A/N: Andromeda tries to stop Bellatrix from picking on Narcissa. young!Black sisters. AU. Bellatrix is like 10, Andromeda 8 and Narcissa 6. A lot of my young!Black sisters fics have Bellatrix picking on Narcissa, but I do truly believe that Bellatrix harboured a deep envy over her little sister, all for petty reasons, but it drove her to be mean to her. Andromeda always had to be the peace-keeper or mediator of the fights. RxR. FxF. I do not own Harry Potter.
Submission for:
Duelling Club Competition: Plot - Write about a character trying to bring peace to a conflict
Greek Mythology Mega Prompt Challenge: Hera – Write about a vindictive person
The "As Many As You Want" Competition: white lie
Andromeda rolled her eyes as she sat by the edge of the pond at the back of the Black Estate. Once again, for maybe the umpteenth time, Bellatrix was terrorizing Narcissa. Currently, their older sister was dangling Narcissa over the deeper part of the pond. Narcissa was just learning how to swim, not yet confident enough to venture out on her own and somehow, Bellatrix had gotten her hands on the small girl.
Andromeda walked along the edge of the pond, her sister's screams getting louder and more terrified as Bella giggled. "If you're such a big swimmer like you say, you should have no problems if I drop you in," Bellatrix teased.
Narcissa cried out, "No, I'm sorry, Bellatrix. It was just a little white lie."
Bellatrix tutted, "There are no white lies, Narcissa. There is only what is and what isn't. You lied to me."
Narcissa cried out as Bellatrix made her arms drop suddenly, but not fully. "Ok, yes I lied. I'm sorry, Bellatrix. Put me back on the ground, please."
Bellatrix laughed as she watched her little sister cry and Andromeda couldn't take it anymore. She stood next to Bellatrix and said, "Put her down, Bella. She's had enough."
Bella sneered at her, "I don't think she has, Dromeda. Little girls shouldn't talk big and she needs to learn that."
"She has," Andromeda said while crossing her arms. "Put her down."
Bellatrix frowned and then she smiled, "You really want me to do that, Dromeda?"
Andromeda didn't think before she spoke, but she probably should have. "Yes, put her down," she repeated.
Bella then gave her the widest smile and that's when Andromeda realized her folly. Narcissa was looking between her two older sisters and she too got frightened by Bellatrix's smile.
Bellatrix's hands then dropped to her side, "Fine."
Narcissa fell into the pond with a big splash, the water touching Bellatrix's and Andromeda's legs. She started to flail, spitting out the water that had gotten into her mouth. Andromeda screamed out while Bellatrix laughed at the little girl. "Do something!" Andromeda shouted at her older sister.
Bellatrix looked over at Andromeda innocently, "She said she can swim."
Andromeda looked over at Narcissa. She was trying very hard to stay afloat but she was panicking and crying, which made it harder for her to stay above the water.
Andromeda shoved Bellatrix aside, ignoring the fuming older girl, and jumped into the pond to help her sister. She swam up to her, making comforting noises as she placed Narcissa's arms around her neck. Narcissa took a few deep, shaky breaths as she climbed onto Andromeda's back. Andromeda said softly, "You're safe now."
Once Narcissa was securely on her back, Andromeda swam across the other end of the pond, Bellatrix's angry shouts growing distant behind her.
"Bella is mad at you," Narcissa said softly.
"I know," Andromeda said simply.
"And you don't care?" Narcissa said as if it was the most incredible thing ever.
"In this case, no," Andromeda said. When it came to Bellatrix and Narcissa, Andromeda would have to choose Narcissa every time.