Title: Red dresses and Black sisters
Summary: Red was Bella's colour, no matter how much Andromeda wished they could share it. But wearing red wasn't Andromeda's only secret.
Warning/triggers: mentions of torture and death, violence, minor swearing
Word count: 3,464
Genre: Family, Romance
Characters: Bellatrix L., Andromeda T., Ted T.
FOR HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY
House: Ravenclaw
Subject/Task: Folklore Task 1 write about canonical sisters
FOR ILVERMORNY SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY
House: Wampus
Task: DADA Task #2 Curses Write anout someone who wants to cause harm to someone else
Bonus prompts: 5) [colour] red, 6) [spell] expelliarmus, 8) [plot point] running into someone somewhere they aren't supposed to be
Red was Bella's colour. It always had been and always would be. True, sometimes she favoured black, but red was still HERS. And who ever had said red was supposed to be a Gryffindor colour, that it represented valour and courage was terribly, terribly wrong. Red was the colour of passion, of anger, of blood.
Red was Bella's colour. It always had been and always would be. True, sometimes she favoured black, but red was still hers. It perfectly suited her complexion. The warm tones brought out her eyes and made her hair shine. It made her beautiful. Like a deadly Snow White. It was just that red would have suited Andromeda too, if she'd been allowed to wear it. She had the same black hair, just with slightly looser curls; the same pale skin, though perhaps with a softer edge to her features; the same black eyes, even if hers were more likely to be compared to chocolate than the night sky. But still. Bella could have shared the red.
And the best thing with red was that you always stood out. And Bella loved nothing more than being in the centre of attention.
And the best thing with red was that… well, Andromeda didn't quite know what the best thing about red was. She has tried to put one of Bella's old dresses but her older sister had immediately ripped it off her.
"Hey! That's mine!"
"But its too small for you! You can't even wear it!"
"Doesn't mean you can!"
Or that time she had bought that red dress in the hopes of wearing it for the annual Black Yule Ball.
"Hey! You can't wear that!"
"Why not? It's mine!"
"It's my colour!"
"The colour red doesn't belong to you!"
But Mother had shushed the argument between the sisters, and ushered her middle child into the same green dress she had worn at the ball last year.
At every occasion in her life, Bella had worn red: her introduction ball, the Yule ball, the summer ball, her graduation, tea parties; much to her mother's disarray.
"Bella, you couldn't possibly wear red to tea!"
"Why ever not?"
"Etiquette says red is an evening colour!"
"Mother, who cares about etiquette? Besides, I'm wearing red whether you like it or not."
Then her mother would shut up. Being the eldest had its privileges.
Never, at any moment in her life, let alone a special occasion, had Andromeda worn a red dress. She wore Bella's cast-offs, green, brown, grey, unflattering gowns, much to her mother's dismay.
"Andromeda, you can't possibly wear that to tea!"
"Mother, I haven't got anything else."
"Nonsense, where are all those gowns Bella gave you?"
"On me!"
"Good gracious, I guess I'll have to talk to your father about getting more. How are we ever going to marry you?"
Then her mother would cut off any protest of being married to some perfect stranger. Being the middle child was the worst position. Bellatrix was the eldest, Father's favourite and impossible to contradict. Narcissa was the youngest, Mother's favourite and to sweet to contradict. Andromeda was the middle one, nobody's favourite and the one no one ever listened to, not even her sisters.
Then, there was the day Bellatrix wore white for the first time. Such a colour of innocence and purity did not fit her, but her mother refused to let her be married in red. That was the only time mother ever won the argument. But she had still changed into red after the ceremony. There she was, no longer Bellatrix Black but Bellatrix Lestrange. She hadn't particularly wanted to get married, and her husband wasn't the ideal Pureblood her parents had wished for her but still. It gave her more power.
No matter how much her father had wished for a son, she was still a woman. And no matter how much she tried to prove herself in the society she lived in, they still wouldn't treat her as an equal. So she married, and her stupidly worshipping husband let her do whatever she wished. She wore red all the time, and let anger, passion and blood flow.
Then, there was the day Andromeda dreamed of wearing white for the first time. All her life, she had been told that her marriage would be the pinnacle of her life as a good Pureblood society girl. Being reduced to being only a wife had made her hate matrimony. Even more so that as soon as she turned 15, her parents started hunting for the ideal suitor, discussing fellow Sacred 27, whose perception of woman made her want to barf.
But that one day in seventh year when she discovered that not everyone thought that way marked her. A kind, loyal, Hufflepuff, muggle-born: everything her parents disapproved of, came into her life, with messages of red, red love, respect for women and equality between all people. Her heart soared and when he smiled and suggested a forever, Andromeda forgot about the red and thought about her new white.
When she joined the Death Eaters, Bella turned to black. She now carried the red deep within her and all around her. The red of her beating heart, the red of someone's dying heart, the red of the blood seeping out of the dark Mark, the red of terror as the sky turned black, the red of her anger, the red of their fear. And black, black everywhere. And so, so much power.
And now people respected her, feared her. Alliances were what worked. An alliance to her husband brought her respectability. And her alliance to her Dark Lord brought her power. And her alliance to death? Well, it brought her… red.
When she gave her heart to Ted Tonks, Andromeda turned her back on her family. Well, they didn't know quite yet. Ted had promised her forever, but there were still so many steps to get there. Andromeda applied to different curse-breaking internships and watched Ted struggle with Healer studies, all while searching for an apartment. As soon as they could live independently, they had promised, she would leave forever. For the moment, she enjoyed the simple pleasures of loving someone in secret. A single red rose on her desk, a smudge of red lipstick on his shirt, a little note quickly scribbled with red ink.
Her parents, meanwhile, dragged her on to meaningless balls and galas, and she put up her fake smile as she was twirled in the arms of men, who told her how many sons they wanted and how afraid of Mudbloods must have been at school. She replied with small nods and short answers, her mind always turned to Ted. All she wore then were some dull greys, washed out greens. But when she would disappear wth a headache or an upset stomach, she changed into regal purple and dark blue to see her lover.
And so life went on. Summer turned to Autumn. The scorching hot, judgmental sun that had bathed their dark robes and masks in sweat turned into an icy breeze. Bella followed the orders, grew in the ranks, delivered her justice. It was amazing. October made way to her even colder sister, November, and Bella was reminded of her own sisters
Andromeda had finished school, with perfectly reasonable NEWTs, though like so many other Pureblood girls, the diploma meant nothing and would never be used. Mother and Father paraded her around, trying to find her the best husband. Someone who's would have to join the Dark Lord. Though Andromeda, pale copy of her sister, would never have the spirits to do the wonders Bella accomplished, her having a performing husband would be good enough. She saw more of her sister now that she was home all the time. They would meet during a dance, or for a family dinner, or sometimes in the street. But the attachment they had when they were younger had faded away. The joy of tormenting her had disappeared when separated at school and now she only watched the other girl from afar, not quite understanding her. But there was no doubt Andromeda would do whatever their parents told her to do, no.
And darling Cissy who had just completed her OWLs. Not quite as good as her two older sisters, but her parents overlooked that and praised her on her growing beauty. Her younger sister was more like her than Andromeda. Though the older Black sisters shared looks, Narcissa strived to be like Bella. Already using her power, her status, her beauty to get whatever she wanted. Yes, Cissy would be perfectly fine. Bella missed her younger sister a lot was the perfect example of the pureblood daughter. Though she had no guts for becoming a Death Eater herself, she would make the perfect wife to one of them.
Her parents were growing more anxious in their quest for a husband, as December peeked round the corner. They planned an extravagant ball for Andromeda, though of course, they didn't call it that. Andromeda had smiled and seemed elated by the news, when they had announced it to her, but truly she was disgusted.
Bellatrix even came home for a few days in order to help them plan, or whatever it was that Andromeda was supposed to be doing. Relations between her sister and herself were stiff, like acquaintances just talking to one another. Bella always seemed to be watching her, guessing at her secret. Her presence worried her, but Ted reassured her in his letters it was just her imagination.
But some remnants of their girlish squabbles still came back from time to time.
"Bella?"
"Andromeda?"
"What are you wearing?"
"To the ball, you mean?"
"Yes."
"Oh, my red dress you know."
"Oh."
"Are you disappointed?"
"No, no."
"Did you want to wear a red dress?"
"Don't worry about it."
"Oh, I'm not worried, I'm actually pretty amazed. How could you possibly believe I would not wear red?"
"Just leave it. And stop laughing."
"No seriously. Did you actually think I would let you wear red?"
"Bella, please."
But her sister just cackled away.
It was Andromeda's ball. Well, the "Black Autumn Ball", officially. But truly, when Bella scanned the room, she could see a lot of eligible young Pureblood men, a couple of girls Andromeda's age or older (but all less beautiful and less well-born), and the crème-de-la-crème of the older society. Clearly, Andromeda was meant to find a match here. The idea was so old it was almost laughable.
But if Bella scanned the room, she could see a lot of Death Eaters. Never too many, though. If they were summoned, them leaving never had to be extremely obvious. At least, not for the moment. Also, there was the matter of having enough men for the girls to face with. Really, as she had said, it was ridiculous.
Nevertheless, despite the observations she had made, the ball went pleasantly enough. All important rules of etiquette, things that only mattered to the elder population, were respected and the hired ensemble played all the right songs. She had danced with all her fellow Death Eaters, who were wrapped around her little finger anyway. However, her sister, though constantly on her feet, seemed distracted, though she didn't quite know why. Once upon a time, when they were both younger than 9, Bella could have read her sister like an open book, but now… she could only guess at how she was feeling. Perhaps she didn't want to be married off? If so, Bella could understand.
She did not get a lot of time to muse over the strange actions of her sister. A Dark pain seared through her arm and she saw red for half a second. When the pain died down to a throb which beat with her own beating heart, she made eye contact with the other men who had strangled a movements to clutch their arm. Slowly, one by one, they presented their excuses to the masters of the house and left. Bella didn't even bother to check on Mother and Father and reached her room to disapparate. Excitement and anticipation courses through her veins as she quit her red to don the black.
Andromeda had her eyes fixed on the grandfather clock in the hall, waiting for the clock to reach 10:18. The hour of her liberation. The hour at which, if she pretended to have a sore stomach, or a head ache, it was acceptable to leave. So while the minutes ticked away, she danced in the arms of men who disgusted her, smiled at the things they said and laughed whenever appropriate.
Soon, the time came and she hurriedly made here excuses to the next man she was supposed to dance with, and, using the fabulous actress skills she had developed over the years, went to bid her mother and father good night, who only looked disappointed, if not slightly angry, but surely not concerned. That was fine. As long as they let her go.
She limped upstairs while people were still looking, then rushed ahead as soon as she could, giggling and feeling like a school girl doing something naughty. The stark opposite of the cool composure she had given the impression of downstairs. As soon as she was in her room, she slammed the door behind her and slipped out of the grey dress she had been wearing. So grey that it almost seemed black. She then brought out a fabulous red dress. The dress she had been dreaming of since she was a little girl. Finally, she had worked up the guts to buy it and wear it. Besides, Bella would never know. Bella was here at the ball, nowhere anywhere near to where Ted and her were meeting.
Smiling to herself, and still giddy with excitement and anticipation; she disapparated.
The thrill of the kill coursed through Bella's veins. The stupid muggles had looked so terrified and helpless. Just as it was supposed to be, muggles at the bottom of the food chain, wizards at the top. There was only a little frustration of having blood splattered all over her robes. Though Bella largely preferred the Cruciatus curse, her fellow Death Eaters sometimes wanted to try out new spells, which were often a lot messier.
Nevertheless, the Dark Lord was pleased. She watched as others disapparated around her, eager to get back to whatever they were doing. Bella herself liked to stay for a moment, enjoy the feeling of power, of control she had after the act was done.
It was a small house in the Suburbs of London. The neighbourhood was disgustingly muggle. A couple of neat houses with a small park at the end of the road and a couple of shops. Awful. She gave one last look to the bloody black exception in the street, ready to leave herself when suddenly something moved in the park.
It wasn't unusual for there to be a couple of witnesses from time to time, all she had to do was make them disappear too. She approached the figure. The person, a girl, was wearing a red dress. And only a red dress despite the cold of November. Who was this stupid muggle girl? What was she doing out at this time? And how dare she wear red, when it was Bella's colour?
She stormed forwards and the girl turned her face slightly.
"Andromeda?"
"Andromeda?"
Andromeda jumped. "Bellatrix?"
Oh Merlin. What was her sister doing here? She was supposed to be at the ball, with her stupid husband and all those bigoted Purebloods. Why on Earth was she in the suburbs of London in black robes… and… was that blood?"
"What are you doing here?" Fear crept into her voice. Fear and panic. Bella couldn't find out what she was doing here.
"I could ask you the same thing," Bella replied, a dangerous edge to her voice, "Aren't you supposed to be at the ball? The ball in your honour?"
"Well…"
"And what are you wearing?" Bella demanded.
Andromeda trembled. This was not good. Not good at all. Wearing red had been wonderful while Bella hadn't known. It was everything it had promised to be. Making her beautiful, seductive, confident. Ted had been in awe. Actually, the whole evening had been wonderful. Full of sweetness and laughter, promises of the future and recollections of easier days in the safe nest that had been Hogwarts. But now Bella was here…
"What the hell do you think you're wearing?" Bella almost shrieked.
Suddenly, there was the sound of steps coming back.
"Annie?"
"Annie?"
Annie? Who the heck called her sister Annie? Surprise mixed in with her anger. Andromeda had never had a nick-name at home. While she was Bella and Cissy was… well… Cissy, Andromeda had always retained her ridiculous four-syllable-long name.
The silhouette of a man came into view and Bellatrix narrowed her eyes. So this was what she was hiding? A man, the idea was almost laughable, she had never pegged her sister to be a hopeless romantic, who would hide her lover from her parents. Except if…
The silhouette came into focus. It was a young man, blond, tall and about Andromeda's age. He seemed familiar. And suddenly, it hit her. Before her was the Mudblood who had become a prefect for Hufflepuff in her seventh year.
Disbelief washed over her, soon to replaced with rage as she reached for her wand. Her sister, her own sister was seeing a Mudblood! And dressed in red too!
"Crucio!" she cried, brandishing her wand at the filth before her, who looked so startled at being suddenly attacked he let go of a bouquet of roses (red, she noted) to the floor.
"No!" Andromeda was quicker than Bellatrix thought she was, "Protego!"
"Andromeda," she growled, "what is the meaning of this?"
"I-" the fool before her tried to say something.
"Bella, this… this is Ted."
"Ted Tonks. Hufflepuff. Mudblood." Her hand itches to throw another spell, to hurt him like she had just hurt the filth in the smoking house.
"Bella, don't call him that," her sister implored.
"Andromeda. This is the parasite of the wizarding world. I shall call him what I like. He should be crushed like a bug."
"No! Don't hurt him!"
"And why should I not?"
"I love him!"
Bellatrix took a step back. This was exactly as she had feared. How could Andromeda have let this happen? It disgusted her. No, Andromeda disgusted her. Bella worked night and day to get rid of the best of muggle-borns, to install fear amongst the stupid muggles and yet, here was her sister, her very own sister, born to the best their society had to offer, with all the cards in her hand, money, power, beauty, copulating with the disgusting creatures? And dressed, it would seem, as an ultimate act of rebellion, in Bella's own colour, red?
An overwhelming desire to hurt her sister, as she had wanted to hurt the Mudblood, overcame her.
"Crucio!"
"Protego!"
"Diffindo!"
"Protego!"
Bella fired curses and hexes repeatedly, blinded by an uncontrollable rage. She gained terrain on her sister. Andromeda stood in front of her beloved filthy 'Ted' who was paralysed with fear. What a great help he was. The desire to hurt was ever growing as she neared her sister. She could tell she was beginning to tire from the repeated casting of the shield charm, barely attempting to counter-attack. Oh, Andromeda had never been good at duelling.
Finally, Bella was only a few steps away from her sister. After one last terrible "Protego" Andromeda fell to her knees as the sky cracked and rain came pouring down.
"Expelliarmus!" shrieked Bella, savouring the victory.
She marched up to her sister and grabbed her by the front of her dress.
"Listen to me carefully," she threatened, "if I ever see you or your Mudblood again, I will kill you in the most painful way I know, you bitch. You will never come back to the Black Manor again. And you will never wear red, ever again!"
And she ripped the dress off her sister again, a great slash through the middle in the pouring rain. And she left. Without looking back on her sister, the betrayer.
The rain poured down on Andromeda as she fainted into Ted's arms, who had finally unfrozen. She lay there in his arms while he murmured words of comfort and reassurance while her heart tumbled in fear and relief. The red dress looked like a huge gash of blood pouring it of pale body more than anything.
Needless to say, Andromeda never saw Bellatrix again, never saw what had been her home again, and never wore again. Ever.
A/N Please leave a review if you liked it (or didn't)!