Andromeda Cassiopeia Black

“I am very pleased to hear you and everyone else have managed to escape one of those bloody parties unscathed.” He said with a chuckle, gladly walking over to her friend to embrace her. Holidays always meant party upon party for Sacred 28 kid. Kingsley had simply lucked out in having two parents that hated parties as much as he did and he’d never been required to go to one, it was always up to choice. 

“Hopefully the rest of your holiday was better than the party. If I can steal you again later, I’ll have to drag you into London to go see Star Wars.” 

“I can't make the same assurance for anyone who crossed Bella’s path, but it seemed relatively nonviolent where I wandered - in spite of my parents’ feelings about our more unexpected guests.” She managed to hold in a shudder when she thought of her parent’s anger the following morning, and the rage that had fortunately not been directed at their daughters. Their distraction had enabled Andromeda to slip away more often at least, and in the last couple days her apartment had gained (courtesy of the less visited rooms of the estate) chairs, shelves, and a rather horrifying vase that she intended to transfigure at the next possible chance.

As the waiter passed, she went ahead and ordered a rather extensive number of pastries and breakfast items from the menu without paying much attention to what they were. She was sure they would find something in them to eat, and the rest could be left at her flat. It would be her family’s money that paid for it anyways.

“It was decent enough,” she offered diplomatically, returning to her tea. “I’m sure your holiday has been far more exciting than mine.” Christmas day was quiet as the house recuperated from the guests, but the tension from her conversation with Narcissa still hung thick in the air.

 “I still have no idea what Star wars is, but I’ll trust your judgement and come along. Is it one of those Muggle pictures Ted told me about?” Saying Ted’s name aloud to someone still felt strange on her tongue, but it felt good that Kingsley knew these things at least. “He talked about something called popcorn?”

Where have you been? I’ve scarcely seen you all break and I’m worried. Respond or I’ll show up (partially) unannounced. 

I’m afraid I have been all over the place this break, much to the chagrin of my family as well. Fortunately now that our party is out of the way, home might be a little less chaotic. I’ve missed you as well, reading between the lines. I wouldn’t worry about me, but you’re welcome to show up - announced or otherwise. I hope your Christmas was well? 

Dear Andy,

Breakfast at that little cafe it is. I’ve been meaning to get back there for ages, but it seems wrong somehow to try and go without you. It’s like dragging someone to Star Wars without Benjy. Just doesn’t feel right.

I forgot about that party. Now I feel a bit bad for not going. At least I’ll see you the day of the party and that’s practically like going to the actual thing anyways. Merlin knows I’d just follow you or Dorcas around all evening.

See you soon.

Dear Kingsley,

I’m honored to have such an exclusive role in your life. Though I must admit I’m confused. I keep hearing everyone talking about Star Wars and other than sounding like a family dinner at my place, I have absolutely no idea what anyone is saying.

A Black family gala is naturally the social engagement no one would want to miss. I’d rank it one step above a Binns lecture and one step below detention with McGonagall. 

See you then,

The door to the cafe would swing open periodically, inviting another blast of cold air into the warm shelter of her table. A warming charm and her house scarf wrapped tightly around her was the only thing that kept her from shivering. She might have been unreasonably bitter about the foot traffic, had she not been waiting for Kingsley - something that always put her in a better mood.

She’d ordered warm drinks for them both, but had held off on actually getting anything to eat until he could join her - though she was considering just ordering everything and ending the discussion as it was. Regardless, when the door finally opened and Kingsley entered she happily stood to receive him with a hug. 

“Merry belated Christmas, Kingsley. I hope you had a good one, and you’ll be pleased to know that I made it through the gala unscathed and without cursing anyone.”

Dear Andy,   @ofallherstars

It seems that these days all of our conversations get cut short. I’m meeting Emmeline for lunch in Diagon Alley later. Can I convince you to meet me for breakfast? It’s been ages since we’ve really gotten to speak and I must confess I miss you.

It is incredibly unfortunate that we seem to have this terrible string of luck, I agree,  but at least it gives us an excuse to keep meeting up - after all, we have to make the time when we keep getting cut short. It just so happens that today is the calm before the storm. All of the gala preparations are finished, the last of our mother’s robe fittings have been done, and I am in desperate need to escape. Breakfast sounds absolutely wonderful. I could meet you in an hour at the little cafe we stopped at last summer?

I’ve missed you terribly too. Coming home just reminds me of all the reasons you’re so important to me. Now lets stuff our faces with pastries before I start getting emotional.

Love,

Dear Andy,

I hope this letter finds you well. I’m relieved I don’t have to worry about my owl being seen by your parents here. Do you have Christmas decorations up at the flat, too? Or have you not bothered yet? How often do you actually manage to be here? Certainly I snuck out a lot, but the difference was no one really noticed when I was gone. You’re surely missed. Do be careful, Andy. You know how I feel about all of this, but I above anyone also know what risky business it is. 

As always, I love you dearly and I am only an owl away should you need anything at all. Perhaps I could see you this break? Maybe even come round to see the flat? If not I understand, but let me know either way. 

Love,

The letter finds me well as one can be while their family is preparing for a Black Gala. Honestly, I think missing it must be the best part of leaving. I swear my parents make these robes more restricting each year as a method of keeping us in place. 

In truth, so far all I’ve gotten for the flat is a bed, an arm chair, and some things for the kitchen. I’m planning on seeing how many things I can shrink down and sneak out of the manor after Christmas - there are plenty of rooms no one even goes into and are more for show than anything else. I don’t have any Christmas decorations, and I was thinking about visiting some shops in the next few days to try and make the place look a little more cheerful. Perhaps you could come by the flat in a few days to help? 

I only get away with it by making sure I don’t come by for long. Today I was visiting Dorcas and so I told my parents to expect me this evening, so that I could spend a couple hours on cleaning charms. A couple days ago, I went to shop for Christmas gifts and was able to drop off a few things for the kitchen. It feels silly now when I don’t really get to use it, but it is such a relief to know that this place exists and that it is mine. Whatever happens, I know there’s now some place that I could go. 

The day after Christmas is always quiet at home and I believe I’ll be staying the night with Dahlia, so I should have the day to myself. I’m afraid I don’t actually have any silverware yet, but I can pick up lunch from the Leaky Cauldron and maybe transfigure a couple of chairs. I promise I’ll get around to getting actual furniture eventually, but for now I can offer free food and good intentions.

Much love from your favorite cousin, 

date : 24th of december; location : the black manor.

As much as the words gala and party imply entertainment, Rodolphus is rather disillusioned come to aspects of his personal freedoms: this, make no mistake, is a networking opportunity he’s obliged to take. Before he allows himself to drink someone under the table or gets inebriated enough to partake in whatever activities on top of it, Rodolphus needs to work the damn room.

   He meanders through the crowd in a manner blatantly indolent, though still comfortable. The vacant expression takes on contagiously joyful, courteously polite, subtly flirty, and plain out serious undertones depending on what the old fucks in front of him need to see.

   Having tabled his personal troubles and worries for a more appropriate setting, Rodolphus makes sure to stay sober and clean long enough to fulfil the debt he owes Edmund for, well, allowing him to exist after he temporarily, but rather unexpectedly, fled the Lestrange Manor. Yet his tolerance for disturbing implications and breaching disgusting topics with inappropriate levity seems to be running out, so after one sickening conversation too many, the boy excuses himself.

   He just needs some goddamn air.

   “Might come as a shock, but doorways are for passing through, not setting up a permanent residence in.” By now too familiar with the act, Rodolphus hides his mood behind an expression of bohemian dissatisfaction. Recognizing a fellow student in what he initially thought was someone’s useless offspring, he sighs, softening just so. “Come with, if you’d like. Just stop blocking the damn exit."  

Like many of these events before, she did not make it halfway through before desperately wishing for fresh air and a chance to renew the cushioning charms she’d placed on her shoes. Slipping out of the party in the lull between songs, she grabbed a champagne bottle from the kitchens and left without really thinking about where her feet were taking her.

It was no surprise when she found her way to the balcony outside the music room. It had always been her haven, holding no particular interest to the rest of her family and feeling more like a safe space than anywhere else in the manor. The doors to the balcony were open and the curtains that framed them were billowing softly in the breeze. She knew who was on the balcony before she even saw him, and she felt her stomach lurch.

If any one detail blurred together, it was the galas she had escaped with Rodolphus. As she stood in the doorway, the rush of memories almost made her dizzy and for a moment she saw Rodolphus from the Christmases before. Were she to look down, she imagined she could have seen any of the ridiculous costumes her mother had put her in and always with a champagne bottle in hand.

The moment passed, and after a few seconds she felt like she could move again. Walking out to lean against the railing, she looked out onto the grounds to a few of the straggling guests making their way back into the party. “Merry Christmas to you too, Dolphus.” She smiled.

Dorcas was definitely not good at this party thing. She couldn’t fake it, she couldn’t pretend to be good at any of it. Her feet carried her around, a drink in her hand in an attempt to calm her nerves, but she was worried. How the hell had she already lost Benjy? She wasn’t even really that drunk yet.

A small sip of her drink as she passed people, offered a nod and a smile, tugged at the edge of her dress. Perhaps the whole teenage rebellion thing shouldn’t have included a dress that was shorter than she would have normally worn. It was fine. This was fine. She was having fun. She was pretending to have fun, anyway.

“You know, if you wanted to escape, I could have given you much better suggestions,” she teased, but the tightness around her eyes revealed that she carried at least as much discomfort as her friend. “I’m not drunk,  haven’t spilled wine on any important ministry members, and Rabastan and I have so far managed not to dance, so I’m counting my evening as a success so far. How are you doing?”

Thanks again for not giving me detention. It may have only been because you didn’t want to get in trouble either, but I still appreciate it.

I know I’m just a little fifth year …and stuff… but I think we might have a lot in common. You can tell me if I’m totally off base. Or don’t. I’ll get the hint.

I hope your holida–wait, what does the Black family do for the holidays anyway?

It was no trouble - both in letting you off and for me, I suppose. I enjoyed the evening as well. While perhaps wandering the grounds late at night in the hopes of running into each other isn’t the wisest, you would be more than welcome to join me on my rounds - there’s generally tea and fudge brought along. 

The Black family is not particularly festive, but the sacred 28 families rotate on hosting a gala for the holidays and this year is my family’s turn. While dress robes, expensive wine, and decadent food sounds like a lovely evening in theory, it mostly is used as networking and parading of your status. I tend to make my rounds with the crowd and escape somewhere with less of an audience.

Mostly I spend the holidays with my sisters, though I get to see Rodolphus and Dorcas occasionally. I know that my sisters and I share a common room, but during the terms it seems like we live seperate lives so I always look forward to the time spent with them.

I hope you are enjoying your holiday as well. Will you be doing anything with your family?

Sincerely,

Harry Potter A-Z Character Challenge: @hp-moods​ vs. @ibuzoo

That afternoon he was toying with a cassette deck, the tape having gotten caught in the spindles of the machine, winding the film into a terrible knot. He’d yet to find muggle music he liked, but he still enjoyed playing it sometimes to see if anything would grow on him. He was about to cut the tape altogether, saying goodbye to the A and B side of the Mamas and the Papas, before a rustling in a nearby bush caused him to jump, tossing the cassette deck into his trunk and sitting down quickly on top of the storage container, hoping no one would ask questions if they emerged from the bush. 

“Oh… Hello…” Arthur greeted the person, his voice a bit tense. 

Focused on her thoughts and the warmth from her cup, she hadn’t realized how far she had wandered until she came across Arthur on the edge of the Forbidden Forest. She watched him curiously for a moment, wondering what it was that he was fiddling with - it was certainly nothing she recognized.

“Hello,” she greeted, smiling. “Should I assume I’m not supposed to have seen whatever that was, considering how you just chucked it?”

As she was talking, she saw Andromeda fix her a cup of tea – and with such elegance. When offered, Ellie wrapped her hands around the warm cup and blew off some of the steam out of habit. 

Tea, conversation and no detention? How lucky am I that this is the prefect who found me. 

She took a deep breath and closed her eyes as she listened to Andromeda speak about her family and the stars. She had always wondered about the Black family being named after constellations. She found it very creative, provocative and curious all at the same time. However, those three words seemed to encompass the Black family in Ellie’s mind, period. She didn’t know how Andromeda did it, living with that family when they were so…”interesting” was the nice word for it. Andromeda just didn’t seem to fit in with the rest of her family. Then again, neither did Sirius and everyone knew he renounced his family name.

“I’m sorry for talking so much. You’re truly a saint for listening to me for this long.” She looked at Andromeda, wondering if she would listen to her anymore, but unsure if she wanted to push it. But of course she did. It was in her nature. This time, however, she made it short and sweet.

“You have the stars as your family and I have plants. Maybe that’s not too weird. It helps us from feeling,” she took a beat, “…lonely.” 

Her hands cupped her own mug, feeling the warmth seep into her hands and the steam warm her face. It hadn’t been the most sensible of plans, but more and more those seemed to be the only ones she was making. But among the plans she had in the works, late nights on the castle steps and drinking tea when it could start snowing any minute was hardly the most unreasonable.

She shrugged one shoulder, appreciating that in this company at least she could make the unladylike gesture. “I have tea and it is a lovely night,” she almost smiled. “You’re welcome to talk as much as you’d like. You talking about your plants are better than some things I could be listening to elsewhere,” she said, thinking about some of the things she could be overhearing in her own common room.

She nodded, conceding to Eleanor’s use of the word if not verbally. “My sisters and I - and cousins as well, I suppose - were expected to memorize our family tree,” she explained, smiling wryly at her family’s expense. Memorizing the family tree was easier when it didn’t exactly branch out as much as it probably should have. “It made astronomy in first year much more interesting - since I could go back generations when we worked on star charts. Its why I joined the Astronomy Club initially. I imagine you know your plants as well as I know the stars, I guess,” she observed, taking another sip of her tea. “Have you always loved herbology?”