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Dear Andromeda,
Remember me? Your little sister? The one you said you would always take care of…
No no, that’s too hostile. I need her to write back. I want her to write back.Don’t I?She chose him over me. A stupid, nothing, muggle. Some nobody with no breeding or status or even magic . How could she choose that…Theodore. What a ridiculous muggle name. He chooses to go by a diminutive of that too - Ted. And his surname. Tonks?! Good grief, it sounds like a sound one makes to entertain children.But no, I must not get side-tracked. I should congratulate her surely? On the marriage? As detrimental to our entire family’s way of being as it is? Perhaps... I’m not sure.I wonder what my Aunt would say if she heard my thoughts. She must be upset, though I’m not sure if it is because she misses her or hates her. I know Bella is most aggrieved, though she hides it well. They were so alike. So powerful. So beautiful. Though Andy was always more thoughtful. More kind. She was always giving me little sweets under the table during our odious family gatherings. And so gentle, even with Sirius. But even with a lost cause like Sirius, she always took the time to joke, to make him comfortable. To connect.I suppose they had more in common than I thought.Merlin, why did she choose a muggle over us!? By Salazar’s noble blood, I would never have expected it of her. To throw her entire future away. How did she even meet him? I don’t think I’ve ever met a muggle. Or at least not one that was worth more than their simpering servitude. Merlin, I’m starting to sound like Bella.Perhaps I am too harsh. Andy was reasonable. If Sirius ran off with a muggle, I would understand. He is not capable of the mantle of heir, let alone any of the pressures of being a Black. But Andy?! She was so poised. So regal. So powerful . Not just in terms of her magic. She was so clever and intuitive.Was. Is?I wonder if the muggle understands what she is giving up for him.She must love him. I wonder what it’s like to love someone that much, that you would be willing to throw everything away for them. I can’t imagine Mother and Father loving each other that much. Nor Walpurga and Orion. Maybe toujours pur cannot lend to a love that strong. If he weren’t a muggle, I’d say he used amortentia on her.
Dear Andy,
Congratulations on your nuptials. I wish you marital bliss.
Given you destroyed our family for it.
I hope you haven’t forgotten me. I’m still your little sister. Please keep in touch.
All the best,
Cissy
Okay now what.
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Dear Andy,
Thank you for your kind words around my O.W.L.s. I do agree that Slughorn would have done better to teach us the basic principles than try to network among his superiors. Slug Club. How utterly odious.
The bestowal ceremony for Sirius was a bore. I don’t recall mine being so austere. I’m sure someone cracked a joke at least once.
I think that was you. You made it less scary. You made everything less scary.
Bella’s engaged.
I’m losing her too.
To Rodolphus Lestrange. Our Mother approves. As do Aunt Walpurga and Uncle Orion. He gave her such a gorgeous engagement ring - I think it was his mother’s. It’s such a beautiful emerald inlaid with diamonds, set within a gorgeous serpentine silver band. I’m sure you remember Rodolphus? He
…
Was that creep who walked in on me that one time. I forgot. I felt so embarrassed and…
I knew Bella liked him at that point and I didn’t want to ruin her chances with him. You told me that I had done nothing wrong. That he should have knocked. That he should have apologised and left immediately. That he was being weird just standing there. That I should have cursed him immediately. That you might. Teach him a lesson about gentlemanly behaviour.
… is the one at the ministry, I think in the Muggle Affairs branch now. Bella’s wedding is scheduled for next summer, after her N.E.W.T.s.
I doubt you’re invited. But you would want to know. Wouldn’t you? Do you hate her? I don’t think she’s forgiven you. But maybe … maybe she could understand?
I think I understand.
I’ve met someone too. Do you remember Lucius Malfoy? The gorgeous boy with the beautiful golden hair. You used to laugh and say he was part Veela. He came to call on me a few times last Christmas and over New Years. He gave me his family brooch for my birthday. You’ll laugh at me, but I wear it all the time now, under my robes.
Mother and Father do not approve of him. They say he’s a gentleman of leisure, and that I should aspire to marry someone …
She doesn’t care what Mother and Father have to say. She didn’t care in the first place. That’s the whole bloody mess we’re in now isn’t it?
I’ve met someone too. Do you remember Lucius Malfoy? You used to joke that he was part Veela. He has begun to court me, though I fear it may be in vain.
There. She can guess why.
If we do get married, I wonder if I’ll invite her. I wonder if I’ll get a choice.
Your sister,
Cissy