Black's House for Little Witches

22

A/N: Hello. New chapter. A large portion of it is from Andromeda's POV because I wanted it to be, and I thought it would work better.

I hope you read and enjoy. :)

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Andromeda knew from the moment her sisters returned to the garden that they had bad news. Cissy had the stiff, forced smile she wore when she was about to say something that might upset Andy but wanted to be reassuring. Bella returned grumpy. That was indication enough that she was about to say something bad.

Andy watched as Narcissa sat down on the grass between her and Hermione, and Bellatrix sat on her other side. She didn't resist as Bella pulled her into her lap. She nuzzled her head against the older woman's neck. Bella moved her hand up to gently scratch at her scalp.

Narcissa extended a hand out to Hermione. "Sirius told us something very important," she started. She spoke gently, but there was a seriousness in her tone that carried heavily. She pulled Hermione into her lap and held the other girl to her chest. "We won't lie to you. What we're going to tell you will be upsetting."

Andromeda frowned and nuzzled into Bellatrix again. She raised her hand and stuck several fingers in her mouth. Neither of her sisters scolded her for it. Whatever they were about to say was definitely bad.

Narcissa glanced down at Hermione before she looked over at Andy. She took a breath and said, "Molly Weasley filed a complaint against Bella and me with the Department of Classifications."

Andromeda tensed even as Bellatrix held her a little more tightly. That was not good. Not good at all. It was bad. Hermione seemed just as troubled as she was at the revelation.

Bellatrix quietly added, "Molly is accusing Cissa and I of harming Hermione."

"You haven't!" Hermione immediately insisted, dropping her dummy to the ground. "At least, at least I don't think you have."

Narcissa hugged her again and picked up the fallen pacifier. "We know that, ma chérie. But, unfortunately, this means we can't wait until your scheduled DoC meeting." Andromeda did not like where this was heading. "Tomorrow, or the next day, we'll have to go to St. Mun-"

"No!" Andromeda shouted as she launched herself to her feet, narrowly escaping Bellatrix's attempt to grab her again. She ran over and grabbed Hermione from Narcissa's lap and tugged the other girl to her feet, startling a soft whine from the girl as she dragged Hermione away.

Andy would feel bad about it later, but right now, she had to keep Hermione safe. They were going to take Hermione away. She would not let that happen. Bellatrix must not have seen the danger Hermione was in. She put up a barrier of magic in front of the door that led back inside the manor. Andromeda hit and kicked at it to no avail. It wouldn't disappear. She whirled around, standing in front of Hermione protectively. Her sisters hadn't moved from their spots other than to stand, and they were watching with concern.

"No!" Andy shouted again, chest heaving with heavy breaths. "Cant have her. Not safe!"

"Drommie, it's okay," Narcissa said softly.

Andromeda shook her head aggressively. "No. No. Not okay! They take Mione! Not safe." Why didn't her sisters see that?

Narcissa slowly shook her head. "They won't take Hermione, baby. There's no reason for them to."

Andromeda shook her head again. "Take Mione. And, and they take me. Like before."

"No, Andromeda. No. That is not happening," Bellatrix immediately assured. She attempted to take a step forward, but Andromeda growled at her. She paused for a moment and then slowly knelt down onto the grass. "No one is taking either of you, petite agneau," she confidently declared. "And it certainly won't be like that time again. I'll make sure of it, Meda-mine."