DISCLAIMER: I do not, under any circumstances, own Harry Potter. I can only dream...

"Andromeda! Bellatrix! We have some guests!" a shrill voice called smoothly. Andromeda could discern the almost imperceptible impatience in her mother's voice.

"Come on!" Bellatrix hissed. She grabbed Andromeda's arm, squeezing it painfully. Andromeda glared fiercely at her sister. She tugged her throbbing arm out of her hold and made her way to her wardrobe. She chose the emerald green dress with an empire waist and quickly changed. Bellatrix wore a long, black gown, her hair loose in springing black ringlets.

"Coming, Mother!" Andromeda said as she and Bellatrix daintily descended the stairs in a manner befitting a pureblood.

They strolled to the sitting room. As they walked through the doorway, Andromeda slipped on a facade of elegance and poise, her normally warm brown eyes guarded.

"Good evening, Mrs. Lestrange," she greeted, recognizing the pale, regal face of Lucretia Lestrange. Her sister immediately followed her.

"Andromeda, is it? You're sixteen, aren't you" the woman asked, her almost black eyes surveying her keenly. Andromeda nodded, giving her a tight-lipped smile.

"And this must be Bellatrix." Bellatrix inclined her head slightly.

"You must know the Lestrange boys, Andromeda, Bellatrix," her mother started. "Rodolphus and Rabastan, am I correct?"

"Yes, madam," a boy spoke up from his seat beside Lucretia. Andromeda recognized him as Rodolphus; she had seen him bullying many people in the hallways and put a stop to it more than once. Rodolphus leered at her, eyes flashing.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, madam," Rabastan said, finally speaking. Andromeda had noticed that he was the quieter son; he preferred to hide in the shadows.

"Well, aren't you a polite boy! You've raised them well, Lucretia." Her mother smiled. Rodolphus's smug grin disappeared. He glanced at his brother jealously.

"I do try, Druella. It is a mother's duty," Lucretia replied with a hint of pride.

"Yes, it quite is," Druella agreed.

"You have such beautiful daughters. The youngest is betrothed to Lucius Malfoy, I believe?" Lucretia commented.

"Yes. The Malfoys are a very wealthy and influential family. Though, of course, they are not as powerful as the Blacks."

'That's what it's always about, Power and money,' Andromeda thought in contempt. Rabastan frowned slightly.

"Now what is it you wanted to talk about, Lucretia?" Druella asked curiously.

"My husband and I have been thinking about a proposition for quite a while. We believe that it will help both the Blacks and the Lestranges," Lucretia started. Druella's eyes lit up as they always did when about to be offered something. She leaned forward slightly. Andromeda glanced at the Lestrange brothers, but they seemed just as just as confused.

"Really? And what is it, may I ask?" Druella inquired, keeping her excitement at bay. She gave a sharp look at Andromeda to keep her head down.

"We have a betrothal proposition. Two, actually." Andromeda's head snapped up in shock, eyes wide.

'No. No. This can't be happening. I'm in love with Edward Tonks. I can't be betrothed!' Her heart raced, thudding against her chest.

"I propose that Rodolphus, our eldest, marry Bellatrix. Andromeda would be betrothed to our dear Rabastan," Lucretia explained.

"Oh, what a wonderful idea, Lucretia! I will certainly discuss this with Cygnus; I'm sure he'll agree that it will be beneficial to both families," Druella gushed, smiling ecstatically.

Andromeda glanced at Rabastan. His eyes were fixed on her, watching her every movement, reading her as one would a book. He stood up abruptly. Druella looked at him in alarm.

"Is everything alright, Rabastan?"

"Yes, madam. If you don't mind, I'd like to talk to Andromeda," Rabastan politely asked, his face emotionless.

"Of course. Go on then, Andromeda," Druella ordered. She turned back to Lucretia. Andromeda pushed back her emotions, hiding them under a mask. She turned to follow Rabastan into the garden.

"These roses are very beautiful," he commented, surveying the rows of flowers. The aromatic fragrance of the Juliet Roses filled the air.

"Thank you. I planted them," she answered stiffly, head bowed. He whirled around suddenly, startling her.

"I know. I've seen you… with him," he burst out. Andromeda gaped at him, speechless. "I know you love him. That's why I can't do this to you."

"What?" she managed to say, stuttering.

"I can't. I can't make you give up him for me. I know you don't want this."

"You- you're right," she admitted hesitantly. He nodded, gazing at her intently.

"I- I don't want this either. But we're trapped."

"No one can escape this world, once born into it," she whispered. He seemed to have heard her and uncertainly placed a hand on her shoulder.

"We can try. We both don't want this, but we know we'll be forced into it anyway. We can help each other," Rabastan murmured softly. She turned to look at him in surprise.

"How? How can we help each other? How can we escape, when it's all been decided?" The demanding questions poured out of her, asking for answers. She sobbed quietly, shaking.

"I- I don't know, but we'll find a way out. We'll find a way out, Andromeda. I promise."

The two stood there together, united in one purpose. They would find a way out.

AN: Please review. I want feedback!