IWSC
Durmstrang, Year 4
Write about the consequences of revealing your soul.
[Object] Family Ring
[First/Last Line] Love is a choice that you consciously choose to make.
1584 Words
AN Warning for implied underage drinking, teen pregnancy and discussion on abortion
Love is a choice that you consciously choose to make. As Andromeda sat at her vanity, preparing for the night's festivities, she mused on those words. All they were was a platitude given to young Pureblood girls to make their futures more palatable. It had always made her scoff. Marriage wasn't about love. It was duty, plain and simple. What could someone like her know of love? The closest she'd come in sixteen years was how she felt about her sisters. Darling 'Cissa who never wished to cause upset was becoming quite the belle, but Andromeda could still remember when her little sister would crawl into bed with her when it rained. And Bellatrix, she had always been the strong one, willing to do whatever was needed to keep her sisters safe. Andromeda could only hope to have her sisters' support at tonight's supper.
Makeup done, it was time to add the final touches. The string of pearls strategically placed in her hair looked like stars on a moonless night, and the aquamarine teardrop necklace brought out her eyes, just so. Andromeda's hand paused as it reached for the onyx ring that marked her as a daughter of the House Black. The ring had been gifted to her for her fourteenth birthday–a reminder both of her duties to the House and that she could find refuge within its embrace. Since then, Andromeda had worn the ring religiously, proud of all it stood for. She wondered if all it stood for could withstand the evening's revelations and hoped the pressures would not be too much. Now, like no time before, she needed the Black strength. She slipped the ring on even as the action made her feel like a fraud.
For all that Andromeda hadn't grown up knowing what love was, she felt it now. Resting her bejewelled hand gently onto her glamoured abdomen, the fluttering of life could be felt. No matter the cost of the evening's discussion, the fragile life within her was worth it. It had to be.
Face carefully poised in a look of casual indifference, Andromeda could not help but subtly fidget with the Black family ring that was hidden beneath the table. She had everything planned. Supper had held all of the family's favourites, and after dessert, she would calmly admit to her… changed circumstances with all the decorum that could be expected of a daughter of the House Black. Until then, she could just sit there quietly and observe her family. Bellatrix was regaling Narcissa about her latest adventure with her husband Rodolphus, making Andromeda sigh. At least some things never changed.
"Would you care for some Pinot Noir with your chocolate mousse, Andromeda dear?" Mother's voice shook Andromeda from her contemplations.
Hand resting discreetly on her little one, Andromeda shook her head in the negative, hoping her mother wouldn't push the issue.
No such luck.
"Come now, you've not had aught but water all evening. Are you quite sure you're feeling alright?"
By the words, one would think that Druella felt legitimate concern for her daughter. Andromeda knew better. If she met her mother's gaze, concern would be the last thing that she would see. No, the offering was just another reminder of the 'done' thing in polite society. Abstaining from the expensive wines on offer was not acceptable behavior.
These were not most circumstances, however.
And if Andromeda wanted a chance to explain things with a clear head, she couldn't admit that fact or give into Mother's pressure. Not yet anyway.
"No, thank you, Mother," she said instead, grateful that she'd chosen a hairstyle that allowed the slightest amount of coverage from that piercing gaze.
Despite her words, Mother poured a glass of the blood-coloured liquid, and Andromeda pretended to take a sip.
Thankfully, Bellatrix drew Mother's attention with a not-so-amusing anecdote on her and Rodolphus' antics during their honeymoon in Paris. Andromeda could only watch as tormenting Muggles was described as acceptable entertainment while on vacation. Her hand, reaching for the water, slipped and spilled the red wine onto her plate. As the dark chocolate mixed with the red, everything became too much. She only had moments to turn her head before she began to gag and choke in a way that had become too familiar over the last few months.
While a quick spell cleaned up the resultant mess, Andromeda knew that her bid for a pleasant meal to soften the news had Evanesco'd away just as much as the vomit. Every eye was on her, silently demanding an explanation. They wanted an explanation? Very well.
Slightly hysterically, she began. "Apologies, everyone. I'm afraid that the topic of conversation was a hair more detailed than my stomach could handle in its current circumstances."
Still seated, she silently cancelled the glamour she'd worn for months now.
"Whatever do you mean, Andromeda? What circumstances?" Bellatrix asked, unable to see from where she sat the now-noticeable bump.
Slightly unsteadily, Andromeda stood.
Father was the first to speak. "Well now, I would have preferred that Lucius wait until after the wedding to plant his seed, but I can't say I disagree with the man's enthusiasm. Why ever would you keep this a secret, Andromeda? You two should be celebrating, but you look like you've just come from a funeral."
Andromeda fiddled with her ring, the polished onyx reminding her of the ideals she grew up on. Poise. Confidence. She had to behave in a way befitting of a daughter of the House Black. Things would be so much easier if her betrothed had 'deflowered' her. Alas, she knew who had had that pleasure, and there would be no way to pass off the child as Lucius' even if he'd had the opportunity.
She lifted her eyes. As a Black, she supplicated herself to no one.
"It isn't his," she proclaimed with all the confidence she could feign.
Now, Father looked angry. "It's been known that you two were betrothed for years! What family does the boy hale from? The Black family will have retribution for this!"
"Don't worry, dear. We'll see you suitably wed… despite the circumstances. There's always adoption," Mother opined.
Andromeda bit her lip before admonishing herself for the weakness. "There is no family to pursue, Father. The child's sire is not of pure blood." She turned to her mother, steeling herself for the famous temper. "And I'm certainly not giving it up for adoption." Strangely, Mother just smiled almost sympathetically.
"Of course not, Andromeda. The very idea is ridiculous. No, I'll make an appointment with Healer Greengrass. He's known for being discreet."
For a blissful moment, Andromeda didn't understand what she meant. Then it hit, and she found herself backing away.
"No! No! I won't let you!" she wanted to scream as Father considered her mother's plan. "If we can get rid of the unfortunate consequence and increase your dowry, Lucius may still be willing to take you on. It's a good idea. Worst case scenario, I suppose your sister could go to him instead. I know she's taken a fancy to that Longbottom boy, but needs must." He decided.
Andromeda turned towards her sisters. Bellatrix had a gleam in her eye that was off-putting as she asked, "What's the name of the dog who did this, 'Meda? I'll make sure he's suitably paid for his crimes."
Narcissa, surely Narcissa would see the insanity of this. Of wanting to kill a babe and its sire. Instead, Narcissa's gaze was cold, looking at her as though she'd betrayed them. Andromeda's heart hurt to see her baby sister looking at her so.
"Come, dear, let's sit down. Tomorrow all of this will be a bad dream." Her parents both waved her back to her seat, but Andromeda was frozen. In her worst imaginings, she hadn't expected it to come to this.
She'd expected one of two actions. Either she would be kicked out of the family or the family would reluctantly accept her status as an underage mom and help her through it. They weren't supposed to accept her but deny the child inside.
"Have I no other choice? The child is innocent of my actions. It's done no wrong," she asked while slowly twisting at her ring.
"You're a daughter of the House Black, Andromeda. You know what the answer to that question is," Father said, seeming not to care that he was tearing her into two.
Outwardly calm, Andromeda began to walk towards the table still fiddling with the ring. "Very well then," she said.
"Dear, you really must stop your fidgeting. It's unbecoming of a young lady," Mother gave her two-knuts.
Andromeda turned to the woman who gave birth to her, and with a smile that was as fake as anything else in this gold-gilded cage, she nodded in acquiesce. Another twist. A tug. "Don't worry, Mother. I was just taking off my ring. Father's made his position clear, after all, and I obviously have no right to wear it any longer." Andromeda dropped the ring that had symbolised everything she was for the last two years on the table and turned on her heel.
They say love is a choice you consciously make. As Andromeda walked out of the family home to thundering silence behind her, she could safely say that she'd never been so aware of a choice in her life.
Months later when her darling daughter couldn't control her looks due to a rare ability, Andromeda just laughed at the irony.