Hello! OK, so this is not a completed fic and although I have a lot of it already written, it's a work in progress. As such, I will be updating fairly slowly. I'm not expecting much interest in this as it's an in-depth and horribly slow moving story – I apologise, but that's just how it came out and after all, I'm doing this for my own enjoyment – but be warned that I won't be hurried on this. Right, got that out of the way!

Thanks so much for the lovely (if limited) response to my first fic, 'Getting Together'. This one's a bit different but to those who have me on author alert and such: I hope you like it! Let me know.

I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THIS. I AM MAKING NO MONEY. SUING ME WOULD JUST BE SILLY.

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I nod absently as Bella prattles on next to me, barely hearing her enthusiastic voice describing the latest actions of the 'revolutionary new group of wizards' she's become obsessed with. At the beginning of the summer when she first started talking about them, I was frightened by the fanaticism evident in her voice. Now I'm just bored. Trying to tune her out, I listen instead to the thrum of the Hogwarts Express as it barrels along the tracks.

At least she hasn't really tried recruiting me. I'm not sure if I could explain my lack of interest in the blood purity issue without Bella overreacting – as usual – and denouncing me as a blood traitor. I'm not a muggle sympathiser, of course. Purebloods are superior to other wizards and Hogwarts would be better off without muggle-borns - I know this, my parents have taught it to me since birth and who am I to question the facts? But surely we don't have to hurt them, punish them. Surely we could just stop letting them into Hogwarts and forget about them, instead of 'making examples of them'. It seems obvious to me, but then I've always been the pacifist out of us three sisters.

I glance opposite me at my other sister. At just thirteen, she's already a prim and pretty young woman who is obsessed with the idea of becoming the perfect, feminine and powerful matriarch of her very own pureblood breeding program. I snort to myself. Much as I love Narcissa, I can't understand her. She was such a sweet, if demanding child, but she's becoming colder and more ambitious as the years go by. I have to admire her single-mindedness, though; I have no real aspirations even now, at sixteen, and just try to be an all-round good student to make up for my lack of direction or strength of character. At least I got the Prefect badge last year. My parents expressed something resembling interest in me when I told them, which was a nice change.

Sighing, I brush a chestnut brown curl off my cheek and stand up, knowing I have to be at the Prefect meeting on the train. Bella stops mid-sentence to give me a questioning look, her shadowed, gleaming eyes piercing as always. They unsettle me a little, which is stupid as I know we have the same heavy lids and slanted almond shape, but I like to think that the light cinnamon hue of mine are less… creepy than her deep black gaze. I'm amused to see her long-suffering boyfriend, Rodolphus, watching her every move with obvious infatuation. Pointing to my Prefect badge in explanation, I hurry out of the carriage, hearing Bella resume her tirade about 'muggle filth'.

I feel free and more relaxed as I wind my way up the rattling corridor of the Express. I ignore the prickling of guilt that I should feel that way because I'm not with my family. I'm determined to enjoy this school year, to try and work out who I am… apart from the dull and frigid sister of Bella and Cissy, of course. Boys have been approaching me hopefully since fourth year but I've always been convinced they're only interested in my name, or perhaps my resemblance to Bella, who exudes sensuality and is the ultimate pin-up girl for most of the Slytherin boys. My bookishness and lack of confidence, though, seems to be an immediate turn-off for these would-be wooers - not that I'm complaining, because they always seem so slimy and insincere. This year however, I know that I'll have to start expressing interest in the boys in my common room; or else, as Bella so succinctly puts it, 'all the good ones will be gone'. I've been told by Cissy that Mother will be beyond furious if I've not attracted some kind of romantic interest - from a pureblood suitor, of course - before the huge Spring Ball held by the Malfoys in March. I have to live up to my family's expectations (or at least try) so I'm going to come out of my shell this year, start being more opinionated and flirtatious.

I almost walk past the door to the compartment where the Prefect meeting is being held, so I'm blushing slightly as I duck in. Fletcher Parkinson, an overly confident pureblood fifth-year who has evidently been made one of the new Slytherin Prefects, smirks at me as I stop near him to search for a seat. The meeting hasn't started yet but everyone's here and it's a bit crowded.

"Andromeda… looking good this year."

I get this a lot. It has nothing to do with being attracted to me; he's only teasing 'the mouse', as they call me. I'm about to mumble something then scurry off when I remember my conviction in the corridor. Visualising all the times I've seen Bella tease a boy who's flirting with her, I put my hand on my hip and grin at him, giggling slightly and tucking that stray curl from my bun behind one ear.

"Thanks, Fletcher. Are you taller? I'm sure you are."

The change is incredible. Looking confused, Fletcher just stares at me for a moment before he visibly gathers himself and leans forward, showing a more genuine interest.

"Maybe I am. So you're a prefect too, huh? I totally forgot that. I hope we get patrols together, I could use someone… interesting, to talk to." I want to roll my eyes but instead I giggle again, tossing my head as I saunter off to a spare seat near the window.

"Maybe we will." I shoot back over my shoulder.

I sit down, aware that Fletcher is still staring at me. Leaning back so the person next to me blocks his view, I give in to the urge and roll my eyes, stretching out my toes in front of me. I don't really enjoy manipulating boys but it's so easy to do if I try. Pathetic.

Shaking my head as I look up, I catch my breath as I meet eyes the colour of melted dark chocolate, crinkled up in amusement.

The eyes belong to a guy opposite me. He looks older but I vaguely recall him from Transfiguration so he has to be in my year, which is confusing considering I can't remember him from meetings last year and I thought I knew all my fellow Prefects. He's a Hufflepuff but I can't recall his name or blood status. I have to admit he's good-looking; tall and broad, with a friendly, chiselled face and a tousled mop of bright golden hair. I wish for a moment that he was in Slytherin because, well, I wouldn't mind flirting with this one… but I dismiss the idea because he's a Hufflepuff, after all. In my house, anyone who dates one of those is sniffed at, pureblood or not. I'm about to look away, aware that I'm beginning to flush from his continued perusal of my face, when he winks at me. I raise my eyebrows coolly, surprised at his forwardness. Thankfully, the sudden hushing sound from the front of the compartment gives me an excuse to look away, though I can still see his shining hair in my peripheral vision.

"Ahem… hi, I'm Amy Turnpott from Hufflepuff and this is Lucas Davies from Ravenclaw. We're your Heads for this year and we'd love for anyone with any problems or questions to come see us, yeah?" Amy looks around with a dazzling smile which doesn't falter when no one responds. Her blonde hair is tied up in a high ponytail with a hot pink ribbon and she's wearing a diamante pendant in the shape of an 'A'. I immediately know that she's one of these irrepressible types – typical Hufflepuff - and I don't know whether to be annoyed or admiring of her optimism. Lucas Davies stands behind her looking bored, smoothing back his slick hairdo with one hand, and I decide I don't like him. Amy goes on: "Right! Well, we've got a new bunch of fifth-year prefects this year so I'd like to welcome you lot..." there's a smattering of applause and I join in, remembering the nervousness that gripped me as a new Prefect "… and one new Sixth-year! Ted Tonks will be taking over this year as one of the sixth-year Hufflepuff Prefects as Dominic Llewellyn has relocated to America. Welcome Ted!" She points towards the blonde boy opposite me and I smile triumphantly; I knew he hadn't been with us last year. He beams around the compartment before his gaze flickers to me again; I wipe the smile off my face and turn steadfastly back towards Amy.

"OK, so there's a new system this year. Instead of just letting you guys form patrol pairs, Dumbledore has decided on creating more variety in our groupings to encourage goodwill and get rid of hostility and such, in order to set a good example to the rest of the school. So you'll be divided into groups of six. In each group there will be a female seventh-year, sixth-year and fifth-year as well as a male seventh-year, sixth-year and fifth-year. All pairings will be male-female. Group members will be from a mixture of different houses and you'll rotate pairings throughout the year."

There's an immediate indignant outburst, particularly from the sixth- and seventh-years. I don't join in the yelling but twist my mouth into a grimace, wishing I could pick my own patrol partners. Shrugging slightly, I sit back in my seat and wait for the commotion to die down. I can only hope that I'll be paired with decent people. Hopefully no muggle-borns, as they always make me feel conflicted: I've been raised to treat them with hostility but this wars with my dislike of unprovoked rudeness. Mostly I avoid them.

Finally Davies, with an unexpected booming voice, shouts for everyone to shut up then lapses back into looking cool – idiot - while a slightly flustered Amy begins handing out group rosters. I lean forward to accept mine and impatiently unfold the parchment. Scanning it, I scold myself for the slight somersault my stomach does as I see the name 'Ted Tonks'. I snap my head up to look at him, quickly frowning when I see him watching me as if in consideration, his own roster opened in one hand. Staring again at the parchment, I note with disinterest that Fabian Prewett and Daisy Golding are the seventh-years whilst Fletcher Parkinson and Marlene Jones are the fifth-years. I'm biting my lip in inexplicable worry as I stand to leave the compartment with everyone else, only to come to an abrupt halt as a figure looms in front of me. It's Ted Tonks.

"Yes?" I enquire politely, folding my arms. He looks slightly puzzled as he sticks out one large hand.

"I'm Ted and I understand we'll be patrolling together sometimes? Just thought I'd introduce myself now as I know we've never really gotten to know each other…"

"Great," I interrupt him. "It's nice to meet you. Thanks." I don't look at his hand as I force a thin-lipped smile. For some reason, despite his open demeanour, this guy disconcerts me and I don't like that. He looks slightly hurt and I shift in the uncomfortable pause. Without warning, Fletcher Parkinson appears beside me. He sneers at Ted.

"What are you trying to achieve, mudblood? Andromeda doesn't need you sniffing around her."

Ted glares at Fletcher, seeming much more menacing as he draws up to his full height which has to be a bit over six feet. I battle down the dismay I feel as Fletcher reveals his blood status. Ted may make me nervous and jittery but I don't want to be mean to him. Now, if my plans for garnering some respect and attention are to succeed, I have to show some scorn towards muggle-borns. Ignoring Ted, I turn and give Fletcher a brittle smile.

"Come on, Fletcher, you can walk me back to my compartment to make sure it doesn't happen again."

Sweeping past Ted without looking at his face, I hear Fletcher hurrying after me. I slow down reluctantly in the corridor as the younger boy catches up to me.

"The nerve of some of these mudbloods! What did he want?"

I find Fletcher's nosiness irritating but, remembering he's part of the 'in' crowd, reply without my usual evasiveness.

"He's part of our Prefect group, thought I might like to be introduced to him." I try to make it clear from my tone of voice how little I would want to be introduced to a muggle-born. Merlin, I'm getting sick of this already… Fletcher makes a sound of disgust and starts complaining about the idiocy of the new system. I produce noises of agreement until we reached my family's compartment, then stop, gather myself and grin coyly again at Fletcher, thanking him for walking me as I twirl a ringlet around my finger.

"No problem. I'm very glad we'll be patrolling together."

He leans against the wall, leering at me, and then suddenly reaches out to take my hand. I try to keep the smile in place as he brushes his lips against it and then stares into my eyes with an arrogant curve to his mouth.

"You've changed, Andromeda." he says. I shrug and give an airy laugh as he leans closer and says in what he probably thinks is a sexy growl: "It's definitely for the better."

With that, he turns and struts off. Poor Fletcher; obviously thinks he's a ladies man. I push open the compartment door, trying not to dwell on how harsh I was to Ted Tonks. I firmly stamp down my regret. He doesn't matter, he's just some cocky muggle-born who shouldn't have even approached me. Nodding to myself, I sit down before I realise both my sisters and Rodolphus are staring at me.

"Were you flirting with Fletcher Parkinson?" Cissy finally says in a tone of disbelief. I cross my legs and smooth my hair back, smirking.

Time for the new Andromeda Black to introduce herself.