If anything good has come out of this whole mess, it's that I can finally study in peace, Andromeda thought. Her little corner of the library was as quiet as death; only the loudest of sounds managed to make their way over to her, and by then they were soft and inaudible.

Of course, schoolwork wasn't the only thing on Andromeda's mind. Every time she caught a glimpse of the charm bracelet on her left wrist, her mind traveled back to her secret admirer. Now when she thought about him, she no longer played the guessing game, but instead created her own image of what he was like. She felt silly doing so – that was something goofy thirteen year old girls did – but she couldn't help herself.

I bet he's really smart, she said in her head. With wavy black hair and handsome gray eyes – No! Blue eyes, like the sea… Oh, what am I thinking? Who cares what color his eyes are? I'm sure I'll like them, no matter what color they are.

"I feel so silly…" Andromeda said to herself.

"You look silly," Ted Tonks said, smirking as he took the empty seat in front of her. "Sitting in a corner all alone, muttering to yourself... People are going to start thinking you're a nutter."

Andromeda felt her face flush, "I'm not talking to… Hi, Ted. How are you today?"

He snickered, "I'm doing alright. You?"

"I'm fine," Andromeda said, putting her quill down. She was ready for a break, even though she had only been half-working in the first place.

"You seemed pretty happy just now," said Ted. "Like you were thinking of something you really care about."

"I was thinking about studying for the Transfiguration exam," she said simply.

"Mmmmhm, all girls look like this when they're thinking about McGonagall's class," Ted said, resting his chin in his hands and staring into space dreamily. He fluttered his eyelashes several times and let out a girly sigh.

Andromeda glared at him, feeling her cheeks grow warmer, "I don't look anything like that."

"No, you're right," said Ted. "It's a lot cuter when you do it, I'm sure."

She rolled her eyes, "Oh yes; with three hours of sleep and unwashed hair, I'm sure I'm the epitome of feminine beauty."

Ted snickered, "So, what were you thinking about? If you don't mind me asking…"

I can trust Ted, Andromeda decided. "My secret admirer."

"Ohhhhhh," Ted said, shooting her a wink. "How's that going, by the way?"

"I still don't know who he is," she sighed. "But his gifts are getting more and more romantic."

"Like how?" he asked.

Andromeda held out her wrist, allowing Ted to examine the bracelet, "He sent me this yesterday. Isn't it beautiful?"

Ted grinned, "It suits you."

"Thanks," Andromeda said, graciously accepting the compliment as her arm retreated back under the table.

"So, how do you feel about this guy?" he asked. "I mean, you really don't know much about him, do you?"

"Not really," she admitted. Somehow, saying it aloud made her feel even sillier about her fantasies. "He hasn't really told me much about himself; just that he's a prefect and he likes fudge."

"But the prefect thing really narrows it down, right?" said Ted. "There are only eight of us in our year."

"But there are eight prefects every year," said Andromeda. "And the clue was worded like, we were both prefects at the same time, or something like that. Which means it could be anyone who served as a prefect from our fifth year up until now. I did the math; there are more than thirty people to chose from, if I count female students as well."

"Hot," Ted said, unable to hide his smirk.

Andromeda rolled her eyes, "And it's been so long since I've seen some of the graduated-prefects; I don't remember them very well."

"What are you going to do if it's one of the fifth years?" Ted questioned.

"Cry, probably," Andromeda snorted.

"Over just two years of age difference? That's cold," Ted teased. "I thought you were really into this guy."

"I am, I guess…" said Andromeda. "And now that you mention it, two years isn't a very long time, in the long run… I just… I don't know. I usually go for the more mature, scruffy guys, you know?"

"Yeah, I know," Ted said, with a tone that suggested he had heard this story a million times before. "Like Mulciber, right?"

Andromeda groaned, her forehead colliding with the top of the table, "Don't bring him up, please. That's the last thing I want to think about right before Valentine's Day."

Ted's face fell, "You don't still have feelings for him, do you?"

"Of course I don't," she said, having to fight back a gag. "At this point, I don't even remember what I saw in him in the first place. It's just… the idea of spending Valentine's Day alone isn't very appealing."

He shrugged, "I do it every year."

Andromeda winced, getting the feeling that she'd hit a sore spot. "I'm sorry; I didn't mean-"

"Naaah, don't worry about it," Ted said, recovering quickly. "Once you get used to it, it isn't so bad. I guess I'll let you get back to your work now."

"Oh, yes…" Andromeda said, looking down at her schoolwork solemnly. "I suppose I should get this finished, huh?"

"And don't forget, we have duty tomorrow night," Ted reminded her. "We have to meet up at eleven."

"Right," Andromeda groaned. "I'll be there."

"See you later," Ted said, giving her a tiny wave before he took off, shoving his hands in his pockets as he slumped out of the library.

"Bye…" Andromeda said, so softly that she doubted Ted heard her. When he looked over his shoulder to give her a final glance, she felt her heart leap into her throat.

Andromeda forced her attention back onto the parchment in front of her, feeling as though all of the blood in her body was rushing to her face.

That was so weird, she thought, wiping a bead of sweat off of her forehead. My heart jumped like that when Mulciber first began courting me…

No! her mind screamed, and she smashed her fist on the table for emphasis. I am not falling for Ted Tonks! That's disgusting! I'm just a little upset about spending Valentine's Day alone. Besides, I have my secret admirer…

"Can I sit here?" a tiny voice asked. Andromeda pulled herself out of her inner world and found fellow Slytherin Severus Snape – an intelligent, yet somewhat mean first year – standing in front of her.

"I'm sorry, I was spacing out," she said. "What can I help you with?"

"I asked if I could sit here," the boy said, sounding mildly irritated. "I can't focus in the common room; they're all too loud."

"Um… yeah, sure," said Andromeda. "Pull up a seat."

"Thank you," he said, as though politeness was a chore for him. He sat his book down on the table and slid into the chair Ted had occupied seconds before. "I won't be a bother."

"I know; you're a good kid," said Andromeda. "And if you want some help, feel free to ask."

Snape nodded, "Hey, Black?"

"Yes?" Andromeda whispered.

"About mudblo-… I mean, muggle-borns," he gulped, turning his head to the side, as if he was afraid to make eye contact with her. "I don't think they're all bad…"

"I think you're right, Severus," Andromeda said, smiling a little. "I don't think they're all bad, either."

"But… don't tell Malfoy," he added. "Please? I don't want him to get mad at me."

"Don't worry," she said, winking at him. "That can be our little secret."