A/N: The Blacks wonder why Andromeda has not come down for breakfast.

Submission for:

The HPFC Writer's Tournament: Round 3 - The news contained in a letter devastates a family. Prompt - fluttering

Return of the Daily Weird Prompt Thing [Speed-writing Competition]

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.


Bellatrix scowled as she sat before the platters of foods and inhaled the lovely aroma of her father's coffee before her eyes trailed to the empty seat between her and Narcissa. Andromeda was usually the first sister to arrive at the breakfast table, but this morning, she was noticeably absent. However, no one could begin eating without her, and everyone was growing impatient.

"Bellatrix, won't you be a dear and find out what is taking your sister?" her mother asked, her eyes darting nervously towards the drumming of her father's fingers on the table.

Her chair grated on the hardwood floor as she rose to her feet and exited the dining room.

"Oh, Andromeda, dear," she called as she ascended the stairs. "It would be so nice of you to finally grace us with your presence."

She pushed open the second door on the right. "Andromeda?" she asked as she stepped into the room. The bed immaculately dressed in navy blue sheets, the vanity was tidy with all the various beauty products perfectly aligned amd the walls were decorated with smiling faces of children past. The room was as she remembered, but there was no Andromeda.

The crisp sound of parchment drew her attention to a folded page slightly fluttering in the breeze coming from the open window. She picked it up, a slight feeling of dread filling her heart as she lifted the page.

"I can't do this anymore. I'm sorry."

It was written recently, her sister's familiar handwriting smudging beneath her fingertips as she read the words once, twice,...

A gasp from the doorway drew Bellatrix's attention. Narcissa stood in hallway, biting her knuckles as her tearful eyes looked from the open window to the letter in her hand.

"She's gone," Bellatrix said, letting the parchment fall to the floor. She stood there for a moment, her chest heaving before she screamed, "She's gone!" rubbing the letter into the ground with her heel.

"No! Stop!" Narcissa screamed, running into the room and grabbing the letter off the ground.

"Why?!" Bellatrix seethed. "She left us! She betrayed us! She chose the Mudblood over her duty, her blood, her family!" Her sister, the one who she held during storms as a child, the one who she looked out for during her time at Hogwarts, the one who she felt she could trust with anything, was gone. "She left us and she's not coming back!"

Narcissa shook her head, her tears flying off her cheek, before she said, "I know, but she's still our sister. She loves us. She wouldn't do this if-"

"She's nothing to us now," Bellatrix hissed, ignoring the stinging behind her eyes. She snatched the letter out of Narcissa's hands and stomped down the stairs, the blonde girl's quick footsteps following in her wake.

She entered the dining room and her parents looked up. "Bellatrix, Narcissa, where is Andromeda?" her mother asked.

Bellatrix thrust the letter under her father's nose as she said roughly, "Andromeda is gone."

Her mother's eyes widened, taking in Narcissa's tears and Bellatrix's serious expression before she looked to her father. "Cygnus, is this true?"

Her father's eyes moved over the words once, twice, before the corners of his mouth fell. He rose silently from his chair and walked in Bellatrix's direction.

Bellatrix tensed under his cold gaze as he approached her. He had told her to look out for her sister. She was supposed to ensure this didn't happen. She was supposed to ensure her sister followed the right path.

But, he said nothing as he walked past her, exiting the dinner room towards the parlour. Above the mantle hung the Black Family tapestry, detailing the many generations of Blacks over the last few centuries. He took a deep breath as he drew his wand and aimed at a face near the bottom of the tapestry. With a quick spell, a new scorch mark joined the others, before he left the room.

Her mother remained in the dining room, breakfast forgotten as her wails filled the air. Bellatrix let out a frustrated noise before she stormed up to her room. Narcissa followed solemnly behind her sister, her hands covering her eyes.

The Blacks now only had two daughters.