Disclaimer: Everything in this story belongs to J.K. Rowling. Anything that sounds familiar is hers. I just enjoy playing with the world she created.

Andromeda daydreamed idly, leaning her cheek against her fist as she half-listened to Lucretia Vermil chatter on about her summer while every other student in the Great Hall feasted on the magnificent meal prepared for them as a welcome to beginning of first term. She had known the girl since their first year together at Hogwarts, and by all definition, they were best friends. Lucretia was the type of witch Andromeda's parents approved of: she was a Slytherin, received good marks, was always polite, and most importantly, was of the purest blood, as the Vermils were one of the oldest and richest magical families in existence. Lucretia was well-respected amongst the Slytherin students, though she didn't get as much attention from the boys as she preferred, due to her being incredibly plain; she had flat, rather lifeless dark blonde hair and small, ordinary hazel eyes. Andromeda liked her immensely, but she had to admit that the girl had a problem knowing when to shut up.

As Lucretia began to babble excitedly about the hippogriff her parents had bought her for her sixteenth birthday, Andromeda felt her eyes wander towards the Gryffindor table. Lucretia noticed this and stopped talking abruptly.

"He's a disgrace to your family name, isn't he?" Lucretia shook her head at Sirius's backside disapprovingly. Andromeda's eyes were focused on Ted Tonks.

"I suppose he is." She frowned, hating how much heritage mattered to her parents.

"I can't believe he would have the nerve to just run away like that! I'll bet Walburga was absolutely crushed!" Lucretia was haughty.

"Wait, what? Who are you talking about?" Andromeda asked, confused. Ted had nothing to do with Aunt Walburga…

"Sirius, of course! Who did you think I was talking about?" Her friend looked back at Andromeda, puzzled.

Andromeda picked at her pudding, wondering if telling Lucretia the truth would be wise.

"Me? Oh, er, no one. I guess I just got lost again." She smiled apologetically.

Lucretia smiled back. "You do tend to be a vivid daydreamer, I'll give you that!" She laughed. Andromeda watched her friend's glance turn back to where it had been most of the evening: on Lucius Malfoy.

Lucretia had fancied Lucius since her third year, when he was transferred from Durmstrang to Hogwarts, and been placed in their grade. Since then, she had taken extreme measures to get to know him, including loitering in the corridors he patrolled after hours just so he could give her detention all of the last year, when he got his Prefect badge.

Her friend wasn't the only one charmed by Lucius's light blonde hair, deep blue eyes, smart mouth, or status as Slytherin's lead Chaser on the Quidditch team. Most of the girls in their House adored him, including Andromeda's younger sister, Narcissa, the girl that Lucius followed around like a puppy. Andromeda had always thought he was a bit of creep, like Bellatrix's friends, who he most loyally dined with every evening.

Andromeda turned away from Lucretia, disgusted by the slavish look on her face.

Suddenly, the jeers and chatting of the Slytherin table were too much for her. She wanted desperately to get away, to talk to the only person in her family who she regarded with genuine affection.

Andromeda faked a yawn. Lucretia reluctantly turned back to face her.

"I'm really tired. I'd better get to bed," lied Andromeda.

"I'll come with you." Lucretia moved to get up.

"No, no, it's fine. I know you don't want to go up yet. I'll be okay by myself, really," Andromeda protested. It was essential that Lucretia didn't follow her.

Lucretia shrugged. "I'll see you tomorrow then. Goodnight!"

"Goodnight," Andromeda replied, swinging her legs over the bench of the table and rising to her feet in one fluid motion. She made sure no one was watching her before making a detour to the Gryffindor table and tapping her cousin on the shoulder.

"Dromeda!" exclaimed Sirius, pleased. Andromeda put a finger to her lips and twitched her shoulder in the direction of her sisters and the rest of the Slytherins.

"Oh, right," muttered Sirius, "Sorry."

"It's fine," Andromeda forced a smile at him. "I just don't want them to gossip."

Unexpectedly, Sirius snickered. "That reminds me. I overheard some interesting conversation about you today." He dropped his voice and scooted over, making room for her on the bench. Andromeda knew that from her backside she was unrecognizable, but pulled her chestnut colored hair in front of her shoulders and pulled her black hat over her head for good measure before sitting next to him.

Andromeda rolled her eyes. "There's always talk about me. Who was it this time?"

Sirius exchanged a look with his best friend James, who was grinning. "Ted Tonks," he answered finally.

Andromeda struggled to keep her facial expression looking disinterested. "Oh," she said coolly, "What did he say?"

Sirius tried to contain his laughter. "He was asking Romulus Fillsen if he thought you would ever go out with a Muggle-born." He and James burst out laughing.

Andromeda narrowed her eyebrows. "And why on earth is that so amusing?"

Sirius looked at her as if she was missing something. "Come on, Andromeda. You may be my favorite cousin, but you're still a Slytherin, and a Black for that matter."

"You're a Black, too." She sounded affronted.

Sirius grimaced. "By name only," he growled.

"Well who says I want to be just like our family, too?" Andromeda's voice was rising.

"You don't?" Sirius sounded puzzled.

Andromeda slouched, all of the air seeming to leave her body. "No," she whispered, "I don't. I'm tired of pretending that I'm completely satisfied with my life."

Author's Note: I apologize for the short chapter; I'm still getting used to playing with some new characters, considering I've been writing about Fred Weasley all day for my other story, "Stay Young."

Please review, and next chapter will be longer! (:

-MQ