❛ — do YOU ? ❜ hestia countered drily, her eyes sliding over to give andromeda a coolly impassive look that the other girl completely missed, due to the fact she was hiding behind a newspaper. but then the newspaper lowered, slowly, and suddenly hestia’s eyes met the other slytherin’s. she couldn’t exactly say why a smile tugged at her lips at andromeda’s comment. ❛ — it’d be the FIRST time anyone ever said i was tall, so i’ll take it. ❜
b, andromeda.
she barked a short, surprised laugh at the qustion and the delicate paper crinkled. the barrier as thin as her resolve to keep her breakfast a ' jones-free ' one. ❝ of course, i saw a rainbow just this morning. ❞ this could’ve been the truth, andromeda dropped her headlines in favor of a the buttery slice tipped precariously on thin fingers. all sense told her she was not technically meant to engage in civil conversation with the likes of hestia jones. but there was something minutely resilient in her fellow slytherin’s existence. the direct manner comforting, and for andromeda, she could not be ignored. ❝ and will that be a compliment or insult ? ❞ the girl's toast was abandoned for the goblet of orange juice, the rim an ideal curve to hide any unforgivable stretch of her lips.
the sound of slughorn’s voice still reverberated through emme’s eardrums ; wand held out to give her some sight in the darkened corridor . leave it to slughorn to nearly keep her past curfew . it was the sound of footsteps that caused emme to extinguish her light . fearing it was a prefect , her body clung quickly to the wall , the back of her head connecting with a portrait . her hand flew up to stifle out a cry , palm covering her mouth , but it was the other’s voice that caused emme to relax . ❛ oh it’s just you . ❜ her tone came out dry , wand lifting before shedding light to the space around them . ❛ you wouldn’t happen to know the time , would you ? ❜ the question probably sounded odd , but she needed to know .
b, andromeda.
just her—– ? she’d be offended if she weren’t so relieved. her next breathe a short huff of exasperation that does nothing for the dry cracks in her bottom lip. tempting as it was, a light press of her palm against the height of her chest would reveal what was only a low thundering in her ears. ❝ what ? i don’t know--- past ten, by now. ❞ her answer was jilted, more amicable than the usual, words tumbling too quickly from her mouth as she tried to return to herself. too late, she remembered the delicate watch around her wrist and made a move to glance at its face but really took in nothing. she refused to acknowlede her former panic and instead turned her attention ❝ late for something, vance ? ❞
a silent determination made itself known in athena’s sure-footed steps, striding towards the slytherin common room in an attempt to find either bellatrix or malvolia. but as fate would have it, the ravenclaw found herself waiting outside in the dark corridor, impatiently waiting for someone to either enter or exit the secret passageway. with a sigh that was louder than she would like to admit, she all but jumped as she noticed the entrance open up, signifying that was someone was exiting. “ thank merlin it’s you. do you know where bellatrix is? or my cousin for that matter? ” she asked, forgoing a greeting for a more direct approach.
b, andromeda.
she was distracted, her head down and gaze fixed on a scribble that had the absolute gall to be illegible. the note crumbled in her fist at the sudden question, feeling cornered by a problem she had not considered all morning. ❝ aw yes, my lifelong goal of becoming my sister’s keeper. ❞ what a reversal that would be, the statement might’ve been bitter, although andomeda held her unreadable smile in perfect balance, words a delicate lilt of mirth. but nothing was so believable as the laugh that always came whenever she felt uncomfortable, her pounding heart at feeling cornered, forcibly forgotten. ❝ they’re around, i’m sure. maybe even in the same place. ❞ to her own ears she sounded dismissive, unsympathetic. athena was not someone she knew particularly well, as her sister had always been quick to intervene and her questions now seemed almost demanding, at the very least, too eager. after all, she could imagine very few scenarios where her sister’s presence would be dire. but after a moment’s consideration, andromeda's smile and mild annoyance faded, a slimy tendril of concern slipping through the cracks. thoughts of unexplained disappearances and missing children coming almost too late but with increasing fervor. the now unimportant note disappeared from view, tucked away into her pocket as the brunette’s gaze narrowed with unbidden curiosity on the ravenclaw. ❝ why? ❞
the sound of her sister’s laugh is nostalgic – comforting, even. it warms her, if only for a second. lips twitch upward, her eyes sparkling as she watches her sister. ‘ yes. i’m sure your company will be nothing less than a treat. ‘ the smile lingers for a moment, before fading back into her usually cold expression. the book is shoved away, her bag shouldering itself onto her shoulder as she lifts out of her chair. fingers move to button her bag shut, her tone noticeably kinder as she raises her eyes to meet andromeda’s. ‘ confronting the faceless. it’s for defense against the dark arts, but – i would be a liar if i said it wasn’t a pleasurable read. ‘ a ghost of a smile flickers across her face, her body shifting to move through the bookshelves. ‘ an important read, none the less – have you read it? ‘
b, andromeda.
brief as it is, the moment spent reveling in warm company is a a relief. the slow release of a breath held in the uncomfortable depth of her chest a surprise, but comforting nonetheless. as all the things did, the moment had ended and to shake off any disappointment at the disappearance of her sister’s smile, andromeda shifted the toss her lose hair in a messy tail as she followed narcissa’s lead in leaving. ❝ confronting the faceless. ❞ andromeda repeated the title, partially to show she was listening and partially to the let the somehow implacable words slip over her tongue. there was a touch of awe found hidden in her retelling, her gaze drifting thoughtfully as they passed shelf after shelf laden with magical knowledge. ❝ sounds terribly thrilling, but i can’t say that i have. ❞ andromeda admitted, her usual sarcasm was missing, given way to belly her sister’s accomplishment. there was a familiar wash of pride in the pit of her stomach, (a family trait) although in this case it extended beyond herself. ❝ i’d say i’d like to borrow it but i’ve barely confronted my own reading, ciss. ❞ she didn’t go so far as wink, but she did shift to land a gentle bump against the hill of narcissa’s shoulder. the truth was, the youngest black sister had always been far more talented in regards to self discipline.
her sister slides into the seat across from her - hues flickering upward to watch the girl steal her sugar quill. narcissa pushes down a twitch of annoyance, silently reminding herself that she has another one packed away for later. ‘ — not anymore. ‘ a roll of her eyes. her sister held a soft place in her heart ; a place that felt like the WARMTH of her childhood, but still reminded her of the COLD in their home. lithe hands close her book, a hand extending to grasp her sister’s. she allows andromeda only a brief moment of intimacy before defenses snap back into place, snatching fingers back as to hurriedly put her book into her bag. she sniffs, shoulders rolling back and tucking a blonde strand back into its rightful place. ‘ i suppose — … a break wouldn’t HURT. ‘ a pause. features soften, hues taking in the sight of her sister. part of her aches, realizing how little time the two actually spent with each other now - a - days. but another part of her burns, smolders away with the envy of how EASY it all seemed for andromeda. she clears her throat – & swallows her thoughts. ‘ tea it is, then. ‘
b, andromeda.
nibbling on the end of the sugar quill, andromeda accepts narcissa’s moment of tenderness with a bemused smile smudging the corners of her lips. unfair as she knew herself to be, dro was selfishly dissatisfied and ever discontent with what her sister was capable of giving. she was the embodiment of temperance, a fine sculpture of class and elegance that she could never pretend to understand fully, but they’d grown up in the same house. she liked to think she understood a little. that didn’t mean she was particularly happy about it. ❝ you might even enjoy yourself, i’m a delight. ❞ she gives off a trickle of a laugh, in hopes something sardonic will pull out even the lightest of giggles from her sister. but when the delicate stream had cut away, andromeda’s expression was left sad--- her gaze pouring over pallid features. ❝ what is it you were reading ? ❞ she stood, imagining they would speak as they walked and wholly ready to leave the school’s immense dusty library for the cluttered warmth of the kitchens. she lifted her chin in nosy curiosity to read the title’s spine. ❝ is this for school or pleasure ? ❞
SHE SPUN ON HER HEEL WITH THE speed of a lightning bolt, the air crackling with electricity. her hair flew around her like a cascading dark cloud. ❝ i know i must be mistaken because i did not just hear you make that noise. ❞ each word was perfectly articulated, punctuated by her glare. she stepped forward menacingly. ❝ here’s the problem. i don’t make mistakes. ❞
b, andromeda.
andromeda did not know her sister to ever spin that fiery temper in her direction. the girl had embers inside her, and it didn’t take much to set a flame. but this was a blazing fire that she had quietly stepped into--- fingers rising to bella’s elbow and words breathless with the effort of feigning ignorance. ❝ hey---! hey. morn’-- you’re not busy are you, bells ? ❞ she didn’t bother bella’s ‘ problem ‘ with a second look, the rising of voices ignored in favor of catching the dark haired girl’s eye. a slim frame sliding in further to obscure her sister’s view and demand full attention. she could only have learned such a diversion from the best--- years of her oldest sister’s example driving an instinct to intervene. she couldn’t really claim any concern for whoever had stoked her sister’s wrath. but she could imagine no other cure for the rattle of her own stretched fingers, ❝ barely a week in classes and i’m already in need of your help. ❞ her light chuckle was manipulative--- a lie meant to cut through any tension--- a disguise for her own discomfort.
nate was no stranger to traipsing around the castle when he was not, strictly, meant to. ( where was the fun in staying where he was told? ) but he wasn’t even breaking a rule yet, and the halls were deserted — he supposed it was a natural side effect of the year they were having, but it was almost eerie. it was one thing for him to wander around, mostly alone, when there was a reason no one else was around. when the halls could be bustling, and weren’t … andromeda’s voice was a balm. he thought, alright, there’s still some life here. and then he took his time wandering out to where he’d heard her voice, an easy smile on his face and his hands raised in surrender. “ it’s not exactly like you gave me warning, “ he said; though there was no blame in his voice. it was a little teasing, but he figured she wouldn’t ( shouldn’t ) take offense at that. he coughed. “ there: to make up for the cough I didn’t have a few seconds ago. anything to keep from facing the wrath of your bat bogey hex. “
b, andromeda.
at his appearance, his own emphatic ease , andromeda’s arms moved to fold loosely. not in a show of defense, as she would never be so silly as to betray the discomfiture that uncertainty had brought, but to resist the urge to swat at the teasing breadth of his fingers. ❝ are you admitting i’m the ‘ big bad ‘ of the two of us ? ❞ she flicked her wrist, gesturing between their frames before unconsciously moving to close the distance. for a moment, she could picture the slow thinning of her mother’s lips that this action would draw. a simple hello, late, and with an unruly boy that he, the last and only burke, was. but there was nothing to do for it, no words that she could imagine the witch snapping in her direction, no real rules or lines that the women herself had drawn had been crossed. no alarms to be raised except for the clearing up of andromeda’s own rudeness. &&. the girl’s expression sweetened to something genuine, her chest trilling with delight at the rebellious win. she found herself significantly more fond of nate than she’d been only seconds ago, her smile solid as she scrutinized the feigned cough carefully. ❝ i’d say hello, nate. but i don’t know. i’m not sure i’m completely convinced, could you will a fever too ? i’ve a tissue for a running nose, if you need. ❞ there was a brightening in her cheeks, as her panic dulled, seeming by the second to grow sillier and more embarrassing than frightening.
。• * ☪ she asked and so she would receive . remaining against the wall , waiting for his fellow prefect to return from the restroom , he COUGHED . remus hadn’t followed her ; hadn’t planned on scaring her ; hadn’t done anything , really . it was an unfortunate coincidence , one he found himself utilizing with unspoken assholery . surely even she could admit it was a little funny . ❛ s’just me , ❜ he answered , waving his hand out to get her attention before returning it to the comfort of his pocket . ❛ i do hate bats . ❜
b, andromeda.
no monsters then. just remus. one of her cousin’s enviable friends who had swooped in to save the poor black’s darkest days. his nonchalance irked her, the flippancy of his gesture. the absolute gall that it took to tease her, of all people. as if she ought to have known that remus regularly made this particular wall his second home. but the pounding in her ears had shifted pace, her observation of his lazy stance tinged with ill disguised curiosity rather than its earlier shadows of panic. she had calmed , ❝ . . . i didn’t see you there. considering you’re getting awfully familiar with that wall. ❞ she raised a thin, arched brow and hesitated, knowing she should continue right on her own way. the obligatory volley of impudence met. the crossing of paths a potentially perpendicular one. an accidental meeting of strangers. perfectly easy to explain away. so long as she simply continued----- ❝ revealing all your weaknesses, huh ? ❞ the correct, and reasonable course of action abandoned, andromeda stalked towards the gryffindor, her head held high and eyes wide and intrigued as she studied the permanent up tilt of his lips. ❝ tell me, how else could i ruin your day, lupin ? ❞ and for a moment, there was a familiar glint of a dare that caught in her gaze, the corner of her lip twitching with annoyance ( or amusement ).
her features remained flat and indifferent, eyes wide but searching and carefully piercing through the hazy glow of the hallway’s weak sconces. picking her way through the castle at the cusp of nightfall had been the careless height of her short life. these were dark times, after all. but hours turned to minutes between the shelves of the school’s vast library and she was still well within curfew. wasn’t she ? she’d never seen the halls so empty. rather than entertain another moment of second guessing herself, andromeda’s voice was clear as she called out to the dimming hall and the noise that had held her frame in an imperceptible tremor. her brain assumed the scuffing of a boot on the stones while her heart thundered like a traitor against the frail cage of her chest. ❝ a little warning would be nice. ---a simple ‘hello’. i’d even take a cough. ❞ her words themselves held a warning, tone sharp with impatience that she had to ask the shadows for the courtesy of a scare-free evening stroll. ❝ i can assure you, a bat bogey is most unpleasant. but in your case, justified if you don’t come out. ❞
❛ — AH, to be a first year again, so excited about getting an owl, ❜ hestia mused, only just audible over the cacophony of a couple of owls and their first years all chattering raucously to each other as they passed. ❛ — they still haven’t smelled their SHITE. i miss when i was that innocent. ❜
b, andromeda.
her eyes flicker to ink peaking beneath the girl’s sleeve and to disguise the betrayal singing in the corners of her lips, andromeda drew her copy of the daily prophet a little higher. her features disappearing behind the title worthy of a slasher novel. if only it really were some passing, inconsequential work of fiction, and not terrifying reality. ❝ you can’t possibly claim to remember your innocence, jones. ❞ her tone is dull, despite the perfectly reasonable option to say nothing at all to the blight sitting at the table of snakes. but after a few moments, nay--- seconds, the paper shudders. &&. for the witch, there is nothing so wrong as the slow lowering of its yellowing edge, brown hues darting around the corner to meet the other girl’s eye in curious fascination. ❝ . . . you’d make for a very tall first year. ❞
blonde locks frame dainty features – lips flush with the after effects of a nervous habit. her mother had always lectured her, told her that she’d chew her own lips off if she kept it up! but mother wasn’t around - and old habits die hard. a sugar quill is abandoned, discarded to the side ( half eaten ) as she flips through a charms book, nose scrunched ever so slightly. her focus is unrivaled - or at least, until she feels a set of eyes on her. formerly relaxed features are masked, her gaze turning icy & her spine straightening. ‘ — unless you’ve got the manners of a TROLL, staring is considered quite rude. ‘ tone is crisp, her eyes still set upon her book ; as if refusing to even grace them with her gaze.
b, andromeda.
even unseen, narcissa’s tongue is biting--- but not so damaging as to draw a sting. she is still unknown, these words meant for someone else. not her. surely. never her. despite her own silent reassurances, andromeda’s pride does not allow for a moments hesitation as she shifts into the seat across from her sister, frame falling forward to physically tackle the invisible barrier between them. ❝ are you going to finish that ? ❞ &&. in a small show of rebellion for her greeting, andromeda plucks the unfinished sugar quill from her sister’s reach. from table to lips in a swift, and unthinking movement. her gaze flashes stubbornly as meets her sister’s eye, daring further reproach, ❝ . . . it’s only me, ciss. maybe a break is in order, else the loss of your eyesight becomes permanent. ❞ while clearly teasing, the brunette is subtle, soft for a sparse few. present company held in highest of regards. but her head lilts in stubborn recompense, even while her free hand reaches for the blonde’s icy fingers. ❝ i do rather like tea with my sugar, as you know. ❞
* ╰ zoey deutch ; 17 ; she/her —— wow, andromeda black sure has changed. i guess she is feeling isolated from the other slytherin members. guess you can’t really blame them. i still remember them being so independent & steely now they just seem secretive & cynical. guess being a pureblood isn’t helping matters much either. i’m hopeful though. they’ll be just fine.
you can contact me on here in those dms, or my discord is @ alex //#7484
character inspiration: sansa stark (got), astrid leong-teo (crazy rich asians), aphrodite (greek myth)
pinterest
whelve: (v) to bury something deep, to hide
she’s a warm laugh on a cold morning ; the flick of a wrist ; the gentle clink of pearls ; lipstick smudged on the lip of a glass ; an empty, echoing hall in a museum ; fresh mists of expensive perfume ; delicate fingers brushing aside wisps of hair ; pointed heels abandoned at the bottom of a staircase ; half filled decanters ; a thorn pricking an unsuspecting fingertip ; the slow build of a concerto ; the slam of a heavy door
so this is my girl, my lovely queennnnn
living the high life and hating every moment of it
she can’t find it in her to burn as fiery as bella’s strength or run as cold as cissa’s icy resilience. she is a shadow, a hazy mirror of each sister. similar and yet pale in comparison.
she has always been lukewarm, tepid, medium, her life a long and distressing line of just fine. thank u very much. even as her deepest secrets, dreams, and thoughts boil and bubble beneath the surface of a superficially perfect life.
if anyone were to care enough to ask, she is grateful for her lot in life. a smile always quick to slide into place, polished and content for the pre-destined plan. with her current family a shambles, she is afraid to even think of putting together a new family, the arranged marriage in her future is as terrifying as it is inevitable. she feels as though she will lose everything, her family name, the constant presence of her sisters, and her childhood. her hesitation and dread surely caused by a demotion in title and status after all the notoriety that comes with being a black. surely nothing else more sinister and horribly selfish.
she can’t imagine she shall ever be happy. why should she be? indoctrinated as she is, she has eyes. everything she has witnessed could never be called ideal, as much as it was framed that way. warmth never lived in her mother or father’s heart for her. she sees and knows it, even as she struggled for some glimpse of approval that never came. what is it that they see that she didn’t want them to, something weak and dissatisfied and miserable. but then maybe she simply wasn’t looking hard enough. maybe the next time she blinks she will see something new in their gaze that will assuage the building gap.
the finer things enamor her, and not just the beauty of a delicate fabrics and rich color of wine but also art, history, music. each note and brush stroke a promise that there is something out there. something even better than what she silently resents. if only she were brave enough to seek it
an escapist in all facets, andromeda consumes and absorbs the things around her like a sponge, in search of something. anything to fill a space inside her chest that only widens and yawns at her efforts. she lacks for nothing and often balks at her own greed and dissatisfaction. but “a golden cage is still a cage” each small glimmer of happiness fading the moment it comes
andromeda is an observer. her eyes opened and lips tightly sealed. she sees and dangerously pieces together her own understanding rather than swallow the bitter pill handed to her. she sees and in some cases, judges.
her friends call her dro, or they would if she had any. jkjk she has friends at varying levels of trust. she could never quite commit to complete isolation, her observations fascinating enough to draw her into the fray. her small collection of those she enjoys betraying a weakness in her incredulity. (also bring on any other nicknames that that monstrosity of a name brings to mind. she’ll most likely pretend to hate all of them)
beneath her doubt, her fear of the unknown. she is a hopeless romantic gone to rot. she is distant, as untouchable as a masterpiece in the museum that is her picture perfect life. a thing more suitable for admiration than intimacy.
there is a feeling that no matter your connection to andromeda, that no matter your efforts, there is always something hidden within that she is keeping to herself. and it’s true. there is nothing andromeda would willingly show that she didn’t want people to see.
difficult to reach, to understand. she prefers it this way. guilt and shame shoving down the better parts of her self beneath the mask she is meant to be. the her that her parents beat her into, beat into all three of them with varying success.
while it’s true she is haughty. impatient. a temperamental black. a life of pampering and promises forever ingrained in her world view. while good for her self-worth, it is probably off putting to some. there are at times promises of goodness, she can be thoughtful. intelligent. even driven to empathy when faced with tears, pain calling out to something inside her.
but if there’s anything her family’s mutilated tree has taught her, to bloom is to die. she pictures his escape and subsequent increase in happiness to be the height of abandonment, of betrayal. how dare he leave (without her). how dare he leave her wanting and missing and heartbroken. she truly misses sirius and her head spins, chest aching and eyes burning at the thought of him. yet as always, she goes to great lengths to never reveal her secrets, instead giving her true feelings no form. buried while she looks on in envy and deeply buried hope. the boy thoughtlessly laying a path towards something selfish but impossibly enticing.
while hope is not her strong suit, andromeda is (to her great chagrin and misery) capable of extreme and consuming love. love of beauty and things. love for her sisters. but also her cousin. but mostly, herself. loyalties warring in her heart and tearing at a shaky resolve. at this rate, were someone else to steal one of the splintered, scattering pieces in her chest, it would be the end. the final straw for her unhappiness to be complete.
connections:
girl gang – give her all the best friends. the nicole to her paris. soul sisters. ovaries before brovaries. hymen heroines. those hoes she lives and breathes for. i think typically this would be fellow slytherins or ppl that she met through pureblood high society connections. OPEN
ex-boyfriend/girlfriend – ew this makes me sad and emotions are hard to deAL. basically this will be all angst city. most likely andromeda would be the one to break things off since she wasnt always as skeptical of that familial pressure. depending on how their relationship was, she could regret it or be cold about it. OPEN
rival/frenemies – these two are just too similar to get along. toxic pureblood society has pitted them against each other and no one is winning. okay but if they went from enemies, to reluctant respect, to almost friends?? MAYBE EVEN FRIENDS EVENTUALLY?? i would be here for it asdlk OPEN
confidante – andromeda isn’t honest with anyone, not even herself. but this could be someone that she’s probably known for a long time who she possibly could’ve opened up to in a weak moment and now they’re bonded forever. she would feel indebted to this person for keeping her secrets and would do her best to protect them any way that she could. extra feelings if this person feels the same way and they can be sad, but also cLOSE, together. OPEN
secret school friend – maybe they were forced partners as prefects or a fateful potions class but andromeda found herself making a surprising friend in an unexpected place. she can’t help admiring their beautiful inner persistence/strength despite her reluctance and occasional snobbery. but now they’re older and she really should cut things off. for whatever reason, she just can’t let go. OPEN
banter partner – alright so this would be someone from the other side of the war that andromeda runs into all the time and they always seem to get into arguments! she’s not quite sure why they get under her skin but andromeda finds it difficult to step away from their confrontations. OPEN
muse – listennnn. this person would be someone that andromeda would just be enamored with, she would regard them very highly and make efforts to speak with them and be around them. if this person were on the other side of the war she would probably resent them a little but be unable to resist. i’ll probably just spring this on somebody tbh?? since the relationship would be based on her own tastes. but this would be someone that andromeda would admire for their appearance– sure, but also for the aura that they project.
but yes!! msg me if you’d like to plot and i’m honestly open to any connections!! her past is pretty open ended and she hasn’t quite left her family just yet so she could have loyalties all over the place
