Happy New Year! Eleven followers already? You guys really know how to make a fella feel appreciated. I basically know how the story is going to end but I'd love your feedback as well. For instance, I would have ended the summer around Chapter 5, but you guys seem to really be digging the interactions between and characterization of The Three Sisters (thank goodness) so I decided to devote two more chapters towards Bellatrix, Andromeda, and Narcissa at Uncle Alphard's. PM me, review the story, whatever floats your boat, I want to deliver the best story I possibly can and your help is invaluable. :v)

The day I am writing this is December 18th, 2017, and I am telling you this because today is the twentieth anniversary of the death of Chris Farley, one of the greatest SNL stars of all time. Many of you probably don't remember him because it's been so long since he passed or didn't star in too many successful movies, but to me, he's everything a comedian should be.

The characters he played were always loud, passionate, and in-your-face, but there was always a tenderness underneath, an undeniable likability and boyish innocence to him that couldn't be denied. We constantly underestimate how the simple power of being able to turn one's flaws into strengths makes someone truly extraordinary. Yeah, he was SNL's resident fat guy, so what? He turned his physicality into friggin' art, as far as I'm concerned. He turned a simple pratfall onto one's rear end into a triumphant fall, and that's quite an accomplishment. Watch any of his sketches as Matt Foley for proof.

That is why I miss Chris Farley; he made me smile in a time when I needed it long after he died through his boundless optimism. He taught me to take what people thought of me and shove it, because dwelling on the past gets in the way of living for the moment. Be awkward and random and crazy, someone out there is bound to recognize you for it. Maybe even cast you on SNL for it. Whatever personal issues he had in life that led to his untimely demise, I don't know. But when I say I want to be like Chris Farley, I am so grateful his fans know EXACTLY what I mean.

Now, you guys might be wondering what Chris Farley of all people has to do with my story. Well, he fits in with the reason I wanted to write this story to begin with; to give three characters I felt were maligned in the main narrative of Harry Potter another chance. And I fully intend to do so with another character who, like Farley, by all means should have been defined to the labels assigned to them but instead chose to follow their dreams.

Here's to you, Mr. Farley. I'll bet there isn't a single undamaged chair left in heaven since you got there.

Christopher Crosby Farley: February 15th, 1964 - December 18th, 1997

"I remember one time when all the nuns in my Catholic Grade School got around in a semicircle, me and Mom in the middle, and they said, 'Mrs. Farley, the children at school are laughing at Christopher, not with him.' I thought, "Who cares? As long as they're laughing."

Songs of The Day:

Life on Mars? By David Bowie (For Andi)

Epilogue by Justin Hurwitz (For Chris)

The End by Justin Hurwitz

The party was continuing to go splendidly, but Bellatrix could really care less, for she was now alone and face-to-face with the vipers that her father had warned her about; Orion and Walburga Black. In The House of Black, power and respect wasn't simply handed out, it had to be earned, and no one had proven their worth more than these two.

Orion was everything Phineas Nigellus was in life in both status and stature; a tall, imposing man with piercing grey eyes and all the resources of The Noble and Most Ancient House of Black at his disposal. While he currently lacked a goatee as black as his name (for Orion preferred a more clean-shaven look for social functions as important as The Pure-Blood Ball) he was everything Cygnus had ever wanted to be and more. He was wearing a fancy striped smoking jacket with a green cape and a silver crown with the inscribed green message of Toujours Pur. To most the addition of a crown would appear silly or ostentatious, but not to a Black. They were the closest thing The Wizarding World had to royalty, after all, why not look the part?

Unlike Cygnus who had brought bad attention to The Noble House of Black on several occasions through his recklessness, the only controversy associated with Orion's name was his union with Walburga and the circumstances under which he had earned the title of head of the family. For, unlike all the other women in the family, Walburga's surname remained unchanged. This was because she and Orion were second cousins. However, sensing kindred spirits, Orion and Walburga's respective parents did not discourage this union upon the discovery of their incestous affair in The Slytherin Common Room, they chose to encourage it in the hopes that it would bring out the best in them.

Phineas Nigellus' policy on incest was iffy, on the one hand he frowned upon the unions of brother and sister as was at times custom in The Middle Ages, but he did give his blessing to several marriages to people within his family who were cousins. He attempted to justify this with one of his more divisive sayings; Really, now, it isn't all that uncommon for two worthy Pure-Bloods to find one another within their own family tree! Why risk exposure to dirty blood? Frankly, I would rather my daughter Belvina marry her stupidest cousin than the smartest Mudblood.

And to be fair, it isn't like Orion was entirely to blame for his attraction to Walburga. As a woman, Walburga was expected to uphold the standards of traditional Pure-Blood beauty and values, and she had succeeded where so many other women had failed to a tee. It was only natural for him to find everything he desired within his own family. If Cygnus and Alphard had any problems with seeing Walburga's choice of mate, they kept it to themselves, Cygnus doing so out of fear of reprisal from Orion and Alphard out of respect for his sister's feelings.

It was for this reason the conversation between Bellatrix and her Aunt and Uncle was merely cordial rather than affectionate. Walburga was just beginning to criticize Bellatrix's dress when she heard a familiar scream for her from Narcissa.

Both of her sisters were surely in trouble! Hastily rushing out a lame excuse, Bellatrix hiked up her dress and rushed over to the source of the noise, milling through the crowd full of apprehension. Was it a ghost that had caused such a high-pitched noise to leave her sisters' mouths? Was one of them choking? Or maybe it was something stupid because little sisters are idiots.

It was the last of the options. Seeing both of her sisters unharmed at first filled Bellatrix with joy, only for a swell of rage to follow the next moment. Instead of helping her entertain Alphard's guests like they had promised (there were only so many prepubescent suitors one could stand), Narcissa and Andromeda had chosen to waste time on their baby cousins, who were currently in a single baby basket in the corner.

"YOU CALLED-"

"Shut up, Bella, we just got them to stop crying!" Andromeda protested, waving her arms about. Narcissa lacked the nerve to tell anyone, especially Bellatrix, to shut up, so she chose to nod her head in general agreement instead.

"FINE, Andi - you screamed bloody murder so we could all stare at two rugrats?"

"Yeah, that about sums it up quite nicely. Cootchie-cootchie-coo!" Andromeda said, tickling the chin of the smaller of the two infants affectionately.

"Can you blame us, Bella?" Narcissa cried ("YES!" Bellatrix responded), wringing her hands together in a pleading motion. "Sirius and Regulus are so ca-hute!"

"Totally adorbs. Can you say ma-ma? Can you say da-da?" Andromeda cooed at her cousins.

"Can you say "Andromeda sucks?" Bellatrix suggested.

Andromeda would have fired back a jab regarding Bellatrix's dental hygiene if not for the precious moment that occurred between The Two Brothers as Sirius rolled on top of Regulus and sighed contentedly.

"Awwwwww, it's like he's giving his brother a widdle hug!" Andromeda squealed, wringing her hands together in joy.

"They're so cute they make me wanna die!" Narcissa moaned.

"Ugh, you two are such GIRLS!" Bellatrix whined. "Why waste your time on snot-nosed brats like these two losers when you could be doing something useful, like fetching me some punch or something?"

"Well, exxxxxccccccccuuuuuuuuusssssssssssseeeeeee moi for having keen maternal instincts." Andromeda drawled, bowing sarcastically. "How would you have gotten these two kids to sleep, oh mistress of motherhood?"

"Hit them until they stop crying or are knocked unconscious!" Bellatrix smirked, curling her fingers into a fist.

"That's...one way of doing it I guess." Andromeda grimaced, shooting a concerned glance at her baby cousins.

"I preferred it when Mother gives us sleeping potions myself," Narcissa reminisced happily to herself. "Went right to sleep, just like that! Just a tiny bit was enough, and such a lovely taste!"

Bellatrix and Andromeda shared a concerned glance. Their baby sister really hadn't figured it out by now?

"Cissy," Andromeda said gently, getting down on her knees so as to look her baby sister in the eyes, "There was no sleeping potion."

"Yes, there was!" Narcissa insisted, looking politely confused. "What are you trying to say here?"

"That Mother knocked us all out cold for the past couple of years with wine that's been in the family since Phineas Nigellus had acne." Bellatrix said bluntly. "Either that, or Uncle Alphard is serving everyone here sleeping potion."

"I'm just glad Uncle Alphard gives us a glass of warm milk when we can't sleep," Andromeda said. "Doesn't make me want to lose my lunch and such."

"But...but…my memories..." Narcissa groaned. "It's one of the few times good times I ever have with Mother, she smiles and everything."

"Probably because Mother sampled the goods." Andromeda observed. "She's far too inebriated to get mad at us when she's sauced."

"Yeah, she's too busy puking her guts out." Bellatrix chuckled. "You seriously weren't able to figure it out by yourself, Cissy?"

"Yeesh, and to think people accuse moi of being the immature one, eh Bella?" Andromeda sighed, flouncing her hair dramatically. "You're such a baby."

"I'm not a baby! Take it back!" Narcissa whined, putting her hands on her hips and glaring at her big sisters. Andromeda backed up slowly, a faux look of concern on her face.

"Well, I don't know about you, Bella, but I'm sure scared." Andromeda said dramatically. "Cissy's pouty expression and total absence of a credible threat indicates she is using the ancient martial art of shì yīgè xiǎo biǎo zi. Or, as is known in the west, being a little bee-yotch!"

"That does it!" Narcissa cried . She sprung forward, waving her fists rapidly at Andromeda in the vein hopes of landing a blow. However, Andromeda intercepted with the ancient cultureless art of using one's height and arm length in order to keep her younger sister at bay with an outstretched palm on the forehead. This was the point where Bellatrix usually intervened, but she was far too busy laughing her ass off at the moment to intervene. She ducked off to the restroom, wiping the tears away from her eyes.

When Bellatrix returned, she found a fuming Narcissa glaring down at her cousins in the basket as though they too had insulted her.

"Where's Andi?" Bellatrix asked.

Narcissa pointed her finger to the dance floor with a look of supreme jealousy on her face, indicating a blushing Andromeda waltzing with a boy with big eyes and curly black hair Bellatrix's age. With the boy's back to Bellatrix and Narcissa, Andromeda shot a disbelieving, doofy smile as if to say "I know, right?"

Bellatrix grinned back roguishly and gave her sister the finger. Even though she would never tell anyone, it warmed her heart to see Andromeda so happy. It was almost as if she had become a different person entirely over the summer at Alphard's house; she was painfully shy and awkward around her parents for fear of their disapproval before, but three months under Alphard's roof had the same effect as metamorphoses to a caterpillar. She was far more self-confident to the point of being annoying thanks to Alphard assigning her more responsibility around the house, and closer with her sisters than ever now that they were being nurtured by a male figure in their life who was actually worth aspiring to, unlike a certain mustached misogynist they all could name.

"What's the story with the lovebirds over there?" Bellatrix asked.

"His name's Seth Ponder, he's son of those actors Father likes." Narcissa responded dully. "He came over and told Andi she was pretty. Then he asked Andi to dance. She said yes."

"Ah, you're finally beginning to talk like a normal person, sticking to the bear essentials." Bellatrix sighed in relief. "That's nice. Means I don't have to debase myself through asking what the hell you're talking about half the time."

"Bella, I didn't know you knew what the word "debase" means!" Narcissa said in mock amazement, her listless attitude beginning to dissipate. "Your vocabulary really has improved over the season, as opposed to expressing yourself through a series of grunts and miniature physical altercations in order to get your way."

"Hmmmmmm, I think you've been spending a little too much time with good ol' big-mouth Andi, Cissy." Bellatrix growled. "It's good to see you not be a quivering little pussy for once in your life and all, but under this tough front I'm still an eleven-year-old girl, y'know? Sensitive about my complexion and intelligence and all."

"Sorry, Bella. Didn't mean to hurt your feelings." Narcissa said.

"Feelings? Nah, it's a pride thing, that's all. Just don't care for seeing the good name of Bellatrix Black besmirched by some mouthy Squidget, that's what I like to call a Squib who's also a midget."

Bellatrix and Narcissa went on like this for quite a bit, only for Narcissa to resume the same miserable, gloomy expression soon afterward. Bellatrix sighed loudly; she had hoped that this would be the end of the conversation. Bellatrix really hated those awkward pauses between her and Narcissa, this was usually the point where Andromeda bridged the gap.

"What's up, Cissy?" Bellatrix asked.

Narcissa shrugged. "It's just...I...What's going to happen to you - me - us when summer's over?"

"We'll go back home." Bellatrix answered.

"Why couldn't we just stay here? Have Uncle Alphard take care of us? He's so much nicer than Mother or Father." Narcissa babbled. "Uh, please don't tell either of them that. They wouldn't be too pleased."

"Don't worry, I'm no snitch. As for the answer to your question, I've discovered life tends to be cruel." Bellatrix said, gripping her sister's shoulder and pulling her closer. "I've been around the longest; you have to learn eventually that as far as this family is concerned, nothing good lasts forever. Even us."

"What do you mean, Bella?" Narcissa asked fearfully.

"Well, I mean, I'm leaving for Hogwarts in a few days, and I'm not looking back. I'd have thought you'd have been able to put that together with your big brain and all." Bellatrix said, shrugging her shoulders. "I've put up with their shit for too fucking long. They don't want me around, and I'm not sad to see them go. Besides, you and Andi don't need me anymore. Alphard brought out the best in you this summer. You're big girls now."

"You're wrong about that." Narcissa said, shaking her head. "You're our big sister. We DO need you. And deep down, I know Mother and Father have to care about us just a little bit. You can't just have a child and feel nothing for it."

"I wouldn't." Bellatrix said. "It's you and Andi who inherited the maternal instincts, not me. I'm never having kids, and I'm ESPECIALLY not going to waste my time impressing some pretty boy who only cares about himself. I've got a much better future carved out for me. By the time you and Andi get to Hogwarts I'll be running the joint. You'll see. Feel better?"

"Yeah, just… promise me one thing." Narcissa said.

"What's that?" Bellatrix asked.

"Promise me that you'll visit as often as possible. And that you'll write us all the time. And that you'll never forget us." Narcissa said very quickly.

"Cissy…" Bellatrix began to moan. Corniness was not in her repertoire.

"Promise?" Narcissa asked intensely, staring into Bellatrix's eyes.

"Okay, okay, spaz, I promise I'll come back on holidays and write and will always remember my little sisters and such and such." Bellatrix sighed. "Happy now?"

"Yep." Narcissa said cheerfully, hugging Bellatrix affectionately. Bellatrix begrudgingly returned it.

Just then, Andromeda returned, cheeks full of colour and a grin from ear to ear, dragging a respectable, non-threatening rich boy to the area with the babies and her sisters.

"Looking good, ladies!" Andromeda chirped happily, ignoring her dance partner's exhaustion. "Mister Ponder here is all worn out, but I'm still in the mood to boogie. Either of you care to dance with moi? Bella? Cissy?"

"I don't dance, Andi, you know this." Bellatrix grumbled crossly.

"I would!" Narcissa said, thrusting her hand up eagerly and hopping out of her seat. With that Andromeda bowed in the traditional male fashion as Narcissa curtsied and Andromeda took Narcissa by the waist and led her back to the dance floor as though escorting a lover, soon being joined by their Uncle Alphard, who gave them both turns to dance on his feet. Bellatrix rolled her eyes and smiled, choosing the youngest of her cousins to hold in her arms. Babies weren't so hard after all.

"You and those girls seem really close," Ponder piped up, eyeing Bellatrix interestedly.

"Of course," Bellatrix sighed as young Regulus awoke and began to wail. "They're my sisters."

"I'd kill for them."