Back to Hogwarts
Finally, spring break was over. A hellish few weeks for Andromeda and all she wanted to do was forget it ever happened.
She had no doubt that back at Hogwarts, everyone would have read in the paper about her engagement and anyone who hadn't, word would soon travel around school.
She hadn't seen Lucius since Bellatrix and Rodolphus' wedding, and she dreaded the reunion to come. Obviously, the issue of what he had done to her wasn't addressed.
"It would ruin his reputation and yours." Her mother had told her.
Lucius was a year younger than Andromeda was, so luckily she would not be subject to seeing him in every class. But they shared a common room. The Great Hall. The Quidditch field. Although, she doubted her spot on the team would last much longer if her mother had anything to say about it.
"It's not ladylike."
Hogwarts was a big school. Just not big enough to hide from Lucius.
As Andromeda and Narcissa prepared to return back to Hogwarts, their bags were already packed for them in the morning so all they had to do was look presentable and then head off to the station.
"Here." Druella said as she handed out the girls' wands while they stood on the platform. "Now, go."
The girls did as instructed and slipped into the train, walking down to their usual cabin. They were expected to sit together even though as soon as they were out of view, they would often move to find their own friends, but it still felt odd without Bellatrix there.
From the window, Andromeda and Narcissa waved goodbye to their mother until she disappeared into the distance behind them.
"I'm gonna…" Narcissa said awkwardly as she stood up to leave.
"Yes, yes, of course. Go." Andromeda smiled up at her. "I'll be fine."
Narcissa offered her a smile in return that was undisguisable a pity smile, before leaving the compartment. Leaving Andromeda alone.
She spent the whole ride alone, but she didn't mind. It felt that she hadn't had a moment to herself in ages so the peace was nice. But her mind wouldn't let her rest, constantly reviewing what little memories she had left for the nights past. All she was left with was images of endless arguments and the headache to prove it.
Andromeda's eyes were drawn back to the past, back to the endless arguments and sleepless nights she had spent with her mother. The days and nights blended together as she fought against her mother's expectations and her own desires.
"I just don't think you understand why this marriage is so important. You need to marry Lucius, otherwise our family will be ruined." Andromeda's mother said, with a look of exasperation on her face.
"But Mother!" Andromeda said, her voice heavy with frustration. "He fucking drugged me! In my own home! He paraded me around like a fucking ragdoll."
"Watch your tongue, you're being irrational," Druella scoffed, "This marriage is about much more than you and Lucius. This marriage is about our family's reputation and future. Don't be so naive."
"I'm not being naive," Andromeda raised her tone, anger coursing through her veins. "If anything it is naive to believe this arrangement is going to work!"
"No, you will make it work. All that matters is what's good for the family and our reputation. You will marry Lucius, whether you like it or not." Her mother's gaze was stern and unforgiving and a feeling of helplessness washed over Andromeda.
"I can't make this work! I won't-" Andromeda's heart dropped into her stomach.
Across the room, her mother had drawn her wand from her robe.
"You do not speak back to me, young lady."
"Mother, please."
~
The train rattled along the tracks, screeching as it slowly came to a stop.
Andromeda slowly got off the train, a feeling of dread and anxiety simmering beneath the surface. She was exhausted from her fight with her mother, but she knew that it wasn't over yet. Her mother's words of anger and condemnation echoed in her mind, and she felt the weight of their conversation weighing heavy on her shoulders.
As she walked back onto the platform at Hogwarts, she felt a wave of nausea wash over her. In the past, Hogwarts had felt like a safe haven from her parents and their abuse, but now it felt like a place full of painful memories and bad associations.
Weaving through the sea of students, Andromeda slowly made her way down to the dungeons. Slipping through the common room as quickly as possible to avoid everyone and anyone.
A few minutes later, Andromeda was alone in her dorm room. As a former prefect, head girl and with her mother's pull, honestly, she suspected her station as prefect and head girl was also largely to do with her mother. By no means was Andromeda a bad student, but she wasn't the most upstanding citizen.
Regardless, she'd had a dorm to herself for quite some time. It was fine enough for studying but it felt a little empty from time to time. Although when the door was shut, the curtains drawn, and the lights were dim. It was the perfect place to be, a quiet space for her to gather her thoughts and collect herself.
As she sat down on her bed, she let out a long sigh and finally allowed herself to relax. All was quiet except for the sound of her heartbeat and the rustling of her bedsheets. It was a soothing feeling, being alone in her room, away from the chaos.
In this moment, she felt a surge of calm and peace. No one was asking her questions or demanding her attention. For the first time in weeks, she could just sit and relax. She allowed herself to sink into the comfort of her bed and closed her eyes.
She let her mind go blank, not thinking about anything or anyone. For once, she didn't have to worry about what her parents thought or what she had to do next. She could just be, and she couldn't begin to express how much she loved this feeling.
~
The night passed quickly as Andromeda drifted into a deep sleep. Soon enough it was the next day and classes came in full swing.
As the morning wore on, Andromeda gradually felt the exhaustion leave her body and a slight spark of hope ignite within her mind. Despite all the whispers and hollering boys, she had made it through the first day of the term, at least somewhat alive.
As her next class began, Andromeda found herself paying close attention to the lectures and lessons. She threw herself into her studies, determined not to let anything distract her. Her focus was sharp, and her mind quick to learn. But in the back of her mind, she couldn't help but hear her mother's voice echoing in her head.
"Failure is not an option. Do you understand?"
She would not let her mother's words deter her, but she couldn't deny that there was a sense of anticipation in the air. She felt the pressure of expectation building with every passing day.
~
After classes were done and her head student briefings were over, Andromeda headed to the library. It would be quite there because everyone should be in the great hall for dinner, but she wasn't hungry. Besides, sitting at a table with the entirety of the Slytherin house didn't sound appealing.
As Andromeda settled down in her usual corner of the library, settling in with her books. A few moments passed and she could feel eyes on her. Looking up, she saw a hufflepuff boy with a rather wispy attempt of a moustache watching over her, a look of concern on his face, and she couldn't help but feel nervous. Why was he here and what did he want to talk to her about? Was it about her engagement? Was her mother making him follow her and spy on her?
"Uhm, can I help you?" She asked with a raised brow. But the boy just smiled and shook his head.
Andromeda waited for some other kind of explanation but the boy just stood there.
"Oh right," He responded with a laugh, "I just wanted to make sure you were okay."
"Uhm, yes, I'm fine?" Andromeda responded, a look of confusion crossing her face. She didn't recognise this boy, and she had no idea why he was here to check on her. Set up by his friends maybe?
"I know it's been a rough few weeks, so I just wanted to... check in on you," He continued with a small chuckle.
"Oh... thank you?" Andromeda said, her confusion only building.
An awkward pause held for a moment, seemingly neither of them knowing what to do next. The boy's face seemed to drop as he eyes Andromeda cautiously.
"Umm…I kinda need to get back to my um-" Andromeda gestured to her books.
A red blush flourished across his face from ear to ear.
"YeahsureIdon'tknowwhatIwasthinkingsorry." He blurred out before quickly scurrying away.
Weird.
Andromeda waited, listening to the sound of his feet swiftly disappearing and then the solid slam of the library door. He seemed vaguely familiar but Hogwarts was a big place, she's probably just seen him around. So, she dismissed it and returned it her studies.