heart of gold

“Oh, you know…. they teach us a little bit of this, a little bit of that…” Andromeda murmured with a chuckle, a teasing smile pulling at her lips as she peered up at Ted, catching the look in his eye as he leaned in closer. At his words, the brunette couldn’t help but blush, but jutted her chin out, not backing from his challenge. “As often as I want? I’d never get anything done, in that case,” she replied with a quiet laugh. “I want to grope you all the time. And kiss you and talk with you and hold you…. among many other things.” She sighed softly, longing making her heart ache slightly. She wished they could have some sort of normalcy, like the other couples she saw around the castle. She wanted to be able to walk around, hand in hand with him, without fear of her siblings seeing– specifically, Bellatrix, as well as the pack of friends she’d made in her years at Hogwarts. Dromeda was sure that if she even caught a whiff of anything going on with her and Ted or anyone who wasn’t of the purest lines of magical blood, Bella would do everything she could to tear them apart. Even going as far as hurting them, she was sure. Not to mention, what her parents would do if they find out. It made Andromeda sick to her stomach, kept her up at night quite often, the thoughts of what could happen racing through her head. 

“Most people, maybe, but her friends seem quite content with whatever Bella likes spending her time doing,” Andromeda murmured, frowning slightly; she didn’t want to spend their time talking about her sister. She was glad she could distract him, because she hated how she felt she always had to choose between Ted and her family. And most of the time, her family won, as much as she hated to admit it. She didn’t want to follow Bella around and watch her torment people just because they just happened to have been Muggle born or even half blood– but things were so complicated, and she hated to admit it, but she was scared of what could happen. Not just for herself, but for Ted. “Yes, for you,” she replied, giving him a careful smile as he took her hand, taking the necklace from her. “You’re sure? You really like it?” She beamed up at him a small laugh falling from her lips at the mention of his fake girlfriend. “Aurora. It’s a lovely name. I hope she makes you very happy. I’m pleased you like the necklace,” Andromeda murmured, glancing away for a moment to hide the emotion on her face– knowing he liked her gift made her more happy than she could begin to say, and the fact that he wasn’t planning on taking it off, made her love him even more, if that was possible. 

When his lips finally pressed against hers, Andie let out a soft moan of relief, one hand cupping the back of his neck, while the other cupped his cheek, eye lashes fluttering, the tenderness making her heart skip a beat. As the kiss grew from soft and gentle to passionate, a little less gentle and careful, Andromeda felt her knees give out from underneath her, and she grasped onto Ted a little tighter, desperate to get as much from him as possible. They had so little time to spare between them, and she wished, in these fleeting moments, that time could stop altogether, so they could enjoy it without worrying about the clock running out on them. They could talk and kiss and be as in love as they wanted to be. 

Hitching herself up into his arms, Andie brought her legs up to rest on either side of Ted’s hips, skirt moving up her thighs as she began kissing him deeply and as passionately as she could, wanting him to feel just as how much she loved him, before they had to part. She pulled away to kiss along his jaw, peppering kisses and love bites down to his neck. She nipped and kissed at his neck, pulling away breathlessly to study his skin, and the mark she’d left on him. “You can say Aurora gave that to you,” she murmured, chuckling softly. “I know she’s technically me, but I’m starting to resent this Aurora, getting to claim everything that’s mine,” she pouted playfully, leaning in to press her lips against his again, chest flush against his. “As long as it’s me you dream about at night and think about throughout your days…” Andromeda pulled away reluctantly, pressing her forehead against Ted’s, sighing softly. 

He could stare at her for hours on end and everything would be perfectly fine. Everything would feel irrelevant. The pink color in her cheeks only making it all the more fulfilling as he moved his hand to gently caress her skin. “Why do you need to get things done? Life’s too short to not grope a bloke,” he teased softly but soon enough, the sweet smile that was on his lips faltered ever so slightly as she listed the things that she wanted to do. But he knew weren’t possible. That she knew weren’t possible. Of all the people he could choose to fall in love with, why did it have to be someone from the most well known family in the wizarding world? It almost made him regret ever accepting to come to Hogwarts in the first place. Running his thumb against her jaw, his head cocked to the side, “How about whenever we see each other, I’ll let you do all those things. No questions. The moment you see me, you get in your dosage of gropes, a million kisses and as much holding as possible. Talking might not be an option but...” he shrugged but it was something.

“I wasn’t aware that she had friends. I thought she was just some life sucking leech looking to make everyone miserable. A dementor with a face,” he remarked with a slight hint of bitterness but it wasn’t something that he could avoid. He never could. But Ted did his best to keep his mouth shut everywhere else since he didn’t want to end up in a situation where he’d be in the hospital wing for days or worse... going home in a coffin. However, that wasn’t something that he wanted to think about in that particular moment. He wanted to think about the little necklace he now was never going to take off. The little necklace that would always make him feel close to his star on earth. “I do, I bloody love it,” he assured her, leaning in for a moment to press a gentle kiss against her lips before straightening himself, “Oh, she makes me very happy. Maybe I’ll introduce you to her one day. I think you’d quite like her since you’re both the height of dwarves,” he teased innocently, slipping the necklace inside of his shirt so it remained hidden from the outside world for now. Ted had meant his word; he was never taking it off. It was now his most prized possession.

That little moan sent shivers down his spine that he had been desperate to feel again. This was something that he’d have to hold onto for who knows how long and the Hufflepuff was going to cling to his girlfriend for as long as she’d allow him considering he’d often struggle to let her go. His hands grasped at her hips as he made sure to hold her as close to his body as she could but quite frankly, it would never be the same when they had layers of clothes on and he was used to this happening when they were only in their school uniform. Not that that didn’t get in the way either. As she brought herself up, one of the boys hands instantly went to her bum while the other held onto her thigh, slowly trailing up her skin in the process as a deep moan escaped him the more she deepened the kiss. A pout formed on his lips the moment that she pulled away but was quickly replaced as a gentle grin appeared in its wake. He couldn’t do that considering one single mark on her would raise suspicions. The hufflepuff could hear his heart rattling in his chest as he tried to steady his breathing, hoisting her up a bit further as he looked at her like a love struck puppy. “She can claim everything she wants but Andromeda will always be the only one that I need,” he mumbled softly, reciprocating the kiss gently, “You’ll be pleased to hear that you’re all I dream about every hour of every day. You’re everywhere I look to the point that sometimes I can’t even do my coursework. Are you sure you haven’t given me a potion?” Ted joked, nose gently nudging against hers.

Pressing her lips together to keep from laughing, Andromeda stayed quiet, not trusting herself to stay quiet. They were supposed to be meeting in secret, after all. If she laughed out loud, she’d attract attention to them. People would see them, and no doubt, word would get back to Bella and Cissy– and then her parents would find out and who knows what they’d do if they found out she was keeping company with a Muggleborn. She swallowed hard, until she felt she had herself under control, and let herself coyly smile up at him. “Is that right? –Well, correct me if I’m wrong…” she started, glancing around as if checking their surroundings, though she knew no one was around– their peers were off stuffing themselves with chocolate and sweets, and buying mindless things they didn’t really need. “We’re alone now, aren’t we? So should I grope you now, Ted?” she murmured softly, her lips twitching as she tried not so smirk. 

“I’m used to it. Narcissa dragged me into Gladrags and we probably would’ve been in there for hours if Bella hadn’t forced her to hurry up. Though I probably would’ve preferred to stay in there rather than follow Bella around,” she muttered, not bothering to elaborate on what her older sister had been up to. She was famous for terrorizing her peers, especially those who were Muggleborn. Andromeda was sure Ted had been a target of her cruel games at one time or another. “Nothing of interest,” she agreed. “My mind was elsewhere. Though I did….” she paused as she reached into her jumper, pulling out a necklace; gold with a tiny pendant hanging off it, and in the center of the pendant was an A. “Buy this. For you.” She’d had to sneak off to buy it, not wanting to have to answer any of her sisters’ questions or have them wonder why she hadn’t worn it if she bought it. “I thought that… you could wear it and when you look at it, think of me.” She frowned, studying the necklace, beginning to have second thoughts. “It’s a silly gift.” 

As his arms came around her, Andromeda finally felt like she could breathe. She inhaled his scent, the familiar smell making her ache. She’d missed him. She saw him everyday, but she missed him. She missed this. She missed feeling him hold her, making her feel like she was in the safest place in the world. Sometimes she wanted to just throw herself in his arms, not giving a damn what anyone would say. She relished in the thought of what Bella’s face would look like if she ever saw her younger sister in a Mudblood’s embrace. Bella could barely stand being in the same room as a Muggleborn; the thought of one touching her sister– Andromeda was sure she’d fly into a rage. And she’d calmly tell Bella, that yes, she’d touched Ted, and been touched by him many times. It was a fantasy she often had, but hadn’t yet gathered the courage to ever do. She melted against his warm embrace, her heart skipping a beat as he kissed her hair– but it wasn’t enough. She wanted more. They had so little time, and she wanted to get as much of him as she possibly could before they had to go their separate ways. “Ted,” she murmured, lifting her head to look up at him, moving her hand up from his arms to his neck. She leaned up on her tiptoes, body flush against his. “Please, for the love of Merlin, kiss me,” she murmured breathlessly, pulling at the hair at the nape of his neck, swallowing hard. “We don’t have much time. I have to head to the castle soon, in case Bella and Cissy decide to go looking for me.” She didn’t want to mention them, but it was their reality. They had to make the most of their time, when they could get it. 

The line they teetered meant being deprived of a lot of things and one of them was more than obvious in the way that she had to force herself not to laugh at his comments. Sometimes he wished none of what she was used to mattered. Sometimes he wondered what it would be like for them to be able to laugh together and not even care about what anyone would say, maybe then he wouldn’t feel so... lost despite having her right there. His head slowly cocked to one side, eyes narrowing playfully at her words considering he hadn’t quite been expecting her to go that route. “Merlin, is this what they teach you rich pureblood girls?” He joked dramatically but his voice soon lowered as he leaned down towards her just a little bit as a challenging glimmer appeared in those hazel hues. “Let’s make one little thing clear, ‘Dromeda... you never have to ask if you can grope me. Do it whenever you want, how often you want,” his voice just above a whisper was soon met with a lopsided smirk and little wink.

His nose scrunched in disgust as the mention of Bellatrix, a natural eye roll following since she was far from his favorite topic of conversation. Actually, the less he had to even look at her the better considering he’d made himself an easy enough target as it is. “I’m pretty sure most people would rather get stuck in a dungeon with a bunch of goblins then actually follow around your sister but maybe that’s just my own bias getting in the way. I’m sure she’s great,” he forced out the last few words, the cringe not hidden in the slightest. But as quickly as any fleeting thought, he was distracted by his girlfriend once again as he watched her dig through her pockets. “For... for me?” He questioned almost cautiously since he now felt horrible for not having been able to get her something. A smile slowly crept onto his lips as his hands gently grabbed hers, one slowly taking the necklace from her as he held onto it tightly, “What are you talking about? It’s not silly at all. I’m never going to take it off and if you happen to hear any rumors of my fake girlfriend, Aurora, know it’s because of this ‘cause I know I’m going to be annoyed with questions by my friends the moment they see it.” His eyes flickered to the simple necklace, a softness on his face before he mumbled, “I love it.”

The sound of his name on her tongue was something that Ted wanted to hear every single minute of every single hour of every single day but the world didn’t work that way. The world was made up for do’s and don’ts and their relationship in their society was very much a dont. Why couldn’t he just be with the girl he was madly falling in love with every single time he saw her in a corridor without people instilling beliefs as if it was the end of the world? When it wasn’t? He didn’t want to be the Romeo to her Juliet forever but her request make his heart skip as he looked down at her. His arms snaked around her tightly and lord only knows he wanted to do more than just kiss her but he had to get what he could when he had the chance. Without a single word, he leaned down and pressed his lips against hers in a kiss that started off so soft and gentle. Something so delicate and cautious as he blocked out the noise of people down the street. Once he had, he deepened the kiss into something more intense and desperate. He was desperate to feel her against him, hold her for more than some odd minutes a week, leave nothing but delicate kisses against the soft skin lingering under all those clothes. Desperate to love her so unconditionally and in an entirety that nobody could understand but them. 

Feeling her cheeks blush a rosy red, Andromeda looked Ted boldly in the eyes as she smiled sweetly up at him. “Maybe I should start following after you, now. It’s only right that I return the favour,” she quipped, her heart a-flutter as she peered up a him, so much love for him in her heart, just begging to be released. She didn’t know she could feel anything like this before; Cygnus and Druella definitely didn’t love each other, so it was a bit of a foreign subject for her; but how could she not feel anything but for Ted? He made it easy; from the very beginning, he’d possessed her heart, and despite how difficult their situation was, the feelings she had for him never faltered. “You do have quite a nice one yourself, after all.” Doe eyes peered up at him, a layer of mischief twinkling beneath the innocence; she really was growing to be an unabashed flirt, but only he could bring it out of her. 

Despite stepping closer, needing to touch him, and feel him, he was still not close enough, but she paused, knowing there was caution to be had; she internally sighed, wishing there was some way she could be someone else at times like these. Wishing she could be someone who didn’t have to worry about what people thought, or what they would say, or if it would get back to her parents. Wishing she was not a Black. Her heart filled with joy at his words; she already knew how he felt about her, but hearing it reaffirmed every time was a relief. It was like finding out she hadn’t been dreaming it all up. “And I, you. I spent most of the morning trying to slip away but I kept getting pulled into shop after shop. You were always on my mind, nevertheless.” Her eyes fluttered shut as she felt him reach out, brushing his hand against her hair; she opened them again to glance around before stepping even closer, crooking her finger to hook into his jeans, gently tugging at him. “–Hardly anyone walks through here, I think it’s okay, Ted,” she murmured softly. She brought her hands up to rest on his arms, leaning in to press her cheek over against chest. 

Hazel eyes roamed across her cheeks as she noticed the subtle shade of color blossoming across them causing him to let out a small breathe, looking to the side for a brief moment as his hand moved against the back of his head to ruffle his hair. An aversion of sorts to distract from his own flushed cheeks. “You could do that if you truly wanted to,” he began, tilting his head up to look at the drifting clouds and the way that the sun seemed to be moving across the sky. But whilst he looked like the genuine sweetheart with nothing but a pure view on the world, Edward Tonks had his hidden desires tucked away which came to fruition when provoked by petite brunette’s with eyes bigger than life. He continued, “Or you could wait for when we’re alone and take full advantage of the fact that I don’t mind being groped by you.”

He allowed his body to sway forward ever so slightly as her remained rooted to the ground where he stood. Whilst Ted knew that Andromeda had deep love for her sisters - despite one being a living incarnation of a demon and the other a spoiled little princess - he couldn’t understand why she found it so hard to find time for herself. Were purebloods always meant to be glued to each other simply for status purposes? Or was it just them? “How you could ever survive that kind of shit is impressive but that goes without saying. I don’t see you with any bags so I take it nothing was of your interest?” He wondered, mulling over the idea of getting her something but only realizing he was broke once again. Third time today. But then Edward felt himself stiffen as she moved closer once more, eyes instantly shooting upward in vigilance, aimlessly stepping closer to her when he felt the tug only realizing it after as he looked down at her. He swallowed thickly, heart picking up as he felt her against him. Letting go of his cautious behavior, he finally relaxed and wrapped his arms around her, a hand placed gently on the back of her head as he pressed a kiss to her hair, “Let’s hope you’re right ‘cause I’m not sure if I’ll be ready to let go just yet if someone does.”

Andromeda weaved between crowds of people, getting as far away from classmates and staff walking through the village. A short while later, after turning corners and ending up in a rather dismal part of the village, she slowed down, beginning to stroll as she felt someone come up behind her, knowing who it was just by the sound of their footsteps– and she wasn’t disappointed when she heard his voice, looking up as he popped up in front of her. A wry smile stretched across her face at the sight of him– utter joy swelling in her heart, feeling so much so suddenly– she had to stop herself from throwing herself into his arms, and kissing him senseless. But she couldn’t do that– not yet, anyway. She had to be careful, after all, even if they were seemingly all alone. Glancing around as she stopped in her tracks, her smile fell as paranoia set in, her teeth beginning to gnaw on her bottom lip– but the coast was clear, for now, allowing her to momentarily relax, even though she was still worried someone would show up and find them together. Even just being near each other would be enough to look suspicious, considering who she was, and his Muggle-born status. But nonetheless, she couldn’t help but feel happy, even though she knew they didn’t have much time. 

“Hi,” she finally murmured back, her lips turning up into a soft smile. “Have you ever considered that maybe it’s you who walks so slow? I mean, Merlin, Tonks– for someone so tall, shouldn’t your legs take longer strides?” she retorted. “I was wondering if you’d ever catch up,” she teased, stepping closer, so she was actually staring up at him. She went silent, taking the moment to study his face, her heart skipping a beat as she took him in– going from his face, to his broad shoulders and chest, back up to his face, his eyes, his lips, his smile, and down to his hands. She was breathless by the time she was finished. “I’ve missed you,” she confessed, sidling up closer– needing to touch him, to smell him, to get her fix until the next time– because who knows when that would be. 

Sometimes he wondered if he knew the pureblood Slytherin more than he knew himself or if he was just so used to her mannerisms that he could tell when she was nervous about actually being in his presence. Edward tried very hard to play the role of considerate boyfriend who tried his best to handle what was given to him in the small bursts he got but sometimes he thought it seemed a bit much. He had no regrets of ever having pursued anything with Andromeda nor did he think he ever would but this kind of situation in itself made him wish she was normal. Or he was worthy of being with her. Whichever was easiest. Placing a hand on his chest, the male made a pained expression, “Ow, right in the bloody heart, Black. But I will have you know that I was walking slower because I had to ensure that I had a perfect view of your arse.” The tone of offense had quickly shifted to one of teasing since he was far too respectful to have actually taken that opportunity to stare at her features except the back of her head. Watching her step closer, Ted remained where he was but allowed his gaze to move from her and up towards the path which they had just come from.

Soon enough he was looking at her once more, gentle smile on his face. He gave himself the honor of taking in every single delicate aspect of her face from the big doe eyes that he dreamed about to the way her smile seemed to be more blinding than the sun itself. In his eyes, Andromeda was every bit an angel stuck in a world overpowered by nothing but demons. He didn’t know how she survived but god did he wish he could help her escape to a cloud filled paradise. “I’ve missed you too. So bloody much,” he told her softly, leaning his head down towards her since if he dared to move he would be compromise the already small space between them. Only god knew how badly he wanted to hold her, distract her from life, kiss every part of her that she’d allow, but the only thing he found as a solution was the raise his hand and gently brush aside a few strands of her hair. It was rare for him to make bolder moves since he always feared she’d push them away. “I’ve been hoping to find you all day.”

Andromeda quietly trailed after her sisters and their group of friends, too preoccupied with her own thoughts and the nervous fluttering in her stomach– so preoccupied, she almost ran right into Narcissa, not realizing her sister had stopped to wait for her. “What’s going on with you, ‘Dromeda? You’re awfully quiet today– even more than usual,” her younger sibling commented, moving to loop their arms together. The brunette couldn’t help but smile at her sibling’s concern; Cissy was more more kind-natured than their older sister– if she’d been the one Andie had run into, she probably would’ve yelled at her about having her head up in the clouds, or jump to conclusions and make a comment about it to their parents, and then she’d never hear the end of it. 

“I’m fine, Cissy– just not feeling very well,” she murmured, her eyes scanning the crowds of people walking through the village, not seeing who she was searching for, but also doing her best not to catch her sister’s attention. “I think all the walking and shopping might be getting to me…. Though I’m very glad I found a new pair of gloves. Mine were starting to get rather worn out.” She caught sight of the tall figure she’d been looking for, her breath catching as her heart began to race. “I… Cissy, I think I might actually head back up to the castle…. I need to lay down,” she murmured, pulling her arm from her sister’s grasp. Her sister turned to face her, her blue eyes soft with worry. “Want us to come back up with you? Bella’s not very far ahead, I can go grab her–” Shaking her head, Andie smiled grimly. 

“No, no… I don’t want to ruin your fun; you’ve been talking about drinking a butterbeer all afternoon. And besides, isn’t there a very handsome, very tall boy you were hoping to see….?” she lightly teased her sister, grinning as Narcissa’s cheeks flooded with colour. “Really– go on ahead. Tell Bella I’ll see you both later,” she urged. For a moment, Cissy seemed to hesitate, but then she smiled, nodding. She gave her older sister a swift peck on the cheek before turning away, flouncing off to catch up with their older sister up ahead. Andie watched her until she disappeared into the crowd, before placing her gaze on Edward Tonk’s, giving the briefest of nods in the opposite direction her sisters had gone, before turning and walking away, expecting him to follow after her.

It had only now dawned on Ted that Andromeda could be near her sisters which meant that this could impose problems on him later. But his eyes remained transfixed on the petite girl, only flickering to the side ever so slightly when he noticed a blonde head beside her - of course, Narcissa. While the youngest Black sister wasn't anything like the very oldest, she still wasn't someone that he wanted to catch looking at the middle sister since she could easily go and tell all of her pureblood friends which meant nothing but bad news for Ted. It didn't help that he absolutely despised the Lestranges and had once punched Evan Rosier in the face for picking on a third year muggleborn who had done nothing to him except touch his book. Either way, he hadn't even noticed her disappear since his eyes only caught the small sign she gave him. The small chance made his heart leap with excitement as he shoved his hands into his robe pockets and proceeded to follow after her. Pushing through the crowd of people as inconspicuously as possible whilst also making sure she didn't go somewhere he wouldn't notice, he wondered how someone that small could move so fast.

Even though he had cleared the large group of people and could catch up with Andromeda within mere seconds, he kept his fair space of distance and tried to make it seem like he was simply wandering around aimlessly. He found himself spinning in a circle and walking backwards as he walked when a younger couple ran past him laughing and holding hands. A frown appeared on his face as he watched them so openly display their affections but something was better than nothing - or so was his belief as he spun around to face the right direction. Catching the brunette turn a corner, Ted realized that where they were heading was completely and utterly barren. Looking behind him, to the sides and spinning for one last glance, he quickened his pace until he was directly behind her, leaning down slightly as he muttered, "Hi," side stepping in front of her with a bright smile on his features, "Has anyone ever told you that you walk way too fast for someone so short? I don't understand how it's possible but it's almost unnatural, Ands," he teased lightheartedly, still not daring to move his hands from his pockets to touch her.

Heads of brown, black, blonde and the occasional red wizzed by his range of sight but considering that none of them happened to be who he was looking for, he sighed, placed his hands in his pockets and began to push through the crowd of people himself. It was cold with a light wind which really didn't help his situation at all. It also didn't help that he soon came to a stop when he noticed Andromeda in the distance. He didn't know if she was alone so he couldn't actually approach her so he figured watching her would be the easiest way to get her attention. Frankly, he just wanted to ask her if she was having a nice time, if she bought cool things, if she was cold. Basic conversation that shouldn't be so hard. And yet, he had to wait for some sign. Patiently but not patient at all.