Chapter 2

"Andromeda," an all too familiar drawl came.

I scowled pressing myself further against the wall on the dormitory staircase. I could just about see the common room from my vantage point. I had been waiting for an opportunity to slip away to my prefect duties without Rosier or his gang of Slytherins taking note. It was sad if I didn't count Narcissa I considered Evan my best friend. The other girls in my year formed groups, that I never had a place in. I wasn't approachable according to Mother. It didn't keep me up at night.

"Andromeda,"

"What is it, Bella?" I leaned forward, turning my face towards her. Showing her I was not in the mood.

She tutted at my unimpressed face. "Sister, sister."

Bella moved closer to me twirling her wand between her long fingers, carelessly knocking into a first year coming down the stairs. The book they were holding hit the marble staircase with a loud bang. I winced.

"If this is about my prefect duties…" I started.

I couldn't finish. Bella's elbow was suddenly pressing painfully into my ribs. "Do you seriously think I have time to care about your little rebellion? It will collapse soon."

"Did the tea leaves tell you that?" As much as she fancied the dark arts Divination was her weakness, her 'little rebellion'.

"I am more interested in our younger sister embarrassing herself and by extension us."

I followed her pointed finger to a shadowy area by the portrait hole. There a group of Slytherin boys were standing. Narcissa was slowly moving closer to them. I had completely missed her. She turned her head sharply towards us. As our eyes met, she retreated back into the torchlight, her hair glowing white.

I crossed my arms. "No girl gang?"

"Not when it comes to her obsession with Dolohov."

I focused on keeping my face neutral. "Oh yes, so proud."

"Can't say the same about you, Andromeda." Bella's eyes turned to slits as her focus moved from Narcissa to me.

I was fed up with this conversation already. "I thought you didn't care about my prefect duties."

She examined her nails. "Oh, poor me, a crack." She picked and wiggled the indeed cracked nail making little flakes of burgundy nail polish fall onto her skirt.

"Bella?"

"I couldn't help overhearing from castle gossip that you were kinder to a mudblood than our own." Her voice was light, I didn't look into her eyes. That's where her venom would be. "Or maybe I was just dreaming?"

"Dreaming," I stated. I glanced at the half-grandfather clock hanging over the fireplace. Twenty minutes until my first shift monitoring the fourth-floor corridor with Tonks. Surprisingly I was more concerned about the Slytherins than Tonks. Evan was still in an armchair now half dozing in the heat of the fire. My annoyance spiked. He was usually in his dormitory by ten o'clock. "Walk with me to the portrait, Bella."

"As interesting as you are my sweet sister - "

I finished for her. "I have better tasks to occupy my time with."

She smiled. I smiled. Bitch.

I was slow to close my homework when Tonks came hurrying around the corridor five minutes late. So, this was going to be my life three times a week.

"Oh, you're already here, Black, were you waiting long?"

"Five minutes," I answered making a point to not look at him as I stood up from the window ledge. I began walking in the opposite direction to start patrolling my end of the corridor.

He followed. "Not too bad then."

"Five minutes," I repeated. I turned to face him. "Do you wish to patrol this end of the – " I stopped. "Your face."

"Oh yeah." His hand went under his eye as if he was just remembering the bruise in the shape of a slash. Wand work. His cheeks coloured under my stare. "I had to deduct some points from Slytherin. Don't look so concerned it happened yesterday. I think it's healing nicely."

I twisted my hands together. "Did you get them back?"

Tonks raised his eyebrows at my question. "No, I don't believe in sinking to that level. Anyway, they got me from behind in the bathroom. Cowards. You can tell your friends I won't touch you again." He laughed exasperatedly. "I will not stop you from falling. I will just let you hit the floor next time. That seems to be what they want."

"That's what I would like too." I looked off to the side.

Tonks shook his head. "Slytherins are funny people. But you don't sound too convinced."

"They are not my friends. More… associates. I don't think what you did was worthy of an attack… don't tell anyone I said that." I twisted the clip holding my wavy hair back. I sounded strange – no I sounded pathetic.

"That's great to hear. I was waiting for you to heal me."

"You really want me to point my wand at your face."

"Yes, I have seen your charms and how your healing charms have never caused a clot. Unlike mine." He grinned like it was something to be proud of. "Arthur hasn't yet forgiven me for that one."

I stared at him in disbelief. No one had ever asked me to heal them before or ever said anything about my charms besides Flitwick. It just didn't matter.

Tonks rubbed the back of his neck taking in my bewilderment. "I'm getting better. Recently I made my sleeve sew itself back up. And maybe the sleeve's opening was sewn shut too but we'll ignore that part. It's a slow process. My wand is better at making pure and utter chaos."

"Defence then." I reached for my wand, my stomach fluttering at the thought of healing him.

"A bit too intense for me. I prefer Care of Magical Creatures. How about healing me now?"

"Sure," I rolled my wand between my hands. This wasn't a big deal. I could do this in my sleep. I just had to think with my head. A simple non-verbal. Circle then flick. "Just don't tell anyone about this."

I met his grey eyes for the first time. They filled my vision. "You don't need to be that close." He did not move back. "Okay just hold still." I raised my wand and shut my eyes. When I opened my eyes again his skin had repainted itself to its usual tan.

"Thanks, Andromeda." He rubbed and pulled at his healed skin. Completely trusting that I hadn't turned his skin green.

"Which side of the hall do you want to patrol? I do not have a preference." I hurriedly stuffed my wand deep into my pocket.

"I thought we could walk together in case there was any trouble and for company." He said with ease.

"You want my company?"

"Yes." He said without hesitation. "But I suppose if you don't want mine I will slink away to the other side of the corridor."

I stared at his yellow and black tie unsure of an answer. And there was something about Ted Tonks. Something I couldn't put my finger on. It made everything feel lighter. Just a bit.

"I never walked with Evan." I started walking.

"Or a mub- thing?"

"Did you know muggle-born is the politically correct term?" I felt the corners of my mouth tug.

"Yes. Yes, it is." He beamed falling into step with me. "And I'm not Evan. Now tell me are you an Exploding Snap or a Gobstones person?"

"Miss Black, oh, Miss Black, my favourite prefect."

I pretended not to hear Professor Slughorn and continued to stir the contents of my Draught of Living Death. The fumes from my potion were starting to make my eyes water.

"I did not see you there," Slughorn's large red hand landed on my table. "Hiding in the back again I see."

I looked up and gave him a plastic smile. "Yes, I am, Professor," cue laugh. "I hope your summer was favourable."

"Oh yes," he said his voice always cheerful. "A family bereavement I am afraid but plenty of quidditch matches to go to. I just wanted to let you know of course you are still the most valued member of the Slughorn's Prized Members of Society Club." Or more commonly known as the Slug Club.

I made a show of flicking through my potions book. I would hope I was still a member considering all the parties I had organised and executed while he ironed his best robes and sent out the invitations.

"Now down to business." He rubbed his hands together.

"This is a timed project." I gestured to my steaming cauldron.

"Oh, yes, I see, anyhow this will only take a minute – two at most. This year the club will be taking a more aggressive approach. More gatherings and at a higher frequency. It will make us the most envied club at Hogwarts."

I moved to the other end of my desk to chop dandelion roots I didn't need.

"And," he followed me. I felt like I could make an outright rude gesture to this wizard and he would not bat an eyelash. "I hope to have you resume your role from last year."

"As party planner?"

Slughorn let out a hearty laugh. "Second in command, you mean."

"Professor, it amazes me how every year something about me speaks party – second in command to you."

"I have an eye for these things." Slughorn flattered himself. "I know I don't have to ask you or tell you anymore. I know helping me gave you so much joy last year. The first party will be a welcome back event in a week or two…"

I did not even consider saying no because Slughorn never gave me an opening to. Once Slughorn has decided he has decided. I had a suspicion he was just picking me to strengthen his connections with my father's ministry work from afar. But it did not bother me too much. It was another thing to fill the hours with. And it also meant I could serve my favourite foods at the parties.

"But please, for all our sakes, keep the chocolate frogs off the serving trays this time."

Favourites included foods that liked to jump. There was no better entertainment, especially during one particularly hot May gathering. I smiled remembering Slughorn mistakenly sitting on a melting chocolate frog.

"Of course, Professor,"

"Professor Slughorn," a Gryffindor cried out, clutching his eye. "I think I got some in my eye."

"Must hurry away, Miss Black." Slughorn pulled a face slowly making his way across the classroom to the Gryffindor. "We can speak more after class."

"I have Care of Magical Creatures straight after this class," I called after him and was ignored.

I stood back and admired my potion. It seemed close to perfect.

"Impressive, cousin," Evan said, suddenly behind me.

"Thank you."

"You think we could swap?" he said seriously. "Would make up for the embarrassment on the train."

I did not dignify that with a response. "I have to go and clean up now." I started moving towards the store cupboard.

"I should apologise, Andromeda." He was at my heels. "I should not have been so rough with you. You were in shock. I doubt you have ever stood that close to one of them before."

"No need, I have completely forgotten about the situation."

"So you're content with spending your evenings with the mudblood?"

"Yes – I mean I don't have to speak to him or see him. The corridor is big enough for that."

"I don't know why you keep this up." He picked at his chin. "It puzzles me. Being a prefect is so boring. It affects my sleep schedule but my parents won't let me quit. They actually thought I was going to be made head boy."

"I heard you went after Tonks."

"Tonks?"

"The muggle-born!" I exclaimed.

"From who?" his eyes narrowed.

"Bella." I lied.

"I don't recall telling her."

"She saw."

"The word you're looking for is thank you." Evan grinned clearly proud of himself. I did not respond. I tried to walk past him out of the store cupboard, but he held onto my shoulder. Here it comes. "You may be my favourite cousin but that does not mean you can disrespect me. I will not stand for it. It's about time you got your priorities straight. I know you spoke to that mudblood outside in the train corridor. It upset me. And it would upset a lot of people if you continued to behave stupidly." His voice was dark. It made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

He moved around me. "But then again, this is probably a misunderstanding. That will never be seen or heard of again."

I watched him leave the store cupboard my sweaty palms gripping the edge of a shelf. The jars on it clinked together. I counted to ten and went outside. He was back at his desk where he originally was with the usual Slytherins. My eyes went to my desk. Before I approached it, I knew that something was different. Before I examined the contents of my cauldron I already knew what Evan had done. When I leaned over my potion my hands went into fists. There was a leaf floating in the middle of the chunky grey mixture completely unharmed. I peered over to where my potion now sat in front of Evan. Slughorn had finished tending to the Gryffindor and was now fawning over the potion and Evan.

I bit my lip. There was nothing to do now but fix it.

"Attention please everyone," Slughorn called out to the class. "Time to bottle your potions and place them in an orderly fashion on my desk. We don't want another accident do we, Weasley? Label it with your name, house…"