Written For:

- Day 12 of 366 Days of Writing Challenge: Diagon Alley

- Hopscotch: four prompts: Diagon Alley (location), Gryffindor (word), allow (word), panther (word)

Pairings/Characters: Bellatrix, Andromeda, Rodolphus, Rabastan

Word Count: 274


Eyes of a Panther

If you lie down with dogs, you'll get fleas - be careful of the company you keep.

"I know what you're doing, Bellatrix," Andromeda murmured as her older sister hurried her through the cobbled streets of Diagon Alley. "I'm not going to allow it."

Bellatrix spun around mid-walk, her hair flipping over her shoulder and her robes swirling around her ankles. She was scowling, her thin brows knitted together. "You're not going to allow what, exactly? You're not going to allow my fiancé's brother to propose to you? And why not?"

Andromeda pursed her lips together. "I'm not ready for that kind of commitment, Bella."

Bellatrix grabbed her sisters hand, snarling. "Well, you had better get ready, because it's happening." She paused. "I hope this isn't about that filthy Gryffindor mudblood; Ted Tonks, was it?" A suspicious spark appeared in Bellatrix's eye, and Andromeda felt her cheeks burning.

"Ted Tonks is in Hufflepuff. And no, I told you—he's just my Potions partner."

"Hm," Bellatrix answered, clearly disbelieving. "Lets go."

They walked further through the alley until they reached the sign for Knockturn Alley, and Bellatrix announced that they were to wait for the Lestrange brothers there. Andromeda groaned inwardly, wishing she hadn't allowed herself to be talked into this.

Within minutes, Rodolphus and Rabastan were stalking towards them. Andromeda's eyes focused on Rabastan—he was like a panther, all black shiny suit and slicked back, dark hair. There was even a predatory glimmer in his eyes, and that alone made Andromeda nervous.

With a deep breath, she readied herself for what was bound to be the worst date of her life.