Plans for Andromeda

Him

Lucius Malfoy stared at the slim book in his hands in shocked disbelief. When he had surprised Andromeda with Ted Tonks, Andromeda had been bewitched! Her own sister had forced her to debase herself in this manner. Bellatrix had taken his love from him, and for what? To increase her share of the family fortune, something that had never materialized for her, as a few years later she had been imprisoned in Azkaban.

The blond wizard found it hard to breathe. His marriage to Narcissa, Andromeda's expulsion – none of that needed to have happened! Out of this whole sordid deal no one had got what they wanted. Andromeda was chained to a muggle, cursed by the enchantment of a love philter, forced into a life of deprivation and disgrace. He had hated her for years for something she had had no power over. Lucius was certain beyond a doubt that she would have chosen him had she been free.

As for his part he was married to a woman who at best evoked lust and a measure of sympathy in him, and who at worst made him hate her for her weakness. He knew that to a certain extent he had always resented and despised her for being merely his second choice, his fall-back strategy. He remembered his advice to his secretary and snorted in self-loathing. He couldn't even live up to his own credo himself.

Lucius somehow doubted that Narcissa had achieved her ambition either. Why would she regularly drug herself, if she was happy, if being with him was her true wish? She had to miss something, too, something that her drugs provided, something that hurt so much that only that opiates took the edge off the pain. Severus' involvement in the whole affair paled in comparison to Bellatrix' interference.

Bellatrix had sacrificed her middle sister without a second thought to her own greed; and she had callously sold her youngest sister's virginity to further her own selfish plans. She had used Lucius' own hatred of muggles – incited by losing Andromeda to Ted – to bring him under the sway of the Dark Lord and thus ingratiated herself with her master.

Lucius usually had no problem with selfishness, not in himself and not in others. It commanded his respect; but he would not tolerate being duped in this manner. He had to admit that Bellatrix' plan had been flawless, until he had discovered the diary. She had made her move and had been found out. Now she would have to deal with the repercussions. She deserved death for her interference. Azkaban protected Bellatrix for now. But Lucius swore to himself that he would ask the Dark Lord's permission to be avenged upon her.

Lord Voldemort – the blond wizard suddenly felt as if he should remember something. He placed the diary on a side table and suddenly jumped to his feet when he recalled the last Death Eater meeting.

Iocasta had distracted him and he had forgotten, but the Dark Lord had set him a task, and it would not do to show less than enthusiastic support. If he had no progress to report at the next meeting he would be in trouble, and he could forget any hopes to have his wishes with respect to his revenge granted. Paper crinkled in his breast pocket as he moved his hands over his robes and he pulled the Dark Lord's list from the heavy cloth of his elegant greatcoat.

Here were the wizards and witches his master wanted to be killed; and his pale eyes scanned the sharp, precise writing. "Stella Mugwort (witch), Robert Myers (muggle husband), three mudblood children. Albertus Mercator (wizard), Denise French (muggle wife), one mudblood child." The Dark Lord had even been gracious enough to supply the addresses. This should be easy.

Lucius read on and suddenly felt his blood turn to ice: "Andromeda Black (witch), Ted Tonks (muggle husband), one mudblood child (auror)." "Merlin!" he gasped. Here he had been carrying his former lover's death sentence in his breast pocket for almost a day. Bellatrix had not only destroyed his life, she had also sealed her sister's fate and condemned him to be her executioner.

His mind raced. He was right back in last night's nightmare which had now turned out to be rather prophetic. The choice he had dreamt about lay clear before him: to become the merciless right hand of his master and kill the one he loved, or to be the pitiful fool groveling at his master's feet and plead for her life.

Lucius had always been on the side of strength. At home he had been deferred to as the heir of Malfoy, the only male descendant of his family. Parents, siblings and servants had fawned over him.

At Slytherin he had been a natural leader, his command unchallenged from the first day. He never had to rely on brute force. A raised eyebrow could cow his classmates and commanded unquestioning respect. Of course for those whom this subtlety escaped there were always the capable and eager fists of Crabbe and Goyle.

After that he had run his father's business with harsh efficiency and discipline. One did not get fired from the service of the Malfoys, one got retired, with the funeral generously paid for by the Malfoy estate, of course. Everybody knew that and behaved accordingly. As a Death Eater Lucius had risen to be the Dark Lord's second in command, feared and respected by all the other Death Eaters.

Thinking back he had to admit that the only person who had ever been able to effectively cross him had been Bellatrix Lestrange. – Well, one could ignore for now that little snot Potter, who had cost him one of his house elves, and Dumbledore who had managed to remove him from the board of governors of Hogwarts. He was not finished with those two by a long shot, and there would be the day they would come to regret ever having stood in his path.

Now, however, he found himself faced with a genuine choice that could cost him his supremacy. If he elected to save Andromeda, he would lose the support of his master – he would most likely lose his life. He thought back to Bellings' execution the night before and shuddered. He would also break the habit of a lifetime and betray everything he professed to believe in over something as despicable as romantic nostalgia.

If he killed Andromeda, however, he would not follow his will. He would merely fulfill Bellatrix' plans and deprive himself of any chance to ever win Andromeda back. For every potion, every poison there was an antidote. She might yet be cured from her obsession with her muggle husband.

Lucius knew that pleading with Voldemort would be out of the question. He was a selfless, benevolent, reasonable and forgiving man in comparison with his master. But would he be able to help Andromeda and avoid detection? What amount of subtlety could protect one from a powerful legilimens such as the Dark Lord?

The blond wizard decided to make a head-start with his other assignments while he considered his options with regards to Andromeda and after a brief consideration owled two of his fellow Death Eaters. Avery and Rookwood could spy out their victims, and with some additional help they could take both families out later that evening. With two thirds of their list eliminated, he was sure he could take a day or two to plan for the third strike.

He wanted to find out if the diary would tell him anything else about the potion and how it had been administered. Any information and leverage that would further his plans should help at this point. Lucius settled down again and picked up Narcissa's book. What had started as a curious and slightly tormenting diversion had moved into the realm of serious and desperate research.

Her

Black Manor, October 27th 1975

Merlin, what a day! Bella's plan has played itself out, and she has really achieved all she wanted. I didn't actually witness the big blow-up, but as far as I've been able to put things together Lucius came by the house this morning – to talk to Andy, of course. Bella waylaid him and purposely sent him to the south wing office where she knew Andy was hiding with Ted.

Ever since Bella gave her the philter three days ago, Andy has been acting like one possessed. She can't get enough of that muggle doctor and spends every free second with him. Bella has invited herself for a few days under the pretext that Rodolphus is away on business and that she would be bored at home. She said she saw Andy sneak Ted into her bedroom yesterday night, but she told me not to breathe a word of it. She had planned on Lucius finding out rather than Father or Mother.

Well, find out he did. He went straight to Father telling him. Bella came over to my room to let me know. She was shaking with laughter as she talked about it. She had hidden in the south wing corridor and had seen everything. Then she had followed Lucius to Father's rooms. When she had told me everything, she left again, but asked me to stay put.

An hour or so later we were all called to a family meeting – including Lucius! I was surprised to see him. He looked really awful, and I actually felt sorry for him. It seems to have been a terrible blow to him. He was very pale and didn't say much, but when Father pointed his wand at the family tree and made Andy's name vanish he sighed and nodded.

I felt horrible. I knew why Andy had got thrown out. And I am to blame! I let Bella do it. Father finally left and as Mother followed him to talk to him, Bella suddenly prodded me. "Come on, sis," she said. "I need some tears here. Trust me, just start sniveling. Only try not to look ugly while doing it." I turned to her, but she just pinched me really hard, so I actually had tears stinging my eyes whether I wanted to or not.

Before I could swat her back she had got out of the way and was speaking quietly to Lucius, who was staring blankly at the gap in the family tree where Andy's name used to be. A few moments later Lucius came over to me and bowed. I sniffed a little, feeling foolish, but he looked at me quite thoughtfully and sat down right next to me, much closer than he had ever done. He took my hand in his and started speaking to me, while his long fingers caressed my palm. I don't think he realized he was doing it.

"Don't you waste one precious tear on her, Narcissa," he said. "She doesn't deserve any of your pity. She had the best upbringing and the brightest future any young witch could hope for, and she threw it all away, betraying and defying every one in this world who loved her and cared about her. She left you too, Narcissa, and all over this filthy muggle."

Now my bad conscience was kicking in full force, and I needed no abuse from Bella to really switch on the waterworks. I turned to Lucius and hid my face in his robes so he wouldn't see how ashamed I was and started sobbing in earnest. I could feel him stiffen for a moment, like he was worried I'd mess up his robes (which I did, he was wearing a beautiful dark blue silk waistcoat, and I got the front if it all mottled with tears), but then he put his arms around me, and a few moments later he was really holding me to him, rocking me gently and telling me in his soft, gravelly voice not to cry, that everything would be all right.

And next thing I know, his words and hands really started to soothe me. I was smelling his cologne – which I really like by the way, bet it's expensive – and feeling his chest rise and fall with his breath under my face. It was so delicious, I just couldn't feel remorseful any more, hell, I couldn't even feel angry at Bella any more. Her brilliant plan made it all happen.

Here is was in the arms of the man of my dreams, and he was holding me to him, whispering sweet words of comfort to me without any damn potion whatsoever. He did it, because he wanted to, because of me, because he cares about me.

I guess he finally realized I wasn't bawling up a storm any more, so he let me go, which I didn't like much. It was so nice to hide in his scent and his clothes and feel him like that, but as I looked up at him he was holding a silk handkerchief and he gently dabbed at the tears on my cheeks. "There," he said, trying to smile, though in all fairness it didn't work so well and looked more like a painful cringe. "Someone as pretty as you shouldn't mar her beauty with tears, Narcissa."

I closed my eyes as he wiped the wetness from my face. "All better?" he asked kindly, and I nodded. "You are so considerate, Lucius," I managed to squeeze out. "Thank you so much for comforting me." I hoped it was the right thing to say and caught an encouraging smirk from Bella who was standing behind Lucius and was observing everything with great interest. "I, I am sorry Andy did this to you." That was a lie, of course.

But Lucius nodded and his eyes lost their focus on me for a moment. "You lost a family member today, poor Narcissa. I just lost a dream that was really never more than a delusion." Then he looked back at me, and I could have sworn he was sort of appraising me. "I believe we can be some comfort to each other, if you wish."

Bella lifted a warning eyebrow as I was getting ready to assure Lucius of how I wanted nothing more than that, so I scaled it back a bit and just swallowed my enthusiasm. "Shared grief diminishes," I said quietly, and Lucius briefly squeezed my arms in his hands, then got up, took his leave of me and excused himself.

"I'll walk you out," said Bella. "I cannot tell you how much we all appreciate your support in this terrible crisis. Our family can count itself blessed for a friend like yourself… " She continued talking to him as they walked out.

I realized I was still holding Lucius' handkerchief, which he had left with me. I could smell his cologne when I held it to my face, and I found I was trembling all over. It had all been just so much. I felt I didn't want to be around anyone just then and snuck off to my room to calm down.

Black Manor, November 2nd 1975

I have finally got some time to myself and the calm to write a little. So much has happened since Andy got expelled from home! Big news of course is that Lucius and I are engaged. We will be married at Yule. I never really wanted a winter wedding, because you can't wear pretty summer robes, but now I'm just so happy I get to be Mrs. Malfoy, I really don't care.

Next week Mother and I are going to Paris to have my gown fitted by the best magical robe tailor there is. Father says he will at least have one decent marriage in the family. And he is giving Mother complete control of the finances. I am in heaven! I can ask for anything I want!

But I'm getting ahead of myself here. First off I was surprised so see Lucius pay a visit to us again the very next day after the Tonks disaster, as Mother calls it now. I really thought with Andy gone he would have little reason or wish to see us. But he took time to talk to Mother and Bella, and he really made a point to sit and speak with me.

Like the day before he was very friendly to me, when before he couldn't get a way from me quick enough to be with Andy. He asked how I felt, and he had brought me some confections for a present. He said his mother swore they would help her get over any kind of unpleasantness. I tried them and they were very, very good. Seemed like Lucius felt he needed some comfort as well, so between us we quickly dispatched the sweets and talked about all sorts of things.

At first it was a little awkward, because neither of us wanted to mention Andy, but then Lucius asked me about my work at the Ministry and it got easier. I was just so happy he started taking an interest in me. He also complimented me on how pretty I looked and that I surely would be a sensible girl who would make her parents proud and do the right thing for her family. Of course I completely agreed with him.

Later he went and talked with Father as well, and at noon Bella burst into my room with the incredible news. Of course, while I had been hiding, she had gone sneaking after Lucius and eavesdropping. Apparently there is a room above Father's office, and if you hide in the fireplace you can hear all the conversations from below. It doesn't surprise me Bella found out about that. She had heard Lucius ask Father whether it would be acceptable to the family if he asked for my hand in marriage during the Halloween ball.

Bella said Father was a little surprised at first, but of course didn't want to mention Andy. So Lucius told him that any recent problems shouldn't disrupt a very profitable alliance between the houses of Malfoy and Black and that if he, Lucius, as the wronged party, could look beyond the present to the future benefits, then surely so could the Black head of household. So Father had agreed.

Bella spun me around and laughed. "Little sister, you've done it. Lucius asked to be handfasted to you, without any help of any potion whatsoever! You were great yesterday. You caught him when he was vulnerable and you turned him around. You are a witch I'm proud of!" She kissed me enthusiastically and it almost felt like old times – almost. If only I could forget what we did to Andy.

I was excited about the news of course and Bella and I talked about the ball, what we would wear, and making plans, but one thing just wouldn't leave me alone and I finally had to ask her about Andy. "Listen Bella: does Andy have to stay with this horrid muggle forever now, because of Severus' potion? Or can he give her something, maybe after my wedding, when I have Lucius, to make her stop loving Ted?"

At that point Bella got up and made me get up, too. She unbuttoned the sleeve of her robes and showed me the strange mark on her arm. When she spoke I knew she was dead serious.

"Little sister, pay attention! Do you see this mark? It is the mark of the greatest wizard who ever lived, maybe greater even than the great Salazar Slytherin himself. He did me and Rodolphus the honor to accept us as his followers and disciples. It is my greatest ambition that one day you will join him, too.

But as long as you are weak like that, a slave to the phony conventions of pity that society imposes on you, you never can. Don't be a victim. Be ruthless in asserting your needs and in getting what you want. Don't waste your energy on your enemies. Love those who love you and hate and destroy those who oppose you. Do you think Lucius will respect you when you are weak? He knows what it is like to follow your will. As his wife and as my sister you must, too.

This is what I will do to test you resolve." She reached into her robes and gave me the bottle with the rest of the potion. "Severus told me about this philter: 'One draught to bind in love, another to break the fetters.' I put this into your keeping. Give in to your weakness, find Andy and give her the second draught to lift the enchantment, or prove yourself to me, now! What kind of a witch will you be?"

She stared at me intently, and suddenly I knew I wanted nothing more than to make her proud and to earn Lucius' respect. I took the bottle and smashed it. It broke into a thousand pieces on the flagstones of the floor and I watched the few drops of liquid that would have saved Andy seep away into the cracks among the broken red glass. Bella gave me a big grin and slapped me on the shoulder. "Knew you had the guts, girl," she said. I couldn't say anything.