Hyaa!

Thank you to KarateChik for the review ^^

Nothing more to say,

Enjoy!

NOTE: this chapter was slightly edited, it's nothing major though ^^

Now never, ever, in her life would Andromeda Black have predicted that the muggleborn Ted Tonks would be mad or brave enough to come and talk to her when she was surrounded by her own slytherin friends. And yet he did. In Charms class, he walked to her desk and smiled, apparently oblivious to the looks of outrage and/or horror and/or panic and/or admiration with which he was met. Andromeda's eyes, carefully trained since birth, showed nothing but polite curiosity on the brink of arrogance but not quite there. On the inside however, she was just as outraged and/or horrified and/or panicked (maybe even a little admirative) as the rest of her classmates.

'Hey!' He said, raising a hand in greetings. His voice was deep but clear. His eyes were big and bright. His smile was large and friendly. He had dimples. Andromeda concluded he must have been a nice person. 'I realised it was a bit rude of me to just run off like that, yesterday.' He continued. 'It's just, I had Herbology next and you know how the greenhouses are hours away, so… I didn't want to be late. But anyway, I… Yeah… I guess I just…'

With a sort of sadistic enjoyment, Andromeda watched as his face turned red with embarrassment and he struggled with what to say next. Seeing him stir and stumble on his words, she decided that it was definitely madness, and not courage, that had led him to talk to her. He clearly had not planned what he would tell her and was now regretting it. Most probably, he had just wanted to apologize for leaving so curtly and had lost himself in his justification. Now that he was looking for a nice way to end it, Andromeda knew she should say something, help him. Why she didn't, she wasn't clear on that either. Though there was a little voice at the back of her head that whispered it might have something to do with the fact that his struggle and his red cheeks were somewhat cute.

'Err… Yeah, I really just came to say that. I didn't want to be rude. So… There you go. I… I said it. Err…'

At this point, why he hadn't yet left, Andromeda could only guess. However, for all the fun she had had watching him shy away from her eyes and stumble upon his words, the embarrassment had begun to reach her and that wouldn't do. There was nothing Andromeda feared and hated more than embarrassment. Besides, was it not cruel to enjoy watching his struggle?

'Hey, it's fine.' She said finally. 'You're good.'

He froze immediately at the sound of her voice and gave her the same look he has given her the day before. It didn't last as long but it still made her uncomfortable. Although this time, the smile that followed was smaller, yet surprisingly warmer.

'Thanks.' He said, making to turn on his heels before stopping mid-move and going back to face her. 'You… You're really cool…'

His voice was deep, but clear and this time, incredibly soft. She panicked. And so, her instincts kicked back in and she turned into the arrogant, ice cold rich daughter of a tremendously wealthy and powerful family of purebloods she was known to be.

'Okay.' She snapped. 'Is that all?'

Her words were simple but her voice had been cold as ice and rough as rock. All the while, her eyes had turned dark and severe. Now Tonks, and all those around had frozen, surprised, intimidated and confused. She really hoped they would stop staring soon though because she was getting awfully uneasy and had trouble finding her breath, though she still couldn't look away from his eyes because she knew it would cancel the power in her words.

With that in mind, she wasn't sure how long the moment lasted but she was on the brink of giving up when the teacher finally entered the room with a loud "Good morning, class!" that she received as a blessing and a gift of God. She could have kissed Professor Flitwick in that moment because, yes, she truly was thankful to that extent. In the blink of an eye, everyone had found their seat and all the focus was on him, not Andromeda.

As she regained her composure, working hard to maintain as inexpressive a face as she could, she felt Michaela, who was, as usual, sitting next to her, lean in her direction.

'Nicely done, Meda.' She whispered.

'What?'

Michaela rolled her eyes. 'Sending that boy away.' She said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. 'I don't know why he thought it was a good idea to come and talk to you, and I sure don't know how he thought he could start flirting with you in front of everybody, but I'm sure glad you put him back in his place.'

Andromeda's heart, again, skipped a beat. Flirting with her? Had he been flirting with her? She was sure he had just been honestly expressing his thoughts in that moment… Did everyone think he had been flirting with her? In one sentence? Did they think his whole explanation had been a way of flirting with her? Or did they assume he was flirting with her because she had rebutted him so mercilessly? Should she be worried?

'Though it's your fault too.'

'What?' Jumped Andromeda, nearly snapping her neck in indignation as she turned to face her friend.

Merely amused, Michaela gave her a wolfish smile. 'You're too nice.' She snarled. 'Poor boy thought he had a chance because you were being so kind and friendly.'

'I was being polite.' Snapped Andromeda. For some reason, she really hated people telling her she was too nice. Bellatrix would always say that after pitching the blame on her for some prank she had done.

'Well that's not what he...'

'Look, he wasn't flirting with me.' She cut in. 'I think he was just… I don't know… Being honest? Whatever, you made it weird!'

Michaela raised an eyebrow. 'Weird how? You're the one making it weird. And it sure looked to me as if he was flirting. And I mean, it wouldn't be the first time, am I right? You are very popular.'

'Michaela, if I listened to you, every boy who talks to me fancies me.'

'Andromeda, I think it's true.'

'Michaela, it isn't.'

'Honey…'

'Oh, don't "honey" me! He was being polite, I was being polite, then he was being embarrassing so I stopped him before it got worse. There was no flirting involved and I am not too nice. Understood?'

Michaela pursed her lips, seeming to struggle for a moment, before finally giving in with a long sigh. 'Fine,' she said. 'Understood.'

Andromeda returned a satisfied grin. 'Good.' They never mentioned that incident again.

When it was time to go back to the Common Room, Andromeda was exhausted. She trailed lazily to the nearest armchair and fell in it with a groan.

'I'm going to change.' Said Michaela, heading to the dorms. Andromeda nodded and let her go without a word, secretly grateful for the peace.

A peace that didn't last long however because a few minutes later, just as Andromeda was starting to doze off, a heavy weight befell upon her, squishing her insides.

'Bellatrix!' She growled before even opening her eyes. 'There are so many free chairs in the room right now!'

But Bellatrix was already making herself as comfortable as possible when lying with her sister in an armchair meant for one person to sit. Somehow, she managed to rest by Andromeda's side without falling off or chocking her. Bellatrix had always been good at miracles.

'Why use up more armchairs when we can share one, Andy…'

'Because we can't share?' Answered Andromeda.

'We're doing fine right now.' Replied Bellatrix with a wolfish grin.

'Are we? Because as much as I love you, I think we're just a little too close and you're definitely encroaching on my personal space.'

'Nah, I'm fine.'

'Oh, then. What a relief.'

'Anyway, how was your day?'

'Exhausting. I had Charms, then I had Transfiguration, then I had Defence, then I had Potions, then I had Care for Magical Creatures. Who on earth thought it was a good idea to cram all this into one day! Thursday is officially the worst day of the week.'

'Okay.'

Glancing at her sister, Andromeda sighed. She understood at once where this whole conversation was meant to go and resigned herself to it immediately. 'How was your day, Bella?' She asked in false disinterest.

Bellatrix's face lightened in less than a second. 'You wouldn't believe! It was exhausting! I had Transfiguration, then I had Defence, then I had Herbology, then I had Divination, then I had Potion and I ended with History of Magic! Andy, if I do not find a way to kill this ghost, I think I will be the one dead before the end of the year because he just has a way of sucking the life out of me!'

'Well that's news…'

'Andromeda. This is no joke.'

Andromeda laughed lightly. 'But seriously, I think everyone feels the same. Although yesterday, I had the fun of my life in History of Magic.'

Bellatrix frowned. 'That sentence makes no sense.' She said matter-of-factly.

'Listen,' chuckled Andromeda. 'Michaela and I just wrote the names of all our classmates, in Goblin. It was surprisingly very funny.'

Bellatrix raised an eyebrow and planted her eyes in her sister's. 'I fear Professor Binns has already managed to scramble your brains.' She said gravely.

Andromeda fell into a fit of laughter and Bellatrix gladly joined in. What a strange sight it must have been, thought Andromeda. Those two sisters, usually so cold and distant, flocked against each other on a small armchair with their legs dangling over the arm, talking to each other in low voices and laughing loudly enough to turn all eyes to them. Had she been with anyone else, Andromeda would have been embarrassed. But not with Bellatrix. Such was the strength of the Black sisters. Such was their charm. Individually, they were unattainable. Together, they were a magnet to everyone and anyone with eyes and ears.

They stayed up till late, not leaving their armchair. They were so entranced in their conversation Andromeda did not even notice Michaela come down from the dorms, take one step towards her and stop at the sight of Bellatrix, only to turn towards Hailey and Curtis instead. Naturally, it took another Black to burst the girls' bubble.

Narcissa arrived much like Bellatrix had, sitting down on her sisters' bellies.

'Cissy!' Complained Andromeda.

'Do you want to die?' Threatened Bellatrix.

'Make me some space!' Ordered Narcissa.

Obviously, there was no more space to make so the sisters moved over to the sofa near the fireplace. There were a couple of students already occupying the location but they left as soon as they saw the sisters approaching. Andromeda would have felt guiltier for relocating those poor youngsters in such manner if anyone had showed the tiniest sign indicating that this wasn't normal behaviour. Since no one moved a finger, she did not bother herself with such thoughts a second longer. Bellatrix sunk into the sofa with her legs on the table facing it and both Cissy and Andy laid with their head on her thigh, even closer together that Andromeda and Bellatrix had been a moment earlier.

'So, how's third year so far, Cissy?' Asked Bellatrix with a yawn.

'Nothing special.' Answered the youngest matter-of-factly.

That made Andromeda frown. She was certain that a few months back, Narcissa would have been overly excited to tell them all about her day. Her babbling would have been unstoppable and every little detail would have been told. These days however, Cissy was playing it mature and distant. Andromeda blamed puberty.

'But I had my first class of Divination today.' She continued, and this time, Andromeda saw like a twinkle in her sister's eyes.

'How was it?' She asked.

'Hilarious.' Answered Narcissa with a bright smile. 'First day and she had us read tea cups! Everyone started inventing the craziest stories and Professor Delph just didn't know how to stop us. You should've seen her face, it was the best!'

The girls chuckled. All three of them had chosen Divination and all three always had the most fun mocking it.

'So, when are we going to Hogsmeade?' Asked Narcissa after silence had taken in.

Andromeda sigh. 'Don't know for sure although the first outing usually is on the last weekend of September.'

Narcissa grimaced and cuddled closer to her sister. 'I can't wait for it...' She moaned.

'But you've already been to Hogsmeade.' Bellatrix reminded her.

'Once when I was a baby!'

'You were nine.'

'Same thing! It was a long time ago. I want to go with you, not mom and Aunt Walburga…'

A shiver passed through all of them at the mention of Aunt Walburga. Nobody liked Aunt Walburga. Not even their mother, Druella, who looked considerably younger with her own siblings. Not even Cygnus or Uncle Alphard who could never laugh nor smile in her presence. Not even her sons, Sirius and Regulus who were terrified of her. As of her husband Orion, his feelings were always unclear. Andromeda even wondered if Aunt Walburga liked Aunt Walburga.

'Well, this time, Cissy, you'll go with us and we're going to have the time of our lives.' Promised Bellatrix.

Narcissa smiled and so did Andromeda, both trusting their sister.