Chapter 13 – A Black betrothal
September 1976
Cygnus Black poured the expensive champagne into five high glasses and handed them out to his family. He put on his most amiable smile as he turned to his wife who was standing next to him. "Well, my dear, I guess we can start celebrating a little in advance." He raised his glass. "To our beautiful and talented daughter and her future marriage!"
"Her future marriage to a respectable and proud wizard of the right blood," his wife added, smiling brightly.
Their daughters were standing in front of them, wearing elegant dress-robes. It was the last day of the summer; the following morning it would be time for Andromeda and Narcissa to return to Hogwarts. The family were having a private drink in their drawing room before the real events would take place. It was the night of Bellatrix's betrothal feast that would be held at 12 Grimmauld place, hosted by her aunt and uncle.
Bellatrix laughed and raised her own glass. "Thank you, dear mother and father. I am glad to make my family happy." Andromeda raised her glass and mumbled something polite that seemed fitting. Narcissa drank silently from her glass, saying nothing.
"You two will have to make an effort if you want to match your sister," Cygnus warned his two younger daughters. "A Lestrange is a husband most young witches can only dream about, pureblood or not."
His wife glared at him and he blushed fiercely as he glanced at Narcissa and realized that his comment had been quite insensitive. But of course that was not something he was allowed to admit. Narcissa seemed like she hadn't even heard him.
Andromeda cleared her throat. "Well, excuse me for saying this, but I thought the point of an engagement feast was that both the bride and groom would be present. Yet I don't see your future husband?"
"Oh." Bellatrix made a dismissive gesture. "He said he would be late, but I suppose he will show up at Aunt Walburga's." She did not sound particularly disappointed.
"Of course he will come," smiled Druella Black. "How could he keep away from his fiancée?"
Bellatrix chuckled confidently as she drank some more champagne. Andromeda glanced thoughtfully at her sister. She would never forget her shock the day Bellatrix had finally dropped the bomb. The shock and horror of the World Cup terror had barely passed when her sister had flaunted herself with a ring of diamonds and emeralds, declaring that she was going to be Mrs. Rudolphus Lestrange.
Andromeda had stared at her sister, feeling like the floor was floating away beneath her feet. "You must be joking," she had whispered. "For Merlin's sake; tell me you are joking!"
Bellatrix had simply showed off her elegant hand, wearing the ring. "What more proof do you need?"
"But... but him!? You have never liked the Lestranges. You always thought he was completely dull and stupid!"
Bellatrix had just shrugged. "I suppose I still do. What does that have to do with anything?"
"Bella... Come on..." Andromeda had shaken her head, struggling to bring some sense into the absurd conversation. "I know you have a... practical way of looking at things, but this is just madness! Why would you marry a man you don't even like?"
"Because he has got what I need," snapped Bellatrix impatiently. "He is rich and influential and he has got the right blood. Besides, he will allow me to get away from home." She glanced around in disgust at their parent's elegant house. "If you think I would to spend the rest of my life as mother and father's little house elf, you are dead wrong."
"Who says you have to stay here? You talk like this was the eighteenth century! You can get a place of your own, you can study, get a job... You don't have to marry unless you want to..." Andromeda had stopped as she caught the look on her sister's face.
Bellatrix had a sad little smile over her lips and she shook her head, as if Andromeda had been a baby who couldn't possibly understand the ways of the grown world. "Andromeda, I wonder when you will finally begin to see what family you have been born to. I am afraid you will have a brutal awakening some day."
As the Blacks were pulling on their cloaks to walk over to their aunt and uncle's house, Andromeda glanced at her sisters. Bellatrix seemed to be in a cheerful mood, but Andromeda still couldn't help feeling an ache inside as she watched the heavy ring on her finger. As for Narcissa, she pulled on her clothes without protesting, but her face suggested that she was not really present.
Andromeda didn't know who she was most worried about.
They were well-received at number 12 Grimmauld Place. The clan of Black had gathered early and were served a new round of drinks from the house elves. They were also forced to listen to a new speech, this time from their uncle Orion. He talked about the great hope in the future pureblood generations and the importance of making great alliances, before they were finally allowed to toast and drink.
"So," Aunt Walburga finally interrupted her husband. "Have you heard the latest news?" She tossed a copy of the Daily Prophet at the table. After three weeks, the horror at the World Cup was still on the first page. Andromeda shuddered as she watched the moving picture of the skull with the snake coming out of its mouth.
"Apparently, the Austrian ministry are going to call in some international aurors in order to find this Lord Valdemar or whatever he was called..."
"Voldemort, mother," corrected Regulus.
"Yes, yes." His mother made a dismissive gesture. "After what I hear, the ministry in Austria is even more incompetent than the British one, if such a thing is possible. It is not surprising that they need some help from outside."
"They must find this man in order to clean their own reputation," her brother Cygnus pointed out. "That terror attack was a great embarrassment to them, especially since so many people were killed or hurt."
"I really don't know why they should bother," said Regulus. "After what I understand, those fire wheels didn't hurt purebloods. It certainly had no effect on me. The ministry should have better things to do than worrying about who killed some mudbloods."
Andromeda tensed, but before she could open her mouth, her aunt interrupted her son. "Dear Regulus, we all know how devoted you are. But this is no time to talk about politics. This is my darling niece's betrothal feast." She raised her glass to Bellatrix. "You'll be the loveliest bride in the world, my dear."
Narcissa flinched slightly. She probably remembered that Aunt Walburga had told her the same thing just a few months ago.
The Rosier clan soon poured in, among them Regulus good friend Evan Rosier. Andromeda noticed that he peered suspiciously at her. Apparently he had not forgotten their meeting in Hogsmeade a few months ago, even if Regulus had loudly assured his friends that Andromeda had "chosen to walk the right path." Bellatrix would probably have twisted his neck off if he hadn't. When she was in the right mood, she could be a very protective sister.
At their aunt's insistence, Andromeda and Narcissa were forced to have a dance with Evan and Regulus. Andromeda was not enthusiastic and Narcissa was moving like an insomniac. Bellatrix fiancé did not show up and finally Aunt Walburga suggested that they should start eating. Once again, Bellatrix did not at all seem very disappointed. They settled down beneath the lamps of crystal in the giant dining room.
As the host and the "man" of the family, Uncle Orion sat down by the main end of the table. His wife sat to his right and Regulus at his left, the place that was reserved for his oldest son.
Andromeda frowned and opened her mouth without thinking. "But shouldn't Sirius be sitting..." Then she remembered herself and wished that she could have bitten her tongue off. The entire hall silenced and everyone stared at her. Bellatrix gave her a look that could kill. Narcissa had turned white and Andromeda suddenly felt the desire to throw herself out of the window.
Aunt Walburga's lips were formed into a narrow line. "We don't know anyone answering to that name."
"No one," hissed Regulus, glaring furiously at his cousin. Uncle Orion looked miserable.
Andromeda swallowed tightly and managed to clear her throat. "I am sorry," she said in a low voice.
Aunt Walburga nodded shortly. "Serve the dinner!" she ordered her house-elves that came running into the hall on their short legs, carrying plates for every guest.
But Narcissa looked down at the Russian caviar on her plate without any interest. Suddenly, she stood from her chair. "I am so sorry, but I am afraid I am not feeling very well," she said in a controlled tone of voice. "Will you excuse me? Aunt? Uncle? Bellatrix?"
They all nodded and she threw her napkin aside and ran out of the dining room. Andromeda, feeling terrible for her blunder, wanted to run after her, but she was stopped by Bellatrix, who put her hand on her arm and held on to her. "She wants to be alone. Just let her go."
"But I should..."
"No excuses will help. Besides, we don't want to make a scene out of this. Sit down!"
Andromeda obeyed her sister, but she had to close her fist tightly to keep herself in control. A lump in her throat was dangerously growing. She didn't have the energy to listen as her parents, aunts and uncles continued to make lengthy speeches about Bellatrix and her great and pure match.
She realized that she was a fool. She really should have known better that letting that name slip. She had known that it would be banned ever since the day after the World Cup when she had heard Sirius explain to his parents and to her own that he was not going to marry Narcissa. She had known when she had seen Narcissa's pale, stiff face.
And even if she hadn't known, she would have found out as soon as she entered Grimmauld Place and saw the tapestry, where the entire Black family line was embroidered. Where Sirius name had once been, there was only an empty, black hole now. His parents had disowned him. He wasn't their son anymore. He no longer existed.
She knew, because Sirius had come to see her a few days ago. Andromeda had been coming out of her parents' house, heading for the Diagon Alley where she intended to buy some school books, when she had been pulled in behind one of the hedges outside the garden. Sirius had been waiting for her and when she saw the look in his face, she just couldn't turn away.
"I was hoping I could talk to Narcissa," he said, looking nervous and guilty. "But..."
"Not a good idea," Andromeda told him immediately. She knew that if he went inside the house, he would be a dead man. The only question would be whether her father, her mother, or Bellatrix killed him first.
"I never wanted to hurt her, Andromeda. You must believe me. But I couldn't marry her."
"I know," answered Andromeda. Seeing his surprised face, she sighed. "It's my fault too really. It was me who forced you to give it a chance in the first place..."
"Andromeda." Gently, he put his hand on her shoulder. "You never forced me to anything. It was my decision. I have to start taking responsibility for my actions."
"Where are you staying?" she asked him.
"At the Potter's. Hopefully I can get a place of my own when I leave school."
She nodded quietly, feeling strangely empty inside. The Christmases would be so dull without Sirius, the family dinners would be strangely silent without him and his stupid practical jokes and his rebellion against his parents.
He looked seriously at her. "Apart from Narcissa, you are the only one I care about in the family, Andromeda. Will you stop talking to me too?"
She was about to smile wryly and point out that they had barely talked to each other at all in months, but seeing the look on his face, she realized that it was not the right time for jokes. "I don't know," she said honestly. "I understand what you did, but she is my sister. She..."
"I know," he sighed, pulling a hand through his dark hair. "She comes first." He looked closely at her. "Just as long as you won't hate me."
Then Andromeda had just smiled sadly, shaking her head. "Never."
"Rudoplhus!"
Andromeda was pulled out of her thoughts as the house elves showed Bellatrix's fiancé into the dining room. He wore elegant dress robes that flattered his heavy form. With his hair pulled away from his face, he was actually looking rather handsome. Bellatrix had probably done her best to style him since the betrothal. He apologized for being late, saying that there had been a terrible storm over the English channel that had made it difficult to apparate.
"You are forgiven," Bellatrix assured him as she walked up to kiss his cheek. She placed her arm around his neck, showing him off to her family. "Isn't this a fine fiancé I have landed for myself?"
"Indeed you have my dear," said Cygnus Black as he hurried to shake hands with his future son in law. He made some lame joke about his relief to finally have another man in the family, after being stuck with four females. Rudolphus laughed politely, but Bellatrix rewarded her father with a glare.
Druella and Walburga almost tripped over each other as they raced to kiss the cheeks of the future groom. Druella made it first. She planted wet kisses all over the poor man's face and loudly declared that he was now a true son of the family.
"But where is your brother?" asked aunt Walburga. "I thought he would be coming as well."
Rudolphus squirmed. "Ah... he wanted to. But it seems like something came up."
"Well, he must come to the wedding," said Bellatrix cheerfully. "I expect him to be the best man."
Regulus also came to shake Rudolphus hand and talked about his great joy to have such a respectable, pure-blood wizard in his family. The Rosier clan attacked him as well, shaking his hands and showering him with kisses. They sat down by the table again and continued their meal. Rudolphus and Bellatrix sat next to each other and drank from the same goblet.
Andromeda watched them both quietly. They were both shining with joy. But no one could see that while Rudolphus smile was sincere, Bellatrix happy face was a stiff mask. No one except Andromeda.
She was grateful that everyone was focusing their attentions on the betrothed couple. That gave her the opportunity to shrink into the background without being disturbed in her thoughts.
"Narcissa? Won't you open the door? Please?"
"I am not feeling well, Andromeda. Just leave me alone."
Andromeda sighed deeply. "Look, I am really sorry about what I said. I really put my foot in my mouth. I don't know what I was thinking..."
"I've already told you; it's all right," Narcissa's voice was cold from inside her room. "I don't care about it. Can you please go now?"
"But..."
"Andromeda, please. Just get to bed. We need to get up early to catch the train tomorrow, you know that. I am fine."
Andromeda reluctantly turned away from the door, feeling miserable. She noticed that Bellatrix was standing quietly behind her, with a frown over her face. She had come back into the house after kissing her betrothed goodbye. She was still wearing her lovely dress robes.
"She won't talk to me," said Andromeda gloomily.
"Then you should leave her alone."
"How could I do that? I feel horrible about what I said and I hate the thought of her feeling bad because of me..."
"Don't be stupid, Andromeda. This has nothing to do with you." She pushed Andromeda aside and knocked the door. "Narcissa? It's Bellatrix. Andromeda and I are a bit worried about you. Won't you open?"
"You have nothing to worry about. Please, can't you just let me be?" Narcissa sounded weary.
"If that's what you want," said Bellatrix. Andromeda wanted to protest, but Bellatrix took her firmly by the arm and led her away. They went to Bellatrix's room instead.
"I don't know what is happening to her," Andromeda sighed as she slumped down on her sister's bed. "How long will this go on?"
She remembered Bellatrix's reaction to her break-up with Lucius. She had thought her sister's anger and fury had been strange. But at least Bellatrix had showed emotion. Narcissa's reaction to her ended betrothal was no reaction at all. She seemed completely cold. No tears, no tantrums, no curses whatsoever. She had been wearing a flat mask ever since that unfortunate World Cup night.
She would not even confide in her sisters. She would not let them hold her or comfort her or even talk to her. When they were concerned, she just responded that she was fine in a completely indifferent voice. It was almost frightening.
"She will get over it," said Bellatrix as she pulled off her elegant earrings that Rudolphus had given her to celebrate their betrothal. "Sooner or later she will come to her senses. She will realize that she is better off without him."
"How can you be so sure?"
"She is a Black. She must be strong."
"Perhaps she does," sighed Andromeda. "But it will still be hard when we get back to Hogwarts tomorrow. He will be so closely by... It will be difficult to avoid him." She raised her head and gave Bellatrix a smile. "And we won't have any big sister to back us up."
"No, that's right," agreed Bellatrix, laughing. "This year, you will have to face that responsibility. And it's not just Narcissa. You better keep an eye on Regulus and Evan as well."
Andromeda frowned. "It will be strange. When I think about us going back to Scotland, to Hogwarts, to our dormitory... And you will not be with us. It won't be the same."
"Well, I admit I am going to miss the dreary old castle a bit. But don't you worry. I will come and visit and make sure you behave properly even when I am not there. Whenever I have time away from my wedding preparations."
"Ah, yes," nodded Andromeda. "Wedding preparations..." She looked sadly at her sister.
Bellatrix threw a pillow on her. "Don't look at me like that! I am not facing a lifetime in Azkaban. Off to bed with you now."
Andromeda left to go to her own room. She did not feel very good. Even though she tried to tell herself that her sisters were grown, she couldn't shake off her concerns. And then there was Sirius. Whenever she thought about him, she felt a confusing mix of anger, guilt and sadness.
But as she entered her room, she couldn't possibly continue feeling bad. She remembered that there would be other things waiting for her at Hogwarts. She quickly prepared for the night and pulled on her nightgown. When she was safe in her bed, she reached her hand in under the pillow pulling out a letter.
She didn't know how many times she had read it since it had arrived with a small, grey owl some nights ago, but she still kept reading it. Every time, she felt a wave of warmth and excitement inside her.
Dear Andromeda!
I know I probably shouldn't be writing to you, but I feel that if I don't I will go mad. Or at least more mad than I already am. So to hell with the consequences. I feel like I am living inside a song that makes me do the most insane things completely without reason. I keep thinking about you all the time and I remember you in my mind: the way you look and the sound of your voice. When I think about the terrors at the World Cup I feel horrible, because I loved that night. Despite everything, it was the best night of my life. I long for you and I can't wait to see you again, talk to you and touch you. I am counting the days until school starts again. My parents think I have gone crazy, but I don't care. All I care about is you. I hope everything is all right with you and your family and that you remember that I am yours.
Ted
Andromeda smiled as she put the letter back under the pillow and put the candles out. It had really been a strange summer. Bellatrix was engaged, Narcissa was heartbroken and Andromeda... Andromeda was in love.
