I dedicate this chapter to Thalanthus, who has helped me greatly in editing my writing. I'd like to also thank PotterNerd94, for continuing to read and review my story.


I was lounging under a beech tree when Tonks jogged up, panting slightly.

"There you are! I've been looking everywhere for you." He said, stopping in front of me, his eyebrows knitted together in concern. "Why did you run out of class like that?" He peered at my face anxiously. "Have you been crying? What's wrong?" I looked up at him, my eyes sparkled with barely contained joy.

"Nothing's wrong." I gasped, the words bubbling out of me. "Wrong? Ted, everything is finally right!" I put my hands over my mouth to hide the enormous grin I wore. Tonks relaxed, and dropped to the ground beside me.

"What's gotten you in such a good mood? Come on, spill the beans." He nudged me playfully, his eyes glowing. Happily I told him about the patronuses.

"You were surprised that your Patronus wasn't the same as Bellatrix's?" Tonks asked, amused. "I could have told you that much." I shook my head vigorously.

"No, you don't understand-" I stopped. Of course he didn't understand. How could he? He was pure of the dark ideas that had clouded my mind for so long. I shrugged, knowing that he could never fully understand my explanation. Somehow this didn't make me feel distant from him, but closer than ever before. I sighed contentedly and leaned on him, my head resting on his shoulder.

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"For being the only person who believed in me." Tonks chuckled.

"You only needed someone to remind you to believe in yourself." I pondered on this. Had that been the root of my problem the whole time?

"I've never seen you this happy before." Tonks whispered, the sun warming our faces. We sat in silence, glad for each other's company. The rippling waves sparkled bright blue in the reflecting sunlight. Far on the opposite shore, the treetops display a dazzling array of autumn colours. The steady lapping of waves was hypnotic. It glistened, rolled, and hummed silently the siren song of its own natural beauty. It was a beautiful, innocent day, far from shadows or darkness. I wished that every day could be like this.

"I've always wondered about the lake." I told Tonks absentmindedly. "Our common room is under the lake, you know."

"Um-hum." Tonks said lazily, leaning against the trunk of the tree.

"I used to read curled up on the window sill, so that my the pages of my book would look green in the light. I loved the lake. It's depths, its secrets... all of it is so alluring, so peaceful." I closed my eyes and inhaled the clean, sharp air.

"You're very poetic." Tonks commented, his eyes closed, a lopsided smile coming to his face. With a sudden reckless urge, I stood up, my eyes out on the lake. Tonks opened one eye to study me.

"What are you doing?" I ignored him, the gears in my head whirling. Tonks opened his other eye and sat up, looking drowsy.

"Andromeda?"

"I'm going explore the lake." I said, an idea forming in my mind.

"I'm sorry?" Tonks grinned at me, unsure if I was joking or not. I looked back at him, my excitement mounting.

"Don't try to talk me out of it." I said quickly. "It's stupid, I know. And reckless. But I don't care. I don't even know if we're allowed in the lake. But... I've always done what other people wanted. I just want to do this one thing I want. I know I'm being selfish, but-" I trailed off, looking into Tonks's face. Tonks watched me with growing amazement.

"Andromeda Black wants to do something reckless, selfish and potentially stupid?" He stood up, a wicked grin breaking his face.

"I guess I'll have to show you how it's done. Trust me, I've had plenty of experience."

"You'll come with me?"

"And risk missing this? Never!" I shoved him in the shoulder good-naturedly, and took off toward the lake. Tonks loped after me, laughing.

At the shore, I was already untying my shoes. Tonks slowed to a stop next to me, and started loosening his tie.

"So, what exacting are you planning?" he asked curiously. I undid my bun, allowing my long curly hair to drape down.

"I don't know." I admitted, and dumping my heavy black cloak on the sandy bank, and ran towards the water.

"Hey, wait up!" Tonks called after me, hopping around and struggling to take off his socks. I waited patiently, the water lapping up to my toes and retracting with a squelch. Little shells lined the shore, though not all of them seemed quite normal. I was pretty sure that hermit crabs did not have shells with designs that intricate. Then again, you could hardly expect anything normal from a lake next to a magical school. I suddenly was shoved into the deeper water, only regaining my balance before I fell face first into the water. From here, the water came up to my calves. I looked up to find Tonks snickering. He must have snuck behind me and tried to push me in.

"That's not fair!" I complained. "The water's cold." Tonks smirked back at me.

"Two can play that game." I said slyly, before splashing the icy water into his face. That wiped the smirk off his face, as he stood sputtering on the bank, the cold water leaving him speechless. After the shock passed over him, he looked at me ruefully. I smirked at him, quite proud of myself.

"It's not nice to splash people." Tonks said in a mock scold. I splashed him again, making sure his clothes were completely soaked. Tonks tried in vain to run out of range, but he tripped over his own cloak and tumbled down. When he struggled up, his cloak clinging to his frame, his entire front was covered in sand. I laughed at the sight, he looked so ridiculous. Tonks eyed me with new caution as he removed his cloak.

"Feeling rebellious, are we? Turning traitor on your poor friend? Tut-tut. I would have thought better of you." He got to his feet, and waggled his finger accusingly at me. "Do you know what we do to traitors, Andromeda?"

"What?" I asked, deciding to play his little game. Tonks shook his head sadly.

"We teach them a lesson."

"You'll have to catch me first!" I taunted. Tonks leaped into the water, running at me at full speed. I turned and ran deeper into the water, excitement filling me from the chase. I hadn't gotten up to my knees in the frigid water when Tonks caught me; he grabbed me from behind and hefted me onto his left shoulder in a fireman's lift.

"Let go!" I cried through my laughter. Tonks waded deeper into the water, holding me firmly.

"Not a chance!" He shouted to me, his face devilish.

"Let me go!"

"What would be the fun in that?"

"Let go!"

"As you wish!" And he threw me into the water. I resurfaced an instant later, my hair clinging to my face. I wiped my eyes and blinked the drops of water out of my eyelashes. The water came to my shoulders here. Tonks stood a few feet away.

"Why you little-" I started, but Tonks dived head first into the water, then came back up.

"Ha!" He shook his head, water flinging from his hair. "I'm already wet now, so you splashing me won't do any good!"

"That's kind of like giving a bandit your money before he takes it." I pointed out. "You have a hole in your logic." Tonks ignored my comment and swam over to me.

"Merlin's beard, it's freezing." He said, brushing hair from his eyes. "You must be insane to have thought this was a good idea."

"You followed me." I pointed out.

"True. I must have had a temporary brain malfunction."

"Temporary?"

"Oh, ha ha."

"Here, I have an idea." I said, looking at the endless clear water before us.

"Another idea? Oh goody." Tonks said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. I fished out my wand and brought it above the water.

"Bulcaputium!" I said, pointing my wand at my face. The bubble head charm took effect immediately, a transparent flowing substance forming around my mouth and nose. When I took another breath, the air was clean and pure, pressing eagerly into my lungs as though I had inhaled deeply. Without a second thought, I plunged into the freezing waters of the Black Lake. The icy water embraced me, small bubbles zipping upwards. My hair wafted around me, tendrils floating through the water. I spread my arms out and swam deeper, freedom and excitement coursing through me. I spun through the water without effort, it felt so natural. I closed my eyes, enjoying the sensation of the strong current driving me deeper into the lake's depths. I heard a faint splash and turned; Tonks, his mouth and nose covered by their own bubble, was paddling clumsily toward me. The bubble covering his mouth distorted and magnified his grin, his eyes searching the waters. He waved at me, and pointed questioningly in the direction I had been heading. I nodded, and with a single motion propelled myself smoothly downwards. The darkness greeted me, forests of kelp swinging tantalizingly, beckoning me to explore. Overhead the lights rippled and twinkled, the lowering sun flashing down at me. Tonks was nearing, his lanky arms scooping in vain at the water as he tried to move forward. In spite of myself I laughed, the sound vibrating to fill the entire lake, like the chatter of a dolphin. I swam over to Tonks and took his forearm, trying to show him the correct way to manipulate the water. He imitated my motions as best he could, and soon he was darting through the kelp like an eel. We circled each other, performing acrobatics that would have been impossible on land. A shadow passed over us from a distance- the giant squid. It stared at us with its huge eyes, then continued on its way peacefully. Taking Tonks's hand in mine, together we swam down further. Briefly I wondered what class would be going on, and if the school had yet noticed two students were missing. It was wrong to skive off classes, but if I missed one, it wouldn't tarnish my pristine record. And the lake was so beautiful-

A wave of motion rippled through the water, and I looked over just in time to see a Grindylow darted through the water, coming toward us. I tried to warn Tonks, bubble muffled my voice, and my warning went unnoticed. A second later, the Grindylow slammed into Tonks's back, and they both went sailing into the darkness of the kelp forest below. I was still holding my wand from casting the Bubble Head charm, and I flicked it through the water, panic gripping me. If something happened to Tonks down here, at the bottom of the lake...

"Lumos," I muttered, though it was strange as I could not hear my own words. Nevertheless the spell worked, and my wand tip glowed with golden light. I shot through the water in the direction Tonks and the Grindylow had disappeared in, my heart racing.

Even with my wand light, it was still dark down in the kelp forest. The kelp towered around me, brushing up against my skin. It kept ensnaring me, making the going slower as I had to untangle myself every few feet from its slimy grasp. Excitement gripped me, though I knew I should be worried. But it all felt so unreal, so otherworldly. I found that I couldn't be afraid in this place. It would be like being afraid of a dream. I could feel that Tonks and the Grindylow were near, the water pulsed with their motion. I renewed my actions, vigorously trying to head toward them. After a few feet, I could make out their silhouettes. It looked like Tonks was trying to get to his wand, which was in his pants pocket, but the Grindylow kept his occupied, wrapping its long fingers around Tonks's neck. Tonks saw me coming, and wrestled with the Grindylow still more violently. I cancelled the wand light, and held my wand up trembling. If I could only get a clear shot of the Grindylow, but Tonks was in the way. I waved at Tonks, trying to signal his to move out of the way. Unfortunately, Tonks was keeping his attention entirely on the Grindylow, which was now encircling Tonks with its serpentine tail. Without a moment's hesitation, I launched myself into the fray. I grabbed the Grindylow's scaly arm, hoping to get near the Grindylow's one weakness, its fragile fingers. The Grindylow was unhappy when it suddenly found itself being tackled by another human. It turned its doglike face toward me, a serpent tongue flashing between its canine teeth. It snapped at me, missing my flesh by mere centimeters. Tonks managed to get one arm free, and punched the Grindylow on the side of the head. The Grindylow's gills flared and its eyes bulged from Tonks's blow, but it still did not relinquish its hold on Tonks's neck. Tonks thrashed, desperately trying to free himself. The Grindylow seemed tired of its prey's attempts to flee; it bared its teeth, reeling Tonks in closer to cause the fatal bite. One snap of those jaws- I couldn't think about that. I launched myself between the Grindylow and Tonks, placing my feet on the Grindylow's chest and my back against Tonks, and pushed. The Grindylow's chest was squishy like the underbelly of a fish, and my feet left impressions its skin. The Grindylow snarled at me, but held on to Tonks with amazing strength. Using Tonks as leverage, I continued pushing, trying to separate the two. Slowly the Grindylow's tail unwound around Tonks, slowly but surely. Tonks took the the Grindylow's hand and pried it, one spindly finger at a time, away from his neck. The Grindylow howled, but the only evidence was the bubbles issuing from its mouth. Finally it let go, and the force I had used to separate the two sent both Tonks and I cartwheeling backwards. When we stopped tumbling through the water, I frantically searched for a sign of the Grindylow. It seemed to have disappeared. Wait- there was movement. I looked behind was swimming toward me,his eyes wide with fear. Out of the kelp forest emerged dozens of Grindylows, all of which were staring at the two of us. They swam out of the dark, their numbers steadily increasing. I looked around wildly; they were surrounding us. They were coming closer, serpent tails slashing through the water like whips. I held my wand out, scanning my brain for a spell that could repel all of them, but there were just too many. Fear fluttered in my stomach. Tonks had reached me, and wrapped his arms around my waist. Silently, the Grindylows charged, darting out at us with impossible speed. I clung to Tonks, burying my face in his shirt. I didn't want to see what would happen next, when the Grindylows attacked. I squeezed my eyes shut, my muscles tensing-

With a sudden burst, we were shooting through the water upwards. My ears popped, and I couldn't open my eyes by the sheer force of the water rushing by. The bubble from my Bubble Head charm had popped, I couldn't breathe- with a terrific splurching sound, we surfaced. I gasped for breath, trying to keep my head above the water.

"Andromeda!" Tonks sputtered. He wiped my hair out of my face, looking anxious.

"You- okay?" He panted, looking down at me.

"Yeah. You?" I asked, coughing.

"I'm fine. By Merlin, you scared me though! Attacking that Grindylow like that!" He hugged me, clutching me like he would never let go. My lungs burned and chest ached, but at least Tonks was here. We both broke at the same time, blushing. As the lake's surface bobbed however, Tonks grabbed my hand to prevent me from being carried away.

"What happened?" I asked, my adrenaline draining away.

"I used the ascendio spell." Tonks answered. "It propelled us through the water." I reddened from embarrassment. "I should have thought of that." I mumbled. "I'm sorry Tonks, I panicked down there-"

"Sorry?" Tonks echoed incredulously. "Andromeda, give yourself some credit! You were able to get that Grindylow off me!"

"But when they surrounded us-" I shuddered, unable to finish my sentence. Tonks squeezed my hand reassuringly.

"Well, that was an adventure." He said cheerfully after a moment. "Seems you and I make a good team, Black." The way he said it, like it had been no big deal, caused me to laugh. Soon we were both laughing hysterically, helpless to stop.

"You're insane, Andromeda!" Tonks snickered. He looked up, unable to help another wave of laughter. "Absolutely raving mad!" He cackled delightfully.

It was approaching dusk by the time we made it back to shore near the beech tree. Tonks helped me to my feet. We were both soaked to the bone from being in the water for so long. My feet were unsteady, and I felt as if I were still swaying with the water. Tonks stumbled onto the bank and shook like a dog. I wrung my hair out the best I could, but the untame mane clung stubbornly onto the my frame.

"Well, that was fun." Tonks joked, leading me to the spot where we had left our cloaks and shoes. I snorted in response, taking my cloak and wrapping it around me. The sun was going down, and it was getting colder. Even with the heavy cloak covering me, my teeth chattered. Together we walked to the beech tree.

"How long have we been gone?" I wondered out loud, looking toward the setting sun.

"Hours." Tonks said as I sat down, leaning against the tree's trunk. "The whole school's probably been turned upside down looking for us." Tonks glanced down at me.

"Here, take my cloak too." He offered, taking it off and holding it out to me. "You look like you're freezing to death."

"No, I don't need it." I insisted, though it was a weak excuse. I was trembling like a leaf against the frigid air. Tonks raised an eyebrow, looking at me with some amusement.

"Who are you trying to fool?" He chuckled. "Just take the cloak, Andromeda."

"But what about you?" I asked worriedly.

"I'm fine. Here." He draped the cloak over my shoulders gently.

"Thanks." I said gratefully, pulling it tighter around me.

"We should get back to the castle." Tonks sighed, kneeling down next to me. "It would be a fine thing to rescue you from bloodthirsty Grindylows only to have you catch your death of cold." I laughed, and Tonks smiled kindly.

"Shall we?" He asked, extending his hand out to me.

"I don't want to return just yet." I said, blushing. "Not yet." Tonks didn't protest, but instead settled next to me at the base of the beech tree. We were both strangely silent, staring up at leaves rustling above us. Darkness was falling, and sun cast long shadows on the trees in the Forbidden Forest. In the east, stars were just beginning to emerge.

"I'm sorry I talked you into this mess." I said, not looking at Tonks..

"Don't be sorry. I wouldn't have traded it for the world." He spoke with sincerity.

"The entire world?" I asked, amused. "I almost got us both killed. Are you thinking of the same scene I'm thinking of?" Tonks shrugged.

"So, we almost got killed. But I got to see you be happy. You've always been so withdrawn, as if scared to enjoy yourself for once. But there was a moment back there when you let yourself go. You seem more alive now. You're allowing yourself to enjoy life. You were free and spirited and beautiful-" Tonks stopped, his cheeks reddening. "Sorry that I'm rambling." He muttered.

"No," I said, the corner of my mouth tugging upward. I put my hand on his. "I don't mind." Tonks jumped at my touch, as if he had been shocked. He stared at our hands, as if he couldn't quite believe they were there. He looked up at me, and my heart quickened. He was leaning toward me cautiously, his eyes boring into mine. I couldn't move, he was coming closer... his breath was tickling my cheek, his eyes were partly closed... he hesitated, his face right in front of mine, close enough for me to count every freckle on his nose. I could tell by the way the muscles at the corner of his eye twitched and his eyebrows drew together that he was battling internally with himself. Before Tonks could draw away, before he could apologize, I kissed him. Suddenly, it all fit into place. The feeling that I had felt when I had cast my patronus came back to me, but I knew what it was now. And Tonks, after the initial surprise at finding my lips on his, was kissing me back fervently. All the world disappeared, it was just the two of us. His hands clasped mine. I felt as warm as though I had drunk a steaming Butterbeer, the wet and cold I no longer felt. We broke apart slowly, gently. Tonks opened his eyes as though a sleeper waking up from a dream. His eyes showed every emotion he was feeling. They reflected my own: the giddiness, the bashfulness, the affection. The affection in his eyes shone brightest of all, as pure as new fallen snow. I felt so light I could float in the air. My lips tingled where his had touched, as if charged with electricity. Tonks took a strand of my wet hair and tucked it behind my ear, his eyes never leaving my face.

"Andromeda-" Tonks whispered, looking as though he had been hit over the head with a bludger. He seemed at a loss for words.

Behind me there was noise in the undergrowth. Both Tonks and I turned in the direction the noise had come from. A figure was running up to the school, a trail of long blonde hair flowing behind her- I stood up quickly.

"Narcissa!" I yelled. The figure stopped, and turned to face me.

"What are you doing with him, Andromeda?" Narcissa called, anger entering her voice.

"Cissy, you have to listen-"

"No, I don't! I was terrified when I realized you were missing. I searched for you for hours, and it turns out you were hiding here, kissing him? Did you even think about me? Did you care?" A lump was forming in my throat. My eyes brimmed with tears.

"So this is why you've been ignoring me lately. You've been slinking around the school with a half blood!" Narcissa continued, pointing angrily at Tonks.

"You don't understand, just listen-" I begged, but Narcissa just shook her head.

"What are you going to do, Andromeda? Mother would never approve of his filthy kind. Are you going to turn on your family? Run off with him and leave me alone with Bella?"

"No, please-" I sobbed. Her barrage of words had broken my defenses, each word now like a stake being driven into my heart.

"Narcissa, we can explain everything." Tonks said, putting his arm protectively around my shoulder.

"Don't you dare talk to me!" Narcissa cried shrilly. "You've taken my sister away from me! You're not worthy of her, you filth! You've gone and turned her against the House of Black! I hate you!"

"It's not his fault, Cissy." I quivered. Narcissa looked as if she had been slapped.

"You've made this choice, then? You're going to choose him, a filthy half blood, over me? You can't have both of us, and you were snogging- oh, Merlin-" Narcissa's face was twisted with betrayal and confusion. To see such a gaze aimed at me from my little sister made my heart clench painfully.

"I thought I meant more to you than that." She mourned. Tears glistened on her cheeks, and she ran blindly toward the castle.

"Cissy!" I called, panic rising. "You don't understand! Come back!" But Narcissa had already disappeared through the castle gates. I sank to my knees, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Andromeda!" Tonks gasped, kneeling next me. I couldn't bring myself to look at him. Narcissa's face- I shook as sobs racked my body. Tonks rubbed my back consolingly. Tears flowed fast, and my mind was a haze of panic. My breathing turn ragged, and my heart felt like it was going to burst-

"I'm so sorry, Andromeda." Tonks breathed. He sounded shaken, scared even. "I brought this on you, I'm an idiot-"

"I have to go after her!" I cried hysterically. "I can't loose her!" I struggled to my feet.

"You can't go after her by yourself! Let me go with you, I can help explain." Tonks said, grabbing my arm before I could leave.

"No! I have talk to her alone." I said, pulling away from him. "She'll listen to me." I started running for the castle, but Tonks blocked my way.

"This is my fault, I'll help-"

"Move!"

"But-"

"Please, Ted!" I wept, all the desperation and turmoil coming out in my voice. Tonks looked uneasy. He looked down at me, his tawny hair glowing in the dying sun.

"All right. But be careful, Andromeda!." He said worriedly, stepping aside. Without another word, I took off after Narcissa.