I do not own Harry Potter

PART TWO: BRIGHT STAR

The Thirteen Rules of the House of Black

You are always in charge.

Cassiopeia's eyes blazed, "I will bow down to no man, no wizard, no being,

no beast. No man will rule over me. No man will command me. And no man, no man on earth, will intimidate me!"

"Times have changed."

"THEY HAVE NOT CHANGED FOR ME!"

Decorum at all times.

In time they spun, her hand in his, as the trail of her dress swept out behind her, and their feet, all the feet of all the dancers, thumped sharply down on the floor in time with each other and the beat of the music. In time with the slow, steady beat of her heart as the world seemed to slow down around her.

And she couldn't take her eyes from his.

And everything she saw there.

And there was nothing she could do, not here, not now.

Not ever.

Never apologise or admit that you are wrong, unless it is in your best interests to do so.

"I'm so sorry, Nymphadora."

She didn't look up. She didn't respond at all, but continued to stare blankly ahead. At the brick wall in the middle of her life.

"For what it's worth, I really, truly mean it. This time I do."

It's not the truth that matters, but the appearance that counts.

Lucius pulled the mask over his face.

Who was he?

How many masks did he wear these days?

Because, by Salazar, he no longer knew. The only thing he knew, or wanted, or cared for was Narcissa. And he would anything for her.

Anything.

Even this.

Never show fear or weakness.

Sirius ran through the forest, wand in hand, crying out as he went. His voice desperate, strangled.

"MAIA!"

Never bow down to another.

All of them sunk to their knees.

One by one.

Maia wished she could be strong. Wished she could stay tall, standing, defiant.

Aunt Cassiopeia would. Maia knew she would.

Maia wished she were her.

Although, as her knees hit the cold floor, she was glad that her aunt was far away, far away and safe.

But she wished she could have been the bravest, have been the one to go down last. That would, at least, have been something.

Do not admit to allow another to appear more knowledgeable than yourself.

Cassiopeia and Cygnus stared at each other.

"It would seem we have reached an impasse."

"It would seem so."

"I want my information."

"And I want my wife."

Always pursue your revenge.

It was just them, alone, in the long, dark corridor. Where the others were, Maia no longer knew. She had lost track of them, lost track of everything.

"I know what you did."

"Do you now?"

She tilted her head back and stuck out her chin. "Nobody threatens my mother."

"Oh, so young, so brave, so sure. Aren't you just waiting for it all to come crashing down around you?"

"I'll make you regret it. All of it. Everything."

Never turn your back on your family.

"She is still out sister. She is still our family."

"She is no sister of mine!"

"You're forgetting the ninth rule."

"Why should I remember one, when she broke them all?"

Her eyes were wild, streaming with tears, her face twisted, almost torn, like her heart, which had long been broken.

Never turn your back on an enemy.

"NO!"

She turned and ran.

Laughter rang out behind her.

She heard Harry scream.

Felt Remus try to grab her.

Felt the axis of her world snap in two.

The only people who value modesty are those who have nothing to be proud of.

The quill scratched, the writing pointed, the strokes deliberate, strong, unrelenting.

I must not tell lies.

The writing was neat, tidy. Her back was straight, rigid, unbending. She would not give and each. Never.

I must hold my tongue.

Each muscle was tense, wound up like a coil, ready to snap, ready to spring, except that he wouldn't give her the satisfaction. He wouldn't snap, he'd kill her.

I must control my temper.

Every word cut through him, like a blade, a knife, not through his arm, but his heart.

I must not behave like a madman.

The hand glided across the page, line after line filled with perfect cursive.

I must learn my place.

Morality is for people with no interests to protect.

He shook his head and looked away, up at the stars.

"I really thought you were better than that. Merlin, I know you're better than that, if only you'd let yourself see it."

"I... I can't possibly answer that."

All Blacks have a temper, only lose it to control people, not because you can't control yourself.

"I'LL KILL YOU. YOU MURDERING WITCH, I'LL KILL YOU!"

...