what a man gotta do

Andromeda put up her hand to stop his chattering. “Nonsense, as long as you’re quiet we can share the space.” she smiled politely walking further into the small nook stepping over his sheets and quills strewn about the floor. “I couldn’t hear myself think in the slytherin common room, something about a quidditch win or a boy.” she waved her hand about as she took out her things and placed them neatly around her. “I come here to get a little peace and quiet…I didn’t know anyone else knew about it, I found it in first year. Followed a ghost around his corner of the library actually. Too curious for my own good my mother would say.” she babbled on. Letting out a sigh, it was rather peculiar for her to be chatty with someone she didn’t know too well. “Sorry, here I am going on about peace and quiet and I haven’t shut my mouth since I stepped into the room.” she apologized opening her book and focusing her attention on it. 

Ted paused midway, looking up at his reluctant potions partner and swallowed thickly. For a brief moment, he wondered if this was a trick, if this was some strange Slytherin way of getting him to let his guard down, but on instinct, Ted didn’t suspect that of Andromeda Black. Ever since that unfortunate (for her) day when Slughorn assigned them as partners, Andromeda had been completely civil towards him. She had never commented on his blood status - as was prone with other Slytherins he’d encountered, and never chastised him too harshly when he was about to do something wrong. Luckily for him, he’d gotten in the habit of catching her eye for confirmation before making a move. 

Andromeda kept her head held high even with Ted on the floor gasping in pain. She stood in front of him blocking him from Bella’s view. “I won’t leave you.” she said sternly. She had half a mind to send him home with a portkey but it would take too much time and energy, she needed to focus on her sister. They both scored high in the defence against the dark arts, but while Andromeda focused more on charms and healing, her sister had practiced cursed and violence. They might have been very different people but they were still cut from the same cloth. There was nothing Andromeda wouldn’t do for the one she loved. Andromeda hurled a curse at her sister, though she was rusty it had caught her off guard. Another she spat at the wizard crouching behind her sister, a lakey. The spells slipping past her lips with ease oath breaking. She had made a promise to heal not harm when she became a healer for st. mungos, but nothing was going to stop her from protecting Ted. “Braver than you he is.” Andromeda narrowed her eyes at her sister. Stood up to you all those years and even now, he’s not afraid of you Bella and neither am I.” she hurled back her eyes dark. She combated her sisters curse the light in the small restaurant almost unbearable. The shock was enough for Andromeda to shield herself and Ted, calling out for the portkey. “Teddy, are you okay?” Can you manage?” she asked him her hands tender on his face. 

There was no doubt about it. His fiance was the most amazing, most fearless, most awe-inspiring woman Ted had ever known. He knew the moment his plea for her to run left his lips that there was no way she would ever leave him behind. Just as he would never leaver her. Despite their crazy, insanely dangerous circumstances, or how much darkness swirled around them at all times, they would always be there for each other. No matter what. The thought warmed his heart every moment of ever day, pushing away the despair and hopelessness that threatened to over come in such trying times. 

Adrenaline pumping through his veins, Ted nodded his answer, voice still hoarse and weak. Dromeda, as always, thinking one step ahead when she summoned the rusty old cigarette lighter - a muggle gift from his father - and immediately recognized the portkey. With Bellatrix and her henchmen temporarily incapacitated Ted didn’t hesitate to clasp Dromeda’s hand in his, his free hand reaching out and hovering over the lighter. “R-ready...” he croaked. “1...2...3...” He watched her carefully, ensuring that they both touched the cool metal trinket at the exact same time. 

An engagement. Andromeda clicked her tongue at the thought of it. Her mother’s letter had put her in quite the foul mood this morning. She always knew it would come, Bella was already betrothed to Rodolphus Lestrange and he had a younger brother. It was a matter of time before Andromeda would be paired off but still. She had hoped she had more time to herself, more time to explore who she was. She packed up her things looking at the clock, poor Ted, she said she’d be there today in the library and she had let her mind wander and now she was late. Rushing to the library, Andromeda casually neated her hair and robes heading over to their table. “Hello Ted. Fancy meeting you here.” she gave a small chuckle putting her things down and getting out her books. 

They never really did do much studying in the library. It was always for show, while they chatted and exchanged thoughts and stories and information. The more she chatted with Ted the more she really liked him. It didn’t matter that he was a muggleborn or hufflepuff, none of it mattered. He made her feel like she mattered, like she was interesting and fun, he laughed at her jokes and asked her questions and challenged her mind. 

Despite his anticipation (and trepidation), as soon as Andromeda breezed through the library doors, Ted’s heart leapt to his throat rendering him a stuttering, speechless mess. As per usual. 

“H-h-hi, Dromeda - I, uh, I mean, Andromeda...” Ted stumbled over himself, half standing as she approached before he realized a split second too late that he was being a prat and slamming his butt back down into his seat, causing it to wobble precariously with the force of it. He winced, chuckling nervously. “Y-yeah... who’d have thought?” he tried to joke back, hoping beyond hope that Andromeda didn’t notice his extra awkwardness and didn’t begrudge his lame response. Why, oh, why was he still such a tongue-tied, blubbering fool around her? It has been years and he still the same idiot that bumped his head underneath the potions table. 

Someone had done something to Ted, she could see it in his eyes, nevermind the words coming from his mouth were a dead giveaway. Andromeda pushed herself back from the table her chair screeching against the wood floor. “Who is controlling you?” Andromeda hissed pulling out her wand out of her robe. Her heart was breaking. Hadn’t see been the one to tell Ted they couldn’t hide? That they needed to go back out in public, show they weren’t afraid? She was going to let death eaters rule her life and she had put Ted’s life at risk. “Who?” Andromeda ground her teeth asking again. She was causing a scene, that she knew, but Ted’s life was bigger than any faux paux she could make. “I’m sorry my love.” Andromeda whispered looking at Ted sadly. 

She pointed her wand at Ted before firing behind her. She could see in the reflection of the glass her sister’s wicked face hiding behind a pillar behind her. “Bella!” she yelled angrily. “We were having dinner, we weren’t hurting anyone and we certainly weren’t in your way. You sought us out.” Andromeda’s chin jutted out as she held her head up high facing off against her elder sister. Bella cackled throwing her head back her wild curls down her back. “Let him go.” Andromeda stood her ground, Ted behind her. “And why would I do that?” Bella grinned wickedly back. Andromeda replied with a curse her face steely as she shot first. Patrons of the restaurant fled the sounds of screaming and witches and wizards disappearing with a pop around her. “Teddy.” Andromeda called behind her to check on him. 

There was something to be said about the blissful weightlessness Ted felt as he sat in the crowded restaurant. He couldn’t put his finger on why he suddenly felt this way, but was nice. Peaceful. Despite the alarmed expression of the woman in front of him, Ted couldn’t imagine ever feeling any better than he did in that moment. The harsh words coming from his very lips barely registered in Ted’s mind at all. 

Then... Just as suddenly, the feeling was gone. And Ted was free from the Imperius Curse. Instead finding himself surrounded by running a screaming diners. For the briefest of moments, Ted inexplicably saw two Dromeda’s standing before him. But after blinking away his confusion, realisation dawned on him. Bellatrix Lestrange. Panic surged through him as another curse reverberated through the room. “Aw, has poor little Teddy got a boo boo?” Bella taunted as Dromeda  moved to check on him. “I’m fine,” he responded hoarsely, reaching out to his fiance and moving to place himself between Dromeda and her sister. Bella laughed cruelly. “Weak minded little mudblood,” she spat out before sending another curse towards them. Automatically Ted moved to block the spell from reaching Andromeda. Unbearable, unimaginable pain surged through his body, sending him stumbling to the floor. “Dromeda...” he gasped out, pleading her with his eyes to run and save herself. “R-run!” 

Andromeda shook her head returning her attention back to her fiance. “Not even I like blood sausage dear, but you’ll like this one.” She chuckled. This was supposed to be about the two of them and their engagement it wasn’t supposed to be time for Andromeda to let fears get in the way of their night out. Andromeda smiled and nodded. “Nothing love, just thought I saw an old friend. Must have been mistaken. Nothing to worry about really.” she told him placing her menu back down on the table. 

“Tonight is for us. To celebrate our freedom and this.” she said wiggling her left fingers. The light had caught the small diamond and it sparkled. “We should do a toast! Really celebrate and maybe i’ll kiss you at the end of the night when you walk me back home.” she teased. 

It was difficult in times like these for Ted to feel relaxed enough to enjoy a quiet evening out with the woman he loved, and it pained him even further to know that Andromeda felt the same, even if she was making a valiant effort to appear otherwise. He reached across the table to hold her free hand in his, caressing it in what he hoped was a comforting gesture. “I know it’s hard,” Ted responded with a small reassuring smile. “To not worry, I mean. But we’ll get there...” Eventually. Ted kept the last part to himself, knowing that it would always be hard for them to relax, not after they had each lost so much, and with so much more on the line... “We’re just out of practice?” It came out as a question, since they’d never really had an opportunity to go on a proper date since their first one. Which hadn’t even started off as a date. Not really. 

“I’ll drink to that!” Ted said cheerfully, motioning to the waiter - a rather short goblin who looked really uncomfortable in his bow tie and jacket - and ordered two glasses of champagne. Instantly, the flutes appeared on the table, seemingly filling themselves. Lifting the closest glass, Ted leaned forward to toast their engagement. “And to our first official date as a couple!” he teased, a surge of happiness filling his chest as he watched Andromeda admire his mother’s - her - ring. “Oh, in that case, I best be on my best behavior.” Ted pretended to sit up straighter, making a show of adjusting his robes. 

But as he did so, a sudden weightless feeling surged through his body, his mind becoming unnervingly serene and thoughtless. Tell her... “I’ve always wondered what it would be like to bed a Black. Ever since I first found out I was a filthy mudblood...” 

Andromeda smiled. “Thanks Ted.” she said softly. The more time Andromeda spent with Ted the more she had come to like him. He was sweet and kind and funny and not at all how her family had spoke about mudbloods. Maybe they weren’t all like that, maybe Ted was okay. Aside from his clumsiness he wasn’t dangerous either. She laughed at his small joke. “It’s disgusting.” she chuckled. “can’t even imagine being covered in that goo!” she shook her head. It actually kind of felt nice speaking to him and not having all these expectations on her or having to watch what she said. She liked her friends just fine but sometimes they were judgemental and catty and Ted wasn’t any of those things. 

Andromeda opened her mouth to say something when she heard her name screech from outside the infirmary. She tilted her head to the side and her face all but flushed. Bellatrix. “Bella.” She spoke softly as her sister marched towards her. “Professor Slughorn.” she tried to explain. I don’t quite care about professor slughorn Andromeda what are you doing with this mudblood in the infirmary of all places! Unless you put him here!” Andromeda shook her head as her sister yanked her up out of her spot by her arm and dragged her out. Andromeda looked back at Ted and bowed her head mouthing a sorry to him.  

Something in Ted’s chest did a little flip at the sound of Andromeda’s laughter. He hadn’t meant for it to be a joke, but it was such a delicate, pretty sound. And it delighted him that he’d been the one to make it happen. Instinctively, all Ted wanted was to hear it again. “Oh, I can think of a few substances worse,” Ted responded with a slight tease. “My mate, Ed, swears his dad owns a bottle of troll boogies at home. Why anyone would want to own troll boogies is beyond me...” 

The sudden screech from beyond the doors caused Ted to jump, sliding off his chair and landing on the floor with a thud. “Is that a banshee?” he asked, nonsensically as he turned to face the noise. What little blood he had left, drained from his face when Ted realised who it was stomping towards them. He didn’t a chance to interject with an apology, his tongue frozen with the assurances that it wasn’t in any way Andromeda’s fault that she was here with him, but the words wouldn’t come. Ted didn't even have time to scramble to his feet before Andromeda was being dragged away by her sister - her scary, foreboding, petrifying elder sister. 

The place felt homey to Andromeda. The pictures on the walls reminded her of the castle walls at hogwarts and the lights floating in mid-air made it romantic. Andromeda sat looking over the menu but her confusion when she looked up at Ted didn’t lie in the food or what to order. Her eyes caught a glimpse of someone she recognized and Andromeda was frozen still eyes never leaving the figure who was in deep conversation with someone she couldn’t see. “Uh - what was that dear?” Andromeda asked trying to shift her focus to what Ted was saying but keeping her eyes trained just behind him. 

“I believe I’ve had it once or twice, Glamorgan Sausage is good, it’s cheese sausage, you’ll like it.” she told him quickly glancing at the menu to see if they had it. When she looked up the figure was gone and Andromeda looked around, perhaps it was her imagination. “Sorry - I thought I saw someone I recognized.” she apologized, knowing she must have seen off to Ted. Andromeda leaned forward and held his hands in hers. 

At first Ted had been been so focused on perusing the menu that he hadn’t noticed anything was off with the way Dromeda was acting. He hummed in interest at her suggestion. “Sounds interesting...I suppose can’t go too wrong with sausage, right?” he asked, oblivious. “Unless its like, you know, blood sausage, which has a bad rep, but actually tastes okay. Different, but edible.” It was only after Andromeda hadn’t responded for several long moments that Ted looked up to see her frowning at something behind him. Turning to look, he tried to tamper down the instinct to immediately jump on the defensive. The magical world was small, but surely not so small as to have someone Dromeda knew so far from home.... right? 

“Who, dear?” he asked, eyes scanning the room. He turned back at the touch of her hand, sending Andromeda a gentle smile. “Someone we should be, er, worried about?” Ted tried to sound as nonchalant as his nerves would allow. He had wanted tonight to be perfect - a break from the stress and terror of the war - yet they had barely taken their seats and he was on edge. 

“You spoil me Teddy, you know I don’t mind a nice quiet night in and a stroll around our garden if it’s nice out.” Andromeda smiled. Their wedding date was fast approaching and Andromeda had been rather preoccupied with work and the planning of sorts, so it was very sweet of Ted to want to treat the both of them with a nice night out. Andromeda’s hand squeezed back as she tilted her head to look up at him. “No more hiding.” she agreed. This would be good for them. And perhaps they’d been in hiding for so long that they were forgotten about, who would be looking for them in public now? She was certain her sisters were both busy with their marriages and day to day duelings that she was now far from their minds. 

“I am happy Ted. You make me happy.” she told him, forehead pressed against his in a gentle embrace. In an instant they were in front of a quaint little restaurant and Andromeda had the biggest smile on her face. “It’s charming. Like you dear. Shall we?” She asked looping her arm around her fiance’s and walking up the cobblestone pathway. 

“Not half as much as you deserve.” Ted was so happy to see Andromeda’s delighted smile, and couldn’t help responding in kind. “I know, dear, but we’ve got our whole lives to do that.” He reached to bop her nose playfully. “Don’t want you getting bored of me before we even make it down the aisle,” he joked, but truthfully, he could imagine a life with Dromeda - a wonderful one - where they just sat in their backgarden and admired the life they’d built together, perhaps with a couple of young ones running around... It was a perfect vision that he had no doubt would happen one day. 

“We shall!” he answered enthusiastically, as always, blushing at Dromeda’s compliment before guiding her inside. The decor was a little run down with its mishmash of photo frames hanging on the wall. The tables were covered in pristine white cloths and tiny candles floating in mid-air and young couples, friends and families dotted the room. There was such a warm and cosy atmosphere that Ted instantly understood why his colleague had recommended the place. “Order anything you’d like,” he instructed, after they were seated and began browsing the menu. He frowned slightly at all the unfamiliar welsh dishes listed. “If you can find something you recognize... I’ve just realized I’ve never eaten Welsh food before. Not even at Hogwarts. Have you?” 

Andromeda shrugged. “You never know until you try and eyebrows grow back - or at least there’s a spell for that.” she chuckled unable to help herself from laughing. “Well that’s to be expected Tonks. You didn’t grow up with magic. For some people it just comes naturally. For some it’s hard work.” she said a matter o’factly. She wasn’t sure how or when chatting with Ted during this whole ordeal began to feel so natural. 

“ugh.” She groaned stepping back a little more before finally taking a seat. “It’s absolutely putrid. I’m sure someone in class didn’t extract properly or was clowning around and the darn thing exploded. It’s the smell and the colour that gives it away. Look.” Andromeda pointed so Ted could inspect. “It reeks of petrol.” She told him her nose upturned once again. 

It wasn’t long before Madam Pomfrey was shooing them to a seat, mostly Ted for bumping into a student. Andromeda sat sighing lightly. She wasn’t yet sure if this was better or worse than being stuck in class. “One can only hope Tonks.” she teased. “Why is it a bad day for you? Because of potions? You just need to read your book a little more carefully.”  

“Yeah, that is true. They do, eventually...” Ted nodded sagely, the memory of burning off his eye brows on more than one occasion in his primary school days. At the time, he’d convinced himself that he’d somehow stood too close to the furnace or something. He’d had no idea it was magic that was making them disappear every now and then. “Really?” he asked surprised, but amused. “There’s a spell to grow back your eyebrows? I really need to learn that one, then. It’ll definitely come in handy for me.” Again, Ted nodded. “Oh, yeah, I know. I’ve noticed what a natural you are in class. You’re really, er...” He halted abruptly, his ears growing hot, very aware that he’d just admitted to watching Andromeda during class. “Really good.” He finished, lamely, mentally kicking himself. It would probably freak any girl out to learn that Ted had taken notice of them, let alone a pureblood like Andromeda Black. 

“It does look really gross. Though with a name like ‘bubertuber pus’ there really is no other way it could look, is there?” Keenly observing the students groaning in pain, Ted nodded, taking in as much as he could from Andromeda’s description. He was sure it would come in handy one day, if the class in front of him was any indication. In fact, he’d likely be one of them in a few years time. Ted could only hope he wasn’t as clumsy when that day came - though that was likely to be a pip dream. “Petrol, got it. I’ll try to remember that.” He didn’t want to admit it yet, but Ted would likely remember this particular day for many years to come. And not because of the bubertuber pus. 

Andromeda had what felt like first date jitters. It felt as though pixies were flying about her stomach as she was putting on her lipstick for the night. Ted had suggested that they actually go out tonight instead of staying in. They’d been staying in a lot as of late and more so because Andromeda was hiding from the world. News of her engagement would spread like wildfire and Andromeda didn’t want anything happening to Ted or herself if they were out in the magical community. But, they had come to an agreement. They couldn’t hide, they couldn’t let death eaters and the like rule their lives. 

Andromeda stepped back to get a good look at herself in the mirror. “Coming!” she yelled back grabbing her purse and using her wand to fill it with things she might need during the night. Grabbing her rob Andromeda tucked her wand away and headed downstairs. “You look handsome dear, what’s the special occasion?” she grinned.  

As cliche as it was to say, Andromeda would never cease to take his breath away. Ted watched in awe as she entered the room, looking effortlessly beautiful and perfect in every way. “Huh?” he asked, caught in a daze. It took him a few seconds for her question to register before he could respond. “Oh, uh... no, no special occasion,” he finally said, grinning sheepishly. “I just...I realized I hadn’t taken you out in far too long.” Ted reached for Dromeda’s hand and squeezed gently. “And we’re done putting our lives on hold, right? I think it’s high time we start.” 

Leaning forward, Ted caught Andromeda in a gentle kiss, leaning his forehead against hers. “I just want you to be happy,” he continued. “Tonight is all about us.” Still holding Dromeda’s hand, Ted began to lead her out of the cottage, down the front path beyond the barrier. “Hold on tight,” he murmured before turning on the spot and appearing before a quaint little restaurant in Abergavenny. They were in the middle of Wales, no would ever think to look for them here. “A bloke at work recommended this place. The food is supposed to be really good.” 

Andromeda shrugged. “I read a lot on my spare time. I’m trying to acquire top grades here after all.” Andromeda admitted bashfully. While most girls her age were running around chasing boys and sneaking in sips of firewhiskey, Andromeda was reading. She just wasn’t there yet, or maybe she wouldn’t get there at all. It all seemed so trivial to her, she knew she’d be engaged to someone her parents had picked out but she wanted to be more than someone’s trophy wife. “It’s a simple spell, it’ll just keep you from bumping into things, perhaps you should consider learning it so you don’t bash your head in constantly.” She mused with a slight smile on her lips. 

Andromeda shrugged at his stumbling. Perhaps he didn’t want her to wait for him, or maybe he was scared of her, most people were after all. Her sister Bellatrix had quite a reputation for herself at school. “Ok.” she shrugged at his reply not wanting to argue about making sure a muggle born was going to be okay or not. Surely she shouldn’t care what happened to him, though that was of course how she was brought up it wasn’t necessarily how she felt. 

As Andromeda hesitated dropping him off and leaving Madam Pomfrey had bustled about with a dozen or so students covered in slime. Immediately Andromeda had pulled Ted to the side and out of the way of infected students. Her mouth was upturned into a scowl. The sight, afterall was disgusting. “bubotuber pus.” Andromeda shuddered her eyes trained on slime covered students walking in. “It cures the spots but nasty looking and it can cause painful boils on the skin. You don’t want to come in contact with those students.” in typical Black fashion, Andromeda’s nose raised in the air. 

It stunned Ted slightly - or perhaps that was the quickly forming bump on his head - to learn that Andromeda put so much work into studying. Not that he thought she looked stupid or anything, quite the opposite actually. In the few potions classes that they had shared together, everything she had done had seemed so effortless that Ted had just assumed she didn’t need to study. Unlike him. He had spent every weekend so far in a secluded area of the library struggling to keep up with the basic reading and homework in classes. Ted bobbed his head in agreement. “Oh, yeah, true. I probably should...” His voice trailed off, knowing full well that it would take a miracle for him to master a ‘simple spell’ like that. Bumping into things came as naturally to Ted as breathing. He highly doubted that adding magic into the equation would help things. “Except... I’d probably end up cursing my eyebrows off or something.” He admitted sheepishly. “I’m still, er, trying to get the hang of things here.”