Finding a Place to Study

There were far too many students at Hogwarts in Andromeda Black's opinion. She could count everyone she actually knew on one hand. So many Muggleborns were taking up the best spots in the Library and crowding every courtyard. They were all so loud and annoying.

A part of her was relieved that there were no Muggleborns in Slytherin. She didn't have to deal with them asking stupid questions, like "What do House Elves do?" or "Is Polyjuice Potion difficult to make?" or "Are the chocolate frogs real frogs?" If she had it her way, Andromeda would probably leave Hogwarts for a school that wasn't integrated. But, since her family depended on her to do well in this school, she had to make due with what she was given.

All she wanted to do was find a quiet place to study. After all, her O.W.L. Exams were just around the corner. It seemed like everywhere she went, there was an eager Muggleborn, or an annoying Gryffindor, or a pompous Slytherin suitor who would attempt to get in her good graces for potential future marriage. But that was the burden of being a Black. She and her sisters knew they had power most people dreamed of, but Andromeda only used it when she deemed it necessary. This might be one of those times.

She had a nice study schedule planned out for the day, and mumbled it to herself as she went up to breakfast. "…Defense Against the Dark Arts, 9 o'clock. Transfiguration, 12 o'clock noon. Herbology, 2:30. Afternoon tea, 4 o'clock. Potions, 5 o'clock. History of Magic, 6:30. Dinner, 8 o'clock. Charms, 9:30…"

Before she reached the Great Hall, she was stopped by a sleek blond Seventh Year, grinning down at her. "Good morning, Andromeda," said Lucius Malfoy politely. "You're looking rather blushed today."

Andromeda forced a smile that probably came out more like a cringe. "Lucius." She continued to walk down to the Slytherin table, Lucius following closely behind.

"I see you have a lot of books today," he commented. "It might be easier with a simple shrinking spell. It can be rather complicated, but I could help you."

"I know how to use a shrinking spell, thank you, Lucius," she said, trying not to sound crass.

She went to sit down, but was stopped again when Lucius gently grabbed her bag from her shoulder. "It's no trouble at all. It'll be my pleasure." Before she could say another word, Lucius shrunk her contents inside of her bag, ultimately making the load much lighter. "There you are," he smiled and handed the bag back to her.

She had to admit, it did feel much better than lugging her heavy bag around. Plus, she wouldn't have been as fast as Lucius had been. She reciprocated a smile. "Thank you. Have a pleasant day, Lucius."

"Before I let you go…" He transfigured her goblet into a daisy. "I hope you have a pleasant day as well."

Andromeda let out a small sigh. As much as she hated when her suitors came up to her, there was a tiny feeling of entitlement that gave her a confidence she couldn't quite explain. It was embarrassing, yes; however, she was getting stuff out of it. No harm, no foul.

Thankfully, no one else came up to her while she ate and read her Defense Against the Dark Arts notes. She was proud of herself for being so ahead of schedule.

The Great Hall started getting crowded, as it was nearing prime time for breakfast. Most Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs arrived at this time, and made the entire Hall unbearable to study in. She tried making herself a silence barrier, a trick she learned from a Ravenclaw in Charms class, but she has not perfected the spell quite yet. Every sound was muffled but amplified so much that she decided the next quiet place would be the Library.

As she walked, she hoped that no Muggleborns were in the good spots this early in the day. It was a climb to get there, cutting into her study time. She quietly thanked Merlin for starting on her schedule earlier.

She arrived at the Library, panting slightly, and frowned. "Oh for the love of Merlin," she mumbled. The Library was completely busy with students. Every seat seemed to be filled; some students resorted to reading on ladders and high window sills. She ran to the edge of the Restricted Section, her favorite quiet place to study. To her disappointment, apparently it was everyone else's favorite quiet place to study.

There were seats, but why did they have to space each other out by one seat? She didn't want to be the one to break the pattern. Then again, she was a Black, a highly respected name in the Wizarding World! If she wanted a seat, she could just grab one, right?

She took a deep breath before she cleared her throat. All those in the small section looked up.

"Excuse me," she whispered, batting her eyes. Two Slytherin boys stood up immediately, and one Ravenclaw girl shoved over to give Andromeda space to sit. She smiled and took the Ravenclaw girl's option, making the two Slytherin boys awkwardly sit back down.

"Thanks," Andromeda whispered to the Ravenclaw girl.

"Oh, no problem at all," the Ravenclaw said.

There were a couple moments of silence, then the Ravenclaw started trying to make conversation with her. Andromeda stared at her notes, reading one line over and over again, but retaining nothing. She could only pay attention to the Ravenclaw talking about how she was invited into the Slug Club this year.

"…It's always an honor when Slughorn picks up Purebloods for his club. He knows good investments when he sees it, that's for sure."

"I guess so," she tried contributing politely, but she wanted nothing more than to find a way out of this mess. As the Ravenclaw continued going on about her family, Andromeda shifted her gaze around to the girl's station. Undetected by anyone, she flourished her wand to spill ink all over the girl's parchment. The Ravenclaw immediately stood up and out of the way of the ink.

"My essay!" she cried.

"Oh, no," Andromeda feigned concern. "Here, let me help." She held up her wand, but the Ravenclaw shooed her away.

"It's alright," she said, tearing up. "It wasn't your fault. I wasn't paying attention is all." She sniffled, gathering her belongings. "I can start over. I was only 4 feet into my 5 feet parchment essay. Well, nice talking to you."

Andromeda felt bad as she watched the poor girl run out of their section, making a trail of ink behind her. Then again, now she could get some peace and quiet.

It was almost noon, so she decided to start on her Transfiguration notes. Transfiguration was her worst subject, but she blamed the teaching style. Professor McGonagall was terribly biased and didn't accept anything less than perfect, and perfection just wasn't human. People made mistakes, it was only natural. But not to Professor McGonagall.

She had a good pace going, but then, "Ugh, there you are!" Narcissa's shrill whisper pierced the silence.

Andromeda grimaced as her sister approached. "What is it, Cissy?" she mumbled, not turning away from her book.

"Marjorie Fawley told me that she saw you and Lucius Malfoy together."

"And this is imperative to discuss because…?"

"Details!" Narcissa said rather loudly for a dark, quiet section in the Library.

Andromeda noticed people staring, but not in the way she expected. On the contrary, they all leaned in slightly, listening in for an ounce of the amazing life the Black sisters had. Andromeda couldn't stand the constant invasion of privacy while Narcissa thrived in it. "There's nothing to talk about. Nothing happened," she replied quickly. "Now, I'm very busy."

"Reading?" Narcissa scoffed. "You know we don't need this when we get out of here, right?"

Embarrassed, Andromeda put her books in her bag. "I don't think we should discuss this here."

Narcissa followed her out. "But you have to let me know who you pick so I don't pick that person," she said. She rested her arm in Andromeda's and leaned in to talk in her ear. "And Lucius Malfoy is a really great pick."

"I didn't pick Lucius Malfoy."

"Well then, who did you pick?"

"No one." Andromeda took her arm back. "I'll see you at dinner." And she stormed away.

She looked at the time and realized that she was cutting it close to her Herbology time. She walked outside, and looked up at the sky. The sun wouldn't be out for very long, so she had to get to the Greenhouses before the predicted thunderstorm this afternoon.

Okay, Transfiguration can wait. She headed for the Greenhouses, praying that the sun wouldn't leave for another hour. She had to finish her research on her fanged geranium before the next week. Just as she reached the Transfiguration Courtyard, she felt droplets of rain on her head.

"No," she muttered desperately, speeding up her stride. With her bag shielding her from the impending storm, she finally reached the Greenhouses. She quickly shut the door and took a relaxing breath as she located her project. She wasn't expecting to be the only one there, but she also wasn't prepared to see Edward Tonks working on his own plant.

His back was turned, so he didn't witness her sliding out of the Fifth Year Greenhouse entrance. She took many deep breaths. Of all of the days to see him! She was eventually going to talk to him, but she couldn't figure out a good time. It's been weeks since they've spoken, let alone been in the same room.

Andromeda quickly weighed her options… If she just waited until tomorrow to check on her plant, then everything would be okay. She could finish her Transfiguration anyway. It was fate. It had to be.

She was shaken out of her own thoughts when a crash of thunder hit above them, which made them both jump. The thunder turned him around and her out of the shadows.

They stared at each other for a moment. She didn't know what to say first… Hello? I'm sorry? It's not your fault that your Muggleborn? It's not my fault that I think so little of Muggleborns?

What was she kidding; none of it seemed right!

"I- was just- my- plant," she stammered, pointing at the huge fanged geranium in the corner.

He stared dumbfounded at her as she timidly walked across the room.

And that was that.

They worked in silence for a long time, backs to each other, a few feet and a table away. The only sound came from the rain hitting the glass from above. All day, she wished for someplace quiet. But now, she wished for anything but silence. She tried to say something, but she didn't know what. No matter what, she'd sound like a hypocrite.

"That's a decent sized fanged geranium," he croaked.

His crisp voice made her face go completely warm, and she hated it. "Thanks," she squeaked back. Moments passed until she could contribute, "Spell-A-Gro."

"Pardon?"

"I used Spell-A-Gro Fertilizer."

"Good choice."

She smiled because she knew he was smiling too, just from the sound of his voice.

"If you want to get a bit daring," he said a little louder than before. "I could show you how to enhance your fertilizer to 18 percent better than the leading Spell-A-Gro."

"It might help my grade," she pondered out loud, stifling another smile.

She heard him walking around the table and nearing her. He stopped at her side. Neither of them dared to look at each other.

Ted held up a vial of purple glittering liquid. She could have sworn she caught him looking at her through the small container. But that meant she was also looking.

"I made this about a week ago," he said, shaking it up. "It was meant to be just your roundabout Spell-A-Gro knockoff, but I think I put in a little too much dill weed." He took the stopper off with his teeth. "In all honesty, I knocked the dill weed in by accident." He poured the liquid over the fanged geranium, and chuckled, "Happy accident, I suppose."

Andromeda's plant started to sprout more leaves right before their eyes. "Impressive," she commented. "Maybe you could go on selling this stuff for a living."

Ted accidently dropped the vial on the floor. Both of them went to go grab it, forcing them to finally look directly at each other. There was so much conflict in Andromeda; she's never felt this way about any of the suitors she knew she had to choose from. There was something easy about Ted… something right. And yet, there was something obviously wrong with her feelings for him. She couldn't fancy him. She just couldn't.

And yet…

"Yeah," he said, giving a small smile. "Maybe."

A/N: Thanks for reading! I hope to make this into a small one-shot series because I love the whole Tonks fam. Their story must be told!