A/N: I wrote this story a few years ago for the QFL competition. I've gone back to fix some things, and I think it's a positively decent one-shot now. Enjoy, and let me know what you think!

The crackle of the fire gave Andromeda an eerie feeling of timelessness. Perhaps if she lay there, listening, the hours of darkness would stretch into eternity, trapping her in a limbo of quiet contemplation and postponing the dreaded moment forever.

Letting sleep claim her, she realized, would be much easier than staying in this state. Waiting and waiting for something, or nothing, or anything. Her eyelids were growing heavier with each passing second, and the armchair beside the fireplace was so cozy… But she just wouldn't do it.

Damn it, 'Dromeda. You always make life so hard for yourself. Her cheeks turned slightly red as the reproachful voice popped into her head, but she pushed the memory away. Staying clear-minded was crucial. Her gaze rested again dreamily on the fireplace. The flames, though already dying out, kept dancing entrancingly.

How had she gotten into this mess?

—

A year ago…

As the boy got off the stool, there was no polite clapping. No cheers or signs of approval. In the air, there was a tension that could be cut with a knife. At the four tables, most faces wore bewilderment and disgust instead of encouraging smiles.

The boy walked towards the table to the far right under a hundred insolent gazes. Was he concerned? Unbothered? Andromeda couldn't say. He kept his face void of all emotion, as he had been taught to do.

Like in a trance, she heard Bellatrix curse loudly from a few seats to her left. "Filthy blood-traitor…"

There was some scattered clapping, and rude exclamations from a couple of Slytherins, but that was it. Another first-year was called to the front, and the ceremony continued, as if nothing had happened. As if Sirius Black hadn't just been sorted into Gryffindor. It left her wondering whether it had been real, or a vision. If it had been real… Merlin, maybe she was overreacting. Maybe it wouldn't matter. Despite Toujurs pur, the snake-infested tapestry, and the paper claiming Sirius Orion Black as the sole heir. Except that it obviously would.

—

As Andromeda walked towards the Great Hall, a scowl on her face, she cursed the second

Sirius Black had been sorted, reopening all these scars.

It was early in the morning, and as such, the castle was unnervingly quiet, no signs of life. Students would be sleeping soundly, enjoying the fresh sheets on their four-posters. She wouldbe doing the same, if it weren't for the feeling that had been nagging at her all night long. Her sleep had been plagued with him. Unwilling to go back to a sleep of unrest, she had jumped out of bed. Breakfast alone sounded much better than dreams with ghosts of the past.

Deep in these dark thoughts and oblivious to her surroundings, she was caught unawares by a hand that pulled her inside an empty classroom. Instinctively, she whipped her wand out of her robes in a quick movement. Before the attacker knew it, it was pointed to their chest.

"Whoa, easy now! It's just me, Ted." The boy staring at her looked half amused, half surprised.

Andromeda let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. "Edward." Talk of the Devil. She lowered her wand.

"Wait, do other people normally pull you into empty classrooms?"

She felt her face grow hotter. "You startled me, that's all."

He grinned ear to ear, which made it difficult for her to focus. Because Merlin, she'd forgotten how handsome he was. His eyes, powder blue, were like the cloudless sky of August, and his hair, a delicious shade of honey, was the sun.

Despite the joy that his sight gave her, she spoke coldly. "I know what you're going to say."

The smile was wiped clean off his face. "And I know what you plan to answer."

Andromeda scoffed bitterly. Then why did he have to do this? Why did they always end up here? A sad smile played across his lips, as if he'd read her thoughts. "But can I try and change your mind?"

Don't listen! her mind pleaded. But something glued her to the floor. Was it wrong to want this so badly?

Edward took his chance. "'Dromeda… this boy changes everything. Don't you understand-"

"You think it hasn't crossed my mind?" she snapped. "It changes nothing! If anything, he will be an example to those who don't play by their rules." She knew it was true. Heir or not, Sirius would be punished for this.

She could see the frustration in Edward's eyes. "Damn it, 'Dromeda. You always make life so hard for yourself." He'd started circling the room, like a caged animal. "Why do you always expect the worst?"

"Because," she hissed, "when it comes to my family, the worst is the one thing you can count on."

He shook his head disapprovingly, and resumed his pacing. "Best case scenario, this will be a breakthrough. Little by little, the old ways will die out."

Andromeda pursed her lips. How could someone be so blatantly and ridiculously optimistic?

She couldn't deny, however, that against all hope, she wanted to believe his words.

Suddenly, as if he'd remembered something, he started searching his pockets. Finally, he took something out. It was a circular silver plaque, the kind that is worn in necklaces. Using his wand, he carved something in it. T & A.

"Here, have this," he smiled, pressing it to her hand. "Let it be a reminder of the day we say to hell with the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black." He smiled so sweetly, it was difficult not to kiss him, let alone think of saying no. "So what do you say?"

There was a second of silence, in which the whole world seemed to weigh down on Andromeda's shoulders. A single tear made its way down her cheek. "I can't."

The pain she saw on Edward's eyes, she would never forget.

Clearing his throat, he spoke. "Yes, I see. Sorry. Just forget I said anything." And without a word, her first love walked out of the room, and perhaps her life, forever.

—

Present time...

Andromeda shook her head, like someone who wakes up from a trance. She checked her watch. It was already 3 AM.

The fire had finally died out completely, the almost-consumed logs offering a depressing sight. She got up from her sitting position, only to find that her legs were numb. She bit her lip for a second. Then in a single motion, not allowing herself any thoughts, she fished something out of her pocket. It was the pendant. She thought about throwing it into the still-hot coals. The magic that prolonged their life would surely enable them to melt the metal still.

Duty. The word was etched on her heart. Duty that required her to forget.

She was about to do it when a sound drew her out of her thoughts. A kaboom! that seemed to come from right outside the common room. Putting the pendant away in her robe pocket, she hurried to the entrance. She pushed the door open, and found a strange scene. Sirius and a messy-haired boy were lying on the floor, their faces and clothes black, as if an explosion had sent them flying.

"Oh, hello, cos'." Sirius grinned when he saw her standing there.

"Care to explain?"

The other boy made a signal, as if to urge Sirius to hurry up.

"Uhm, no, sorry, gotta run."

"James-Potter-Sirius-Black-I-will-get-you-this-time!" came a voice from a few corridors back. The Gryffindors took this as a cue to escape.

Despite her best efforts, the event left Andromeda with a smile on her face. There was a Black that could rock the Lion look. And not just any Black, but the heir himself.

Maybe… she thought, tears welling up in her eyes, here was a Black that could have rocked the surname Tonks. And she started crying bitterly, for she had been a fool.