The Black Sheep
An Andromeda (Black) Tonks Fic
Summery: The life of Andromeda Tonks, daughter of Cygnus and Druella (Rosier) Black. From her childhood, to her Hogwarts school years where she meets the love of her life, dealing with being the mother of a Metamorphmagus, her daughter's marriage to a werewolf, and how the Second War affected her future.
Author's Note: Hey everyone. Okay, so this isn't actually my first fic. Some of you may remember me as moowithme08 a username I had a while back. But as you may have noticed, I've changed it. So, I did have a fanfic on here about two years ago but for the life of me I cannot remember what I had called it. I do know that it was a Lupin/Tonks fic so ... good for me.
Anyway, I've been wanting to write a fanfic on Andromeda Tonks for a long time now. I've always found her to be the more interesting Black sister. Well, actually, I adore all three of them but for different reasons. Moving on, this is my take on Andromeda's childhood, school years, and eventual adulthood. We don't know much about her so I thought I'd give it a whirl.
So, without further or do, here is the first chapter of my store. Reviews would be wonderful. So, enjoy. =)
Disclaimer: I do not own anything. Everything belongs to JK Rowling.
Chapter One: The Storyteller
August 1963
Andromeda Black was ten-years-old and even at this tender age she was quite astute for such a child.
Like all the members of the prestigious Black family, she bears the patrician beauty common to her pureblood family. Her soft brown hair was done up in gentle curls that framed her heart-shaped face beautifully, her eyes were a light brown that were wide and kind, a tiny slender nose, and malleable features that were somewhat different from the rest of her family. Andromeda was the second daughter born to Cygnus Black and Druella Rosier; her elder sister, Bellatrix, was twelve years old and about to enter her second year at Hogwarts, her younger sister, Narcissa Black, was eight years old.
She was an imaginative girl with a knack for creating interesting stories at the drop of a hat. She was often overheard telling stories about pirates, princesses, knights in shining armor, and other fairytale wonders to her young cousin, Sirius. The little boy was only three-years-old but every time he came over to visit he would beg Andromeda to tell him a story about anything she could think of. But her talent was often frowned upon by her own mother; Druella Black wasn't so keen on her middle child's wild imagination. Andromeda was aware of this and, as such, was forced to keep her stories to herself and have her listeners promise not to speak of any of them to their parents.
An avid reader, Andromeda was often found in the bedroom she shared with Narcissa reading on her bed. Andromeda used to share a room with Bellatrix but now that Bella was at Hogwarts she had pleaded with her parents to have her own room stating that now she would need more space for her books, supplies, and clothes. Their parents agreed and Bella was able to move into the spare guestroom a year and a half ago while Narcissa moved into the bedroom that was once shared between Bella and Andromeda. Narcissa found comfort in sharing a room with her older sister as she was dreadfully afraid of the dark at this age.
As Andromeda turned the page of the thin book she was reading, a loud strangled cry was heard. Andromeda turned her attention toward the open door leading out to the corridor. She marked the passage she had been reading and hopped off of the high-bed she currently occupied. Peeking around the corner, Andromeda caught sight of Narcissa.
The youngest Black daughter had thrown herself onto the polished wooden floor, thrashing about, her tiny arms flailing, her hands balled into fists that were angrily hitting the floor. She was having one of her annual tantrums. She only threw one of those whenever things didn't go her way which wasn't very often. Usually there were only two things that could be done: one, give into Narcissa's demands, or two, hearing one of Andromeda's original stories. Since no one else was around but Andromeda, the brown haired daughter made her way over to comfort her baby sister.
When she was close enough, Andromeda placed a gentle hand on Narcissa's back. Narcissa was now sobbing loudly into the floor.
"Now, now Cissy," said Andromeda gently. "Stop your tears, darling."
Narcissa sniffled. She picked herself up into a seating position beside Andromeda. She wiped her tear-stained pale face with the back of her hand. Narcissa had taken on more of their mother's physical attributes rather than their father's. The youngest Black daughter had long blonde hair that was donned in gentle curls similar to Andromeda's hairstyle, bright blue eyes, and had a tiny built being the smaller of her sisters.
"What's wrong, Cissy?" asked Andromeda, patting Narcissa's arm affectionately.
"Mummy and Daddy won't buy me a new dolly," pouted Narcissa sniffling. "And I really wanted it!"
Andromeda nodded sympathetically. Though she did not find Narcissa's way of getting what she wanted particularly tasteful, Andromeda knew better than to agree with her parents in front of Narcissa.
"Well, perhaps they are planning to surprise you for Christmas," said Andromeda her voice sound hopeful.
"I hope so," mumbled Narcissa, eyes downcast.
She crossed her arms over her chest and furrowed her pale eyebrows in frustration. Andromeda bit her lip. She waited a few seconds before putting on a cheery smile and clasping Narcissa's hand. Narcissa looked up at her with a forlorn expression.
"Would you like to hear a story?"
Narcissa's expression quickly changed. Her pale face split into a wide grin as she nodded fervently for her sister to proceed. Andromeda giggled. She arranged her sitting position so that she sat opposite Narcissa.
"Tell me about Captain Roche!" begged Narcissa. "Please! Last time Daddy interrupted us and I never found out if he found his treasure."
"All right then," giggled Andromeda. "Captain Roche it is! We last left the Captain when he and his crew were sailing down the Mediterranean…"
Andromeda told the story with a suspenseful tone and active gestures. Narcissa hung on to her every word, every detail. Whenever Andromeda paused for dramatic effect, Narcissa would respond by shaking Andromeda's hand and beseeched her to reveal what happened next. The little blonde would even partake in acting out the scene Andromeda would describe. When Andromeda spoke of how an enchanted mermaid bewitched Captain Roche's ship, the Black Bounty, to fly, both Andromeda and Narcissa used their right hands to demonstrate its flight.
"So Roche and his crew managed to escape the evil Gourch's clutches once more and flew off into the clear blue sky, awaiting when they will participate in their next adventure," finished Andromeda, lowering her hand.
"Wow," said Narcissa breathlessly. "That was amazing!"
"I'm glad you liked it," said Andromeda sincerely.
"Narcissa, Andromeda," said a calm, regal voice from behind them.
The two girls spun around but remained seated on the floor. Standing above them was their mother, Druella Black. She wore long, emerald robes that swept the polished floor. Her long blonde hair hanged around her face in loose, corkscrew curls. Her blue eyes, however, piercingly watched her two daughters.
"What are you doing on the floor?" she asked them. "You'll get your clothes dirty."
Andromeda and Narcissa scrambled to stand from their positions on the ground. Andromeda hastily began to brush off any dust that might have latched onto her dress even though she knew it was impossible; the floors, and everything else in their house, was completely spotless. Out of the corner of her eye, Andromeda saw Narcissa imitate her. They stood side-by-side with Narcissa barely coming up to Andromeda's shoulder. Both of them stood up straight and looked up at their mother, faces set.
"Again, what were you doing on the floor?" repeated Druella softly.
Narcissa looked over to Andromeda. If their mother found out Narcissa had been having a tantrum, she would be mildly punished.
"Forgive us, mother," replied Andromeda bravely. "Narcissa was upset and I thought to calm her. I suppose while we spoke we didn't realize we had sat on the floor."
Druella watched her two daughters closely as if trying to conclude whether Andromeda's excuse was flawed in any way, shape or form. After a minute or so, she sighed and nodded.
"Don't let it happen again," chastened their mother, not unkindly. "Your clothes were very expensive, we don't want them dirty for supper."
"Yes, mother," whispered Andromeda and Narcissa.
"Now, go downstairs and wait in the parlor for your father," ordered Druella. "We'll be having supper in five minutes."
Andromeda and Narcissa proceeded to walk past their mother, but her voice made them stop in their tracks momentarily.
"Andromeda," said Druella suddenly, causing Andromeda to turn and look at her mother. "A word, if you please."
Narcissa threw Andromeda a worried glance. Andromeda merely gave her little sister a swift smile of reassurance. Narcissa, still not looking convinced, slowly continued down to the parlor without Andromeda by her side. Andromeda walked over to stand in front of Druella once more.
"Yes, mother?"
"Andromeda, I've told you about spreading around those inane stories of yours," said Druella.
Andromeda felt her cheeks burn and she hung her head in shame. She peeked up at her mother. When she saw her mother's eyes scrutinizing her, Andromeda quickly lowered her gaze.
"Y-you heard?" stammered Andromeda nervously.
"I did," answered Druella. "Now, I don't care if you make them up for your own source of entertainment but do not go about sharing them with your younger sister. You'll put silly thoughts in her head about filthy pirates and far-fetched ideas about love. Is that understood, Andromeda?"
"Yes, mother," mumbled Andromeda obediently. "I'm sorry, mother."
Druella's eyes softened considerably as she watched Andromeda avoid her gaze. Druella wrapped her arm around Andromeda's shoulders and led her down the stairs.
"I forgive you, dear," said Druella gently. "Just be glad it was I who overheard your tall-tales and not your father. Be even grateful that it wasn't your Aunt Walburga."
Andromeda shuddered at the mention of her Aunt Walburga. She looked up at her mother with an uneasy, small smile.
"Thank you, mother," said Andromeda quietly.
Druella merely responded by giving her middle child a small smile of her own. When they entered the parlor, Narcissa looked up and gave a relieved sigh at the sight of Andromeda. Bella sat in the armchair, her arms crossed, and looking sour. Cygnus Black, Druella's husband and the girls' father, had still not arrived. When he did, five minutes later, the family retreated into the dining room for dinner.
All through supper, Druella did not breathe a word about Andromeda's story telling to her father. It was a typical dinner: Cygnus discussed the uprising of a Dark Lord while Druella listened and the girls ate silently. Occasionally, Cygnus would direct a question to one of his daughters who would answer it promptly. After supper was finished, Druella would have their house-elf take the dishes away and order them to be washed. Cygnus, Druella, and the girls would then retire into the sitting room where the family would have some quality time together for an hour or so.
At around nine o'clock, Druella would send the girls to bed. Bella would argue that it wasn't fair that she still had to go to sleep so early when she was clearly old enough to stay up later than her younger sisters.
"I'm twelve-years-old, mother," she said heatedly. "I'm almost a woman! I refuse to be treated like a baby! Can't I stay up for at least one more hour?"
"Absolutely not!" Cygnus retorted. "You heard your mother. To bed with you!"
Bella scowled. She stalked out of the sitting room, hands balled into fists and her nose in the air. She did not bid her parents a goodnight. Andromeda and Narcissa waited until they heard Bella slam her bedroom door close before wishing their parents a goodnight. They held hands as they walked up to their bedroom, jumping from step to step once their parents were out of sight, giggling quietly.
Once in their room, Andromeda and Narcissa changed into their pajamas. Narcissa walked over to her toy chest where a number of China dolls were perched on top. She chose one with golden hair similar to her own and climbed into bed. Andromeda went over to her bookcase, selected a red velvet covered one, and settled into bed with it on her lap. Andromeda shut off the lights but left on the candle on her bedside so that she was able to read.
"Andi?"
Andromeda peered up from her book over to Narcissa.
"What did Bella mean when she said she was almost a woman?" asked Narcissa innocently.
Andromeda bit her lower lip. She honestly did not understand what Bella meant by that any more than Narcissa did.
"I think Bella just wishes to be a grown-up," replied Andromeda truthfully. "Perhaps she thinks we hold her back because we're younger. She does have to do everything we do."
"Oh," said Narcissa, but she looked confused. "Why does she wanna be a grown-up so bad?"
"Grown-ups get to do a lot of things kids don't," answered Andromeda, shrugging.
It was silent for a while. Andromeda had gone on to read her book. But Narcissa lay in her bed, staring at the ceiling. She was mulling over Bella's angry outburst and Andromeda's response to it.
"Andi?"
"Yes, Cissy?"
Narcissa sat up, her doll slumping near her elbow.
"Promise me that when we grow up you won't stop telling me stories," said Narcissa. "Promise me, okay?"
Andromeda gave a soft smile. She nodded slowly.
"I promise, Cissy."
With that reassurance, Narcissa laid her head back down on her pillow, clutched her doll tightly in her arms, and fell into a blissful slumber. When Andromeda peeked over to Narcissa's bed to make sure she was asleep, Andromeda sighed and closed her book. She placed it on her nightstand, blew out the candle, and succumbed to sleep.
Author's Note: So, that's the beginning. Oh, and I apologize for any spelling or grammatical mistakes. Not the best at editing. =)