A/N: Thank you to everyone who had reviewed over the past few days! You're going to hate me but honestly I mean to update this two days ago and thought I posted the chapter when I didn't…. so that means that you'll be getting multiple updates this weekend because I am almost done editing the next chapter.
Soundtrack: Eluvium's "Nightmare Ending" and Awolnation's "I'm on Fire"
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It was hard to believe that the summer could be this hot after such a cold and bitter winter but there was no escaping the oppressive heat that bore down from the bright sun onto the crowded, cobbled streets of Diagon Alley.
Andromeda walked with Bellatrix on her right and Narcissa on her left, as they often did, as the passageway to Diagon Alley opened up. Wizards and Witches mingled up and down the street, carrying packages and shopping lists as they went about their day. Andromeda pulled at her dress; it was too stifling in his heat and she longed for a cool, dark shop to waste her time in.
But they were here on a mission today; all three girls were to buy new dresses for Lucius' party this weekend. Andromeda had no desire to return to Malfoy Manor after her last venture there but it was his seventeenth birthday and the guest list was extensive. Everyone who was anyone in Pureblood society was going to be there so there would be no talking her way out of this one.
Narcissa's pale blonde hair shone in the summer sun, but could not match the bright excitement in her light blue eyes. "I think I want one that comes in like this," She ran her small hands tightly over her hips, showing off her thin figure. "What color do you think will look best?"
Bellatrix rolled her eyes. "You'll look fine in anything you wear, Cissy, stop fretting,"
"I don't want to look fine," Narcissa corrected. "I want to look beautiful." She added softly.
"Blue?" Andromeda offered. "To match your eyes,"
Narcissa made an ooo-ing sound and hugged her sister. "That's perfect, Dromeda! Thank you!"
Andromeda smiled and laughed at her younger sister. Sometimes she forgot just how sweet Narcissa could be when she wanted to.
Andromeda knew why Narcissa was so excited. This would be a time for Lucius to see her not in her school uniform and she had harbored a crush on him for a while now. Andromeda vowed to herself to do whatever she had to in order to keep Narcissa away from Lucius' attention. The last thing she wanted was for her younger sister to get wrapped up with him like she already had.
"What are you going to get?" Narcissa asked Andromeda.
She shrugged. "I don't really think it matters, it's just another party, isn't it?" There had been lots of get-togethers so far this summer and Andromeda had the sneaking suspicion that these parties were being used as cover ups for other types of meetings.
Andromeda felt Bellatrix's piercing stare on her for a moment before the darker witch turned her eyes back to the crowded street.
Narcissa chatted more about how she wanted her hair done and what shoes she wanted to wear as they made their way through the crowds. Andromeda pursed her lips as they got stuck behind a rather slow family. She glanced around into the shop windows as they moved at a snail's pace behind them.
In Quality Quidditch Supplies front window was the newest Comet racing broom and Andromeda wrinkled her nose slightly, remembering how awful she was at flying when Ted had tried to teach her.
Her eyes narrowed as she caught a glimpse of sandy blonde hair inside the shop. His back was to her, but Andromeda would have recognized those broad shoulders anywhere. She stopped breathing and felt her blood quicken.
Andromeda stopped dead in the middle of the sidewalk. There was no mistaking it that was Ted just yards away from her.
"Come on," Bellatrix snapped, "What are you doing?" She walked a few steps back towards Andromeda.
Andromeda did not want to pull her eyes from Ted's form but as her sisters doubled back for her she pointed to the window. "I'm going to get him a present," Andromeda said breathlessly.
"What a lovely idea," Narcissa cooed as her face fell slightly, unhappy that she didn't think of it first.
"Go on," Andromeda said quickly, "I'll catch up, it'll just be a moment."
"Come on, Cissy," Bellatrix guided their younger sister back up the street.
Andromeda paused outside the window for a moment; Ted had disappeared somewhere else in the shop. She took a deep breath and braced herself as she opened the door.
The bell rang lightly and Ted tried to finish stacking the broom servicing kits quickly so he could greet the customer that just walked in. He had spent the first week of summer sulking in his room and pining for Andromeda. Without her, his fears and anxiety played heavily on his mind and Malfoy's taunts started to overtake his memories of Andromeda's promise that nothing between them would change.
So he had taken a trip to Diagon Alley and asked around in the different shops if they needed any help for the summer. He was delighted when Victor Glatten the owner of Quality Quidditch Supplies agreed to take him on. He was saving every Knut he made from his summer job to try and have even a little something to be able to fall back on once school was done.
"Be with you in a moment!" Ted called out as he stacked the last few boxes and stood up from his crouched position on the floor. He turned and walked past a rack of Quidditch robes, "Welcome to Quality Quid-"
Ted's voice died in his throat as he saw Andromeda standing there in front of him. Her long wavy hair was pulled back from her face, which was valiantly trying to fight a smile that was tugging at her full lips. Her lips… His own tingled at the memory of their softness, their sweetness… And alongside their proximity to him after so long was almost enough to drive him crazy.
Andromeda bit her lip and her honey eyes twinkled under her long lashes.
"What… what are you doing here?" Ted asked in awe.
Andromeda's face broke into a full wide smile. "I saw you in the window,"
Ted glanced around the shop. There was only one other customer who was engrossed in the different options of seat wideners that could be attached to brooms.
Ted tried to remember how to breathe, but he was having trouble remembering if it was in then out or out then in, either way it wasn't working. He took a step towards her, hardly even believing she was actually here. In his downtime at work he imagined Andromeda walking into the shop and getting to see her again. He always was cool and calm in his head, but with her actually in front of him, Ted tripped on his own feet.
Andromeda snorted out a laugh as he caught himself and covered her mouth as she glanced over to the wizard to see if he had noticed anything. Apparently, choosing a new broom seat took all of his mental capabilities because he did not look up.
"Are you alright?" Andromeda asked, trying not to laugh.
"I am now," Ted said softly and Andromeda bit her lip again.
"What are you doing here?" He asked again.
Andromeda rolled her eyes. "I have to get a new dress for… a stupid party this weekend."
"Hell, I'd wager she spends more on one dress than you do in an entire year."
Ted pushed Malfoy's voice from his head. "I guess my invitation got lost in the mail." Ted joked.
Andromeda laughed, covering her mouth, but keeping her eyes on Ted.
"So, you're working here now?" She asked mischievously.
"For the summer," Ted explained. "Something to pass the time," He added and let his eyes wander on her body for a moment. "Plus I'm trying to save up a little gold," He added sheepishly.
Andromeda smirked. "Do you make commission?" She tilted her head to the side a little.
Ted eyed her. "Yes," He said slowly.
"Good." Andromeda's eyes glittered. "I want one of those," She pointed towards the broom in the window.
Ted's eyebrows shot up. The Comet 260 was the newest broom on the market and not a cheap one either. "Andromeda, I've seen you fly," He said slowly. "If I sell you that broom you're going to get yourself killed,"
"I want it." Andromeda stated simply. Slowly a flirtatious smile spread across her face. Ted felt his stomach flip inside himself at hearing those words come out of her mouth.
Ted glanced from her to the Comet 260 in the window. The commission he would make off of that one sale would be more than he made in a normal paycheck but he didn't want to take Andromeda's money. He didn't want to be a charity case.
"What are you even going to do with it?" Ted asked.
Andromeda pursed her lips before taking a few steps towards Ted until she was right in front of him, "Ride it," She breathed out and Ted swallowed hard. He could smell the citrusy floral scent surrounding her and having her look up at him, like that, was making it very hard for him to remain professional.
"Okay," Ted managed as he felt his hands begin to shake.
"Thank you," Andromeda purred.
Ted slowly made his way around the counter to the register, happy that it hid everything from the waist down. He mashed a few brass buttons and took out a large order book, opening it on the counter.
"So, uh," He cleared his throat as Andromeda leaned over the counter, pushing her chest out and forward in his direction. She seemed to enjoy making him uncomfortable at work. "Where would you like this delivered, Miss Black?"
Andromeda smiled and pulled the book from him, writing down the address to the Black Mansion quickly. "It'll be before this weekend, right?" She asked as she pushed the book back towards him.
"Yeah, why? You've got a game of pick me up planned with Bellatrix and Narcissa?" He laughed a little.
"It's a present," Andromeda said a little quieter, glancing down at the counter and chewing on her lip.
"Hell of a present," Ted muttered. "Who do you even know that plays-" Ted stopped short as he put a few things together quickly. There was a party this weekend that she was attending. She was bringing a gift to this party. Ted's face fell. She must have been buying this broom for Malfoy. Suddenly he felt sick.
Andromeda glanced back up at Ted and could see he had figured it out by the expression on his face. She looked apologetic and nervous as she reiterated, "It's just a present,"
"No problem," Ted said and began to write the order down, his quill scratching loudly across the paper. He clenched his jaw. A broom that cost more than he would make all summer and she was giving it to Malfoy for his birthday on a whim. And he would be getting the scraps of the sale as meager recompense while Malfoy got to have Andromeda celebrate his birthday with him.
"You know, Victor should really be the one to help you with a sale this large," Ted said suddenly. "Let me go get him," He began to turn towards the back.
"Ted," Andromeda reached out quickly and grabbed his hand.
The feeling of her skin on his stopped him. He seemed to burn pleasantly where her hand was. He hadn't seen her in a month and now she was touching him again. His anger dissipated as she held onto him, squeezing his hand slightly. He turned back towards her.
"I'm sorry," Andromeda whispered.
"It's not you, it's just-" Ted sighed. He looked back into her honey colored eyes. He wasn't going to let his jealousy ruin their chance encounter. He leaned back for a moment, "Hey, Vic," He shouted into the back room. "I'm going to take a break, alright?"
"Sure thing, Ted!" A man's deep voice called from the back room.
Ted turned back to her, forcing a smile on his face. He dropped her hand and mashed another brass button and the register's numbers spun for a moment as they worked hard to reach the high total of Andromeda's purchase.
Quickly she pulled out a small black purse and opened it. Ted didn't mean to look but he saw more gold in her purse in that one moment than he ever had in his whole life. She quickly pushed it across the counter and closed the purse again.
Ted countered it into the register and closed the order book, trying to put the broom from his mind.
"Come with me," He said quietly as he took her hand again and pulled her behind the counter. They walked through the door to the back of the store and Andromeda caught a glimpse of a man sitting at a desk before Ted quickly led her down a flight of wooden stairs and into the storage room for Quality Quidditch Supplies.
Down in the basement it was dark and cool. There were brooms in various states of repair lining the walls and boxes and crates stacked up to the ceiling. She didn't have much time to look around before Ted wrapped his hands around her face and pulled her towards him.
Andromeda leaned into him as he kissed her. She had missed this even more than she realized and grabbed onto him, pulling her body against his.
Ted groaned and backed her into a stack of boxes without letting his lips leave hers for even a second. She couldn't believe this; she was in his arms again, kissing him. Andromeda felt her stomach flutter inside of her with excitement. His hands moved down her neck to her chest. He ran them over her breasts with a firm pressure before he continued down to her hips, shoving them into the boxes and holding her there as he ground his hips into hers.
"I missed you so much," Ted murmured, "Someone could have taken my arm and I'd have missed it less,"
Andromeda knew exactly what he was talking about. It was as if someone had taken a part of her and she had been walking and talking just like she always had, but with a missing piece that made her feel like more of a shell than a person.
"I know," She murmured. "You're all I think about," Andromeda caught his lips with hers once more, opening her mouth for his tongue to slide across hers.
Ted groaned again. "It's not fair," He couldn't help himself. "He gets to see you when I don't,"
Andromeda kissed him softly. "I know," She murmured against his lips. "But he doesn't get to do this," Andromeda pulled him back down towards her and ran her fingers into his tousled hair.
They stayed down in the basement as long as they could before Andromeda finally sighed. "I need to go," She said sadly.
"Don't," Ted pleaded. These few minutes hardly seemed fair after not seeing her for weeks. He wasn't ready to let her go.
"You need to get back to work," She gave him a small smile.
Ted liked his job, but he would gladly get fired for five more minutes with her.
"My sisters are expecting me," Andromeda whispered.
Slowly he pulled his arms from around her. She had to return back to her world, far away from him.
"The summer's halfway over," Andromeda said, trying to sound encouraging, "We'll be back together soon, Teddy." She brushed her fingers along his cheek and down his jaw.
Ted relaxed under her touch and nodded. It didn't matter what she did, as soon as she called him Teddy he was like putty in her hands.
Ted gave her one last kiss before leading the way back up the stairs, making sure that Victor did not see Andromeda emerging behind him.
They came up just in time too. As soon as Andromeda made her way around the counter the bell above the door rang and Bellatrix and Narcissa walked in.
Andromeda's eyes went wide and she pulled at her dress slightly, trying to get the wrinkles out.
"What are you doing here?" She asked harshly.
Ted tried to blend into the wall behind him.
"You never showed up," Bellatrix snapped. "What is taking so long?"
"I was… setting up the delivery." Andromeda lied.
"You're the one who bought the Comet?" Victor sidled up next to Andromeda.
Andromeda gave him a thin smile. "Yes," She said softly.
"You bought him a broom?!" Narcissa's high voice went even higher and her pale cheeks flushed pink with anger.
Victor couldn't keep the smile from his face. "Lucky gent to have a girlfriend like you!"
Ted had to stop himself from lunging forward and shouting that Andromeda was not Malfoy's girlfriend. Instead he settled for balling his hands into fists and clenching his jaw until the muscle popped in it.
Bellatrix's dark eyes looked from Andromeda to Victor then to the broom in the window. Slowly a smirk slid onto her face. "Well done, Dromeda," Bellatrix's voice was darkly pleasant.
Ted pursed his lips.
Andromeda forced a smile on her face to placate her sister. "Let's go." She announced and Ted recognized the haughty tone back in her voice. "I still need my dress." Andromeda walked out of the shop without a second glance back at Ted. He knew why she did this, but it still didn't make him feel any better.
Narcissa followed after, her eyes turning an icy blue as she glared at her sister's back. Bellatrix, however, took a moment longer to look around the shop. Her dark eyes landed on Ted and he felt trapped in her gaze as she glared at him for a moment before sneering in his direction. Ted remained motionless, wondering if she was about to curse him. She pulled at her long sleeve and swept from the shop, curly hair bouncing behind her.
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"You've been a terror even since you came home and I will not stand for it any longer!" Druella screeched at Andromeda as she rolled her eyes. "I've put up with your mood swings and rude comments, but I am not about to let you ruin another perfectly nice evening!"
"Calm down, Mother," Andromeda said in a bored tone.
Bellatrix had held her tongue during the dress fitting but as soon as they got home she had started in on Andromeda and they had been bickering for two days now. They were all supposed to be going to Rodolphus and Bellatrix's house this evening for a dinner party and Andromeda had been in a sour mood the whole afternoon.
"You're an embarrassment to me. This is not the way I raised you!" Druella continued to fuss.
"You barely raised me," Andromeda snapped. "Favea did most of your work for you," Andromeda had few memories of her Mother taking care of her when she was young, but many of their house elf Favea brushing her hair or bringing her a glass of water before bed.
Druella's eyes narrowed dangerously. "That's it!" She hissed. "Tonight is too important for you to ruin, you're staying right here, young lady! In fact," Druella's eyes flared, "You're grounded for the rest of the summer!"
"Does this mean I don't have to go to Lucius' party?" Andromeda asked hopefully.
Druella paused. "No. You will attend the party" Andromeda rolled her eyes again, "AND be a perfect guest. Young Master Malfoy is expecting you to be there and your Father-" She stopped herself.
"What? What's Father doing?" She asked, her heart skipping a beat.
"Never you mind, young lady." Druella snapped. "But other than that, you are confined to your room except for meals." She turned and stopped in the doorway. "And don't push your luck or you'll be having them in here too," Her Mother slammed the door behind her.
Andromeda sunk down onto her bed. She had hoped she might be able to slip off for another shopping trip in Diagon Alley again, but now that hope was gone. At least she didn't have to spend the evening hearing Bellatrix talk about the importance of Blood Purity and how Muggleborns and interbreeding with Muggles was bringing about the downfall of their society.
After a while she heard her Father, Mother, and Narcissa leave downstairs and breathed out a deep sigh. She watched the sunset through her window and pulled off her dress, changing into a thin nightgown. She walked across the room and opened the window, letting the warm summer breeze wash over her.
Andromeda pulled her old worn copy of History of Magic from the shelf and began to page through it. She spent a lot of time reading these days but lots of times she found that although her eyes moved across the page she wasn't actually reading. Instead her mind was wandering, thinking about Ted and the things they had done. Lately she had been thinking about the things she wanted to do when she saw him again.
A knock on her bedroom door made her jump as it pulled her from her thoughts. Andromeda brows furrowed as she crossed the room and opened her the door.
It was like magic. Ted was standing in the hallway. His head was down and he looked up at her through his lashes, his dark eyes lighting up as they landed on her. Andromeda's mouth dropped open slightly.
"Your delivery," Ted grinned as his eyes moved over her. He held a long, large box in his hands. Andromeda was suddenly very aware of the thin nightgown she was wearing as his dark eyes roamed over her.
Andromeda glanced into the hall and not seeing any house elves, she grabbed Ted by the front of his shirt and pulled him into her room, shutting the door and leaning against it for support.
She was in shock. Ted was here, at her house, in her room. And it was better than she could have ever wished for.
"How…" Was all she managed to get out.
Ted leaned the box against the wall, leaning over her as he did so and she could smell his earthy scent deeply.
"I came to deliver this. You said you needed it by the weekend." He had that lopsided grin on his face again. "The house elf told me to just leave it in the foyer since the Master and Mistress were out and then he just… disappeared. So… I decided to poke around and see if I could find you."
Andromeda felt light headed. Ted Tonks just decided to poke around Black Mansion. She was torn between being thrilled he was here and terrified at his actions.
"So…" Ted glanced around, "This is your room, huh?" He looked at the bookcase, full of dark musty looking books and recognized some of them as ones she brought to HoM club as further reading. Her desk was messy with parchment and quills spread out on top of it. Her bed was large with several pillows on it and an intricately woven bedspread that she had clearly just been lying on on top of.
He couldn't help but imagine her spread out on that bed and how her pale skin would look against the dark bedspread. He pulled his eyes from it and back to Andromeda who was just staring blankly at him.
"Say something," Ted laughed nervously.
"They went to Bella's," She breathed out. Had it always been this hard to think or was it just because Ted was in her bedroom? "I'm grounded so I wasn't allowed to go," Andromeda cursed herself for not being able to think of anything better to say.
"Grounded?" Ted said in a low voice. "Mmm, you know how I feel about bad girls," He placed his hands on her hips and Andromeda could feel the heat from his palms through the thin fabric.
"Apparently, I'm an embarrassment to the family," Andromeda said playfully. Ted pulled her away from the door and Andromeda laid her hands lightly on his thick arms. Ted made a low noise in his throat. "There's no helping me, I'm a lost cause" Andromeda whispered.
Ted's eyes darkened with desire as he looked down at her. Andromeda felt a shiver pass through her and her nipples hardened in excitement. "So, uh," He glanced down at her chest and could almost see through the nightgown. "You're all alone?"
Andromeda nodded.
Suddenly she was in the air then she landed on the bed, her wavy hair falling about her. Ted stood over her, at the edge of the bed, staring down at her with deep, dark eyes.
Andromeda leaned up on her elbows and Ted exhaled sharply as the nightgown tightened across her chest. He grabbed her legs behind the knees and pulled her across the bed back towards him. Andromeda squealed and giggled. She stretched her arms out above her head and sighed happily as she watched his expression at the sight of her.
Ted felt sweat prickle on the back of his neck. He had been excited all day knowing that after work he would be delivering the Comet to Andromeda's house and hoped that he would catch a glimpse of her through the door or maybe a window. Never in his wildest dreams did he think that she would have been alone and he would in her bedroom with her.
Gently, she rested her knees on either side of him. He slowly pulled the nightgown over them and ran his hands up her thighs as he pushed the skirt up on her. Andromeda took a deep breath and pushed herself towards him ever so slightly.
Ted let his hands slide up her sides as he slid down on top of her. Andromeda stretched out underneath him, wrapping her legs around his hips. "You're unbelievable, you know that?" Ted said softly as he ran his nose along hers.
Andromeda grinned as she wrapped a hand around the back of his neck. "Believe in me," She whispered and pulled his lips down onto hers.
He stayed there for a moment, just enjoying the feel of her under him again, one hand running through his hair, the other gently grasping his side, her full lips encircling his, her legs tightening around him, pulling him down against her warmth. Andromeda let her hand travel over his stomach, pulling his shirt up slightly before tugging at the button on his jeans.
Ted groaned and gazed down into her molten eyes. He was still in awe that a girl as beautiful, as clever, as wonderful as Andromeda could ever want him, but here she was… His goddess. Her hand slid inside his jeans, gripping him and Ted winced in pleasure at her touch.
"Dromeda, yes," He breathed out. As he opened his eyes he could see her grinning up at him, pleased with his reaction.
Andromeda pushed Ted up and pulled at his jeans. He sat up, kicking them off as Andromeda pulled the shirt over his head.
"Lay back," She said and Ted did as she commanded. He rested his head on the down filled pillows and stared up at her as she climbed onto his lap. She stared down at him; his skin was tanned and taunt against the muscles underneath.
Andromeda bit her lip and slipped the nightgown off over her head, letting it fall to the floor gently like a pale ghost. A warm breeze blew in from the window and even the coolness of the night could do nothing to stop the heat that was building in her body.
Ted felt like he was on fire. He wanted to touch every inch of her. He wanted to run his lips, his tongue over her entire body. He wanted to sink himself so deep in her that he could never find his way out again.
Andromeda lowered herself onto his lap and he felt her soft center graze along his hard cock. Ted sucked in a breath and put his hands on her hips as she shifted and this time, he felt himself at her entrance.
Andromeda's eyes were wide as she gazed down at him. Ted kept his hands on her hips, but did not force them down onto his. He gazed up at her pale body, ash waves fell around her, nippes hardened into pink peaks, and the expanse of creamy skin that stretched over her stomach and hips.
Ted made a low noise in his throat as her body was displayed in front of him. Her hips narrowed at her waist and he ran his hands over the curves to grasp her full, round breasts in his large hands. He ran his thumbs over the hardened nipples and Andromeda gasped.
Slowly, she lowered herself onto him. Ted's body stiffened as he felt her slide down onto him. Gently she rocked her hips back and forth, getting used to the feeling of him so deep inside her.
Andromeda's mouth was opened in a small O as she moved lightly against him. Ted was well endowed and Andromeda felt every inch of him moving inside her. He dropped his hands back to her hips, helping to guide her further onto him, gently rocking her hips back and forth. "Teddy," She moaned out and immediately felt him twitch inside her pleasurably.
Part of him wanted to flip her over and dive into her but he couldn't take his eyes off of the way she moved on top of him. After a few minutes she began to quicken her movements and her cheeks flushed pink. He felt his blood burning with desire in his veins at the sight of her moaning in pleasure as she slid up and down his dick.
He had dreamed about this countless times, many of those times in the past few weeks and now his goddess was answering his prayers. Andromeda's breath came in quick gasps now and she threw her head back, wavy hair falling down her back, as she moaned loudly in pleasure.
Andromeda slammed her hands down onto his chest, trying to steady herself as she felt pressure begin to rise through her body.
"Yes, Dromeda," Ted gasped out, "I want to feel you cum for me,"
She cried out as pleasure shook her body. She clenched so tight around him that Ted's head fell back against the pillows and his fingers dug into her skin as he groaned deeply.
Andromeda collapsed against his chest, panting and shaking.
Ted wrapped his arms around her and flipped her onto her back. He hovered over her for a moment then crashed his lips down onto hers and plunged himself back inside her.
Andromeda gasped and Ted thrust inside her two quick times before groaning out "Fuck!" As she felt him finish deep inside her.
He rested his forearm next to her head and kissed her deeply again before putting his forehead against hers and trying to catch his breath.
After a moment he rolled to the side and pulled her against his sweating body. Andromeda bit her lip to keep herself from grinning as she snuggled next to his naked form, their skin and sweat mingling together.
If Andromeda was a goddess then this must be the heaven she lived in. Ted loved the way her cool skin felt against his burning flesh; the way her curves seemed to fit next to him perfectly. If he could stay right here for the rest of his life, he would throw it all away in a moment without hesitation.
Her head rested on his chest and after a while Andromeda felt his breathing begin to return to normal. The warm summer air moved over them gently as she traced little patterns on his chest. Ted had his arm wrapped around her shoulders, holding her against him. He leaned down and kissed the top of her head.
Andromeda smiled as she looked up into his chocolaty brown eyes. "You know, you have to be the bravest man I've ever met,"
"Oh?" Ted bent his other arm to rest behind his head. "Why's that?"
"You walk into Cygnus Black's house and seduce one of his daughters right under his roof." She shook her head slightly, "You're either the bravest man or the most foolish,"
"You're worth whatever they want to do to me," Ted said in a low voice and brushed his fingers over the back of her head.
Andromeda's eyes softened for a moment and Ted thought he saw a hint of sadness in them as she cast them down at his chest.
"What they would do to us," Andromeda corrected.
"I'd never let anyone hurt you," Ted cupped her cheek and turned her face back to his. He realized then she was trying to figure out if she herself was brave or foolish in this moment.
"I don't want to go this weekend," Andromeda said in a small voice. "I don't want to have to pretend…" She sighed and rested her head back on his chest. "I want… you," She added softly.
Had he drank Felix Felicis without knowing it? First to have Andromeda run into him at work, then to have a reason to come to her house only to find it empty other than her, and now to have her on the verge of saying she actually wanted to be with him over the life she had?
"You have me," Ted said softly, running his fingers down her arm. "Andromeda, I'll do anything for you, anything to make you happy," She lifted her honey eyes up to his. "I don't care what they try and do; I'm never letting you go,"
Her heart swelled at these words. Any girl would kill to have someone like Ted saying those things to her, but Andromeda could not help but feel a dose of panic deep inside her. One day, he would have to let her go.
"Anything?" Andromeda breathed out, "Even if that means… letting me go?"
Ted's eyes darkened. He felt like they kept getting to the same point, where she was almost ready to take that leap with him, but then she would back down. He didn't know how to answer her question. He never wanted to let her go and he would do anything he could to keep her, but… she wasn't his to keep. She might give herself to him, but Andromeda was her own person with her own life.
"I will always love you," Ted brushed his fingers over her cheekbone.
Andromeda gave him a small smile and rested her head back on his chest, tucking herself further under his arm. "Me too, Teddy," She whispered against his skin.
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Andromeda glanced around the large room. Lucius had opened his grand Manor and decorated it with elegant yet tasteful decorations for his seventeenth birthday. House elves kept the food table full and the drinks flowing. There were a variety of guests, with ages ranging, but all of them people of importance and all of them Purebloods.
Bellatrix was normally at Andromeda's side during these types of events, making snarky comments alongside her but now Bella was mingling and chatting with their family friends and relations as if that is what she had always done.
Narcissa had joined a group of girls around her own age standing next to a large window and occasionally pointing at a certain guest here or there and either making wistful noises or laughing into their hands.
Andromeda made her way over the drink table and grabbed a flute of champagne. The bubbles burned in her throat for a moment before the warm sensation settled in her stomach and her face relaxed a little more.
She had actually been in rather a decent mood since the night Ted had snuck into her bedroom. They had laid together, letting their bodies intertwine until it had gotten late and Ted reluctantly had gotten dressed and kissed her goodbye four times before he actually left.
But being able to see him again had made it so she had the strength to get through tonight. Her hair was loosely woven down her back and her dress was a dusty, dark pink strappy one that smoothly shimmered every time she moved. Andromeda was aware of the many pairs of eyes that followed her around the room, but she held her head high and tried to hide the smirk that threatened her face; these Pureblood men had no idea that she had just spent another evening wrapped in the arms of a Muggleborn and that she loved it.
Thankfully, she hadn't run into Lucius yet. He had greeted her family when they walked in and his eyes had lingered on her, but he was busy entertaining other guests and Andromeda was able to spend the first half of the evening unmolested by him. She made sure to speak to her cousin Sirius who looked like he would rather be anywhere else but here and greeted a few other family members she hadn't seen in some time. Her Mother nodded appreciatively at her from across the room. Maybe if she behaved well enough tonight, her Mother might reconsider her restriction and let her take another visit to Diagon Alley.
The room began to feel a bit crowded to her so Andromeda grabbed her drink and headed for the back patio. She knew Malfoy Manor well enough to find her way there quickly and relished the feel of the cool evening air on her skin as she walked onto the empty expanse.
The last few rays of light were disappearing in a pink haze over the perfectly manicured grounds and Andromeda leaned against the stone bannister, gazing out over them. His prize horses roamed in the distance; well bred, white, and pure. It was a beautiful view, but it came with a price.
"I thought I'd find you out here," Lucius drawled from behind her.
Andromeda sighed. He always seemed to find her when she was alone.
"You always liked the grounds." He smiled as he came to stop next to her.
"I like being in the open," Andromeda said simply.
"I remember," Lucius said in a low voice.
Andromeda's amber eyes met his grey ones and she wasn't sure if he was talking about when they played as children or when she had been in his bed.
"Andromeda," Lucius began and handed her another glass of champagne. "Thank you for coming. I mean it. It shows your character that you still care enough to show up."
Andromeda bit her lip. She accepted the glass and his fingers brushed against hers.
"It's nothing," She muttered and cast her eyes back over the grounds.
"It's not nothing," Lucius said softly. "I know… I know what I did." Andromeda glanced back at him and Lucius was staring at the ground. "It's hard for me to stay calm around you." He brought his eyes up to meet hers. "You make me feel so many things, Andromeda." He paused and took a sip of his champagne. "And to know that I had you twice and lost you both times, well…" He sighed. "I've lost a lot of things and it's hard for me… to let go of you," His voice was soft and Andromeda was surprised at how honest he sounded.
She wasn't sure what to say to this. She hadn't forgiven him for hitting her or calling her a whore, let alone the things he had done to Ted. But she also didn't want to brush this off. If Lucius actually did feel bad for the things he had done she wanted him to know that she recognized that. Just because she wasn't ready to forgive didn't mean that his acknowledgement of his actions didn't mean anything.
"I know," Was all she could manage. Andromeda took a sip of her drink.
Lucius' eyes focused in on her. "Could you ever forgive me?"
Andromeda paused. "I think… Everyone deserves forgiveness. Eventually."
"Could you ever see yourself with me again?"
Andromeda froze. After everything he had done, she couldn't imagine a world where she would want to be with him, but the truth was, that was a very real possibility for her future. But all she could think about was how much she wanted Ted. What would she do if she had to live her life with Lucius instead of him? Could she?
"You don't have to answer that." Lucius leaned on the railing and looked out over the expanse of his grounds.
Andromeda opened her mouth and then closed it again. She took another sip of her drink before she answered. "We tried," Andromeda finally said.
There had been a time she cared for him, but it was long ago now. So many things had changed between them and they weren't those people anymore. And what she had felt for Lucius was nothing compared to what she felt for Ted. Her heart was so full of love for him, there was no room to question anything else.
Lucius nodded, his expression darkening. Andromeda braced herself for his wrath. He was going to start shouting again. He was going to blame Ted. He was going to grab onto her and promise her that he would have her, one way or another.
"I understand," Lucius said grimly.
Andromeda blinked several times in surprise.
"Thank you for coming." Lucius said again as he turned to go back inside.
"Lucius," Andromeda called after him.
He stopped and turned back towards her, blonde hair framing his angled face.
"Happy birthday," She said softly.
Lucius gave her a half smile and headed back inside.
Andromeda felt light after their conversation. Had he really just… let her go? Was he ready to move on now? She could hardly believe the feeling that was spreading through her chest. Andromeda suddenly felt much more comfortable and started to enjoy herself. Things were finally starting to fall in place. She had been miserable all summer, missing Ted, but couldn't she just relax for one night and have a little fun?
She wandered around the house a bit, talking when someone would stop her to ask her how school was going or how her Father was doing. The more she chatted the easier it felt to fall back into old habits of how she used to act around people like this. Her people. She had spent so long swimming against the current and it felt nice not to have to fight against it.
Andromeda grabbed another flute of champagne off a tray that a house elf was carrying as she made her way back into the main room of the party. There were couples dancing and spinning to the gentle music and Andromeda thought about how it would feel to be spun around by Ted, his large hands guiding her as their bodies moved to the tempo.
Suddenly her eye caught two pale blonde heads in the middle of the floor. She recognized each of them instantly. Narcissa's blue eyes were large and full of wonder as she stared up at Lucius. He held her small hand in his and his other was placed lightly at her waist. Andromeda felt a sick coldness creep inside her. She had wanted Lucius to move on, but she did not want him to start to turn his affections, if you could even call them that, on her little sister.
The song came to an end and Lucius and Narcissa broke apart, clapping slightly. He took her hand and guided her off the floor and handed her a drink. Andromeda's eyes hardened like amber gemstones as she watched him, his face smug as Narcissa seemed to simper over him. She wasn't going to let him get his claws into Narcissa.
Andromeda strode over to him, interrupting their light conversation.
"You're a really good dancer," Narcissa said breathlessly.
"Thank you, you're quite… graceful yourself, Narcissa," Lucius said as he took a sip of his drink.
She stopped in front of them and Lucius blinked in surprise to see her. Narcissa narrowed her eyes in Andromeda's direction.
Maybe it was the champagne giving her a boost of courage but Andromeda wanted to get him away from Narcissa as quickly as she could. Her head spun for a moment and she felt the champagne start to douse her thoughts.
"Care to dance?" She asked Lucius. His grey eyes lit up and he surveyed her for a moment as if waiting for her to tell him it was a joke.
"Of course," He finally said in a low voice.
Andromeda downed her drink and handed the glass to Narcissa who was fuming at the fact that Andromeda was taking Lucius away from her.
She hadn't exactly thought this plan through because as soon as Lucius' hands touched hers to lead her onto the floor she felt a shiver pass through her, one that made her skin crawl. She suddenly pictured Ted standing there and what his face would look like if he saw Lucius leading her onto the dance floor and taking her into his arms. Had she made a mistake?
Lucius rested his hand on her hip and Andromeda felt him apply a little more pressure than was needed. His other hand wrapped around hers and suddenly she felt very trapped. But if this took his attention away from Narcissa, one dance was worth it.
She tried to keep her face calm and soft as she glanced around. She didn't want to meet his eyes right now. It was just a dance, she kept telling herself.
"I want to thank you for the broom," His eyes glittered.
Andromeda felt a small blush in her cheeks. She had given it to him, but that hadn't been the real reason she bought it. She had done it to help Ted.
"It's nothing," She said dismissively and Lucius spun her around, wrapping his arms around her for a moment before returning her to her place in front of him.
"I don't believe that," He whispered and Andromeda missed a step, causing her to run into him. Lucius easily caught her and positioned her back, albeit slightly closer to him this time.
"I meant to tell you," Lucius said in a low voice, "You look beautiful tonight. You always do."
She finally brought her eyes up to meet his grey ones. "Thank you, Lucius." She said politely, hoping her formality would put him off.
"I couldn't have picked out a better dress," He murmured and Andromeda tensed. She felt his eyes slide over her before they returned to her face, a smirk starting to form on his. He pulled her into him. "You know," He whispered against her ear, "It is the exact shade of pink your lips turned after you'd kiss me,"
The song ended and Lucius slowly released her, clapping politely. Andromeda stared at him, breathing heavily. She felt like she was navigating a very slippery slope right now. She needed a moment to herself, to gather her thoughts. Andromeda turned but Lucius pulled her back into his arms as the next song started up.
She looked up at him with wide eyes. "It's my birthday," He said softly and placed his hands on her hips to move her with the slower music.
Andromeda lightly placed her hands on his shoulders and glanced around. Narcissa's face was stony and cold and she quickly turned, storming out of the room. She saw her Mother and Father; her Mother looked excited and pointed in her direction and her Father surveyed her with appraising eyes and a slight nod.
"We make a great couple," Lucius said under his breath. "Everyone thinks so,"
"People think lots of things," Andromeda muttered.
"And what are you thinking of?" Lucius purred.
Andromeda looked back up at him. She was thinking how stupid she was to have asked him to dance. She was thinking that Narcissa might never forgive her for this. She was thinking about what Ted would say if he knew where she was right now. She was thinking that the hands resting on her body and leading her across the floor were the same ones that bruised and cut open Ted's face.
"A lot of things," She sighed.
Lucius' grey eyes studied her, trying to read her expression.
"You threw a great party," Andromeda tried to change the subject.
"It was the only way I could think of to get you to come," Lucius muttered.
Andromeda's mouth opened slightly in surprise and his hands pressed in on her more. "So you threw the largest event of the season? You didn't just think to ask me?"
"You would have said no." Lucius stated simply. Andromeda stared at him in disbelief. She had to admit, he wasn't wrong. Lucius lowered his eyes for a moment. "I like when you're here. It feels less empty."
She didn't know what to say to this so she just let him lead her across the floor. She had been a fool to think he'd let her go. Lucius would lock her in this Manor forever if it meant she'd be with him. She should have never bought him that broom. She should have never worn this dress. She should have never asked him to dance. She should have never come back here.
The song ended and Andromeda pulled herself from him, turning without looking at him and fought the urge to run out of the front door as she walked off the dance floor. Instead, she helped herself to a few more glasses of champagne before she started to feel more than a little lightheaded. Before she knew it, Andromeda was having a hard time staying upright in her heels. She just needed a place to lie down for a moment and gather her swirling thoughts.
She had only been upstairs in Malfoy Manor once when she had spilled raspberry jam all over herself as a girl and her Mother dragged her up here as she tried to Scourgify the mess from her. She reached the top of the stairs and saw a long hallway lined with portraits and large closed doors. Lucius had tried to sneak her up there when they were nine, but his Mother had caught them and sent them back downstairs.
The first few doors she tried were locked, but eventually one of the knobs turned and she found herself in the study. A large desk sat in the middle of the room with shelves lining the walls, some with books on them, some with old artifacts that looked inherently dangerous. Thankfully there was also a sofa along one of the walls and Andromeda sat down on it heavily and kicked off her heels.
She leaned back on the sofa, trying to get her head to stop spinning. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes.
.
.
.
Lucius had come to hate the way her wavy hair looked stretched down her back because seeing that meant that she was once again walking away from him. What more could he do to get her back? He had thrown this whole party to get her here. He had apologized. She had given him an amazing present and asked him to dance, but then just ran away from him again. What was wrong with him? Nothing, there was something wrong with her.
He thanked a few guests for coming as he moved around the party, looking for Andromeda again. She was nowhere to be seen. It had been long enough; he would have run into her if she was still around. That meant Andromeda was elsewhere. Lucius looked at the stairs leading up to the second floor. Of course.
He had ordered most of the rooms closed off in case any guests got a little too curious for his liking. He had left his study unlocked in case he needed to discuss business with anyone and… Yes. There she was. She was lying back on the sofa, her head gently turned to the side and her eyes closed. She looked so soft, lying there, none of her usual hardness surrounding her.
Lucius stood over her for a moment, watching her rest as her body rose and fell gently with each breath. A few strands of hair had escaped her loose plait and he brushed them back from her face. He ran his finger along her jaw and to her full lips, tracing the outline of them softly.
Her eyes fluttered slightly under her heavy lids, but she remained still. Lucius let his hand travel over her chin and to her neck. Bloody Salazar, he loved her neck. He wanted to kiss it, suck on it, bite it. He wanted to wrap his hands around it and squeeze as he moved inside her, watching her honey eyes stare into his, her mouth open wide, gasping for air only he could provide. Her life in his hands, completely belonging to him.
He felt his blood quicken in his veins. She was toying with him, like she always did. She came here, looking like that, gave him an unbelievably generous gift, danced with him and when he said he was lonely she had led him up here…
Lucius pulled one of the thin straps of her dress from her shoulder. He paused. She did not wake. He ran his fingers over her skin to the tops of her breasts. They were perfect; round and soft, large enough to fill each of his hands easily. He pulled the top of her dress down to expose a bit more of the pale skin.
She shifted and moaned slightly, moving her arm and blocking his view.
Lucius waited until she seemed to settle back down, tucking her face against the back of the sofa.
He couldn't stop thinking about the fact that he could have her, right now, if he wanted. And he wanted her more than anything else. She hadn't been the only girl he had been interested in, but she certainly was the one he was most interested in and the fact that she was the only girl not to give into him just made him want her more.
Ever since he was young he had always wanted to impress her, wanted her to think that he was the best, but Andromeda was always aloof and distant to him. She didn't swoon at the things normal girls would fall at his feet for.
He had felt like a king in fifth year when they were together. To have a girl as beautiful, as unobtainable as Andromeda on his arm was the ultimate show of his higher status. If he could get Andromeda then he could get anything; the world was his for the taking. No one else deserved to have her. Only him. And he would have her.
Lucius leaned over her, breathing in deeply and smelling the floral and citrus scent of her. He ran his hand over her throat and gently tilted her face up. He pressed his mouth onto her full lips, tasting the sweetness of her.
Andromeda felt something heavy on her. In her sleep fogged mind she thought it was Ted. It felt similar to the way his body felt against hers. Yes, those were lips on hers; she opened her mouth slightly but… no something was wrong. The taste was different. Hands pressed into her, too hard, too rough, to be Ted's. Andromeda began to wake. Her face tightened and she let out a small moan as she opened her eyes and blinked against the light.
All of a sudden they went wide and wild as she saw Lucius' face hovering above hers, smiling smugly down at her.
"What are you doing? Get off of me!" She threw her hands against him, but Lucius grabbed her wrists in his hands and shoved her arms back against the cushion.
"I've caught on to your little games, Andromeda," Lucius said in a sick whisper as his weight bore down on her. "You run away, you want me to chase you." Andromeda felt his breath on her neck. "You led me up here, you laid yourself out for me,"
"No I didn't," Andromeda said harshly and struggled against him. Lucius chuckled darkly and nibbled on her earlobe. "Lucius, stop!" Andromeda's voice was drenched in panic. He leaned back looking down towards her and she tossed her head back and forth.
"I don't think you really want me to stop. I think," He pressed his body into hers. "You never gave it up to me because you wanted me to take it," He growled into her ear.
"Get OFF of me!" She screamed. Lucius pressed her wrists into the sofa as he leaned back to look at her. "You filthy, vile, disgusting purist!" Andromeda snarled
Lucius' eyes stormed above her. "Purist?" He scoffed. "Don't tell me you'd rather have that filthy Mudblood," He tightened his grip on her wrists.
Andromeda felt rage burn inside her. "Better than you," She spat.
Lucius' face twisted in anger and he roared above her. He let one of her wrists go and Andromeda beat it against his chest, trying to push him back. Lucius pushed her face into the back of the sofa.
"You'll pay for that!" Lucius snarled. "I'll show you what a real man is!"
"Mo! Mmtahp!" She shouted, but it was muffled against the cushion. Tears filled and spilled from her eyes as she felt Lucius grind his hips into her. She could smell the mint and cedar of him all around her, practically choking her. His teeth grazed against the soft skin of her neck and she sobbed.
He bit down hard on her neck and Andromeda felt the pain shoot through her shoulder and into her chest. She screamed but the cushion absorbed it.
"Scream for me, love," Lucius groaned, "I want everyone to hear that you belong to me,"
Terror crashed over Andromeda and she bucked her body against his, anything to try and get him off of her. Why had she wandered off alone? And here, of all places? She begged, her voice muffled against the cushion, still she pleaded with him to stop. Lucius held her head down in place but let her hands go and absorbed the blows she landed on him. He reached down and began pulling up the skirt of her dress.
Andromeda screamed and sobbed against the cushion, struggling to get enough air. Her muscles burned with the lack of oxygen but she still struggled underneath him. This felt sick and perverse compared to the way Ted's hands had felt on her. Lucius squeezed her breast tightly until she cried out and she felt his lips pull into a smirk against her neck. He pulled at the skin there with his unforgiving mouth and Andromeda cried into the cushion. She couldn't believe this was happening. She tried everything she could to push him off of her, make him let go, but he overpowered her and Andromeda was trapped.
She was able to land one fist into his cheek and Lucius hissed, pulling back enough that Andromeda lifted her head and gasped for breath.
"Stop, stop, please!" She cried out and tried to push him further from her. "Lucius, please, don't do this," Tears spilled down the side of her face. His eyes were ruthless as they bore down into hers. "If you love me, you'll stop!" She shouted.
This seemed to have worked. Lucius hovered over her, staring down at her. He grabbed her wrists again and held them against her chest. Lucius pulled her up then slammed her back down into the sofa, leaning back down on her. "You made me love you, Andromeda. It's only fair that I make you love me back," He ground his hips into her again.
Andromeda sobbed. "Lucius, I'm begging you… please,"
He was panting as he leaned over her, blonde hair falling into his face.
"Say it." His voice was commanding.
Andromeda looked up at him, tears spilling down her cheeks.
"Say that you love me. Admit it!" He roared.
Andromeda opened her mouth but no words came out.
Lucius' thin lips turned white with rage and he slammed her arms back against the sofa on either side of her head.
"Or I'll make you love me," He grabbed both wrists in one hand and reached down between them for his belt with the other. Andromeda heard the metal clang together as it opened and Lucius growled.
Andromeda's body shook with sobs. Was this what it would take? She lied plenty of times and for much less at stake than this. So why were those words so hard for her to speak? Even lying them would seem like she was betraying Ted. Lucius' grip tightened and she felt him shift on top her her, pressing his groin between her legs. What choice did she have?
"I love you!" She felt bile follow the words into the back of her throat. She closed her eyes and tried to push Ted's face from her mind. Somehow this still felt like Lucius winning.
Lucius grabbed her face in his hand roughly. His fingers digging into her cheeks as he forced her to look him in the eyes. "Say it again," He growled as he leaned over her.
"I love you, Lucius," Andromeda was going to be sick. Her body was physically rejecting this lie. She couldn't take it.
Lucius looked down at her triumphantly. "I fucking knew it." He pushed his lips onto hers again. Andromeda groaned and tried to pull away, but he held her in place. His tongue scraped against her teeth as he forced it in her mouth.
"You belong to me, Andromeda, only me," Lucius' eyes darkened. "And you better start acting like it. I don't want to fucking see you with the Mudblood anymore. No more little club meetings, alright?" Lucius raised his eyebrows.
"If I even get a whiff otherwise…" He grabbed her hair and yanked her head back, exposing her white throat. He grazed his teeth along it and up to her ear. "Well, let's just say he won't want you when I'm through with you," Lucius leaned back and watched the fear coil in her amber eyes.
He snorted derisively as he lifted himself from her. He buckled his belt back and Andromeda pulled herself into a small ball on the sofa, too scared to move yet. She pulled her dress back down over her legs and brought them up against her chest. Lucius ran his hand through his long blonde hair, pushing it back into place and straightened his jacket.
"Clean yourself up," He said with a sneer, "You look like a fucking whore," Lucius snarled as he slammed the door behind him.
.
.
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A/N: Oh, did you think Lucius was going to just roll over and let them be happy? No, my dear readers, Not. At. All.
Next chapter is their final year at school. The countdown begins.