Born to Run

Chapter 12

"Andromeda, darling, are you coming?"

Andromeda inwardly groaned at the sound of Rosier's drawl from across the room. She hated being called 'darling' and she hated his grating voice.

"Yes, I'm coming," she called back, quickly pinning up her dark hair. She glanced down at her left hand, wincing slightly as she observed the ring that adorned her fourth finger. Rosier had given her an engagement ring yesterday. She had accepted and smiled as everyone gushed over it, but inside she felt sick. And ever since then, it had felt like a great weight on her finger.

To be quite honest, all this pretending was exhausting. And these days, it felt like she was always pretending. Pretending to be happy with Rosier, pretending to believe in what her parents were getting into, pretending to detest Muggleborns like all the others. There were really only a few people she could be herself around, and one of those people was not allowed to feature in her thoughts anymore.

Breakfast that morning was a quiet affair. Narcissa and Lucius, who had started seeing each other three months ago, were in a fight, so neither would talk to the other. Andromeda sat between the two, ignoring the awkward silence and flicking through the Prophet as she sipped her pumpkin juice. More murders were spattered across the front page. Andromeda gave a weary sigh and put a hand to her forehead.

Across the room, Ted's eyes flickered to Andromeda for just a moment, but it was long enough to catch a glimpse of something sparkling on her finger. His eyes widened for a split second as he realised what it was, then he quickly looked away before anyone could catch him looking.

"Ted! Hey Ted!"

Ted turned at the sound of his name being called. He smiled as he caught sight of Gina hurrying down the corridor after him.

"Hi Gina," Ted smiled.

"This is for us. Dumbledore asked me to give it to you," she said, handing him a small parchment scroll. Ted took it and unfurled it, his eyes scanning down the page.

"Anything interesting?" she asked, watching him closely.

He shook his head and rolled it up again. "Just the standard information for the…mission," he said, in a lowered voice. "Says here we're supposed to excuse ourselves from last period today and meet in the backroom of the Hog's Head," he said, his brow slightly creased as he studied the note again. "Ah perfect, I've got Transfig last period," he said, with a broad grin.

Gina laughed. "Good luck getting past McGonagall without a fight," she said.

Ted chuckled. "I'll meet you in the Entrance Hall, yeah? So we can go down to Hogsmeade together?"

"It's a plan," Gina smiled.

Ted smiled back and so he didn't notice Andromeda sweeping past with her Slytherin pals at that very moment. And so he also missed the way her eyes narrowed slightly as she surveyed Gina and as she heard the end of their conversation.

"How are you feeling about it?" asked Ted, his expression more serious. "Nervous?"

Gina shrugged. "A little, I guess. But I just try to tell myself that it's just like a Defence lesson, and that usually makes me feel better."

Ted gave her an encouraging smile. "I'll see you later."

"Bye Ted," Gina said, throwing him another glowing smile.

The next morning, the Prophet was full of news about the Gringotts attack.

Andromeda read the papers that morning without much surprise. It was just the same as it had been every day for the past few months, only now the Ministry had finally realised how dire the situation was. Andromeda rolled her eyes. She could have told them that.

Gringotts Attacked. Wizarding World in Crisis

Yesterday evening, rebel forces operating under the command of the Dark wizard, whom many have now begun to refer to as He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, in fear of his power, seized the wizarding bank of Gringotts in Diagon Alley. Despite the best efforts of groups of Aurors and unknown others, the forces could not be stemmed and control was lost. The Minister for Magic this morning issued an emergency warning, saying that the situation has now reached a critical state, and that Muggleborn wizards and witches should go into hiding. With Gringotts and the Ministry now under attack from rebel forces, the wizarding world is in grave peril. The Prophet itself has even come under great attack from these dark forces. Citizens are advised to prepare for the worst.

Andromeda sighed and stood up, slinging her schoolbag over her shoulder.

"I need to talk to Professor Aubrey about my Runes homework. I'll see you in Charms," she said to Rosier, leaning over to kiss him on the cheek.

"Ok, darling," he replied. "Hex a Mudblood on the way for me, won't you?" he grinned. Andromeda suppressed a look of disgust and made her way towards the Entrance Hall.

Ted wasn't in Charms. Andromeda tried not to worry. He'd probably overslept or got himself hurt in Quidditch again, she told herself. But deep down, there was a nagging worry in the pit of her stomach.

The rest of the day passed without much consequence, until dinner when she was approached by Professor Slughorn.

"Andromeda, my dear girl," he smiled jovially. "I have some good news for you – your sister has come to visit you. I'm to tell you to meet her after dinner in Professor McGonagall's office."

"Thank you, sir," Andromeda said, her mind suddenly whirling. What could Bella possibly want with her at school? She exchanged glances with Narcissa.

"Didn't she ask to see me too, Professor?" Cissy asked, a small frown creasing her forehead.

"I'm afraid not, Narcissa. Just Andromeda here," Slughorn said, looking slightly apologetic.

A sulky look appeared on Narcissa's face and she didn't say a word for the rest of the meal.

And so after dinner, Andromeda made her excuses to her friends and hurried up to McGonagall's office, still wondering what on earth could be so important.

The door was already ajar when she arrived, and she heard the sound of raised voices emerging from within the office.

"Who are you to tell me what I can or can't do regarding my own sister?!"

Andromeda recognised the distinctive harsh voice of her sister, Bellatrix. Another voice joined hers. Professor McGonagall.

"Miss Black, I-"

"It's Mrs Lestrange now," snapped Bellatrix irritably.

Andromeda's eyes widened. WHAT?

"Mrs Lestrange, I am afraid I cannot allow you to remove Andromeda from the premises at a moment's notice. If you wish to absent her from school, you must contact the school in advance stating your reasons."

Andromeda decided it would be a good moment to make her presence known. She rapped on the door, and had hardly knocked once when the door was flung wide open.

"Andromeda, there you are!" Bellatrix said, a hint of irritation in her voice. "Apparently," she said, through gritted teeth. "I'm not allowed to take you away from school."

Andromeda ignored this comment. "You got married?" she asked.

Bellatrix looked briefly surprised, then shrugged. "Yeah." She lifted her hand and surveyed her wedding ring. "Few weeks ago."

"And you didn't think to invite me and Cissy, or even tell us?" Andromeda struggled to keep the anger and hurt from her voice.

Bellatrix flapped a hand dismissively. "It was a quick wedding. We've been busy. You didn't miss much. Anyway, I need to talk to you about something very important."

She looked at McGonagall pointedly, who threw one more irritable look in Bellatrix's direction before sweeping out, shutting the door behind her with a snap.

"What did you want to take me out of school for?" Andromeda asked at once.

"Things are really happening, Andie," Bella said, her voice full of almost manic excitement. "I'm sure you heard about Gringotts this morning."

"Please tell me you weren't there. Tell me you weren't a part of it."

"No can do, little sis," Bella grinned. "I'm rising up in the ranks."

Andromeda's heart sank. It was even worse than she'd imagined. Bella was as deep in all this as she could possibly be, and now she wanted Andromeda to join her.

"I wanted to take you to a very important meeting happening tonight, you know, sort of initiate you, but that old bat wouldn't let me. No matter," Bella shrugged. "There's another big meeting in a week's time. You'll come to that when you come home for the holidays."

Andromeda nodded mutely, unable to say anything more.

"Well I have to go now, mustn't be late for the meeting," Bella said, putting on her cloak. "I'll see you in a week, little sis. How are things with Rosier by the way?" she added, with a sly grin.

Andromeda mustered a smile. "Great," she replied, as enthusiastically as she could.

"Really?" Bella said, with raised eyebrows. "I'd never really pegged him as your type. Ah well, young love is a mystery. See you, little sis."

And she was gone. Andromeda felt a small smile on her lips. Bella had always known her better than anyone else in her family, apart from Sirius. Trust her to realise that Rosier was completely wrong for her.

The smile slipped quickly from her face when she remembered what Bella had told her. She was in for a restless night.

Bella cackled cruelly as she pointed her wand at Andromeda, who cowered at her feet.

"Swear your allegiance to him," Bella's terrifying voice commanded.

"No, I won't," Andromeda replied defiantly.

A terrible look came into Bella's eyes through the slits of her Death Eater's mask, as she raised her wand high with a flash of green light.

Andromeda shot bolt upright, smacking her head on the bedpost. She sat still for a moment, rubbing her head gingerly and breathing a sigh of relief. It was just a dream.

She untangled her legs from her bedclothes that had caught around her in her nightmare and lay back in bed. She lay there for a good half an hour, staring up at the curtained ceiling of her four-poster bed, but sleep refused to visit. Flashes of her nightmare and worried thoughts of next week's meeting swirled round her head.

She sighed and swung her legs out of bed. Only one cure for insomnia.

Minutes later, she was sitting by the large, comforting fire in the kitchens, warming her hands on a mug of hot chocolate. She had not been there long when there was a sudden loud bang. Andromeda shot to her feet, almost spilling her cocoa all down her front.

The figure of Ted Tonks stumbled into the room. Andromeda gasped.

"Ted, what the hell happened to you?!" she exclaimed, completely forgetting in her shock that she wasn't supposed to be talking to him.

He was clutching one arm in the other as though it was broken, there was a large purple bruise across his cheekbone, coupled with a cut above his eye and several grazes.

He looked up at the sound of her voice and flashed her his trademark grin. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

She rolled her eyes. "Seriously, Tonks?"

"Oh you're talking to me now, are you?" he said, raising his eyebrows, and promptly grimacing in pain.

"Just answer the question."

"Alright, if you must know – and I really shouldn't be telling you this – I've joined the Order of the Phoenix."

"You mean the counter movement?" she gasped, her eyes wide.

Ted nodded.

"But what the hell happened to your face?"

"Thanks, Dromeda, you look lovely too," Ted said dryly, but there was a twinkle in his eye.

She just gave him a look.

"Take cover!"

There was a loud bang and enormous chunks of stone went flying through the air, spells ricocheted across the room and the air was filled with the smell of dust and fear.

Ted, from where he was crouched behind the balustrade, watched the turmoil below in horror. Things had not gone according to plan. They had hoped to have the element of surprise but a false move from one of their less experienced recruits had alerted one group of the masked men to their presence, and chaos had broken out. Ted had been quickly separated from his group as, in the panic, people had scattered.

He swept his eyes around, searching for the rest of his group, desperately trying to think of a way of reigning in the attack and shifting the advantage back to them.

He quickly ducked out of the safety of his hiding place and sprinted across the room, deflecting several curses sent his way. He took cover behind a tall marble pillar from where he could send hexes towards several of the enemy, without exposing himself to much danger. He easily stunned a couple of the Death Eaters, another being hit by a curse he had deflected.

He fought with all his strength but it was no use. There were simply too many of them.

"Retreat!" A voice pierced the air, calling back their forces. "Pull back!"

Ted had just turned towards the nearest exit through which several wizards were streaming when he caught sight of a figure pinned under a large chunk of rubble. It was Gina. His heart gave a lurch as he watched her struggle, her face a picture of pure terror and panic. He sprinted towards her, just about dodging a curse that was aimed straight for his head. It streaked across his face and he felt a searing pain above his left eyebrow. Ignoring the pain, he flung himself to his knees, his hands going immediately to where her leg was trapped.

"No, Ted!" she shouted, pushing away his hands. "You need to go!"

He ignored her protests and kept pushing at the stone determinedly, trying not to think about the throbbing pain above his eye.

At last, her leg came loose and hurriedly Ted grabbed her by the arms and hauled her to her feet.

"Can you stand?" he asked concernedly.

She nodded with gritted teeth, and put her weight on her foot, giving a whimper of pain. Her face was chalk white and she looked like she was about to faint.

"Don't be silly," Ted said, as she tried to start walking. He gestured for her to climb onto his back, which she did with a grimace of pain.

As soon as they were out of the building, Ted apparated them to the Order headquarters. By the time they got there, there were already several bodies lying on stretchers at the far end of the hall, being tended to by harried-looking helpers. Ted ran over and put Gina down on one of the empty stretcher beds. He made to go and fetch a helper but she caught his arm and pulled him back.

"Please stay," she whispered. Ted nodded, taking her hand and holding it tightly. His eyes searched her tearstained face.

A helper set her leg and gave her a healing potion.

"How are you feeling?" he asked.

"Better," she said, propping herself up. "I owe you."

"You don't owe me anything," said Ted.

"I insist," she grinned.

"Well, there was just one thing," Ted said, with a mischievous grin.

Gina raised her eyebrows with a smile as Ted leant forward slowly and kissed her.

He pulled back gently, a small frown on his face. Gina squeezed his hand, pulling his attention back to her. She was smiling broadly at him. He smiled back, but inside he felt confused. Something just felt wrong, but he couldn't seem to put his finger on it.

"I'd better go," he said softly. "Get better soon."

At that moment, a helper came over and tried to persuade him to sit down so she could tend to his wounds, but he brushed her away, wanting nothing more than a meal in the warm kitchens at Hogwarts and his four poster bed.

Andromeda gasped suddenly as she realised. She grabbed the Prophet lying on the counter and gestured with it.

"This?" she said incredulously, a hint of anger in her eyes.

She threw it down at his feet, the sinister headline glaring out at them.

"I know, shocking, isn't it? We couldn't even beat a bunch of blokes in fancy dress."

"Do you think this is some kind of joke?" she exclaimed angrily. "Do you have any idea how dangerous these people are?"

"I'm sure you do, first-hand," Ted retorted.

Andromeda's eyes widened slightly and she was silent for a moment.

"Sorry, low blow," said Ted, with a rueful smile. "Where's all this concern coming from anyway? Last time we spoke, you made it perfectly clear you didn't give a toss about me."

Andromeda looked conflicted for a moment, then her shoulders sagged.

"I can't bear this anymore, Ted," she said. "I'm worried about you – I'm scared about what's going to happen. I miss being your friend."

"Finally," Ted said, with a smirk.

Andromeda looked at him sharply.

"I knew you missed me – I was just waiting for you to finally admit it."

Andromeda looked as though she wanted to protest but seemed to give in.

"Happy now?" she sighed, with a weary smile, as though she was indulging a child.

"Very," he replied, with a broad grin. "Nice rock, by the way." His eyes twinkled.

Andromeda sighed heavily and looked at her ring in disgust. She twisted it off and tucked it away in her pocket.

"Not a fan of diamond? I'll have to remember that." Ted winked.

Andromeda gave a weak smile. "No, it's not that. The ring's beautiful, it's just what it symbolises that's the problem."

"Tired of your chap already? That's not a good foundation for marriage."

"Don't say that word. Please."

"Fear of the name is fear of the thing itself. Remember that, Dromeda."

"Isn't that what Dumbledore says about "He Who Must Not Be Named"?" Andromeda asked in confusion.

"Yeah, he nicked that from me."

There was a brief moment of silence before Andromeda burst out laughing. Ted stared at her in shock.

She stopped laughing abruptly, as soon as she noticed his look. "What?" she asked, disconcerted.

"Nothing, it's just-" Ted was smiling now. "I've never heard you laugh like that before."

And it was the loveliest sound he'd ever heard. But he didn't say that part of course.

"Oh." Andromeda seemed surprised. "Well."

And that was that.

They sat in the kitchens for several hours, cross-legged by the warm ashes of the dwindling fire, picking at the last remains of the cake the house elves had brought them. It took a long while to catch up on all their news. After all, they hadn't properly spoken in nearly four months.

When the conversation came back round to the Order, Andromeda's anger resurfaced.

"You've got to quit the Order – it's too dangerous, especially for someone like you!"

"What? You mean a devilishly handsome charmer?" Ted grinned.

"Is everything a joke to you?" she demanded. "Can't you ever be serious about anything?"

"I am serious. I'm not quitting the Order, Dromeda."

"What are you - a bloody Gryffindor?! You're going to get yourself killed!"

"I know the risks, Dromeda," Ted said gently. "But it doesn't matter. I can't sit on the side-lines and watch people get hurt. You know I can't."

"But-"

"Is that all this is really about?" Ted said, looking at her intently.

Andromeda hesitated for a moment, tucking her knees into her chest and resting her mouth on her knees. She mumbled something under her breath.

"What was that?" Ted said, with a small smile forming on his face, as he gently lifted her head from her knees. She looked surprised at the contact, but seemed to ignore it.

"I said, we're on opposite sides."

A look of understanding came over his face at this comment and he was silent for a moment.

"But what side are you really on?"

"I don't know what you mean," she mumbled.

"Yes, you do," he said gently.

She hesitated, looking into the last glowing embers of the fire.

"I'm with my family," she half-whispered. "I have to be. I haven't got a say in this, Ted."

"So, you're really fighting for Him?"

"Yes."

"Dromeda, you've seen what he's done, what he's doing. Surely you can't be ok with it?"

"Of course I'm not, Ted!" she shouted.

The tears that had been constantly at the corners of her eyes finally burst free and rolled down her cheeks. It was the first time she had cried since she had broken her leg falling off a broom aged six. Her mother had told her she was never to cry again. And she hadn't. Until now. Something about Ted's presence unhinged her, made her more susceptible to her emotions and trivial feelings. She brushed her tears away angrily but they kept flowing no matter how hard she tried to stop them.

She turned away from Ted, not wanting him to see her cry. "I'm not," she choked, through her tears. "But what can I do about it?"

"I don't know, Dromeda, I just don't know," Ted replied softly, taking her hand. She surprised herself by not pulling away. The gentle rubbing of his thumb on her hand was soothing, and she felt the tears start to cease.

She turned back towards him; her tearstained cheeks glinted in the dying light of the fire. "I'm sorry," she muttered, embarrassed.

He reached up and gently brushed a lingering tear from her cheek. Their eyes connected and Andromeda felt an unfamiliar feeling in the pit of her stomach. She had never met a boy like him before; who looked at her that way, without inhibitions, without judgments. It discomforted her.

"You'll figure this out, Dromeda," Ted said. "I know you will."

He smiled at her and she was suddenly seized by an overwhelming desire to rest her head on his shoulder. At this, her barriers immediately shot up, and she abruptly got to her feet, pulling her hand from his.

"I should probably get back to bed," she said, slightly stiffly.

Ted got to his feet too. "You're right," he said slowly, as though he wasn't really concentrating properly on what he was saying. She noticed that he was standing very close and she felt her heart thudding as she caught the look in his eyes.

On impulse, she raised her hand and gently brushed the bruise on his cheekbone. She heard a slight intake of breath from him, and she dropped her hand suddenly.

"You should really see Madam Pomfrey about that," she said abruptly. "Goodnight."

"Night, Dromeda."

A/N. Bit of a longer one tonight! Hope you enjoyed reading it - don't forget to review! THANKS SO MUCH FOR READING xx