A/N: Not mine. None of it.

Too Many Hours - 1963

It was often said that the Black sisters represented the hours of the days. Bellatrix was the night, dark and mysterious. Narcissa was the morning, cool and clear, and Andromeda was the afternoon, sunny full of warmth. Each of them had their own distinct identity, which they revelled in. No one ever mixed them up.

The girls took particular care to look very different on one day each year. Their individuality was never more important than on the day of the Black family photo. They had their outfits planned months in advance. Andromeda always wore green, Narcissa always wore blue, and Bellatrix always wore red.

This year was different though. Narcissa had spent her first months without her sisters, as Andromeda had just started Hogwarts the previous September. The holiday had been so hectic so far, they were taking the photo on Christmas Day.

It was obvious to everyone in the Black family that Andromeda had changed. Well, not so much changed, but cheered up. She was very perky and happy as she hopped off the Hogwarts Express, and three days later, she still hadn't quietened down. Narcissa wasn't sure she liked this new Andie. It was as Andie had gone to Hogwarts and discovered this whole new world. Narcissa didn't like being left out of things, and she was definitely feeling left out.

"Hello Henry!" Andromeda greeted the photographer, happily. Poor Henry had been called early that morning, and asked to come photograph them. The Blacks paid him so well, he never refused.

"Good morning Andromeda. Bellatrix, Narcissa," he greeted the sisters, gesturing to the couch.

They arranged themselves on the couch, before turning to the camera.

"Wouldn't it be great if we smiled in a photo for once?" Andromeda piped up, suddenly.

Narcissa and Bellatrix exchanged looks. Andromeda really was acting strange.

"No, it wouldn't," Bella replied, scowling.

"You're being ridiculous, Andie," Narcissa told her sister, rolling her eyes.

"I'm ridiculous?" Andromeda said, incredulously. "I'm not the one all gaga over Lucius Malfoy."

"I am not!" Narcissa countered, her voice a little high. "He's my friend! Boys are yucky anyway."

Bella sat in the middle of her sisters, looking very surly. She didn't bother with these petty arguments anymore. She'd done the whole fighting phase. She was over it.

Unfortunately for Bellatrix, Narcissa and Andromeda kept arguing throughout the rest of the photo shoot. She used to think that there weren't enough hours in the day. Right now, she thought that there were too many.

And it was only ten o'clock.

"LUCIUS AND NARCISSA SITTING IN A TREE," Andromeda yelled at the top of her lungs, jumping around on the couch.

"LALALALALA!" Narcissa screamed back at Andromeda. "I CAN'T HEAR YOU!"

"K-I-S-S-I-N-G," continued Andromeda, a wicked grin on her face. She was enjoying every moment of this. Narcissa was not having such a good time, but happily for her, that was all about to change.

Everyone knew that young witches and wizards were sometimes unpredictable. They were like ticking time bombs, and Andromeda was about to set one off.

"FIRST COMES LOVE. THEN COMES MARRIAGE-" Andromeda suddenly stopped tormenting Narcissa. This was due to the fact that she no longer had a mouth. The spot where her mouth should have been was nothing but another patch of skin.

Not even muffled tones could be heard coming from Andromeda, whose eyes were wide with fear.

"Mother!" called out Bellatrix, "Narcissa took away Andromeda's mouth!"

It was at that point that Henry decided to take another picture. A mouth-less Andromeda would grace the halls of the Black house until she was disowned. All in all, the whole day was a complete disaster.