“About possibly being able to tutor me?” The fact that Andromeda seemed to have no idea what she was talking about made Marlene more nervous.

Recognition engulfed the witch’s features and she suddenly recalled the conversation she’d had with McGonagall. But, that had been a good week or so ago now, and Andromeda hadn’t heard anything further -- she wouldn’t have wanted to assume. Still, the Slytherin nodded in understanding. “Oh, yes -- she mentioned it briefly, in passing.” Another nod, followed by a smile of reassurance. “Though she did not elaborate fully on what exactly you needed assistance in.” 

Ted smiled as he watched the younger Hufflepuff compose herself before finally completing the spell. Giving her a cheer, he patted her on the shoulder and waved her over to her group of friends so he could carry on his way. Hearing Odessa’s words caused a grin to pull at his lips, and he strolled slowly over to her. “Now where would she have learnt if I had?” 

Andromeda held the book at her chest with both hands crossed over the back cover, and looked up at Ted as he moved closer to her. “I don’t suppose she would have.” Her gaze moved over to the girl who was now somewhat into the distance. “But it’s quite easy for some people to get carried away when tutoring.” It was easy to show people you knew your stuff, it was a lot harder to teach people the stuff you knew. Or, at least, that’s how Andromeda had experienced it. There was a reason that even some of the most intelligent of their professors had trouble getting through to their classes.

“Oh it doesn’t matter now. It’s not as fun if I have to tell you.” Another sigh of disappointment left his lips and gave a one shouldered shrug. “I’m hurt, Drom, I really am. I was an angel as a child.” He glanced up at his cousin with a grin, remembering just how much he loved to play up. “I mean on this occasion, I would rather not say.”

Andromeda crossed her arms over her chest and gave her cousin a pointed look, but did not press him further. Upon his next comment, a smile pulled on the corners of her lips. Truthfully, Sirius had never been an angel child in the eyes of their family -- far, far from it. Though she couldn’t imagine he’d have been less of a ‘handful’ had his views fallen in line with his parents’. “Of course, I must have been thinking of my other cousin Sirius.” She shrugged, a small laugh falling from her lips. “Silence is often interpreted as guilt.” She warned, though an amused look on her face all the same.

“I thought you were going to ask my favourite question then, Drom. That’s just disappointing.” Sirius let out an exaggerated sigh. “But yes, I am actually asking that question. I could be completely innocent for all you know.”

“And what would that have been so I can remedy it?” She asked. “I can’t remember a time when you were completely innocent.” The witch exaggerated, offering her cousin a playful smile. “But, are you?” 

“I was wondering if McGonagall has had chance to talk to you yet?” Marlene questioned nervously as she looked at the ground and picked at her cuticles, suddenly feeling awkward over the conversation. The gryffindor had always hated asking for help.

Her head tilted to the side slightly in a questioning pose. “Regarding what?” She asked, voice gentle and genuinely curious. The Gyffindor looked somewhat distressed, if Andromeda were to put a word to it, and she wondered if there was anything she could do to assist.

The crunching sound of one of the unfortunate leaves that had begun to litter the ground was what alerted Andromeda to the presence of another. Prior to this, she’d barely heard them approach. Looking up, she offered the individual a small smile, their figure looming as the sun beamed behind them, darkening their features if only slightly. It took a moment for Andromeda to fully take in the individual as a result. “Is there something you needed?” She said, the smile remaining on her lips, and without looking back down she folded the corner of the page she was on and closed the book.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a group of first years look so excited, I forgot what it was like.” Ted sighed wistfully as he remembered what it was like when he first started at Hogwarts. After all, when he arrived at the school, it was the first real chance he had at seeing any magic. “You’re judging me right now, aren’t you?” He narrowed his eyes playfully. “And how would you have handled it in my shoes, Miss Black?”

“What it’s like every year.” She reminded him with a smile. It was easy to forget the excitement that would light up a first year’s face upon stepping into Hogwarts for the first time, when you’d be through the door yourself many more times. “It might be nice to relive it, if that were possible.” It hadn’t mattered that she’d been surrounded by magic her whole life, and heard stories about the grandeur of what was now her school -- it was certainly something new entirely seeing it for the first time. The Slytherin tilted her head to the side and raised her brows, if only slightly. “I would never.” She said plainly, as if there was ever a doubt. “I simply might have not rushed away from the poor first years who may have been looking for a capable older wizard to assist them.” She said, meeting his gaze, though there was an almost playful smile pulling on the corners of her lips. “I’d imagine you may have even scared one or two.” She brushed a strand of hair behind her ear before continuing. “Calmly stepping out prior to the commotion was my preferred choice.”

“Would it be completely terrible of me to say that I pretty much ran from my common room? I was glad for the excuse.” He replied with a guilty look as he grinned at her, rubbing the back of his neck.

The smile grew on her lips, threatening to release a small laugh, for she knew the feeling. But, she managed to contain this. “It’s a bit manic -- so, I’d say not completely terrible, no.” She said, looking up to meet his gaze momentarily. “Though you might have tried being less obvious about it.”

“Dromeda? It’s okay I call you Dromeda, right?” He grinned sheepishly as he jogged to catch up with her. “I believe we’ve been partnered together this fine evening for prefect duties.”

Andromeda had heard the name come from behind her, shortened and from a voice she didn’t quite recognise. It took a moment for her to reply with a nod and a small smile that went with it. “So you’ve the luxury of stepping away from beginning of the term chaos, too?” She asked, with a hint of a joke in her tone, slowing down slightly. 

“Is it ever too late to sleep?” Daisy replied with an amused expression, eyes narrowing in contemplation. “Honestly, there’s nothing better than a nap.”

Andromeda considered the comment for a moment, but simply nodded. “Well, most of the time, yes.” She said, honestly. “I can’t say I feel the same, however if it is necessary...”

The blonde smiled softly and waved but kept her distance. She didn’t know the witch very well yet she always made sure she greeted her whenever she saw her. Politeness was an important trait to Pandora, she’d hate to have someone think of her as rude so she always attempted to exchange pleasantries with people she came into contact with. Pandora shrugged, rocking back onto the balls of her feet. “I suppose it is but the castle is so beautiful at night it feels like a shame not to enjoy it.” The witch explained before finally taking a few steps closer to the female. “And what about you, have you been doing anything interesting or am I prying too much?” 

A small smile pulled on the corners of Andromeda’s lips as she watched the blonde wave at her. As she spoke, the dark-haired witch couldn’t help but find her gaze moving around the interior of the castle as if to re-examine the beauty of the castle in that moment. “I suppose the candle-light does add something a little different.” Andromeda agreed with a small nod, meeting the other’s gaze once again. “Nothing particularly interesting,” she admitted, “just doing the rounds.” Albeit quite slowly tonight given that she really couldn’t see the benefit of going back to the dorm when she seemed almost wide-awake. 

“And thus the pot is calling the kettle black.” Regulus smirked at his cousin, brow raised slightly as he wandered toward her.

“An appropriate idiom.” Andromeda responded with an amused smile of her own. “Perhaps I should know better, but what's your excuse?” She tilted her head and raised a brow expectantly.