AN:Since I was pretty much a failure at finishing these last year, I'm trying this again. I've got a few written and pretty much ready to be posted, so if I fail again, I at least won't fail quite as quickly. ;-)

Pairing: Andromeda Black/Ted Tonks

Prompt used: holiday plans

AN2:In this prompt, I made Sirius a bit younger or Andromeda a bit older than in canon, it simply fit better that way.

A Different Christmas

"So, what are you doing for Christmas?" Claire asked and Andromeda shrugged, her face the prefect mask she had trained it to be since she was a little girl.

"I'm not quite sure yet, it will probably be a fairly spontaneous decision," she replied.

She knew perfectly well what she would be doing. Her mother had been planning the Black Christmas ball since early August and Andromeda was expected to attend. Not attending was completely out of question. Her entire family as well as the crème de la crème of the wizarding society would be there, so the middle daughter definitely had to. There was nothing Andromeda dreaded more than having to make polite conversation with the worst pure-blood fanatics while her mother and aunt hovered nearby, hoping to introduce her to possible future husbands.

As Claire nattered on about her holiday plans, Andromeda caught Ted sending her a sympathetic smile from the next cubicle. She gave him a cheerless smile in return and was glad when Claire finally left and she could return to work.

ooooo

"Bad day?" Ted asked after they had apparated to his place sometime later. The both knew Andromeda's flat was out of question in case Bellatrix decided to come over for a surprise visit.

Andromeda groaned. "I know it was supposed to be an innocent question but I really hate being reminded of it. I just want to spend one Christmas without having to cry afterwards."

"You don't have to put yourself through that torture, you know," Ted said, pulling her into his arms.

"I'm a Black and Blacks have no choice but to attend that horrible ball."

"Well, you could always stop being a Black."

"What are you trying to say?" Andromeda asked pulling back slightly to look at his face.

"Pretty much what you think I'm saying," Ted replied with a nervous grin. "Perhaps we could get married?"

"You know that they'd disinherit me, don't you?"

"Yes, I know. And I'm perfectly happy to continue our relationship in secret if that's what you want, but I want you to know that I'd be more than happy to marry you. You don't have to let them trap you forever. It's your choice and now that we both have jobs, you don't have to rely on their money anymore."

"I'd just hate leaving Narcissa, she needs the occasional reminder that what they teach her doesn't have to be the only way of seeing things. And then there's Sirius, I think you'd like him. I'm pretty certain he won't be in Slytherin when he starts at Hogwarts next autumn. I'm sure he could use some support, even though he'll probably be the proudest Gryffindor Hogwarts has ever seen."

"Have you ever considered you might be a role model for them by showing that you can break from your family's grasp completely? Besides, they'll start making their own choices soon anyway and you do get to think about what you want for yourself. Your sister will leave Hogwarts in two years time and when Sirius goes to Hogwarts, you can shower him with supportive letters since he only has to stay with his parents a couple of weeks a year."

"Hmm, you do have a point. I do want to marry you, but I should probably sleep over my decision."

"That's good enough for me," Ted said, beaming and kissing her.

ooooo

They ended up getting married two weeks before Christmas. It was a small ceremony, with only Ted's parents and a handful of friends.

Andromeda got howlers filled with threats from her family for weeks.

On Christmas day, she also got a short letter from Sirius sent by the nicked family owl, calling her his favourite cousin, admiring her courage and wishing them all the luck in the world. Andromeda's tears of joy over that letter were the only ones spilled that Christmas.