A/N: This fic just sort of came to me recently and I knew it was something that I had to write.Normally I write Dramione (other account) but I could not pass this up.I know the previous upload had some issues with it so here it is again, new and improved.

Andromeda sat back on her arms and soaked in the warm sunlight on the banks of the Black Lake. Her sisters were on either side of her; dark and powerful Bella, laying on her stomach with her face in her hand, bored and beautiful, pale Cissy sitting up, legs folded to the side, pulling blades of grass from the ground.

They were always made to sit in order of their birth so much that it just became habit for the three girls. Andromeda tossed back her light brown hair and her wavy curls tumbled behind her. Tilting her face up she tried to catch as many sun rays on her face that she could.

"Oh Andromeda, don't," Narcissa cooed beside her, "You'll freckle." She had charmed a parasol to hover next to her to protect her creamy, porcelain skin.

"That's what I am hoping for," Andromeda closed her eyes, the inside of her eyelids blazing red. "Right across my nose, a constellation of freckles!" She screwed up her nose and twitched it while her younger sister giggled.

Bella scoffed and rolled onto her back. "I'm bored," she dragged out the second word as if she was pulling it from deep inside her. "I am ready to go home."

It was the last few days of Andromeda's fourth year and the summer holidays were fast approaching. Bellatrix was finishing her sixth year and Narcissa only her second year. Even though the sisters spanned age differences, they were as thick as thieves. The Black Sisters were known through the school not just for their prestigious family line but also for their beauty and remarkable power. It was commonly thrown around the Cygnus' lack of sons to carry on his Black line was due to some unknown fault, but once those people saw the three Black Sisters they could not help but remark that there was something special about them.

Bellatrix had a strong, dark brow, taking after their mother and her line of the Rosiers. Her hair was thick, curly, long, and black. Bellatrix had given up on trying to tame it into a stylish shape and instead tossed it onto the top of her head and let a few lose curls twist down her neck. She had large full lips and a strong jawline that was the envy of all. She was growing into her body, her legs lengthening but she was not what you would call slim or lithe, instead Bella was strong. Muscles gently curved down her calves and her shoulders held untold strength.

Narcissa was the opposite of her eldest sister with hair the color of pale gold, a thinner, face with sharp angular features that the Black family was known for. Her eyes were a deep navy blue that matched the lake she was currently staring over. Cheekbones angled down like they had been sculpted letting her face end in a pointed chin. She had none of her sister's strong frame being younger and naturally lean so that her robes hung gracefully on her. Even though she was only twelve her beauty had already bloomed on her face and she caught the attention of many of their male classmates.

Andromeda looked down at her own body, less remarkable than her sisters' but a blend of the two. Not as athletic as Bella nor as slim of Cissy, Andromeda's body curved in at her waist before her skirt spilled around her hips. Slightly shorter than Bellatrix, her legs threatened to grow a few more inches. She looked slightly more like Bella than Narcissa, but where her sister's features were dark hers were a lighter shade. Her eyes a caramel brown with hair to match; not as think and wild as her sister's, Andromeda's hair was more wavy and fell like a waterfall down her back. Andromeda had just started becoming a woman and on this day she felt uncomfortable in her body and decided that she would go mad if she kept comparing herself to her sisters.

"Are we really going to the shore this summer, you think?" Narcissa asked her older sisters. "I would love to see the ocean again. It's been forever!"

"That's what Father said last summer" Bellatrix commented, letting the meaning of her words silently slip around them.

Their father, Cygnus Black, liked to dote on his daughters, but did not let that interfere with his businesses. If his business took them to the ocean they would go, if it did not, then…

"Why do you want to go home?" Andromeda let the snark in her voice sound freely. "All we do there is sit around in uncomfortable dresses and talk with the most horrible people"

Pureblood families had certain social standards they had to uphold. Visits to other Pureblood families for tea and hosting a gathering at their own home were the only contact they had with the outside world when they were at home. They often had to find their own ways of entertaining themselves.

"Not this summer," Bellatrix said breathily, "Father promised me that I can help with his business some." Narcissa gasped and Andromeda's head shot in her sister's direction. "Now that I am older." Bella added with a small smirk playing on her pouty lips.

"Don't lie," Andromeda hissed at her sister, envy boiling up inside her. Pureblood girls were never allowed to work in the family business. Their place was running the household, not in the public eye, working.

Bellatrix smiled broadly now, her white teeth gleaming in the sun. Narcissa looked confused and worried. Andromeda could practically hear her thoughts of why would Bella want that when it was so un-ladylike?

"That's what Father said last summer." Andromeda echoed her sister's remark and turned her face back to the sun. She felt Bellatrix stiffen next to her but didn't give her the satisfaction of looking back at her. Inside Andromeda panicked. When had that even become an option? Why hadn't she thought of asking Father? How did Bella manage it? Was she lying?

Andromeda kept her face a blank slate as the thoughts swirled in her head. 'Well, we will just see once we get home.' She thought to herself to quiet her brain.

The Sister's sat on the bank of the Lake without spending words as they so often did. They had all gotten so used to having to be silent together that many times conversation was not needed for company.

The sun moved through the sky so that it was behind instead of above them. Narcissa let legs stretch out just a bit, but kept them folded. Bellatrix tossed and turned into different positions every few minutes, never getting comfortable. Andromeda laid back in the grass and stretched her arms out feeling the cool green blades against her skin. She let her mind wander back through the memories of her fourth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry…

Andromeda looked around at the three students that had shown up for the History of Magic Club. She knew it was not a popular subject, most students detested it, but Andromeda believed there to be a lot of interesting topics that Professor Binns was just abysmal at covering.

When she asked Professor Slughorn for permission to start a club he was excited until she told him what kind. "Well, yes, I suppose so," He grimaced, "Aren't you sure you wouldn't rather start a Trading Card Club?" Professor Slughorn offered. Eventually he realized that he was not going to talk her out of it and signed her permission form to form the History of Magic Club.

There was a bored looking Ravenclaw girl who Andromeda thought probably joined every club in an attempt to appear more popular than she actually was and two Hufflepuff boys that she knew from her year. One was a light haired boy who often offered her a smile in the hall and whom Andromeda often ignored, waving her ash brown hair over her shoulder.

"Hello," she started lamely. "I know this isn't the turn out we were hoping for, but I am sure that more students will join as… as this becomes a more popular club." She finished and the Ravenclaw girl sighed. Andromeda shuffled the papers in front of her. "Well, I have some topics prepared for us to discuss unless anyone else has anything they would like to say?"

She looked around and the silent faces in front of her, the Hufflepuff boy smiling at her again with his goofy grin. Her heart skipped a beat as no one said anything but then the boy cleared his throat and stood up.

"Hello," he said brightly, "My name is Ted Tonks and I am very excited to be here at the first meeting. I think… I think this is a brilliant club and can't wait to learn more about… magical history…" He trailed off and awkwardly sat down again. His friend snorted, trying to stifle a laugh.

"Thanks," Andromeda said. "Well, I think we should first talk about the Medieval Assembly of European Wizards as that would give us a good background on many topic I am sure we will cover…"

"I don't think we should even be learning this," Ted frowned at the board in the Potions classroom. "Why would they want to reach us how to make poisons?" He sounded disgusted by the idea of it.

Andromeda leaned back as to better talk with him. The two had begun to have conversations outside club meetings but only in classes and only about school subjects. Andromeda knew he was her inferior and didn't want anyone getting the wrong idea about her mixing with a bad sort but Ted was easy to talk to and she liked debating him on different subjects.

"First off, it is good to know about different poisons in case you ever encounter them," she whispered over her shoulder to Ted who was at the table behind her. "Secondly, you never know when you are going to need to brew up a particularly nasty potion."

"But why?" He pressed, "Are you planning on poisoning someone?"

Andromeda shrugged, "You never know."

"Miss Black, I would suggest you practice some more in your free time!" Professor Flitwick squeaked as Andromeda stared at the dirty bowl in front of her. She was embarrassed that she was one of the only students who did not properly cast Scourgify to clean their bowl or plate by the end of class.

'Don't worry, I'll help you." Ted offered with that goofy grin of his as he walked by her desk, putting his Charms book back in his bag.

"I don't see why I even need to learn the cleaning charm!" Andromeda complained as they walked to the Great Hall together for dinner. "That's what House Elves are for." She said haughtily. Ted stopped short and Andromeda turned around to see what was keeping him. "What?" She snapped.

"You have a House Elf?" Ted said incredulously.

"A? No." Andromeda laughed and tossed her ash brown hair over her shoulder. "We have several." His face was one of pure shock. "Why?" Andromeda's tone changed to accusatory.

"That's terrible!" Ted blurted out before he could stop himself or find a nicer way of saying it.

Andromeda's brows knitted together. "What do you mean?"

"You're enslaving them! Making them do your work for nothing!" They had argued over many subjects in HoM Club but Ted had never gotten angry with her before.

"You wouldn't understand," Andromeda spat at him. "Mudbloods don't appreciate the finer things in life." She huffed, actually turning her nose up at him.

Ted's eyes narrowed, "What I don't appreciate, Black, is slavery in the society I live in and slurs like that." Ted said harshly and brushed by her without a second glance.

"You've missed the last two meetings, if you don't come to the last one before the end of term, well, I am afraid I won't be able to let you back in the club when we resume in January." Andromeda raised her chin and set her eyes.

"Fine. I'm out then," Ted mumbled under his breath and turned back to his book. Madame Pince walked by eyeing the pair, almost daring them to speak another word.

Andromeda was taken aback at his resignation. He hadn't spoken to her since that day after Charms a month ago when they quarreled. Andromeda searched his face for a sign of a joke or chink in his armor but found none. Ted seemed disinterested in her and the HoM Club.

"You… you can't quit." She hissed.

"Watch me." Ted fired back.

Andromeda let out a short breath and looked around. He dared to walk out on her? Who did he think he was? Didn't he know who she was?

But then again, the Ravenclaw girl had not shown up for any of the meeting other than the first two and Andromeda was sure that if Ted quit, his friend would stop coming as well. She had spend the last two HoM meetings making flyers to hang up since she was the only member in attendance.

"If you quit then…" Andromeda's voice softened, "Then there won't be any members." She mumbled.

"Come again?" Ted lifted his face from his book for the first time in the conversation.

"I said there won't be anyone left if you quit." Andromeda admitted.

"And what does that mean?" Ted smirked

"What?"

"What does it mean when I am the reason your club is still going?" Ted asked sweetly.

Andromeda narrowed her eyes at him. She knew what he was getting at. "It means," She cleared her throat, "That the club needs you." She finished softly.

"I'm sorry, I can't hear you." Ted teased.

"The club," Andromeda enunciated, "needs you."

"Ah, the club." Ted nodded his head then bent it back down to his book.

She paused for a moment, looking around. "Come on, Tonks, don't make me say it."

"Make you?" Ted started back. "Black, you insulted me, called me an unspeakably horrible word and then threatened to kick me out of the club that we started."

"We?" Andromeda yelped. Madame Pince shushed them harshly from her desk.

"Yes 'we'," Ted shot back. "I made Howard come to all the meetings. You wouldn't have any members if not for me!"

She was about to argue back but knew it was useless; it was just her pride that wanted to argue, she knew he was right. Andromeda opened her mouth and then closed it. She was unaccustomed to this feeling.

"Apologize to me for what you said." Ted held her gaze.

Andromeda's breath quickened. What would Bella say if she could see her now, silenced by a Mudblood. But there was a small voice in the back of her head that she was having a harder and harder time ignoring, telling her that Ted was not uncultured and boorish like her Mother had always said that Mudbloods were. Ted was not stupid or useless like her Father had accused Mudbloods of being. Ted was, well, just as good as she was.

"Fine." Andromeda hissed, glaring at the Hufflepuff in front of her. "I am sorry for what I called you."

"Which was?" Ted interjected.

"A Mudblood." Andromeda whispered. Suddenly the word tasted bad in her mouth.

"Just checking." Ted said.

Silence hung between the two club mates for a few seconds.

"So you'll come? To the meeting on Thursday?" She asked tentatively.

"I wouldn't miss it." Ted beamed at her and Andromeda couldn't help but smile back.

Lucius Malfoy sat sprawled out over the black leather couch perpendicular to the fireplace in the Slytherin common room. His legs had grown longer and even though only a fourth year he was beginning to tower over older classmen. His blonde hair stuck out as a sharp contrast to the dark surroundings, making him a natural center of attention.

Bellatrix, Andromeda, and Narcissa walked back in after returning from the winter holidays, still shaking snow off of their capes. Bellatrix quickly broke off from her sisters, walking fast to join the older Slytherins gathered at a table in the far corner. She had spent much of the holiday closed up in her room.

Narcissa fiddled with the clasp on her cape having a hard time due to her gloves, but they were a luxurious mink pair that she had gotten for Christmas and refused to take them off so she could have a reason to show them off now that they were back at Hogwarts.

Andromeda shrugged her cape off her shoulders and tossed her hair to get the snow out of it. The Hogwarts Express had almost been late due to the blizzard that was currently raging outside. The common room was definitely warmer than outside, but far from toasty. She envied Narcissa and her new gloves.

"Andromeda," Drawled Lucius from the couch where he seemed to be currently holding court. "Join me." He offered and Andromeda was not about to turn down a seat close to the fire right now.

She placed herself in the far seat of the couch, but Lucius slid closer to her so that his arm was around the back of the couch behind her. "Have a good holiday?" He asked.

"Yes, very pleasant." Andromeda replied politely, turning her face to the fire, trying to soak in some of its heat.

"Mine was enjoyable as well." Lucius offered. Andromeda gave a flat smile that did not reach her eyes.

Lucius turned towards their classmates who were sitting on the opposite couch and waved his hand, dismissing them. Andromeda rolled her eyes.

"I, uhm," Lucius started and cleared his throat. "I got you something."

Andromeda's head spun towards him in surprise. "What?"

"For Christmas," Lucius offered, "A present." He pulled a small black box out from his robes and laid it in his flat hand.

Andromeda eyed it for a moment and then studied his face. He looked sincere, earnest almost. She felt her own expression soften a little, "I… I didn't get you anything…"

"Open it." Lucius prompted.

Andromeda carefully lifted the box from his hand, taking care that her skin did not touch his. It might have been her imagination, but he seemed to frown slightly at this.

She pulled the ribbon of velvet off of the box and gingerly lifted the lid. Inside was a velvet ribbon with a black pearl dangling in the middle of it. Andromeda gasped as she took in its beauty. This was no mere trinket; this was a valuable piece of jewelry. "Lucius…" She breathed as she admired her new necklace.

He seemed to purr as she said his name. "Here," he offered, taking the ribbon from her, "Let me," and he motioned that he wanted to place it on her.

Andromeda glanced around briefly and then twisted her body away from him and pulled her ash brown hair off of her neck to allow him access to it.

Lucius breathed on the nape of her neck as he wound the ribbon around her throat. The pearl was cold against her skin. Lucius let his fingers linger on the back of her neck for a few moments after the ribbon was tied. Andromeda felt him trace them down her back to until his hand came to her waist. He twisted her back around to admire the black pearl against her pale skin.

"Beautiful" He whispered as Andromeda let her hair fall back down around her shoulder. Lucius breathed in deeply, as if relishing her scent.

Andromeda searched his face and eyes; they had always gotten along cordially at school and social functions on the holidays, but she was surprised that he had gifted her this.

"Thank you," was all she managed at the moment.

Lucius' grey eyes held her honey ones in a strong gaze. "You will." He stated, as a fact.

"You're so annoying!" Bellatrix snarled at Andromeda as they tracked their way down the path to Hogsmeade. "You are always butting in on things that don't concern you."

Andromeda rolled her eyes. Bellatrix was becoming more and more distant as the year stretched on. She always had her head bent low in the back table of the common room with her group of friends now. Whenever Andromeda walked by Bella would shush her friends and glare at her younger sister.

Now, Bellatrix said that she had other plans for the first trip back to Hogsmeade and Andromeda had pressed her on what they were. There was something that Bella was not telling her. Andromeda actually didn't have many friends in her own year. The girls were simple and boring. She liked hanging out with Bellatrix that was until Bella had begun to shut her out.

"I don't need my little sister always hanging about. I have my own life you know!" Bellatrix kicked the snow in front of her and sent white powder in the air.

"Well I don't need to hang out with you either!" Andromeda shot back. "I have my own friends!"

"Yeah? Who?" Bella snarled, "That Malfoy? The one who gave you that pearl?!"

Andromeda blushed. The pearl swung neatly from her neck. "Yes!" She shouted, her breath hanging in the air, "I mean no!" She corrected herself as a triumphant smile broke across Bellatrix's face. "I have other friends!"

"Sure," Bellatrix chided.

"I do!" Andromeda shot back.

"Like who?"

"Tonks!" Andromeda said before thinking. The smile melted from Bella's face quickly and Andromeda realized her mistake.

"Who?" Bella's voice was low and dangerous now.

"Tons. I said tons." Andromeda tried to remedy the situation. Bella eyed her carefully. Andromeda turned and took off towards Hogsmeade before her sister could follow. She ignored her sister's calls behind her.

Andromeda had never laughed so hard in her life as when she was sitting in a round booth surrounded by Hufflepuffs at the Three Broomsticks. Bellatrix had been holding her gold for her so Ted graciously offered to buy her a Butterbeer that turned into four or five. She had lost count.

His friend Howard who was also in the HoM Club was giving impressions of the different professors at the school at had them all in fits and tears. Andromeda felt lighter than she had in ages, smiling and laughing with almost strangers. For once, she didn't care that she was laughing too loud to be polite. She didn't care that she had spilled Butterbeer down her chin or that her elbows here propped up on the table.

Two of the Hufflepuffs had gone up to the counter to get another round and Howard had excused himself to the bathroom leaving Ted and Andromeda in the round booth alone.

She sighed and leaned back, her head warm and fuzzy. Ted gave her that goofy grin he so often did which spurred a fresh round of giggles from her.

"What?" Ted laughed.

"Just you," Andromeda stretched her arms out beside her.

"What about me?" Ted pushed.

"Your smile," Andromeda rolled her head so that she was facing him now. He stayed silent, letting her continue. "It makes me smile." She admitted without watching what she was saying, just letting her words roll out of her.

"You're the reason why I smile," Ted said low and Andromeda blinked at the sobering admittance.

"I like that." She finally said and took the last swig from her mug of Butterbeer.

Ted reached his hand out to meet hers on the seat of the booth. He let his fingers graze the back of her hand at first as if making sure it was okay that he touch her. Andromeda grinned and rolled her hand over, palm up.

Ted fit it easily in his, wrapping his fingers in with hers.

Andromeda woke early wanting to get a jump on her revision this weekend before exams started on Monday. The second half of term had flown by as homework piled up and HoM started meeting weekly instead of monthly. It was now just Andromeda and Ted, but she did not post any more flyers trying to gain new members.

Yawning, Andromeda stumbled into the common room planning on getting a seat near the fire and planting herself there for most of the day. Instead she was walked into a scene she would never have imagined.

Bellatrix and her friends were sitting at their usual table, but instead of hunkered over, they were sprawled out clearly having never gone to bed the previous night. They were all excited about one of the older boys who had his shirtsleeve rolled up and was showing them something on his arm. Andromeda inched nearer; they were engrossed in their whispered conversation and had not noticed her yet.

There was an ugly looking brand on his forearm of a skull with a snake coming out of its mouth. Andromeda recognized him as Rabastian's older brother.

"What did it feel like, Rodolphus?" Bella asked earnestly, excitement shining on her face through the exhaustion.

"All I felt was my loyalty to the Dark Lord." He answered in a low voice.

"Can I touch it?" Bellatrix said, barely above a whisper and raised her finger to gently stroke the snake.

Rodolphus hissed in pain, "Don't!" He snapped.

Andromeda gasped. Their faces turned towards her and Rodolphus quickly moved to hide his arm.

"Bella, what is going on?" She screamed. A few of the boys had their wands out but Bella moved quickly grabbing Andromeda by the arm and hauling her back down the steps to the girls dormitory.

"Get back in bed." She warned darkly.

"Bella," Andromeda started.

"Just get in bed. Now." There was a seriousness to Bellatrix's command that Andromeda knew came from a place of protection. She didn't like the look of what was going on in the common room, but for Bella, she would behave.

Andromeda nodded and started back down the steps. "Bella," She called back up to her sister who turned back to face her. "You'll tell me later?" This was half a request and half a statement.

Bellatrix stared at her younger sister with her dark eyes, full of mystery now. She held the gaze for a few seconds before turning and walking back into the common room.

"Write to me this summer." Ted brushed her fingers with his own. Andromeda relished the feeling, but make no movement to reciprocate.

"Can you even get owl post at your house?" Andromeda asked.

"Yes! Of course!" Ted laughed.

"Well , I don't know how Muggles live!" Andromeda started back.

"First of all, I am not a Muggle, I'm a wizard," Andromeda rolled her eyes as Ted counted on his fingers, "Secondly, maybe you should find out some time."

"What?"

"Have you ever even been to a Muggle shop or restaurant?"

"No." Andromeda scoffed, "Why would I?"

"Why wouldn't you?" Ted questioned.

Andromeda thought for a moment. Her parents would never allow such a thing. They wouldn't even allow her to write to Ted if they knew he was Muggle-born. She tried to explain this to him but he kept finding excuses as to why they could and should still keep in contact.

"They don't even have to know, not that I am ashamed of my parents and where I am from, but it's not like you have to advertise it."

"Look at you, being all sneaky now!" Andromeda tossed her hair back and saw the beginnings of a smile tugging at Ted's mouth. "Maybe you belong in Slytherin after all!"

"If it meant I got to see more of you, I would switch in a heartbeat." Ted answered without hesitation.

Andromeda stared at him, shocked at his brazen answer. She watched as the smile grew on his face and felt her own mirror it. After a moment she said, "You're funny, Tonks."

"So you'll write then?" Ted asked again.

A/N: Okay so this Chapter sort of just laid the ground work and next one will continue the story on like normal. I just didn't want to drag out the fourth year too much since it really seems to start in their fifth year, but I feel like these little vingettes were important. Either way I wrote them and you read them. Let me know what you think of it so far!