Part II
Andromeda slowly opened the door of her sister's room and entered.
"Bella," she said softly.
"Yes?"
"Uhhh... how are things with you and Rabastan?"
"Fine."
"He's a Lestrange."
"Yes, I'm aware of that."
"He can't get married till his brother does."
"What's your point?"
"Rodulphus seems very nice."
Bellatrix closed her book and looked up to look at her younger sister "Andy, I'm not quite sure what you're getting at."
"Well, I was talking to him and he seems... he seems a lot like you."
Bellatrix threw her head back in indignation.
"He's got connections. And he's all about He Who...I mean the Dark Lord too."
"Well, yeah, the Lestranges are connected."
"He's been out of school longer. So, you know he's gone up in the Dark Lord's ranks."
Bellatrix's eyes lit up with fascination.
"And obviously I'm sure his wife would be equally...well how do I put this...respected. So I was wondering if you knew anyone."
"Rabastan is good, he treats me well. I mean, I think we are good together. But if Rodulphus is willing to... It would be..."
Andromeda was a bit frightened that her sister had gotten convinced so easily. It frightened her to think that this Dark Lord had so much power over her sister.
"You're willing to give up Rabastan for… getting closer to the Dark Lord?"
"Andy, you don't know what this means. If Rodulphus is higher up, that means I would be to. I'd be on the front lines actually killing those muggles. Working towards a pureblood society," she said her eyes lighting up with a kind of passion Andromeda had rarely seen.
"But what about Rabastan?"
"Are you not hearing me? This is an opportunity of a lifetime. I can't give it up for… love."
"So you admit you love him?"
"I don't love him. I'm just...oh never mind, the point is I think it'll be good if…."
"But Bella..."
"In fact I'm going to go tell mother now."
"Tell mother what?" asked Narcissa who had just entered the room.
"That if the Lestranges ask for my hand, they should accept," said Bellatrix.
"Oh, Bella. You're getting married to Rabastan, that's so romantic!" squealed Narcissa.
"Rodulphus actually."
"What?"
"Oh, Andy, explain it to her. I'm off to tell Mother."
"But why will they ask for you?"
"We are Blacks."
"So?"
"Oh, you have much to learn."
Bellatrix made for the door but Andromeda pulled her back.
"What?"
"I thought I could do this. But I can't," admitted Andromeda.
Bellatrix raised her eyebrows sceptically.
"Rodulphus made me do this."
"Why?"
"He wants to marry you so he can inherit money."
"Why'd you do it?"
"Because he knows something about me."
"What?"
"Bella, I'm dating someone."
"As far as I know, that's not a crime."
"It's a muggleborn."
Narcissa gasped and threw her little hand to her mouth and Bellatrix's eyes flashed, her grip around her wand tightening, her mouth drawn into a thin line.
"What?" Bellatrix asked, her voice dangerously low.
"Yes. I wanted to tell you but I didn't know how."
"Break it off."
"What?" asked Andromeda shocked.
She was expecting an explosion, not a calm order.
"I said break it off."
"Yes, Bella. Mother's going to be furious."
"Well, she has a right to be. Mucking around with that filth. I hope you take baths often."
Andromeda moved her eyes to the floor and kept them there.
"She won't know," muttered Bellatrix.
"What do you mean?"
"I'll marry Rodulphus."
"Bella, you can't do that."
"I just said I'm going to."
"Not for me."
"'What, you'd rather the whole world knows about your illicit love affair?"
"It's okay."
"No. No, it's not okay. It's a disgrace. A dishonour to our family name. I will not let you do it."
"Bella, I'll apologize, they'll yell but eventually they will get over it."
"No, no they won't. Don't you understand? A Black with a mudblood is unheard of and that's how we shall keep it."
"Bella, a Black in Gryffindor is too, but Sirius is living proof of an exception."
"So that's what you want? You want to stand out? Want people to notice you because you're an exception? Is that why you did this?"
"No, no that's not what I meant."
"Then listen to me. I will marry Rodulphus and this will go unheard of."
"Bella, this is ridiculous, you love Rabastan."
"I don't love him. I am simply fond of him. In the course of time, I will learn to be fond of his brother too, and if not I'm sure I can tolerate him. And for that small price I will be closer to the Dark Lord and also make sure your name in blasted off the tapestry."
"I don't care about the tapestry! I care about you. So, stop this."
"If you cared so much, you wouldn't have been with the mudblood."
"Bella this has nothing to do with it. Look..."
"Enough. My decision is final," Bella warned.
She walked away and Narcissa sat in silence watching her older sister's face turn into one of annoyance, doubt and gratefulness.
Andromeda knew this day was coming. The day she would have to let go of Teddy for her family. No, because of her family. She had warned him about it and he hadn't seemed too concerned at the time. He hadn't taken her seriously. She wished she didn't have to, but there was no other choice. If Bellatrix was going to sacrifice so much for her, the least she could do is follow her wishes.
Dear Ted,
We can no longer see each other because...because well you're a mudblood. And I'm a Black. Those two just don't go well together.
-Andy
It pained her to write the horrid word. She wished she could have written him a long letter explaining everything and telling him how much he means to her. But it was better this way, short, blunt and absolutely crude, this way there would be sign of possible reconciliation. It was final. She knew it and soon so would he. He would hate her for the rest of his life. Hate she could live with, but never with regret. And so she sent it to him. Just like Bella said.
A/N: I'm obsessed with reviews. So please review. (:. I'll give you monkeys. :*
