A/N: Here we go…
Soundtrack: Sleeping at Last's "Saturn" and "Earth"
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Ted hummed happily along with the Christmas music in the small antique shop he was browsing in. Snow fell heavily outside the windows that were crowded with an assortment of many strange and odd objects. He stuck his hands in his pockets, trying to warm them up some. He had been wandering in and out of stores for most of the morning looking for last minute Christmas gifts.
Christmas had always been a small affair for his family, but a happy one. His Mum would bake cookies while he and his Dad played board games at the table. They never got each other anything too large as gifts; money having always been tight, but somehow his parents had always been able to make his Christmas presents really special.
When he was six he had begged his dad for a bike. He wanted to ride around the neighborhood with the other kids and go on adventures with them. That year there hadn't been much work and his Mum had still been waiting tables then so a bike had been out of the question.
Instead his Dad took the family to a small park across the city, paid to rent skates, and they had all gone ice-skating together. Ted remembered burning his tongue on the hot chocolate they had gotten to try and warm up and what he had felt for his little family had kept him warm the rest of the winter.
But this year he wanted to do something special so he had been out searching for the perfect gifts for two days now. He opened a small jewelry box and it played a simple tune that his Mum used to hum when he was younger. Ted grinned and headed towards the counter.
"This all for you?" The old shopkeeper asked.
Ted nodded and pulled a thin wallet out of his pocket.
His eyes landed on the shelf behind the old shopkeeper who was wrapping up the jewelry box carefully. He couldn't believe it… it was here.
"How much is that?" Ted asked breathlessly.
The shopkeeper turned, following Ted's gaze to the shelf behind him.
"Like that do you?" He flashed an almost toothless smile.
"It's perfect," Ted said, his eyes wide.
The shopkeeper looked Ted over. "It's for a girl, isn't it?" He asked, his eyes twinkling.
"Yeah," Ted said with a smile. "The girl," He said softly.
"You seem like a nice chap," He glanced down at Ted's wallet with its meager bills inside. The old shopkeeper smiled with what teeth he had left. "Let me help you out,"
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Ted sat in his room, putting the finishing touches on the wrappings of Andromeda's gift.
"She's going to love it," His Mum said softly as she leaned against the doorway.
"I think so too," He grinned up at his Mum.
"So when am I going to get to meet this girl?" She put her hand on her hip.
Ted laughed a little. "It took me two years to finally convince her to go out with me. I think it might be a little soon to meet the parents," He would have loved to have Andromeda meet his Mum and Dad, but he had waited this long to be with her, he could wait a little longer to bring her here.
"Might be a good choice," His Mum leaned in slightly. "Your Dad might scare her off with his awful jokes," She whispered.
Ted tried to suppress a laugh. "Did he tell you the one about the Priest in France?"
His Mum adopted a very serious look on her face. "Seven times."
Ted snorted as his Mum broke into a laugh.
"You better hurry if you're going to send that off today," She nodded towards the package on his bed.
"Yeah, I'm going now," He said as he stood up and grabbed it, tucking it safely under his arm.
"Just be back for dinner," She said as he made his way past her.
"I will," Ted promised, gave her a quick kiss on the cheek, and headed down the stairs and out into the street.
He knew his way to Diagon Alley well, having gone there almost every day last summer for work. He sat on the bus as it took him closer and closer to the secret entrance to the wizarding shops. His knee bounced up and down excitedly. Before they had left for the holidays, Ted had received a letter from the Appleby Arrows offering him a position on the team once he left school.
Ted couldn't believe his luck. He was going to play Quidditch professionally. His starting salary was a decent one and he would be able to provide a life for Andromeda, albeit not one she was used to, but one they could be comfortable in. He would be able to help out his parents. He would be playing Quidditch with Andromeda cheering him on in the stands…
Ted shook snow from his hair as he passed through the Leaky Cauldron with a quick wave to Tom, the barkeep.
"Butterbeer to warm you up?" Tom asked cheerfully.
"Maybe on the way back," Ted lifted up the package as he quickly walked through the bar. "Got somewhere to be,"
He headed out the back, tapped the bricks quickly and surged forward into the busy cobbled streets of Diagon Alley. He made his way through the mass of shoppers until he heard the screech of owls and ducked inside the post office quickly.
He waited in line, blood pumping excited through his veins. He wished he could see Andromeda's face when she opened it, but he just knew she would love it.
"Next!" The large man behind the counter called and Ted rushed forward.
"I need to send this to Andromeda Black," He said quickly, trying to keep his voice low.
The man took out a slip of paper and gave a complex whistle. A large grey owl swooped down from the rafters and landed on the counter.
"Who is sending it?" The man asked, picking up a quill, poised to write on the slip of paper.
"Tonks. Ted Tonks." Ted said, trying to keep the silly grin off his face.
The man filled out the slip and placed it on the package, tapped it with his wand to make it stick, and started fastening it to the large owl between them.
"Tonks…" The man said slowly. "I think we got something back here for you,"
Ted blinked in surprise as the man reached around and pulled a package off the shelf, checking the name. "Yep!" He said and tossed it on the counter. "Ted Tonks."
Ted grabbed it and saw his name in Andromeda's small, print. His heart swelled to a dangerous size in his chest. Ted quickly reached in his pocket and placed his coins on the counter before taking off back into the street.
He couldn't wait until he got home, he had to open it now. Ted ducked into a small dark alleyway out off of the main street and tore into the wrappings.
There was a small flat box, barely bigger than an envelope inside. He ripped off his gloves with his teeth so he could open it. Inside there was a torn page from what looked like their Astronomy textbook. Ted knitted his brows together, confused, until he looked at the picture on the page.
It was a swirling galaxy, spinning slightly. As he watched it, the gas and stars in the galaxy moved strangely until they spelled out the word, Yours then they slowly spun back into their original position. Ted watched it two more times before he saw the small print under the swirling picture, "Pictured Here: The Andromeda Galaxy".
"Come on, Lucius, don't you want to sow your wild oats before you get tied down?" Ted's head shot up at the familiar sound of Lestrange's voice.
"I'm not going to be the one tied down," Malfoy chuckled darkly, making Lestrange do the same.
"Still, one summer in France with me; she'll still be here waiting when you get back,"
Ted could see them now, coming out of the dark alley and he pulled himself deeper into the alcove, trying to be silent so he could hear their conversation.
"I've waited long enough." Malfoy answered him. "In fact, I'm not even waiting for June to go to her Father." Ted stopped breathing. "I going to the Black Mansion for Christmas Eve dinner and I plan to do it then,"
"Do I get to plan your stag do?" Lestrange asked excitedly.
Malfoy smirked. "Make it good,"
They passed by Ted without noticing him, laughing as they joined the rest of the shoppers on the main street.
Ted clutched the box with Andromeda's gift to his chest tightly, his heart beating like mad against it. Christmas Eve… He didn't have until the end of the year with her… He had two days. He looked down as the galaxy swirled to spell out Yours again one last time before he tucked the box into his coat and took off down the street.
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"Take your elbow off the table right now," Druella hissed at Andromeda.
She was loosely holding her glass of wine in her hand, propped up on the white tablecloth that her Mother only used for special occasions. She set the glass down and did as her Mother told her, setting her hands in her lap but not trying to hide the disinterested expression on her face as she looked around.
Her Father sat at the head of the table with her Mother on one side and Rodolphus on the other. Bella sat in between her husband and Lucius who was across from Andromeda. Narcissa sat perfectly straight and Andromeda saw her Mother look between the two of them and sigh, wishing that Andromeda could have been more like her younger sister.
Her Father was boasting about some business venture he had just invested in, but Andromeda wasn't paying enough attention to follow him although Rodolphus seemed very interested, nodding frequently at his Father in law.
Andromeda rolled her eyes at him. Rodolphus would agree with a slug if it talked in a loud enough voice. Bellatrix was cutting into her steak, blood pooling on her plate around it. She sliced through it easily, cutting it into small pieces and dabbing it into the dark blood around it before bringing it to her lips.
Narcissa looked like the picture of Pureblood elegance with her blonde hair perfectly pulled back into ornate twists at the base of her head. She was getting more beautiful with each passing day and Andromeda was surprised that she didn't have a suitor sitting at the table tonight instead of herself. Dark lashes framed Narcissa's blue eyes and Andromeda noticed they were drifting to Lucius quite often this evening.
Andromeda raised her own eyes to the blonde man across from her. He was looking up at her Father at the head of the table. He was wearing a black coat over a dark red vest and a white shirt underneath. His long blonde hair fell silkily around his shoulders. He reached out to take his wine glass and took his eyes of Cygnus for a moment, catching her gaze.
Lucius gave her a curious look as he raised his wine glass in front of him with a small nod in her direction. He brought it to his lips and drank the dark red liquid greedily, keeping his grey eyes on hers as he did so.
Cygnus snapped his fingers and with a loud crack a house elf appeared at his side.
"Durio, more wine," Cygnus ordered and the house elf poured wine into an empty glass in his knobbly hands. The glass did not fill up, instead the glasses on the table in front of them all filled. Durio bowed to his Master before another loud crack sounded and the small creature was gone.
It wasn't too much longer before her Father rose and the Durio and another one of their elves, Mulus appeared and cleared away the dishes from the table. The party filtered into the foyer Andromeda happy that evening was almost over. She wanted so much to get back to her room.
She had received a package from Ted this morning and tore into it the moment she was alone. Andromeda had ripped open the box and carefully pulled out a snow globe, staring at it in wonder.
Inside was a small cottage with a stone chimney and snow-covered eaves. She held it like a precious relic as slowly she turned it upside down and right side up to make the snow fall gently around the little cottage. Andromeda could hardly believe it… Ted had done it, he had given her the cottage that she had been dreaming of for years.
She couldn't believe how happy she was with Ted and how lucky she was to have found him. He lit up places inside of her that had been shuttered and dark for years, for as long as she could remember. But Ted made light shine inside her and she shone for him.
"I promise, we will get you the gold back soon," Andromeda's Mother whispered, holding Bellatrix's hand up tightly.
"Mother, it's okay, we can spare it," Bellatrix said softly. As she caught Andromeda watching she straightened up slightly.
"Always wonderful to see you, Rodolphus," Cygnus said loudly as he clasped his Son-in-Law on the back. "Have a safe trip home. Lucius, I know there were a few things you wanted to discuss. We'll have a drink in my study," He said with a nod.
Lucius nodded back and his grey eyes moved to Andromeda. She watched him carefully as a small smirk began to form on his lips.
"Good night, Lucius," Narcissa called as their Mother placed her hands on Narcissa's shoulder, beginning to guide her up the stairs.
"Good night, Narcissa," Lucius said gently with a small bow. "I'll see you at school," He added with a polite smile.
Andromeda saw her younger sister blush as she turned to walk up the stairs with their Mother.
"Andromeda, come along," Druella called.
Andromeda turned to follow her Mother and Sister up the stairs, but Lucius hand closed around her wrist, holding her. She turned sharply back towards him.
"I have a gift for you," Lucius said in a low voice. Andromeda eyed him warily. "But I'll give it to you later," He added, his grey eyes mysterious.
Cygnus closed the front door and turned back around.
Lucius quickly brought her hand up and placed a soft kiss on it. "Good night, love," He said in a deep voice.
Andromeda pulled her hand out of his. She glanced at her Father for a moment. She had to behave.
"Good night," She said stiffly and started on the stairs.
Andromeda glanced back down before the stairs curled and saw Lucius looking up hungrily after her.
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"Andromeda, I think you need to come downstairs," Narcissa said breathlessly.
Andromeda was lying on her bed, playing with the snow globe, turning it upside down then right side up, watching the snow gently fall around the cottage. She glanced up at her sister and sat up quickly seeing the anxious expression on Narcissa's small face.
"What's going on?" She started towards the door.
Narcissa grimaced. "You… just come on," She said and led the way down the stairs and to the door of their Father's study.
"I came downstairs to try and see Lucius again before he left and I heard…" Narcissa trailed off.
Andromeda could hear voices inside, voices that were quickly rising in anger.
Narcissa cast her ice blue eyes back at her sister and Andromeda nodded before Narcissa raised her hand to knock gently at the door.
The voices subsided and Druella opened the door, her face pinched and flushed. Narcissa quickly backed up to stand behind Andromeda.
"Andromeda, good you're here. Come in, darling." Their Mother moved out of the doorway and beckoned her in. She glanced back at Narcissa who offered her a thin smile from the hall before she entered her Father's study.
She walked in to the most usual scene. Her Father was standing by the fireplace, drink in hand as always, and a dark expression on his face. Lucius was leaning on the desk directly in front of the door, his arms crossed and grey eyes storming. Her Mother quickly moved past her to stand at her Father's side.
Andromeda looked around with wide eyes and took a few more steps into the room. She glanced at the bookshelf to her right and there was Ted, sandy hair disheveled and falling into his face. Her mouth opened in surprise at the sight of him, here.
His deep earthy eyes locked onto her amber ones and she recognized both pain and relief in them at the same time.
Cygnus took a sip of his dark wine and swirled it around in the glass. "Andromeda," His voice was deep and strangely calm. She turned towards him feeling like the snow outside had packed into hard ice filling up her chest. "This… boy here," Cygnus paused, trying to find the words. "Came here to tell me of his intention to… win your hand."
Andromeda stopped breathing. Her eyes were dry but she dare not blink them for fear of missing a second of this. She heard Lucius shift on the desk, obviously displeased by Ted's presence and purpose in the house. She looked back to Ted, who could not hold her gaze. She could only imagine the abuse he had endured so far, but she had a feeling she was about to find out. His shoulders sagged forward slightly and he ran his hand through his hair, making it even messier than it had been.
"Well?" Cygnus hissed. Andromeda looked back at her Father, her mouth falling open. "What do you think of this Mudblood's proposal? That you, a daughter of the House of Black, should…" His nostrils flared and he seemed unable to utter the words.
Andromeda knew she had to do something and quickly. Ted had come here, to the serpents' den, and said… what? That he loved her? That he wanted to marry her? The idea was almost too much to conceive, but the truth was standing not five feet from her.
"I…" Andromeda looked from her Father back to Ted.
"You what?" Cygnus spat.
Ted looked up at Andromeda through dark lashes. His eyes were round and sorrowful, pleading with her but for what she did not know. She fought to keep her own face straight.
"I told you," Lucius drawled and lifted himself smoothly from the desk, "He's got her all confused. He's preyed upon her,"
"You lying snake!" Ted yelled, his face suddenly full of fury. He took a step in Malfoy's direction. "You slimy-"
"Ted," Andromeda called out in concern.
"You will not insult my guests in my house!" Cygnus bellowed. He slammed his goblet down on a table, spilling the red liquid over onto the white cloth beneath it. Druella gasped and quickly moved to try to dab at it. "Proof of your…" He looked Ted up and down, "poor breeding," His voice dripped with revulsion.
Ted fumed, his chest rising and falling quickly. He bit his lip hard, holding back his words. "Sir," He finally managed, "All due respect, but Andromeda and I love each other-"
This, however, had not been the right thing to say. Andromeda was drenched in cold panic, her heart racing beneath her breast.
Cygnus turned, dark eyes frenzied as they landed on Ted who brought himself to his full height. "What did you just say?" He asked slowly.
"You can't stop it. Nothing can. Trust me, we've both tried," Ted glanced at her and the ice around Andromeda's heart seemed to melt a little at the sight of him declaring his love for her, here, despite what might happen. "I love her," He said, keeping his eyes locked on Andromeda. "And I can make her happy."
Andromeda took a deep breath, and it seemed like the first one since she had entered the room. He reached his hand in her direction. "And as her Father, I would think you'd want her to be with someone who can do that. Who will take care of her-"
Lucius snorted loudly. "Excuse me, but a Mudblood without a penny to his name is going to take care of her how, exactly?" He asked snidely.
Cygnus' teeth were grinding. "How dare you?!" He turned on Ted. "How dare you presume you know what is best for MY DAUGHTER!" He roared.
"Andromeda," Ted said her name softly and took a step towards her.
"Get away from her," Lucius said darkly.
"No," Ted clenched his jaw.
Andromeda looked from her Father, to Lucius, and then to Ted. Three men who all wanted something from her; her Father wanted to sell her off, Lucius wanted to own her, and Ted… wanted to make her happy.
Seeing him here, in this house, made it all seem so real all of a sudden. It wasn't her future she had to worry about anymore, it was her present. Her future was now. Her future was here. Her future was… Ted.
"WHAT IS HAPPENING?!" Cygnus bellowed, throwing his goblet against the wall, red wine arching through the air and splattering across the wall, quickly running to the floor.
Druella gasped and Andromeda heard her collapse into a chair behind her.
"I'm not leaving here without-" Ted started.
"Ted!" Andromeda called out, as he was sent flying back into the bookshelf behind him.
She turned to go to him, but her Father's hand closed over her arm, yanking her back. He tossed her across the room, placing himself between Ted and her, wand still in his hand. His dark eyes were wild and savage. "No daughter of mine will ever marry a Mudblood!"
Andromeda rushed at her Father, but he quickly shoved her back stumbling. He rounded on Ted, who was gathering himself from the ground. "Crucio," He hissed and Ted fell back, screaming in pain.
"NO!" Andromeda yelled and rushed forward again. She felt Lucius grab onto her from behind, holding her back.
"You're not going back to him," He growled into her ear, "Not now, not ever." He hissed.
"Get OFF me!" She snarled and elbowed him in the side. Lucius grunted and his grip was loosened. Andromeda slithered out of his arms and ran to Ted's side as her Father finally lifted the curse.
Ted was panting on the ground, muscles twitching in his cheek and neck. Andromeda brushed his dirty blonde hair out his face, holding it gently.
"Move." Cygnus ordered.
Andromeda glared up at him.
"You…" Ted panted, "You can't keep us… apart,"
Andromeda smiled weakly down at him. He winced as he sat up.
"Andromeda," Cygnus warned, "Stop this at once! Get away from that filth!"
Andromeda stood up. "Father, please," She wanted to explain, to tell him what Ted meant to her. He had to understand… he just had to.
Cygnus raised his wand again, taking aim at Ted. Andromeda rushed to his side, pulling on his arm. "Stop it! Stop it!" She pleaded. "Stop! I love him!"
Cygnus looked at her as if she had just sprouted tentacles from her head. "You what?"
Andromeda heaved in air, "I… I love him." She said in a small voice, but she said it. She said it. Andromeda cast her eyes down to meet Ted's. They were shining, the rich earthy brown bright and blazing. A small smile creeping onto her face as she watched the anger, pain, and worry slide off Ted's face to be replaced with unbelievable elation.
Cygnus flung her from him as if she was some vile thing. Andromeda landed in a heap on the floor between Lucius and Ted.
"Don't do that again," Ted said darkly as he got to his feet and moved towards her, his eyes narrowed dangerously but stayed locked on Cygnus' black pools.
"Get out of my house," Cygnus spat, his dark eyes glittering dangerously. Ted stopped for a moment; he set his jaw and took a step towards Andromeda, reaching his hand out to help her up. Andromeda placed her hand in his, sliding it in place.
"Both of you," Cygnus growled.
Andromeda's head shot in the direction of her Father as she got to her feet. His eyes were blazing dark hatred.
"Daddy…" She said softly, her voice full of emotion.
"Cygnus, please!" Druella gasped from behind them. "She's your daughter!"
"No daughter of mine will be a Mudblood's whore," He spat.
Andromeda made a strangled noise from deep in her throat.
Ted took a step Cygnus, a dark shadow on his face. "She's not-"
"I'll take her," Lucius said quickly.
Andromeda had almost forgotten he was there. Ted's hand tightened on hers.
"I'll take her." Lucius offered again. "No one else will want her if this gets out, Cygnus, you know it's true."
Heavy tension filled the room.
"Why would you want her?" He asked, disgusted. "Now?"
Andromeda felt her chest crumbling inside her.
"I can…" His grey eyes landed on her, "purify her." A shadow passed over his face.
"NO!" Ted yelled. "You'll never touch her again-"
Cygnus looked Lucius over, confused.
"40% shares in Malfoy Enterprises." Lucius said glancing at Andromeda and licking his lips.
"Done." Cygnus said simply. He held out his hand and Lucius shook it greedily.
"NO!" Andromeda cried.
Ted pulled out his wand.
"Father… Please! No!" Tears streamed down her face; she threw herself at his feet. She would beg, it didn't matter; as long as he didn't make her marry Lucius.
"Get off me," Cygnus snarled and kicked out at her. He snapped his fingers and two house elves appeared. "Mulus, Durio, take him and… dispose of him," Cygnus jerked his head towards Ted.
Andromeda looked up at Ted, fear seeping from her honey eyes.
"NO!" Ted bellowed and tried to reach Andromeda. The house elves froze him on the spot, his arms stretched out towards her.
Lucius reached down and picked her up, holding her tightly against him. His face painted in sick triumph.
Andromeda was sure that she was going to crumble into nothing at any second now. There was no way that she was going to stay in one shape for much longer. Lucius' fingers dug into her arms. She struggled in his grip and it only tightened.
The house elves snapped their fingers and they and Ted were gone, as if they had never even been there.
Andromeda let out a loud sob, her chest heaving. Lucius pulled her roughly back against him.
"Take her. Get her out of my sight," Cygnus turned from his daughter and poured himself another glass of wine.
Andromeda felt Lucius' breath quicken with excitement.
"Cygnus…" Druella approached him slowly. "It isn't right… she can't leave with him… they're… they're not married,"
"She's ruined already, what do I care?" He snarled and downed his glass, pouring another as he turned back around. His eyes passed over her as if she was not even there. "Lucius," he sighed. "She's your responsibility now. Salazar help you," He raised his glass.
She could feel his blood pumping quickly under the skin of his palms.
"Father, please," Andromeda begged, sobbing.
Cygnus turned his back to her.
Druella pursed her lips and looked from her daughter to her husband. "Cygnus… the Black name-"
"DO NOT SPEAK TO ME OF THE BLACK NAME, WOMAN!" Cygnus yelled and Druella jumped back. "She's the one that's ruined it, not me!" He breathed heavily through his nose as his eyes moved quickly around the room, thoughts swirling behind them.
Finally he turned to Lucius, "She'll be your bride, but you'll not have her until then." Andromeda felt Lucius bristle behind her. "She might not uphold the family honor, but she'll uphold the image." He said stiffly.
Lucius' fingers dug deeper into her flesh and Andromeda whimpered. She felt him take a few deep breaths, knowing that he was trying to find a way to leave with her tonight.
Gradually, his grip loosened.
Andromeda jerked away from him and collapsed into her Mother's arms, sobbing.
"Have your house elf bring over the paperwork for the shares in the morning," Cygnus said in a businesslike tone.
"Cygnus, tomorrow's Christmas," Druella said softly.
Lucius' eyes moved from Cygnus to Andromeda and back again, his chest heaving with excitement.
"I'll draw them up tonight," He said finally and with one last lingering look to Andromeda, he swept from the room.
"Remove her," Cygnus said slowly, sipping his wine.
Druella patted Andromeda's back, "Come, dear. We need to go," She said gently. Andromeda slowly pulled herself up. It took everything she had to stand but she did not want to spend one more minute in this room with her Father.
Her Mother guided her into her bedroom and helped her into the cold bed. Andromeda tried to gulp down air in between sobs.
"Lucius is a good match," Her Mother said as she pulled the covers over Andromeda's shaking body. "You'll learn to be happy with him."
Andromeda let out another sob. "Enough of that," Her Mother said, harsher now. "I will not have you crying over that… over him anymore. Pull yourself together."
Andromeda didn't think these tears would ever stop. How could they when the pain she felt now she would feel for the rest of her life? How had all of this happened in just one night? This morning she had gotten her snow globe from Ted; she had watched the snow fall around the cottage for hours, she had pictured their life together there and now…
Druella huffed and left her daughter's side, closing the door behind her. Andromeda heard the sharp click of the lock, caging her in.
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A/N: Don't hate me.