Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. The credit belongs to J.K. Rowling.

A Tale of Three Sisters

Part 4

"Andromeda!"

Andromeda halted her walking briefly to find Bellatrix standing near the post office. Both were in Hogsmeade that day with the other Hogwarts students, but they rarely spent a lot of time together.

"Hey, Bella," Andromeda walked over to her. "What are you doing over here?"

"Well, I told Alecto I'd meet her at the Three Broomsticks in a few minutes so I'm just on my way there," said Bellatrix.

"Oh that's nice. I'm on my way to Honeydukes we're having a par…"

"You should come along," Bellatrix cut her off.

"Err…I don't kn…" Andromeda tried to find a good reason for not going.

"Amycus will be there. Alecto tells me he finds you quite attractive," Bellatrix smiled.

"That's nice, but…" Andromeda slowly tried to back away from Bellatrix.

"Is it because he's ugly? Because, that can probably be fixed. He's still a very good wizard, good family, and he's a seventh year."

"Bella, that's a horrible to say," Andromeda scolded her. "I don't not fancy him because of his looks, he's just…not my type," she explained. "I don't really like the people he hangs out with."

"You mean me?" replied Bellatrix.

"No," Andromeda quickly answered, "No, not you," she continued apologetically, "just other people."

Bellatrix was silent. "Why don't you date him?" Andromeda suggested. "You're a sixth year and you look almost exactly like me. You're with his sister all the time…"

"I'd rather not," Bellatrix answered sounding somewhat repulsed. Andromeda laughed giving her a small push. "Oh so because you don't want him I can have him?"

"I didn't say that," Bellatrix laughed. "You should still come."

"Oh, Bella, you know I really wouldn't fit in anyway," she tried to back away, but Bellatrix caught her arm.

"It's not going to be that long."

"Oh, you'll have much for fun without me. Plus I've got to run to Honeydukes, remember? Big party in the common room tonight," she finally broke away from Bellatrix's grasp. Bellatrix tried to argue, but Andromeda cut her off. "Have fun," she picked up her pace, backing away, "and say hi to Alecto and Amycus for me…Ow!" She backed right into someone, causing them both to fall to the ground. "I'm so sorry," she said as a hand offered to help her up.

"No, no it's alright," a boy answered. Andromeda looked up at him. He was a tall and stocky, with brown eyes and light hair—rather adorable. He wore a Hufflepuff scarf around his neck. "Ted," he offered his hand again for an introduction.

"Andromeda," she reciprocated the action laughing at how long her name was compared to his. He laughed too.

"And what were you doing so close to us?" Bellatrix walked towards them angrily. "Eavesdropping?"

"Err…" Ted was taken aback by her accusation.

"Bella," Andromeda said angrily turning towards her, "I ran into him," she whispered. "Sorry," she turned back to Ted. "That's my sister, Bellatrix. She gets grouchy when she's cold."

"Ted Tonks," Ted happily offered his hand to Bellatrix. She just stared at him. After a few moments, he pulled it back. "So…" he turned his attention back to Andromeda, "Where were you off to in such a hurry?"

"Oh, raiding Honeydukes," she smiled. "Common room party tonight."

"Ah, me too," he held up a few packs of Exploding Snap cards.

"Put you in charge of entertainment?" she asked.

"Yeah, we don't have to worry too much about food. We're close to the kitchens so we usually can nick some after dinner, but you know some sugar quills and fudge might be a good addition to the festivities."

"I love sugar quills," Andromeda replied.

"Who doesn't? Anyway, I was heading that way anyway and now since I actually have to buy something, mind if I walk you?"

"Sure," Andromeda smiled. She and Ted began walking towards Honeydukes. "Oh, see you later Bella!" she waved good-bye to Bellatrix, whom she had basically forgotten was standing there, "Have fun!"