The Noble and Most Ancient House of Black
August 1973, The Black Manor, Tisbury, Wiltshire
Summer was nearing to a close, Andromeda was lounging in the humid late August air at her favourite and private spot in the grounds of The Black Manor, where she would often take to with a book. The manor was a large and stately building, situated within the picturesque countryside of southern England. Her home was certainly a sight to behold, the Black family spared no expense in decorating their homes lavishly, flaunting their status and wealth. Far from being homely, the manor had a bleak colour palette, much of the furniture was embellished with silver serpents as an emblem of the family's lengthy history of being Slytherins. Portraits of past Black family members lined the walls, these portraits unsettled Andromeda, privacy was scarce when you were being surveyed by the beady and judgemental eyes of your ancestors.
Supper was no small feat in their household, the family often hosted for various guests, most often Andromeda's Aunt Walburga, Uncle Orion and cousins Sirius and Regulus. Even when there were no guests attending however, the grand mahogany wood table was still set elaborately and the family would still wear formal dinner attire. Andromeda privately harboured the opinion that this was highly unnecessary, although her father Cygnus was a man of tradition, and would not have it any other way. 'Always obtain a level of decorum' he would tell his daughters, 'We are no common family, we are Blacks'. For her whole life, Andromeda had been imbued with the notion that being a Black made one superior to others, the most esteemed family of The Sacred twenty-eight. There was some truth in the notion, however pompous it may seem, the surname 'Black' was certainly one that often turned heads. With being part of the Black family, came great responsibility to comply by its values, in the case of Andromeda and her sisters, that meant to marry a respectable pure-blooded wizard and produce pure-blooded children. It was not uncommon to marry someone of whom you were related to, which was inevitable when the options were limited to the small number of the wizarding community who were deemed truly pure. Andromeda's parents, Cygnus Black and Druella Black, formerly Rosier, were third cousins. Arranged marriages were also not uncommon within the Black family, something which Andromeda saw as a very daunting prospect indeed, being promised to someone with little say in the matter was not at all appealing to her. She was to be of age in October, when her parents would inevitably be scoping the prospects for her to marry when she should leave Hogwarts. Her older sister Bellatrix, being already of age and in her seventh year at Hogwarts, had her suitors lined up eager to take her hand in marriage once she finishes school and completes her NEWTs. Although Bellatrix, unlike Andromeda, seemed perfectly content with this arrangement and merely stated that she was proud to fulfil her duty and continue the Black family dynasty of Toujours pur.
The ancient staircase creaked under her feet as Andromeda descended down to supper, dressed elegantly in a black laced dress with a high neck and long sleeves, her long deep brown locks tied back in a neat up-do. The family each took their seats, Cygnus at the head of the table, decidedly, and started on their meals, as prepared by their house elf, Wokey. 'We shall need to take a trip to Diagon Alley this week' Druella said, adressing her daughters. The Hogwarts letters had arrived earlier that day. 'Of course I am not entirely fond of the place' she continued. 'Ridden with mudbloods, half-breeds and blood traitors alike!' There was a murmur of agreement across the table. Andromeda sipped her pumpkin juice. 'Father, Mother, have you perhaps had any further thought on my suitors?' Bellatrix asked, stabbing her beef with unnecessary force and aggressiveness. 'Well, I do believe Rodolphus Lestrange to have mentioned his intention of becoming wed some time in the near future, or perhaps Dolohov...' she proclaimed. The Black sisters were widely recognised as being perfectly beautiful and respectable young ladies, therefore Bellatrix would be a most desirable option for a man looking for a wife. 'Lestrange is a fine choice' said Cygnus, in a voice encapsulated with authority. 'I shall discuss the matter with his father'. Silence followed. Cygnus always had the last word. There was an unmistakable finality which came with his words, no one would dare breach the topic further once he had had his say. Bellatrix went back to her food, wearing a subtle look of satisfaction. The remainder of supper panned out no differently than usual, the recurring conversation topic of the Dark Lord's rising of power, something of which the Black family were great supporters of. Personally, Andromeda was terrified by the thought of Lord Voldemort, quite parallel to Bellatrix who appeared to be brimming with admiration when he was mentioned.
Later that night as Andromeda lay gazing up at the panes of wood of her four poster bed, she couldn't shake the thought of marriage from her mind. She could only be grateful for the attention being on Bellatrix at the moment therefore she herself would not be urged to scope out the crop of Slytherin boys at school for possible suitors. She was deep in thought when her attention was sparked up by the creaking of her door opening and the gentle footsteps that could only belong to Narcissa, making their way over to her bed. 'Andromeda, are you awake?' she said softly.
'Yeah' Andromeda replied, as Narcissa climbed into her bed and snuggled herself up next to her elder sister. She used to do this a lot as a child, when the dark and gloomy sparseness of The Black Manor used to scare Narcissa at night, but it had become more of a rare occurrence as they had grown older, and Andromeda related it to when Narcissa was feeling lonely or needed to talk about something on her mind. Narcissa curled up, making herself small and nestling her head against Andromeda. 'It's going to be awfully quiet here when Bella's married and gone' came Narcissa's muffled voice.
Andromeda laughed softly, 'Quite right Cissy, Bella certainly has quite the presence'. She said, affectionately stroking her little sister's soft blonde hair.
'I wonder who I'll marry said Narcissa. 'I hope he's handsome!' she giggled.
'Whoever he is, I only pray he is worthy of your kindness and beauty, my darling' said Andromeda in response. 'Anyway, you needn't worry about any of that now! You are all but fourteen years old'
'I know, but it's all just soromantic, isn't it? Marriage! Ooh I can't wait to wear a beautiful long wedding dress!' exclaimed Narcissa, excitedly.
Andromeda sighed, her little sister couldn't help herself from being a hopeless romantic, she just hoped she wouldn't be naive and foolish enough to throw her heart and hopes into the first man to express attention in her.
***
The last week of August had breezed by, it was the evening before they would be taking the Hogwarts express to school from Kings Cross, Orion, Walburga and their sons Sirius and Regulus arrived by floo network for supper. Andromeda's aunt Walburga was a tall and thin woman with a stern disposition, she had sharp facial features and high cheekbones, the distinct Black family features. Her husband followed in her wake, appearing short next to his wife, Orion was a man of few words. Their sons Sirius and Regulus looked so alike it was sometimes difficult to tell them apart. Just over a year apart from each other in age, Sirius was thirteen, Regulus twelve. Even for a thirteen year old, it was clear to anyone with eyes that Sirius Black was a very good looking boy. He too had inherited the high cheekbones and sharp Black family features, his long dark curly hair fell effortlessly into place sitting elegantly and framing his face. Although his looks could not distract from his wayward behaviour and attitude. As if being the first Black to ever be sorted into Gryffindor wasn't torture enough for his parents, Sirius seemed intent on rebelling against being who was expected of him. Andromeda admired his nerve.
'Come along boy!' Walburga snapped at her eldest son, who was teasing a portrait of a Black family ancestor hanging on the wall.
'Oh but mother, I'm just conversing with a dear deceased relative of The Noble and Most Ancient House of-' She had raised her hand and sent a sharp blow to her son's cheek. Sirius winced and sealed his mouth shut. Andromeda thought she could see tears brimming in his eyes, but he didn't allow himself to appear in pain.
Supper was a dull affair. The Dark Lord was once again mentioned in conversation which made Andromeda feel uneasy. Regulus perked his head up at the mention, resulting in a sharp stare from his brother.
After they had eaten, Andromeda had convinced Walburga to allow her to 'Show Sirius some highly educational books' and the two of them took to the library alone. Andromeda was the only one in the family Sirius liked and trusted enough to talk to about how he felt, they got on exceedingly well.
'It's unbearable at home these days' Sirius groaned, reclining on the sofa. 'Mother has banned me from sending any correspondence to my friends so I've been utterly alone all summer with only Reg to talk to.'
Andromeda sighed empathetically. 'I know Sirius, Aunt Walburga does treat you horribly'
Sirius raised an eyebrow 'Oh that' he said, alluding to the slap to the face he received earlier. 'That was nothing, I've had much worse' He chuckled darkly.
Andromeda stared as her cousin's smile faded and an unmistakable expression of pain presented itself. The usually cheerful blue eyes were heavy, weighted with experience from the horrors that no thirteen year old should have had to endure.