Andromeda Black [ENG]

Chapter 16
It was with a heavy heart Andromeda snuck off to the kitchens as she got back to Hogwarts.
She felt like crying and didn’t know how to handle the conversation that were about to take place. Andromeda knew it would always come to this, that they could never be anything but friends. But she didn’t want it to end like this. Not because she was one big fat cow downing too much chocolate. She looked critically down at her body, maybe she was getting fat. Tears welled up again, but she pushed the tears away and entered the kitchens.
Ted were seated at the table but immediately got up as he saw her, he was about to greet her but noticed the sadness of her eyes, and the tears threatening to spill over.
“Dromeda, what’s the matter?” He asked with a worried frown,
“I, you, “Normally, Andromeda got angry when saddened, jumped to conclusions and lashed out but she was so afraid, and felt so miserable that the tears just started flooding, she sobbed hard and he engulfed her in his embrace within seconds. Gently caressing her back,
“It’s okay to cry, just let it all out.” Ted whispered softly, she clutched him to her as she sobbed into his chest, when she had calmed a little he brought her back a little to look at her face, he lovingly brought his hand up to her cheek, drying the last tears, stained there, away.
“What happened?” Ted asked, Andromeda took a deep shaky breath,
“Please, not just yet.” She started a little uncomprehensive, he looked confused at her,
“What?”
“Don’t end this yet.” She whimpered, “I’m not ready yet, I’ll get thinner,”
“Stop.” Ted interrupted her fiercely and she looked frightened at him, she was hardly afraid of anything, but losing him was.
“Dromeda,” He continued looking at her, “You’re not fat.”
“But…”
“I don’t care what Evan or Jenny said, look at yourself. If you get thinner there’s nothing left of you but bone, and that’s unhealthy, Dromeda.” Ted commented seriously,
“But… I,”
“Dromeda, I mean it. You are as light as a feather and you’ve got nice curves, really nice ones,” He grinned, “but you are as far from fat as someone can be.” Ted looked at her with a serious look, “And even if you were fat, or got fat, I’d love you anyways. It’s not your body I’m in love with, even though, it’s quite nice to look at, it’s you…”
Andromeda blushed deeply, and felt a little at loss of what to say, she had so misinterpreted this meeting. “I’m sorry I thought… eh, thanks.” She felt so embarrassed and stupid, she never cried and especially not in front of people or at them.
Ted smiled and kissed her soundly on the lips, “I love you, silly goose!”
Andromeda laughed at him, “Goose? Gee, Thanks.”
“I happen to love geese,” Ted tried but couldn’t hold his mask and laughed out loud at her expression. Andromeda rolled her eyes at him humorously before turning sombre again.
“Thanks for standing up for me, Ted,” She said genuinely,
“Always.”
She kissed him lovingly on the lips and devoured in the taste of chocolate,
“You’ve been eating chocolate,” she grinned, and he bit her lip playfully,
“Minx.”
They deepened their kiss and hungrily continued, she found her hand in his hair and without realising exactly how it happened she found herself with her legs wrapped around his waist pushed up against one of the walls having the best snog in her lifetime.
“Merlin,” she moaned into his mouth and he smiled and then trailed kisses down her jawline, she let out a sound of surprise and closed her eyes with pleasure. Suddenly they heard sounds of someone entering the kitchens they stopped their kisses immediately and hid, quickly, under the table and its cloth.
Andromeda’s heart was race and she felt Ted grabbing her hand to calm her down, but they hardly dared breath. It must be one of their professors, no one else is supposed to know about the kitchens. She felt sweat forming on her back thinking of all excuses possible for why she was in the kitchens with Ted Tonks, and why she had extremely swollen lips, and why his lips were red from her lipstick.
She heard and saw Professor McGonagall and Professor Dumbledore and she prayed that they wouldn’t notice them.
They were talking about the feast that were to be held on the last day of school, with the house-elves. Ted accidently bumped into the table. Andromeda held her breath, but Professor McGonagall didn’t cease talking.
“Perhaps, my dear Minerva, we could continue this discussion in my office? – I would so want a lemon sherbet,” Professor Dumbledore looked directly at Andromeda and she froze, his eyes glided to Ted and then his blue eyes twinkled at her before the professors left.
“Fuck,” Andromeda blurted out as soon as they were out, Ted chuckled at her,
“What?”
“Dumbledore saw us, he knows.” She felt herself starting to panic,
“Well, Dumbledore won’t tell on us.” Ted said cheerful, Andromeda weren’t as certain,
“Perhaps not...”
“Stop worrying so much, Dromeda, and kiss me already!” Ted said cheekily and stole a kiss from her,
“I have to get back, or the others will wonder where I’ve gone off to,” Andromeda sighed sadly, resting her forehead against his.
“I understand.” Ted said sadly, “Oh, but I’ve got something for you!”
He lit up and produced a package from his robes, she laughed at him,
“You got me a chocolate frog?”
“I wanted to make you feel better, and I know how much you love chocolate…” Ted kissed her cheek affectionately,
“I love it, thank you so much, Ted, it was so thoughtful of you!” She smiled but the smile didn’t quite reach her eyes,
“Yeah, well it didn’t sound as if your date went well,”
She cringed, “Oh, no, it was probably the worst thing I’ve ever been forced to do. People will think I’m all for incest now. Yuck!”
“Don’t worry, I bet they don’t even know you are cousins.” Ted said encouragingly,
“Nice try, Ted, but everyone will talk about it. But I’m a big girl, a Black too, I’ll fend them off, with a look or two.” Andromeda said cheekily and kissed him quickly,
“I take it your date didn’t go to well either?” she turned around as if she suddenly remembered and looked at him as he got out from under the table,
“Eh, no, I was more-or-less forced to go with her.” Ted shuddered, “Don’t you worry, Dromeda, she’s nothing compared to you!” He winked at her and she shook her head laughing at him,
“See you, Ted.” Andromeda were about to leave when she looked at him from over her shoulder, “Don’t forget to wipe that lipstick of your face.”
She left through the portrait the second after leaving him behind.

Hailey looked up as Andromeda entered the dorm,
“Why are your lips so swollen again, Andy?” she asked interested, Roxanne sat bolt right up in bed,
“Tell us who you snogged?”
“No one!” Andromeda pressed, “Seriously, not everyone snogs every living thing in this castle!”
“Cheeky!” Hailey laughed but didn’t cease her interest in Andromeda,
“But if you haven’t been snogging anyone, why are your lips so swollen?” Roxy asked suspiciously leaning in to get a closer look of her smudged lipstick,
“I’m allergic to flower-pollution,” Andromeda replied fixing her lipstick,
“You’ve never been before?” Abigail said confused sitting up in bed too,
“It is an unusually bad year.” Andromeda lied, coldly not giving them one look.
“Whatever you say Dromeda,” Hailey said rolling her eyes, not believing her at all.
“Dinner is served down in the great hall now,” Abigail said breaking the tense silence a few minutes later. Roxy and Hailey who had tried to figure out a way to ask about Andromeda’s date without angering her, gave up at that and rose from bed.
“Are you coming, Andy?”
“No, I think I’m going to read for a while and then sleep.”
“You’re not hungry?” Hailey asked surprised raising her eyebrows as she turned to look at her from the doorway,
“Good heavens what have they done with you?” Roxanne teased, and Andromeda threw a pillow at her,
“Shut it!” Andromeda grinned, but some uneasiness still quelled within her. Sure, Ted had said she wasn’t fat, but, again was she? She stood up when the others had left and looked at her reflection, her stomach was flat, her hips slightly wide, and her chest; average. But still she thought she could detect shadows of fat, and she felt sick. Would Ted still like her if she didn’t drop a few pounds? – He had said as much but was it really true? – Andromeda had her fair share of empty words and wondered if these were such words. Andromeda sat down on her bed again and sighed, she refused to look down on her disgusting features and therefore laid back and closed her eyes. It felt like an eternity before she finally drifted off into an uneasy sleep, but it was well before the others got back.

Skriv gärna vad ni tyckte =)
Är ju mest på skoj, men tar gärna emot kritik

Hoppas inte den där Evan Rosier lyckats få henne att äta mindre och tvivla på att hennes kropp är vacker ... Ted gjorde åtminstone vad han kunde för att reparera skadan! Han är verkligen underbar!

Chapter 17
It was a burning hot morning and the sun shone brightly over the castle. Trunks were piled up against the walls in the corridors and the students met in the great hall for the last breakfast of that year. Bellatrix were a bit red rimmed and Andromeda smiled at her and squeezed her hand.
“It’s alright to miss it, Bella!” She spoke softly in her ear, and Bellatrix wiped her eyes quickly with the back of her hand. But she held on tightly to Andromeda’s hand under the table.
“I’ll miss it with all my heart.” She admitted, “I don’t know how I’ll live knowing that I’m not coming back with you next year,”
“You are going to do just fine, Bella!” Andromeda said encouragingly,
“I don’t want to be without you, Andy, I don’t ever want to be without you.” Bellatrix said frightened, all though very quietly as to not attract any attention from the rest of the students.
“What are you afraid of, Bella?” Andromeda asked with a concerned frown.
“I think they’re planning to marry me off.” She confessed after a few seconds.
“Oh.” Was all Andromedas mouth formed, she didn’t know quite how to process it. They had always known it to be a possibility but…
“Indeed. I think they’re planning on marrying me off to Rodolphus Lestrange.” Bellatrix said miserably poking around in her food,
“No,” Andromeda shook her head, “Not him.”
“I believe so, urgh. He’s mental, and stupid. What a great husband I shall have.” Bellatrix said sarcastically. Andromeda stroke her thumb over her sister’s hand,
“Surely not. You’re only eighteen, they won’t marry you off… yet anyways.”
Bellatrix scoffed, “It’s just a matter of time, Andy before they do,”
“Let’s just enjoy our last summer holiday together before I’m back here and you’re off into the world. Let’s not think of slimy Lestrange and have fun.” Andromeda smiled, and Bellatrix smiled back this time genuinely.
“Agreed.” Bellatrix let go of her hand, “And while we’re at making promises,” Bellatrix gave Andromeda a stern look,
“What?” Andromeda asked confused,
“You’ll promise me you start eating again, young lady!” Bellatrix eyed her sharply and grabbed hold of Andromedas hand again,
“I am eating,” Andromeda avoided her glare and let go of her sister’s hand,
“You ate, what? - an apple yesterday, Andy! That’s not healthy! The last two weeks you’ve dropped too much in weight. I can see your ribs. They’re poking through. I don’t know who said you should lose weight, but that person was a plonker. Do you think I’m fat Andy?” Bellatrix pointed at her figure eying her sister refusing to let Andromeda not take it seriously,
“No…” Andromeda avoided her eyes,
“We have the same body type, I weigh just as much as you did two weeks ago. I am thin. I am not too thin, but I am thin, and could gain a few pounds without being fat,” Bellatrix said seriously, “Not that there is anything wrong in that either.” She added.
“I can’t. I feel sick.” Andromeda whimpered quietly,
“Oh, Sweetheart,” Bellatrix frowned and brought her sister into a half-hug, “I’ll help you get better. It’s just your mind, Andy darling.”
“Mm.” Andromeda agreed uncertainly, Bellatrix took hold of her hands again,
“Yes.” She gave her a meaningful glance and squeeze, saying that she would even if she didn’t want to. Andromeda then managed to eat an apple under the scrutinising eye of her sister before disappearing off to the kitchens to say goodbye to Ted.
She was first this time and the house-elves offered her food which she kindly declined. Ted arrived but a few minutes after herself and he was grinning widely.
“I’ve missed you, Dromeda!” He said as he embraced her and kissed her brow, she melted into his touch,
“It’s been two days, Ted. How will you survive this summer?” She teased and stuck her tongue out,
“I have no idea.” Ted said honestly, “I have your picture anyways, I’ll stare myself blind at that, I guess,” He winked at her, and she blushed looking away at the wall for a second,
“I’ll miss you too, Ted!” She said feeling her voice not quite carrying her, tears burned behind her eyelids.
“I’m only a phone call away!” Ted grinned but she looked at him confused,
“What’s a phone… call?” Andromeda asked scrunching her whole face in thought, he chuckled,
“Sorry, Dromeda, I forgot. It’s a muggle devise on which you can telephone each other… eh, you have like a box, and you can speak to people through it who have other such boxes…” Ted scratched his head trying to explain the phenomena that were telephones,
“It’s alright, I sort of understand, I think, even though it sounds hell of weird.” Andromeda stroke his cheek affectionately and stood on her tip-toes and kissed him. He moaned, and gingerly traced her bottom lip with his tongue and biting her gently, she let out a pleased sigh. He broke off the kiss, and looked at her with desire,
“Are you sure there’s not a chance of us meeting this summer?”
“I’m sorry, Ted, I cannot risk it. I’m hardly allowed out of the house. And then only in diagon alley, which is too unsafe for us to meet in.” Andromeda relented, Ted sighed but nodded and took her face in his hands,
“Promise me you’ll write if you can, I promise I won’t write back.” Ted looked into the gorgeous dark brown eyes, and detected the sadness in them, she nodded slowly, on the verge of tears. “And promise me something will you, Dromeda?” He asked seriously, she nodded,
“Promise me you’ll stop punishing yourself. Promise me you’ll start eating again. Please. I can’t bear to lose you!”
Andromedas eyes widened, he had noticed then, she felt the lump form in her throat, and she didn’t quite know why she felt that way, why it hurt so much to have let him down.
“I’m sorry,” She said quietly, “I’m so sorry!”
“It’s alright, Dromeda, but don’t let it eat you up from the inside.” Ted said gently, “You are beautiful just the way you are. You deserve to eat. And you eat all you want, don’t let anyone judge you. I love you too much to see you punish yourself like that. I’ll help you if you’d let me.” Ted held her to him and she nodded against his chest,
“Thank you, Ted, but I’m afraid people won’t like me if I…” She trailed off, but he knew what she meant, the sadness that swept across his face was heart-breaking.
“I would never stop loving you. I told you before and I’ll tell you now. There’s a lot of things I’m doubting in my life, but you have never been one of them. I love you and everything about you. I’d tell you what I love about each body part of you too if I dared. Don’t be afraid. I’m here for you! - Always!” Tears fell from his eyes and landed on her cheeks. Her heart hurt at seeing him so distressed, and so she reached her hands up and dried them away, kissing the corner of his mouth lovingly and embracing him tighter than she had the past weeks.
“I’m sorry, Ted. I promise I’ll get better. You’re such a good friend!”
“I believe in you, Dromeda. You are the strongest person I know. You’ll be fine. I know it.” Ted smiled and kissed her nose,
“We have to get going,” Andromeda commented sadly, and he sighed and hugged her,
“See you in September my dearest darling, Andromeda.” He smiled charmingly, and she laughed at him,
“I’ll count the hours of every day.” She winked and then they kissed deeply and affectionately.
“I have to go,” She whispered against his lips and he nodded and reluctantly let her go.
Andromeda re-joined the others and they accompanied each other down to the train station. When they were seated in the Hogwarts express, Ted walked past their compartment and discreetly winked at her and she felt heat rise to her cheeks, but she kept her mask of cold-indifference firm in place with some struggle.
The Trolley lady went past soon enough when the train were in motion, and opened the door,
“Is this the compartment where Andromeda Black is seated?” She asked with a sweet smile,
Andromeda looked confused but nodded, “That would be me…”
“I was asked to deliver this to you, dearest.” She smiled and handed her a bar of Honeydukes finest milk-chocolate. Andromeda bit her lip laughing, he was always so thoughtful.
The other girls bought something to eat and they all chatted on gaily but Bellatrix eyed Andromeda with curiosity,
“Who’s the chocolate from?” She asked, Andromeda shrugged her shoulders,
“I have no idea!” She smiled, “and I don’t care!” she then proceeded to take a large chunk of it and for the first time in two weeks she ate something and didn’t feel sick of it.
“Anyway, I’m just glad you’re eating again!” Bellatrix beamed, and Andromeda broke of a piece and handed it to her sister who accepted it. Andromeda tried not to think of the coming home and the missing Ted and enjoyed the last fun with her friends and her sister before the hell that were their mother.

Skriv gärna vad ni tyckte =)
Är ju mest på skoj, men tar gärna emot kritik

Det händer ofta i denna story att jag både tycker om och förstår Bellatrix. Hur hon ställer upp och stöttar sin syster, och hur hon fruktar att bli bortgift.

Men den där Evan Rosier, GRRR! Hans kommentarer som satte igång att hon inte äter ordentligt. Hoppas hon kan ta sig ur det, med stöd från sina nära. Inte minst Ted!

Det är förresten lite symboliskt att hon ofta upplever att Ted smakar och doftar choklad. Något som hon älskar, men som vissa också vill förbjuda henne.

Chapter 18
They had been back home scarcely a fortnight and Andromeda already longed to be back at Hogwarts. She had done all her homework and was rather bored. At the moment she was lying flat on her back in the gardens wilder area. Bellatrix was sitting behind her playing with her sister’s hair.
“At least you get to go back,” Bellatrix commented sadly, “Me, I’m stuck here till I get married,”
Andromeda picked a flower between her fingers and twirled it absentmindedly,
“I’ll miss you though,” Andromeda said, “And I’m sure you will find things to occupy your mind with.”
Bellatrix stopped playing with Andromedas hair for a second,
“I’m not equally sure. But let’s enjoy what little time we have left.”
Andromeda threw the flower in Bellatrix face and laughed, before getting up, running away from her sister who now chased her down the garden.
She loved the wind in her face, and how the green grass felt against her bare feet, the sun was dancing in her chocolate dark curls, and she felt free.
Bellatrix were catching up with her, and Andromeda let out a shriek as she ran down to the small river that leapt through the east part of the garden.
“Are you coming to get me?” Andromeda yelled back, Bellatrix laughed,
“I’ll catch you in a second, you know I will, Andy!”
“Then you’ll have to take a swim!” Andromeda retorted grinning madly as she took the last leap into the river. Bellatrix let out a frustrated cry but nonetheless refused to give up and ran after her sister into the river.
As Bellatrix got closer to her Andromeda screamed gaily and splashed water against Bellatrix to hinder her. Bellatrix spluttered the water that got into her face and fought her way closer to Andromeda, splashing water back on her sister. It wasn’t long until Bellatrix had the upper-hand and Andromeda were laughing whilst begging for mercy,
“Please stop!” She roared as water splashed in her face again,
“What was that?” Bellatrix asked grinning, “I didn’t quite hear?”
They were having such a good time, acting like the children they were never allowed to be, feeling free and happy. But…
“What on earth are you two doing?” Narcissa stood by the river bank and looked disapprovingly at her two older sisters, she looked so comical with her hands on her hips, trying to be so mature. Bellatrix and Andromeda took one look at each other and burst out laughing.
“Stop this now! Mother will be very angry if she knew what you two have been doing!”
“Oh, come of it, Cissy!” Andromeda laughed,
“It’s just a bit of fun!” Bellatrix snickered,
“I do not see what is so funny with your barbaric behaviour!” Narcissa didn’t look at all amused,
“No you wouldn’t because you haven’t tried it,” Andromeda smiled wickedly, and Narcissa backed a step, but too late… her sisters splashed water at her and soaked her through properly, laughing manically as they did so. Narcissa however let out a cry and as the five-year-old child she was mentally, stomped of to tell on them.
Andromeda and Bellatrix faced each other,
“Fuck,” Bellatrix said her eyes hiding the fear she felt,
“Exactly my sentiment!” Andromeda agreed shuddering.
“Let’s get up and dry before the dragon comes down.” Bellatrix got up and Andromeda followed suit.
Thank merlin for being seventeen, Andromeda thought, as she produced her wand and dried herself up quickly. They apparated themselves to the other side of the park and lay down in the sun, Bellatrix used accio to bring them some magazines and two glasses of butterbeer.
They pulled down their sunglasses and lay down. Andromeda lay down on Bellatrix stomach to support her head as she read through Witches weekly, which were a terrible magazine, but their mother thought it a good read for young ladies. Bellatrix bit her lip still laughing at how they got away, and Andromeda had to bite her tongue hard not to follow lead.
They heard footsteps coming closer and didn’t even look up when their mother and Narcissa stopped in front of them.
“What is the meaning of this?” Druella said sharply, Andromeda glanced at her from over her sunglasses before looking down in her magazine again as unbothered as could be, and with cold-indifference said,
“I do not know to what you refer, mother.”
Bellatrix also wore a cold façade that would have given anyone the chills,
“Me and Andy have been laying here reading this past hour to be sure.”
“They are lying, mother!” Narcissa whined, and their mother silenced her with a gesture of her hand,
“Do not dare lie to me! - Were you not just now down by the river splashing in it like barbarians and then, as the rude little monsters you are, soaked your younger sister with water?” Druella were looking at them with despise and emphasised on the monster part.
“We did not.” Bellatrix said firmly, “Did we Andy?”
“No,” Andromeda replied dryly, eying her mother with contempt.
“Liars.” Druella spat, “I hate liars.”
Bellatrix rolled her eyes discreetly and Andromeda would have too if her mother wasn’t eying her so intensely.
“You must not tell lies, girls. I did not raise you as such. You will receive punishment as due.” Druella spoke coldly, and the two sisters, still indifferent on the outside, shook with fear on the inside.
“Minty!” Druella roared, and the house-elf appeared,
“You called mistress!” Minty dropped down in a sort of curtsy, which would have been funny had it not been for them receiving their punishment.
“Escort the two eldest miss Black to the dungeons. Lock them in.” Druella commanded, Bellatrix and Andromeda both dropped their facades as they gaped at the punishment, and before even reacting properly, Minty had taken their hands harshly and apparated them down into the dungeons of the Black manor. Minty briskly took their wands before they could react and then locked the cell and left them in the humid, dark, damp dungeon.
“What in merlin’s bewitched name did just happen?” Bellatrix asked confused,
“I have no bloody idea.” Andromeda answered shocked.
“How long do you think we’ll be locked up in here?” Bellatrix cast Andromeda a look of fear,
“I don’t know,” Andromeda said her voice lost all hope, “that woman’s mental. Might be hours, might be days, might be weeks.”
“Merlin’s pants.” Bellatrix sighed, “If there are any spiders, I’m sorry, but I’m giving you as an offering to them!” Bellatrix looked about the walls to try and detect such creatures shuddering all the while,
“Mhmph, likewise!” Andromeda let out a huff,
Minty came back with a devilish grin, Kreacher their aunts house-elf had joined her, and he too were looking rather smug.
They snapped their fingers and Andromeda and Bellatrix found themselves tied up by their hands, in the chains hanging from the ceiling. Both looked at each other but didn’t say a word.
“Mistress told us to punish the monsters.” Minty said in a malicious tone, they heard the whipping of leather against the stone floor.
“They’re going to flog us.” Andromeda mimed to Bellatrix who gulped and nodded back.
“Brace yourself,” Bellatrix mimed as she heard them situating themselves behind their backs. The fabric of their robes was lifted by magic and dangling from the ceiling by their hands they could do nothing but await the lashes.
Both had been hit before, but this was nothing like the usual belt flogging, this was done with a proper whip with metal clips and everything. The first lash to Andromeda’s bare back had her crying out in pain. The agonising scream from her sister made it worse. Kreacher who were flogging Andromeda seemed to take pleasure in her pain and the second lash were worse. They were flogged twenty times, and Andromeda threw up from the pain, her back was aching, and cuts were going in every direction and blood was trailing down and its warmth was unsettling. With a snap they fell from their chains unto the cold hard floor. Andromeda let out a whimper, unable to make more sound. But the fall made dust gather into the open wounds and she hissed in pain. For a long time after the creatures had left neither of them said a word. They lay on the floor, unable to move. The blood dried up and their backs looked ugly and red from the thrashing.

Skriv gärna vad ni tyckte =)
Är ju mest på skoj, men tar gärna emot kritik

Med den här bakgrunden är det lättare att förstå klyftan mellan systrarna och Narcissa, även om det är svårt att tänka sig att Narcissa kunde förutse med vilken grymhet straffet skulle utföras.

Som alltid är det fantastiskt skrivet.

Chapter 19
At dinner time Minty left them two bowls of a thin broth and two small pieces of bread and a jug of water in their cell. When the elf had left, Andromeda sat up and whimpered as she did so. The stretching of the wounds made them open slightly and some wet oil escaped them.
She didn’t care though for she was starving. Bellatrix eased herself up not long after and they both ate the broth and bread without much talk. The hour got later and when it was clear that they were being left down there for the night, they curled up under a mouldy old blanket that they had found in the cell. Bellatrix eventually drifted off into a fitful and uneasy sleep, but Andromeda were staring blankly out in the dark thinking about Ted and how he possibly couldn’t miss her as much as she did him. A voice in her head told her he’d probably already forgotten about her, and another told her he never would. In that moment, lying on her stomach in a dirty old cell with only a mouldy blanket for cover, she wished to leave this place forever. Go live with Ted, and be far, far away from her sadist mother. Bellatrix moved in her sleep, and Andromeda looked to the other side of her, on her sister, and sighed, she couldn’t leave Bella though. Not alone, not with their mother. She couldn’t leave Sirius either. She’d promised him to always be there, and to take him in if she ever got a place of her own.
Maybe if she told her sister, maybe then she could run away with Ted, who is just my good friend she told herself, and still have Bellatrix and Sirius. But then again, she frowned sadly, Bellatrix were too afraid, she would never allow it, she didn’t trust muggleborns. Or more, she didn’t trust that their family wouldn’t kill them for it. Andromeda shifted uncomfortably again and bit her lip hard to not scream and wake her sister up. She still hadn’t fallen asleep. There was no light source down in the dungeons, so she had no idea of what time it was. But she thought it would be wise to get at least some sleep that night, but sleep didn’t take her easy, she counted at least a hundred hippogriffs before finally drifting off into a fitful sleep.

They were jolted awake with a kick to the ribs by the house-elves, Bellatrix moaned, and Andromeda hissed in pain. As they sat up they both felt even stiffer and more bruised than the evening before. But the wounds on their backs had sealed themselves and didn’t bleed anymore. All hopes for some sort of breakfast vanished immediately, the elves hadn’t brought them anything, not even the tiniest piece of stale bread. Andromeda’s stomach growled in protest, and she put a hand on it to silence it. But the house-elves had heard the sound and grinned wickedly.
Bellatrix sat with her head rested on her knees and looked miserably at Andromeda who drew a pattern in the dust on the floor with her finger. The house-elves had left them after waking them up.
“How long do you think she will have us locked up down here?” Bellatrix asked quietly, Andromeda didn’t look up, and continued drawing patterns with her finger,
“I don’t know,”
Her voice was platonic and tired, and Bellatrix sighed.
“I hate her.”
Fortunately for Bellatrix Druella hadn’t heard the remark as she ascended down the stairs stopping in front of their cell. Bellatrix didn’t stand up, nor did Andromeda, they wouldn’t grant their mother the pleasure of turning them down.
“Girls, I have work for you two to do.” Druella spoke with such distaste and her daughters refused to look at her, they stared either on the floor or at the walls of their cell. “Andy,” she called in a sickly-sweet voice. Andromeda tried not moving a muscle when she stood up, refusing to make a whimper in front of that woman.
“Here,” Druella handed her books, parchment, quills and ink, Andromeda stared at the content she had been given,
“But this is Cissy’s homework.” Andromeda spoke surprised, “She’s supposed to do it herself.”
“Miss know-it-all can either do her sister’s homework or go a day or three without any food.” Druella said with a superior look,
“I’ll do it…” Andromeda mumbled irritated and her mother slapped her,
“Proper English!” She bellowed, Andromeda made sure not to roll her eyes,
“I will see that it is done by night fall.”
“That is quite right, dear child, or I will be forced to let you starve.” Druella patted Andromeda’s cheek lazily, and Andromeda felt herself flinch a little every time, not trusting her mother at all. Druella were about to leave when she turned and looked at the two of them.
“You understand of course, that you deserve this, don’t you girls?”
“Yes, mother…” Bellatrix and Andromeda answered in unison,
“Good.” Druella smiled viciously and left the dungeons.
Andromeda sat down on the mouldy blanket and started going through the parchment with assignments and planning what to write. Bellatrix eyed her intensely,
“You’re not going to write that for her, are you?”
Andromeda slammed a book shut and raised her eyes and looked sternly at Bellatrix,
“What do you suggest I do otherwise? – Didn’t you hear the beast? – We won’t be fed if I don’t do this!”
“We could go a few days without food, Andy. Cissy has to learn to do her own homework.” Bellatrix said softly, but Andromeda shook her head,
“I will not starve for something as silly as that. If anything, it will teach her a lesson in the future because as of next year, I won’t be there to do it for her.”
“That’s actually better. Let her face the consequences.” Bellatrix beamed gloatingly,
“Precisely.” Andromeda returned a small smile, and then got going with the homework’s. Bellatrix gladly helped her, both being rather good students. They were finished before dusk and sat with the neat pile waiting for dinner. At that moment Andromeda were longing for the feasts at Hogwarts, her stomach rumbled at the thought of food and she whined, Bellatrix laughed at her. Which just made Andromeda laugh too, she truly loved her sister, she always had her laughing and she kept her hope up even in the darkest of times. A wave of guilt washed over her as she thought about the secret she was keeping from Bella. But her trail of thought was interrupted as Druella made her appearance,
“Are you finished?” She said drawling, Andromeda cocked an eyebrow at her as she handed her the neat pile of finished homework. Druella eyed the pile and a little reluctantly said that they would be given a small portion of food and be allowed to visit the bathroom twice a day.
Andromeda had never been so happy eating onion soup before, though it barely sated her hunger. After their dinner had been eaten, Minty escorted them to the toilet where they only could use the toilet. That was almost a better experience than the food. Andromeda were certainly bursting by that time. But after that they were forced into the cell again.
“This was supposed to be the best summer yet.” Bellatrix muttered and kicked a pebble over the stone floor,
“It isn’t what you’d call ideal, no.” Andromeda agreed sourly,
“I think she’s planning on having us locked up here all summer,” Bellatrix commented,
“Really?” Andromeda yawned,
Her question was never answered because Minty and Kreacher stepped down, they bore the same sadist smiles and to the two sisters’ horror they were carrying the leather whips. Soon enough they were tied by their hands to the ceiling again, and the first thrash were worse than any of the ones they had the day before. Because the skin hadn’t healed, the stinging was almost unbearable. By the fifteenth lash Andromeda passed out, Bellatrix had passed out after ten. But the elves didn’t stop, the blood squirted over them and over the floor. Their mistresses had ordered thirty lashes and they were going to execute that order.
Waking up in a puddle of your own blood isn’t all that nice and waking up in a puddle where you can’t determine whether the blood is yours or your sister’s is even worse.
They could hardly move from the pain, and every muscle moving hurt, so they lay in the puddle on the floor incapable of moving themselves, and slowly sleep took them.

Skriv gärna vad ni tyckte =)
Är ju mest på skoj, men tar gärna emot kritik

Hur ska de komma ifrån denna fruktansvärda situation? Förstår om Andromeda vill rymma till Ted, men så är det Bella som hon inte vill lämna och som är en bra syster för henne.

Chapter 20
They hadn’t thought that their mother would be able to lock them up for as long as she had. Their father had done nothing to stop it, all respect Andromeda had mustered for her father were gone and would probably never rise again. They had been let out three days before Andromeda and Cissy were due to return for another year at Hogwarts. Bellatrix had disappeared directly afterwards in a fit of anger. Furious at being thus treated when she was an adult witch of age. Andromeda hadn’t much choice and had to stay and Cissy were acting the same as always. And whereas Andromeda (and Bellatrix) did like their younger sister, they weren’t fond of how she acted at times and especially for being responsible of their time in the dungeons that summer.

All things had been bought in Diagonalley and Andromeda and Cissy had been waved off at the train station. Bellatrix had even shown up, and she was hugging Andromeda carefully as to not touch her wounds, the favour was returned, and their hug involved almost no back touching.
It was the worst summer of Andromeda’s life yet and she couldn’t help but feel relieved as she sat down in the compartment with her friends. She hadn’t yet seen Ted, but she hoped she’d see him on her way to the prefect’s carriage later.
“You are awfully quiet, Andy!” Hailey commented,
“Am I?” Andromeda raised her head and looked at the other girls, whom all seemed to be in an agreement.
“Didn’t you have a nice summer?” Abigail asked, and Andromeda grimaced but decided to lie,
“It was fine.”
“Are you entirely sure?” Roxy asked eying her with suspicion.
“Yes, how was your summer?” Andromeda continued stubbornly.
Roxanne and Hailey had been to Diagon alley a lot, and even visited the beach a handful of times, and Abigail had been in France visiting family. As a result, all three of them were incredibly tanned, in contrast to Andromeda who had been locked up all summer and were as pale as a ghost. Her friends had noticed that, but no one had dared comment it yet. In case it was something she didn’t want to talk about. They were all aware of the Black’s temper.
Soon enough the trolley lady came to their carriage,
“Anything from the trolley, my dears?” She asked as sweet as always. The girls immediately lit up, no one more so than Andromeda. The thought of chocolate readily thrilling her to her very core. She hadn’t had a piece since they’d been locked up. Hailey laughed at her and patted her back, Andromeda let out a yelp of pain. Hailey withdrew her hand quickly and apologised profusely.
“I’m really sorry, Andy… I didn’t know your back hurt!” Hailey looked quite ill at ease, and Andromeda had shut her eyes tightly and had to take a deep breath before opening them again, smiling half-heartedly,
“It’s fine, Hay, I… my back is just stiff is all. Probably burnt it in the sun.”
Hailey didn’t really believe it was fine but left it at that. Andromeda tried to think of something that would break the ice again between the friends, and bit of a piece of the chocolate bar she had bought. Heaven, Andromeda smiled content, the silky chocolate melted in her mouth, merlin she had missed it.
“Do you want to play a game?” Roxanne asked, the silence had filled the compartment for too long. Hailey looked relieved that someone had finally spoken, and Abigail looked as if though she could kiss Roxanne. Andromeda were truly grateful for Roxy’s playful disposition and agreed to the scheme as well.
“Alright, the game is called fuck, marry, kill…” Roxy grinned, Andromeda rolled her eyes,
“Why am I not surprised at this?”
“This is my kind of game!” Hailey exclaimed happily, the other girls snickered at her,
“Shocking!” Andromeda said sarcastically, and Hailey stuck her tongue out at her.
“What are the rules?” Abigail asked excitedly,
“There aren’t exactly rules, more a way of playing the game,” Roxanne began, “One of us will start, and then ask one of us who they’d rather fuck, marry or kill, and give three suggestions. The only rule is that you must choose from the three and can’t back down.”
“Then it continues like that forever, right?” Abigail looked at Roxy who nodded,
“Just so!”
“Who shall start then?” Abigail looked at the others,
“Roxy should start, after all it’s her game.” Hailey contemplated, and it was agreed that Roxy would start.
“Hailey,” Roxy gave her a playful grin, “Who would you rather fuck, marry, kill, Flint, Smith or Lestrange?”
Hailey beamed, “It’s an easy choice, I’d marry Flint because he’s a darling, fuck Smith for obvious reasons,” Hailey flickered her wand and Andromeda made a gag noise, “And kill Lestrange, if you mean Rodolphus because he’s a freak.”
“Great answers,” Roxy laughed, “Your turn!”
“Andromeda,” Hailey stopped and looked at her friend, “Who would you rather fuck, marry, kill, Rosier, Carrow or…” Hailey thought hard,
“I know,” Roxy smiled deviously and whispered in Hailey’s ear, Hailey’s grin widened,
“Or that boy you had to work with, what’s his name, oh Tonks!”
Of all people they would force her to choose between, Andromeda had certainly not expected that.
“I have to go,” Andromeda said and rose from her seat,
“Come on, Dromeda, it was just a joke!” Roxy called after her, but Andromeda didn’t heed her, she left and headed for the prefect’s compartment, their meeting was due soon anyway. The heat that had rushed to her cheeks at their mentioning of Ted made her look sick as the contrast between the red and her skin were quite large. Andromeda breathed for a second, making the blush disappear before she continued towards the right carriage.
Her robes sat a little lose as she had lost weight due to her mother’s punishment, but she walked tall and proud as usual, fooling anyone that she was very much in control.
Andromeda didn’t dare to actively search for Ted with her eyes, thinking it might look weird if she manically looked about herself.
It felt weird not being with Bellatrix on the train. She had always sat with her, but this year she was returning by herself. Narcissa too of course, but Andromeda and Bellatrix had hardly spoken a word to her all summer, being more than a little angry with her for ruining theirs. It wasn’t that they didn’t like her, but Narcissa were different to them. She had the Rosier looks for starters and were content with becoming a house-wife, she had no real opinion of her own and she talked mostly about superficial things. They usually did things with her during the summers though. Swam together or went to diagon alley, but not this summer...
Andromeda found the carriage but had not met Ted on the way. But she was in luck, because in the carriage Ted were seated with his friend Charles who were head boy of Hufflepuff. No one else had arrived yet.
A little nervous she entered the carriage, she smiled small and greeted them warmly. Charles seemed a little surprised at this but warmed immediately and returned the greeting.
“How was your summer, Andromeda?” Ted asked carefully eying her,
“It was uneventful to be sure, how was yours?” Andromeda replied, feeling warmth spread through her body, merlin’s beard she had missed him.
“Went to a music festival called Woodstock, spent time with my family and friends, other than that not much.” He was still looking quite concerned, and Andromeda didn’t blame him, she couldn’t possibly look very well.
“What’s a music festival?” Andromeda asked, and Charles just looked between the two, a little mind blown that the great Andromeda Black were speaking to a muggleborn like that.
“It’s a gathering were people camp on a campsite, drink a lot, there’s always a concert and its usually a lot of men and women getting together everywhere…” Ted laughed a little at the last but Andromeda eyed him sharply, he gulped,
“Not that I did anything of the sort! You know I didn’t Dromeda, I’m not that kind of guy. But my friend George, he met a girl and I didn’t see him for the rest of that week.” Ted looked at her sheepishly and she dropped her look of murder and grinned.
“What did you do, Charles?” Andromeda asked as soon as she realised he was party to their conversation. Not wanting him to believe that there was anything between her and Ted.
He rambled on about his summer somewhere in Cornwall, but Andromeda and Ted only had eyes for each other. Ted boldly touched her hand, and she felt the electricity that went through her every time he touched her. She smiled, but then realised that anyone could see them and dropped his hand, casting an apologetic look at him. Ted, as always, smiled back, reassuring her. Too soon their time were up. The other prefects and head boys and girls arrived, and Ted were forced to leave. Andromeda felt the loss but were soon engulfed in the yearly meeting. Talking to the new prefects and repeating the rules and what they expected of them. Andromeda loved being made head girl of Slytherin, it was such an honour and she enjoyed taking care of the younger students.
“Is there anything you would like to say?” Molly, head girl of Gryffindor asked her, and she smiled,
“Yes, thank you.” Andromeda straightened herself and looked at the new Slytherin prefects especially,
“It is important that you value the position that you have been granted. More importantly, if I see anyone or hear that anyone have undeservedly taken points from any house, I will, we will, take 50 points from your own house.”
“Even if it’s your own house?” Kingsley Shacklebolt a fifth year Gryffindor asked,
“Yes.” Andromeda replied firmly, “We do not tolerate any uncanny behaviour. No matter what others have done before. You will act appropriately.”
“I hope you all treat this with respect and when we arrive, remember to take care of the new students after the dinner or during it as a matter of fact!” Arthur Weasley said, the head boy of Gryffindor.
“That’s it for today’s meeting. If the new prefects are in wonder ask us any questions, we will divide the night rounds at another meeting. Good day!” Andromeda concluded the meeting and people got up to leave. Molly Prewett took hold of her arm before she could leave though, Andromeda looked at her arm and then at Molly with a quizzical brow,
“Did you want something?” Andromeda asked confused,
“I just wanted to say thank you. Not a lot of… slyth…eh…people would say what you did.” Molly gave her another squeeze and left. Andromeda looked at her back as she left and then returned to her own carriage. She didn’t know if she should be enraged or flattered. Was it because she was a ‘pureblooded scum’ or because she really didn’t have to say that?
Hailey and the other two had managed to, very shockingly, not, turn the conversation around to summer romances. Andromeda sat down opposite of Hailey and became party to their talking.
“I mean, he was nothing compared to Smith but, I have needs. He wasn’t, there, it was as simple as that.” Hailey told them, and Andromeda snickered,
“Right, very romantic of you Hailey.”
“It’s not as if Smith didn’t know it before he went to Romania with his family. And we did it in a cave by the ocean so, yes, it was very romantic indeed.” Hailey smirked,
“Not what I meant, but I know when I’ve lost a case.” Andromeda smiled,
Roxanne took a side-glance at Abigail wearing a knowing loop-sided smile, “But you haven’t heard what Abbey was found doing at the corner of Ollivander’s this summer.”
Abigail blushed furiously, “No, Roxy, please stop.” But it fell on deaf ears.
“Abbey were found by us, getting her face sucked by Flint.” Roxy looked almost too happy with this, Andromeda shook her head at them,
“I think suck a face is an abominable description of getting kissed,”
“Of course you would think that, feeling lonely in virgin squad, Andy?” Hailey teased, Andromeda stuck her tongue out at her.
“It was actually a very lovely kiss,” Abigail finally said, managing to speak through her embarrassment,
“And the sex?” Hailey asked plainly, and Andromeda became rather uncomfortable, she didn’t like to think herself missus, but she was. Andromeda had nothing to say on the subject, she knew very little of it, and weren’t dying to find out more yet. She wasn’t supposed to lose her virginity before her wedding night.
“He was gentle.” Abigail managed to squeak, her cheeks and ears blood red. Andromeda felt her own cheeks heating a little, she had never really thought of it, not even what it would be like with Ted. Maybe because she probably never was going to do it with him. They could not marry, and she wasn’t allowed to give it beforehand, the consequences would be dire if they found out she was not a maiden on her wedding night... and besides they we’re just friends Andromeda reprimanded herself before she willed her thoughts back to present. She would rather not talk about the marriage bed with her friends.
“Andy didn’t you have a summer fling?” Hailey teased her, and Andromeda sighed,
“No. I didn’t.”
“You forget, the pureblooded royal Black’s is too good for such frivolous things.”
“Shut it!” Andromeda snapped irritated,
“Sorry, I was just joking,” Roxanne said numbly,
“Yeah, what’s with you?” Hailey bit,
“I just had a lousy summer, sorry.” Andromeda replied tiredly and put her head against the window, looking out at the landscape they passed, hoping to soon see Ted alone.

Skriv gärna vad ni tyckte =)
Är ju mest på skoj, men tar gärna emot kritik

Ja, man kan verkligen kalla det en usel sommar! Jag kan inte låta bli att undra hur mycket Narcissa förstår av hur strängt straffet faktiskt var.

Allt verkar dock positivt oförändrat mellan Andy och Ted, så bättre tider kanske stundar? Ser fram emot fortsättningen!