Forbidden Fate

Chapter Six: Reach Out

It was snowing in Hogsmeade. The teachers were piling on more and more homework, so by the time Kirley and Andromeda got a free time to meet, it was the beginning of February.

Andromeda didn't know what to expect when she arrived at the dingy, shady looking bar called the Hog's Head. She certainly had never been allowed in a place like that before! She found Ted with his friend Kirley hiding in a corner and giving shifty looks towards the door.

"Well, it's nice to see that he takes the secrecy seriously," she thought. Then, waving and coming towards them, she noticed some dusty bottles they were trying to cover up.

Without even saying hello, she grabbed them.

"Firewhiskey?" Ha! Secrecy, indeed...

Ted gave her an innocent smile and pointed at Kirley, who snorted.

"I'll get us some butterbeers," said Andromeda.

"Good idea!" Ted quickly agreed.

She bought the drinks from the old bartender and tried to ignore the stares of the other customers--some of whom looked like regular patrons of the place. She wasn't worried about them recognizing her. They weren't likely to be anyone her parents associated with.

She sat back down at the table and Ted made the introductions. "Andy, this is Kirley McCormack..."

She gasped. "McCormack? Any relation to Catriona McCormack, the famous Quidditch player?"

"My sister," he said sheepishly.

"Wow--that's so incredible! The Pride of Portree is my favorite team in the league!"

"Mine too!" he exclaimed, then added: "Well, obviously. This traitor here likes the Montrose Magpies." He gestured towards Ted.

"Well," said Andromeda fairly, "They are a very good team."

Ted beamed; his friend smirked. Andromeda found herself really liking Kirley. He and Ted had such easy, open ways about them. They bickered and bantered and told not very funny stories about their exploits with great enthusiasm.

This prompted her to tell them about the fireworks incident with Sirius.

"He sounds great," Ted said, wiping his eyes. "I've got to meet him and get some more ideas."

"Boys!" Andromeda rolled her eyes, but she was smiling more than she had all year. "I'm more worried about the influence you'll have on him!"

"We're not bad influences, are we Ted?"

"Of course not! How could she have possibly said that about us?"

"One word: firewhiskey."

They all laughed some more with that happy intoxication only butterbeer and good company can give. Somehow the drab, dark barroom became light and cozy. Andromeda wished the night wouldn't end.

But when it did, and the trio ventured out into the cold night again, going their separate ways, Andromeda thought she heard Kirley tell Ted, "I like her a lot. She doesn't seem like a Black at all."

She grinned.

~~~

The beginning of the next week, Andromeda received a rather odd note from Fenwick. It was snuck under her Potions homework and after class she hid behind a statue to read it.

"A.
Lessons cancelled. Still meet me on Fri. at the ROR at 6:00, if you want.
T."

"Ooh, is that a love letter from your beau?" the statue pestered. "A secret rendez-vous for Valentine's Day, hmm?"

She nearly dropped the letter in astonishment. Friday was Valentine's Day! If she didn't have so much on her mind, she would've known that. What could Ted mean by wanting to see her then? She half-wished, half-feared finding out.

She hurried down the hall, ignoring the statue's snickers. "I won't bring my books and I'll skip dinner that night," she thought. "Just in case."

Friday night, Ted wasn't waiting for her at the end of the corridor like he usually did. Taking a deep breath, she flung open the door to her now- favorite room. It was spectacular. She had been expecting some cheesy too- pink design, complete with heart and cupid decorations.

Instead she found a large, cozy room with a crackling fireplace, exotic dark purple and mahogany drapes, and a candlelit dinner. If she wasn't so nervous, she would've been floored.

"Happy Valentine's Day," said Ted, popping up from behind her and closing the door. "In a very non-romantic way, of course."

"Of course! Ted, this is...so unexpected--but really, really sweet."

"Unexpected, eh? I notice you didn't bring any books."

She blushed. "Maybe not so unexpected, then."

They took their seats and a heart-shaped menu appeared in front of them.

"That's from the house elves," Ted explained. "They helped me set this whole thing up."

"Well, you'll have to thank them for me." She surveyed her menu but noticed Ted was still looking at her. She peered at him from the top of the heart.

Now he blushed. "I'm sorry...I hope you haven't eaten already. We could just get dessert. And if you have something else to do, well, we could eat quickly..."

She set down the menu. "Ted. I missed dinner, so I'm practically starving. And believe me--I can't thing of anywhere better to be right now than here. Chicken!"

And the food appeared again right in front of her. Ted ordered steak. The dinner and dessert were delicious--to no one's surprise.

They finished eating in contented silence, and then Andromeda leaned over past Ted and saw a black disc and contraption on another table.

"What's that?" she asked.

Ted leapt up. "Oh, I almost forgot. This," he said proudly, "Is a record player."

She was still confused. "It's not...Muggle, is it?"

"Oh yes, and way better than anything magical. Just wait and see." He set it up and after a short grinding sound music came on.

"Now if you feel that you can't go on because all your hope is gone, and your life is filled with confusion, and happiness is just an illusion, and your world around is tumbling down, darling, reach out--reach out for me..."

Andromeda giggled. Ted was singing along! His voice wasn't bad either. He motioned for her to get up.

"Dancing?" Why not? "All right, but if I tread on your toes, remember that it was your idea!"

They put their arms up and made to ballroom dance, but Ted stopped.

"No, no, no...this is Muggle music. We've got to dance like this." And he put his arm around her waist. With slight hesitation, she put hers around his neck. They swayed to the music a bit awkwardly.

"I'll be there to love and comfort you, I'll be there with the love--I'll see you through."

This was the closest they've ever been. Andromeda gently brushed the hair away from his face to see his eyes. They were hazel--the most perfect hazel she had ever seen. Suddenly she couldn't breathe. Heart hammering, she pulled away from him.

"Ted," she said shakily, "I...I can't do this."

He shut the music off. "What? What's wrong? Are you feeling sick?"

"Yes--no! No, I'm fine. I don't need to see Madame Pomfrey or anybody!"

"What is it then?"

She paused, then blurted: "I know you like me as more than a friend. It's obvious. But I don't think I can return those feelings."

There was silence. Ted's jaw tightened and he said quietly, "Can't return those feelings? Or won't? Or are you just denying them?"

"I don't deny anything. You're not my type, Ted! Is that my fault?"

More silence. "Of course not. I only wonder who your type is. Some rich pureblood snob like Lucius Malfoy or Derrick Avery? Would you really be happy with them?"

"Don't you dare insult Derrick. He's my best friend!"

"Your parents will probably set you up with him," said Ted, his voice rising, "So it's a damn good thing you like him!"

"I'll decide who I like, not my parents!" Andromeda yelled back.

"Right! Even if you did like me the slightest bit, you wouldn't go for it! Don't try to deny it; I know that's the truth."

They glowered at each other, but even in her anger Andromeda understood Ted. He was looking for proof--proof that she was being honest. Was she? She only wished she could figure out herself so easily.

Ted, shaking his head, stalked off towards the door. Andromeda stuck her chin up imperiously.

"People say a lot of things about our family," she thought. "But they've never called us cowardly!"

So, instead of breaking down and crying, Andromeda marched right up to Ted. She had centuries of the purest wizarding blood running though her veins, but at that moment only her spine mattered. She had to do something to make things right between her and Ted. She was part of the Black family, and she was going to show those Muggle-borns--this one in particular--where she stood.

Grabbing his shoulders, she spun Ted around and kissed him square on the lips. When they came apart, he was staring openmouthed at her.

He blinked, came to his senses, pulled her by the shoulders, and kissed her back.