Runaway

I feel like I've been hit by a train. The pain from Bellatrix's cruciatus curse is still coursing through my body. I have just been humiliated by my own sister who now has my daughter. My daughter, mine and Ted's daughter. "Should I go back to him" I think to myself. "No" I say I can't do that not after the way he has treated me. I finally gather enough strength to sit up and gradually redress myself. I'm surprised no one has found me here in this side alley. I am still weak from what Rodolphulus and Rabastan did to me and I find it hard to stand. I grab my wand and start back towards Diagon Alley.

I don't know what to do chase Bellatrix or find a job. I'll try the job I can take money out of Ted's account at Gringott's for the rest of this week. As I walk into Ewelop's Owl Emporium I am reminded of the day when I bought my first owl. It was twelve years ago, and Bellatrix and I were shopping for our supplies for Hogwarts. It was my first year and Bellatrix's third, but Narcissa could not attend yet. I remember being so excited. My parents had decided to buy me an owl since after all they had bought Bellatrix her cat Cassie two years before. Mum and Dad went to lunch with Narcissa and told Bellatrix and I to be quick in buying a owl. Ten minutes later I had purchased a common barn owl that I named Bellatrix after my sister.

I had always looked up to Bellatrix and had always looked forward to talking with her alone. On the way to lunch Bellatrix and I got to talk. "Andy" Bellatrix began "I need to talk to you about something you might find at Hogwarts, ok". I was scared Bellatrix was being very serious and she had a look of worry on her face. "Ok" I said as if nothing was bothering me. "Andy when you get to Hogwarts some boys may take interest in you and I need you to promise me that you will not date Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs, or Ravenclaws, ok". I was very confused by this but I later learned this was because I would most likely marry someone in the Slytherin house.

I was supposed to but that's another story for another time. The owl emporium looked so familiar as if I had just been there yesterday not twelve years ago. "Hello" I said to the women at the counter. "Hi" she said back I could tell she was shy so I was very nice. "I was wondering if there were any job openings here at the owl emporium." I smiled and tried to seem as nice as possible. "Um I don't thin, Hey wait I knew I knew you from somewhere" uh-oh I thought in my head someone from school. "Your Bellatrix Lestrange" the woman said "someone help she has come to attack the store." "Hold on" I shout "I'm not Bellatrix, I'm her sister Andromeda". But it was to late many people were frightened and had pulled out there wands. I knew I looked like Bellatrix but not this much like her. It was a lost cause staying here so I apparated down the street to Madame Malkin's.

Madame Malkin's was the same way it had been since I was last here. All of the racks of robes were neatly organized. Before I went to the counter I took a chance to look at all of the robes. I saw dress robes, casual robes, maternity robes, and even the robes I wore when I went to school at Hogwarts. They hadn't changed and there was an equal stock of each house. Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin my own house. I remember overhearing a fellow first year on the way to Hogwarts "there hasn't been a witch or wizard who hasn't gone bad that's been in Slytherin." He was wrong of course, I'm not evil but I find that so many of the people I hung out with because of Bellatrix aren't good. Most of Bellatrix's friends went wayside when she did their seventh year at Hogwarts. Even Lucius Malfoy that little boy Narcissa fancied was now a part of the Dark Lord's inner circle.

"May I help you with anything" Madame Malkin asked as she found me touchingthe Slytherin crest on a small robe. "No, but I was wondering if you had any positions open maybe stocking the racks or running the counter". Madame Malkin took what seemed like hours to answer it's not like she had to figure out a hard arithmeticproblem. "I'm sorry my dear but I do not need any more employees at this time". Drat! I thought to myself. "That's ok" I answered "I'll just try Flourish and Bott's". "My dear I'm sorry to have to be the one to tell you this but no one in Diagon Alley will be likely to hire you. Times are tough and most of us can run our shops by ourselves. I mean look at Ollivander he hasn't hired a sole since the business started and that's saying something."

This was not the answer I wanted. I could not leave Diagon Alley because Bellatrix would have to come back eventually and then I would follow her. Plus, Diagon Alley is basically the only wizarding consumer center in Britain. If I left here I would end up working at the Ministry (which is not happening) or for a muggle company. "You could try Knockturn Alley" Madame Malkin continued. "But I wouldn't if I was you there are a lot of dark wizards and witches down there. Some say He-who-must-not-be-named worked down there once." "Thanks I said for all your help" I said as I departed. "Well good luck with your job search my dear" Madame Malkin replied.

I knew what I had to do but I didn't want to. I had to do this in order to find Nymphadora and have us start a stable life together. I had to go back to Knockturn Alley.

So I know this chapter is boring, but what do you think so far. Is it good, terrible, or does it need some tweaking. Please R&R. :D