Chapter Text
September 1st, 1965
Toujours Pur. She ran her hand down the rough emerald tapestry, her fingers brushing against the embroidered branches of the family tree. The tapestry smelled faintly of dust and age. The names were fading, but still legible.Tilting her head back, she strained her neck to see the furthest scorch marks she could. Andromeda had been taught from a young age of the shameful acts committed, their betrayals that had earned their burnings. While her sisters typically pointed to their portraits, mockingly and laughed, Andromeda just couldn’t see the humor. The highest mark had a faint gold banner just beneath it, emblazoned with the name Eduardes Black. Her gaze followed the painted white branches to Iola Black, burned for marrying a muggle, and then to Phineas Black II, an avid muggle rights supporter. She followed the lines with her hands to the most recent mark. Marius Black. The youngest to be burned off, burnt for having been born a squib. She would not become like them.
Andromeda straightened her shoulders. Today, she would be sorted into Slytherin, like every other Black who lived before her, and uphold their legacy. She would complete her schooling and marry a proper pureblood, just like she was taught. Her hand drifted to her own name on the tapestry, nestled between her sisters’ portraits: Bellatrix to her left, Narcissa to her right. The three daughters of Cygnus Black III and Druella Rosier. Below them, the white branch extended to their uncle Orion’s family, where two more golden names gleamed: their cousins Sirius and Regulus.
“What are you looking at that prat for?” Bellatrix’s voice cut through the quiet. She was crossing her arms and leaning against the doorframe. Everyone was always shocked by how closely Andromeda resembled Bellatrix. Their faces were almost identical, though Bellatrix was now a few inches taller. Her hair flowed a little past her shoulders in closely rung dark curls. In contrast, Andromeda’s hair was straighter and longer, running down her spine.
“Hm? I don’t know why you hate him, Bella,” Andromeda replied, glancing over at the small name on the tapestry. “He’s five years old.” She smiled at her sister. Bellatrix was already dressed in her school robes, wearing Slytherin’s crest with honor. .
“It’s not his fault particularly. I should be the heir to the name, I’m the eldest. But he is the first male heir of our generation.” She scowled as she said this, pursing her lips.
“Why do you even want to be the heir?” Andromeda removed her hand from the tapestry and followed her older sister out the door.
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They stood on the bustling platform with their parents and their younger sister, Narcissa. She was particularly irritated today, left behind, being the youngest.
“Oh, don’t be like that, Cissy. You’ll go in two years’ time.” Andromeda said gently, resting her hands on Narcissa’s shoulders.
“It’s not fair!” Narcissa protested, her blonde hair gleaming in the sunlight. Andromeda pondered if she would look more like them with darker hair.
“Stop complaining. We’ll write.” Bellatrix added coldly, her tone acerbic, before spotting one of her friends and turning away.
Andromeda pulled her sister into a tight hug and looked up at her parents expectantly.
Her father placed a firm hand on her shoulder. “We’ll send the post. You’ll like the dungeons and the common room. It’s where you belong.”
“Stick with your sister.” Her mother added.
Andromeda nodded, clutching the strap of her trunk. With one last glance at Narcissa, she turned and followed Bellatrix into the train.