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rabxlestrangex:

Rabastan didn’t read for enjoyment, though he did tend to find himself to incidentally be enjoying the activity. Rabastan read for knowledge, and the uses that knowledge could have for him, be it in his work as a curse-breaker, or his life as a part of the Dark Lord’s rebellion. And he had no shortage of books to draw from. The library of the Lestrange mansion was a comprehensive one, after all, the compiled efforts of countless generations worth of connoisseurship in books of all stripes. Any perusal of the shelves beyond surface level produced any number of rare tomes, and in particular, more subtle locations, ancient books littered with dark knowledge were aplenty. But it would be shortsighted to not cast his net wider, every once in a while, and where better to do so than in Diagon Alley’s very own second hand bookshop.

The last person he expected to see there was Andromeda Black. 

Stepping to the side with a lazy gracefulness, a smile- laced with something amused, anticipatorily sarcastic- quirked at Rab’s lips as Andromeda nearly walked directly into him, apologizing and then hardening again within a heartbeat. “As eager as you sound to lend me a hand in anything I could need, my dear, unfortunately I’m getting along just fine.” His tone lost some of it’s humor as he continued, but his smile remained firmly in place, “It’s good to see you though, Andromeda.” 

“Well, the question was more gear toward dismissing the interupti----... you know what never mind,” Andromeda said, flustered she hadn’t recognized him right away.   The bookshop was, honestly, the last place she would have expected to run into Rabastan Lestrange.  So much for an escape...

“What brings you here?” she questioned, with a slight motion of her head to their surroundings,” I mean, obviously books.....”

She sounded stupid, and she knew it. Rolling her eyes at herself she said with a sigh,” Sorry, I just wasn’t expecting to run into anyone I knew.  A quiet afternoon in a shop of dusty parchment and cobwebs seemed obscure enough to avoid pretty much everyone.”

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Andromeda felt the need to get out of her family’s house.  While going to spend time with Ted was not an option, going window shopping in Diagon Alley was.  She was in no particular rush, but she was enjoying the freedom and time alone.  

She walked into the second hand bookshop, planning to see if a book she’d been searching had come in.  She walked among the tilting shelves, eyes scanning the titles, and not noticing the person she almost walked into as she rounded a shelf.

“Sorry,” she said instinctively, before changing her tone more icey and after a dramatic pause asking,”  Can I help you?”

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james-going-stag:

He gave Andromeda a somewhat sardonic glance, but let the topic of her parents go. Not that he didn’t believe that they, her aunt and uncle, and the rest of the clan were a bunch of socially backwards, arrogant bastards with a fondness for Fascism and eugenics, and that they didn’t deserve Sirius. But he could keep his feelings to himself. For now.

“Are you suggesting there’s such a thing as a time when clever quips aren’t needed? I’m not sure I believe you.” Not commenting on the rest, he dragged on his cigarette and blew smoke rings as they left. “It’s always wise to leave fools behind you. They’re not worth our time if they can’t appreciate us.” It was the closest he would come to mentioning Sirius. Or that he thought her at best weak-willed and a fool for choosing not to support him.

The night was cool, and James shrugged out of his coat to hand it to her without asking. It was just something you did. It didn’t matter how you felt about the girl. Still, they strolled and it wasn’t unpleasant. The night sky was clear and James could see the Sirius star, along with the Andromeda Galaxy. “Look, there you are, up there.” He heard the question and glanced down, watching her for a moment as he smoked without speaking. “You could always ask him yourself. He’s not hard to find.”

“I’m suggesting that perhaps you should learn to read the room before you attempt humoring it,” she deadpanned.  Although, she had to admit to herself the next comment he made hit a little close to home.  Not that he would know how much, nor could she even hint to it.

She didn’t protest to his coat, actually grateful for it.  There was a gentleman in there somewhere, was her first thought.  She looked up at the night sky as he pointed out it’s features, again nothing to say, but being drunk was a good excuse.  While she was quickly sobering up, both from the fresh air and company, he also didn’t need to know that.

“I could ask him,” she spoke of Sirius,”  But do you think he’d be all that open to talking to me?  You and I both know that you’re more likely to be honest with me than he is, and that’s saying something.  I’m not under any illusion that you would even be all that honest with me.”

She thought a lot about her cousin, and what his life was like now that he was out in the world on his own.  Part of her wanted to talk to him about everything, but she knew that wasn’t really possible.  The whole situation was complicated, and she didn’t feel there was any one person who could fully understand where she was coming from.   She wasn’t even sure what she expected James to say that would be of any comfort or help, there likely wasn’t anything he could say, but at least she could learn a little of where Sirius was at in his life and that was enough.

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james-going-stag:

James pretended to gasp and put a hand over his mouth. “Careful, someone might report back to them that you had an independent thought.” He made a big act of glancing around as if checking the corners for spies. “I think we might be safe for now, but let’s not push our luck.” Of course, Andromeda would probably be in much more trouble for being seen with the boy who’d lured Sirius over to the side of the filthy mudbloods and Muggle-lovers, but James couldn’t care less if she got in trouble. She hadn’t defended Sirius, so she was as bad as the rest as far as he was concerned.

“Hmm, I’m not so sure, I wouldn’t go too near the seaside for any family holidays if I were you, just to be on the safe side.” He wouldn’t put it past them to decide they only really needed two daughters.

His relatively amateur attempt to steal her away was entirely too successful, and he questioned her dedication to the Ancient and Noble House of Blah. Maybe she was just really drunk. “I prefer to think of it as the intense charm of an incredibly distracting and handsome man, but yes, I would say so.” He kept strolling towards the door, while digging a pack of cigarettes out of his pocket. “Do you often leave pubs with strange men? Or am I just special?”

At this point Andromeda didn’t feel like arguing a point with James.  It wasn’t like she blamed him for what he was saying, she didn’t necessarily think he was wrong.  No doubt he’d heard enough from Sirius to have some really negative thoughts about her family.  Right now, however, all she cared about was moving on from the guy she’d left sitting on his own.  

“You can make whatever clever quips you think are needed James Potter,” she said, letting her tone get a slight warning tinge to her,” But you don’t know as much about my family as you think you do, and right now, the only thing keeping me from really saying anything.... is the fact that you’re a really good excuse.  If you want to comment on strange men, you’ve really got nothing on the fool I just ditched.”

They walked out into the cool night air, which was quite a relief as the indoors had been entirely too stuffy.  Or perhaps that was just the warmth from the alcohol.  Given he had helped her, even if he felt it was more a joke than actual assistance she added, a little more warmly and in a way that he could interpret as he wished,” But yes, you are quite special.”

They kept walking, her a bit more zig zag to her step than him, and she didn’t say anything to him for a bit.  There were a lot of questions, none she could really ask, and she didn’t really trust herself in this state.  After a bit she finally asked,” So, how is my cousin?”

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primaballerinazabini:

Though spending an unfortunate amount of time at St. Mungo’s had been less than ideal, some good had come of the whole ordeal. Pitying eyes looked at her like she was made of glass, ready to break without a moment’s notice. All around her people were handling her delicately, hypersensitive to the crucible she’d suffered.

Valerian hated it, sure, but having the public’s sympathy had its uses. Free drinks being the least of them. She smiled bravely at all the condoling arm squeezes, compassionate gazes, and words of consideration. Even as her insides recoiled, a malcontent hiss cutting through her mind, she allowed her eyes to well. Fanning away the tears their support pulled from her, she thanked them for their kindness. Every touch and look, ever well wish shot her way was an opportunity to suss out London’s wizarding elite. 

The calamity of her poisoning opened doors to conversation, talk about the war and which side of it others fell on. She listened to groups discuss the merits of this holy war, or what lengths the Ministry should go to to see it end. Val listened, she stored every word and every name and every thought left unspoken to memory. Even if she hated the patronising and contrive congeniality, she was wiling to play her part for He Who Must Not be Named.

Eventually the need for a breath of fresh air out won any desire to be handled with kid gloves a moment longer. Valerian excused herself to the washroom. She washed her hands and soaked some cool water on a washcloth, which was wrung out and pat along her chest and neck. Staring at herself in the mirror, Val grit her teeth and leered at her reflection. It was the masses she saw staring back at her, that sympathy forged by politeness, their kind words pulled from whatever bullshite prepackaged “Handling a Trauma Case” verbiage. 

Tossing the wash cloth in the bin, Val pulled in a deep breath to gather herself once more. Her resolve was encased with ice and steel. She forced a tentative warmth into her eyes, knowing it’d soften the hearts of those who thought they knew her and assumed she was weak. Spine straight, chin held high, she left the bathroom to rejoin the commotion of the party beyond.

She only made it as far as the door before someone knocked into her. It took every ounce of self control to keep from verbally lashing out and dressing her assailant down. When she realised who’d walked headlong right into her, Val felt a small, serpentine smile slither its way across her mouth. 

“Drom,” she greeted in her naturally dusky tone. “Didn’t expect to run into you here.” The smile on her lips pulled wider. The shadow in her eyes darkened.

Her gaze assessed Andromeda Black with a languid up and down. Cheeks were rosy from the drink, and her eyes were a little unfocused. Even if her lipstick could use a reapplication, she still looked good enough to eat. The Blacks had such good genes, there was no arguing that the woman was beautiful. Beauty only went so far, however. Val knew that better than anyone.

“You’re looking a little flushed there, darling.” She reached out and grabbed an affable hold of Andromeda’s elbow. Guiding the other witch into the bathroom and toward the sink, she positioned her in front of the mirror and got another towel to do the soak and wring routine. Handing the beautiful Judas the cool, moist towel, Val smirked, “Here, it’ll help you cool down.”

A vixin’s smirk was on her lips when she mused, “Having a good time?”

It sank in slowly that it was Val who’d she bumped into, and her first reaction was relief.  There were far worse people she could so drunkenly brush against and it would cause quite a scene.  She closed her eyes a moment and shook her head,”  Just trying to get into the rest room.”   Standing up after drinking had done nothing to help her.

She let Val lead her inside, glad there wasn’t a string of questions in response to her state.  She gratefully took the cloth offered, with a nod of her head in thanks, bringing it to her cheek and the cool water making her realize just how warm she was.  She was an idiot to have sat there that long.

“Having a good time?”

She paused patting her face and side glanced over to the woman,” I don’t know that I would call it that, as much as entertaining a family friend. Perhaps, a little too much......”  She let her voice trail off and started patting her face again,” If it weren’t for the connection, I wouldn’t have stayed as long as I had.  Hopefully, he’ll find someone else to talk with now that I’ve stepped away.”

She sucked in a long breath and let it go slowly, trying to will herself sober.  She already felt better, the cool cloth and the just being out of the situation, did wonders.  It didn’t stop the floor from moving, but at least she felt a little more grounded.   

“How about you?” she asked, preferring to keep the conversation off of herself.

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james-going-stag:

It was Padfoot’s cousin, the quiet one. James organized them as the snobby one, the quiet one, and the scary one. Of the three, he much preferred to bump into Andromeda. She was probably the least likely to hex him or insult his hairstyle. Leaning against a wall, he grinned. “You’re properly pissed, aren’t you? Do Mumsy and Daddy know you’re out being naughty?” 

Her … date? was watching them, looking unhappy. James decided to be flirtatious, putting his arm around Andromeda to steady her and trying to lead her down the hall. “You know, I’ve often wondered, why did they name you Andromeda? Have you read the story about her? Because her parents chain her to a rock to feed her to a sea monster, so it seems like an odd choice for your own daughter, don’t you think?” He played with a piece of her hair and waved at her date, blowing him a kiss.

“Don’t look now, but I think your white knight is abandoning you to my evil excesses. He must have been in Slytherin. Oops, you were as well, weren’t you?” He gestured towards the door. “Or were you trying to sneak off?”

James Potter.  She knew of him, given he was only a few years behind her in school, but not in depth.  What she did know, was his family was the one to essentially take Sirius in when he finally had made his escape from home.  

“This may shock you, but I really don’t care what my parents think,” she said, only to immediately regret it.  Alcohol made her more brazen and that couldn’t end well for her.  She didn’t stop him, as he attempted to help her, a bit relieved to have someone who wasn’t a total creep, like the other gentleman she’d been entertaining.  Plus, given the little she did know of James, she wasn’t totally against the idea of chatting with him more.

She scrunched up her face a moment as he spoke of the origins of her name, too drunk to understand what point he was attempting to get at.  He wasn’t wrong, if you looked at the mythological origins of her name, but she doubted her parents had looked much into that,”  I think my parents are more interested in the stars than some old story about gods that don’t exist and people who did crazy things for them.”

She didn’t listen when he said not to look, stealing a glance back to the man she’d just attempted to abandon.  A wave of disgust rushed through her, the idea of going back to sit with him once more physically affecting her,”  If he were a white knight, he would have had to actually do something in defense of my honor.  He’s done none of that, and pouting in his seat isn’t doing much for him either.”

She shut her eyes a moment as she turned back to James, trying to make it seem as if she was making a decision.  She’d already decided when she got up that she was leaving, but he didn’t need to know that.  Opening them again she sighed,”  Sneak off isn’t how I would put it, but I’m not exactly looking to return either.  Perhaps the slight charm of a pleasantly distracting boy is enough of an excuse not to go back?”   

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narcissa-noir:

Normally, being jostled in such a way would’ve resulted in Cissa snapping out a cold insult but since it was Andromeda, she held back. Her sister had clearly had too much to drink, trapped by one of the older men who she’d just now seemed to get away from. Narcissa had been observing from afar and had finally come to talk to her sister, resulting in the minor collision. “If you’re going to get drunk, it’s better to do it out of sight.” She mentioned, casually. It wasn’t that Narcissa didn’t get drunk at these events, she just generally did it after the main, mostly boring parts were over and her and Val or whoever had snuck away to get properly smashed out from underneath the prying eyes of all their parents and extended family. 

“Also better to pick a partner who isn’t three times your age and far too free with his touches.” Cissa shivered at the very idea of the man pawing at her. Maybe it should’ve been Andromeda giving Narcissa advice, as the older sister, but in this Cissa was a bit of an expert. She’d become adept at avoiding the particularly grabby old men and eventual boredom at these balls had lead her to figure out how to make the most of them, even if that fun had to be gotten somewhat illicitly. “Something’s not wrong, is it?” Cissa asked, with a bit of a point, since it wasn’t exactly normal to find Andromeda in such a state at one of these affairs. Frowning slightly, though it looked almost like a point, Cissa sipped at her own champagne and waited for an answer. 

It was just her luck that the person she, quite literally, ran into was her own sister.   She couldn’t help but feel a pang of irritation when her sister pointed out her intoxication, as if she had meant to be this far gone at an event like this.  She held her tongue, however, because the fact of the matter was, that she’d indeed not counted her glasses and part of her wondered if that was a subconscious decision on her part.

It was the second comment on her drinking partner that drew her eyes back to the man who’d been talking her up for a good portion of the evening thus far.  Again, a truthful remark, but one she took far more to heart than she would have if she were sober,”  Well, Cissa,” she said looking back,” not all of us have the luxury of a boyfriend to keep away the less than ideal companions.”  Her tone, although not mean, had a bit more bitterness to it than she had intended.  To recover, she added,”  At least, I can now say I know just about anything there is to know about investing in.....,” she gulped as if the words were hard to say, more for comedic effect than anything,” dragon scale artwork.”

The reality was, Andromeda knew she had to keep up appearances, but the idea of continuously making small talk with one vapid individual after another didn’t appeal to her.  Staying in one place, and talking to a single person killed two birds with one stone.  Of course, she’d ended up with a particular individual that was a bit unsavory and lead to her taking each glass to make the conversation easier.

“Something’s not wrong, is it?”

She paused, because everything was wrong, but it was nothing she could expect her sister to understand or even attempt to sympathize with.  The fact that Andromeda couldn’t currently stand without swaying slightly, and she felt a bit of movement in the floor she knew wasn’t actually there, meant that even if Cissa could begin to listn, now was not the time to be sharing.

“Everything’s fine,” she said, shooting a smile,” Aside from the fact that the room is dancing.”  She knew if she didn’t cover quickly, it was likely her sister would suspect.  Alcohol and distraction was the best tactic,”  Actually, I feel a little hot, I think I might go get some air.  Did you want to come, perhaps?  I need better company."

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lordluciusmalfoy:

“Steady there.” Lucius said in a stiff voice. 

If this wasn’t the sister of his girlfriend he might have a different reaction to a woman of their social rank being a bit drunk. But she was and he was nothing if not a bit soft for at least two out of the three Black sisters. 

“Do you need an escort until you find your head again?” His voice was more like a father of a small child than of someone roughly her age. But there was some amount of caring in his words. If he really didn’t want to do anything with her he simply wouldn’t have offered. 

She recognized Lucius once he’d turned to her and she frowned slightly, the last thing she wanted was for him to see her off her game in such the way she was.  It couldn’t be helped at this point, and she was grateful for the fact that at least he was someone familiar that could help her steady.

She hadn’t even realized she’d grabbed his arm when she bumped into him, and she tightened her grip as she turned to look back at the man who had been her drinking companion.  He was watching intently, and she wondered if he would have been watching and waiting for her to exit back.

Turning back to Lucius,” Actually, I’d like that, thank you.”  She pulled him over to an open table, so they weren’t standing awkwardly in the middle of the path people were walking, and so she could sit down once more and get her bearings.  Realizing her sister may also be near, and not particularly fond of the idea of her seeing her in this moment, she asked,” Were you alone this evening?”

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Andromeda had had too many, and she knew it.  Not as much as the drunk man next to her who was felt it necessary to put his hand on her shoulder while speaking to her.  Her hints of disinterest seemed to be falling on deaf ears, however, and she was thinking that using him for some free glasses may have gone too far now.

“All out,” she said, shaking the glass in the air to show it was empty and hoping to use it as an excuse to leave.  Again, his hand on her shoulder to try and tell her he’d pay for another round, but thought just made her stomach lurch.

“Give me..... give me a minute,” she said, standing quickly to get free of his hand.  Mumbling something about going to the restroom she retreated away, the alcohol going straight to her head and causing her to wobble slightly.

Going to the bathroom before slipping out of the place was probably not a bad idea, and she made her way toward the ladies room, accidentally bumping into someone along the way,” Sorry about that, didn’t realize you were that close.”

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Andromeda Black ✦ 26 ✦ Pure Blood ✦ Neutral ✦ Slytherin

“ Oh she may be weary. Them young girls they do get wearied ”

Traits

+ Kind   /   + Calm   /   + Intelligent - Conflicted   /   - Vulnerable   /   - Open

Description

Like Sirius, Andromeda does not share her families prejudice. For that, she has been shunned. Not entirely, not yet. She still lives at home, her sisters still protect her but they don’t know. Don’t know that her loyalties have shifted, that she’s heard about the order and the work they’re doing and she respects it. They don’t know, that she’s in love with a muggle born. God forbid they find out because when they do? There’ll be hell to pay. She does not believe in the Dark Lord the way her family does, believing their crusade to be selfish and cruel.

Connections

Molly Prewett: Molly has been a source of strength for Andromeda. The fiery red head has such a happy-go-lucky nature, the middle Black sister envies to no end. She’s the reason Andromeda has come to terms with her feelings and it is in their late night coffee chats that she’s realized she’d rather be happy in love than miserable and cruel.

Sirius Black: Sirius is the only other blooded relation who shares her views, the only other family member she has who knows her truly and completely. She doesn’t yet know he’s in the Order but suspects he’s turned his back completely on the Rebellion…and that gives her hope.

Ted Tonks: They met in Hogwarts and have been close friends ever since. Her sisters are the only ones who know of the friendship but aren’t afraid to voice their dislike for him. They believe she deserves more than a muggle born…yet the muggle born is all Andromeda wants.

Occupation: Black Family Accountant Faceclaim: Lyndsy Fonseca Status: Fortunately for you Andromeda is Open!