Trigger Warnings: Violence, language, suggestive themes

Andromeda carried her books in her arms, rushing to her Defense Against the Dark Arts class. She had woken up later (likely due to the events of last night) and realized she would be late to class. Barely having a chance to get ready, she pulled her hair up into a very messy bun and slid on her uniform before walking out the door.

She walked out from the dungeons with a quick pace and began to walk towards the other end of the castle. There were times when she felt like her eyes were becoming hard to keep open, but nonetheless she kept her quick pace.

"Ow!" She exclaimed falling on the ground. Her books fell out of her hands and scattered across the floor. Andromeda looked up to see that she had bumped into someone. A tall, slightly pudgy boy with light hair stared at her in shock.

"I'm sorry, are you alright? he asked, holding out his hand in front of her. He looked so...familiar and he felt familiar too. She felt heat rise to her cheeks as she suddenly became rather quiet, unsure of what to say. Oddly enough the first thing that came to her attention were his shoes-they were quite odd. They were purple and blue and silver and probably every color imaginable with colorful printed stars on them. Andromeda looked up at his empty hand and then turned to her books that had fallen cross the floor.

"Oh right," he said quickly bending over to pick up her books. Andromeda studied his face and recognized that he was a hufflepuff boy in her year. She couldn't remember his name though.

Once he had picked up her books he crouched down in front of her so that he was eye level with her and looked at her. Andromeda immediately gave him a look and stood up, taking her books from him.

"Thank you, sorry I-I'm just tired. I didn't mean to I swear, I know that you might think otherwise you know because..." she stopped herself, feeling like she had said to much and apologized to him again , looking down at the ground.

The boy watched her intently, not moving one bit and waiting for her to finish patiently.

"It's alright. Did you have a good summer?" He asked with a small smile. Andromeda knitted her eyebrows. Why was he talking to her, like he knew her? She bit her lip before opening her mouth to respond to him.

"It was pleasant, what about yours?" She asked.

"Great," he said, grinning at her again. He looked at the ground before shifting his attention back to her.

"It's Ted by the way. Ted Tonks, or Edward if you prefer that I suppose", he said moving his books to his other arm.

Andromeda nodded at him and swept a piece of her hair behind her ear.

"Right. I'm Andromeda-"

Ted raised his eyebrows and gave a low chuckle.

"You think my names funny?" She asked, becoming defensive.

Ted's laughter stopped in that moment and he looked at her in the eyes, giving her a small grin.

"Oh no, it's just I've known you since first year," he explained. "We've just never talked".

"Until I crashed into you," Andromeda said with a small smile. "I'm such an idiot," she muttered to herself a little too loudly.

"If it makes you feel any better I'm quite clumsy myself, it was probably part on me as well," he admitted, scratching his head.

Andromeda stared at him. Did he just call her clumsy? Honestly, does he hear himself talking right now? Andromeda gave him a small smile.

"Right. Well, I've got to be off," Andromeda said, beginning to walk past him. Anything to get out of this already uncomfortable situation..

"Oh, yeah," he said watching her walk past him.

"Also, I-I think Andromeda is a beautiful name," he said giving her a soft smile. Andromeda didn't realize at first but she turned to face him and returned his smile.

Ted stared at her until she was out of sight and then turned in the other direction, nearly bumping into her another person-or people rather. Ted gave a small sympathetic smile as he came close to colliding with a Gryffindor boy with messy hair, who was walking with a group of three other boys. Ted didn't say anything but he thought that maybe it would be easier for them to not walk in a line, that way maybe they didn't take up the entire hall..

The marauders continued to walk down the hallway, books in their hands. "What the hell was that about?" Asked Sirius turning to James.

"Dunno," James said simply, looking back to see if the boy was out of sight. Sirius rolled his eyes and gave a huff before walking towards a nearby classroom.

"I'll see you at the Quidditch Pitch, right Prongs?" He asked. James nodded before giving Sirius a swift wave and watching him disappear into the room.

"Where are you off to Moony?" James asked. Remus clutched his books to his chest and looked at James.

"Transfiguration. I'm a bit early, but I like to be prepared," Remus said, checking to make sure he had all his materials. James nodded.

"Wormtail and I are heading to Divination," James said cheerfully, giving Peter a pointed look.

Remus smiled and looked at the two of them.

"And when does that begin?" He asked.

"It started half an hour ago".

--

After the long day, Remus began to head up to the common room to relax And begin some assignments. He opened the door to see that nobody else was in the room except for Lily. He quietly walked over to a spot by the fireplace and set his things down before taking out his book and a quill.

Lily turned around to face him. She had started working on the Transfiguration homework but seemed stuck. They were to write an essay on the process of becoming an animagus, which Lily quite frankly, did not understand (but she was not willing to admit it). She swallowed and looked at Remus, hoping to catch his eye.

Without any luck, she grabbed her quill and paper and walked over to him, going to sit to his left.

"Do you mind if I sit here?" She asked, having already sat down. Remus grinned and shook his head, looking over at what Lily was doing.

"That essay is horrific," he said giving a small laugh.

Lily gave him a smile. She rolled her eyes at him and then raised her eyebrows, looking at him. "You say that but knowing you you've probably already finished," she said.

Remus let out a light laugh before showcasing his blank piece of paper next to his quill, giving Lily a side smirk.

"I'm shocked, Lupin," she said gaping. She crossed her legs before showing him her piece of paper, which was half full and picking up her quill. "I've just started, although I'm considering starting over again," she admitted, reading through her work.

"I think-"

Remus was interrupted by a loud slamming of one of the dorm doors and looked up to see Sirius rushing out the door with his Quidditch equipment. He smiled to himself before returning his attention back to the assignment.

Sirius, on the other hand, was on a mission to get to the Quidditch Pitch in time. He was notorious for being late and he wanted to prove his worth and dedication, especially where James had made Captain this year. He sprinted down the hallway with his broom in his hand and his bag in the other. He stumbled down the stairs, losing his grip on his broom as watching it fall to the ground.

"Damn it," he grunted. He watched someone pick it up as it fell to the ground. Fortunately, as the person came closer into view he could see it was Andromeda. She handed him his broom without saying a word and continued up the stair. Sirius stared at her for a moment. She looked..off. Her eyes were red and droopy and she was moving very slow, which was rather uncommon for her. Sirius turned around to face her.

"Andy?" He called, stopping his pace. She turned around on her heel before meeting his eyes and biting her bottom lip, waiting for whatever he had to say next.

Sirius paused for a moment and then looked back at her.

"Meet me by the tower in two hours, alright?" He said. He wasn't asking her, he was telling her to and he hoped she understood that. Andromeda gave a single nod before walking off, not saying a word.

Sirius watched her walk off for a couple seconds before sighing and retreading towards the bottom of the stairs. He hopped off and sprinted towards the end of the castle.

When he finally reached the Quidditch Pitch he felt exhausted and was not prepared to be doing more physical activity. He squinted his eyes as he saw James, Frank Longbottom, Kingsley Shacklesbolt, the Prewett brothers and a few newbies that he didn't recognize. He also noticed that on the other side of them stood Rabastan Lestrange, Evan Rosier, Lucius Malfoy, Regulus and several other Slytherins he didn't know. He was perplexed as to why both teams were out on the pitch.

Heading over to James, Sirius greeted him by patting him on the shoulder. "What's going on?" He asked, motioning towards the Slytherin team.

James rolled his eyes. He picked up his broom that he had laid on the ground and began to walk over to the field.

"They're just looking to show off," he said simply, ignoring them

He could hear them laughing about something and then cringed as he heard Rabastan's voice.

"I'm a bit sleepy today so my apologies if I'm sloppy. Busy night last night. Any guesses on the lucky lady?" Rabastan smirked, looking around at his teammates. Lucius tolled his eyes while a couple others wolf whistled.

Rabastan raised his eyebrows and gave a slight smirk, making eye contact with Sirius.

"I bet Sirius will know," he said quietly, walking closer to him.

Sirius sucked in a breath and walked two steps before punching him square in the face.