All in the Name of an Oustanding
A/N: This fic was written for Emma's Extrasolar Challenge hosted on The Golden Snitch forum as part of the Star Gazer's Club. Specifically, for prompt 'Proxima Centauri B: Write about someone who is very bright succumbing to -related pressure.' Bonus prompt used: (character) Bellatrix Black.
Word count: 595 words
"Don't even joke about that," Bellatrix said, wrinkling her nose. "It's disgusting."
Andromeda was torn between laughing at the look of horror Bellatrix wore on her face and annoyed that she, once again, seemed to be overacting.
"It's not a joke. He's smart and easy to work with. It's not like we're going to get married or anything," she said, rolling her eyes as Bellatrix shuddered.
"You're smart enough, tell Slughorn you should be able to work by yourself. Or choose someone else. Rodolphus' little brother is in your class, isn't he? Ask him to be your partner."
"Fat chance; Rebastan is a little weasel."
"Then pick someone else, for crying out loud. There are a few Slytherins around, choose one of them. Choose anyone; it's better than being caught working with a Mudblood."
Bellatrix looked as though she was going to be sick now, her face paler than usual. She sat on Andromeda's bed, shaking her head slowly.
Andromeda sighed, brushing out the last knot in her hair. She had only brought up the topic of who she was going to pick to for her Potions partner for the term after it became clear that Bellatrix's visit was only for her to talk endlessly about her latest beau. Now, however, she wished she would start going on about Rodolphus again.
"Ted Tonks is actually pretty bright and has some new ideas. He's not going to try and put a toad in our Potion 'just to see what happens,' unlike most of the other boys in the class. If I work with him I know that I can get another Outstanding," she said, turning to face her sister.
Bellatrix mimed throwing up. "You're doing this for an O? You can get one easy. What house is he in?"
"Hufflepuff."
Her sister threw her hands up in the air. "He's not even one of those brainy Ravenclaws? What about one of the girls, then. Slughorn surely doesn't think you have to work with a male to do well, does he?"
Andromeda shook her head and walked over to Bellatrix. "No, but I don't want to work with any of the girls in my class."
Bellatrix jumped off the bed, her eyes flashing dangerously. "You're not being bullied, are you?"
"No, no, it's not—"
"Because if you are, I will hex their brains out," she said, pulling her wand out of her pocket.
Sighing, Andromeda held her arms up. "Calm down, they're not doing anything."
"Then why are you choosing to work with filth?" Bellatrix said.
"To. Get. An. O," Andromeda said through gritted teeth. "It's just a project."
She watched as her sister closed her eyes, taking a few deep breaths. When the older girl opened her eyes again, she slowly put her wand back into her pocket and folded her pursed her lips, glaring at Andromeda.
"I don't like it," she said.
Andromeda shrugged. "You don't have to, but it's happening. Now, I'm going to go downstairs and start on my other homework, if you don't mind," she said, turning her back to Bellatrix and walking to the door.
Before she could open it, however, Bellatrix said, "I'll tell mum and dad you want to work with a Mudblood."
"And?"
"And your summer won't be so happy, will it?" she said.
Letting out the biggest sigh she had all morning, Andromeda closed her eyes. "Alright, fine. I'll choose someone else."
"That's better," her sister said, and when Andromeda turned around, she saw Bellatrix grinning, just like she did whenever she got her way.