Stormier
The war had started, but that all seemed so far away.
Their fifth year wrapping itself up, Andromeda and Ted significantly reduced their time together. Andromeda worried over Bellatrix. Ted worried over Andromeda. She didn't want another confrontation and he didn't want to risk her getting hurt again. It was a mutual agreement; Bellatrix, along with Rodolphus, would be gone once the year was over. They would be married and go on to declare their loyalty as Death Eaters. They would no longer pose a threat to them.
Summer proved to be the same as last, the two exchanging letters as often as possible. No one in Andromeda's family picked up on this, their minds other places.
Andromeda and Ted felt free those last years at Hogwarts. Any watchful eye was gone, the only one who could pose a threat smitten by one Lucius Malfoy, too wrapped up in her own romance to mind her sister's.
It was a time for the two to fall more in love with the other, their bond strengthening to a point that it seemed unbreakable. Andromeda was both terrified and thrilled by this; Ted was possibly everything she wanted and more, with only one flaw. And it wasn't as though he could help that.
He was sweet and kind. He made her laugh and could deal with her temper with his laidback attitude easily. They seemed to be polar opposites on some things, but they figured it only made things more interesting.
"It'd be boring," Ted had said once with a chuckle, while Andromeda appraised his disheveled appearance with disgust. "If we agreed on everything."
In the slightest way possible, they became more public. Ted might wait in the morning to walk Andromeda to her class, or if they shared one, they'd meet up to go there together. They could sometimes be seen together by the lake or just taking a walk. They never displayed affection during these times, simply talking with one another, about subjects that, if overheard, wouldn't lead to anything; a complaint about a Transfiguration assignment or exchanging notes for Potions. Around Quidditch games they'd place bets on who was playing or competitively argue in favor of their House.
They just seemed like two acquaintances.
They saved romance for when they were alone. Night became their time, either sneaking out after their roommates fell asleep or simply never coming back after supper. This sparked some suspicion, but Andromeda easily waved it off. She liked to be alone, something her friends knew. If she said she was just roaming the dungeons to clear her head, they believed her. And if not, dragging another boy's name into the mix was enough to silence any talk.
It was a rush for both of them, their relationship. Ted felt empowered at the idea of having to fight for his girl, while Andromeda blushed at the idea of forbidden love. Their relationship grew in maturity, and at one point, the idea that she was in this forever crossed Andromeda's mind. But she loved this, what she had with Ted. It was an idea she grew to like, blissfully ignoring that fact that if it came to be, she'd lose all she loved.
They were young, they were in love, and their worlds couldn't be the same without the other. They recognized this and held on to the other more tightly. Nothing would tear them apart, they were sure of it. And as they relaxed at Hogwarts, lounging around the castle, completely wrapped up in the other, all their troubles seemed to melt away.
It was a time of peace.
Looking back, the two seemed to take that time for granted. But, neither of them could predict the stormier days that lay ahead.
-Reels