Forbidden Fate

Chapter 3: Friends at Last?

Ted didn't know why he went. Maybe it was to give Andromeda a chance to defend herself--to prove that he really was a good judge of character.

"Ha!" he thought. "Unless she was under the Imperius curse, or someone was impersonating her with a bloody Polyjuice Potion, she doesn't have any excuse! She probably didn't even care!"

Sure enough, when he entered the room, Andromeda stood there haughtily. No one spoke. Finally, she looked away.

"I...didn't know if you'd show up," she said quietly.

"I didn't know if I would either," Ted snapped. "I don't know why I did!"

"Look, I'm sorry. I don't know what else to say."

"You can start by telling me why you did it!"

Andromeda turned to face him, disgust written plainly on her face.

"Why?" she repeated. "What do you think Bellatrix would have done had I said 'hello' to you? You didn't hear how she ranted in the common room...all because you dared to talk to me. She would've written my parents--we'd both be in big trouble and I'd never see you again. If you think she wouldn't try to hurt you..."

Ted's anger began to subside. "Is Bellatrix that girl who stood next to you? Why would she write to your parents?"

"Because she's my sister. Her and Narcissa--she was there too."

Ted began to understand the terrible truth.

"So...you haven't told your family about me."

Andromeda shook her head. "Have you told your family about me?"

"Er...yes." Ted tried to be nonchalant. "Mum and Dad live in Liverpool. They don't know a thing about the wizarding world, but they think the idea of me tutoring anyone is hilarious."

Andromeda laughed weakly. "Can we be friends, then?"

"Secret friends, you mean?"

"I'm sorry, but that's the way it has to be, Ted! I mean it. We have to pretend we don't know each other at all in public."

Ted sighed. Andromeda was being sincere. Her eyes showed regret, but also hope. She truly wanted to be his friend--he couldn't resist that. And she needed some fun in her life.

"All right," he said lightly. "We'll become experts at espionage. Ted and Andro: Teenage Spies."

For the first time, he smiled. Andromeda grinned in relief. As the tension broke, they both laughed.

"Andro?" she said, raising her eyebrows. "When you first came in, I thought we'd be dueling. Now I'm about to challenge you to take that back!"

"Why? You need a nick--dueling? Did I hear my favorite pastime mentioned by a novice?"

Andromeda gave an obviously fake gasp and yelled, "Take out your wand and we'll see who the novice is!"

They reached into their robes and pulled out their wands. With convincing straight faces, they traced the steps of a proper duel.

"1, 2...5!" They both spun around.

Ted shot a cheering charm at Andromeda and she giggled uncontrollably. He was about to declare himself the victor when--

"Expelliarmus!" Ted's wand flew across the room, and a split second later Andromeda raced to pick it up. "Fi-fin-fi-finite!" she managed through the giggling, which consequently stopped.

She spun the two wands in the air and held Ted's out to him. "That was a weak duel, Mr.Tonks. But we're only novices."

He accepted it grudgingly. "Just you wait, Miss. Black. Next week it'll take more than disarming me to win." He spoke a few octaves lower than his normal voice, just to give the threat effect.

"I'm so scared," Andromeda shot back. Their eyes met and they both had hysterics like the cheering charms were still on. Andromeda couldn't stop laughing until she saw the time.

"Oh, we'd better get studying. Ted?"

For Ted was immobile, staring wistfully at her. "You look so different when you smile, Andromeda."

She flushed. Ted mentally kicked himself for sounding like one of his mother's friends' harlequin romances, but Andromeda answered seriously.

"Do I look better or worse?"

"Bet--" he said, then shook his head. What was he saying? "You're right. Let's work."

Andromeda looked highly relieved when they sat down and opened up their books. But for the rest of the night, Ted could not truthfully say he was concentrating on Potions. Instead, he was absorbed in something--or rather, someone else. Andromeda was back to being distant and overly polite. Years later, Ted would say it was that one shining glimpse of her true personality that made him continue tutoring.

But that would be only half the truth. Sitting there in the candlelight, he wasn't mesmerized by just her personality. Ted was beginning to believe Andromeda was the most beautiful girl he'd ever know.

Weeks flew by. Andromeda found herself drawn to Ted like a Niffler was drawn to gold. Everyone was confused by her happiness--to the extent that Derrick asked her if she overdid the cheering charms in class. Ted was also seen humming (to Kirley's great amusement) love songs around the halls. He teased his best friend mercilessly about it.

As the Christmas holidays drew nearer, however, both Ted and Andromeda seemed more on edge. For Andromeda, it was because she had to go home and visit her family. The day before break, she was only partly merry as she gave Ted his present.

He laughed when he opened the package of Fizzing Whizbees, sugar quills, cockroach clusters, and other magical sweets.

"I'm sure your parents will find those quite interesting," joked Andromeda.

"Thanks! And yes. This will be fun. Speaking of my parents, they picked out your present."

He handed her a box wrapped in gold foil. Andromeda unwrapped it hesitantly. She lifted the top, revealing a beautiful silver necklace with an azure stone at the bottom.

"Ted," she whispered, after a heavy silence, "This is the most beautiful necklace I've ever seen. But it's too much! How did your parents--er, get this?"

"We can buy gifts for people! Besides, I wanted you to see what Muggle girls wear."

"I wouldn't mind being a Muggle if I got jewelry like this. Thank you so much, Ted."

"You're welcome. This is just one of the perks of tutoring you."

"Perks! I should be getting you something like this, not the other way around!"

"No, thanks. I don't really want a necklace," said Ted with a grin.

Andromeda giggled and, taking it gently out of the box, tied it around her neck. She would have to wear it under her robes at home, but not now.

"I love it." She instantly regretted using the L-word. Ted got funny at times like these and she didn't want a thing to ruin their odd friendship. Luckily, he didn't say anything embarrassing like "I love you", but made a joke.

"Too bad this place doesn't have any mistletoe, huh?"

"Too bad," she answered. Good--Ted was being himself again. "Happy Christmas, Ted."

"Happy Christmas, Andromeda."

They hugged for the first time ever, and a surge of warmth sped up Andromeda's spine. Perhaps this Christmas wouldn't be so bad after all.