Work Text:
Bellatrix was always happiest with Eleonora. More sane, more grounded. Well loved. Their love was an easy thing, free of expectations and rules. The rest of her life, family was held up by rules:
Sort into Slytherin. Bella had and she’d met Eleonora. Ruthless and beautiful, even at eleven Bella had a crush on her. They became fast friends and soon, friendship developed into more. Eleonora was her first in many things. Crush, hope, study date in the library, hidden kisses in the dark corridors of the Hogwarts dungeons.
Marry the Lestrange Heir. She wouldn’t willingly touch Rodolphus Lestrange with a broom, let alone want to marry him. But the Blacks are impossible to say no to and so, upon graduation, they get married. Eleonora in attendance but not at Bella’s side where she wants her to be.
Carry on the Family Line. Bella would love to have children but not with her husband. The expectation of bedding him makes her skin crawl. The news of Eleonora’s marriage breaks her heart (Double standards, she knows. Neither of them had a choice).
The first heart shows up after news breaks of Eleonora’s husband’s death.
The next they carve from Rodolphus’ chest.