Oh my god.

So I finally got around to reading all of this and all I can say is oh my god. Wow. This was such brilliance, I can barely describe it. My heart is kind of hurting, actually. The absolute skill you have at writing emotion, it's heartbreaking. To see the girls growing apart through these few moments you show us over the course of a few years ... it's incredible and painful. Especially because you see how close they used to be, when they were younger, only to be drawn apart, to find new friends, to deal with loss and pain and the constraints put upon them, all in such different ways! In a sense, they're all rebelling, but the way they go about it, with Bellatrix getting involved in politics, Andromeda running away, and Narcissa turning it inwards, in a sense punishing herself for everything that's happened, it's painful to read. :(

But I utterly love it. It's a tragedy in the most classical sense - the downfall of nobility. And everything about it is just perfect. The odd moments of humour, the drama, the emotion, just ... everything. It's perfect, and I can't wait to get started on the sequel.

You are a genius, plain and simple.

I love it when an author begins a story by dropping us directly into the dialogue/action and letting the context set the scene for us. You do that beautifully here; you don't need a single word of authorial exposition, because you perfectly lay out everything we need to know through the characters' words and actions. I always have great expectations when a story starts like this!

There is a formality to your writing style that fits the setting and characters perfectly. This stands out for me especially when we move into Narcissa's POV. The way she sees and describes her surroundings reflects her upbringing and character. Oh, and "no one had seemed to realize yet that she was evidently the loveliest being in the room. How disheartening." Ha! And what a perfect sum-up of Narcissa's character.

Now, there were a couple of sentences that weren't as clear as they could have been to me: "Her daughters Bellatrix and Andromeda snickered quietly, but they also did straighten up and regain a bit of composure, though it didn't go without a scowl." I think the scowl is coming from Druella, but to me it almost sounds like Bellatrix and Andromeda went from snickering to scowling... it threw me off for a moment.
"Next was Narcissa, this mere fact a blessing for the subsistence, or at the very least the good shape..." Technically, there's nothing wrong with this sentence, but it took me some time to parse it. To me it slowed down the story a little bit and weakened the (good!) joke about the potential fate of the furniture. To me it would have flowed better split into a couple of shorter sentences (Next was Narcissa. Her mere presence was a blessing to the continued existence of... or something like that).

These are minor quibbles though. You have humorously and elegantly given us the setting, and immediately draw us into the characters and their relationships. This is a wonderful beginning and I'll definitely be reading more!

Thank you for a fantastic chapter!

Wow...I absolutely loved this chapter. The title is sheer perfection for this. And it's more about what's not said rather than what is. That is what is so wonderful in this. The tension is so thick, you can literally cut it with a knife. And I rather like how most of the adults are rather oblivious to it all. However, there are small hints that lead us to believe that perhaps not ALL the adults are completely clueless. I rather think that Alphard may have a clue. Well, I'm not sure he knows exactly what the matter is, but I think he may sense something amiss. But he never says so. Certainly, each sister has a bit of a secret, it seems. I suppose what I am most surprised at is Bella. Certainly, she never had a very close relationship with Cissy, but why the sudden animosity...and anger? Is she really just upset about how the adults were gushing over Cissy's beauty? Or is there something more? But certainly, we know why Meda is upset. The end scene between the three sisters was quite sad. We have Bella running into Cissy seemingly for no apparent reason, then storming off in a huff (very Bellatrix, btw)...and then the small conversation between Meda and Cissy...very sad and tragic really. I really can't wait to find out what these two are hiding. I cannot wait to read more of this wonderful story. :)

"A dustland fairytale beginning, just another white trash county kiss. '61, long brown hair and foolish eyes." Perhaps my favorite opening line of all time for a song. Knowing that song gives you my kudos.

I definitely think the best part of this chapter was the last section, which really got things going. The tension between the two parties in question was very well stated and broke the dreary feelings the party gave me. I think it was well done, but the beginning did have a good amount of trouble gaining my interest until I got in a decent way. I like all the characters, though, and the setting is well defined. It's just that the pacing was way slow for me.

Thanks for the read either way!

Also, kudos for the Killers reference.

Wow...just...SO much to say about this chapter, as you didn't waste any time at all in pulling your readers into the sudden drama and betrayals in Cissy's life. I had a sneaking suspicion Cygnus was going to pull a stunt like that. There had been hints at it from the first chapter and given his lack of involvement in his children's lives. You really captured the hurt and panic of the three girls here. I love how Druella barely reacts at all, just being shell shocked and ghost-like throughout the chapter, while Bella visibly reacts and it is down to Meda to play the reassuring voice to everyone.

This line really got me - [Who were we to shatter your shiny little world?"]

It's simple and touching, and effortlessly drives the theme of this story home. I honestly love Meda now; by this point, she's so relatable as the conflicted, responsible sister. I wonder how she's going to cope when she finds out everyone around her is considering Death Eater as a career... :S

["He's been hiding for so long. Why – didn't – he – keep – hiding – it?" she growled.]

This bit was really sad to read. I felt sorry for Meda and how she would prefer to leave everyone in a state of ignorance if it meant they remained unhurt, unlike her. You put across Cissy's offense at this very well too, which I really liked as it's arguable if Meda did the right thing. It adds depth to your relationships and fleshes out your characters.

Also, how lovely is Sirius in this chapter? I'm glad he acted accordingly for the situation and supported Meda and Cissy - I thought that was very cute and quite an impression, given how loveless the atmosphere is throughout this chapter.

Great work! I'm so curious to read on, especially with the tantalising hints of 'great things'. Well done!

Byoshi

["Fairytale, Cissy," she said.]

Ah and so the fairytale theme makes its entrance! This was a beautiful chapter - I think I mentioned this before in another review, but the relationship between the three sisters is just wonderful. It's dynamic, fun and believable, and it's hard to pick a favourite out of the three.

I picked up on some subtle hints of the future, particularly Meda's eventual change, which felt somewhat ominous against the backdrop of social parties and opportunities. I just loved how Narcissa spends her time being ambitious and making plans, when all the while it's her sisters going to the balls and being the centre of attention. I'm very eager to see it become Narcissa's turn to be presented to society and if she will resolutely ensure it does stay true to her fairytale.

Again, I love Meda in this. I think it's because she's so different from the other two, and you evoke this contrast really well with her flippant yet wise dialogue.

Also, well done on the descriptions of the girls' dresses. I don't really like paragraphs dedicated to what someone is wearing (reminds me of high school or Mary Sue fics) but you wrote beautifully and didn't make it a boring shopping list; instead you worked in opinions and character traits, which I really appreciated and had fun reading :)

Finally, special highlight on my favourite paragraph -

["Unbearable," Cissy judged. The last time she had seen Sirius had ended rather messily, with worms in her hair, lots of unladylike screeching, death threats and their mothers having to intercede while her sisters were doubled over laughing in the distance.]

Poor Cissy...! And yet, I get the feeling she probably deserved it, if her pretentious behaviour in this (especially towards Alcyone) is anything to go by.

Great chapter - well done!

Byoshi

Sorry...I wasn't on the computer before, so I couldn't review. Oh, but the plot thickens. So much happened in this chapter, from Cygnus returning and Bella leaving with him. I really loved the part between Meda and Bella with Meda insisting Bella write. I'm not sure why, but that really showed their bond, I suppose. Oh, and the part between Cissy and Cassie and the other girls was very...disturbing. It's really showing that Cissy has that bit of an evil streak, not that the other girls didn't deserve it. But it shows that Cissy is a little...mad as well. Of all the sisters, I think that Bella is obviously the one with the most demons, but I think Cissy isn't far behind. I'm not sure about Meda. She seems the most...sensible. Oh, but then when Cissy sees what she thinks she saw. Did she really see it? Or is Andromeda lying? The confrontation was surprising. I really thought Meda was going to confess, but when she didn't and cut the ties. Well, that was surprising. What will happen to the sisterly bond now? And is Meda really pregnant? I can't wait to find out. The last part reminded me a bit of Atonement. Eagerly looking forward to more. Lovely job, as usual. :)

The Black sisters have such a fascinating dynamic - I love how you've written Cissy as the little sister envious of Meda and Bella and their social opportunities. The fairy tale atmosphere is strong in this chapter. I enjoyed the catty interactions between Alcyone and Narcissa, those are so true to the age of the character.

The one bit of CC I have for this chapter is that the flow might be smoother if you were to trim some of the dialogue tags. (said, exclaimed, replied, etc). Let me know whether I need to clarify. Overall the chapter is so lively and delightful, in my opinion the dialogue tags kind of get in the way at times.

I peeked at the dress photos - very pretty and in - character. Knowing what is ahead for these characters (at least in canon) makes this bittersweet to read. I'm really glad I have a lot more chapters to go :)

Very creative and well written! I love being taken back into the era before the Harry Potter canon and get a sense of what other characters were like as children. Narcissa strikes me as a stuck-up girl that is still somehow endearing to everyone for whatever reason. Absolutely loved your backstory, it's brilliant!

It's been a long time since I caught up on this story! I love Andromeda's pep talk for little Cissy before they go off to school - this was a very sisterly thing to say:

"Cissy! You're more of a Slytherin than all of us put together," Meda interrupted. "If the hat plays coy with you, yell at it and you'll be fine. It nearly put me in Ravenclaw. You have to learn to stand up for yourself sometime."

The only real CC I have for this chapter is the use of the girls' name Makenna, which is a very contemporary name as far as I'm aware of, and kind of jerked me out of the 1960s time period for a second. I love the whole atmosphere of the Black sisters' relationship and their little digs at each other which are still loving in nature. This was my favorite:

"Bye, Cissy," Bella said, waving. "Blame miss Goody-Two-Shoes here when we leave you all alone to weep your pretty eyes raw."

"Bella!"

The door slammed after her.

"Our sister is a horrendous, twisted little thing," Andromeda commented, shaking her head. "No wonder I love her the best."

XD Cute!

I've been afraid to write a Sorting Hat song so I've never written a Sorting scene myself ;) I love yours! It fits perfectly into your chapter and I could definitely see it in canon. Bravo.

Here I have rambled and not given you much useful information to work with, but I thoroughly enjoyed this chapter and I won't wait as long before my next review! :)

Wow! What an awesome chapter once again. I am really, really loving this story more and more. And, this was quite a twist! But at the beginning, I really love how there is still a bit of animosity, if you will, between Cissy, Meda, and Bella. Bella seems to be the outcast, even in her youth, and I think that'll pose for some interesting plotlines later. And...wow. The person their father was having an affair with..Cecila MacDougalm no other. Wow! Now, I am very intrigued. Ah, and the end with Cissy sobbing...well, that was sad and lovely. It seems her little world is caving in around her. I hope she learns to stand on her own two feet. Eagerly looking forward to more, darling. :)

As an older sister to someone, I just love your characterisation of Andromeda. Of course, it's even better with the three sisters together, but I liked the focus on Andromeda with the first section. You've got the right balance of sisterly humour, bullying and friendship to make it believable. I find myself sitting here and completely relating to the trio because it's so realistic and convincing. (Us big sisters really are that annoying...! But we mean well XD)

I giggled at the passing comment Narcissa made about house elves coming along to Hogwarts to assist. I imagine she's never had to do so much legwork and manual labour in her life! It's nice to see things like this - character quirks and traits that fit in with canon and yet have a hint of originality and author's licence about it. I kept comparing this chapter to Harry's initiation into Hogwarts and am really impressed at how you've pulled off the same situation but from a wizarding, Slytherin perspective. It's a really fun read and throws us readers into a new and exciting scenario.

The scene with the girls' mum and the curt announcement of their father not attending was an interesting touch. I'm hoping this will be revisited in the next chapter as I'm quite curious as to what it was all about!

Oh, and quickly before I forget! I loved the small scene with Narcissa and Cassandra, and Narcissa's take on her. It's never a good thing to be called Cassandra...

Well done, and thanks for sharing such a great read :)

Byoshi

Ah, this was lovely. You really have the characterizations of the three sisters down-pat, and your dialogue flowed so nicely. It was like I could literally hear them say this to one another. I also love all the distinct personalities, and I really liked the undertones of foreshadowing throughout the chapter. I really don't have a bad thing to say at all. All I can say is that I am looking forward to reading more. Thanks again for a wonderful story. Well done, my dear. :)

Wow - I'm glad you recommended this fic to me, since not only have you written so much HP that I'm spoilt for choice and wouldn't know where to start, but it's a fic that focuses on the Marauder era / parents of the HP universe, which is already a major plus in my books!

Your take on child Narcissa is wonderfully snobbish and yet so endearing. She definitely strikes me as the type of girl who'd wear her mother's pearls or shoes and behave beyond her years. Your narrative has a distinct voice (especially Narcissa) and I like how you have slowly opened the story's setting to introduce the characters one by one. You have a flair for flowery description without being purple-y or boring (if that makes sense), so really well done with that! The bit with Narcissa and the flowers is my favourite bit :D

There are some lengthy, daunting paragraphs which I think could be amended or separated just to be easygoing on the reader, but otherwise this was an incredible read. It's so lovely to be able to read a story that doesn't throw in hiccups of awkward grammar or poor word use, it's just like a book really with me picking it up and going straight into it.

Great stuff - you have me intrigued!

Byoshi

Ooh, pompous and polite children! Amusing as always.

I certainly liked your interpretation of these characters past; it suits them as they are today. And the differences in each of the girls was well used. I think you've found a highly likely version of what their past was.

In my mind, following the story in Cissy's view was the most interesting, as she is written in such a sophisticated way you almost forget her age. A small challenge.

I enjoyed this.