TRAITOR

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Chapter 2:

After the Sorting Ceremony, Andromeda was pleased to note that Slytherin had acquired twenty one new students; much to the annoyance of Gryffindor. She could hear them grumble and complain over the cheerful chatter of the Hall. Slytherin this year had gathered the most of the new first years and Andromeda basked in the envy of the other houses.

Over the bobbing heads and floating wax candles, she met the eyes of her Head of House, Professor Slughorn. He simply raised his goblet in approval of his distinguished students and their welcoming camaraderie towards the first years. Despite what others thought, Slytherins' actually looked out for one another, being quite protective over their latest members. Just because the traits of Slytherin students were cunning and ambition, it didn't mean they were heartless or cold. On the surface they may appear to be uncaring, but in reality, the solidarity amongst Slytherin students ran deep.

"Look, if you have any more questions you can always go to your Prefects." Andromeda's ears picked up when she heard her respective title. Looking down the table, she saw Vincent Crabbe jab a thumb towards herself and Rabastan. Several pairs of inquisitive eyes followed Crabbe's pudgy digit and Andromeda smiled gently.

"Don't worry, we'll show you around after the feast." Andromeda announced loudly, capturing the attention of the majority of the first years sat at her table. Most of them nodded eagerly and then returned to their meals.

"Thank you." Narcissa said gratefully, leaning across her plate, dusky eyes flickering to the eleven year old beside her. "This lot is a rowdy bunch - you'll have your hands full this year."

Andromeda chuckled before taking a sip of pumpkin juice from her goblet. It was true, they were quite rough around the edges, but it was their first day and it could feel very overwhelming. However, Andromeda was confident that the children around her would soon calm down and be real assets to the serpent house. After all, if her older sister could focus her recalcitrant ways, this band of first years would be fine.

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When all of the students in the Great Hall were full of food and drink, their Headmaster happily dismissed them to their dormitories. With a flick of his wrist, the empty plates and leftovers began to disappear and the older students took their cue to address their houses.

Before Andromeda stood and spoke to her fellow Slytherins, all second to seventh year students left. The youngest left fixated their attention on their trusted Prefects, watching and appraising them in a way only a Slytherin could. Andromeda couldn't help a small smirk tug her lips upwards. They were placed in her house for a reason and the Sorting Hat was very good at what it did.

"Good evening everyone, I am Andromeda Black and I am one of your Prefects alongside Rabastan Lestrange. Each of you can come to us any time if you have a question or problem. Tonight, before we go to the dungeons, we will give you all a brief tour of the school so you know where to go when classes begin tomorrow." She spoke clearly and slowly, ensuring that she was heard. In her peripheral vision, she could see the other Prefects doing the same thing with their houses.

"Don't worry about getting lost or confused, Hogwarts is a big place and for the first week or so teachers are more lenient if you are late or miss a class." Rabastan added and Andromeda heard several sighs of relief.

"Now, if you follow us." Andromeda voiced, already turning towards the exit and behind her the new students scrambled to follow.

They formed a neat line behind their Prefects, waiting their turn to leave the Great Hall. Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff left first, being the closest to the doors. Andromeda led her students out, sensing the golden lions beside her group of silver snakes. She, like Rabastan, blatantly ignored them. They weren't worth her time or attention, so focusing her eyes ahead and flicking her loose waves over a shoulder, Andromeda made to stride pridefully out of the Hall.

"Miss Black!"

Stopping in her tracks, Andromeda twisted around and saw their Head of House coming towards them. He looked at each of his new students with delightful regard before settling his gaze on his finest student.

"Miss Black would you please see me in my office after you have our new students settled?"

"Of course professor." Andromeda replied politely, pondering what he wanted to speak to her privately about.

"Wonderful." His smile stretched and he turned back to the teachers table, leaving his Prefects to continue performing their duties.

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After an hour of touring, Andromeda left the baby Slytherins in the capable hands of Rabastan who lured them towards their new Common Room. Andromeda admitted she was pleased with how well Rabastan was handling his new position of Prefect. He was much more sophisticated than his seventh year brother and unlike Rodolphus, he actually seemed to want to give advice to the younger students. Similarly to Andromeda and her siblings, there were distinct differences between the two Lestrange brothers. One was borderline cruel and brash, the younger was more refined, though Rab did have infamous Lestrange temper when pushed. Perhaps that was why he made such a good Quidditch player.

"Follow me." He called in a sharp tone that demanded respect.

Smiling, Andromeda headed in the opposite direction towards the Potions Masters office.

After a few long corridors, she soon found her way expertly down a narrow marble staircase until she came to Slughorn's office. Pausing at the aged oak door, Andromeda gently rapped her knuckles on the wood. It opened with an invisible wave of magic, revealing her favoured professor.

"Miss Black, good to see you! Please, come in." Slughorn smiled and indicated to the overstuffed armchair opposite his. "Make yourself comfortable."

Andromeda walked further into the room, warmth from the fire snaking around her body and chasing away the chill of the dungeons. Moving through the room, she approached the chair near the roaring fireplace, carefully lowering herself into the worn leather. Slughorn held a china teacup in his hand which clinked softly as he stirred his peppermint tea.

"Are you looking forward to your sixth year?" He asked her softly, eyes sparkling in the firelight.

She nodded, "I am."

"Excellent." There was a short pause as he sipped his tea. "It was gratifying to see so many new students in our house. I am sure they will be a real boon for Slytherin."

She didn't reply and an uncomfortable silence blanketed the room. Andromeda had a gut feeling that her teacher had something to tell her and was deliberately procrastinating, which made her suspicious. If he had something to tell her she wished he would just get on with it. She had never liked small talk, especially when it wasn't required. Being social was one thing, but dithering was just downright annoying.

Sensing her frustration, Slughorn sighed and put his teacup down.

"Now, I know you have only just arrived back at school, but…" He paused dramatically, causing his student to raise her eyebrows at him. "Would you be interested in earning extra house points by mentoring another student?" He asked, watching her reaction closely.

"Very interested." She answered, still feeling as though he was retaining information. If there was something a Slytherin didn't like, it was not knowing what was going on. However the promise of profitable gain held her attention. Whenever there was a chance to best the other houses, however small, it should be taken advantage of.

"Excellent! Now, I have been speaking to Professor Sprout who is concerned about one of her students falling behind in Charms, Potions… and possibly Apparition."

Andromeda frowned. She surely wouldn't be much help in Apparition as she hadn't started them herself, but the other classes? Sixth year students picked the subjects themselves, so if this student was struggling in their chosen subjects, then Merlin help them. It would be a challenge, no doubt, but one that she was intrigued by. Potions and Charms were amongst her strongest subjects. They required the most concentration in order for the intricate spell-work to be successful.

Slughorn's eyes twinkled with curiosity as he watched Andromeda mull over his proposal. "Are you still interested?"

"Yes professor." She replied, wondering who it was she would be teaching. Obviously another sixth year, but who?

"Marvellous, now, your tutee is, if I remember correctly Hufflepuff student, Ted Tonks."

Andromeda felt as though someone had performed Petrificus Totalus on her. Every limb was immobile and as heavy as lead. Though her expression was nothing but stoic, her stomach pinched painfully and her blood ran cold. No. No. No. NO. Being forced to share classes with Hufflepuff was torture enough, but willingly opting to mentor a Mudblood outside of her normal timetable was more than she could bear. Every cell in her body rebelled at the idea of spending leisure time with Tonks, her very fibre cringed away from the prospect. Her stomach twisted and Andromeda felt sick.

She wouldn't, couldn't do this.

"No." She gasped, barely audible over the crackling embers.

"Is there a problem Miss Black?" Professor Slughorn prompted, noticing the change in his pale protégé's demeanor.

"I can't mentor him professor." She hated that there was a tremor in her voice when she spoke.

"Why not?"

"He's a Mudbloo-" Andromeda stopped herself when she saw the disappointed expression on Slughorn's wrinkled face. She sighed angrily before donning her Slytherin mask of external composure. "I wouldn't know where to start. Aren't there any Slytherin students I could tutor instead?"

Slughorn shook his head resolutely. "Miss Black, you are one of the most talented students in my house, I daresay the entire school. I have every confidence that you can rise to this challenge and reap the rewards of your hard work and forbearance."

Andromeda wanted to hex him.

"Oh and of course you will be on Prefect patrol with him twice weekly." He mused, completely unaffected by his top students' expression of horror and disgust.

"What?!" Andromeda growled; politeness be damned.

"Oh yes. Headmaster Dumbledore agreed with the two Heads that it would be beneficial to have mixed houses to try and encourage more positive rapports throughout the school. Didn't the two Heads mention it to you on the train?"

Andromeda was completely perplexed. Dumbledore was a complete and utter moron if he thought that this routine would work out without serious repercussions. No Slytherin would willingly work with a Gryffindor! Ravenclaws could be tolerated, simply because of their wit and intelligence – something a Slytherin could use for their own benefit, but Gryffindors? They were all egotistical blowhards who loved nothing more than to parade themselves and their achievements in front of others. Then there were the sanguine Hufflepuffs who were almost as unbearable. The badgers were constantly skipping around being jovial. It was exhausting to put up with.

How could this work? And why in Salazar's name was she to be the proverbial Guinea pig? What did Dumbledore expect to gain from this unwarranted experiment?

Andromeda wondered if she had offended some cosmic entity in some irreparable way that deserved punishment. Because surely, this was it. Punishment of the highest degree.

After a few minutes of silence her teacher spoke again, his tone low and serious.

"Miss Black, as a highly regarded Prefect you are representing our house and are obliged to do so with the upmost distinction. I trust you will do this." He commented solemnly, his face completely devoid of his customary friendly smile.

"Yes sir." Andromeda replied with a vacant expression. She felt completely crushed, as though a troll had smacked her with a club.

"Brilliant. Now, get back to your dorm. You have a busy day tomorrow and you need your rest. Oh and the password until the next change is 'Hebridean Black'."

Rising silently from the leather armchair, Andromeda could only hope that Slughorn's 'rewards' would be worth all this trouble.

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Andromeda slowly made her way to the Slytherin Common Room. She felt utterly defeated and was consequently in a foul mood. As she descended further into the dark dungeons, her mind reviewed her conversation with Slughorn. Anger fluttered in her chest and she gritted her teeth, mentally cursing her Head of House, Headmaster and the Head Girl and Boy who had put her in this situation. She wished she could do something to get out of it, but fighting would make things worse. Slughorn was deceptively manipulative when he wanted something and he could make her life very difficult. It was easier to just get on with it. If she could help the Mudblood quickly improve his skills, then maybe Slughorn would ease off. Maybe.

Andromeda trudged forward with tired footsteps. She stopped when she encountered a familiar smooth expanse of cool stone at the end of a dingy corridor.

Leaning in close to the brick, Andromeda whispered the password that opened a doorway.

With loud rumble of shifting rock, the stone re-arranged to create a winding tunnel which opened up into the wide expanse of the Common Room.

It was bathed in teal light which radiated from the elegantly arched windows, which offered a glimpse into the Great Lake. The room was supported with columns wrapped in serpentine creatures and glittering orbs hung from their curving tails. Scattered around were ink coloured leather sofas and armchairs, high desks of ebony and walnut for studious students and of course several sets of black marble staircases that led to the sleeping dormitories. As usual there was a small sputtering fire under the massive adorned mantle, which took the chill out of the chamber.

Home.

Smiling at the peaceful stirrings of the scene before her, Andromeda made her way towards the enchanted windowsills and eased herself onto the velvet cushions. Dark shapes swam past the glass, forked tails and long tentacles hinted at the identity of the creatures inhabiting the lake. Andromeda loved to watch the Merfolk, but at the moment, she envied their freedom. She wished she could swim off whenever she felt like it.

Sighing she watched the deep emerald kelp sway as a pack of Grindylows chased one another. They were aggressive little beasts made up of claws and sickly green skin. The tentacled animals screeched and pulled ugly faces at Slytherin onlookers and at the moment, there were many. The first years watched the creatures dance in the murky depths with intrigue. One Grindylow suddenly rushed towards the glass when it spotted the Prefect. A loud thunk echoed when it headbutted the window and a laugh caught in Andromeda's throat as it shook itself and hurried away.

"Andromeda!" A voice called from the back of the Common Room.

Glancing over her robed shoulder, Andromeda saw Bellatrix crossing the dorm, but her older sister wasn't in her school uniform. Instead she was wearing an outfit of ebony; a tightly laced up top paired with form-fitting trousers and boots. Her wild curls were loose, springing around her shoulders as she bounded towards her sibling. Bella was the personification of Slytherin rebellion, doing what she wanted, when she wanted, how she wanted with whom she wanted. She was confident and bold, with sharp eyes and an acidic tongue. Andromeda admired her for that.

"What's the matter?" Bellatrix asked when she noticed her younger sister's forlorn expression. "What did Slughorn want?"

How could Andromeda explain in a way that wouldn't make Bella explode with rage?

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After explaining, Andromeda watched Bella pace with barely contained wrath.

"Fuck that! No sister of mine is tutoring a Mudblood."

"It's not worth a few measly house points." Narcissa added quietly.

"Fucking Slughorn. How dare he? Does he not know who you are? Blacks do not associate with Mudbloods or Blood Traitors!" Bella all but screamed, menacingly tapping her crooked wand against her hip.

Narcissa looked just as unhappy, her pretty face set in a grim scowl. "It's ridiculous."

"What's ridiculous?" Called a deep voice from behind the three sisters. Seconds later Rodolphus came around the sofa and approached Bellatrix. He wrapped his arms around her small waist, hugging her close to his chest. "What's ridiculous?" He asked again, voice muffled against Bella's bare shoulder. Andromeda's older sister snarled.

"My poor sister is being forced to tutor a fucking Mudblood." She said, pulling from her boyfriend's hold and resuming the tapping of her wand. Cissy cocked a perfect eyebrow when reddish sparks flew from the tip of the dark wood.

"That's disgusting."

Andromeda looked up at Rodolphus who was now frowning, brows low over his eyes and lips set in a tight line. She agreed.

"It just proves that we are right." Cissy said, casting her eyes to her fellow Purebloods. "Mudbloods should not be in a magical institution. If he needs that much help then he should be taught with other Muggles."

"We should just wipe them out completely. The world would be a better place without them." Bellatrix said nastily, her voice dripping with venom as dangerous as any snakes.

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a/n: Firstly, massive thank you to Amanda for reading and reviewing my first chapter, it really meant a lot and encouraged me to write the next chapter.

I hope you all enjoy this slightly longer chapter. I tried to explore more of Andromeda's personality and the inner workings of her mind. Let me know how I did, I would like to read all of your thoughts.
- DQ92