Mad Witch

There was no use in even trying to explain herself. Bellatrix had always been stuck in her ways, so a lot of the time, Andromeda just let her words go in one ear and out the other. It was easier that way. Attempting to have a conversation with her older sister could easily become exhausting. “Yeah, me too,” was her only response. Sometimes, she did wonder how she managed to grow up in the house she did, and not end up like the rest of her family. Not that she saw anything wrong with it. She was glad when the subject changed to their younger sister. Any subject would’ve been better than the current one. “I haven’t, actually. I’ve not seen her all day. Have you?”

There weren’t any delusions in her mind, she was well aware that Andromeda had slowly begun retreating from the silly little arguments that would blow up in their conversations, the kind that Bella would push onto her until she had no choice but to react. Part of her merely hoping that her sister had the fire within her to fight whenever she needed to. “I wouldn’t really be asking you had I known where she was, now, would I?”

It was taking everything inside of her to not just tell Bellatrix that she was wrong. That she was always wrong, but was too arrogant and brainwashed to see it. Andromeda was sure, that in time, she would lose the ability to bite her tongue. For now, though, she would continue playing the game. She was still a Black, after all. Being deceptive and manipulative was nothing new to her. “Helping anyone will make me better. It just so happened that he was the one who needed tutoring. Who he is isn’t even important. It’s not like we’ll even really know each other. We’re not going out for tea.” She furrowed her eyebrows at her sister’s next comment. “You don’t think trust is important? Sure, you can physically destroy someone without trust. That’s easy. You can’t mentally or emotionally destroy anyone unless they trust you, though, and that’s exponentially worse.” Of course Bellatrix wouldn’t know that, however. She was on the verge of being emotionless. “I don’t know anything yet. I’ve really only had one five minute conversation with him.”

It would take an army and a half to convince Bellatrix that anything she ever did was wrong. As far as she was concerned, anything that was for the wellbeing and benefit of her family and their reputation, well..-- it was a no brainer. Never mind the fact that she wholeheartedly agreed with everything the Dark Lord and her fellow death eaters believed in. “What moron told you that? Honestly, sometimes I wonder whether we grew up in the same house sometimes.” She laughed, teasing her sister. “Well.. I suppose, if this is how you plan to bring about the demise of someone so worthless, who am I to judge?” Of course, she didn’t believe a single word she said. “Fear will always trump betrayal and heartache.” She didn’t believe for a second, that anything could be better than watching the light die in someones eyes, she didn’t need to allow people to trust her to see that. And in all honesty, the idea of getting close enough to any muggle born to do that made her feel physically ill. “Five minutes is enough to work out the more obvious weaknesses, Andy. I know it’s not exactly your.. forte, but I’d have hoped for.. well more.” She sighed for a short moment before her shoulders lifted and features were replaced with a smile that really only graced them while around Andromeda or Narcissa. “Have you seen Cissy around?”

rita was down at the library, stacking up some books she needed for studying — and some she had just been wanting to read. reading wasn’t always her favorite thing to do, but hey; if she wanted people to read her stuff later, she’d have to read other people’s work first. her pile of books was getting rather big, and before she knew it, all the books fell down on the floor. and not just on the floor; on someone’s toes as well. “oh, bloody hell. sorry, i guess. not really my fault, but still…” she mumbled the last part, and started picking up the books. “well, are you going to help me or are you just going to stand there looking like an idiot?” 

“Would you like to explain to me how that isn’t your fault? Is a teetering pile of tatty books, all of which are clearly yours, not enough of an indication that you’re at fault? Honestly, Rita. I’m curious.” It hadn’t hurt, rather, she’d moved her foot out of the way moments before they’d fallen on her, but Rita didn’t need to know that. “What on earth would I help you for? I’d have thought you were used to cleaning up your own messes by now.”

“i really wouldn’t do that.” septima warned the person right in front of her. she was walking on her way to class when she’d find a student right about to do something that she knew would end badly. it wasn’t just her gut feeling, but her mind, was telling her that statistically, this act of rebelry was due to be a disaster. “i swear, the chances of it going wrong are high. do the math.”

“--- That’s kind of the point.” She stated with a sickly sweet smile as she rounded on Septima.

Andromeda loved her older sister, but she was really unbearable sometimes. In fact, most of her family was unbearable from time to time, but it was something she’d grown used to. “I know I can pass potions. That’s not my issue. The thing is, is that I want to be the best. Every little bit of practice will help.” It was mostly true. She did want to be the best at potions. She wanted to be the best at a lot of things. However, there was also something about Ted that made her want to spend more time with him, but she would obviously leave that part out. “Go ahead. He’s well on his way to trusting me, anyway, so I’ll know all his weak spots.” Andromeda answered confidently, but realistically, she knew she would either have to stay away from him or warn him. She couldn’t actually allow anything to happen to him, after everything he’d already been through during his first year at Hogwart’s. 

There was no mistaking what she was doing, for however  insufferable some people thought her to be; everything she did had reasoning behind it, whether it was good reasoning, well that was completely subjective. This? This she had good reasoning for. Though she, for the most part, gave her sisters the benefit of the doubt, she never once let go of the possibility that they’d need some form of guidance. Clearly, a thought which had formed perfectly in such an instance as this. “And you think helping some mudblood is going to make you the best? That might just be the most absurd thing I’ve heard all day.” She muttered, though her tone didn’t hide her amusement in the least.  In her mind, the mere fact that they were of the Black family already granted them more than enough, clearly that wasn’t enough for Andy. “Trust? Who cares all that much about trust. You don’t need trust to destroy people, I’d have thought I’d taught you that by now.” Though, truthfully, she’d not always allowed her sisters in on the things she’d done, if only because she knew they weren’t... well they weren’t her. “These... weak spots of his.. Feel like sharing? Or are you going to make me find them all out on my own.”

Of course Bellatrix had already found out. It had barely even been a full day, and somehow the news had already traveled back to her. “Oh, that? Tutoring the Hufflepuff boy?” Andromeda faked a sigh, as if it weren’t a big deal at all. “Why else would I be doing it? I’m mostly doing it for my own benefit. You know how I am about potions. I assume that if I’m trying to teach someone, a muggleborn Hufflepuff at that, how to properly brew a potion, it will only make be better at them in the long run.” She pursed her lips and shrugged her shoulders. “Either that, or I could teach him how to brew them incorrectly, so that they blow up in his face.”

How anyone could ever assume they would allow something so public to happen --- or even private, and have it not someone make it’s way to the eldest Black’s ears. One way or another, she found out most goings on within the castle, and even more outside of it. “Yes, that. He’s a lost cause, you should already know that.” She muttered, as disinterested in his education as she possibly could have been. “Your own benefit? Is that supposed to be believable? I’d assume that if you’re good enough to tutor someone else, you’re likely good enough to pass potions, Andy. I don’t understand why you’d bother to waste so much on your time on someone who doesn’t even deserve to be here in the first place.” Without much care, her nose turned up, almost as if she thought less of her sister for doing so -- and in actuality, she did. “Well..-- I suppose, if that’s what you’re up to, surely you won’t mind if I mess with him a little too..”

“For Merlin’s sakes.” Andromeda was caught off guard and jumped a bit, before turning to look at her sister. “Ask me what, exactly?” She tried to remain and expressionless as she could. Although, part of her was wondering if she’d already caught word that she’d agreed to tutor a muggleborn. “I suppose you’re going to have to, since I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Though her sister was quite obviously startled, it didn’t bother her and she made no move to apologize for such a thing. “Please, lets not pretend you’re that thick. Even that’s a stretch for you, Andy.” Name, or not name, Bella was sure she’d have manipulated the whispers in the corridors to benefit her,  for reasons such as this. Casting the other a droll look, she made herself comfortable across the familiar four poster bed. “I.. understand.. charity, but this is just..-- please tell me you’re doing this just to mess with him.”

‘ bellartix. ’ remus used her name as a greeting. ‘ even though my vocals aren’t as strong, i go solo sometimes. ’ he joked, no smile on his lips, as he crossed his arms on his chest. ‘ and what might you be doing a “little late” around here? ’

“That was never my intention Bella, I assure you… However I doubt he’d be pleased that you referred to him secondary in that sentence.”

“I always try to think twice, anyway. In the future, I’ll try for thrice.” 

      HER EYES NARROWED, lips pursing together as the blonde decided NOT to comment on her sister’s first comment. “YOUR clothes? Why on e a r t h would I want your clothes? Please. Maybe it’s one of your roommates.”

“--- Almost didn’t think you’d show up, imagine all the thoughts i had. Better not to keep me -- or him waiting, Reg.”