Chapter 2: The Fates (A/N: I still do not own Harry Potter)

It was the Halloween Feast in the Great Hall, and the three Black Sisters were sitting at the Slytherin table. They may have been close in proximity, but in every other way, they were as contrary as could be.

Narcissa, the oldest, in sixth year, was having a long, whispered conversation with her fiance, Lucius Malfoy, whom she absolutely adored. However, the mutual feeling seemed to linger. Narcissa was quite beautiful. Her shiny, long blond hair flowed halfway to her waist and her sea blue eyes shined like waterfall in the sun's rays. But there was something else about her. Something that made her appearance less welcoming. Perhaps it was her skin. It was as pale as any ivory. She seemed lost, almost. Lost in translation.

Bellatrix, the youngest, in third year, was, when not stabbing ruthlessly at her food, was scrutinizing the Great Hall and eying a certain dark haired, first year Gryfindor boy with great interest. It was her own cousin, Sirius. Later that day, Lucius would take her and Sirius to, what they called, a Demonstration of Power. In hopes of persuading him to have a more appropriate mindset. Bellatrix would have been equally as beautiful as her sister. She had a majestic face, like it was chiseled out of stone. She could make people bow to her will with just one look. She was powerful. And with power, she went mad long ago. She hoped to be a Death Eater one day. She hoped that one day, she would be the most powerful, feared woman in the whole world.

Andromeda, the middle one, in fourth year, was not eating. She sat with her head resting on her arm, watching the Hufflepuff table. Ted Tonks, in particular. He confused Andromeda. He was a Mudblood, but he wasn't uncivilized, dangerous, or disgusting in any way. He was laughing with his friends; Andromeda looked around her table. No one was laughing at anything mildly funny. Occasionally someone would snicker at someone, but there was no general joke telling in Slytherin, unless it involved a slur about blood purity. That was because no one trusted each other enough. Half of them were Death Eaters anyway.

There was a distant voice calling her name, but it was faint, until- "Andromeda!"

She was awoken from her pondering by Bella from across the table. "Hmm?"

"I asked you something," Bella said in an annoyed tone.

"Can you ask it again?" Andromeda mused. Bella scrunched up her face in annoyance.

"Why are you staring at the 'Puffs?"

"Just thinking about how many Mudbloods are in there," she lied. "Because Hufflepuff admits anyone without any sort of talent or nobility. So basically, anyone who has nothing going for them." Bella grunted in agreement and began in a lower voice "Tonight, Lucius is taking Walburga's boy and me to meet some stupid first year 'Puff. He's going to demonstrate what it means to be a Death Eater to us."

"I didn't think that Sirius was interested," Andromeda stated.

"You know that the Dark Lord doesn't like that," Bella said in a twisted grin. "He has ways of changing people's minds."

"Why is Lucius taking you?" Andromeda asked. "I didn't think women could be Death Eaters."

"Well, since father has failed to produce a male heir, he's had to choose the best suited for the position," as Bella said this, she puffed out her chest, acting very proud.

"Congratulations," Andromeda mumbled. She would have bet her inheritance that Bella having a license from the Dark Lord to kill and torture would only bring war and chaos. Also known as, very very bad.

"Hold on," said Andromeda "You haven't actually met him yet, have you? The Dark Lord?" She whispered the last words as if they were plagued. Bella gave a creepy chuckle.

"No, Andromeda, of course not," she said. "The Dark Lord has more important things on his agenda than to meet with a prospective future Death Eater. No, that will happen later. I haven't finished my education yet. Then I shall join full time. The Dark Lord thinks that education is a key role in power. Father said."

Andromeda just nodded and went back to her meal, feeling a little sick in her stomach about all that would happen to her family in the next few years after school. Cissy would be married. Bella would be married also, most likley, and be a Death Eater. Sirius would have his arm twisted by his entire family to join the Dark Lord. Regulus would be the same, probably. Andromeda, however, didn't know where she was going. Her parents probably would arrange her marriage to some rich, Pureblood man. She would spend the rest of her life in a lovless marriage. But first she had to finish her education. Even if she would do absolutley nothing after school ended. If education was what the Dark Lord wanted from his worshippers, than that's what she would have to give him. was all pointless.

Andromeda felt her lungs constrict on her as she thought this. She felt as if her parents were just throwing her to the werewolves. She was a worthless pawn to them in their quest for power. She was stranded, by herself. Screaming, but nobody heard. Or perhaps they just didn't care. She diverted her eyes to the Hufflepuffs again. They were still laughing. Carefree. Ted Tonks's hazel eyes met hers for a moment, and in that moment she knew she would be able to save herself from her own dreaded future.