A/N Honestly, I like this chapter. I don't really know why. Maybe because it's longer than usual. I'll try to update quicker next time! Anyways, I took a few words here and there from books and other fanfictions. Not much really. Also, I don't really know how measuring works, especially in the Wizarding World. They probably could've raised their wands and got her measurement, but oh well. Tell me any grammar, spelling, or capitilazation problems, blah blah blah. There will probably be a lot of spelling issues because I couldn't use spell check, just my eyes. None of my Microsoft products are working on my computer because of a virus. I had to write this on my iPhone. The formatting may be a little off... So yeah, please pray for me on that small issue... Enjoy and Review!
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.
"We've got to keep up appearances." said Druella harshly, "We are going to Madame Malkin's for a gown." She looked behind her before adding, "You won't be 'backing out' until it is closer to the date of the wedding. As of now, you're marrying Rabastan." Druella spoke with melancholy laced through every syllable she pronounced. It's to be expected. She had just recently lost her daughter.
Two men with crimson dress robes opened the door for the two, bowing. Druella flashed a smile that didn't quite meet her eyes.
A stout middle-aged man waddled up to Druella, "Mrs. Black!" He exclaimed, pressing his fat lips to her hand a little longer than necessary, "How may I be of assistance?" He panted.
"Thorniff, how good to see you." She spoke genuinely. "I'd like to find a wedding dress for my daughter." She spoke motioning toward an uncomfortable-looking Andromeda. He smiled.
"Ah, I see. First we must take measurements." Thorniff hummed while he eyed Andromeda and then snapped his fingers. A slender shop girl whose skin was the color of bone quickly made her way toward them. She had fiery red hair that was kept out of her face by a beige scarf. She wore a lime green dress with a leather belt that had extra fabric, pins and strings of measuring tape attached.
"Kazet, would you take Miss Black's measurements?" Spoke Thorniff with venom dripping every word. Andromeda had been too busy eyeing the girl up and down, taking in every feature when Thorniff spoke. She was taken aback by his tone, but, nonetheless, followed the girl toward the dressing room near the back corner.
"Where's Madame Malkin?" Andromeda spoke quietly, not wanting to startle the girl.
She cleared he throat, "She called in sick this morning." She whispered so softly it might not have been said at all. Andromeda nodded, and Kazet pushed the curtain aside to reveal a bland colorless wall. "Please undress over there and I will take your measurements."
The words echoed in Andromeda's head. Her tongue weighed a hundred pounds. Her ear burned. Her cheeks warmed. Her hands went clammy. Undressing in front of a man whom you were to be married to was one thing. Undressing in front a strange woman was a completely different thing. She must've noticed my discomfort for she placed her hand on my forearm comfortingly. "I could get Mrs. Black of you'd like." She spoke about to open the curtains and to retreat back into the main room.
"No!" Andromeda shouted, reaching to close the curtain back up. "That'd be even worse. Uh, it's fine. I'll just-" She gulped and pointed to the side of the room. She nodded, understanding what she meant and turned her head to look in the other direction.
How embarrassing, Andromeda thought. Bellatrix wouldn't have even hesitated to undress in front of anyone. Then again, she thought, she has no couth whatsoever. Mother always had told her that. Andromeda slowly removed her robe. She lifted her arms and pulled it off of her head.
She turned to face Kazet, her arms crossed in her front to hide her breasts andher Dark Mark. Kazet swallowed and walked closer to the girl who was eyeing her nervously. She placed her hands gently on Andromeda wrists.
"I've never done this before, but there's nothing to be worried. At least, I don't think so." She shrugged.
"Trust me," she whispered. Elphaba took a deep breath and nodded, allowing her arms to be slowly pulled apart by the blonde.
"Keep your arms out like this, okay?"
Andromeda nodded curtly. Kazet wrapped the measuring tape behind her and her hands slowly pulled the ends toward Andromeda's chest and gradually came over her pert breasts. Andromeda coughed uncomfortably. "Sorry." Kazet muttered. "We're almost done with this one," Her hands quivered as she tightened the tape. She released Andromeda and kneeled down to measure her waist. Finishing her second measurements, she looked up. She stood up and brought one end of the tape to Andromeda's collar bone.
"Hold this here and then I need you to stand up straight while I measure the length to your knee," Kazet spoke, "This is the last measurement, I promise. Then you get to go home!" She exclaimed rather too cheerfully for Andromeda's liking.
"Alright, and we're done!" She smiled, "You can dress now." She spoke and left the room. Andromeda breathed a sigh and grabbed her discarded robe off the floor.
Her mother had already told her there was to be an original sketch for her wedding dress. Every important pureblood wedding had an original dress. Unfortunately, this seemed to be a waist of time to Andromeda. This wedding was never going to happen. Her mother knew it. Her father knew it. Rabastan knew it. She knew it. She had orders to obey or consequences to pay. She had to choose.
"Andromeda, Dear, do come out. We're finished here." Druella spoke behind the curtain, "We mustn't hold the place up. We're to leave anyways."
Andromeda stepped through to see her mother gazing at her sadly. "Come." She sniffed. Her mother was most definitely upset. A Black never showed emotion in public, no matter the situation. Her mother must have remembered this, for she closed her eyes, breathed deeply, and attempted a stiff smile.
"The House Elves are making your favorite dinner. They've been ordered to make your favorites from now on until your... Departure." She whispered and opened the doors of the shop, "Goodbye Thorniff! Hope to see you soon!" Druella put on a fake sweet tone and waved. She let her daughter through the door first, and slipped out behind her.
"We can keep in contact, you know." It was the first time Andromeda spoke of it since the meeting, "Bella and Cissa needn't know. Neither does anybody else." Andromeda spoke, glancing up at her mother hopefully.
Druella smiled a small knowing smile and focused her eyes ahead. She nodded slowly, not even looking at Andromeda as she gazed up at her, "I like that."
A/N By the way, couth means to be cultured, refined or well mannered. Having no couth means you have no manners and will do whatever the hell you want. REVIEW!