"Have you ever had to leave somebody behind? Well, that's what the two eldest daughters had to do. The station was packed full of bustling crowds, fighting to say goodbye to their kids. How is it fair they had to leave her behind? The sun shone from above them, casting a golden hue on the magnificent Hogwarts Express. Platform 9 3/4 never ceased to amaze those who had never been.

Narcissa watched longingly as Bellatrix ran to the train, not even stopping to say goodbye or reassure her she'd be okay without them. Andromeda smiled excitedly and turned, stopping as she met the hurtful gaze of her mother's harsh eyes. It was her first year, and she was mostly fearful. What if she didn't get into Slytherin? What if she had no friends? What if she didn't get good grades? She stood observing the train; it would be okay, it had to be. The only guilt she had was leaving behind her sister in that house, with no one to protect her.

Druella rushed her on, not even bothering to say goodbye; her eyes showed no sign of care at all. Andromeda was in front of the train now, one step to freedom. Suddenly, she felt the embrace from her younger sister, who had tears running down her face. Andromeda turned and lifted her chin.

"We do not cry, remember?" she told her, running a hand lovingly through her platinum blonde hair, nodding to her. Narcissa only wiped her eyes, shaking her head. Andromeda leaned down to envelop her in a hug, whispering softly, "You will be okay. I will write every week. Stay out of trouble, do not talk back, and do as you're told." Narcissa nodded and sniffed and hugged her one last time.

"Promise me you'll write. Every week!" She begged, pulling her arm as she did when she was a kid and wanted something. Andromeda smiles letting out a little chuckle as she reassures her sister it would all be okay.

"I promise."

Candles lit up the hall, above them echoed the outside world. Andromeda looked in awe and stood waiting for her name. Her heart rate picked up, her breathing laboured. McGonagall stood tall calling the names of excited and some nervous students. No one in the room understood her pain, the need to be in Slytherin. She desperately searched for a familiar face. There, sat at the slytherin table was her sister, she was watching attentively.

"Black, Andromeda." Her name sounded unrecognisable to her ears. Andromeda walked tentatively to the wooden stool placed in the middle of the hall. She lowered herself down and the hat was placed on her head. She begged. She needed to be slytherin, there was no doubt about it. The voice rang out and she prayed to Merlin.

"Slytherin!" Thank Merlin.

Bellatrix cheered and grabbed her arm pulling her to sit. Everyone clapped but most rolled their eyes. She let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. The sound of someone clearing their throat pulled her away from her daydream.

"I'm Rita, nice to meet one of Bella's sisters." This girl held out her hand. She had short blonde hair, glasses sitting at the end of her pointed nose.

"Yeah, hi I'm Andromeda." She told her with a light smile.

"That's long, I'll call you Andy, much easier" Rita laughed, shaking her hand with a lot of enthusiasm.

Andromeda had been at Hogwarts for weeks and she still couldn't get used to it. She walked in the corridor, her head lowered looking at the floor in deep thought. A body barged right into her and almost caused them both to tumble.

"Hey! Watch where you're going." She spat at the boy who bent down to pick up his fallen books. He was mumbling something under his breath.

"Sorry, I mean, you could have watched where you were going." He put his books back in his bag and gave her a small grin. He was joking. But she didn't know that. "My names Edward, Ted."

"Well Ted, maybe you should rethink what you're saying and gain some manners." She barged past him intentionally; he went to say something back and she just scoffed walking away.

She retreated to her dorm collapsing on the bed as she looked up at the ceiling. Her dormmates weren't all that bad, she just wasn't a people person - like most of her family. A letter was placed meticulously on her desk brought in by her owl, Altair. She peeled away the seal and pulled her blanket over herself, trying to trap warmth. The nights were a blanket of obsidian, wrapping around the earth, hushing the chaos of the day in its comforting embrace. Narcissa Black. The weekly letter from her sister, she kept her promise to her.

Dear Andy,

I still wake up thinking you're here. Bellas stopped sending me letters but I get it, she's always been the one to follow the crowd. I hope you're having so much fun, and not missing me too much. (I secretly hope you are). How're classes? I miss you so much, the house isn't the same without you here. I'm starting to realise how big our house really is. I've done as you said. I've stayed out of trouble, I've not talked back and I've done as mother says. She's been drinking again. More than before and dads going away more. There's been more arguments but I tend to stay in my room anyway.

I met up with Reggie and Sirius this week. Aunt Walburga is as horrible as I remember and mother even insisted that I make her tea. I hope you're coming back for christmas, although when I go to Hogwarts I'll probably stay. I know you probably don't think about me much, but I hope you tried to make friends. I know you probably already annoyed half of Hogwarts with your big attitude. I'm joking!!! But seriously, try to make some friends. Don't stress about me, I am doing okay. Please say hi to Bella for me and tell her I miss her.

I want to know everything about Hogwarts and I can't wait to see you again Andy. I did steal some of your clothes, but in my defence they looked lonely. So much dust. So really I was doing the right thing. I promise to return them before you get back, washed and everything. I also stole some of Bellas too but don't tell her because she'll kill me! I miss your hugs, they make me feel like everything is okay.

I miss you more than ever. You're the best sister I could ask for. I love you so much and I'll write to you next week. Don't take long to reply.

Narcissa x

P.s. I also stole some of your books

Andromeda smiled. She immediately grabbed the nearest quill and began writing. To new beginnings, and to new hopes.