen inhibitions. Narcissa was the best at handling her drink, or perhaps she just hadn't had as much, neither of the three would have been able to say.

Stan was standing in his usual corner reading the daily prophet, alao as usual. An article about new muggle artefacts caught Bella's eye as she passed, and she sighed loudly.

"People needed to stop separating each other, there's not even that much difference between muggles and wizards"

"And witches!" Lucius sang, bopping his head to whatever random song was stuck in his head.

"And witches" Bella giggled "Now we can't forget them!"

Narcissa's face portrayed her shock, too intoxicated to attempt to maintain her normal emotionless ice queen façade.

"But they're muggles!"

Bella simply giggled, finally managing to traipse her way to the back of the bus and plonk down opposite another witch.

"Bella, you disowned Andy because of Ted... Because he was a muggle!"

"No no dear sister of mine" Bella waggled her finger

"Andy was an asshole" Lucius laughed like the five year old he secretly was at Bella's coarseness.

"Bella!" Narcissa attempted to admonish

"Narcissa" Bella raised one eyebrow.

"She's family" Narcissa slowly looked less convinced, as though she was remembering the times Andromeda had lived with them.

"She was going to out me to mama and papa" Bella put on a faux plummy accent as she pretended to be as prim and proper as they had always wanted her to be. Bella leaned across the bus to where Narcissa was sitting and whispered "It was her who put marmalade in Sadie's hair." Sadie had been Narcissa's favourite doll from the age of three to eight, when she had mysteriously gained marmalade flavoured highlights. "She was jealous" Narcissa's demeanour soured for a moment, before she realised Lucius was walking past her, and grinning mischievously. "I bet that chandelier could hold me" were his only words.

Bellatrix laughed as Narcissa ran after him, though whether to stop him or join him she wasn't sure.

"Probably join him" she mused, not noticing that she had said it out loud although under her breath. Leaning back, she heard a giggle, and actually registered the witch opposite her for the first time. Still smiling slightly as she caught Bella's eye

"You're beautiful." The words were out before Bella could stop them.