TITLE: I, Andromeda, have made myself a promise
RATING: T
GENRE: Romance
SUMMARY: Andromeda Black isn't going to stand by and let herself be married off.
WARNING: marrying one off
I, Andromeda, have made myself a promise
I, Andromeda, have made myself a promise. A promise that says I won't be a perfect pureblood daughter for the rest of my life, that says that I will get to choose who I marry and be in control of myself.
.
I remember when I was little, around five years old. Narcissa was three and Bellatrix was seven. We were thick as thieves back then.
It was my birthday - May 12.
Bella was laughing and dancing and trying to carry me, while Cissa was saying random words and basically trying to look cute (both of them succeeded).
Father gave me a ring that day.
It was my great-grandmother's, apparently.
I remember marveling at the little lines forming elaborate designs that I couldn't understand at that time, the big diamond in the center. I slipped it on, and nearly buckled under the weight - for such a small thing, it sure was heavy.
Bella was laughing at me, and Cissa was giggling, trying to copy her eldest sister.
.
The ring became my most prized possession.
I tried not to show it off at Hogwarts, for fear of someone getting jealous and stealing it, but in the end I gave in to my impulses and showed it to a few of my friends. Well, word leaked out. Before long, everyone knew that Andromeda Black had a precious Black ring, which was equal to a medium-sized fortune. Betrothal contracts flew into my father's study day and night.
My parents were proud.
"You are very desirable, Andromeda." Mother praised me.
But I wasn't proud - I was disgusted. Was this how every pureblood daughter was treated? And I read that the final betrothal was chosen by the father and not the child. How was that fair?
.
My betrothal contract to Lucius Malfoy was finalized during the summer holidays after my sixth year at Hogwarts.
We were to marry one year later.
.
But in seventh year I became besotted with a Muggleborn Hufflepuff named Ted Tonks, and he loved me in return. We snuck secretly into alcoves to snog, hid in deserted corridors to profess our love.
And that was when I made a promise to myself.
.
I, Andromeda, have made myself a promise. A promise that says I won't be a perfect pureblood daughter for the rest of my life, that says that I will get to choose who I marry and be in control of myself.
Written for Auction, Andromeda, and Shiny Collecting - 3. ring
WC: 401