A/N: Without further ado…
Soundtrack: Amber Run's "Machine", SYML's "Where is My Love - Acoustic" and The Light the Heat's "All for You"
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"Do you love me?" Ted grinned.
"Yes, of course," Andromeda started.
"Then there's your answer. Dromeda, that's all that matters. That I love you and you love me. Everything with your sister and your family… We will figure it out. We will because we will be together,"
"Ted,"
"If the last couple of weeks showed me anything it's that what I can't stand is not being with you. I want to spend the rest of my life with-"
"Stop."
Every muscle in Andromeda's body tensed.
"Ted, don't ask what I think you're about to ask,"
"Andromeda, will you-"
"No." Andromeda pulled herself from him and backed up a little.
"Just listen to me," Ted took a step towards her.
"No!" Andromeda said more forcefully. "You listen to yourself! You just broke up with me and now you're asking me to… To…"
"Marry me,"
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"Lucius," Andromeda's voice was full of heavy panic, "It's not what you think,"
Ted started towards them.
"Don't you fucking move," Lucius said, his voice low and dangerous, shaking with rage. His grey eyes locked on Ted who froze mid-step. There was an unstable desperation in his eyes and Ted felt terror rise up his spine.
"Lucius-" Andromeda face was pulled tightly with worry.
He kept his pale grey eyes stayed on Ted and his chest heaved heavily against her as he held her tightly to him.
"You think you can sneak around with my fiancée?!" Lucius shouted, spit flying from his lips. "You filthy animal!"
Ted's shoulders tensed until they grew larger, his muscles straining against his shirt.
"He was asking about the Arrows! That's all!" She cried out. "He asked me to talk to you, to see if you would reconsider him for Keeper!"
He turned back towards her, the muscles in his arms twitching and his pointed face paling in anger.
"Please," Andromeda begged and placed her hand on his arm, the muscle contracted at her touch.
Ted felt sick watching her plead with him, as she must have many times before. He was holding himself back. Everything in his body wanted to rush forward and pull Andromeda from Malfoy's arms and back into his own. She had just told him… No, he needed to focus. For her.
"Lucius," She tried to soften her voice, but Ted could still hear the panic that resonated in it. "It was about the Arrows, I swear,"
Lucius was staring hard at her. He was studying her face, looking for any sign that she was being untruthful.
Ted had always known Andromeda was skilled at deception, but her lies sounded more like the truth than he could have ever imagined. He wasn't used to seeing Andromeda lie, but obviously Lucius was. He felt something that was similar to pride at the this fact.
Ted slowly pulled his wand from his back pocket.
But his movement must have alerted Lucius because his eyes cut quickly to Ted. There was a rage burning in them. He returned it with his own dark gaze and tightened his grip on his wand. Lucius was unarmed, but he had Andromeda in his grasp. Ted would have traded positions in a heartbeat.
She placed her shaking hands on Lucius' chest and slowly ran them up to either side of his neck.
"Lucius," Her voice was shaking now too. "P-please," She tried to turn his face back to her.
Ted realized that she was trying to protect him. There was one thing Lucius was more interested in than hurting Ted, and that was her.
"Let's go," She whispered and shifted so she was pressed up more firmly against him. "Let's go back, darling,"
Bile rose in his throat. He had watched Lucius paw at her for months, but had never had to watch her touch him. Or call him darling.
Andromeda gently leaned up and kissed his jaw. Her lips pressed against his pale skin, her hands wrapped around into his hair, pulling him to her.
Ted's legs moved without permission, bringing him a few feet closer to them.
Lucius jerked his head away from her. "I told you to stay put!" He snapped so harshly, Andromeda jumped and her hands dropped to his shoulders.
Ted stopped again, his palm sweating against the thin wood of his wand. His heart was beating so hard in his chest that he was sure it was visible through his shirt.
"Forget him," She said it softly but Ted was tensed and alert enough that he picked it up. His heart fluttered.
"How can I when you so clearly can not?" Lucius' eyes snapped to hers and Andromeda's expression changed to surprised fear.
"What… What do you mean?" She breathed out.
"When your hand is in mine" Lucius' lip curled, "I can feel your pulse quicken when he walks in the room." His voice was strained. "The only time you touch me, ever touched me, was because of him," His breathing was erratic.
Ted could hardly believe what he was hearing. He stopped breathing. Andromeda had never really talked about her and Lucius'... interactions. Not that he ever really wanted to hear about it, but hearing this revelation took him by surprise.
"It took seeing him in the arms of another girl to get you in mine. I used to orchestrate it with his girlfriend! I made sure you saw them together just so you would-" Lucius stopped talking. He heaved in heavy breaths. "Then this morning… I thought… But no, it was still because of him!"
"Lucius that was…" Andromeda faltered. She touched his cheek softly, hand still shaking. "Ted is-"
"Don't say his name!" Lucius shouted in her face and Andromeda flinched.
"Don't you dare-" Ted started forward again.
"STAY BACK!" Lucius' voice shook with anger as he swung his head back to Ted. "I've had enough of this," He turned back to Andromeda. "This infatuation will end." He tightened his grip around her, making her gasp harshly for breath.
"Okay!" Ted shouted. "Okay, Lucius," He used Malfoy's first name to get his attention. Andromeda had borne his weight for too long and he couldn't let her do it anymore. "That's what she said to me." He tried to mimic the things he'd seen Andromeda do when she lied. Keep eye contact. Not too much body motion, but not stiff either. Did he normally move his arms this much?
Lucius looked at him, stunned.
"You're right. I was trying to…" Ted took a deep breath. "I brought her there under false pretenses. I used the Arrows as an excuse to talk to her. I did it when I knew you wouldn't be around."
Use the truth to tell the lie. Spin them together and make it impossible to unravel.
"I wanted her to feel bad for me so maybe she would… I don't know… That's how I did it before,"
Tell them what they want to hear. Show them weakness so they won't see your strength.
"See?" Andromeda ran her fingers into his hair, not missing a beat. "I told you, me being with you drives him crazy,"
Ted fought revulsion at the sight in front of him and at what he had just had to do. Is this how she felt being with Lucius, pretending to love him all this time? He pushed down the anger he felt at finding out that she talked to Malfoy about him, about his feelings.
"Then put him out of his misery." Lucius said, his voice dripping with venom. "Tell him what you told me this morning,"
Ted's hot anger turned to cold dread inside of him. Something deep churned inside of him.
"Tell the truth, love," Lucius said darkly.
Andromeda paused.
Ted inched forward.
Lucius' eyes gleamed.
"Tell him,"
Andromeda slowly turned her face to Ted, breathing heavily, chest heaving against Lucius. Her honey eyes finally met his. Pain.
Her mask was slipping. Ted watched as it fell from her face.
"TELL HIM!" Lucius roared.
Andromeda's mouth opened but nothing came out.
"Dromeda," Ted was now only a few feet from them. She had spent the last two week with Lucius after Ted had called it off. She had been so upset this morning at his outburst. Could… Had something happened between them? No, he needed to keep his jealousy in check; that was what got him in this mess in the first place.
"I…" Andromeda choked on the words.
Ted readied himself for this hit. To hear the words. He couldn't blame her; he was the one who called it off. She had been free to make her own choices.
Lucius spun her around so that she was facing Ted, with his hands and arms wrapped around her as he pressed her back into his chest.
"Tell him that you're mine," Lucius' mouth split open in a sick smile. "How you've always been mine,"
Ted could hear his blood rushing through his ears.
"Tell him how my hands felt on you," He said in a low voice. "Inside you,"
Ted felt his heart miss a few beats.
Andromeda paled, her eyes wide in horror.
"Tell him how you begged me on your knees to hurt you just a little bit more,"
Someone had replaced Ted's blood with acid and it was eating him alive from the inside out.
"Tell him what I taste like, love," Lucius purred.
"SHUT UP!" Ted bellowed and his wand sparked.
"Stop it," Andromeda said, turning her face to the side in shame.
Something switched on in Ted hearing Andromeda said those words with Lucius hands on her. She hadn't shouted them or cried them; in fact she had said them softly. And somehow, that almost seemed worse.
"Look at you," Ted said, shaking his head. "No wonder she doesn't love you,"
"Ted," Andromeda's eyes shot to his in warning.
"What would you know about it?" Lucius snapped and Andromeda felt his grip tighten on her frame.
"I know that if she was wearing my ring, if she was marrying me," Ted's eyes landed on Andromeda's for a long moment. "I would-"
"But she's not," Malfoy's words cut through the tension in the air between Ted and Andromeda. "You lost, Tonks. You lost everything,"
"At least I had something to lose," Ted said in a low voice. He slid his eyes back to Malfoy. "At least she loved me,"
Andromeda felt frozen in place. Lucius' arms were wrapped around her, holding her tightly against him. Ted stood feet in front of her with his wand half raised in a shaking fist. This entire situation felt volatile and dangerous and it was quickly spinning out of control.
"I want to go," She said in a small voice.
Ted's eyes landed on hers and something in them lit up for a brief moment.
Lucius inclined his head towards her. "You're right love, he's not worth our time,"
Andromeda wrenched herself from Lucius' arms. "Him?!" She snapped. "You just humiliated me, Lucius. How dare you talk about me like that? I'm your fiancée… Have you no shame?!"
Lucius looked shocked. "Andromeda," He reached for her but she recoiled and backed away from him.
She shook her head. "And to think that I was…" She adopted a conflicted expression of disappointed anger.
Lucius' eyes enlarged and he took several quick breaths.
Ted watched Andromeda's face carefully. He had seen her open and honest enough times to recognize the mask that she was wearing now.
"No!" Lucius reached for her again, but Andromeda jumped back.
"Stay away from me, Lucius," She said, conjuring false tears. Ted raised his eyebrows; impressed by the show she was putting on. She was hurting him in a way only she could. "I don't even want to look at you right now!"
"But… Andromeda!" Lucius sounded desperate and Ted got a strange sense of pleasure from it.
She turned on her heel and started back up to the castle. Ted noticed as soon as she turned around her shoulders relaxed and her gait turned almost bouncy. He let his eyes linger on her for just a moment, watching her short skirt sway around her upper thighs.
"Andromeda!" Lucius took a few steps after her, clearly upset at the fact that she was once again, walking away from him. Then suddenly he turned on Ted and shoved him roughly back.
"Stay away from her!" He growled.
Ted felt his anger rise up in him.
"I know what you're trying to do," Lucius' voice was shaking.
"Yeah? What's that?" Ted taunted him.
They were both acutely aware that Ted was the only one armed right now. Lucius would not risk a fight he didn't think he could win and Ted would not fight an unarmed opponent. But it wouldn't be long before the rest of the Slytherin Quidditch team were done with their showers.
"Trying to steal her from me," His grey eyes had a wild desperation in them.
"Damn straight, I am," Ted said in a low, dark voice.
Lucius eyes enlarged, panic etching itself into the anger on his face.
"I bet it killed you to hear her say she loved me. That she threw herself in front of me." Ted felt emboldened. "She's never done a single thing even close to that for you, has she?"
"You don't know anything about us," Lucius snarled.
"I know she doesn't love you. You might think there is something there, Lucius, but you're wrong. And you've known it since Christmas Eve. You got to see what her love really looks like and you've never had an ounce of it," Ted's eyes were bright.
"I've had more of her than you ever will," Lucius growled.
"Is that right?" Ted smirked.
He could practically feel the wave of cold that settled over Lucius.
"You might have her hand, but I have her heart. And that's something you'll never be able to buy,"
Lucius' eyes took on a sick gleam. "You're right."
Ted blinked in surprise.
"I can't buy her heart. But I can give her something that will shove any remnants of you out of it," He spat.
Ted felt the power in the conversation shifting.
"I need an Heir anyways," His thin lips turned up slightly at Ted's expression.
Now the cold settled over Ted as well.
That was it.
That was how Lucius was going to take the final piece of her. Ted felt panic rise inside of him. Malfoy knew he could never replace Ted in her heart or push him from it, but a child… A child could.
Then Lucius would have it all. He would have Andromeda where she would never leave him, have an Heir to his fortune, and have Ted out of the way all in one move. This realization hit him like a fist in the gut.
"Just face the facts, Ted," Lucius spat out his name like it was rotten, "You've never been good enough, not really. You were never anything serious to her, just a silly schoolgirl's crush. And you'll fade. In time, she will forget you,"
Ted felt an unwelcome wave of emotion in his blood. His face fell, betraying him.
The other Slytherin Quidditch players began to exit their changing rooms, cheering and laughing.
Lucius sneered at him and snorted out a short breath before slowly turning and joining his teammates in celebration, knowing he had gotten the better of Ted once again.
Lestrange dropped something silver with a long chain into Lucius' hand and he quickly opened it.
His watch.
Ted watched him carefully as he glanced down at it and mumbled something to Lestrange, pointing at the castle.
The dark haired boy nodded and headed up to the castle without another word while Lucius glared back at Ted one last time before heading into the Slytherin changing rooms.
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"You're insane," Andromeda said breathlessly.
"Insane or romantic?" Ted asked, tilting his head to the side.
"Insane," She said slowly, her eyes wide.
"Andromeda, I love you. I want to spend my life loving you. I want to spend my life with you," He held her hands in his.
"You can't just ask me to…" She stopped talking as she tried to catch her breath.
Ted dropped down to his knee.
"Teddy," Andromeda's face pulled together in worry. "Please get up,"
"Okay," Ted nodded and Andromeda breathed out. "Say yes and I'll get up,"
"Ted!" Andromeda exclaimed.
"Andromeda," Ted smiled up at her. "Will you marry me?"
A strangled noise came up from Andromeda's throat.
Ted grinned up at her, but stayed in place.
"Okay, not funny anymore, Tonks,"
"You like that name?" Ted gave her a crooked smile. "You can have it,"
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Ted sat tapping his quill against his notes and not revising like he should have been. Instead he was thinking about everything that had happened; like he had been for the past four days.
His mind swirled until it hurt inside his head. So much had happened and it was all fighting for his attention.
He closed his eyes and the image of Lestrange dropping Malfoy's watch in his hand came unbidden to his mind. A strange thing to think about when there were so many more important events, but why couldn't he get that out of his head?
Malfoy had checked the time and then directed Lestrange to go to the castle. Was something happening at a certain time?
No, Malfoy had checked his watch in the hall too and had been able to find Andromeda immediately.
She had walked off from him again and the first thing he had done was check his watch.
Ted stopped tapping his quill.
The watch.
The watch..
The watch...
That's how he was spying on her. That's how he could find her. That's how he always knew where she was. That's what he had on her.
But if he could see where she was in his watch, how come he had never caught them together? What else did he have on her?
The ring.
The fucking ring!
She had always taken the ring off when they were together. He had never caught them because he had never been able to see them.
But in the changing rooms on Saturday she had it on… But he hadn't had his watch.
No, not until Lestrange gave it to him after the match. And then he had told Lestrange where she was and sent him after her.
Ted stood up so quickly his chair fell backwards.
Andromeda was walking around with a traitor on her hand.
He had to tell her. Now.
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She looked terrified. Ted felt a pang of guilt inside him that he was causing this turmoil in her. This wasn't exactly how he hoped she'd react.
"I love you," He said, not sure if this could soothe her or not.
"The last time we spoke, you told me you couldn't be with me anymore,"
"That had nothing to do with you,"
Andromeda scoffed.
"That was all me and my issues. Dromeda, I am so sorry I hurt you. I never stopped loving you. I never stopped wanting to be with you. I just… Seeing you with him… It drove me crazy,"
Andromeda stood very still.
"You shouldn't be with him. You should be with me," Ted eyes pleaded with her. "You should be marrying me. You should be my wife,"
"Are you serious?" She finally breathed out. "Are you seriously asking me to marry you? This isn't just a ploy to… to sleep with me again?"
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"Take your ring off," Ted muttered the next day in their last Care of Magical Creature lesson.
"Excuse me?" Andromeda whispered back.
"Take it off and come with me," He nodded in the direction of the trees on the edge of the forest.
"Ted," Andromeda started.
"It's not that," He said quickly, but couldn't stop his heart from giving an extra thump knowing that she had just thought about them together.
"I told you-"
"I know what you said," Ted cut her off. "Just… do it. Please,"
Andromeda kept her eyes straight ahead but he saw her fingers twitch. She seemed to be arguing with herself until she finally ripped the black pearl ring off her finger and Ted breathed a sigh of relief.
They meandered their way through the class and then disappeared into the trees.
"This isn't-" Andromeda started as she turned on him.
"He's using the ring to spy on you," Ted said before she could derail the conversation.
"What?" Andromeda gasped.
"He can see it, or you, or something in his watch. It must be charmed,"
"It's not," Andromeda shook her head, waves falling into her face. "I gave him that watch, there's nothing connecting it to my ring,"
Ted pursed his lips. "You gave it to him?" His voice was harsher than he intended.
Andromeda narrowed her eyes. "It was a Christmas gift, Ted, nothing more,"
"You seem to give him a lot of gifts, that's all I'm saying,"
"It's what people do," Andromeda snapped. "On Holidays. And Birthdays. Surely Muggles do the same?"
Ted shoved his jealousy aside. He could deal with that later. "That's how he finds you. That's how he knows what you're doing all the time."
Andromeda stared at him for a moment before opening her honey eyes wide. Ted couldn't help but start to grin as he saw something flicker deep in them.
"That's why he got so mad when I was taking it off…" Andromeda seemed to be putting her own puzzle pieces together. She placed her hand over her pocket where the ring currently sat. "He couldn't see me… Bloody Salazar, he told me!"
She turned her face back up to Ted.
"He slipped up, months ago, and told me he couldn't see me when I didn't have it on! Ted," Andromeda placed her hands on his chest and Ted felt his heartbeat quicken.
She must have felt it because she jumped back, lifting her hands from his chest.
A tense moment passed between them where Andromeda seemed to be gathering herself and Ted tried not to pull her into his arms.
"I know you said that-"
"And I meant it," Andromeda finished, her eyes sad.
Ted took a deep breath.
"We need to get back,"
"Wait," He reached out and caught her hand. "Please,"
"Ted,"
"Have you…"
Andromeda shook her head.
"Dromeda," He said her name softly.
"Soon," She said softly and pulled her hand from his, returning to the class in the clearing.
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"Not a ploy," Ted ran his hands over her arms and down to her hips. "But if you're offering…"
Andromeda pulled back out of his grasp. "So what is your plan then?" She asked.
"We run away together and get married." Ted said plainly. "I thought I explained this. Let me try again," He took a step towards her and took her hand in his. It slid in perfectly, filling the empty space of his palm. "Andromeda, will you-"
"Stop asking me that!" She shrieked and pulled her hand back.
"Is that your answer then?" Ted felt something hot spread through his chest and not at all in a pleasant way.
"No," Andromeda said. "I… I…" She stumbled. "Can we talk about this?"
"What's there to talk about? I love you and you love me. I don't understand," Ted shook his head and a few strands of hair fell in his eyes.
She closed her eyes and her face looked strained. "Ted, I am not saying no to you, but…" She sighed and opened her honey eyes again. "I need time."
"Dromeda, you know I'd give you anything in the world, but we don't have time,"
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Andromeda stared at nothing. All of her attention was turned inside her own head. The food on the plate in front of her remained untouched, her silverware still placed neatly on either side of the plate.
"Love, you aren't going to eat anything?" Lucius asked gently.
Andromeda blinked and was brought back to the present by his voice.
"What? Oh," She looked around as if just now realizing where she was and what she was supposed to be doing.
"Don't worry," Narcissa said with a smile. "It will fit just fine,"
Andromeda's brows pulled together. "What are you talking about?"
"Your dress!" Narcissa said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Your fitting is tomorrow… Isn't that why you're not eating? Worried about the dress fitting right?"
"Yes, of course," Andromeda said quickly. "The dress, yes,"
Lucius wrapped his arm around her waist and leaned in close to her. "You look wonderful, as always," He whispered. "Good enough to eat," He murmured in her ear and let his lips brush against her.
His hand tightened on her waist and he pulled her against him.
"But maybe skip the cauldron cake tonight, hmm?"
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"What about Narcissa?" Andromeda asked. "I'm supposed to just leave my little sister to ruin then?"
"You deserve to be happy too! We can figure something out. Together. But if you marry him then it's all over."
"You think I don't know that?" Andromeda said harshly. "You think I don't know exactly what marrying Lucius means? You said that you think about my wedding night and it drives you mad. How do you think it makes me feel? Knowing that he's going to…" Her chest heaved with each breath.
"Dromeda," Ted reached for her again and she did not pull away.
"Do you think I don't know what that night is going to be like?" She asked in a soft voice. "I know what he's going to do. And… And I can't stand the thought of him… where you've been," She said barely whispering.
Ted swallowed hard and closed his eyes for a moment. However horribly he felt about that night, she must have felt ten times worse.
"Teddy," Andromeda placed her hands on either side of his neck and his skin burned under her palms.
There were tears in her eyes. Everything about her face, her body, her eyes was screaming, pleading with him to take her. To save her.
His lips were on hers in a heartbeat. He wrapped a hand around her back and let the other rise up into her hair. The emotions running between them were almost too much and Ted felt his own heart bubble over with echoing her despair and desperation. But having her in his arms again was so good it was almost painful. No matter, he wasn't letting go for the world.
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Lucius watched Andromeda out of the corner of his eye. She had been strangely quiet this entire week, often staring off into the distance with a blank expression on her face.
He placed his hand on her thigh. Sweet Salazar, he loved the way her thighs felt. Soft, warm, and smooth under his palm. He couldn't wait to spread them open and place himself inside of them. He had been so close, so many times. He had her under him, writhing and screaming, but had never actually taken her.
Lucius felt his body responding involuntarily to his thoughts of her. The common room was still too full to do anything here, but the closer they got to the wedding the less he could control himself.
He leaned into her neck, smelling the citrusy floral scent of her, which only made his blood pump faster, and all in one direction.
"Come to my bed," He breathed out against her skin.
"Lucius," Andromeda sighed.
"Spread your legs for me," He continued, trailing his fingers lightly up her skin and under her skirt.
"Lucius!" She said more insistently and grabbed his hand.
He didn't stop. Instead he pushed his hand up farther under her skirt and while wrapping the other around her shoulders, holding her against him.
"I don't want to wait anymore," He growled.
"Stop this," She hissed.
"No," He said in a low voice.
Andromeda's eyes cut quickly to his and he enjoyed the small flicker of fear in them. He took advantage of her distraction and pushed his hand farther up, reaching the warmth of her center. Only a thin layer of fabric kept him from actually feeling her.
"This," He pressed his hand against her and Andromeda stifled a gasp. "This is mine. And I want it,"
"You're embarrassing me." Andromeda said in a fierce whisper. "You're embarrassing yourself,"
Lucius breathed heavily. "You're embarrassing me," He snapped back. "You're my fiancée and you won't even let me touch you,"
"I wonder why," Andromeda said snidely.
"I wonder why too," Lucius' voice turned dark. "Because I know how much you need it, love. You used to whimper on my hand for hours,"
Andromeda shook her head in disgust.
"Or have you forgotten how I used to make you scream? Hmm? Need a reminder?" Lucius flicked his fingers against her making her jump.
"Get your hands off me," She said in a curt voice.
"Ask nicely," Lucius teased.
Andromeda's pride fought inside her chest. Is this what she had been reduced to? Begging him not to touch her?
She grabbed her wand from beside her and shoved the tip of it under his chin. "Remove your hands, Lucius," She said dangerously.
His grey eyes turned cold as he stared into her fiery amber eyes.
"Don't make me take that wand from you," He said in a low voice, but she didn't remove it.
"Do your worst," Andromeda snarled.
Lucius chewed on the inside of his lip for a moment before sliding his hands from around her.
She jumped up and moved out of his reach.
"Don't worry," Lucius said darkly and Andromeda looked over at him again. "I will,"
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"Ted we can't," Andromeda turned her face away from him.
Ted took a deep breath and rested his head against her cheek.
"Just say yes," He said. "Just say yes and we can do anything."
"I can't say yes," She whimpered. "But I can't say no either,"
Ted's face pulled in frustration, but his hands were gentle on her.
"Baby," Ted tried to keep his voice from cracking.
"You've had time to think about this. You had time to come to the decision to ask me to… But this just happened to me. Do you understand what I am saying? I need time,"
If he tried to hold onto her, he would drive her away. That's what Lucius did; he pushed and pulled her trying to hold onto her. He didn't listen to her. He didn't give her what she needed.
She had asked him for time before, by the lake, and she had come back to him. He prayed she would do the same thing this time.
Ted closed his eyes and nodded.
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Ted watched Andromeda stand up and walk out of the Great Hall flanked by Lucius and Narcissa on either side. Today was the last Hogsmeade visit of the year but many students were opting to stay back to study for exams which started on Monday.
One last week.
Andromeda had still not given him an answer and was keeping up appearances with Lucius as if everything was fine. He was trying to respect her decision and give her time and space to think about it, but he felt like the walls were closing in on him everytime he saw her with Lucius.
His pale hand rested on the small of her back, guiding her through the crowd of students making their way to the Courtyard. Ted lost sight of her as more students filed in, taking up the open spaces and spilling onto the path down to the village.
He craned his neck around and saw Howard and Imogen walking hand in hand. He had reached out to both of them and apologized for his behavior. Howard had forgiven him, but Imogen had taken a little convincing and explaining in order to get her to come back around.
Losing the Cup had hit her hard.
It was a balmy morning and the sun shone through a haze of humidity. Ted felt sweat prickle on his skin as he trudged along the winding path. Soon the thatched roofs of Hogsmeade came into view and he picked up his pace a little.
He checked Honeydukes first. But Andromeda was not there and the fact that the shelf of Peppermint Toads was still stocked let him know that she hadn't made a visit yet.
He popped his head in a few more stores and the Three Broomsticks before he caught sight of Narcissa standing outside Gladrags Wizard Wear talking to Malfoy. He made his way forward and saw a sign in the window that read. "Closed for Private Fitting".
Ted ducked into the alley beside the store and crouched against the cool stone wall.
"No, you can't come in," Narcissa said firmly as she crossed her arms.
"I paid for it so I have a right to see it," Lucius argued back.
"You will, but not today," She raised her chin and Ted was struck by her similarity to Andromeda in this moment.
Apparently Malfoy was too because his face softened and a smirk appeared on it. "You're cute when you argue," He said softly.
Narcissa blushed and Malfoy reached up a hand to push her hair behind her shoulder the same exact way he often did to Andromeda. "What will you be wearing to the wedding?" He asked in a low voice.
Ted felt his blood boil. Malfoy was flirting with another girl; and not just any girl, Andromeda's own sister.
"Bridesmaids are wearing black," She said in a small voice, dropping her eyes.
"Then we'll match," Lucius purred and brushed his fingers over her jawline.
Ted clenched his teeth together and with one last glance at Narcissa and Lucius, he hurried down the alley and around the back of the store. If the shop was closed and they were both outside, it could only mean that she was alone in there.
The back door was locked but a quick Alohomora let him in and Ted snuck through the racks of robes and clothes in the storeroom until he came to a door marked "Fitting Room". He took a deep breath and opened it.
Andromeda turned, her ashen waves spilling around her shoulders and her honey eyes opened wide in surprise as her mouth made a small O shape.
She had on the finest gown he had ever seen. White silk that seemed to be made from a part of her, it fit her curves so well. Black lace was sown into it and trailed down the back and into the train.
It seemed to be just barely clinging to her, as if it could slip off with the slightest touch but at the same time clung her chest tightly and her breasts pushed against the fabric dangerously before it slid over her body and hugged her hips, outlining her backside in a way that made Ted's heart thump too hard to be healthy.
He felt unworthy to stand in the same room as her in his old khaki pants, faded t-shirt, and stained sneakers. He had forgotten to wear socks again. What must she think of him with his scruffy stubble covering his face and hair that he hadn't washed in two days.
He closed the door and leaned against it for support as he stared at her. She really was a goddess.
"Ted…" She breathed out. "What are you doing here?"
Ted knew right then exactly what he was doing here. He reached behind him and twisted the lock on the door.
"You can't be here!" Andromeda whispered feverishly as she gathered the dress up and stepped off the platform she had been standing on in front of the trifold mirror.
"You're beautiful," Ted breathed out, unable to take his eyes off of her. He had thought she was here picking out a gown for the Gala; he had no idea she would be trying on her wedding dress. She looked ethereal.
He couldn't help but imagine her walking down the aisle. Towards him.
Ted took a few steps towards her.
"Ted… if you're found…" Her chest heaved against the dress as she gulped down large breaths.
"I don't care," Ted said softly as he moved towards her. "He can do whatever he wants to me," Ted placed his hands on her bare arms. "I had to see you," He whispered and leaned his head down towards her.
"Teddy," Andromeda said softly. "You shouldn't have to see me like this…"
Ted lifted her face up to his. "You look… divine." Ted ran his nose along hers. "My goddess," He breathed out and rested his forehead against hers.
Goosebumps broke out over her skin. She had spent the last week going over everything, thinking and overthinking. All she had wanted to do was run to Ted and throw herself in his arms, telling him yes a thousand times, but Narcissa kept coming to the forefront of her mind, holding her in place.
She had spent their two weeks apart hardening her heart and closing herself off, but his proposal had cracked a crack that had only widened more every day. She felt in danger of being swept away by it.
But having him here, being alone with him, was weakening her resolve.
"I've missed you so much," She said barely above a whisper.
"I'm right here," Ted murmured. Her honey eyes locked onto his chocolate ones and Ted brushed his fingers over her cheek softly. "And I'm not going anywhere,"
Andromeda's breath was coming in short gasps now. Her body tightened and she felt a warmth spread through her and settle in her lower stomach as Ted's fingers moved over her skin lightly.
"You shouldn't be," She said softly.
"Tell me to go then," Ted said, his lips barely moving.
Andromeda felt her knees go weak under the long gown and she leaned into him more.
"Tell me to leave," Ted's hands trailed down the skin on her arms and he slid them onto her waist. "I'll do whatever you want, Andromeda," His breath moved over her lips. "Just tell me what you want,"
She had agreed to a dress fitting with Narcissa today and Lucius had arranged for her gown to be brought here. They were right outside, waiting on her to tell she was done putting it on. It would be reckless to do anything but she just couldn't help herself.
"Kiss me," She breathed out against his lips and Ted crashed his mouth onto hers. She felt the prickle of his stubble against her face.
His hands moved over her back and into her hair, pulling her against him as he pressed his body into hers. They stumbled backwards and Ted pushed her against the mirror roughly, his shoulders curving forward. His hands moved over her quickly with a gentle pressure so that he could feel every inch of her under the silk dress.
"Andromeda," He breathed out as he trailed kisses down her neck. "I love you. Don't leave me. Don't marry him," He whispered against her ear.
Andromeda whimpered as Ted's large hands ran down her sides and pulled at the skirt of her gown. He lifted her up and placed her on his hips, pushing her back into the mirror. She dropped her hands to his waist and pulled his pants open quickly.
"Oh God," Ted groaned out before kissing her deeply again.
Andromeda shifted slightly and felt his stiff cock against her. Her eyes opened wide as she looked down into his dark gaze. He grabbed her waist, lifting her slightly until he was pressed at her entrance.
Andromeda was fully aware that she was wearing the wedding dress that Lucius had made for her for their wedding and was about to cheat on him with Ted. Again. She didn't care. She lowered herself onto him with a small moan as he stretched and filled her.
Ted groaned and wrapped his hand around the back of her neck, pulling her lips back onto his as he moved his hips against hers, pushing more of himself inside her.
"Ted!" She gasped.
Hearing her call out his name in pleasure as she wore Malfoy's dress was almost too much for him and Ted rested his head in the crook of her neck as she moved against him, sliding up and down on him.
Her nails dug into his shoulders and she clung onto him, her mouth opened but only short breaths came out as she tried to be quiet.
Ted grunted as he pushed himself deeper into her and Andromeda gave a small high-pitched moan. She grabbed onto the back of his neck and held onto him tightly as he thrust into her over and over, pressing her into the mirror behind her.
"You're mine," Ted panted. "No matter what happens, you'll always be mine,"
"Yes," Andromeda gasped. "All yours,"
Andromeda closed her eyes tightly as she felt her body tighten around him and gasped as pleasure shot through her.
"Andromeda?" Narcissa's voice sounded from outside the room and they heard a small knock on the door. "Are you still in there?"
Her eyes flew open and Ted pushed into her harder. She bit her lip for a second to stop herself from crying out.
"Yes!" She said in a high voice. "Just… Just a little more,"
"What?" Narcissa asked confused.
"Time!" Andromeda gasped. "Just give me a minute!"
Ted buried his face against her neck as he quickened his pace.
"Andromeda," Lucius' deep voice called from the hall.
Andromeda felt panic run down her spine and Ted made a small noise as she clenched tightly around him.
The doorknob turned back and forth. "Why is this door locked?" Lucius' asked.
"I'm… I'm almost done!" She gasped out as she felt a wave of pleasure rush over her and threw her head back against the mirror. Ted kissed down her neck and over her chest.
"Andromeda, open the door," Lucius ordered.
Ted kissed her passionately as he pulled out almost all the way and slid back into her, pulling her hips down onto his as he burst deeply inside of her.
Time seemed to stop for a moment as Ted pulled back and his deep brown eyes met her shining golden ones.
"Andromeda, this isn't funny," Narcissa whined and knocked on the door.
Ted chewed on the inside of his lip in frustration before placing her back on the ground and fastening his pants back.
Andromeda felt unsteady on her legs. She ran her hand over the silky fabric, trying to smooth it back out.
Ted seemed frozen in place in front of her, a dazed look on his face as he watched her. She glanced around, looking for anywhere he could hide.
"Open the door, I want to see!" Narcissa said from the other side.
There was a small storage closet off to the side and Andromeda shoved Ted towards it.
"No," Ted refused to be moved. "I'm don't want to hide anymore," He mumbled.
"Teddy," Andromeda pushed on his chest. "Teddy, please!" She whispered urgently.
"Love," Lucius said the word with none of it's feeling in it.
Andromeda felt his muscles clench under her hands at Lucius' voice.
"I'm begging you," She ran her hands up to grasp his face.
Ted was torn between following her instruction and hiding in the closet or yanking the door open himself and telling Lucius everything.
"Andromeda, open this door now," Lucius said darkly.
"One second!" She shouted over his shoulder.
But it was that kind of thinking that almost made him lose her so Ted sighed and allowed Andromeda to push him into the closet, grasping her hand as she started to shut the door.
"Stay, please stay," She pleaded.
"I love you," Ted said in a low voice.
"No matter what," She squeezed his hand.
Andromeda turned, but Ted held fast to her. He couldn't let her go, not yet. She turned back to him and pressed herself against him, lightly touching his face as her full lips landed back on his ardently. They were gone before he could react and she snapped the door shut.
"I'm coming in," Lucius growled.
A flash of light and the fitting room door unlocked as the storage closet door closed.
Andromeda jumped back to the pedestal in front of the mirrors and tossed her hair back over her shoulders as Lucius and Narcissa spilled into the room.
She cleared her throat and straightened the dress out again.
Narcissa's blue eyes welled up with tears and she covered her mouth with her small hands. "Andromeda!" She cooed.
Lucius' grey eyes moved over her eagerly and Andromeda only hoped that her cheeks were not too pink and flushed.
"Look at you," He said with wonder. "You're a vision,"
Andromeda smiled politely as best as she could, still trying to catch her breath.
"I tried to tell him it's bad luck to see the bride in the dress before the wedding," Narcissa explained. "But he wouldn't listen," She said with a cheeky smile at him.
Lucius returned it before turning back to Andromeda.
"Well if anything happens, then I know who to blame," Andromeda said smoothly.
Ted bit his lip to keep from laughing in his hiding place in the closet.
Lucius walked around her, taking her in from every angle. She felt his hand on her hip. "It's torn," He said with a frown.
"What?" Andromeda gasped.
"Just here," He fingered a tear in the dress.
"Oh no!" Narcissa cried and ran to his side.
"Oh," Andromeda said easily. "That must have happened when I putting it on,"
Ted held his breath. There was no way that Lucius could know, could he?
Lucius looked up at her with watchful eyes. "It can be fixed." He said smoothly.
"I'm going to get Mrs. Stolas," Narcissa said and hurried from the room.
Lucius ran his fingers over the tear again, brushing her skin underneath.
"It's not the only tear this dress will get," He said in a low voice.
Ted pulled out his wand and placed his hand on the doorknob.
Andromeda took a shaky breath.
Lucius stepped up onto the platform with her, his body right next to hers. He grabbed her waist and spun her around to face the mirrors as he took his place behind her, wrapping his arms around her midriff and resting his head on her shoulder.
"Do you like it?" He asked softly. "I had it made especially for you,"
"It's a beautiful dress," Andromeda said softly.
"You know I would give you anything, anything you asked for," He dropped his hands to her hips, digging his fingers into her.
"I know," She breathed.
"All I ask in return," Lucius let his smooth cheek slide against hers, "Is obedience. That's not so hard, is it?"
Andromeda kept silent.
He stuck his fingers back in the tear at her side. "Good girl," He purred.
Lucius played with the torn lace, letting his finger brush over her skin. "I don't think I'll be able to make it through the wedding with you looking like this," He whispered into her ear.
Andromeda was happy that Ted was not able to hear him. She could only hope he would stay hidden.
But for a brief moment she imagined that he didn't. That he came storming out, grabbed her by the hand and ran off with her.
Her pulse quickened and she saw herself blush in the mirror.
"Like that, do you?" Lucius chuckled, thinking her reaction was due to him. "Don't worry love," He kissed her cheek and pulled her back, resting his hands on her body again. "Soon,"
Ted leaned his head against the back of the door and took a deep breath.
.
.
.
Andromeda trailed her fingers over the skin on his neck and down to his chest, resting on top of his heart.
He had hoped she would say yes and fall into his arms but he had known that had been a long shot. Andromeda was practical and careful. And she was right. He had known for days, weeks, that he wanted to ask her this. She had just spent the last two weeks thinking he didn't want her anymore. Of course she would need some time.
"When… When will you tell me?" Ted asked softly.
"Soon," She breathed out.
.
.
.
A/N: Okay so I know this is a bit of a filler one, but I promise, I am going somewhere with this. I am actually writing the next chapter as you're reading this. It's one I have been planning for a while so hopefully it won't take me too long to get it all out.
Thank you everyone for the reviews, especially those who are international! Wow! I can't believe this fic has reached so many people. I can't wait to read more of your reviews so please please please!