Chapter Ten:

Andromeda finally said, "Narcissa..." she started crying before she finished the sentence. "Thank you...so much. I don't know what I'd do..."

"Are you going to marry the mudblood Tonks?" she asked bluntly. Her anger and fury had dwindle to a short-tempered frustration.

Looking hurt, her older sister whispered, "Muggle."

Narcissa's eyes widened, as she realized she was losing her sister completely. "Droma...I...Do you really not believe in blood purity anymore?"

Andromeda sighed deeply before replying, "No, Cissa. I don't believe in blood purity anymore."

They stood there for a long moment. Narcissa almost started crying. She wasn't only losing her sister and her cousin - she was part of an arranged marriage with someone that she had complicated feelings for.

Andromeda took out a small object from her pocket. It glinted in the pale light of the cold winter sun, and sparkled in Andromeda's hand. She handed it to Narcissa, who studied it with shock.

"What...?" Narcissa whispered.

"Ted asked me to marry him," she stated promptly.

Narcissa gave the ring back. She sat down, sighing sadly.

"Ted. Tonks." Came the cold voice of Cygnus Black. "Mudblood."

Narcissa flew up from where she was sitting to her sister's side, catching sight of her Father, standing several feet away with Abraxus Malfoy. A chill went down her back when she realized they had listened to the conversation.

"Andromeda Cassandra Black," Cygnus growled venomously and coldly and very slowly. "What. Is. This. All. About."

Fear flashed across Andromeda's face as she exchanged a look with Narcissa. She straightened her posture as bravely as she could, leaving Narcissa's side, to whisper, "I am in love with Ted Tonks."

"WHAT?" hollered Cygnus, in absolute rage and disbelief.

Andromeda nervously showed Cygnus and Abraxus the ring, sliding it onto her finger. "He asked me to marry him when we leave school. And I accepted. It's like...like a pre-engagement ring. A promise ring."

"I will not accept a mudblood or a blood traitor under my roof," snarled Cygnus. "Now you either give that up and never speak with Tonks again, or you shall be disowned; you'll never be worthy to be called a Black ever again! You'll be disinherited and you'll receive none of my inheritance! You'll be burned from the family tree and no one will claim you to their family! Do you understand me?! I DO NOT CLAIM YOU AS MY DAUGHTER!"

Andromeda whispered, "All right, then, Father. I'll leave now." She turned and walked for the exit of the grounds of the Black Manor.

"Were you a part of this?" Cygnus growled at Narcissa, who stared at him with horror.

Andromeda turned around and snapped, "Narcissa had nothing to do with it - she's not brave enough to do anything but follow rules and marry a pureblood! And she even has issues doing that," she added coldly.

Narcissa looked and felt scandalized and hurt. "Droma -" she said with hurt thick in her voice.

"Get out of my sight!" hissed Cygnus.

"Goodbye, Father." Andromeda continued to walk away, slowly, as if in a dream.

Cygnus shouted, "Don't call me that! I am no longer claiming you as family! NEVER COME BACK!"

"Alright...Mr. Black," Andromeda said. There was no emotion in her words, only an expressionless cold sound that had complete dominance over the grounds.

She disapparated away once she left the grounds of the Manor.

"Come inside, Cissa," Cygnus said, walking away stiffly.

Abraxus Malfoy, who had been quiet the whole time, said to Narcissa, "Don't be upset about your...about that blood traitor. She's foolish to think like that."

Narcissa nodded, following her father and Abraxus inside silently.

"What's wrong?" Druella Black exclaimed, noticing the solemn and furious looks.

"Andromeda is in love with a mudblood. I've disowned and disinherited her," growled Cygnus, storming upstairs.

Druella looked at Narcissa with alarm. "Where is she now?"

"Gone." Narcissa's voice cracked and hurt. "She...She disapparated away. She's...she's gone."

Druella nodded. "That is proper."

Bellatrix looked shocked. She stared at Narcissa with disbelief, before turning to Druella and saying, "Mother, I'm going out with Rodolphus. Do we need any groceries or anything?"

"Yes, we need pumpkin juice and a steak," Druella grumbled.

Bellatrix and Rodolphus disappeared, walking away and disapparating.

Lucius stared at Narcissa for a long moment, and she met his stare without a word. He didn't say anything either. Finally, he turned and walked into the other room, leaving Narcissa feeling completely and absolutely alone.