Star without a sky

@mayhemxmugglesxmagic​ from here;

Andromeda was only here because Narcissa had asked her to come. It was the first time in years that she had seen her little nephew. He was younger than her Dora, of course - but still no less a grown adult and capable of making his own decisions. He looked like a carbon copy of Lucius, back when he had been strutting about the school… same grey eyes and same, pale and pointed chin. But there was a mildness to that mouth of his. The mildness that came with Narcissa. Back in those simpler days when Narcissa would laugh in wonder at all her stories. 

The dark-haired woman sighed. I need a strong glass of Elf-made Wine. She didn’t think she could have this conversation with her no-longer estranged nephew sober.

“A reason to smile, hm?” She began, almost whimsical. Almost as if she was speaking to herself and not a total stranger. She was also counting down feeble little reasons to smile. Teddy was her biggest reason to smile right now. Her small grandson with his chubby cheeks and hair that changed every second or so. He reminded her that her heart still worked. That she hadn’t just buried her heart with Ted’s, Sirius’ or Dora’s memory.

Narcissa, who had long pretended that Andromeda had not existed for the better part of two decades, had suddenly reached out. Maybe when you were faced with impending loss, you held on to things- even unwanted things.

Cissy’s desperate to save him…

Andromeda had stopped reading the Daily Prophet, unable to keep up with the rising mania out on the streets. With loss came anger and confusion and in that state of despair… it invited violence. She did not want to be a part of that. Whilst she knew Malfoy’s name was mud, she could only stare kindly at her nephew, caught in the crossfire of an ugly war.

Andromeda’s smile was just like sunlight peeking through the dark, gloomy clouds of the long and miserable week. He feigns an offended look. “Only today? And here I was, thinking that I’m charming everyday.”

He moves with her, as if dancing to their own song of silence.

“I know,” he replies, knowing she had meant it like all the other times she had said it to him, “I love you too.”

"Nobody can be charming every day-- unless there is some veela ancestry in you that you failed to mention. But I wouldn't love you less."

She did not use the words and confessions lightly. Her love, like any Slytherin or any Black, was one that was heavy and intense and something he would have to carry forever. It was fortunate for the young heiress that the man she had chosen seemed to possess the kind of expertise that her heart required. His incredible kindness, his way with words... if only she could talk like him. He looked like the type of man that made flowers grow.

Like he was made of magic.

She was laughing now, taken by his silliness in the impromptu dance they were goofing around in. More giggles as they tumbled against each other in the tiny flat that they had found. Andromeda had managed to free herself from her family's sometimes uncomfortable dinners and tedious soirees with other pureblood families. She had announced that she was touring Europe -- but never quite clarified with who it was.

A muggleborn boy in muggle London... He was saving up money for the tour because he refused to take Andromeda’s gold no matter how many times she offered it to him.

One day, she knew the truth would come out and deep in her heart, Andromeda knew one thing. That they would not like the choice she had made...

But right now, being with Ted was like floating. He made tingles rise up and down in her arm. He made her heart race. He made her want to fight for him!

“I can’t wait to show you all the places in the world. Dragons and sphynxes and wild nests of magical creatures...”

Bella's haughty response only made her eyes glitter and drown the room in her fierce beauty. That confidence that could level any lesser witch to shame. Except Andromeda, who was only rolling her eyes.

"Of course, although this morning you were drooling on my pillows, dearest sister. I thought you had been snogging a troll," her voice was playful, but her fingers continued their tender stroking of Bella's face.

Her dear sister, always looked like she was starving- searching for something...

Her lips were hungry and red, glittering like rubies and Andromeda wasn't entirely sure she wanted to attend this meeting at all. In fact, her younger sister knew the types of people Bellatrix wanted to see.

"Attending one, hm?" The last meeting Andromeda had been 'dragged' to had been full of bigots.

A brief smile after such a long, staunch week of cursed misery. At least Ted was doing his best. 

“Are you still trying to put off our Wizarding tour of Europe? I won’t have you backing out now.”

She was elated - of course- but had to keep her cheers for him to herself. After all, she ought to be supporting Slytherin. 

...