There was something to be said about an impeccable memory. Andromeda was lucky enough to possess such a memory. It was for this reason why she could remember Charity Burbage's address precisely even though she had only been told it once.
The descent from her bedroom had been less than graceful and Andromeda was glad no one had been around to see it. The branch had snagged on her pantyhose and there was now an impressive tear. She was relatively disheveled, thanks to the tree as well, and she was still sporting a bruised face from her run in with Bellatrix.
When she had gotten to the edge of the Black property she had been met with the large fence that was for show more than anything else, as there were magical wards, and Andromeda had had to scale the fence, balancing her shoes. When she had finally managed to reach the top and hopped down to the other side she scraped her hands on the pavement.
Unable to apparate, she had been forced to take the Knights Bus, giving the address that she remembered with an astounding clarity even with her wine addled brain, where the wizard sitting next to her had been drinking coffee. At an abrupt halt, as the Knights Bus was apt to do, the coffee spilled and left an impressive stain on her skirt. In short, by the time Andromeda arrived at the party she had looked as though she had perhaps been hit by a bus.
She rang the doorbell and hoped someone could hear her over the music which pulsated through the door. A proper lady, even if she did not look like one, she was not comfortable just entering a home without first being invited in. Luckily, Hestia answered the door.
"Andromeda Black! Fancy seeing you here!" She proclaimed as soon as she identified the late party guest. "What happened to you?"
"It's a long story. May I come in? Perhaps be directed to a bathroom so I could tidy up?" Andromeda asked. "If someone could vanish this coffee stain that'd be brilliant as well."
"Looks like you went through hell to get here." Hestia observed.
"Something along those lines." Andromeda agreed with a laugh. "If you would be so kind?"
"Ah, of course." Hestia said taking out her wand and vanishing the coffee stain. "Please do come in. The bathroom is down the hall and to the left."
"Thank you." Andromeda said, heading off towards said bathroom.
Upon arrival, Andromeda noted an incredibly long queue and she let out a disgruntled sigh. Andromeda was not one for waiting in queues, and deciding for a quick pat down of her hair to attempt to smooth it out, she headed to the room where the music seemed to be coming from.
"Andromeda!" Charity cheered upon seeing her. "Glad to see you could make it. What happened to your face?"
"Bellatrix, mostly. A little bit of me, but mostly Bellatrix." Andromeda answered.
"Well, the alcohol is over there, the party is in here, there's a long queue for the bathroom so I hope you don't have to use it, and there is an assortment of people you may or may not know milling about." Charity summed up, gesturing to places as she went through the list. "How did you manage to get away from the thrilling ball anyways?"
"I faked sick, to be short about it." Andromeda said.
"That's how Molly got out of it too!" Charity exclaimed.
"Molly is here?" Andromeda asked in surprise. "I hadn't even noticed she wasn't at the ball."
"Yeah, she was over by the couch last I saw her. Pureblood ball must be super lame if you're all sneaking out." Charity joked before her attention was diverted. "Oh! I love this song! I'm going to dance. Bye!"
Andromeda waved and headed towards the couch where she found Molly sipping a drink and watching the teens dancing on the floor.
"Too cool for the Black ball, are you?" Andromeda joked by way of greeting making Molly jump.
"Andromeda! What are you doing here? How did you of all people manage to get away?" She asked in surprise. "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine. Don't worry about it, just a minor flesh wound." Andromeda assured with a laugh. "I faked sick, oddly enough Bellatrix was more than happy to say I was sick after this happened."
"The minor flesh wound makes a bit more sense now that the name Bellatrix has been used." Molly stated making Andromeda feel oddly and irrationally annoyed. "I faked sick too. My parents are pretty gullible. Fabian and Gideon still had to go though, poor things. No offense, but the ball is a bit of a bore."
"No offense taken there. A party with people your own age certainly seems more fun." Andromeda agreed, swallowing her annoyance. "How old are Fabian and Gideon now? They have to be almost Hogwarts age?"
"They're first years." Molly said with a laugh. "I guess you are not that good at keeping tracking of everyone is society."
"Are they? What house did they get sorted into?" Andromeda asked in surprise. "I'm dreadful at keeping track. Who else joined this year? There was a Longbottom that age wasn't there?"
"Split, Fabian was in Gryffindor and Gideon got Ravenclaw. They were crushed. I think Fabian just pretends he got into Ravenclaw and hangs out there all the time." Molly answered. "Frank Longbottom, Ravenclaw too. He, Fabian, and Gideon are all friends. He was over our house just the other day actually."
"Do you know who's in next year? Zeddie Rowle is one of them. I know in two years the Potter boy will be joining. He'll probably get Gryffindor. Then my cousin of course, who will be Slytherin because all Blacks are Slytherin." Andromeda remarked.
"Or else. Imagine if he didn't get Slytherin, I would laugh so hard. A Black not in Slytherin is like a Weasley not in Gryffindor. It's just plain odd." Molly joked. "You've already got Zeddie, I think that Alice Fawley will be eleven next year too. Her older sister is a fourth year now. I'm pretty sure she will be a prefect next year so you two can become quite acquainted."
"Bernice Fawley, isn't it? I'll be on the lookout." Andromeda said. "I don't think we should even joke about Sirius not being a Slytherin; let's just say it wouldn't end well."
"What are you two talking about that has you so involved you've seem to forgotten the rest of the party?" Ted interrupted making both of them jump.
"Pureblood business." They both answered.
"I hadn't realized the Prewetts and Blacks ran in the same social circle." Ted remarked.
"We're purebloods. We all run in the same circle. There's only one, there's not much choice." Andromeda stated. "Unless if you're a Weasley. The Weasleys are such rebels."
"Your family philosophies seem so different though?" Ted asked in confusion.
"Pureblood politics." Molly said with a shrug. "A purebloods a pureblood, even if they aren't as hardcore as the Blacks. Unless if you're a Weasley. For all intents and purposes the Weasleys are the exception to every rule."
"It will all be ending soon though. With the Knights the lines are slowly being drawn." Andromeda said. "Which side are the Prewetts picking?"
"I can't be sure about my parents, but the newest generation is all going to the Weasley side. I'm not looking forward to when it comes to that though. It means a war will be inevitable." Molly answered.
"I met the leader of the Knights tonight, I'm pretty sure a war is the only way he sees this ending in his favour." Andromeda stated plainly.
"You what?" Molly and Ted asked at the same time.
"There's a reason Bellatrix did this to my face." Andromeda bit.
"I was wondering about that, but I didn't want to say anything and make you feel self-conscious." Ted remarked.
"You are so kind." Andromeda replied, words dripping with sarcasm.
"Well I could have said, my God what is that throbbing lump protruding from the right side of your face, it's positively disfiguring. Would you have preferred that?" Ted suggested a smile on his face.
"Obviously." Andromeda retorted.
"I'll be sure to be more honest and direct in the future then, taking no account for your feelings." Ted joked.
"I appreciate that very much, thank you. It's all I have ever wanted, all this time." Andromeda replied. "Thinly veiled insults are all I know."
"I will try to be more accommodating in the future."
"Will you two please put a halt to whatever this is that's happening right now. As interesting as it is I'd like to hear about this Knights of Walpurgis meeting Andromeda apparently attended." Molly interrupted rolling her eyes.
"So would I actually." Ted remarked as if just remembering. "Stop trying to distract us."
"You two, so interested in drama." Andromeda scoffed.
"You haven't seen your face. I'm pretty sure it plays into this story somehow." Molly pointed out.
"I would have been able to if there hadn't been a long queue for the bathroom." Andromeda retorted. "Is it really that bad?"
"No." Ted and Molly answered at once. "Hardly even noticeable."
"Aww, look at you two, lying to me. You are so kind." Andromeda said. "It's weird. Please stop, I'm not used to friendliness."
"The life of a Black." Molly remarked. "Now stop prattling on about your face and explain yourself. Why did you go to a Knights of Walpurgis meeting?"
"Well, I am quite certain if I hadn't Bellatrix might have murdered me." Andromeda started.
"That's not that surprising actually." Ted pointed out. "I wouldn't put it past her."
"She is my sister you know." Andromeda replied, raising an eyebrow. "You guys are being awfully rude about her."
"Not without reason. If you need a good explanation look in a mirror." Molly exclaimed.
"Merlin's Beard, I should have just sat in my room all night. Everyone's going to be talking about Andromeda Black and her disfigured face." Andromeda said with a sigh. "I don't even know why I'm defending Bella honestly, she crossed a line tonight. It's just this weird sister loyalty, I guess."
"That's me with pretty much everyone. Maybe there's a little bit of Hufflepuff in you yet." Ted joked.
"Digression aside, basically Bellatrix dragged me to the meeting, there was a fight, I got formally and permanently banned from the Knights, then Bellatrix flipped out and this happened." Andromeda summed up gesturing to her face.
"Was the fight between Walden MacNair and Theodore Nott?" Molly asked knowingly.
"Ten points to Gryffindor." Andromeda answered.
"Was it about you?" Molly asked with a laugh.
"I don't want to talk about." Andromeda replied, covering her face with her hand.
"I'm not following?" Ted asked in confusion.
Molly laughed louder as Andromeda groaned into her hand.
"I do not want to talk about it." Andromeda muttered.
Ted raised an eyebrow curiously as Molly seemed to double over with laughter.
"Is this the funniest story ever or does Molly just not understand humour?" He asked after a few seconds had passed.
"She just has a poor grasp on humour." Andromeda answered at once. "It's a stupid story, really, you don't want to hear it. It is all just boring pureblood politics."
"No, it's great." Molly gasped out. "I think it was one of the best days of my life when I heard. This was back before I liked Andromeda though, that made it even better."
"Thank you for taking joy from my pain." Andromeda bit.
"Anytime." Molly said with a smile.
"This is only making me want to know the story more." Ted pointed out.
"Get me a drink and I will shed some light on the matter, even though it pains me." Andromeda relented.
Ted smiled a victorious smile before disappearing across the room.
"You're going to make me tell it, aren't you?" Molly asked knowingly.
"As I am in denial that the fiasco ever happened, yes." Andromeda informed her.
"I can't believe they got in a fight over you during their racist meeting." Molly remarked.
"In my defense it was more than just that, it started out about the MacNairs not being purebloods and then it just snowballed from there." Andromeda explained. "Then Walden stood up in outrage and dropped me on the floor and neither of them noticed because they are both such wonderful men."
"Were you sitting on Walden's lap?" Molly asked with a raised eyebrow.
"It was not a proud moment. He practically forced me." Andromeda defended. "How did you get out of an arranged marriage? You debuted just like me."
"Actually, I'm pretty sure I'm engaged to Gregory Abbot, at least officially. He is in a pretty serious relationship with some half-blood though and we all know I'm with Arthur so I am pretty positive it is never happening." Molly answered.
"Lucky." Andromeda whined.
"Who's lucky?" Ted asked returning and handing both Andromeda and Molly a drink.
"Molly." Andromeda answered. "She is the luckiest pureblood in the world."
"Because she's dating me, right?" Arthur asked interrupting the group and kissing his girlfriend on the cheek. "Looking as radiant as ever, Andromeda."
"I try." Andromeda retorted.
"Can I know the MacNair and Nott story now?" Ted pestered.
Arthur immediately burst out laughing.
"This must be the best story ever." Ted remarked.
"It's not." Andromeda deadpanned.
"It is though." Arthur assured.
"I wish someone would tell it to me already so I could be enlightened." Ted pointed out.
Andromeda looked at Molly.
"You realize if I tell it it's going to come out in a way you won't appreciate." Molly said.
"I honestly don't care. I am going to sit here, tune you out, and focus on whatever this is in this glass." Andromeda answered.
"Why are we talking about Walden and Theodore anyways?" Arthur inquired.
"Andromeda got dragged to a Knights meeting and they got into a fight which resulted in her getting permanently banned, to her joy." Molly explained.
"Oh. We all know what it was about then, eh?" Arthur said.
"All of us except for me." Ted exclaimed exasperated.
"Fine Ted, let me explain it to you." Molly said. "If you must know so badly, the MacNairs and Notts have had this long feud that no one knows what about. The MacNairs said some things and the Notts said some worse things, including saying the MacNairs weren't purebloods, and it has been extremely tense between them for years. Then one day during the pureblood debutant season, where the females get brought formally into society and then the men all fawn over them, Walden MacNair and Theodore Nott both went for the same girl."
Andromeda groaned mournfully into her drink.
"It was probably the best season ever. They got into what, six, seven fights?" Molly continued ignoring Andromeda who held up seven fingers in answer. "By the end of the season it was time for the guys to talk to the girls' fathers and tension was high. By some stroke of insane luck Walden MacNair managed to get to the girl's father first and seeing as the girl had made no interest into any suitors known and said father basically ran the Ministry so he missed most society events he wasn't aware there were multiple suitors and he agreed which basically cemented the Notts hate for the MacNairs."
"I'm surprised they can even be in the same room together." Arthur observed.
"Oh! I almost forgot, then the Notts decided to place said girl at the children's table at the Easter Ball in their anger the next year and Mrs. Black was absolutely livid. Now the Blacks hate the Notts and the Notts get the worst seats at pureblood events. Isn't that why Bellatrix hates Persimmon so much?" Molly finished.
"That was the only time mother ever stood up for me." Andromeda stated. "I had no idea she even liked me before that."
"They both got in a fight over you again Andromeda?" Arthur asked.
"No. It started about lineage it only escalated to me." Andromeda defended. "That is when Theodore Nott punched Walden in the face though."
"They had a full out brawl?" Molly asked trying to refrain from laughter.
"I think he broke Walden's nose. I probably would have been happy were it not for being dropped on the floor." Andromeda answered. "They are both such asses."
"Dropped to the floor?" Arthur asked. "How did that happen?"
"I don't want to talk about it." Andromeda said quickly. "Ted, you are a stand up chap for not laughing at my misfortune. Nicest bloke I've had the fortune of being around all evening."
"What? Oh. Yeah. Maybe it's less funny to me because I don't know them?" Ted declared startling as if out of a reverie.
"If you knew them you would probably be overjoyed that he broke Walden's nose. Walden is such a vile person, no offense Andromeda." Molly remarked.
"You do not have to apologize to me. I am perfectly aware." Andromeda replied. "All right, I came here to have fun and oddly enough rehashing my horrible evening isn't doing it for me. I heard there was weird muggle music to dance to? Anyone care to dance?"
"Maybe in a bit." Molly said, smiling at Arthur who took Andromeda's vacated seat.
"Edward?" Andromeda offered.
"Yeah, all right." Ted agreed getting up from the arm of the chair.
"Oh Godric. Be careful Andromeda, Ted is what we like to call in the most loving terms, a walking disaster. Especially on the dance floor." Arthur warned.
"Thanks mate." Ted said, giving Arthur a fake thumbs up.
"It's not my fault you are the clumsiest being on the Earth, Ted." Arthur remarked.
"I can't argue with you there." Ted relented before turning to Andromeda and shrugging. "As long as you're willing to risk it?"
"The only music I have ever danced to have been at balls. I wouldn't know if you were bad even if you hit me in the face." Andromeda said as Ted laughed. "Come along Ted, let us go dance horribly for the world to see."
"Oi, Andromeda! You don't waltz to this kind of music, just a tip." Molly called after them.
"Thank you for the tip." Andromeda replied sarcastically. "I had no idea at all."
Andromeda and Ted found themselves a good part of the dance floor where they could dance horribly to their hearts content and only hit a few people. Ted was, as Arthur had predicted, a terrible dancer. Andromeda, who only had Ted's example to follow, was not much better.
"I have no idea how you are supposed to dance to this music." Andromeda declared as the song changed.
"I mostly borrow moves from Adam West." Ted replied with a laugh.
"Who?"
"You know, your lack of muggle knowledge is beginning to become a barrier in our friendship." Ted joked.
"In my defense, it is not my fault you are muggle-born." Andromeda teased.
"Ha. Adam West is an actor; he plays Batman in this television show." Ted explained. "Batman does this dance called the Batusi."
"It's nice you're trying to explain and all, but it might be easier for you to save your breath. I don't understand a single thing you are saying." Andromeda remarked.
"One of these days I am going to give you a proper muggle-born education." Ted declared.
"Is that a threat?" Andromeda teased.
"It will be if you continue to fail to understand any of my jokes. Muggle jokes are all I have you know." Ted said.
"That is just sad." Andromeda replied, shaking her head pitifully at her.
"Says the girl whose jokes are all borderline racist." Ted retorted.
"Well you have me there." Andromeda admitted laughing. "What are you doing?"
Ted was currently moving his arms in a noodle-like fashion in beat to the music, Andromeda who was following a nearby girl's swimming-like dancing paused, mid step to stare at Ted who was completely ignoring everyone else's version of dancing.
"Nobody knows. Most people just go with it." Ted replied laughing, refusing to stop his odd dance.
"If you can't beat them, join them." Andromeda said with a shrug, before abandoning the strange swim-dance and joining Ted in his odd flailing movement.
"Adam West danced like this in an episode you know." Ted declared.
"You are really fond of this Adam West bloke, aren't you?" Andromeda inquired amused.
"He's funny." Ted explained. "Plus he gets my dancing style."
"Is that what you are calling it these days?" Andromeda joked.
"Just because it isn't good doesn't mean it's not a style." Ted pointed out. "Besides, who has to be good when this is more fun?"
"It certainly beats waltzing any day." Andromeda agreed. "The foxtrot too for that matter."
"You are really practiced in all those slow dances, huh?"
"Considering I started learning when I was seven, I am quite adept, yes. Even better than Narcissa maybe and that is saying something." Andromeda bragged.
"I'm horrible at that kind of slow dancing, two left feet and all that." Ted admitted laughing at himself.
"I get the feeling you might be horrible at all types of dancing." Andromeda teased.
"Except the Batusi." Ted declared.
"Except the Batusi." Andromeda agreed laughing.
They danced in silence for a few seconds, Ted singing along quietly to himself, before the song changed again and Ted's face lit up.
"The Pony! Brilliant! This one is so much fun." He declared as soon as the song started up.
"Pardon?" Andromeda asked in confusion. "Did you just say 'The Pony'?"
"It's a dance. Just follow my lead. You'll catch on." Ted declared beginning to move his arms in an odd motion and walking forward.
"You muggles and your weird dances." Andromeda muttered following Ted's lead and walking the other way.
"Are you telling me you and your roommates have never put the radio on in your dorm and danced?" Ted asked in disbelief.
"No. Have you?" Andromeda asked in equal disbelief.
"There's pretty much always music on in my dorm." Ted answered.
"Weird." Andromeda commented. "My roommates don't like me much so I doubt they would want to dance with me even if we did play music."
"A Black? Disliked in her own circle?" Ted joked in shock.
"That's part of the reason they don't like me." Andromeda pointed out. "If they are purebloods, they think I think I am above them and if they are half-bloods they are probably afraid to talk to me."
"That's actually really sad." Ted said, smiling falling.
"It doesn't help that one time I dyed Lieselot Selwyn's hair purple because she said the Falmouth Falcons were a subpar team." Andromeda observed.
"What?" Ted asked, looking at Andromeda in disbelief. "You did what?"
"I made a hair dye potion and put it in her shampoo bottle. Purple is her least favorite color and looks horrible on her." Andromeda said innocently. "It was her own fault for insulting the Falcons. Not to mention she said Kevin Broadmoor was the worst player the Quidditch Federation had ever seen."
"I don't know if I should be disappointed in you or impressed." Ted stated.
"I would rather impressed, if you can swing it." Andromeda replied blithely.
"I think I can manage." Ted decided offering a smile.
"So this dance, do we just wave our arms about in front of us like idiots and walk back and forth or-ow!" Andromeda began to ask before someone's arm connected with her face.
"It wasn't me." Ted said at once, as if used to being blamed, and then after a second. "Are you all right?"
"This is just the worst night to be my face, isn't it?" Andromeda asked in exasperation.
"I'm sure it's seen better." Ted agreed, looking at Andromeda in concern. "Do you want to get away from the crowd and inspect the damage?"
"Yes, please." Andromeda replied sticking her left arm out for Ted to lead her as her right arm grasped her face.
They went through the hallway, turned left, through another hallway, and ended up in the kitchen where less people were milling about.
"Here, sit on the counter and let me look at your face." Ted ordered, gesturing to said counter.
Andromeda, despite the pain in her face looked at him aghast.
"What?" Ted asked in confusion. "Oh for Merlin's-it's against some propriety to sit on counters isn't it?"
"Obviously." Andromeda bit, as if Ted was insane for not realizing it.
"Look, Andromeda, I can assure you this household will experience worse than you sitting on the kitchen counter for five seconds tonight." Ted assured.
As if to prove his point, one of the few people in the kitchen leaned over and promptly threw up. Ted lifted his arm towards said person as if to say 'see' but Andromeda continued to look defiant, or as defiant as one can look when their hand is covering up their face.
"You're going to make me do this the hard way, aren't you?" Ted asked challengingly.
Andromeda raised an eyebrow.
"All right then, but remember that when you are looking over this night and reviewing all your shameful moments, that you forced this to happen." Ted declared, absolving himself from all responsibility.
"What are you blathering on about?" Andromeda asked her voice slightly muffled.
Instead of responding Ted picked Andromeda up and placed her on the counter, a look of triumph on his face. Andromeda was thrown. After a few seconds she managed to compose herself, having not expected to be picked up.
"Talk about lack of propriety." She declared, adjusting on the counter.
"Hand." He ordered.
"I don't think it's bad, just hurts." Andromeda said, removing her hand.
Ted leaned forward and examined the right side of her face.
"I can't tell if it's bad or if that's just the mark from before." He said with a laugh.
"You guys have commented on my face so much I am beginning to imagine I have grown a second head." Andromeda stated laughing slightly, only to find it hurt.
"Nah, not that bad. Just a little bump." Ted assured. "And some dried blood."
"What?" Andromeda asked turning in shock and knocking into Ted's face. "What do you mean dried blood?"
"Ow." Ted said rubbing his head. "Stop hitting things with your face, especially my face."
"I have hit my face against so many things today that barely even registered." Andromeda declared. "You're fine though, no damage."
"That's good, we should really only have one person walking around with face injuries at parties. Otherwise it will start to look like a theme." Ted joked, rubbing his face.
"I wouldn't mind someone else joining me in the face disfiguration club, actually." Andromeda said. "Especially if there is dried blood on my face? You probably should have mentioned that bit before."
"I thought you knew." Ted explained shrugging. "You can clean the dried blood off though. It's not a permanent fixture to the war zone that is your face right now."
"Uplifting, that. Never had my face described as a war zone before." Andromeda said sarcastically.
"I meant it in a humorous way. It really isn't that bad." Ted assured. "Here let me get you a towel and some water, so you can stop walking around with dried blood on your face."
"Grand. Not only can I sit on Charity's counter but I can also get blood all over her towel. I can tell I will be invited back to more parties, being such a great guest and all." Andromeda declared rolling her eyes.
"Would you prefer to walk around with dried blood on your face?" Ted asked, raising a brow.
"My mother would be sputtering on her tea in disgrace right now." Andromeda replied by means of answer. "Although, I suppose she would have fainted if she had found I snuck out to a muggle-born party in the first place, so it can't get much worse, can it?"
"I don't think so." Ted agreed with a laugh. "Don't worry about the towels though, Charity's parents keep some extra towels and bandages in here strictly for the purpose of mopping up blood."
"Charity never struck me as the clumsy type." Andromeda observed slightly surprised.
"Oh, she's not. I'm just over here quite a bit." Ted said a proud smile on his face. "They call it the Ted Drawer actually. I had no idea until one day Mrs. Burbage cut her finger while chopping carrots and she asked Charity to fetch a bandage from the Ted Drawer. Quite a thing to have named after you, innit?"
"That is brilliant." Andromeda remarked. "I have never had anything named after me before. Maybe my mother will start referring to being a disappointment as 'pulling an Andromeda'. That could be fun."
"I'm beginning to sense that you and your mum don't get on." Ted observed, rifling through the drawer.
"Let me put it this way, the first words my mother said to me when I got home was, 'Andromeda have you been going in for second dinners' followed by 'You seem to have grown, as if you weren't tall enough.'" Andromeda explained rolling her eyes. "I believe her exact words actually were, 'Your skirt seems to have gotten shorter. Are you whoring yourself out to the boys of Hogwarts?'"
"Your descriptions of your mother continue to impress me. She is possibly the nicest woman I have heard described." Ted remarked.
"The grandest." Andromeda agreed. "Now that I think about it I haven't had a proper meal since before holiday. What do they have by way of food here?"
"Check the fridge. Charity is pretty open on the 'take what you want and please don't bother me when I am snogging with my girlfriend for the last time Ted' front." Ted said gesturing to the fridge as he wet the towel.
"Speaking from personal experience there?" Andromeda inquired amused.
"Maybe a little." Ted said smiling cheekily. "I expect you to sit back on the counter when you're done getting food, by the way."
"You realize there are chairs?" Andromeda asked, rolling her eyes as she observed the food.
"Yeah but they are so short. Then I would have to hunch over. If you sit on the counter we're eye level." Ted complained.
"Don't ever say I'm not accommodating." Andromeda replied. "Are they saving this champagne for anything or is it just back up? I didn't get to enjoy my wine before as I was trying not to get myself killed in front of a bunch of deadly racists."
"Pretty sure it's just back up." Ted said with a shrug. "We can't be blamed for the disappearance even if it's not."
"Aren't you Hufflepuffs supposed to feel really guilty about any little offense you may have caused someone?" Andromeda asked turning from the fridge with the food and champagne.
"If you knew Charity as well as I did you would understand my lack of guilt." Ted remarked. "Glasses are in the top cupboard over there."
"I think we'll be found out if we use the fancy glasses. How many people here know where they are?" Andromeda whispered conspiratorially.
"We'll just wash them before Charity even notices they're missing." Ted said with a shrug.
"I do not know who you think you're talking to, but I don't wash dishes." Andromeda said, pulling a face of disgust.
"Your house elves do it for you?" Ted asked with a laugh.
"Why do I get the idea you're making fun of me?" Andromeda pouted.
"Might be because I am."
"Rude."
"If you are done raiding the stores, you might want to get the blood off your face." Ted said, gesturing to the counter.
"What has become of me, opening other people's fridges, sitting on tables, washing dishes? Next you will want me to take my shoes off." Andromeda exclaimed as she hopped back up on the counter. "You are a bad influence Edward Tonks."
"First time I've been called that." Ted observed, smile tugging at his lips.
"It is a night for firsts: first time I snuck out, first muggle party, first and last Knights' meeting, first Unforgiveable." Andromeda observed with a laugh. "First time that you have been called a bad influence."
"What?" Ted asked, hand poised right over Andromeda's face, towel in hand.
"You know I can wash my own face, right?" Andromeda asked amused.
"You can't even see where the blood is." Ted said waving her off. "What was that about Unforgiveables?"
"Pardon?" Andromeda said. "Oh, I should really pay more attention to what I'm saying. I usually do, see, bad influence. It was nothing, don't worry about it."
Ted raised an eyebrow.
"How did you think I got this apparently incredible bump on my head? Let alone bleeding. Impressive really, no wonder Bellatrix was so freaked out." Andromeda commented, working on opening the champagne. "Isn't it funny how you can be bleeding and not even notice? I don't even bleed that often, you think I'd have noticed."
"What." Ted repeated hand still poised over Andromeda's face.
"Champagne?" Andromeda offered, pouring a glass for him.
"Are you saying Bellatrix used an Unforgiveable on you?" Ted asked all sense of the earlier joking gone from his voice.
"Cruciatus, to be specific." Andromeda said nonchalantly. "You know, I am trying to be very calm and easygoing about this because you seem like you are on the verge of a mental breakdown but it doesn't seem to be working, so you should really drink this champagne. It helps quell the shock and anger, I promise."
Ted blinked.
"If you're just going to stand there with that towel for the next five minutes, then can I please wash my own face? The towel is dripping on me and I only just destained this skirt." Andromeda continued. "I would really appreciate it if you drank some champagne."
"And you're completely fine with that?" Ted asked voice flat.
"No, Bellatrix crossed a line, but I would rather have fun tonight and deal with it later. Trust me; there will probably be a fight about it later." Andromeda replied. "In the current moment however there is dried blood on my face that I'd like to get off so if we could focus on that I'd appreciate it."
"All right." Ted said pressing the towel against her face. "For the record though, not okay with it."
"Your concern is appreciated. I have it covered though so you don't have to do anything stupid. Also if we could keep the telling people about this down to no one that would be brilliant. I only accidentally just said it now." Andromeda replied. "Now drink the champagne."
"Would you stop trying to get me drunk?" Ted said with a laugh back to his old self, Andromeda let out a breath of relief.
"If you get drunk off champagne then you have a pretty weak tolerance." Andromeda retorted wincing slightly as Ted pressed against her head.
"That depends on how much you try and get me to drink." Ted pointed out, taking the champagne despite it.
"Cheers." Andromeda replied lifting her own glass. "How much dried blood is there? Merlin."
"A bit more than I let on maybe." Ted admitted. "This is brilliant though, you'll get to experience muggle medicine."
"Thrilling." Andromeda deadpanned.
"You can act uninterested but I know you are secretly elated at the chance." Ted remarked smirking.
"What is hydrogen peroxide?" Andromeda asked picking up the brown bottle Ted had laid on the counter next to some plaster.
"Cleans out wounds." Ted replied focused on the side of her head.
"Weird muggle technology." Andromeda muttered turning the bottle over and examining
"If you're done examining the bottle can I have it?" Ted asked holding his hand out expectantly.
Andromeda handed it over. Ted picked up a cotton ball off the table and tipped the bottle over before pressing the cotton ball against the small cut on Andromeda's head.
"Bloody hell." Andromeda exclaimed. "Is it customary for muggles to harm the person they are trying to help?"
"I forgot to warn you about the sting." Ted realized trying to hold back his laughter. "Usually people know to expect it."
"I would take wizarding medicine any day." Andromeda decided as Ted applied the plaster.
"It is superior." Ted agreed. "Bit rude they don't share it actually."
"Ever since the muggles burned us at the stake we have been a bit wary. Probably an overreaction though." Andromeda replied with a roll of her eyes.
"Talk about holding a grudge." Ted said. "Oddly enough I think the muggle population may have changed their views over time. We're a lot less 'burn people at the stake'-y nowadays. Don't be so racist."
"An empire isn't built in a day, Edward." Andromeda retorted taking a sip of her champagne. "That is pretty forward thinking though, wizards are having issues coping with muggle-borns, you're going to try and get us to co-exist with muggles?"
Ted shrugged.
"What is going on in here?" A voice interrupted from the doorway causing Ted to turn around.
"Long story." Andromeda answered at once. "Care for some champagne?"
"Yeah all right. Are we using the fancy glasses?" Xenophilius agreed glancing at the glasses.
"Andromeda is a high class broad. She refused to drink out of a solo cup." Ted said at once, cleaning up the medical supplies.
"That is exactly what happened. Thank you for painting me in such a flattering light." Andromeda replied.
"Any time."
"Not to point out the obvious but have you had an encounter with any enraged garden gnomes lately?" Xenophilius asked glancing at Andromeda.
The night wore on and Andromeda danced some, she ate some, socialized some, and drank some. It was the most fun she had possibly ever had, or at least had recently. Certainly more fun than her mother's ball had promised to be. She was dancing with Hestia and Charity, considerably different than dancing with Ted as Ted was more of a sporadic dancer whereas Hestia and Charity actually knew some moves, when Charity glanced at her watch and abruptly walked away.
"Where is she going?" Andromeda asked in surprise.
"Almost midnight." Hestia answered glancing at her own watch. "She probably went to put on the radio so we can count down along. I should follow her actually, New Year's kiss and all that."
"Brilliant." Andromeda declared as she was left alone surrounded by almost strangers.
The music stopped suddenly and a few people groaned. The radio could be heard replacing the hi-fi.
"Sorry everyone, but it's almost midnight." Charity said over the crowd. "Partner up, yeah?"
People shuffled about looking for good partners and Andromeda shoved this and that way as everyone jockeyed for their desired kissing partners. Within seconds the time was upon them.
"Ten. Nine. Eight. Seven. Six." Everyone chanted simultaneously along with the radio. "Five. Four. Three. Two…One. Happy New Year!"
As was customary everyone turned to the person next to them and embraced in the traditional New Year's kiss. Andromeda, glad for once that she would not have to kiss Walden turned to the person next to her and smiled, glad she at least knew who it was. She stood up on her tip toes and placed her lips against his for a brief second, hand threading through his blonde hair. To her surprise he was actually a rather good kisser. After a few seconds she pulled away and smiled up at him.
"Happy New Years, Andromeda." He said.
"Happy New Years, Xenophilius." She replied, smile on her face.
The year was officially 1969 and even if no one was quite yet aware, it would be a year to go down in history.