Woop! Andromeda's now at Lestrange Manor! Things can only get more interesting from here. XD

Trixie Black Lestrange

Morning found Andromeda curled up on the bed, hugging one of the pillows as she stared at the wall vacantly. She had cried herself dry, yet could not rest, thinking of everything that had happened. Andromeda felt betrayed, and abandoned, and she knew more than ever that she was completely alone.

Glancing at the clock, Andromeda groaned softly when she realised it was nearly six and that she should be getting ready to go to breakfast. She knew she wasn't at home, and couldn't leave the room, but she felt the need to make herself presentable anyway. With a tired yawn, Andromeda pulled herself to look over the side of the bed, her mouth falling open slightly as she saw the bag she'd packed before leaving her home the first time.

Allowing herself to slide off the bed onto the floor, Andromeda tugged the bag open and reached her hand in, feeling around until she found a decent robe. Biting her lip, she changed her dress quickly, remembering exactly why she'd worn the blue dress to leave her parents' home. She had worn it to shock Ted, not Rabastan. Sighing slightly, Andromeda readjusted the dress to hang properly, getting to her feet to go look in the mirror that was hanging on the front of the wardrobe.

Once she was content with the way the dress looked, she withdrew her hairbrush and began to untangle her hair. Andromeda sighed, wishing she had her wand so she could clear her face of the tearstains, but she had no such luck, and she was not about to use wandless magic so near her eyes. She bit her lip, glancing around as her stomach growled, then sighed, remembering that she hadn't had dinner the previous night, either.

She pulled the blanket off the bed and curled up in the chair, leaning her head against the back of it. Minutes later, almost six exactly, there was a small Pop! and Andromeda looked up to see a house elf holding a tray.

"Mistress Andromeda," came the elf's squeaky, though motherly sounding voice, "Master Rabastan has instructed me to bring you your breakfast, and also for Lacey to tell you that Lacey is now yours."

"Oh." Andromeda blinked in surprise, then nodded at the elf. "Thank you, Lacey," she said. "Um, do you know if anyone will be coming to see me today? I mean, to talk or anything? I don't fancy seeing any of them right now, as long as I can eat and take care of myself alone for a bit."

The elf nodded. "Master wished me to also ask you what would make you more comfortable," she said to her mistress. "He does not want you to to be lacking anything that you need in your new home."

Andromeda bit her lip, upset at the idea that Lestrange Manor was now her home. "He...he worries too much," she said firmly. "I am perfectly fine."

"Mistress must speak up if she discovers she needs something," Lacey told her, and Andromeda sighed.

"How can I?" she muttered. "I'm a prisoner...I have no say in anything."

"Master Rabastan will listen," Lacey told her. "If you ask."

Andromeda frowned at the elf. "Do you report to him, even though you are said to be mine?"

Lacey shook her head, looking at the young witch earnestly. "Lacey is yours only," she answered. "I must not report anything to Master Rabastan unless you tell me to."

The witch nodded, motioning the elf to set the tray down. "Good," she sighed in relief. "You may leave." The elf bowed and left immediately, Andromeda turning toward the tray. She was hungry, but nothing looked good to her. With another small sigh, Andromeda curled into the chair, pulling her blanket around her again. She was starving, but she didn't want anything that was there, and she would not ask for anymore.

"You are an idiot!" Rodolphus hissed at his brother. "Why? Why would you want to bring such a shame to our House?"

Rabastan shook his head, tired of hearing his brother go on about his foolishness. "You chose your wife because you loved her," he said sharply. "I chose Andromeda because I love her."

Rodolphus groaned, rolling his eyes in disbelief. "She is a blood-traitor, Rabastan!" he snapped. "And after you murdered her Mudblood, there is no way that she will ever want to be your perfect wife and do what she should for our House!"

"Like Bella?" Rabastan said, half amused. "You know, Andromeda was the perfect daughter, and I'm sure once she settles in, she'll be all right."

"You're mad," Rodolphus said to the younger wizard. "She hates you, and you can't see it because you're too blind."

"Rod," Rabastan sighed, "even if she isn't everything you think she ought to be, I chose her and she is mine."

"What did Father say?" Rodolphus asked, raising an eyebrow.

Rabastan looked away from his brother. "He doesn't even know she's here," he muttered.

The older Lestrange stared, then said, "You go to him this instant and explain yourself. Do you really want to anger him now? You know better, Rabastan! He will not approve—"

"Why do you think I've put it off?" Rabastan sighed, then nodded. "I will go. But I will not change my mind."

"Idiot," Rodolphus growled again, then left the room.

Rabastan took a deep breath, then walked straight to his father's office, knocking on the door. He entered at his father's command, his heart pounding nervously as he looked at the man. "Sir," he began, then sighed. "Father, there's something that I need to tell you."

The man looked at his younger son carefully. "Oh?"

"I—well, I sort of kidnapped Andromeda Black," Rabastan muttered, wanting to smirk in triumph and cringe in fear at the same time. "She's currently staying in one of our guest rooms…."

"You're not joking?" Desmond Lestrange said slowly, watching his son closely. "Perhaps you should explain yourself thoroughly, Rabastan."

Rabastan nodded, sitting down across from his father and telling the story. "And she's staying in one of the guest rooms until we can be married," he finished. "Her father doesn't want anything more to do with her."

Desmond Lestrange leaned back in his chair and looked at Rabastan for a few moments. "You won't change your mind, I can see that," he said. "So how do you think Andromeda will act? Will she perform her duty to our House?"

"She will not act out in public," Rabastan nodded. "She isn't like that. And as far as I can tell, she won't be the kindest to me, but she will not openly be a problem once she's settled in."

"You didn't answer my question," the man said.

"I do not know," Rabastan admitted, looking down. "I would not even mention it to her for a long while. I'm sure she's still furious and upset that I killed her fiance."

The older Lestrange shook his head. "I do hope you covered your tracks well enough," he said. "From what I have seen of this witch, she has always been a respectable young woman."

Rabastan nodded, then hesitated before saying, "I do expect to have trouble with her, though, Father. She swears that she hates me, and wants nothing to do with me because of what I did to her Mudblood. I don't want anyone to interfere in how I deal with her. I want her to realise that I mean her no harm if she behaves herself."

Desmond sighed. "I would not have chosen her, though I have often thought that she would be a prize wife. I said as much to your brother, though he disagreed."

Rabastan shook his head. "He and Bella disagree with me as well," he told his father. "I think they'll try to harm Andromeda, and I know Bellatrix was furious when she learned what her sister intended to do."

"Well, let's see if we can integrate her into the family schedule and get her more comfortable here," Desmond told Rabastan. "It isn't a desirable situation, but she will have to conform to our family."

"I—I—Father, I don't want anyone to hurt her," Rabastan said pleadingly. "She's terrified, and she's angry right now. Punishing her for feeling this way would only make things worse. We've got to give her time."

"She will have time," the man agreed. "She is in your hands, Rabastan. I assume you do not have to sign papers with Andromeda's father?"

"No," Rabastan shook his head. "Though I should get started on the marriage license."

"Good idea," Desmond agreed. "And shall we have your mother check up on the girl in a few hours, since she cannot leave her room alone?"

Rabastan thought that was a good idea, and left the room to also tell his mother. He was glad that his father hadn't flown into a rage at the news, and was looking forward to letting his mother know that he now had the young witch he'd been dreaming about for several months.

It wasn't until the third day that anyone actually came to see Andromeda. She had managed to avoid them all whenever she hurried off to the bathroom. She was sitting before the mirror in a dressing gown as she attempted to towel dry her hair when there came a knock at the door.

Andromeda took a deep breath and called, "Enter!" She could not suppress a shudder as Rabastan walked into the room, his eyes lighting up when he was her, though he approached her solemnly. She did not speak as he looked down at her.

"Andromeda," the young man began, then set a piece of paper on her lap. "This is our marriage license. I would like for you to sign it."

"No," Andromeda whispered, squeezing her eyes shut. "No, I can't—I don't have to!"

The witch jumped in shock as she felt his hand grip her shoulder, panic coursing through her at his touch. "You don't have to," Rabastan admitted, his thumb rubbing her smooth white skin, "but I would like you to."

She couldn't help thinking of her father, her heart racing in her fear as she tried to find something to say to him. Rabastan let go of her shoulder, then reached down and took her right hand. "I love you," he said to her. "I know you don't believe me, or you refuse to let me show it, but I really do want you to be my wife, Andromeda Black."

The young woman glared at him, her eyes filling with unwanted tears. "You killed the man I loved," she whispered. "How can you think I'd be ready to sign my life over to you? Even if you love me, you never took into consideration whom I love." Her eyes glistened with tears as she looked away from him, clenching her jaw.

Rabastan sighed as he watched tears trickle down the girl's face. "I—I am selfish sometimes," he said quietly. "And I suppose if you loved the Mudblood as you say, you wouldn't consider marrying him to be throwing yourself away."

"Bright boy," she snapped, swatting away her tears. "I loved him."

"Well," Rabastan began after a moment, "I can't pretend I understand that—I don't—but I'll try to honour it." She scoffed at him bitterly, and he reached into his pocket, surprised at the sudden look of terror on her face. "Dromeda, I'm not about to hurt you," he sighed even as he drew his wand.

Andromeda was shaking in fright, almost dry sobbing as the man reached out to her. It wasn't until he had placed the wand in her hand that she realised it was her wand, not his.

Rabastan watched her for a moment, then said, "I really do remind you of your father...I'm sorry, Andromeda."

She just stared at him for a few moments, then nodded slightly. The young man sighed. "If I am cruel, I don't mean to be," he said to her. "That, or I don't see it as cruel."

"I know," she almost whispered. "I expect it of you because of what I've seen and heard from Bella about Rodolphus."

"Dromeda, I am not he," Rabastan said quickly. "I know he and I are alike, but just like I'm sure it is with you and Bellatrix, Rod and I are different. And I also don't want you and I to turn out like Bellatrix and Rodolphus."

"I don't see a difference," Andromeda said, turning her face away from him. "Though I am sure the things you've put me through in the last few days are the reason."

Rabastan raised an eyebrow. "Yes," he nodded. "Well, let me tell you what Rodolphus would do. Rod would have stormed in here and thrown that parchment in your face, demanding you immediately sign it. There would be no talk of love, or of anything he did to bring you here, and if you resisted him, he would torture you until you couldn't see straight, let alone get out of bed. Maybe I have thought of such things, but I'd rather not." He looked into Andromeda's eyes very seriously. "I do love you, and I want you to do this on your own will."

She bit her lip as he looked into her eyes, then pulled the piece of parchment toward herself. "You know," she said quietly, her voice strangled, "Father always wanted me to bend to his will on my own as well."

"For his sick pleasure and for leverage over you, I'm sure," Rabastan muttered, looking to see if she was offended. "I honestly would rather wait and have a wife that is content, rather than one who fears me or has to be controlled by harsh measures."

Andromeda reached out and took a quill from the dresser before her, setting the paper down before biting her lip sharply, letting her hair fall into her face, blocking his view as she signed her name to their marriage license. When she was finished, she looked it over, then silently turned and handed it to the man.

Rabastan also looked it over, then looked at the witch for a moment before saying quietly, "Thank you, Andromeda." He leaned down to kiss her cheek, but she turned away from him, and he forced himself to turn and walk away before he could punish her in his own hurt. It really would take every ounce of patience he had to convince Andromeda of his love without hurting her or pushing her away at all.

Later that evening, Andromeda was curling up in her chair as she waited for her supper when there came another knock at the door. She almost groaned at the thought of facing her new fiance again, as if it wasn't enough that her signing the document and avoiding his kisses had thrown her into an awful fit of crying. She firmly scolded herself, then straightened her dress and called, "Come in!"

"Andromeda?" came a woman's voice, and Andromeda jumped to her feet, flustered.

"Madam Lestrange," she breathed, immediately performing the proper curtsy toward the witch. "I did not know it was you...what can I do for you?"

"I wanted to see you," the witch answered, giving the girl a small smile. "Rabastan told me what happened...I never expected you to be my second daughter, but I'm honoured."

Andromeda took a deep breath, forcing herself not to blush. "Madam—"

The woman interrupted, "Call me Meira, dear, unless you wish to call me Mum, or Mother. I do not mind. I wanted to welcome you to our home, and to our House."

"Thank you," Andromeda said, lowering her eyes as she looked down at her hands for a moment. She wanted to say more, but she did not know what she could say to the witch, or what Rabastan's mother knew about the entire situation.

"I know there are some difficult things about your arrival and stay here," Meira said softly, looking into the younger witch's face. "I don't claim to know your heart, but I will say that Rabastan adores you, Andromeda. In the last six months, he has had eyes for no other witch. I am sorrowful that you had to be brought here the way you did, but I hope that you will settle in after a while."

"He...I—I—" Andromeda bit her lip as tears sprang to her eyes again.

Meira stepped forward, carefully wrapping her arms around the young witch and hugging her gently. "He's broken your heart," she sighed. "And now he wants to hold that place in your heart that he has destroyed. I know I can't possibly understand everything that you're feeling, Andromeda, but I hope that it will heal, and that you can properly be part of our family."

Andromeda only clung to the woman for a few seconds more, then pulled away, wiping away her tears. "I—I can't promise that it will heal any time soon," she sniffed. "Though I will perform all the duties I must." Her face hardened, her right fist clenching as she thought of having to bear the man's children. "If I find it in me to do so," she added with distaste, and Meira nodded, a look of understanding in her eyes.

"He will not pressure you," Meira said quietly. "He told me after the fits Bella has given Rodolphus that he was sure you'd react badly to such things."

"Ha!" Andromeda gave a small laugh as she dashed away more tears. "Even a caged serpent can still bite."

The Lestrange woman seemed to look at her in concern, making Andromeda feel terrible, but the witch soon nodded. "Why don't you come with me to dinner tonight?" Meira told her firmly. "It would be better if you were with me, rather than for Rabastan to have to bring you the first time."

Andromeda's heartbeat quickened, the girl nodding after a moment and turning back to her mirror to make sure she was presentable. She touched up her hair, deciding not to make up her face at all before she turned back to her future mother-in-law. "Is that okay?" she asked hesitantly.

Meira smiled. "You look lovely, dear," she said, motioning the younger witch to follow her. "Shall we go?" Andromeda followed her from the room without a word, looking around the halls, though she knew the Lestrange Mansion well enough, having visited Bellatrix there several times before.

When they entered the dining room, Andromeda cringed inwardly to see Bellatrix there, waiting for them. "Dromeda," Bella cooed. "So nice of you to show your face finally. I hope you scrubbed yourself thoroughly after your little excursion?"

"Bella," Andromeda said sweetly, unable to resist, "you know the same hands that have touched a Mudblood have hugged you, and the same lips that have kissed his have kissed your head?" She couldn't help giggling as Bellatrix shuddered at the thought.

"All of us tried to talk sense into Rabastan," Bellatrix sighed, shaking her head. "But he seems to be rather dazed. I had only hoped that you would hold out, but you are as much of a pawn as you ever were. And just as bendable as always."

"Well I tried to get out of it," Andromeda glared at her sister. "I had had quite enough of being a pawn, though it seems the world isn't finished with me. I'm shocked you didn't follow me and murder Ted yourself. Perhaps you had half an idea that it should be my choice, Bellatrix?"

"I was too sickened by the thought of your actions to be able to do anything about it," Bellatrix hissed. "And I did try to stop you. If I had been able to stop you, your Mudblood would still be alive. But no, you had to lead us directly to him. You caused his death, Andromeda. If you had left him alone, he probably could have been happy with someone else!"

Andromeda glared at Bellatrix in rage. "Neither of us wanted anyone else!" she yelled, wondering why Bellatrix looked so shocked.

Meira stared at Andromeda, her eyes widening. "Your hair," she breathed. "It—it's red!"

The young witch grabbed a lock of her hair, horrified to see that her hair was bright red. "No," she breathed, and both witches stared at her questioningly, Bellatrix seeming a little suspicious.

"She has Metamorphagus tendencies," Bellatrix sighed, shaking her head. "But she has a hard time controlling herself—her powers, I mean." She smirked slightly, before saying, "Do you need help, Andy?"

"I..." Andromeda breathed, not wanting Bellatrix anywhere near her as she tried to think of something that would explain her hair suddenly changing colour.

"I can help you if you tell me what to do," Meira said to Andromeda before Bellatrix could get up from the table.

Andromeda clenched her fists as she squeezed her eyes shut, trying to shut out the feeling of panic threatening to consume her. "You've got to touch my magical core, and turn my hair back to its natural brown," she whispered. "Please. Before the others arrive. They can't know I have these powers."

Bellatrix pouted at her as Meira grasped the girl's shoulder to begin. "Dromeda, what devilry are you up to now?" she sighed. "We both know you don't have those powers."

"You don't know that," Andromeda hissed at her, before falling silent in sudden fear as she felt Meira right her magic and withdraw. "Father had been working with me on them since I was very young. My powers are unpredictable, and don't normally extend to my hair, but I do have Metamorphagus powers that I can use at will."

"There," Meira said quietly, touching the witch's hair. "It's right. Now come sit down, and please don't argue during the meal, you two."

Andromeda grabbed a handful of her brown curls and squeezed her eyes shut, tears threatening to stream down her face all over again. She had always been terrified that her powers would be used by whomever she married, or whoever found out about her powers. She was almost hyperventilating as she sat down next to Meira, struggling to keep her composure as she refused to look at Bellatrix.

She had signed her life away: it was too late to escape. She had been weak for a single moment, and now she was betrothed to a man she hated. "Andromeda…." she jumped at the sound of her name, seeing Meira watching her with a look of sympathy. "Your hair is white now…."

Andromeda shot the witch a look of terror, just as they all heard footsteps, and Meira reached out, grasping her shoulder and closing her eyes to concentrate on returning the girl's hair to normal. The two had just straightened up in their chairs when the doors opened and the three men entered the room, Meira reaching over and squeezing Andromeda's hand under the table.

Rabastan gave Andromeda a small nod, but Rodolphus sat down next to Bellatrix and kissed her cheek loudly, making the black-haired witch giggle. Andromeda looked down at the table in front of her as Rabastan sat next to her, Meira turning to say a few words to her husband.

After a few moments, the six began the meal, Bellatrix, Rodolphus, and his father having a conversation as the others remained quiet, Andromeda struggling not to be sick as she tried to make herself eat. She did not dare to join in the conversation, did not dare to even look at Rabastan, fearful that her hair would once again morph and that she would again be the center of attention. Andromeda was relieved when the meal was over, though Rabastan leaned over and murmured to her that he was going to take her back to her room unless she would rather go somewhere else. She shook her head, and the two rose from the table, Rabastan excusing them before leading Andromeda from the room.

"Are you okay?" he asked in concern.

"No. No, I am not okay," Andromeda said weakly. "Leave me alone."

"Are you sick?" he persisted.

"No, but I'm going to be," she muttered. "I don't feel well...I couldn't eat—well, you saw."

Rabastan nodded. "You haven't been eating much."

Andromeda looked at him in alarm. "You stay out of my business," she glared at him.

"I can't let you starve yourself," he sighed. "I wouldn't put anything past a Black."

"I'm just Andromeda, and I'd hardly try to kill myself," Andromeda growled at him. "You'd be more likely to murder someone, obviously."

"Andromeda Black—" Rabastan had grabbed her by the front of her dress to slam her against the wall before he released her quickly, stepping back. "Dromeda, don't say things like that," he pleaded with her, trying to shake off his anger. "I don't want to hurt you, but I have the Lestrange temper and one of these times, I won't be able to stop myself."

She merely looked at him through dark eyes. "You have much more self-control than your brother, I'll give you that," she said bitterly, straightening her dress. "Just take me to my cell."

Rabastan looked at her for a few moments, then shook his head. "It isn't a prison, Andromeda," he sighed. "I want to give you free reign, but I can't trust you yet."

Andromeda turned her face from him, feeling sick again. "I will never think of this place any other way," she muttered before gasping, "I'm going to be sick!" and pulling out of his grasp, darting into the nearby restroom. She lost what little dinner she'd eaten, barely realising Rabastan's presence in the room with her as she grasped the corner of the counter to steady herself as she wiped her mouth with a napkin.

"Dromeda," Rabastan said softly, "you are ill. Let me call a Healer."

"No." Andromeda shook her head as she leaned against the counter, her face pasty white. "No, it's just a flu. I'll be fine. I—I need rest." She moved to walk to the door, but her knees buckled and Rabastan darted forward, catching her in his arms. She cried out in shock at his touch, but he held her there for a moment until she calmed in his arms, ready to walk to her room with him.

Rabastan was about to open the door when both of them heard voices and Andromeda looked up at him in alarm. Without a word, Rabastan warded the door and leaned back against the wall, holding his fiance close. "Shhh," he murmured into her hair, his hand tentatively stroking her back.

Andromeda shivered as he rubbed her back, though she clung to him, her face hidden in his shirt, hoping that her sister and his brother wouldn't find them. Moments later, Rabastan sighed and straightened up, his arm still around her waist as he opened the door. She didn't try to pull away from him as they walked down the hall, though she jumped in shock at every single sound, not feeling safe until she had reached her room.

Rabastan helped her into the room, sitting her down in a chair before he looked into her eyes intently. "Andromeda, if you need a Healer, do not hesitate to ask for one," he told her seriously. "I wouldn't hesitate to get you anything you need."

She nodded, looking down at her hands, then asked, "Could you have a potion sent to me? Something to settle my stomach? I still don't feel well."

"Of course," he answered. "Anything else?" She shook her head, and he accepted her words. "I'll be right back," he told her, and hurried from the room.

Andromeda groaned softly, leaning her head against the back of her chair. What on earth was she going to do with herself if she really was sick and Rabastan wouldn't just leave her to her misery? She hoped she had more self-control than to curse him, but she was a Black. It was too difficult to tell.

Promised to Rabastan by her own permission! Andromeda is unfortunately trapped in her unhappy situation, destined to become Mrs. Lestrange.

Let me know how you liked this second part of my new venture. :) I'm loving it so far.

Trixie Black Lestrange