Chapter 14

"How did it go?" Narcissa was on her older sister's bed, flipping a page of a potions book with her wand. She had her elbows propped up and her face resting on the back of her hands, her lips pursed together tightly in anticipation of bad news.

Andromeda however had a slightly dreamy expression on her face as she was sitting in front of the dressing table. She cocked her head to one side, "He's…you know everything that I knew him to be."

Narcissa raised a fine brow, "Rotten, arrogant, unpleasant?" she supplied helpfully.

"No," she said laughing slightly, "Silly. He's extremely good looking, you know, he's better looking up close. He dresses really well and he's really cute too. Oh, Cissy, you should see Rosier's place, it's incredible!"

Narcissa almost singed a hole in her book with her wand-tip due to her surprise. "I would rather face a hippogriff than exchange words with that toad," she said venomously, "Honestly Dromeda, it's all a farce! His looks, his clothes and his nice house…he's evil, no seriously he's cruel. I don't know if you heard about it because you're not that into gossip but last year he performed Septumsempra on someone for not moving out of his way fast enough. Who does that?"

"Bella might," Andromeda defended, "And other people think Lucius is evil but you like him well enough."

Narcissa momentarily blinked, then blushing slightly, went back to reading her book, "Lucius is different." She said reluctantly as if she was indulging Andromeda in something that was rarely shown.

"I think he's just misunderstood."Andromeda said stolidly, "A-and he's going to be my…husband. You know, the One for me…" Andromeda started to blush herself. "You don't know how lucky I am Cissy. I thought papa would never be able to secure the Rosiers, I mean, I thought it would be MacNair or even Goyle. I didn't even dream of it."

"There's something else isn't there?" Narcissa suddenly interrupted with a sly smile. "You've had a crush on him haven't you?" Narcissa had said that as a joke but as if she was piecing something together, her eyes widened, "Don't tell me – is he the one you nicknamed Bright Eyes in your diary? Dromeda…no,"

"My diary?" Andromeda repeated shocked, "You've been reading my diary?"

"Well, you keep it under your pillow. It's so easy to find," Narcissa teased but still highly disturbed with the prospect that Bright Eyes, who was the subject of Andromeda's many entries of adoration may very well be Evan Rosier. "Well, is it?" she demanded when Andromeda's face reddened but did not say anything to confirm or deny her allegations. Narcissa put on an extremely exaggerated flabbergasted expression, "Oh, Dromeda…why?"

"Well, you obviously haven't read it thoroughly then." Andromeda said, purposefully not meeting Narcissa's eyes but she appeared satisfied and relieved that she did not have to keep it from her closest sister "And he invited me to his mansion this weekend to give a proper tour how the manor functions. When I become Mrs Rosier, it'll be my responsibility."

"You mean, his parents invited you." Narcissa said sceptically but took the care to not let her sister hear her for Andromeda had started to run a brush through her hair, the dreamy expression flitting back across her face. Narcissa decided it was not up to her to encroach on her older sister's happiness and if anyone in the world deserved to be happy, Narcissa determined, it was Andromeda.

Andromeda had been admitted into Illecebra Mansion (Rosier's mansion) by a suit of armour and was waiting patiently in the parlour. The clanking metal suit had not spoken to her much; an eerie voice had just floated out of the visor to tell her that his master would be with her shortly. After waiting for an hour and a half, Andromeda thought that something had to be done to break the tedium of sitting there with only the ticking clock to amuse her. Initially, she had been very nervous seeing Evan again and had been sitting, straight-backed with hands clutched in her lap and her eyes on her feet. Thousands of thoughts about the dress she chose and how she did her hair had run through her mind – making her jumpy at the slight noises, a breeze flitting past a lush curtain or one of Rosier's many hounds barking on its extensive grounds made her mistake them for the soft footsteps of Evan Rosier.

All that tension however evaporated when he failed to show. For a split second, Andromeda contemplated leaving the mansion and returning home but she felt disappointed and unsatisfied, there was a strange longing to be closer to Rosier in any way she could be, whether it be as simple as being in his house and seeing family portraits that covered entire walls. She wanted to know about him and the life he had lead and also fulfil her child-like desire to be part of it – now that she had the miraculous opportunity, to be his fiancée, she wasn't going to give up so easily. She wasn't going to just go home, she was going to make something out of being there.

Andromeda stood up and decided to explore the mansion. If anyone caught her and reprimanded her, which was unlikely as she had been invited there, she could easily say that she had gotten lost (it was very convincing as Illecebra was a maze).

Andromeda wasn't quite aware of where she was going but one thing that she was entirely sure of was that she enjoyed every little detail she came across while letting her feet carry her everywhere. She loved the winding stairwells, silk brocade walls and the dark seductive quality of elegant monochrome-coloured wall pins and mouldings that were designed to look like filigree work holding up the ceiling, with one she stumbled across (a private ballroom from what she could discern) holding a rounded Renaissance work of an angel being chased from the heavens.

There was not one thing that was out of place with each antique piece and deco being coordinated to complete one coherent picture from every view, giving an overwhelming sense of dark romanticism although styles from every period were specifically chosen and used. The Rosier family's motif – the rose with falling petals were found consistently in the most creative way possible and she ran a finger over each one, marvelling at how very soon, that would be hers also.

Stepping light-heartedly and her eyes feasting on such luxury and richness Andromeda had not seen for a long while, she pushed open a door that smelt nice and caught herself just as she saw Evan nibbling an ear of a stunning witch. She was pressed against him with her hands roaming up and down on him unconsciously whilst she continued licking his lip in an animalist yet fluid motion. Evan was the first to catch Andromeda staring and his eyes narrowed. The girl must have felt him stiffen for she stopped what she was doing without removing herself and just turned her head around lazily.

"Oh, Meda," Evan said with a twisted smile, "You're still here?"

Andromeda nodded her head to indicate that she was and that it was obvious with her standing there. Nothing showed on her face although the uptilted chin and blazing eyes were defiant.

Evan did not add to that nor did he move from his position. He continued leaning against his desk comfortably – obviously not at all perturbed by the situation and although Andromeda knew that Evan wasn't the person to feel the slightest in the wrong, however his position was too lax for someone who had been caught by surprise, she suspected somehow that he knew that she would have found him in the end. That his hiding in a room was part of a strange hide-and-seek game that was supposed to have left her confused and frustrated and in the end shocked with what she found.

"Meda?" The girl that had been on Evan spoke and Andromeda did not know exactly what to make of her as she eased herself off Evan. She had sleek, dark gold hair that came down to her waist with her hair parted evenly on both sides. She was immensely pale but had makeup done with a lot of eyeliner and shadow so that her large, slanting smoky eyes was all you could look at. On top of that her eyelashes framed her eyes as if they had been drawn on like a gothic dolls'. She was a petite thing with the tiniest waist Andromeda had ever seen, accentuated by the strapless black dress she had on but her body was proportionate enough so that she didn't look alien. The strapless dress was an elaborate dark ribbon corset with a long, skirt of large black feathers and a slit on the side that let her ivory sculpted legs peep through. She was barefoot, her pointe shoes-turned heels were kicked off and were sitting unceremoniously on Evan's desk.

She started to walk over towards Andromeda who was staring at her with distrust.

"Who is she?" she asked as she surveyed Andromeda with colourless eyes.

Evan gave her a look, "You know..? Who I've been telling you about -?"

Her eyes widened comically, "Ohhh, ohh…is she - ?" her look of disbelief broke down into giggles as she put a hand up to her mouth and glanced sideways at Evan.

Evan gave a long-suffering, dismissive nod.

"Oh my Merlin," she gasped, "this is going to be harder than I imagined. You didn't do her justice Evan," she gave another twitter and finally met Andromeda's eyes which were blank. "Well, we have a lot of work to do," she said finally when Andromeda refused to rise to their goading.

"That's for sure," Evan agreed as he retreated to his desk and sat down on black dragon hide chair. "I'll just be taking care of accounts here okay Kitty?"

"Of course baby," she blew him a kiss as Evan suddenly pulled on a pair of glasses and started to shift through his drawers and pull out pieces of parchment to survey. Therefore the looks of wanted support Andromeda threw at him went unnoticed.

When the girl known as Kitty pushed her behind an elegant folding screen and from large boutique bags (that Andromeda had not noted before) pulled out dresses and slung them over the screen for her to try on, Andromeda was finally compelled to say something. "Evan?" she asked tentatively. She half-expected him to not answer her but something in her tone made him respond, "What?" he said tartly.

"What is she doing?" she said it then immediately regretted it. She figured that she could have phrased it a little better, less childishly but Evan got the gist of what she was asking. "Her name's Kitty Lieser, she's the assistant-in-training to Madame Ursula – even you should know who she is,"

When he was met with silence Kitty gave another snigger, "She's the best stylist in the world," Kitty supplied, thoroughly amused but let it go when Andromeda didn't reply.

"Just do what she says," Evan said in a strained tone before he sighed. Not wanting to aggravate him, Andromeda gave a little 'alright' before she started to strip and put on the dresses given to her one by one. With each one she put on, Kitty presented her in front of Evan with a "What do you think?" Evan would look up from what he was doing, survey her solemnly over his spectacles then either nod or shake his head before returning to his work (Hard to believe he's a teenager aye?). His responses made Kitty draw out a long 'hmmmm' before throwing at Andromeda other tops and long flaring skirts to mix and match.

After Evan approved of what she had on, a dressing table was conjured and Andromeda was forced to sit down whilst 'Kitty' drew out boxes of beautifully wrapped jewellery, the packaging which she however threw on the floor impatiently. She would hold up the delicate pieces to Andromeda's chest and ears. Andromeda did not get much say in the process and after priceless gems adorned her neck, Kitty unrolled a pack of small, oddly shaped wands that she pulled to immediately work on her hair and face. "This is Madame Ursula's own powder – it completely eradicates blemishes for 24 hours, but it might damage your skin, so what you might like to put before it is this – a serum that…"

Kitty gave a short summary of all the products she was using on Andromeda, but she could not remember or even bring herself to pay attention. She just knew that things were plucked from her face that was apparently permanent. "You need to manage your eyebrows and above your lips," Kitty had said disapprovingly, "though yours is okay. You have a nice natural brow shape but still you have to take care of it a bit – trim it, you know? Well now that's done, you don't have to worry about that anymore but if you want to regrow it or create other shapes – this is what you use…"

But apparently products that removed the look of open pores or redness of skin etc weren't permanent so she had to reapply those, Kitty insisted. All the products gave Andromeda a headache as they singularly smelt like strong perfume. Her hair next was assaulted with curling, straightening wands and wands that instantly regrew or cut her hair. "Stubborn hair," Kitty had muttered when Andromeda's curls, due to her hair being thick and heavy started to come undone. More products were used to keep them in place. Once all was done, she was again presented before Evan who seemed to enjoy seeing her tortured. He would say no to things that Andromeda thought looked perfectly fine and forced the whole process over again.

By the end of all that, Andromeda thought she saw a completely different person when she was led to see herself in the foot-long mirror. She saw a stranger with too many products piled on her face, trying to hold in her breathing as the dress she had on constricted around her waist and pinched her bust. When she had finished her last 'look' as Kitty called it, Evan suddenly slapped down the piece of parchment he was working up and stood up abruptly. He strode over to Kitty, wound an arm around her waist and whispered in her ear, "Is that the last one? I'm bored,"

"Mmmhmm," she sighed against him.

"Come on, pack up – for your reward for helping me. I'm going to take you somewhere," He gave her a light kiss on the lips.

"You better," she said teasingly, placing a hand on his chest, "When you came over to ask for my help you – I'd never seen you so desperate," she gave her tinkling laugh.

"You have no idea," He let her go for a moment as she waved her wand and tidied up all the jewellery, clothes and products as well as getting rid of the rubbish but then Evan wrapped an arm around her waist as soon as she was done and pulled her close to him as he started to make his way out.

"You coming?" Evan threw over his shoulder as Andromeda remained, rooted to her spot.

"Like this?" Andromeda was feeling a little out of breath and slightly dizzy. She didn't know how she was supposed to walk on stilt-like heels.

"Um...yes?" Kitty said sarcastically as Evan just shrugged and walked out. Andromeda gritted her teeth and followed them, stumbling and although others may have thought she would be upset that Evan and Kitty were far ahead of her and not looking back, Andromeda was grateful that they couldn't see her struggling.

In the carriage, Andromeda just stared out the window, only half wondering where they were going and trying to admire the scenery that passed them and trying to ignore Evan and Kitty, tightly wrapped around each other laughing and whispering intimately.

It wasn't much different when the carriage pulled up in front a penthouse at Hyde Park. Despard Selwyn had recently bought it off the market and it seemed as if a housewarming party was being held. Since Andromeda had only been allowed to attend parties when Narcissa had come to a reasonable age, Andromeda had been the one who had taken care of her when their mother had passed away (Bellatrix not being a very caring sort), Andromeda wasn't acquainted with the high echelon of pureblood society. In discomfort, she followed them and immediately regretted ever letting herself be swept into coming.

People were broken up into little groups, sipping delicate flutes spirits, looking absolutely dazzling in the latest designer clothes and sparkling jewels. Evan and Kitty, hand in hand approached Despard and immediately struck a conversation, leaving Andromeda standing awkwardly near where they had entered. Someone offered her a drink on a tray which she took gingerly – it was a known fact that she had a low tolerance for alcohol but Andromeda started becoming conscious of looking like she had nothing to do. In the end she just sat on a sofa while people milled around her lazily, sipping continuously as more glasses were offered to her, her arms tightly clutched around her, hoping people wouldn't notice how isolated and detached she was from the rest of them.

When she started to feel hazy enough to stop feeling self-conscious, she felt a warm hand start to slide across her shoulders and rest comfortably on her arm. When Andromeda looked at the person who had approached her, she noticed he had thick-set features but a certain charisma when he smiled at her. When he spoke, Andromeda could tell he was drunk but it didn't matter. It had been hours since someone had spoken to her, Evan and Kitty were nowhere to be seen and she didn't mind him being friendly. "Si boring here isn't it?" he said with that smile, his face very close to hers and Andromeda felt impelled to giggle, "Yes very," she said truthfully. She had brought a hand up and turned her head away as she giggled. The man grabbed her hand pushed it away, trying to see her face and Andromeda laughed a bit more as he successfully was able to meet her eyes then kiss her.

"I, I don't know what you're doing." Andromeda tried to protest although she didn't feel in the least upset.

"I'm making things fun," he slurred, "But you know what m'gorgeous?" he flashed a smile, "Let's go somewhere else – it's too loud here…let's go, I'll take you." He had a hand on her wrist and pulled her up so that she was standing. Andromeda didn't mind going somewhere that wasn't the sofa she had occupied for the last few hours so she let him half-drag her to a room and didn't notice when he closed the door behind them.

He sat her down on the bed but Andromeda didn't notice that they were in a bedroom, she was just marvelling at the beautiful skyline when he talked to her again, "So who did you come with?" he asked as he started peppering kisses down her collarbone. It was the first time that Andromeda had someone kissing her all over and she was slightly alarmed by the tingling sensation that was running coursing through her body. In that moment she forgot who she had come with. "Umm, R-r…"

But she couldn't finish because he was now passionately kissing her and intruding into her mouth as he pressed down on her and laid her on the bed. Andromeda suddenly felt panicked as with one hand he started undressing himself as he pinned her down with his weight.

"Wa-ait, what are you doing? No, get off me - " Andromeda wasn't drunk enough to not realise where this was heading and in fright, started to kick and struggle. He resolutely ignored her as he undid his pants and started to work on the straps of her dress and cup a breast in his hand.

"No! Stop! Someone help! Someone…" Andromeda felt cold clammy desperation well up within her and she felt tears also well up simultaneously when she realised no matter how much she tried to reach up and scratch, hit or bite him – anything to deter him, she found that she was just pinned down, she was just too small and when she gathered saliva in her mouth and spat it at him, felt her own face sting with the force of a hard slap. "No! No! Get off me, go away! HELP, SOMEBODY HELP!" Even though her vision swam, Andromeda couldn't help screaming the phrase out like a mantra as she continued to try and elude his encroaching hands.

Then there was a loud bang as the door was blown apart. The man momentarily stopped and gave Andromeda the chance to shift his weight and roll him off the bed. Now free, she scrambled into a sitting position, bringing up the top of her limp dress to cover up her front and saw Evan standing there, livid – a wand clutched in his hands. Behind him was Kitty, Despard and the rest of the guests crowding around, looking wholly embarrassed and shocked.

"In Salazar's name, I think that's her. That's the Black girl Andromeda," Andromeda heard whispers as some gave her pitying looks whilst others looked at her with eyes that simply judged her for being in an unsavoury situation. They bustled away as soon as Evan approached her, threw his jacket over her then yanked her away from the bed. Kitty just watched on silent as Evan then steered Andromeda out shamefully, not even looking at her as he called his carriage to pick them up. He opened the door, pushed her inside, and then slammed the door behind them.

The rage that was pulsating from him was so palpable, Andromeda dared not speak and the relief that she had felt when she had been able to escape that lecher had dried up in an instant.

"I don't think you understand…" Evan began in a controlled voice, "but we are to be engaged. Engaged! You and I - and now everyone I know will say that my future fiancée is…is disgraceful!" The carriage had begun to move but Andromeda had not even noticed.

"Disgraceful?" Andromeda finally said, finding her voice, clutching Evan's jacket tightly around her to try and protect herself from his wrath, "He almost - " Andromeda could not continue, all she could do was shiver at the thought of his touch on her bare skin. She swallowed and tried again, "That was not my fault! Why are you angry with me? He's the one who you should do something about!"

"Why am I angry with you?" Evan gave a harsh bark of laughter, "Because this is a scandal and you are right in the thick of it. You had to make a scene, you had to make everyone gossip about what happened at Despard's for months to come and do you know why this will be on everyone's lips because you, you, a girl like you is going to be my future wife! Evan Rosier's! That's why they'll be talking and that's why I'm angry. Don't you know how to conduct yourself in public? Are you sure you're a Black?"

"What are you - "

"The whole point of today was for you to introduce yourself as a high-born lady – that's what I wanted people to see my future wife as and well, now you're just the girl that let herself be escorted into rooms by scum such as Harold MacDougal."

Andromeda had no idea how to respond to this. Evan pinched the bridge of his nose in weariness, "Why didn't you have your wand?" he finally asked as he let the silence stretch and make Andromeda feel smaller than she already felt.

"I- I left it at home," she said, her voice quavering a little.

"You…left?" Evan looked like he would launch into another tirade but he stopped himself. He lifted up a hand as if to silence her but then the carriage stopped at this signal. "Get out," he finally said, "Just get out,"

Andromeda, who was at the stage of bursting into tears, was all too grateful for an exit. Still with Evan's jacket around her shoulders, she collected her heels into one hand, pushed open the carriage door and walked blindly onto the dimly-lit streets, crying hysterically as she heard the carriage's clip clop as it sped away from her. She was shaking and crying so profusely that she did not care about the makeup running down her face and did not even bother to apparate. She just gathered her knees in her arms and continued to cry.