The Marauders Begin (I)

Second-Hand Bookshop

August 23, 1971

The scene unfolds into a dusty but rather uncrowded bookshop. One might understand the shop to be secondhand, as almost all of the books are weathered and appear used. ANDROMEDA, with her purse in one hand and her booklist in the other, slowly walks through the aisles and selects her books, which float in midair beside her. NARCISSA enters the store and begins to look up and down the aisles, before finally spotting her sister and approaching her.

NARCISSA: There you are! Why in Merlin's silky underwear are you in this place?

ANDROMEDA: I like shopping here.

NARCISSA: Why? All the books are used! Just go to Flourish and Blotts.

ANDROMEDA: It's cheaper here, though.

NARCISSA: Since when do you worry about money?

ANDROMEDA: I don't, it just seems wasteful to buy new books when you can easily just pick up some used ones for half the price. Besides, I prefer used books to new ones. I like the weathered feel of them, the soft pages that have already been felt and read by who knows how many other people.

NARCISSA: You're weird.

ANDROMEDA: You're right, I am weird. But at least I can see beauty in small things, unlike you.

NARCISSA: Oh, I can see beauty in many things. You'd be surprised.

ANDROMEDA: Oh, yeah? Like what?

NARCISSA: (peering through the shelves to the front of the store) Like Andrew McKinnon buying Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them up front.

ANDROMEDA: (ducking her head and peering through the shelves as well) Oh, God, are you serious?

NARCISSA: What's got you?

ANDROMEDA: Nothing.

NARCISSA: I thought you two were friends?

ANDROMEDA: We are, we are, it's just I- I don't want to talk to him just yet.

NARCISSA: And why ever not?

ANDROMEDA: I like to do my book shopping alone, if you must know.

NARCISSA: You seemed fine when I came up to you.

ANDROMEDA: Yes, well, that was different.

NARCISSA: Spill the beans or I'll yell out your name at the top of my voice.

ANDROMEDA: (covering NARCISSA'S mouth with her hand) Shut it! If you absolutely must know, you prying wench, we had an- altercation last term that I don't think went very smoothly and he hasn't all forgiven me yet.

NARCISSA: (doubtfully) An altercation.

ANDROMEDA: Yes.

NARCISSA: About what? His tongue?

ANDROMEDA: Would you knock it off already? There's nothing going on between us, it's just that we had a row and I would prefer not to speak to him just yet, okay? Now can you mind your own business already?

NARCISSA smirks at ANDROMEDA for a moment, and then turns around and runs through the shelves towards the front door.

NARCISSA: (at the top of her voice) ANDREW MCKINNON! ANDROMEDA BLACK WANTS A WORD!

ANDROMEDA: You arse! (She drops her books and runs to the back entrance of the store).

ANDREW: (looks up from the cashier, sees NARCISSA, and waves to her) Hey!

NARCISSA waves back and waits patiently by one of the aisle endcaps as ANDREW makes his way over to her.

ANDREW: Hey, Cissy. How's your summer?

NARCISSA: (smiling uncontrollably) Oh, it's great. Just great.

ANDREW: Awesome. Uh, did I hear you calling Andromeda's name, or-?

NARCISSA: You know what, you did, yes, I did- I did do that, because I thought I saw her, but it looks like I was mistaken and she is not here, so. Yeah. Guess she's not here.

ANDREW: That's a shame, I wanted to see her.

NARCISSA: (smiling again) You did, did you? Well, I'll be sure to tell her that, then. I know she was just dying to talk to you as well.

ANDREW: (laughs) Yeah. But hey, what about you? I heard you got Prefect! Congratulations!

NARCISSA: (her smile vanishes) Where did you hear that?

ANDREW: Old Sluggy was around my house for dinner last week and he let slip-

NARCISSA: Yeah, well, thanks, but I was trying to keep that quiet for now.

ANDREW: Really? Why?

NARCISSA: I just wanted to wait until I got to Hogwarts to really... embrace the whole Prefect thing, you know? (She reaches in her robes and takes out her Prefect badge) I don't want to be one of those people who flaunts this thing around like it's some excuse to be a jerk.

ANDREW: (jokingly) Like me? (Points to his own Prefect badge on his chest)

NARCISSA: No, no! I wasn't talking about you! I was actually talking about my sister.

ANDREW: Oh. Well, 'Dromeda was always pretty cool about it. She hardly ever yelled at anyone since she became Prefect.

NARCISSA: Well, anyway. And I think she was hoping to get Head Girl this year, but the letter didn't come for her, so I didn't want to brag that I got Prefect.

ANDREW: I understand. But I think you're wrong about her. I think she'd be really happy for you if you told her.

NARCISSA: You think? Well, then maybe I will tell her. Today, even. If the time comes. So who did end up getting Head Boy and Girl this year?

ANDREW: Oh, Slughorn said it was Gideon Prewett for Head Boy- you know him? He's in Gryffindor. We were all expecting him to get it. And Head Girl is Dolores Umbridge- you know her, she's in Slytherin.

NARCISSA: Yeah. Never cared for her, though. She always treated my sister like rubbish.

ANDREW: She does have her moments. And I'm sure the fact that she's Head Girl is gonna really give her an excuse to treat everyone like rubbish.

NARCISSA: (laughing) Probably. And, you won't mention me being a Prefect to anyone? Just until the word gets out, I mean?

ANDREW: Sure thing. Your secret's safe with me. (Looking over his shoulder) Well, I think I better be going. I told some friends I would try to meet up with them.

NARCISSA: Yeah, I'd better go back to finding Andromeda. She's probably lost in some second-hand toad shop right about now.

ANDREW: (laughing) Tell her to try and find me, okay? We've got a lot to talk about before term starts.

NARCISSA: Sure thing! (She watches him go, and then sets out towards the back entrance, following her sister).