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Post by Andromeda Tonks on May 24, 2008 11:06:00 GMT -5
After leaving Bellatrix to her interview with Professor Rothschild, Andromeda wandered out onto the grounds, lost in the memories of her days at Hogwarts. It hadn't been so long ago that she'd been a student here, and yet, it seemed like so much had changed. Not only the school and the grounds, but something had changed in her, too. Maybe it was her isolation from the rest of her family, but everything was somehow clearer in her mind.
Her family's influence had been tough to escape. All her life, she had been forced to endure the angry, senseless rants about muggles and muggleborns and how they were ruining the world. Andromeda never understood this. The muggles outnumbered wizards by a large margin, and they had as much right to exist as the wizards did. And muggleborns, based on her research, were often people who'd had wizarding blood in their ancestors. How were they ruining the world? It seemed to her that hate was what ruined the world; blind prejudice and hate were never healthy emotions. Why couldn't her family see that?
Andi thought about her sisters. Bellatrix concerned her. She had always been Daddy's little girl, lapping up his attention and affection with a disturbing eagerness. From a very early age, she had begun repeating his hate-filled rants. She wondered whether her sister had finally fulfilled her father's hope and joined with Lord Voldemort. And yet, seeing her here today, applying for a teaching assistant's job, filled her with renewed hope for her sister. Professor Rothschild was a good woman. Vincent Corrigan trusted her completely. Perhaps her influence could benefit Bella for the better. And working with the children couldn't hurt, either. Andi was almost tempted to let Bella have the job, just for those reasons. After all, there was another position available at the school. Andi didn't relish it, but the Herbology position was still open. She wouldn't be able to work as closely with Professor Rothschild, and of course, she'd be teaching Herbology, a subject at which she was capable, but not very interested in. Still, it was tempting take it and to let Bella have the assistant job, if for no other reason than to keep her close.
She turned her thoughts to Narcissa. She had a little more hope for her youngest sister. As a child, Narcissa had been sweet and quietly affectionate. Along the way, her father had killed this side of Narcissa, and she became cold and distant and arrogant. Part of it came from the constant praise of her beauty and the repeated reassurance that she was better than everyone else. In time, Cissa had come to believe it. Andromeda was slightly hurt by all of this, actually, because she'd never been told these things as a child. It was like they'd marked her as the oddball from the very beginning.
She was startled out of her reverie by a loud crashing sound coming from up ahead. She glanced up and saw a tree that seemed to be moving. She stopped in her tracks and watched for a moment as the tree seemed to be smashing something into the ground. A whomping willow? She thought to herself. Why on earth would they plant something like this here, near the children?
She turned away, not wanting to be near the tree, but then she heard what sounded like laughter coming from the other side of the tree. She squinted slightly and looked past the tree, realizing that someone was standing on the other side. A flash of blonde hair was just barely visible between the tree's flailing limbs. Immediately, Andromeda ran over there, giving the tree a wide berth. But as she got closer, she was surprised to realize who was over there, standing just out of the reach of the tree and watching its frustrated movements.
"Narcissa?" she gasped, coming to a stop.
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Post by Narcissa Black on May 25, 2008 14:44:03 GMT -5
The outing with Bellatrix was just the thing that Narcissa needed to get her back on track. Things at school had been dull with the exception of the pranks pulled by Sirius' crowd. She had to had it to them, they knew what they were doing, however, she was better. After all, she was a Black and a Slytherin. Narcissa was setting into place her plan to have the Slytherins now live up to their house. It was a disgrace that the Slytherins, now that Bella and Lucius were gone, were trying to be goody goodys. Cissa would just have to put her foot down since she was their last hope. There were several Slytherins that had the potential to be nasty and she was going to bring that out. She was going to have to live up to her family's name if she wanted to get anywhere with the Dark Lord and that was what she was going to do.
Walking around, in search of maybe a few Slytherins, Narcissa stopped at the Whomping Willow. The tree itself was fascinating. Get to close and you might as well say goodbye to the world or hello to the hospital wing. Several birds flew toward the tree and the tree started to move. Narcissa couldn't help but watch in interest and she let out a laugh as the tree started to flail around. Her enjoyment of watching the tree came to an abrupt stop as she heard her name. Cissa let her smile disappear and eyed the girl, or should she say her dear sister. Andromeda.
"Andromeda," she said. "What are you doing here?"
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Post by Andromeda Tonks on May 25, 2008 22:57:37 GMT -5
Andromeda broke into a smile and threw her arms around her sister enthusiastically. "Oh, Cissa! It's so good to see you!" she gushed. "I wouldn't have thought it possible, but you look even more beautiful than ever!"
She pulled back and looked at Narcissa. "I just came to apply for a job," she explained. "There's an opening for an assistant teacher in Defense Against the Dark Arts... you know that was always my best subject. Wouldn't it be fun if I got the job? I'd get to see you all the time again! And I have missed you so much. But you'll never guess who else was applying, just after me? Bellatrix! Can you believe it?"
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Post by Narcissa Black on May 26, 2008 12:18:07 GMT -5
Narcissa looked a little confused as Andromeda threw her arms around her, but she put her own arms around her sister. It wouldn't be right if she didn't. "Thanks," replied Cissa. "You look, er, good too."
Andromeda would be one to go apply for an assistant teacher in Defense Against the Dark Arts. She loved everyone so it was sort of obvious that she would go for something like that. Narcissa, however, wouldn't want to deal with them all the time. Especially the mudbloods, but she wasn't going to make that comment. At the remark of Bellatrix going for the job made her eyes widen slightly. There was something Cissa couldn't believe. Bella didn't really like children, so why was she going for the job? "Are you serious Andi? Bella, going for an assistant teaching position," she said trying to grasp the concept. That was odd, but Cissa knew her sister well and knew that there had to be a reason for Bella to do that. "That's interesting. I never would have thought Bella would go for something like that. Anyway, how have you been Andi?"
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Post by Andromeda Tonks on May 26, 2008 15:03:12 GMT -5
Andromeda was encouraged by the more positive reception she was getting from Narcissa. "Yes, she really was applying to be a teaching assistant," she said, shaking her head. "I couldn't believe it, either, really... it just doesn't seem like the kind of thing Bella would be interested in. And I actually almost hope she gets it... that is, if I don't. It would be good for her."
She pulled back and looked at Narcissa happily. She truly was stunning, with her long blonde hair falling down in waves, and her pale blue eyes looking out from her perfect face. It would be hard for anyone not to envy her. "I'm good," Andromeda replied. "I've been busy. I just got a new apartment in the Black Cat apartments here in Hogsmeade. Just finished moving in this week. How about you? Are you still seeing... what was his name again? Lucifer?" She managed not to narrow her eyes as she remembered the cold, arrogant boy that Narcissa had been dating.
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Post by Narcissa Black on May 26, 2008 15:45:57 GMT -5
"I'm doing well I guess," replied Narcissa. She decided it best not to tell her sister about her plans to get the Slytherin house back on track. Cissa gave a scoff when she said Lucifer. "It's Lucius, and yes, I'm still seeing him," she replied she said refraining from narrowing her eyes, "and we're supposed to be getting married after I finish school. Father already gave his approval as well as Mother." As she finished speaking, Cissa couldn't help but give a beaming smile. This was something that she, as well as her family was proud of. She would be marrying into a pure-blood family, and the Malfoys had a good name so there wasn't anything wrong with it.
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Post by Andromeda Tonks on May 26, 2008 22:09:34 GMT -5
"Oh, right... Lucius," Andromeda said, smiling a little too brightly. "Lucius Malfoy, right? I had no idea you were so serious about him... but if you're happy, Cissa, that's all that really matters." She squeezed her sister's hand. "That's all I ever wanted for you, for you to be happy. And I can tell that you are by your smile."
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Post by Narcissa Black on May 27, 2008 11:19:06 GMT -5
Narcissa raised one of her perfect eyebrows at her sister. "Yes. Well, he asked me one afternoon last term and Andi, I couldn't just say no. He's well, nice actually and just the type of man I adore. He's not hateful to me at all. Maybe one day I should introduce you to him." For a few moments, Cissa forgot that she sort of disliked her sister. She was brought back to before her father started talking to her about not associating with muggle-borns, muggles, and muggle lovers.
Cissa smiled again as Andi squeezed her hand. "I am happy. What about you? Are there any men in your life," she said with a small girlish laugh.
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Post by Andromeda Tonks on May 27, 2008 13:26:01 GMT -5
Andromeda relaxed upon hearing how happy Narcissa was. "Well, then, I really am happy for you, Cissa," she said. "You're lucky to have found someone so right for you. And I'm sure you'll be the most beautiful bride ever."
As she looked at her sister and imagined her in a glorious white gown, with flowers in her golden hair, Andromeda felt her eyes getting misty. She only hoped that she would be able to see it, and that her father's disapproval of her wouldn't result in her not being invited.
But as Narcissa asked about her love life, Andromeda smiled slightly. She had to tread carefully here, because she wasn't quite sure where she stood. "Well... there is this one guy," she said with a mysterious look. "I don't know how serious it is yet, but I do like him a lot." This much was true; she was still only seeing Ted on and off, and although she had a strong feeling in her gut that he was the one for her, she wasn't quite sure that Ted felt the same way about her. But that wasn't the reason she felt the need to be so mysterious. The truth was that Ted was muggle-born , and she didn't know how Narcissa, and the rest of her family, would react to that news.
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Post by Narcissa Black on May 27, 2008 13:57:13 GMT -5
"Thank you," replied Cissa with a smile. Planning for her wedding was going to be hectic, especially since her mother was going to be in on it. Hopefully there would be pictures would be taken and she would be sure to send Andi a set, even if she didn't make it to the wedding, but at the moment, that was the last thing on her mind.
"Oh really," she questioned. Narcissa started to smile excitedly again. "I'm happy for you Andi! You have someone! What's he like?"
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Post by Andromeda Tonks on May 27, 2008 14:57:26 GMT -5
Andromeda blushed deeply as she thought of Ted. "Well... he's cute... and funny... and so charming. And he has such a good heart. We've only gone out a few times, but I have a really good feeling about it, you know?" She bit her lower lip, hating herself for leaving out the fact that he was muggle born. If things worked out the way she hoped, they would probably find out eventually. But for now, it was just something that she wanted to keep under wraps. Besides, there was always the chance that things wouldn't work out the way she wanted them to, and there was now point in creating a controversy when she was still so uncertain.
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Post by Narcissa Black on May 27, 2008 19:55:14 GMT -5
Narcissa let out another girlish giggle. "Aw, I think Andi has it bad for someone," she replied with a wink. Talking about things like this was something she couldn't really do with Bella. Sure, she could talk to Bella about anything, but there was something about Andi that made all the bad stuff disappear, although she knew that she should try to turn Andi away from her. Cissa just couldn't do that, although when she was around Bella, she could act. "I hope things work out for you! I'm glad that things are going well for you!"
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Post by Andromeda Tonks on May 27, 2008 20:53:48 GMT -5
Andromeda smiled and shook her head. "Well, I don't want to get ahead of myself, but I do really like him. But I think it'll be a while before I bring him home to meet mom and dad, if you know what I mean." She glanced over at the tree, which was stretching its limbs as far as it could go, as if straining to get to them. "Seriously, what is up with this tree?" she said with a nervous laugh. "What do you say we take a little walk around the grounds... away from this tree?"
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Post by Narcissa Black on May 28, 2008 6:20:28 GMT -5
"I understand what you mean," replied Narcissa. If she was in Andi's shoes she would wait and tell her parents as well, however both her and Lucius went to Hogwarts, and their families sort of knew each other anyway so she couldn't technically wait and bring him home. Cissa eyed the tree and laughed. "It's a whomping willow. It likes to destroy things that get to close," she said looking over to her sister. "And apparently it knows we're here. Sure, I don't see why we couldn't take a little walk." Narcissa walked along with Andi away from the Whomping Willow. "So. How's life for you outside of your love life? How's work?"
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Post by Andromeda Tonks on May 28, 2008 12:22:21 GMT -5
Andromeda relaxed a little more as they moved away from the tree. It felt good to be back here at Hogwarts, talking with her sister. It seemed, for a moment at least, as if all the ugliness in the past, including the fight she'd had with her father, had vanished. It reminded her of a simpler time, when she and her sister had been close. Sure, there had always been a bit of tension, because Narcissa had been closer to Bella, but she and Cissa had always got along fairly well when it was just the two of them.
"Ah, work," Andi said, rolling her eyes dramatically as she prepared to spill out her carefully-practiced lies, "yeah, that didn't really work out so well. You know I was training to be an Auror... well, I don't think I'm cut out for it. You know how I was always so bad at Transfiguration and potions... it seems they're still tripping me up. Like I really need to be able to turn a safety pin into a teacup..." She shook her head again. "Anyway, that's why I went out for the assistant job. If I don't get that, maybe I'll try for the herbology position... not that I really liked herbology all that much..."
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Post by Narcissa Black on May 28, 2008 13:15:43 GMT -5
"Oh yeah," said Narcissa. "I'm er, sorry that the auror thing didn't really work out that well." She was unsure of what to really tell Andi. Being an auror was something Cissa would have never really thought about, although she wasn't going to voice her opinions on aurors. She gave a laugh. "I don't really see why you would need to either." Potions was a strong point for Cissa, which could possibly be a great thing, although she still wasn't sure what she wanted to do, job wise, once she finished school. "Herbology," she said crinkling her nose. "I don't really like herbology that well either. Although, I guess I should say good luck with that one. I don't think I could do that. In fact, I don't really think I could teach at all. I still don't know what I want to do when I get out of school."
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Post by Andromeda Tonks on May 28, 2008 13:43:49 GMT -5
"Well, there's no rule that says you have to do anything, really," Andromeda said, although she secretly hoped Cissa would be more independent than their mother had been. "You'll be getting married, and the Malfoys are rich enough that you might not have to work, unless you found something that you really wanted to do. And maybe that's better... the fact that you can choose what you want, instead of having to worry about finding a job that will pay enough, like I'm having to do now."
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Post by Narcissa Black on May 28, 2008 14:04:09 GMT -5
That was true. Narcissa didn't really have to do anything, and the Malfoy's were rich enough, however, she wasn't sure if she wanted to be fully dependent on Lucius. Cissa at least wanted to attempt to do something, although she didn't know what that could be. "See, that's the thing Andi. I don't know what I want to do. I don't know what I would like doing. I wouldn't want to work in a bar, no would I want to be a teacher. I'm not sure if I want to work in the ministry either." Cissa gave a sigh. "I just haven't really thought about it."
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Post by Andromeda Tonks on May 28, 2008 14:24:53 GMT -5
Andi felt encouraged that Cissa didn't seem content to just sit back and be a housewife. "Well, I wouldn't worry about it too much, Cissa. I'm sure the right thing will come along for you when you least expect it. There are a lot of different jobs out there, and I'm sure there's one just made for you." It was true that she couldn't see her sister doing most of those other jobs, but she couldn't help but hope that she was meant to do something great.
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Post by Narcissa Black on May 28, 2008 14:32:11 GMT -5
Cissa gave Andi a hopeful smile. "You're right. There are plenty of things out there. For instance, working at the zoo. I can just see myself running after a hippogriff or something." She gave a laugh. "Working at the zoo is definitely not for me. That would be a nightmare on my half." Cissa gave her head a shake. The idea of following the Dark Lord entered her mind, however, she couldn't speak of it around Andi, in fact she couldn't really speak of it except for around her parents, Bella, and Lucius. That was just about it. "I'll give it some thought. Although, I'm not really sure what I'm good at besides potions." She gave a shrug. "I still have a little bit to figure something out, and besides, I don't have to jump into anything right after I finish here. I was I was more sure of myself. I mean, you seem a more sure of yourself, not meaning that in a bad way. You have an idea of what you want to do."
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