Andromeda's feet drug with exhaustion by the time she reached her room. She had hoped for a moment with Ted before classes tomorrow, but as a 7th year prefect, she'd been charged with ensuring the first years reached their dormitory safely. After the speech Dumbledore gave, she didn't want to shirk on her duties.

Though glancing around at her charges, safety didn't seem to be their concern. If anything, they were ardently gossiping about the other first years, trying to speculate on their blood status.

"Did you see the way that pudgy one screamed when the food appeared?" said a heavy-set girl with thick eyebrows. "It was like he'd never seen real magic before."

"It's going to be like that in all our classes," another boy groaned. "The mudbloods making a fuss about every little thing."

Andromeda gritted her teeth. She should be used to this kind of talk, since she'd been hearing it her whole life. But after a blissful month of blood purity-free talk, hearing it now gave her an almost overwhelming urge to hex something.

"Aren't you Andromeda Black?" another girl asked. This one had sharp eyes and a smirk that made Andromeda queasy.

"Yes," Andromeda said, though she felt a sense of dread. She recognized some of these students from her parents' various parties. And if they'd been to the parties, then they'd probably picked up on some of the gossip about her.

"I heard you get disowned," the girl said, confirming Andromeda's fears. The other first years gasped and gaped at her.

"That's none of your business," Andromeda said curtly. They would know the truth about her soon enough, but she was going to exercise what little authority she had now.

That might have been enough, if Ambrose Nott, her fellow prefect, hadn't given her a cold glare. "Is that any way to speak your future housemates? You're supposed to be setting an example, after all." Meda had never cared much for Nott, but she'd usually been able to ignore him. She knew what he was implying, obviously, and as annoying as it was to be scolded like a child in front of the first years, she didn't care.

Except, he spoke in the same cold drawl that Rodolphus always spoke in. That had never bothered her before, but it sent a chill down her spine now.

She tried not to think about that as she moved to her bed. Her other classmates had already arrived. Magdalena smiled when she saw her. Mariana and Alecto both narrowed their eyes. Claire, on the other hand, almost smiled, but it sent a chill down Andromeda's spine.

"My, my Andromeda, you've had an eventful summer, haven't you?" Andromeda eyed Claire coldly. She wasn't near as sadistic or aggressive at the other Slytherins, as she was far too obsessed with herself to care much about anything else. Still, she'd always seemed to resent living in the Black shadow, and now that Bella was gone and Meda had fallen from grace, she sensed a power vacuum.

Andromeda turned away from her. The last thing she was going to do was feed into Claire's delusions of grandeur. As she did she found herself facing Alecto, who spat, "Stay away from me, traitor. I can smell your mudblood stench from here."

"Alecto, don't be so crass," Claire said. "If anything we should be envious. From what I hear Andromeda's getting more than any of us. Is it true mudbloods go at it like bunnies?"

Andromeda turned beet red as she realized what Claire was implying. She could set the record straight, tell them she was still a virgin, but the idea of discussing her sex life at all with these vipers sent a shudder through her body.

"Of course, for me, it's more about quality versus quantity," Claire chose this moment to examine her manicure, but Andromeda didn't miss the way she smirked devilishly. "Rabastan can do things to a woman no mudblood ever could. I would have thought Andromeda felt the same, but each to their own."

She didn't miss the plethora of insults Claire had managed to squeeze in there, and once again, she could set her record straight, but that wasn't what concerned her. Just like the last time Rabstan was mentioned, her chest constricted painfully. Maybe she felt no need to defend her honor, but Rabastan was another matter. She may never see him again, but she was dragging him through this mess between her and Ted anyway.

"Our engagement was arranged. Rabastan is now free to pursue whatever women he chooses." She had no idea what Rabastan would make of that statement if he ever heard it, but it might allow him to retain his dignity throughout the whole affair.

Not wishing to be prodded any further about her ex-fiancé, she turned to her bad and collapsed onto it. It made an odd squishing sound. Frowning, she removed the covers, and found that her entire bed had been coated in a thick layer of mood.

Upon her discovery, Marina and Alecto burst into uncontrollable, snorting giggles. Claire sniffed and said, "I don't know why you looked so perturbed, Andromeda. You've been rolling around in that filth for months, after all."

Andromeda stared at her bed, in shock. After a moment, Magdalena muttered, "Scourgify," and the mud disappeared. She offered Andromeda a pitying look, but didn't say anything. The others continued to chortle, but Andromeda didn't say anything as she climbed into bed.

She didn't care about the mud, especially when it had been cleaned up so easily. Even the choking incident had been resolved quickly. What bothered her was the realization that this was her future. Constantly looking over her shoulder. Constantly being thrown into the spotlight in the worst way possible. Never having a moment's peace.

She'd spent so much time thinking about what Ted would endure, she'd scarcely thought about herself. Despite everything she'd said, everything she'd promised Ted, she cried herself to sleep that night. She wasn't sure how to endure ten months of this.

Andromeda waited until her roommates, even Magdalena, left before climbing out of bed. She might miss breakfast, but she didn't care. It was worth it if she could avoid as many of her housemates as possible.

Of course, it also meant she'd miss Ted, and that did send a pang through her chest. But she'd find time to spend with him later, she hoped.

The common room was essentially empty as she slipped through, another plus to being an hour behind everyone else. She'd just made it out to the hallway, and was debating trying to head to the Great Hall at all when someone called out her name.

Her heart lifted at the sound of Ted's voice, cringed as she remembered they were in public, and then hesitantly relaxed when she remembered that wasn't an issue anymore. At least, not as much as it used to be.

"There you are," Ted immediately took her hands in his, and she once again had to remind herself that wasn't a problem. "I've been looking for you. You missed breakfast."

"I just wasn't hungry this morning." She forced out a smile, wanting to put on a brave face for his sake. Based on his worried frown, she didn't succeed.

"Are you all right?" he asked, his hands gently moving up to her wrist. "With what happened yesterday. And I can't imagine it's fun sharing a room with a Carrow."

"It's nothing I can't handle," she sounded more sure this time, even if she didn't believe it. Ted still stared at her, concerned, before giving up.

"I meant to ask, who was that boy? Who helped you yesterday?"

I took Andromeda a minute to remember who he was talking about, as she had blocked most of last night's feast from her mind. But now that Ted mentioned it…

"That was Barty Crouch," she said. Then added, "Jr."

Ted raised an eyebrow. "As in the head Auror guy?"

Andromeda nodded. Barty Crouch had been vocal about his commitment to maintaining an open magic policy, regardless of blood status, and cracking down on violent dissenters. She had no idea if his son shared his views, but if he was willing to help a blood traitor, then it seemed likely. At least it was enough to push the matter from Ted's mind.

"I, umm… I have your schedule." Andromeda gasped as he held the paper out to her. She'd been so focused on avoiding her housemates, she completely forgot they handed out schedules at breakfast. Thank the lord Ted was looking out for her. She scanned the list, not looking for her classes, but rather who she would have them with…

Her heart sank. She only had two classes with Ted, and neither of them were today. What's more, two of her classes were with the Gryffindors. The Gryffindors had never much liked her on account of her sisters, her connection to Sirius notwithstanding. She supposed now that she'd so openly rebelled they wouldn't be so hostile, but that didn't make her any more excited about the prospect of seeing them.

"So, I was thinking, maybe we could go to the lake today? And avoid the whole… Great Hall situation."

He didn't go into specifics about what that situation was, which she appreciated. "It's a date," she smiled, and he grinned.

It was so strange, to be talking with him in public, his hands found hers, and for once she didn't flinch away in fear of being seen. Enjoying this new wave of freedom, she moved closer to Ted and pressed her lips to his. Based on the thrill that raced through his body, he was enjoying this newfound liberation as much as she was. He pulled her even closer, and deepened their kiss.

Someone made retching sounds behind them, and they both sprang apart. The elated feeling in Andromeda's stomach disappeared as she caught sight of her sister, deathly pale and white-lipped behind them.

"Have you no shame, dearest Meda?" Narcissa spat. "It's bad enough you're whoring around with this rubbish, but do you have to bring it to our doorstep?"

Andromeda hadn't spoken to her sister in over month. The last thing she'd heard was Narcissa screaming her name. Then yesterday Narcissa had completely shut her out. And now that she finally speaking to her, this was what she had to say.

And yet, she couldn't help but stare at her sister. It had been hard to really see her when she was surrounded by her entourage, but now she was alone. She looked as radiant as Andromeda remembered, but there was a cold edge to her eyes that hadn't been there before.

"Watch who you call whore, Black." Ted kept one hand on her wrist, while the other raised his wand. He bristled with anger. She was sure if Narcissa wasn't her sister, he would have struck by now.

Narcissa only sniffed. "Control your mutt, Andromeda, or we'll muzzle him for you."

"Narcissa, wait!" Andromeda called, but Narcissa had already slipped into the Slytherin common room without a word.

Andromeda started after her, but Ted grabbed her wrist. "Come on, Andromeda, let it go."

"I can't let it go." Andromeda whirled on him. "She's my sister."

Ted stared at her in surprise. Too late, she realized he thought she was going after Narcissa to confront her for what she'd said about them. He didn't realize she wanted to talk with his sister.

"She's not going to listen to you," he said, finally, sounding like he swallowed stinksap. Andromeda pulled her wrist free.

"I'm sorry, I have to go." The last thing she saw was his face crumple. Her heart clenched. She could understand his pain. He'd put her family above him more times than she cared to count, but if she didn't try to speak to Narcissa now, she might not get a chance. She'd make it up to him later, somehow.

Narcissa was halfway up the stairs by the time Andromeda entered.

"Narcissa, please-" she wasn't sure how she would end that sentence, but she didn't have to figure it out because Narcissa chose that moment to whirl around.

"What do you want, Andromeda?" Her voice wasn't the carefully controlled sneer she'd used earlier, it was practically feral.

"I just…" Andromeda's determination wavered, but then she remembered what was at stake and continue. "I just want to tell you I'm sorry."

"You're sorry?" Narcissa spat. "Sorry for what? That you've made us the laughing-stock of the magical community? That you broke Rabastan's heart? That you left me?" Narcissa's voice threatened to break, and it took her a moment to regain control. "And for what, that… that filth?"

For just a moment, Andromeda had seen a little bit of her Narcissa. The one that still loved her, and she clung to that. "I don't expect you to understand." Convincing her sister of the errors of their ways seemed folly. "I just want you to know that I never meant, I never meant to hurt you."

Narcissa stared at her, her expression unreadable. The unspoken truth hung between them that whether Meda had meant it or not, she had, in fact, hurt Narcissa.

"Bella's right." The disgusted look returned to Narcissa's face. "You're a fool. A sick, pathetic, bottom-feeding fool."

"Cissy—" Andromeda started, but Narcissa cut her off again.

"How long was this going on? How long were you lying to me, to everyone?"

Andromeda took a minute. The truth would not help her case, but she couldn't bear to lie anymore. "Since the Masquerade, more or less."

Narcissa's eyes widened. Andromeda knew she was mentally recounting every conversation they had since then. Every opportunity Andromeda had to come clean, and hadn't.

"Well," Narcissa's voice turned dark and cold. "I'm sure you feel fantastic now that you've gotten that off your chest. Glad you've finally decided to be honest with me."

"It's not like you were honest with me, either." The words were out of Meda's mouth before she could stop them. "You never did tell me about you and Rodolphus."

Narcissa's eyes widened. They had never officially talked about Andromeda's role in Narcissa's break-up. Andromeda wasn't sure if Narcissa knew how extensive it had been. Once Andromeda had helped her begin her relationship with Lucius, they had swept the whole matter under the rug. Until Andromeda had this moment, of all moments, to bring it back.

"Maybe we weren't as close as we thought," Narcissa said quietly, so quietly Andromeda could barely hear her. Yet those words ripped through her more than any others.

"It was killing me, Cissy," Andromeda said as her sister turned to go. "Pretending that blood meant everything. Stomaching all the hatred, the violence. I couldn't take it anymore. But I never stopped loving you, and I never will. You're my sister."

For a moment, she'd thought she finally reached her. Something seemed to lift at Andromeda's promise. But a moment later it was gone, and the cold, Black-exterior was back in place.

"I only have one sister," Narcissa lifted her chin. "And her name is Bellatrix." Then she stormed off into the dorm rooms without another word.

After she disappeared Andromeda collapsed into a chair, completely drained. She'd been close, so close, to breaking through to her sister, only to have her slip away again. It had only been a month, those wounds were still fresh. They needed more time to heal. No matter how many weeks, months, years… it took for them to heal. She would not give up. She would never stop loving her baby sister.