Summary: Andromeda always hated Ministry Balls, and her enemy, Lucius Malfoy. The rivalry between the Black and Malfoy families is one of the strongest out there, but they must still be cordial to each other at major events, such as Balls.

QLFC

Team: Pride of Portree

Position: Chaser 3

Main Prompt: [Platonic Pairing] Andromeda/Narcissa

Other Prompts: [Object] Pocketwatch, [Word] Ecstatic, [Dialogue] "I didn't think I'd see you here."

ILVERMORNY

Class: Transfiguration

Task Number: Task #5 - Write about someone wanting to remove something/someone from their life

Bonus Prompts: [Era] Marauders' Era, [Action] Grinning

HOGWARTS

House: Hufflepuff

Assignment: 1

Subject: Medieval and Renaissance Studies

Task Number: Task #3 - Write about someone having a lot of responsibility from a young age

WRITING CLUB

Record Collection - My Big Mouth - [Relationship] Enemies

Showtime - The Schuyler Sisters - [Characters] The Black Sisters

Amber's Attic - Tyreese - [Relationship] Siblings

Elizabeth's Empire - Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat - [Relationship] Siblings

Liza's Loves - Blondie Ambition - [Character] A Malfoy

Lizzy's Loft - Arkells - [Dialogue] "I don't need a miracle." [Bonus]

Scammander's Case - Werewolves - [Setting] Night time

Marvel Appreciation - Bruce Banner - [Colour] Black

INSPIRED BY HAMILTON: A CHALLENGE

Challenge Level: Elizabeth Schuyler-Hamilton

Song: Aaron Burr, Sir

Lyric Prompt: Talk less, smile more

Title: The Ministry Ball

Wordcount: 1004

Andromeda smoothed her dress out for yet another ball, this one being the Ministry's annual New Year's Ball. The purple and black fabric flowed around as she turned to the door, away from the floor-length mirror. The pockets sewn into the skirt were unnoticeable, and allowed Andromeda to hide all sorts of useful items. In one, she kept her wand, and another contained a pocketwatch gifted to her by her cousin.

"Dromeda! Are you done yet?" Narcissa Black called out to her older sister.

"Yes, Cissa! I'll be down in a minute!"

Turning back to the mirror once more, Andromeda checked her light brown hair was up and in place. The braid curled around her head and formed a bun at the base of her neck. She had barely had enough energy to pull her hair up, let alone attend a ball for hours. Though, Andromeda knew she would have to at least act excited.

The Black Manor was one of the oldest buildings in the magical community, and Walburga had 'graciously' let her youngest brother use the manor as a family home. The three Black Sisters were the reason Cygnus had nearly been disowned from the family, and though they were accepted into the family, they were under much more scrutiny than any of their cousins.

The door to Andromeda's room opened and Narcissa, the youngest, walked in.

"Dromeda, you've been in here getting ready for two hours. You look stunning!"

And she did. Her dark purple gown hung off of her shoulders, and the pleated skirt flared out as she spun around in surprise. The dark purple colouring on her lips helped accentuate the shape and size of them, without making them look fake. A slightly lighter shade of purple adorned Andromeda's eyelids, and made the almond-coloured orbs seem larger.

"Cissa, has it really been that long? I thought it was only a few minutes!"

"Yes, it's been that long. Now, come on! We've got to get going!"

"I didn't think I'd see you here, Cygnus. What a wonderful surprise!" Abraxas Malfoy grinned viciously at the family. Oh, if only they would accept his betrothal proposals for Narcissa, then he could do so much more to change society for the better.

"It's good to see you, too, Abraxas." The reply was short, sharp and clipped. The two families had never gotten along, and Abraxas Malfoy always wanted to join the two families that were part of the Sacred 28. It was a failed attempt every time.

"I don't believe you've met my son, Lucius, yet?" A blond teenager stepped out from behind Abraxas, and the sight of him made both Andromeda and Narcissa shiver with disgust, though they both quickly hid the movement. Having seen the slight movement, Lucius smirked, though he wasn't quite sure why Narcissa had shivered.

The blond Slytherin was as cruel as could be, and Andromeda was a common target for him. His most common remark was 'Talk less, smile more' because she talked quite a bit, for a Slytherin with self-preservation skills. It was all she could do to not attack him and get rid of him, but she held back, no matter how much she wanted to get rid of him.

"May I have a dance, Andromeda?" Lucius knew she would seem rude if she turned him down, and how much she hated him, so he put her in a position where she had to spend time close to him.

With a strained voice, Andromeda replied, "Of course."

Lucius offered his hand and Andromeda took it, and they stepped onto the dance floor as a slow song started playing. Andromeda wasn't smiling at all, but didn't resist as he pulled her to the center of the floor.

"Let go of me, you idiot. You scumbag, you menace, you – I can't think of another word to describe you. Let. Go. Of. Me."

"Talk less, smile more, Andromeda. Look like you're having fun, or people will get suspicious."

If only Andromeda could attack him right then. She would go full-on muggle and punch him, but no, she has to uphold the Black family honour, as if they had that much honour. The way her Aunt Walburga acted, Andromeda would be surprised if they had any real honour left at the end of the school year. Of course, she couldn't voice this, so she simply bit her tongue and silently disagreed with the motto of the Black family; Toujours Pur, 'Always Pure'.

"Fine."

Lucius grinned. Andromeda was doing what he said, even if she hated to. He knew the burdens she had on her shoulders, the expectations she had to reach. At five years old, Andromeda had been told what to do, how to act, and she loathed it. She never got to have a proper childhood, and just enjoy life.

The song finished and Andromeda left the dance floor, opting to sit with her younger sister as Bellatrix was swept onto the dance floor by Rodolphus Lestrange, her boyfriend. It was a relationship approved of by Orion Black, head of the Black family, and only because it would bring some honour back to the family after losing it to Walburga's 'better-than-thou' attitude. Many people disliked the Black family because of this, but would never show it – after all, the Black family was extremely influential.

"Mippy!" A house-elf popped into the ballroom, right beside the two siblings.

"Mistress calls for Mippy?"

"Could you get some Butterbeer for us both, please, Mippy?"

"Mippy will gets Mistresses Butterbeers. Mippy is being quick."

Mippy popped out of the room, and only minutes later returned with two mugs of Butterbeer.

"You twos make sure yous only drinks this mugs, Mistresses."

"Of course, Mippy."

When Mippy popped out, the two Black sisters smiled at one another and started sipping on the alcoholic drink. The slight burn in their throats increased as they consumed more of the beverage, but it helped them deal with the idiocy that came with the annual Ministry Balls.