&& ----- How many times had Andromeda feared this moment? The moment where the collision of two constellations would bring back the worst feelings of doubt and betrayal. Andromeda betrayed her family. That’s what everyone said. And, in the most literal sense, she might have. According to their standards. Bella and Cissy swore her off, and Andromeda had to live with that choice. Well, they all had to live with that choice.

It’s tumultuous to come to an event like this. Those feelings building up like bile. The emotional toll was almost enough that Andromeda bolted for the door the moment she realized she was in close contact with her. Her sister. Bella. The most beautiful. Andromeda, growing up, felt like a mere shadow to her sister’s more defined, defiant looks. A Black in every sense of the word. And Andromeda was just a softer, blurry reflection back. Flawed. A flawed reflection of her family. She did not share their values.

And now here she was, with her sister, after years of no owls, no letters, and no contact. They swore her off. And despite that, Andromeda -- Andi -- missed her sisters. So, against her better judgement...

“It’s a lovely party, Bellatrix,” Andromeda says, quaintly. She’s not trying to start a fight. “I didn’t expect to see you here. Though, I suppose I should have.”