A/N

Well, here's chapter two! The ball has begun! Hehe. Hope you like it.

Chapter Two: Every Girl's Dream?

"Oh yes, of course," she muttered to herself, as she paced up and down the carpeted floors of her bedroom, "No 'happy birthday Andromeda' – Merlin's beard, that would be very un-Black-like, wouldn't it?" She glared at the cushioned chair and desk that were in the far side of her room.

"Not even an 'I hope this special day has been good, Andromeda dear'...no, no, I don't get any of that. What do I get? A goddamn ball!" She threw her arms up in the air, exasperated. "A ball! And here I thought that I wouldn't need to worry about anything of the sort until next year – and even then, who's to say what could happen to prevent me from having a Coming of Age ball?!"

"Will it really be that bad, Andy?"

Soft grey eyes – much like their father, Cygnus' – narrowed at the golden haired girl.

"Will it – will it – will it really be that bad?" spluttered Andromeda. "Narcissa, you are either very blind or very stupid," she snapped and regretted it immediately when she saw the hurt look that crossed her younger sister's face. "Oh Cissy..." she sat down next to her, wrapping her arms around her in a hug. "I didn't mean that, I really didn't. I'm just...angry, you know? Even though it's no excuse..."

A moment of silence later, Narcissa shook her head slowly, a sad smile on her lips.

"I know you did not mean it, Andy," she said, honestly, "It's the other people who call me stupid who do mean it..."

Despite her more...pressing concerns, Andromeda Black couldn't help but scowl.

"It's those Slytherin girls again, isn't it?" There was a slight nod of the head. "Cissy, do you want to know why they call you stupid? Why they always tease you when you...fail to achieve perfect marks in all of your classes?" She smiled softly this time. "Because they're jealous."

"Jealous." Narcissa raised her eyebrows, looking uncannily like a fair haired version of their mother in the process. "Of what?" she asked, bitterly. Her sister patted the top of her head affectionately.

"Of who you are-"

"-Andy, that is something I would have expected to hear from mother, or Bella even. Not from you. Do you honestly think that they are jealous because I am a Black?"

"Oh, no, no, I didn't mean that," she said, quickly, looking...strangely revolted. "Good heavens, no! I meant they're jealous of the person you are. And on top of that...Cissy, haven't you noticed how beautiful you are?"

The wide-eyed expression her sister was giving her answered that question. "Well, let me be the first one to tell you that you are beautiful. And it's mainly because of that that those silly, air-headed girls continue to torment you so."

"Really...?"

"Would I lie to you about something like this?" Narcissa shook her head, sending her straight golden hair flying around her head. "Good." Andromeda paused suddenly. "But...you won't suddenly get all big-headed on me, will you? Or walk around with your head in the air, nose directed heavenward?"

"Andy!" exclaimed the younger girl, indignantly. The brunette laughed, suddenly feeling slightly better than she had all morning. It felt good to be able to just...spend time with her sister without their mother around to make snide comments.

And just like that, her good mood vanished, and her smile was replaced by a scowl that did not go unnoticed to the golden-haired girl. "Oh no. You're thinking about it again aren't you?"

The brunette stood up and resumed her pacing.

"How can I not think about it?" she moaned. "It's my birthday, for crying out loud! Don't I get to choose how I spend this day? A ball...a freaking ball – do you know how many Purebloods there'll be here tonight?"

The pretty brunette shuddered, closing her eyes as she did so. "And all of those happily married couples – happily married for money, of course – will be swarming around me pushing their precious sons forward in hopes that one of them will catch my eye."

"Isn't that the point of these...balls?" Narcissa cringed at her sister's glare. "Sorry. Stupid question I guess."

"Yes, that is the point of these balls but-" she stopped, hurriedly, looking suddenly embarrassed.

"But?"

Her sister's flush deepened, interesting the younger girl.

"Well...it's not...it's not – it's not love." She was silent for a long moment. "None of those eligible young men...will be interested in me – if they are interested at all – because they love me. It'll be because they love my family, my wealth and all of that rubbish..."

Narcissa uttered a silent 'o'.

"Won't 'love' come afterwards, anyway? Once you've met, and, you know, spent time together?" Andromeda paused her pacing for a moment, to stare thoughtfully at her sister.

"Yes, I suppose that is one of way of looking at it..." She sighed. "But what about the other kind of love? Where you just know that he is the man for you? Where your eyes are just drawn to him when he walks into the room? Where your heart flutters when-"

"-Good grief, what is this nonsense that you are spouting?"

"It is not nonsense," said Andromeda, as indignantly as she could, even though she was flushing again as her older sister walked into the room.

Bellatrix rolled her eyes at her.

"Keep you silly little fancies to yourself, but do not go putting ideas into Cissy's head," she said, with a smirk. "Besides, you heard what mother said; she's already found the perfect match for you." She grinned. "It's this one who's causing problems, apparently."

"Who is it?" asked Narcissa, curiously.

"Like mother would tell me," said Bellatrix, shrugging. "She probably thinks I'll frighten the man off or something." Her face darkened. "And I will too, if he tries anything with you..."

"Oh lord," whined Narcissa, half-jokingly, "how am I ever going to find a husband when you go into that protective-older-sister-mode of yours?"

Andromeda smiled weakly at the younger girl.

"When it comes to you, Cissy dear, there'll be two of us in that protective-older-sister-mode." The girl groaned, causing her elder siblings to chuckle. "Say, Bella, do you think you could go into that...mode tonight? And, you know, keep the men away from me?"

A fine dark eyebrow was raised at her.

"The point of this ball is to make sure that the men never leave your side," she said, sardonically, causing the brunette to scowl.

"So who else will be coming?" asked Narcissa, before Andromeda could say anything.

"Apart from every single Pureblood family who has an eligible son, you mean?" inquired Bellatrix, earning her a glare from her middle sister. "Well, the usual names will be there; Nott -" Andromeda snorted, "-Avery, Mulciber-" Andromeda was looking slightly worried, "-Rosier-"

"-What?!" shrieked Andromeda, at the last name. "Rosier?!"

"Yes," said Bella, calmly.

"No. No no no no no!"

"There is nothing that I can do about it. They have been invited; do you honestly think they would turn down an invitation from mother?"

"But – that's just gross!"

"Discuss that with mother, not with me."

"I – they –"

"-Isn't mother...related to the Rosiers?" Bellatrix nodded, as Andromeda paled even more.

"That is disgusting!" She shook her head violently. "I refuse to marry a cousin, a first cousin at that! No. Definitely not!"

"Yes, well, if it will happen, it will happen." Bellatrix glanced lazily at her nails. "There's no need to have a cow, Andromeda, nothing has been decided yet. No one said that you had to marry anyone from that family. Unless, of course, mother suddenly thinks it a fascinating idea..."

"Will any of our relatives be coming?" inquired Narcissa, once again, before Andromeda could speak. "The Blacks, I mean."

"Uncle Orion is out on 'business' with father and Aunt Walburga still has not recovered from her illness-" Bellatrix glared at the brunette's snort. "And if mother had invited that filthy blood traitor-"

"-If you're talking about Siri-"

"Young Mistresses, Mistress Druella requests your presence in the library," announced Plimby, as he appeared in the room with a loud 'pop'.

Later that evening:

Druella Black smiled pleasantly at the elderly man – Mr. Nott – as he acknowledged her with a nod. Her duty to him done, she turned to glance around the immaculate, stylishly decorated ballroom. Tables full of food and drink lined the two corners of the room, whilst the area in the middle was left free for all the dancing that would be done that night.

The dark-haired woman had to say that she was pleased, very pleased, at the turnout. She had not thought that so many of the young men who were standing in various groups throughout the room would have found the idea of marrying her second daughter appealing.

For starters, the girl was in Ravenclaw. What kind of true Slytherin would want a bride who was not of his House? (Luckily, these eligible young Slytherins didn't seem to care) And being Sorted into a different House – at least it wasn't Gryffindor like Walburga's eldest – was the least of the girl's faults.

She was nothing short of a rebel. Oh, yes, she did spectacularly in school; always managing to be the first in her year...but Merlin she had no regard for rules, especially social rules. Druella shuddered as she thought of the three Mudblood friends that the girl had in school. Why, she had even gone so far as saying she would rather marry a goblin than marry a Pureblood.

It's a good thing that I threatened her earlier in the evening, she thought, relieved, imagine the outcry she would cause if she were to mention that to one of her would-be suitors tonight?

"Ah, Mrs. Black – I do hope I am not interrupting anything?" Spinning around at the familiar deep voice, Druella's eyes widened only marginally as she saw the golden-haired, blue eyed man standing behind her.

"Mr. Malfoy," she greeted, politely, "I am glad that you could make it – oh, and please, do feel free to call me Druella." She smiled at the pretty, light-brown haired woman on the handsome man's arm. "Mrs. Malfoy, it is lovely to see you again. I had heard that you were ill...? I do hope that you did not feel pressured to join us here tonight if you were on the mend...?"

Samantha Malfoy shook her head gracefully.

"Of course not, Druella," she said. "Thank you for thinking of us, in regards to this marvellous function." She threw a quick glance around the room, taking in all the extremely well-dressed people congregating in it. "I must say, you have done a spectacular job here."

Druella beamed at her friend.

"Thank you, Samantha," she said, when her eyes fell on the tall, slender young man who stood a little way behind his parents. "Ah, Lucius, my dear boy. Tell me, how has life been treating you? I have not seen you for sometime...not since the year after you finished at Hogwarts..."

Dressed in elegant black dress-robes that were trimmed with thin lines of pure white and bottle green, the pale-yellow haired man was almost the spitting image of his father. Almost, for the sharper features and higher cheekbones that he had inherited from his mother – along with the grey eyes – made him stand out even more than his father did.

He bowed his head in greeting.

"I have been well, Mrs. Black. Somewhat busy...but well," he said, smoothly, as his eyes scanned the ballroom. "I hope your daughters are all well...?" Druella smiled appreciatively at his manners, although her eyes fell briefly on Abraxas Malfoy as she thought she heard a chuckle from him.

"Oh, yes, my dear, they are well. Bellatrix is enjoying her married life and Andromeda of course – well, this ball is being held in honour of her special day. Narcissa is – oh, there she is...Narcissa? Do come this way for a moment, please."

Narcissa curtsied elegantly at the Malfoy trio, a friendly, polite smile on her face. Her golden hair had been piled on top of her head, making her look slightly older than fourteen. The pale blue dress that she was wearing served to highlight her blue eyes. "You know Mr and Mrs. Malfoy do you not? And Lucius?" The girl nodded.

"Good evening, Mr. Malfoy, Mrs. Malfoy...Lucius." She seemed a bit nervous as she glanced in Lucius' direction, causing him to smile.

Ah, she is intimidated by my presence, he thought, somewhat amused.

"Good evening Narcissa," greeted Samantha, with a smile. "Why, I do believe you grow more and more beautiful each time we see you. What do you think, Lucius?"

"Certainly, mother," agreed Lucius, truthfully. The youngest Black sister's golden hair had always caught his attention, making him wonder how on earth she got that hair colour, when the rest of her family were dark-haired.

His eyes glinted as he saw her all-but squirm under his gaze. "We might have to forcefully keep the men away from her over the next few years, Mrs. Black..."

Druella laughed as her daughter flushed, muttering a quiet 'you are too kind, Sir' before she bowed her head. None of them saw the inquiring, shrewd look that Abraxas sent the young pair. For, if Lucius had noticed, he would have immediately started damage-control, to prevent his father from doing something that he would come to regret.

"We will have to see about that," said Druella. "I am sure you would like to have a word or two with Bellatrix, but I fear that she is with her sister at the moment, helping her get ready. Andromeda has never had a ball hosted in her honour before, after all..."

Samantha Malfoy nodded, smiling knowingly.

"Ah, yes...it is every girl's dream, is it not, to receive such an honour? No doubt your daughter is eagerly awaiting the start of the evening's true celebration..."

"Oh yes, she has not managed to focus on a single thing since she found out about this ball," said Druella, with a laugh.

Abraxas – and the other two Malfoys – were quick in catching the incredulous look that Narcissa flashed at her mother, before the polite smile reappeared on her face.

"Or mayhap she is...dreading the night's festivities?" suggested Abraxas, his eyes twinkling as Narcissa found him watching her and flushed. Druella shook her head.

"Oh no, she loves these kinds of things..."

Narcissa bit down on her lip, but said or did nothing, much to the Malfoys' amusement. Lucius rolled his eyes mentally. Dear heavens, Mrs. Black, you are not as smooth a liar as you think yourself to be...

"For the love of-" Bellatrix fixed her sister with a stern glare. "If you do not get up and walk there I swear I will...use the Imperius curse on you and make you do it – along with other things."

"You wouldn't dare."

"Would you like to see-?"

"No!"

"Good. Now, come. Rodolphus will be escorting you inside since neither father nor Uncle Orion is here."

"Bella, I don't want to go..."

"Did you ever want to go?"

"No, I mean – I don't want this. Any of this. I just don't understand. You didn't have any...fancy to-do like this when you turned sixteen!"

"That would be because I had already found myself a fiancé at the time."

"-Oh. But still-"

"-Andromeda Polaris Black, stop whining and get your ass moving. I mean it. If you are so much as a second late in your entrance, mother will skin me alive and you know it. Now get up."

With a heavy sigh, the brunette stood up, sending her sister a blank stare, before heading towards the door. "One moment," said Bellatrix, as she stopped her and turned her around so she could take a good look at her.

The dark-haired woman had to admit that her sister looked beautiful. She would certainly catch the attention of many young men. Nodding her satisfaction, the two sisters walked out of the room, meeting stiff Rodolphus in the hallway.

Bellatrix did not like the way her husband's eyes lingered over her sister's body. "I will see you inside, sister dear," she said, as Andromeda took Rodolphus' offered hand. "Good luck."

She fixed her husband with a look. "Touch her in any way other than what you are doing now, and you will not live long enough to regret it."

Andromeda laughed softly as her older sister stalked off, leaving behind her amused husband.

"Oh yes, she is fine. In fact, Rodolphus will be – ah, there she is. Bellatrix!" Druella called her eldest daughter to her.

"Mother, Narcissa," greeted Bellatrix, before curtseying to the older couple. "Mr. Malfoy, Mrs. Malfoy." She nodded at the young man standing with them. "Lucius."

"You are looking lovely, Bellatrix, my dear," said Abraxas, smiling at the young woman. "Married life certainly does not seem to be doing you wrong..."

Bellatrix laughed.

"Of course not, Mr. Malfoy. Wherever did you get that idea from?" Lucius had to agree that the eldest of the Black daughters did look lovely. Bellatrix had always had a...dark beauty about her, with her dark-as-the-night-sky hair and dark eyes, mixed with her naturally pale complexion.

The thin-strapped black dress that she wore only highlighted these features. "Mother, Rodolphus will-"

The sudden hush that fell over the quietly active room brought her to an abrupt halt. Druella had a smile on her face when she realized what brought the silence on.

"Abraxas, Samantha, Lucius, if you would please excuse me," she said, quickly, "I must see to my daughter." It was then that the three Malfoys turned so that they could see the doors that led to the ballroom. They soon saw the two figures that had caught the attention of everyone in the room.

Rodolphus had stopped in the middle of the large ballroom, thus making sure that the young lady on his arm was hidden from no one's view.

Lucius breath caught in his throat as he saw brunette. She had done nothing to her hair, he noticed, thus allowing it to fall in its natural waves along her back.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you my daughter, Andromeda Polaris Black."

The off-shoulder, emerald green dress that she wore complimented her dark brown locks and pale skin perfectly. She fidgeted, he noticed, under the weight of the gazes of everyone gathered in the ballroom – particularly the...heavy gazes of the young males, he guessed.

Oh how he wished he could force their eyes away from her form.

"And now, let the festivities begin!" As Druella Black raised a hand partially in the air, music began to play in the room, serving to snap everyone out of the trance they seemed to have entered upon the arrival of the...birthday girl.

Narcissa was sending him a knowing look, as was his mother – who also looked surprised – but Lucius noticed none of this.

She was beautiful...

A/N

Another long chapter – so much for what I said in my last author's note about not writing anything as long as chapter one again! Well. I hope that this chapter showed more of the relationships between the three sisters...for that was what I was kind of aiming for. Oh, and of course, Lucius' reaction to Andromeda!

I hope you all enjoyed this!

Till next time,

Siriusgirl1