As was customary upon her awakening since the tea party incident, Andromeda would get out of bed and sit herself at the desk in her room where the quill and parchment was awaiting her. She quickly set to work on her two hundred lines, aware that the sooner she got it done the sooner she could forget about it until tomorrow. The first few days had proved a challenge as Andromeda readjusted to the quill cutting into her hand, but she was relatively used to the dull throb at this point and she didn't think much of it as she rushed to finish her lines.

Upon finishing Andromeda went about the ritual of cleaning her hand up, she pulled out the healing salve she kept within her desk at all occasions and wrapped a bandage around her hand. Around midday she was able to take the bandage off typically, when the hand had healed enough to handle fresh air without causing her sharp pain. Once her hand was tended to Andromeda grabbed the papers and made her way downstairs to the sitting room where she knew her mother would be waiting.

Her mother smiled smugly at the papers, as she did every day and made a snide comment about Andromeda behaving herself at the Malfoy Ball tonight. Andromeda agreed, with a slightly tired air, and headed to the kitchen where she found, as per usual, her breakfast had been restricted to an apple and one piece of toast, no jam, so as to watch Andromeda's weight as her mother was still sure she was a little plump. Andromeda ate forlornly, missing the taste of jam and all things actually delicious in the world, and resolved that she would eat as much as she wished at the Malfoy Ball tonight. Aware her mother would not be watching her too closely.


That night Andromeda was dressed in the robes her mother had picked out for her and had been properly fixed up so they now fit Andromeda perfectly. She pinned her hair up, almost to spite her mother who much preferred it down. Once done she descended the stairs where Bellatrix was waiting rather impatiently.

"Cissy not done yet?" Andromeda inquired although she already knew the answer.

"No. It's the Malfoy Ball, which means she has to take even longer to make sure she's absolutely perfect." Bellatrix answered with a roll of her eyes, slouching against her chair.

"Is he her target then?" Andromeda asked, sitting down in a chair as well.

"I should think so. She certainly gives him a lot of her time." Bellatrix remarked.

"I suppose she does." Andromeda agreed and they fell into silence.

"You girls look pretty." Mr. Black commented walking into the room.

"Thank you father." Andromeda and Bellatrix chorused, standing up to greet him.

"I feel as though I haven't seen you girls properly in a long time." Mr. Black commented with a smile. "Just a quick dinner here and there. I suppose it's all those late nights I've been forced to have at the office. A ministry just doesn't seem to run itself quite right."

"Well we've certainly missed you." Andromeda assured smiling. "Is mother not ready yet?"

"Your mother is helping Narcissa, all to make a good impression on the Malfoys." Mr. Black answered a sigh evident in his voice. "I will be glad when this whole business is over to be sure. It is a bit different being the father rather than being the young man."

"We will be glad when Narcissa is betrothed too, I believe." Andromeda agreed with a laugh.

They all laughed lightly before falling into a comfortable silence. It wasn't very typical for conversations to last long in the Black family, there wasn't too much to talk about. Her father would sometimes lightly discuss politics, although not to a deeper extent as he may have had he had a son, and their mother would often discuss society, although rarely when their father was present, and slightly less often when Andromeda and Bellatrix were present as they never seemed to quite take to it the way that Narcissa did.

Bellatrix and Andromeda used to converse rather well when alone, before the issue had arisen, rather accidentally, over the year as they both went their separate paths. Now they could keep a polite conversation for a while, though never to the extent of which it had once been. Narcissa was the chatterer, it was evident, she could strike up a conversation with anyone, albeit rather one sided. Narcissa was not yet present however.

Sometimes when alone, Andromeda could engage her father in a discussion of politics, although often hushed and quick when her mother was out or otherwise occupied, but with Bellatrix in the room, who took such a radical view and wasn't one for a simple discussion, it was impossible and foolish to even attempt such a conversation with her father.

There had once been a house full of conversation, when the girls were younger and still being taught, still in that grey area of not yet ladies, but not quite children. They'd been able to have all manner of conversations with their parents then, but now that they were grown, a lady did not assert her opinions in such a manner, unless perhaps in the presence of another lady, and certainly never spoke out of turn.

In some families the silence may have been deafening, an awkward silence that ate away at each member who took part, wishing another in the room would say something, searching for something to say themselves, but in the Black Household the silence was a comfort. It was much preferable to sit in the silence, in one's own thoughts rather than keep a stilted pleasant conversation. Most often when a light conversation was maintained it was the opinion of almost all that it would be better were they to sit in their own thoughts and enjoy a silence.

This was how it was in most pureblood households, and society itself. Unless one was in their own social circles, it was often a silent affair, not wanting to outstretch the boundaries of their circle and offend another. As it was in the Black Household they were split into three social circles that had to intermix, four if you took into account Narcissa's age. Neither mixed quite right to the point of comfortable chatter, and therefore silence was accepted as the best means of communication.

Mrs. Black and Narcissa arrived in the sitting room at last, and after exchanging the proper pleasantries once again, the Black Family made their way to the Malfoy Ball, prepared to perform their roles for the evening.


Pureblood functions, particularly balls, always went quite the same way. Everyone was separated into their appropriate table, Mr. and Mrs. Black sat together as they there were married and were placed at one of the higher levels of honor, being Blacks, next to the other Mr. and Mrs. Black, Mr. Black's cousin, and the Malfoys. The Black ladies then, Andromeda and Bellatrix, would be placed at the table with the other ladies of age and already betrothed. Narcissa, would be seated perhaps at the children's table, if that was the only table offered for those under the debuting age, or at the to be debuted table, which included those who were between the ages of fourteen and fifteen, if it were such a high class party, as this one was.

Sometimes Andromeda would be shirked to the children's table, under the pretense of watching them, as she allegedly had a way with children. This sort of slight was not taken inoffensively, however, in fact causing quite a row after the Easter ball when the Nott's, upset over Andromeda's betrothal to the MacNair family rather than their own, had placed her there in spite.

At times Mrs. Black did not cause an uproar over this misplacement, if she was feeling particularly vindictive or if Andromeda had recently humiliated her, at times Mrs. Black had placed her daughter their herself in a show of putting her in her place, the same would have been done with Bellatrix were it not evident that Bellatrix was entirely incapable of being even slightly pleasant to children. It was all right when Mrs. Black did it, however, and quite an uproarious move when a family like the Nott's, a family who had tried to raise themselves higher up in pureblood society on numerous times and certainly was not worthy of a direct Black, tried to do it.

It was thus that Andromeda had been placed at the proper table for once, to her relief as it was quite an embarrassment to be the only one taller than five feet at a table full of children, and was surrounded by a group of her peers. All of whom Andromeda was quite aware she could barely stand. Narcissa had been regaled to the 'to be debuted' table, which was quite all right with her, and Bellatrix and Andromeda, despite their growing differences, stuck together not wanting to have to deal with the constant babble of their peers.

Dinner passed with very little event, perhaps helped by the fact that it involved eating and it was incredibly rude to speak with one's mouth full, therefore lessening the ability that anyone could be offended by any other, and it was soon time for the actual ball portion of the evening.

During her times at the children's table, however, Andromeda had become quite friendly with them and there was one child in particular, Zeddie Rowle, who had a crush on Andromeda and at times she wished he had been older so she could have been betrothed to him rather than Walden MacNair. Zeddie seemed so much kinder and caring than Walden, but perhaps that was just the childhood innocence that a ten year old could still possess. It was possible by the time Zeddie was Walden's age he would be just as bad, but she hoped not.

It was this little boy, a cute little brunette in dress robes and perfectly combed hair, a care taken carefully by his mother, who walked up to Andromeda once the ball portion had begun and bowed a low, seemingly well practiced bow.

"May I have this dance?" Zeddie asked a nervous smile on his face.

"You want to dance?" Andromeda asked, slightly shocked as it was not often boy's his age were fond of dancing.

"Well if I can dance with you." Zeddie said smiling more confidently.

"All right then." Andromeda agreed, offering her hand for Zeddie to take.

A waltz began to play and there was an awkward moment where Andromeda had to work out how to dance with a boy a few feet shorter than her, but once she had adjusted herself properly to help ease the awkwardness it turned out that Zeddie was quite a good dancer, probably better were the height difference not hindering them.

"When did you learn to dance?" Andromeda inquired curiously.

"I had my mother teach me." Zeddie answered, smiling at the praise. "I wanted to be able to dance with you."

Andromeda stifled an aw, although it had probably been the nicest thing she'd ever had said to her, and smiled appreciatively at Zeddie, thanking him. Why did it seem pureblood boys were ruined when they hit their teen years and couldn't stay this young and pleasant forever?

Zeddie smiled back at her and they took a few turns in tune to the song. Zeddie glanced to the side, as if debating asking or saying something and Andromeda raised an eyebrow intrigued at what this little boy could be wondering to ask for.

"Yes?" Andromeda asked, giving him a slight nudge to ask whatever it was.

"I don't want to be too forward." Zeddie started hesitantly as Andromeda nodded encouraging him to go on. "Can, can I have a kiss?"

Andromeda blinked in astonishment, having not expected the request, and weighed the pros and cons. It would not hurt anyone, to be sure, and it would certainly make Zeddie's night, of whom she was becoming more and more fond of by the moment.

"Maybe on the cheek." She finally decided watching as Zeddie's face lit up.

The song ended, rather conveniently, although they had been dancing for a while and they made their way off the dance floor.

"May I have my kiss now?" He asked, almost afraid if he didn't claim it now he never would have the opportunity again.

"All right." Andromeda agreed with a shrug.

Once on the sidelines she bent to place a kiss upon the little boy's cheek, although at the last moment, Zeddie, clever ten year old that he was, turned his head and Andromeda's lips connected with his briefly before she pulled back. Perhaps even at ten pureblood boys were not perfect gentlemen, after all.

"Zeddie." She admonished, and he had the good grace to look somewhat apologetic.

"Kissing other boys?" A voice asked from behind Andromeda making her jump. "You're not going to leave me are you?"

"No Walden." Andromeda said forcing a smile as Zeddie pulled a face of disgust at Walden.

"Good, I'd hate if you left me for someone ten years my junior." Walden joked grabbing Andromeda's arm. "May I have this dance?"

"Yes." Andromeda answered before turning to look at Zeddie. "Goodbye Zeddie. Thank you very much for the dance.

"Goodbye Andromeda." Zeddie replied, glaring at Walden as he led Andromeda away.

Andromeda found it much easier to situate herself into dancing with Walden as they were closer to the same height, but it had certainly been more enjoyable to dance with Zeddie. Walden was more focused on appearances and how proper their dancing looked than on Andromeda herself, who found the strict step by step dancing rather boring.

Walden and Andromeda turned around a bit, as was accustom to the dance, and she noted dully that Walden's hand was slowly finding its way to her butt. Andromeda glanced around to be sure no one was giving them their direct attention as his hand slid firmly onto one cheek and gave it a little squeeze, causing Andromeda to squeak slightly in surprise. Walden smirked smugly at her as she glanced around once again to make sure no one had heard her.

"Walden we're in public." Andromeda hissed.

"Yes, but the entire public happens to know we're engaged Andromeda." Walden replied with a roll of his eyes.

"Engaged, but not married. Not to mention being public about such things is against propriety." Andromeda retorted tersely glancing around again.

"No one is going to notice my hand on your arse Andromeda." Walden said boredly, used to this argument. "Even if they did, no one will care, I promise. There are couples doing far worse. Look at Persimmon over there."

"I just don't know why you have to put your hand there in the first place." Andromeda muttered tiredly.

"Is it so wrong that I, your soon to be husband, would like to enjoy your, my soon to be wife's, nice arse the few moments I get to spend with it?" Walden asked. "You're at that bloody school almost the whole year, I miss you."

Upon stating 'I miss you' Walden gave an emphasizing squeeze to Andromeda's butt and Andromeda wondered dully which part of her he really missed, as it was clearly not her intellect. Regardless she held back a sigh and decided to just let it be, it wouldn't hurt much and no one would really notice with the spectacle that Persimmon seemed to be making. If it would appease Walden and give Andromeda some peace through the dance then it wasn't causing any real harm, was it?

"How about we go to the cloak room?" Walden asked in her ear.

"All right." Andromeda agreed, aware that if she said no it would just start another argument she didn't want to deal with.

"Come along then." Walden said, leading her off the dance floor and to the Malfoy cloak room.

As soon as Walden had closed the door securely and made sure they were alone within the room he pushed his lips against her's rather sloppily and Andromeda responded as best she could. Snogging Walden always seemed like a lot more work than fun. As he all but licked her Andromeda wondered if there had been any truth to what Molly had said about snogging being enjoyable. Maybe if Walden was any good at it she wouldn't mind marrying him so much.

As Andromeda was lot in her thoughts, mostly trying to remember if she had had to read that extra chapter for Charms or not before winter holiday was over, and something from someone's cloak was pushing rather uncomfortably against her arm, Walden began to work his way into her robe, hands drifting increasingly closer to her breasts.

"What are you doing?" Andromeda asked, pulling back and smacking her head lightly against the wall.

"Just trying to snog my fiancée." Walden answered, annoyed at being interrupted.

"What you were trying to do was not just snogging." Andromeda stated wryly.

"You've been my fiancée for over a year now. Is it wrong that at some point in that time I'd like a little action?" Walden asked almost angrily at being denied not for the first time.

"I'm not even of age yet, Walden. That's technically illegal." Andromeda pointed out, pushing Walden away with her hand.

"You're right there." Walden said reluctantly. "When's your birthday again?"

"You don't even know my birthday!?" Andromeda cried in outrage, latching onto anything that might get her out of the cloak room.

"Um, well, uh, do you know my birthday?" Walden asked grasping at straws.

"April twenty-first." Andromeda answered coolly.

"Fuck." Walden cursed under his breath. "I'll just be going then?"

"That sounds like a brilliant idea." Andromeda agreed crossing her arms as she watched Walden leave the cloak room, cursing his own stupidity.


The rest of the ball was uneventful. Walden and Andromeda danced a few more times to keep up appearances, but Walden kept his hands mostly to himself so as not to upset her anymore, and tried desperately to remember her birthday. To Andromeda's disappointment, as she had wanted to talk to him, Uncle Alphard was a no show.

She hoped he would appear at the Christmas morning activities, as she felt he was the only one who could possibly understand her current predicament, even if he kept his views rather to himself Andromeda had always been vaguely aware that they were a bit different. Different was definitely what Andromeda needed right now.

After what seemed like an eternity the ball was finally over and Andromeda was waiting for Narcissa to floo home, as her parents and Bellatrix had already apparated, leaving Andromeda to take responsibility for her younger sister. Unfortunately for her, Narcissa was taking her sweet time to say goodbye to Lucius. She couldn't wait until she could apparate herself and this constant waiting for her younger sister or house elf was finally over.

"Why don't you come to tea sometime this week?" Mrs. Malfoy asked as she and Narcissa entered the room.

"I would love to Mrs. Malfoy! You'll have to owl me soon and we can set up the details." Narcissa agreed smiling at Mrs. Malfoy.

"I certainly will." Mrs. Malfoy assured smiling before noticing Andromeda still in the room. "You're still here?"

"I was waiting for Narcissa." Andromeda answered as Mrs. Malfoy looked at her with disdain.

It was evident Lucius had informed her all about what had transpired over the school year. Andromeda was sure he hadn't painted her in the best light.

"Well." Mrs. Malfoy said briskly, turning to Narcissa. "I'll owl you about the time."

"Please do. Goodbye Mrs. Malfoy." Narcissa said smiling at her. "Goodbye Lucius."

"Goodbye Narcissa." Lucius replied smiling at her and waving slightly.

Andromeda stood up and joined Narcissa at the fireplace, glad to finally be leaving the Malfoy Manor where she was clearly not welcome. When they arrived at home Andromeda turned to Narcissa and smiled.

"What's going on with you and Lucius Malfoy?" She teased nudging her sister lightly.

"I don't know." Narcissa replied smiling to herself and giggling.

Andromeda raised her eyebrows knowingly at her sister before walking off leaving a blushing Narcissa in her wake.


Andromeda woke up on Christmas Day and noticed at once the fresh stack of parchment and quill sitting on her desk. Sighing heavily she got to work, not surprised in the least that her mother hadn't even considered giving her a reprieve despite it being a holiday. As she was about halfway through she heard a tapping on her window. In confusion she turned around and saw an owl hovering just outside the winter, a parcel tied to its foot. She blinked, processing the strange owl, before rushing to the window as it tapped angrily against the window once again.

"Sh. Sh. Someone might hear you." Andromeda told the owl as she let it in.

She walked to her desk and got out a treat for it, hoping to quiet it down a bit as she untied the parcel from around its foot. Once she had freed it from the owl she opened the letter, laying the parcel next to her carefully, curious as to who it was from.

Dear Dromeda,

Merry Christmas! We went to this space museum-my brother is really into space. I guess there's some program the Americans and Russians are engaged in and space is a big deal in the muggle world right now. My brother said he wants to be an astronaut? I think I went into the wizarding world just as this space thing really kicked off so I'm lost really, know just as much as you do probably-maybe a bit more since I've been around my brother for the past week and he won't shut up about it.

But I digress. You probably don't care much about the muggle space program. This present is relevant though. I thought of you when I saw it-you'll get why when you see it yourself. You can use it for tea or something. Do you drink tea? I'm sure you do.

-Ted

Andromeda snorted at his letter and unwrapped the parcel, offering the owl another treat to keep it from hooting. Inside was a mug, carefully packaged, and when Andromeda pulled the packaging off she smiled. The mug had a picture of the Andromeda Galaxy on it, and below the picture Andromeda Galaxy was written in a fancy script.

She placed the mug carefully on the desk, threw another treat at his owl, and grabbed parchment and a quill, starting a quick letter.

Dear Edward,

Thank you for the mug! I do drink tea, quite frequently, more than you can imagine actually, so the mug will certainly come in handy. I have a present for you myself, but I wasn't sure how to get it to you until now, we only have one owl in my family and it's near impossible to get it away from my father, he works at the ministry, basically runs it so it's nonstop with him.

It's a little racist, but what else would you expect from me truly? I hope the humour in it at least makes up for the racism… Basically, it's what, until the tender of age of seven I thought a 'Mudblood' looked like. Imagine my confusion one day when Bellatrix snidely pointed out an ordinary person. I found it in Knockturn Alley so it might be cursed, but probably not. I think it was just stolen? It's impossible to tell when you get something from Knockturn Alley, but it hasn't cursed me and it's impossible to find anything weird like that unless if you're willing to go into Knockturn Alley… I'm sure it's fine though.

Molly wasn't very fond of being dragged into Knockturn Alley, but I convinced her it was a learning experience. How I help expand people's worlds. I am a giver, truly.

Merry Christmas!
Andromeda

Andromeda grabbed Ted's present, a humanoid looking creature that seemed to be covered in a plastic mud. The mud covered it from head to toe, and you could only assume it was human by its general shape. Andromeda still wasn't sure what it was meant to be, but it was the sort of thing she had come to expect to find with the shady dealers in Knockturn Alley. She tied the letter and the present, which she had wrapped before going to the ball yesterday, up in a bag before tying it to his owl.

"Take this back to Ted please." She told the owl, giving it one last treat before letting it out the window.

Once her window was closed again Andromeda walked back to her desk, adjusting the mug which she had placed on it rather quickly, before sitting back down to finish up her lines, recounting where she was as she had lost track at the interruption. She finished quickly, tapped the parchment together into a neat stack, and moved toward the door prepared to deliver it to her mother when another tap came on her window.

Further confused, Andromeda turned around and found another owl at her window. She had never been so popular. She hurried over and let it in, now entirely lost as to who it could be from. She fed it a treat as well and removed the letter and parcel much quicker than she had with Ted's, mostly as Ted's had been a confusion of strings and knots.

Andromeda,

Thanks for the fire crab, we've been having tons of fun with it over her. My dad loves it. It burned a stack of Quibblers but I think that only made him love it more. I found that picture of the sirrah and thought I'd draw you this. It's not on the back on some kid's paper, but I hope it'll do.

Merry Christmas,
Xenophilius

Andromeda smiled as she unrolled the paper that had been attached, glad she had been able to send Xenophilius' present in Diagon Alley, as she would not have been able to find a living creature quite as well as she could had Ted's present.

The sirrah was exactly as Xenophilius had described it all those months ago, the crown shaped plume and sharp beak, and Andromeda loved it all the more. It really was beautiful. She resolved to hang it on her wall later. Grabbing another parchment and a quill Andromeda wrote Xenophilius a quick thank you note before sending his owl off.

With her Christmas wishes done, Andromeda couldn't think of anyone else who would send her something, she gathered the lines she had written from where she had placed them back down on the desk, and headed out of her bedroom to deliver them to her mother, looking forward to see what her parents had gotten her for Christmas.


Andromeda was elbow deep in her stocking reaching to find anything else that might still be in there. Her spoils from the day were surrounding her in a disorganized mess, her jewelry mixing with pantyhose and inkwells. Just as she was about ready to give up and admit there was nothing else in her stocking Andromeda felt a piece of paper she had mistaken for the tag. Confused she felt another slip of paper, grasping both papers in her hand she pulled them out.

"Merlin's pants!" Andromeda squeaked excitedly glancing over the tickets. "Are these real?"

"Yes, although I'm not really sure you deserve them after how you've behaved this holiday." Mrs. Black answered, making a motion as if she were going to take them.

Andromeda pulled her best pouty face, the one that had worked quite well for her in the past.

"Please mother. You know how much I love the Falcons." Andromeda begged.

"As long as you behave for the rest of the holiday, you can keep them." Mrs. Black warned.

"Thank you mother! I'll be on my best behavior, honest." Andromeda beamed.

Mrs. Black nodded and for a second it seemed almost as if they might hug, Andromeda was certainly exuberant enough, but then Mrs. Black stood and got her usual look back in her eye.

"Girls, take your stockings upstairs. Your cousins should be here soon." Mrs. Black ordered.

"Yes mother." The three sisters chorused, collecting their things.

Andromeda headed off with a bounce in her step, brandishing her Falmouth Falcons tickets as if they were pure gold.


The moment of truth had arrived as Andromeda descended down the stairs and into the sitting room where her visiting family would be seated. She noted happily that her Uncle Alphard was in fact seated in the room, sandwiched between her Great Aunt Cassiopeia and her father. On the other couch her grandparents from her father's side were sitting chatting amoungst themselves.

The stack of presents that sat under the tree had grown quite a bit since Andromeda had first headed upstairs. There was also a tier of snacks sitting on the table that Andromeda was aware that she would most likely not be able to eat. She mourned for her loss of delicious food for a tad bit, it looked truly scrumptious, before walking fully into the room and greeting her various family members.

"Have Aunt Walburga and the boys not shown up yet?" She inquired once everyone was seated once more.

"My sister and Orion ought to be here shortly." Mr. Black answered.

Andromeda nodded and took a seat in a nearby chair as the rest of her family filed in.

"How is school going, girls?" Great Aunt Cassiopeia asked once all three Black sisters were present.

"Quite well." Narcissa answered smiling pleasantly. "I'm in my fourth year now."

"Oh fourth year, what a time." Grandmother Irma remarked. "You're about to be presented aren't you, dear?"

"Yes, I'm very excited about it. I can hardly wait." Narcissa exclaimed.

"What about you two?" Cassiopeia inquired, addressing Andromeda and Bellatrix.

"School is going well so far. I'm in my sixth year now and NEWT classes are a bit harder than I expected but I think I have a handle on them." Andromeda answered.

"School is excellent. I'm graduating this year." Bellatrix informed them.

"How many NEWTs are you girls taking?" Grandfather Pollux asked, turning from the conversation he was having with Cygnus.

"Seven." Bellatrix answered.

"Ten." Andromeda said. "Everything but Muggle Studies and Divination."

Pollux raised an eyebrow appreciatively.

"Smart girls you have here, Cygnus. Managing ten NEWTs and you're a prefect, aren't you Andromeda?" Pollux complimented.

"They've always been a bit more clever than the average witch. What more can you expect from fine genes?" Cygnus declared smiling at Andromeda proudly.

As Irma opened her mouth to make a perhaps cutting remark, as she did not understand why someone of Andromeda's status would need to take ten whole NEWTs, especially someone who was born into the Black name, a knock came upon the door and within moments the other portion of the Black family, Aunt Walburga, Uncle Orion, and the 'boys' Sirius and Regulus entered the room.

Walburga and Orion took part in the proper greetings as Sirius and Regulus raced into the room, admiring the looming pile of presents under the Christmas tree. Sirius was eight, excitable, and a bit of a handful to put it lightly. Regulus, seven, wanted to be just like Sirius and followed him around everywhere. Sirius pretended it annoyed him but he secretly relished the idea of being someone's hero and would often take advantage of Regulus' loyalty.

Sirius was shaking one of the presents that appeared to be for him, a look of concentration on his face as if decoding what it was by sound and weight, brilliant child as he was, it was likely he would be successful. Regulus, halfway into the stack of presents and no longer visible to anyone else within the room besides Sirius, was trying to inconspicuously unwrap one of his presents just enough to see what it was without it being noticeable that he had opened it.

Andromeda watched with a smile on her face as Sirius placed the present on the ground and leaned over it, seemingly assessing the dimensions of the box and running them against a feasible list of gifts that would be awaiting him. She remembered fondly when she had been much the same way. Aunt Walburga looked on, no trace of amusement in her face, as she frowned at Sirius as if to dissuade him. Typically, Sirius took no notice.

"Sirius, Regulus, get away from the presents." She ordered once it became evident they would not move by look alone.

Regulus walked away reluctantly and sat, in the chair his mother was gesturing to, properly, an apologetic look upon his face. Sirius continued to ignore his mother, a slow smile forming on his face as he seemed to figure out exactly what was in the present. Walburga cast another sharp look at him and Andromeda became aware that there may soon be a scene.

"Sirius." Andromeda said, making the boy look up. "I am offended you haven't even said hello to me! Me, your favourite cousin, of all people."

Sirius looked up, as if noticing there were other people in the room for the first time, having been entirely distracted by the presents, grinned and got up to go sit by his self-proclaimed favourite cousin.

Andromeda adjusted with Sirius on her lap, as he had deemed to sit there upon discovering that Bellatrix was sitting next to Andromeda. He would shoot Bellatrix a disgruntled look every once in a while, when he assumed no one was paying attention, which Bellatrix would return. Andromeda pretended she didn't see anything although she couldn't help but smile to herself.

"How has life been treating you then Sirius?" Andromeda asked as the various family members entered their own conversations.

"Good. Mother got this new umbrella stand, it's really ugly. I think I'm going to break it." Sirius declared in quiet tones. "It's an eyesore. Who makes a troll leg into an umbrella stand?"

"Your mother always did have interesting taste." Andromeda agreed, imagining the ugly stand. "I wish you all the luck in destroying what I'm sure is the ugliest umbrella stand ever."

"I haven't devised how yet though. I have to do it in a way that it looks like an accident but can't be repaired." Sirius mused, clearly something that had been plaguing him. "I'll think of a way eventually."

"Sooner rather than later, eh?" Andromeda joked.

Sirius laughed and was about to say something when Andromeda noticed her Uncle Alphard excuse himself from the conversation he was currently engaged in with Cygnus and Pollux. If she was going to talk to him openly then this would be her only chance to get him alone.

"Sirius, I'll be right back. Go keep Regulus company, okay? He looks incredibly bored." Andromeda said.

Regulus was, indeed, sitting across the room next to Narcissa who was talking to Irma and Cassiopeia and completely ignoring Regulus who was looking jealously at Sirius. Sirius, deflected upon his younger brother and therefore distracted, allowed Andromeda to slip from the room unnoticed.

"Uncle Alphard?" Andromeda called upon cornering him as he exited the bathroom.

"Andromeda, dear. Do you often corner men as they exit the restroom?" He joked, a large smile on his face.

"Only when I need to discuss something important with them." Andromeda remarked.

"So important it can't be discussed with the rest of the family present?" Uncle Alphard asked, intrigued.

"It's a frowned upon subject to the rest of the family." Andromeda admitted.

"That's my favourite kind of topic of discussion." Uncle Alphard said gleefully. "What is this important matter then?"

Andromeda bit her lip, aware there was no going back if she openly stated it so closely to the rest of her family it would be the final submission. There would be no going back. Foolishly, perhaps, she plunged on.

"Do you remember when I was younger and you would say things sometimes? Things that never quite fit in with our family's values and ideals. At the time I had ignored you to the best of my ability but, well you were the only one who treated me like an intelligent being and they resonated with me, I suppose." Andromeda rushed out, as quietly as she could so as not to be overheard. "I've been finding it increasingly harder to suppress what you've said and I've found recently that I agree pretty much entirely with the sort of things you used to say."

"Andromeda, are you saying what I think you're saying?" Uncle Alphard asked, a glint in his eye that betrayed the serious expression on his face.

Andromeda nodded and despite himself Uncle Alphard drew Andromeda into a hug, a smile on his face.

"This is the best Christmas you could have given me!" He exclaimed. "Now I just need to be as influential on the rest of my nieces and nephews, eh?"

Andromeda patted him awkwardly on the back.

"The only problem is, of course, that I no longer fit in with the rest of the family and I'm finding it hard to stop from outing myself. Especially with Bellatrix around. Did you know that she joined the Knights of Walpurgis?" Andromeda said once Uncle Alphard had released her. "How do you do it?"

Uncle Alphard scowled at the mention of the Knights, clearly disappointed, but he powered on.

"It's a bit tricky, I won't lie. It's a careful balance of deception and telling people what they want to hear. After a while if you play your hand close to your chest and keep it up they begin to believe what they expect of you, even if you fall short. It's trickiest when you begin, but it gets easier over time." Uncle Alphard admitted. "You've always been a good liar though, Andromeda, you should be fine."

"That helps so much." Andromeda bit with a grimace. "How do you put up with it though, all the racist comments and hateful words? It's so hard not to say anything. They're just so wrong."

"I know. It's hard. I'm sorry I can't provide you any real comfort here, but the best we can do is grin and bear it." Uncle Alphard advised. "That and subtly hint and try to change their minds."

Andromeda gave him a dubious look.

"It worked with you, didn't it?" Uncle Alphard pointed out.

"You have me there." Andromeda admitted with a laugh.

"Now then, we ought to get back before they notice us missing, don't you think? It certainly doesn't take me this long to use the bathroom regularly." Uncle Alphard joked walking past Andromeda.

Andromeda followed him back into the main room and as she turned the corner she noted a movement out of the corner of her eye. She followed it suspiciously and came face to face with Sirius. Andromeda filled with dread and wondered just how much the boy had overheard. She silently cursed his overpowering curiosity.

"Sirius! Didn't I tell you to keep Regulus company?" Andromeda asked, eyeing Sirius warily.

"I got bored." Sirius proclaimed with a shrug. "Thought I'd see what you had gotten off to. What were you and Uncle Alphard talking about?"

"That is a secret." Andromeda answered smiling at Sirius.

"When mother says that she usually is planning something for my birthday." Sirius remarked.

"Perhaps." Andromeda stated. "We should be going though, shouldn't we?"

Sirius nodded, smile lighting up his face as he quietly tried to decipher what he had just overheard between Andromeda and Uncle Alphard.


The days passed and at last it was New Year's Eve. The Black household was a bustle as Mrs. Black made final preparations for the New Year's Eve Ball, the most important event of the year in pureblood society. She was so busy that, for once Andromeda awoke to find no quill, no parchment, and no expectation to fill out any sort of punishment.

She smiled at her vacant desk and shuffled through the drawers to find the book she had been reading of late, aware from past experience that if she headed downstairs now she would be met with her mother in a frenzy, trying to deal with last minute issues under extreme stress.

She sat done in the chair and for once on the whole holiday began to relax. Holiday was almost over and all she had left was to be on her best behavior at this event and the Falcons match was a certainty. For a second she was reminded of Charity's New Year's party and felt a wave of sadness that she would miss out on it, but a Falcons match and seeing Kevin Broadmoor in the flesh was better by all means.


The Ball was in full swing and Andromeda was chatting happily with Persimmon. She was always more comfortable when she was within her own home than within other's, and she felt at ease whereas at the Malfoy Manor part of her had been on edge.

"You're in the final stretch now." Andromeda observed. "Are you excited to be almost done with Hogwarts?"

"I cannot wait. I can almost taste my freedom from those ugly uniforms." Persimmon said, a smile coming across her face.

"No more uniforms are really what you're most excited about?" Andromeda asked skeptically.

"Well, all I have besides that is my marriage to look forward to. I suppose it will be nice not to have to sneak around anymore." Persimmon decided. "The uniforms are horrible though. You can't deny it."

"I suppose you're right." Andromeda agreed reluctantly. "Those jumpers are absolutely dreadful. Not to mention itchy."

"The skirts are so unflattering too!" Persimmon proclaimed. "Not to mention long."

"What's with the hats, though? What purpose do they serve at all? They don't keep you warm, and you're not supposed to wear them in class." Andromeda pointed out. "Why are they even in the uniform at all? To get us adjusted to pointy hat wear?"

"I've always hated the pointed hat." Persimmon divulged. "My father always wears one, it's the tackiest thing."

"I'm afraid I will never understand some wizard fashion."

"Andromeda, Persimmon." Bellatrix greeted as she walked over. "May I interrupt?"

"You already have." Persimmon pointed out.

"There you have it then. I need to borrow Andromeda." Bellatrix said, grabbing Andromeda's arm. "Come along with me, dear sister."

"I suppose I'll see you later." Andromeda said to Persimmon waving slightly as Bellatrix pulled here into the hallway. "That was rude."

"I don't want Persimmon hearing this." Bellatrix said rolling her eyes. "I have a surprise for you."

"Will I like this surprise?" Andromeda inquired.

"Of course!" Bellatrix exclaimed. "There's a Knights meeting going on shortly. I've managed to get you in early."

"What?" Andromeda asked in shock.

"I know, I know. Best sister ever. I had to pull some serious strings so don't mess this up." Bellatrix warned, a threat edging into her voice.

"Where?" Andromeda asked in confusion. "How?"

"You ask a lot of questions for someone who should be oozing appreciation." Bellatrix remarked.

"It's just all so sudden." Andromeda explained. "Thank you though."

"That's more like it."

Andromeda followed Bellatrix up the stairs and through some of the hallways until they reached one of the usually abandoned living rooms upstairs. Andromeda was mildly impressed with the gall of Bellatrix to host a Knights of Walpurgis meeting in their home during the New Year's Eve Ball, which was an event that their mother planned and prepared for all year. She only had a moment to be impressed though, as she was suddenly surrounded by people jockeying for a seat near possibly one of the most attractive men Andromeda had ever seen.

Andromeda could understand upon seeing the dark handsome man why Bellatrix followed him so devotedly. He was exactly the type of guy that Bellatrix would fall for. There was something kind of terrifying about him as well though. He gave off vibes that made Andromeda feel slightly uncomfortable, like he was constantly prepared to charm and manipulate you, which, Andromeda figured, he probably was.

"Andromeda! Didn't expect to see you here." Travers exclaimed sidling up to Andromeda. "You're not seventeen yet, are you?"

"In two weeks. I've managed to get in early." Andromeda answered forcing a smile. "I forgot you were a Knight."

"That wounds me, truly." Travers said, putting a hand over his heart in fake pain. "How are rounds going?"

"All right enough." Andromeda said. "You? Do you miss me terribly?"

"All the time. Your conversation was what kept me going at night." Travers remarked. "Isn't your rounds partner a Mudblood though?"

"Yeah. It's a very quiet rounds oddly enough." Andromeda lied, pulling a face of disgust and hating herself slightly.

"I heard the kid got you kicked out of class too? Do you want me to deal with him?" Travers offered.

"Oh I already have, don't worry about it." Andromeda assured.

Travers nodded as the attractive man in the center of the room cleared his throat as if to signify the start of the meeting.

"I suppose we ought to find some seats."

Andromeda followed Travers to one of the nearby couches but found they had all been taken up. Annoyed but not wanting to draw attention to herself Andromeda moved to lean against the wall as Travers took a seat on the floor. She surveyed the room and was surprised to find the amount of people attending the meeting; she had not expected the Knights to be such a large group. Just as she was finished taking stock of who was in attendance, her eyes met with Walden's. She groaned inwardly. She should have expected her fiancé to be a part of the Knights.

"Andromeda!" He exclaimed interrupting everything and drawing the attention she hadn't wanted. "What are you doing standing? A Black standing. You should all be ashamed of yourselves."

At the mention of her last name several people made to stand up but Walden waved them off patting his lap for Andromeda to sit on. Trying to draw as little attention to herself as possible Andromeda walked over and sat on Walden's lap, wishing she was anywhere but there.

"What are you doing here?" Walden whispered once Andromeda had taken her seat.

"Bellatrix got me in early. I turn seventeen soon and I guess she wanted to induct me early." Andromeda murmured back.

"January Fifteenth, yes?" Walden asked a proud smile on his face.

"Remembered my birthday then, did you?" Andromeda retorted. "I'd be flattered but I can't be sure you didn't just ask my sister."

"Such wit." Walden bit. "I didn't think you'd be joining the Knights though."

"On the contrary, I've been counting the days. I'm just lucky I have such an early birthday." Andromeda answered, lying through her teeth. "I could hardly wait until I could join the campaign against mudbloods."

"I'm pretty lucky you have an early birthday too." Walden remarked leaning forward and nibbling Andromeda's neck.

Andromeda, in an attempt to focus her attention anywhere but on Walden's gross sucking of her neck, met eyes with the attractive man in the middle who seemed to be looking at her attentively, as if he could see right through her. Despite herself, Andromeda shivered, uncomfortable with the gaze this man was casting at her, Walden, typically, took it as a sign of enjoyment.

Andromeda tried her best to listen to what this man whom Bellatrix admired so much was saying, but between the way he would look at her occasionally, evaluating her, and the pure blind muggle-born hatred, it was hard for her to keep track. About partway through a diatribe on the thieving and non-trustworthy ways of muggle-borns Andromeda felt herself oozing with so much rage that it was taking all her willpower not to speak up.

It did not help in the least, that Walden had placed a glass of wine in her hand and while Andromeda was trying to sip it, aware that alcohol would only loosen her tongue and make it harder to inhibit her growing rage at this group's prejudice, she was gradually taking larger and larger sips as she tried to get the meeting to move and end faster. It was not logical, the amount of alcohol she took in would not make the night move faster, but it was the only thing she had on hand, besides Walden who was still occasionally working on her neck. Andromeda was certain she would have a large hickey by the end of the evening, and to that she took another sip.

"It's truly disgusting they think that they can cohabitate in a world with us. Particularly us purebloods. We've earned our rights and magic and then these mudbloods come in and try and worm their way into our society? Who do they think we are?" Walden spat, startling Andromeda slightly as she hadn't realized the meeting had moved to open discussion.

"Someone's very outspoken for not even being a pureblood." Theodore Nott bit from across the room, scowling at Walden.

"What do you mean? I am too a pureblood! How dare you!?" Walden cried in outrage, jumping up in defense.

Andromeda, in Walden's haste, got knocked to the floor. Although annoyed and perhaps a bit tipsy Andromeda was aware that this Walden and Theodore debacle might be here ticket out of there. Walden and Theodore had had it out for each other since their Hogwarts days, the Notts had long since disclaimed the MacNairs as purebloods and there had therefore been an ongoing feud. It did not help that Theodore and Walden had both been shopping for fiancées at the same time and both had had their sights set on Andromeda. Walden had been lucky enough to have gotten their first.

"That's not what the official pureblood list states." Nott said haughtily.

Andromeda noted that neither boy seemed to care at all that she had been unceremoniously dumped on the floor. For boy's that had been after her hand they seemed so uninterested in her now.

"Do you mean the pureblood list the Notts created? The one that they specifically let the MacNairs out of? Due to jealousy? Oh yes, that list is completely reliable." Walden retorted.

"I hardly think my family would be jealous of some pretending half-bloods." Nott bit.

"You're not jealous that I got Andromeda Black's hand then? We all know how hard you were gunning for that one."

This was, of course, still a sore spot for Theodore and words seemed to fail him. One look at Walden's superior expression and he launched himself at him, knocking him square in the face. Within moments a fist fight had broken out and the meeting seemed to dissolve entirely.

"Stop it!" Andromeda yelled, her anger finally snapping. "For two guys who seem to care so much neither of you stopped to make sure I was okay when I got knocked to the floor. I don't know what this stupid feud between the MacNairs and the Notts started out as, but how about the both of you get over yourselves and focus on what's really important."

"She's right you know," Theodore remarked, fist posed inches from Walden's face. "We are wasting time fighting each other when we should be focusing on getting rid of the mudbloods.

"You're right, mate. If we focused this energy on the mudbloods instead of each other we might actually accomplish something." Walden agreed, facing bleeding profusely.

"I'm fine by the way, thank you for asking. Charming, the both of you." Andromeda bit, exasperated.

"Theatrics aside, I think that might be a good conclusion to the meeting." The man interrupted glancing angrily at Andromeda as if it was all her fault.

Bellatrix seemed to agree and shot Andromeda a deadly gaze. Andromeda normally afraid, felt past the point of caring, and stormed out of the room before Walden or Theodore could catch up. Bellatrix, of course, caught up with her first, in a deserted hallway Andromeda had took to try and escape running into either of the boys.

"Well that was just lovely." She cut, making Andromeda jump. "You know what he said to me once you had gone? He said 'Don't bring her back. She's not the sort we want here. I'm disappointed in you Bella, your judge of character seems to be lacking.' Isn't that just fucking brilliant? You making me look like an idiot? So, thanks for that, really, from the bottom of my heart."

"I'm not the one that made Walden and Theodore get in a fight. It's not my fault the Notts and MacNairs have been at each other since Merlin knows when." Andromeda retorted, the wine she had consumed making her brave. "I didn't ask you to get me in the Knights in the first place! You just assumed I would want to join!"

"A thousand pardons for trying to help you get into the most influential group in wizarding history. Why do you always have to be so difficult and different? Do you enjoy making me look stupid? Do you?" Bellatrix accused, stepping threateningly towards Andromeda.

"Do you enjoy making my life a living hell?" Andromeda exclaimed.

"I make your life a living hell? Oh that's rich, truly. I can show you what a living hell is truly like, if you'd like." Bellatrix threatened, pulling her wand from her robes.

Andromeda faltered at the sight of Bellatrix's wand, aware of the damage that her sister was capable of and had previously inflicted. Before she could retort Bellatrix hit her, hard, with some spell Andromeda didn't have time to identify.

She crumpled over, the wind knocked out of her, as she tried to pinpoint what had gone wrong. She thought she had been doing so well, keeping Bellatrix pleased as well as she could, but she must have been wrong. She realized the quiet she had been receiving must have been the calm before the storm, rather than a reluctant peace, and tonight had broken the last straw. Andromeda was trying to pinpoint where it had all gone wrong before a wave of incredible pain hit her making her lose all remnants of thought.

It was gone almost as soon as it had arrived, although it had seemed a lifetime to Andromeda, as if Bellatrix had realized what she was doing and had stopped in an attempt to take it back. It was too late though, and the careful ground that Andromeda and Bellatrix had been treading on had split. There was no more hope.

"Did you just use an Unforgivable on me?" Andromeda choked out, her whole body sore.

"I-I didn't mean it? I hadn't realized what I was doing until it was too late-." Bellatrix began apologetically.

"You're right, it is too late. I've put up with this abuse Bellatrix, but I'm done. You've gone too far this time." Andromeda declared, using the wall to pull her way up, her face hurt exceptionally.

"I-Salazar Slytherin your face!" Bellatrix exclaimed, distracted as Andromeda was visible in the light. "Oh shit, no. Shit. Mother is going to see and then I am done for. Shit. You stupid idiot! Why did you hit the wall in the five seconds I crucioed you? Why would you do such a stupid thing?"

"Oh I'm sorry! I couldn't control myself as I was writhing in pain!" Andromeda yelled throwing her hands up. "You are unbelievable Bellatrix. Truly and incredibly unbelievable, do you ever stop thinking of yourself for five seconds?"

Bellatrix had stopped listening though, between her guilt for what she had done and the fear of the evidence on Andromeda's face that everyone would notice. She was completely screwed if she didn't think of something fast.

"I've got it! I'll tell mother you were not feeling well and you retired to your room. She will be so distracted with everything she won't check on you, not that she would anyways, it's mother after all, and you can fix it up." Bellatrix said, breathing a sigh of relief. "You just need to disappear in your room for the rest of the night.

"So I can save your ass? After you used an Unforgivable on me? Oddly enough I'm not that concerned for your wellbeing, Bellatrix." Andromeda remarked.

"If you don't I can easily do it again." Bellatrix threatened without thinking.

Andromeda looked at her in disbelief.

"Merlin's pants, what happened to you Bellatrix?" Andromeda asked appalled. "I don't even believe that you wouldn't. That should horrify you, but I can't help but feel that it gives you pride. You disgust me."

Bellatrix raised an eyebrow.

"Are you going to your room or not?" She asked, wand in hand.

"As I happen to like my brain intact and my body not writhing in pain, I guess I will." Andromeda said lowly, shaking her head in disbelief at her sister.

Andromeda didn't realize until she had gotten back to her room, and tried to clean up her face a bit that she had been given an out. She could still try and remedy the horror of this night by going to that party. She changed quickly, into muggle clothes that she figured were appropriate and made her way to the window, shoes in hand.

She glanced down the window and noted the cluster of vines and nearby tree that seemed to work perfectly for her means. She deserved a good night, and she would have one if it killed her, which, she noted as she looked down at the ground that seemed to stretch below her, it just might.

With one last glance she tossed her shoes onto the lawn below, swung a leg out of the window, and began her descent.