A/N: Sorry for the late update! I actually had some health issues that kind of took me away from everything, but I seem to be on the mend? Wish me well. Also, I do suggest listening to the soundtrack for this chapter.
Soundtrack- Tony Anderson's "Delusion" and "The Darkest Night", SYML's "The Dark" and Amber Run's "Heaven is a Place"
.
.
.
Ted spun around quickly, raising his wand, but Lucius had already yelled out "Expelliarmus!" and Ted's wand went flying across the stall.
Ted had spent most of his energy and strength breaking into the Manor, but he reckoned he still had enough left to pummel Lucius into the ground. He started toward him, but was stopped as another jet of light hit him and pushed him back against the wall.
"You see, Tonks," Lucius started, talking as casually as they were simply discussing homework back in school. "Little Andromeda likes to be hurt. In fact," He smirked darkly at him. "She would never even get wet until I made her scream for me."
Ted clenched his jaw and pushed himself back up. He had learned his lesson. He wasn't going to let anything Malfoy said get under his skin. He had been playing Ted for years this way, but no longer. Andromeda had chosen him time and time again. She had given up her fortune, her family, her wand for him. Yes, she had a history with Lucius and a long one at that, but none of that mattered anymore. Not in comparison to what they had together. Lucius' kidnapping of her was only a sick parody of what being with Andromeda was really like and that was something that Lucius would never understand.
Lucius' cold eyes narrowed in on Ted. A part of him had almost hoped Tonks would turn up to try at some desperate plan to rescue her. He hated the Mudblood almost as much as he hated the Blood Traitor. Lucius had wanted Tonks to know he had Andromeda. That's why he had left the watch for him, on his friend's dead body. That's why he had left her wand-
His face fell. He had forgotten about her wand…
"Stupefy!" Ted shot an angry stream of light at him and Lucius was pushed back roughly across the stall, slamming into the half door, which gave way under him, allowing him to spill out unceremoniously.
Ted glanced down at Andromeda, still chained with no clear way how to set her free. He could use these few precious moments to pull at the chains and hope to find a way to unhinge them from the wall or…
"He won't stay down long," Andromeda said seriously. "Get his wand!"
"Accio wand!" Ted shouted and Lucius' wand flew through the air towards him. Ted turned back to Andromeda and the problem of the chains holding her here. He tried a few spells on the shackles, hoping he would get lucky, but nothing seemed to work. The sparks just bounced right off of them.
Lucius groaned and Andromeda twisted on the floor. "Hurry!" She hissed, pulling at them frantically. His deep brown eyes locked on her nervous amber ones and he set his resolve.
Ted turned his attention to the wall around the chains. If he tried to blast it or burn it, it could hurt Andromeda. But they were quickly running out of options.
Lucius pulled himself up, pushing his pale blonde hair out of his face. He glared at the Mudblood and saw his wand in his hand. He wasn't about to let that piece of shit take anything else of his.
"TED!" Andromeda shouted and kicked her leg out, tripping Lucius as he ran towards Ted. Her warning and quick movement gave Ted just enough time to turn around before Lucius slammed into him and the two hit the wall roughly, grunting with the effort to try and overpower one another.
Ted felt his earlier activity on the gate coming back to haunt him. His arms felt like lead and his shoulders were stiff. Ted's strength, which had always been greater than Lucius' was quickly wearing out. He jammed Andromeda's wand up against his opponent and growled out "Incendio!"
He bore the burning sensation against his own chest, knowing that it would drive Lucius back off of him at least. The blonde wizard hissed and pulled back slightly and Ted was able to bring Andromeda's wand up in between them. He might be weaker now, but at least he was armed.
Lucius dove towards his wand on the ground next to Andromeda. She viciously kicked out, sending it sliding across the stall and out of his reach. Lucius snarled nastily, lip curling as he glanced between Ted and Andromeda, deciding if it was worth trying to rush Ted again or not.
His moment of indecision gave Ted just enough time to send another curse streaming at him and Lucius lunged out of the way. He hated not having a wand to be able to cast a shield charm around himself; he was utterly defenseless, unless… He threw himself on top of Andromeda who gasped in pain under the sudden feeling of his weight on her.
"Get off her!" Ted shouted. Lucius smirked, knowing Ted would not risk hitting her by accident. He had found his shield. Lucius shifted to the side and pulled Andromeda's body as much as the chains would allow until she was in his lap. Ted's rich eyes burned fiercely as he realized what Lucius had done and why.
Lucius snaked a hand up, grabbing her throat lightly. Ted raised her wand higher, but Andromeda was still too close to Lucius for his liking.
"Here's the difference between you and I, Mudblood," Lucius sneered. "I don't want to kill her," He caressed her neck with his fingers. "But if Andromeda has shown me anything, it's that we don't always get what we want."
"Let her go." Ted said dangerously.
"So you can curse me to bits? No, I don't think so," He pulled her further against him and Andromeda made a small noise in objection.
Andromeda's arms were straining hard against the chains. Lucius had placed himself almost complete between herself and the wall, holding her tightly around the waist and neck, his arm resting heavily on her chest.
"Do it, Ted." Andromeda said, locking her eyes on his face. "Do it." She raised her chin up and Lucius' hand spread a bit farther over her throat.
Ted hesitated. There were too many factors. He could miss and hit her instead. Lucius was quick, he remembered that much from facing off in Quidditch, and he could easily move Andromeda in front of him. Or he could squeeze the life from her right in front of Ted. He could never forgive himself if something happened to Andromeda. Not after Howard…
"Yeah, Ted," Lucius sneered. "Take your shot. Let's see how much magic actually there is in your muddy blood."
Ted's earthy eyes darted back and forth between Lucius and Andromeda.
"Ted, it's okay." Andromeda tried hard to keep her voice calm. "I love you. I trust you. I forgive you."
"NO!" Lucius shouted and the chains clicked open.
Andromeda's arms fell heavily down at her sides. Pain shot up them as the blood rushed through her veins, bringing them back to life.
Ted's eyes widened. There were dark bruises already forming where the chains had dug into her but she was free.
Lucius growled and tightened his grip on her throat so that she was choking down each breath. Her arms felt heavy but she was able to bring up her hands to claw at his hand on her throat, trying to pry his fingers from her.
"You stupid bitch," Lucius snarled in her ear. "This doesn't change anything!" Lucius shouted, glaring up at Ted. "Drop the wand and kick it over here or I'll let you watch the light leave her eyes."
Ted couldn't breathe. He couldn't move. There were three wands in this stall but two of them were lost somewhere in the straw. He had the only one currently in use. He had Andromeda's wand. But Lucius had Andromeda.
Ted lowered the wand.
"No…" Andromeda forced the word out, struggling against Lucius who was holding her in a vice-like grip.
Ted's heart felt like it might beat hard enough to break out of his chest as he tossed the wand over towards Lucius and it landed softly on the straw next to him.
Andromeda abandoned her fight with his hand at her throat to reach for it as well. Her hand closed over it and sparks shot out of it at her very touch. The wand wanted to be back in her hand.
Lucius' fist closed over hers, fighting her for control of it. She wouldn't let go but he was stronger and they struggled together for its use. Suddenly, Lucius slipped his hand forward, gripping the thin wood.
"Incarcerous!" Lucius shouted and ropes shot out of her wand, winding their way around Ted's arms, pinning them to his side. He roared wildly, spooking the horses in the stalls nearby. He stumbled and fell against the side of the stall, sinking down, unbalanced by his ties.
"TED!" Andromeda shouted hoarsely and Lucius wrestled her hand and her wand to the ground.
"Now," Lucius said with a nasty glee. "Be a good little girl and hand it over to me or I won't be so nice next time."
"Go to Hell," Andromeda snarled.
Lucius dipped his head down to her neck, keeping his grey eyes trained on Ted's dark ones. "I'll be taking you with me," He said sickly.
"Dromeda!" Ted struggled against his bonds, but they only seemed to tighten around him like snakes until he was gasping and panting for breath.
"As much fun as this is," Lucius smirked. "I think we can all agree that I've won our… little game." Andromeda glanced at Ted; they had been so close… "And I'm not looking for a rematch," He snapped.
Andromeda was fighting for every breath. She felt like she had been doing this for years. She couldn't help but think of the dream she had with Ted chained in the dungeon; she couldn't let that happen to him. Not if she could help it. She hadn't been able to stop Howard from dying, but she might be able to give Ted his life back.
"You're right, Lucius," Andromeda gasped and Lucius loosened his grip on her throat slightly to allow her to speak easier.
"Andromeda…" Ted gasped.
"You're right." She repeated. "But you haven't won yet. Not entirely. But you can," She added. "If you want."
She could feel his pulse quicken. He was listening.
"Narcissa took the Vow for you," Andromeda tried to keep her voice calm as she said the words. "I'll take it too."
"No!" Ted shouted and struggled against the ropes again until his skin began to turn red. "Andromeda, what are you doing?!"
Lucius began to laugh darkly.
Andromeda could not meet Ted's eyes, not now. She swallowed hard and closed her eyes for a moment before going on. "If you let him go and swear not to go after him-"
"NO!" Ted bellowed. "Andromeda, don't do this!"
"I'll stay here. With you."
Lucius spun her, pushing her back against the wall while keeping one hand on her throat and the other on the one holding her wand hand, making sure it was pinned to the ground.
"Why should I believe anything you say?" Lucius snarled. It was clear on his face that he wanted to believe her, but her years of lying had made him wary.
Andromeda knew her words would mean nothing to him right now, not until she took the Vow. So she glanced down at the wand in her hand and waited until his storming eyes followed hers there. Then she opened her hand and let her wand fall from it.
"NO!" Ted roared.
Lucius snatched it up quickly.
Andromeda saw a cruel gleam shine in his eyes for a moment before she watched him raise her wand, point it at Ted and hiss, "Crucio!"
Andromeda's protests were swallowed in Ted's shouts of pain and the curse burned its way around his body. The agony on his face was unbearable, knowing clearly the pain that he was suffering. She lunged towards him, but Lucius shoved her back roughly, spreading his hand out over her chest to hold her against the wall. "Let him go!" She shouted.
Lucius stared at her for a moment longer before turning the wand up and releasing Ted from his torture. He was panting, sweat pouring down his face in rivulets, making his dirty blonde hair stick to his face.
"Dromeda…" He gasped, dark earthy eyes full of anguish.
Andromeda closed her eyes and turned away from him. She couldn't let him turn into the starved creature she had seen in Lucius' dungeon. Even if it meant taking his place there herself.
Lucius' cruel laugh sounded again and she opened her amber eyes to glare up at him.
"I told you, love," Lucius trailed her wand down the side of her face. "I want you to fight." Andromeda's mouth parted in realization. "I have a wife to serve me now. I don't need you for that anymore," He spat. "You would never have been able to please me anyways," he added disdainfully. "Too… proud."
Ted groaned and struggled to catch his breath. The pain still echoed in his bones and he ached as he made it back up to his knees.
"I want to break that," Lucius sneered nastily down at Andromeda. "I want to break you like you broke me."
"Who… Who are you?" Andromeda's brows pulled together, fear and disgust apparent on her face. "You're not Lucius anymore." Lucius' lip curled. "I knew you," She said softly. "You… You would never have done this. Not the boy I knew. Not the one who cried when we got lost-"
Lucius growled slightly. Ted stopped moving, listening to Andromeda's tearful voice.
"You were scared… and you held my hand," She said, as if remembering an old friend.
"And do you know what you did?" Lucius' voice was bitter. Andromeda looked up at him, her honey eyes large. "You kissed me and told me..." He said it as if it was a hateful thing. "You made me think, even back then, that you cared about me."
She had left that part out of her story. Ted didn't feel jealous when he heard this, he felt… sorry for them. Both of them. They had been children living in an adult world with responsibilities heaved on them far beyond their capabilities. No matter so many Purebloods grew up twisted and dark.
"Once we got back I asked my Father to arrange a betrothal for us," Lucius admitted. "He refused. Said you were damaged goods already." Lucius leaned back slightly, frowning. "I don't think I ever really believed it though," He added, dark thoughts in his pale eyes. "Not until I saw you wrapped up in his arms," Lucius glared over at Ted. "The morning after the Gala."
Andromeda pulled herself together, pushing herself against the wall, creating a few inches of space between her and Lucius. She was still weak and had surrendered her wand over. Lucius wasn't scared of her running anymore so he let his hand fall from her neck.
"I tried to tell you-" She said softly.
"No," Lucius interjected, pain evident on his pointed face. "What you told me was that you loved me. That you'd marry me. That's what you fucking told me, Andromeda!"
She broke their gaze, looking beyond him, across the stall and feeling the weight of her guilt and decisions.
"I tried to tell you," Andromeda said soberly. "We hurt each other, Lucius."
He realized what she meant only a second too late. Andromeda was already lunging past him, throwing her body on the ground as her hand reached out, barely closing in on Lucius' wand under a patch of straw.
She flipped over, pointing the wand up at Lucius who had made it to his feet in the time it took her to get to his wand. He was pointing her own down at her with a furious expression on his face.
Andromeda wasn't sure what the wands would do. Each was facing it's master in the hand of a foe. There was a chance they would not work properly. There was a chance they would burn the whole stable down around them.
Lucius must have had the same thought, but he had something Andromeda didn't- a hostage. Her wand swiveled in his hand to point across the stall at Ted.
"I'll kill him." He stated it like a fact. "I'll murder the Mudblood right in front of you. I don't care."
The stakes were too high now. They had done this enough, traded wands, traded places. It was time to end it. She pulled herself up slightly, tucking her legs underneath her.
"Give me back my wand." Lucius ordered.
Andromeda glanced at Ted, glaring daggers up at Lucius.
"Just do it, Lucius." Ted snarled and Lucius swiveled slightly to look at him. "Go ahead, you bastard!" He yelled.
Lucius hand twitched, but Ted did not flinch. His dark earthy eyes swept over to Andromeda and he gave her a quick nod. Her heart flooded with terror at the thought of watching Ted crumple over in front of her the same way Howard had. She couldn't let that happen.
The three of them had been playing the same game for years and Lucius always came out on top. It felt like his game after all; he had laid out the board and had it all fixed so that he would always win. She knew she couldn't beat him, at least not while she was playing under his rules. So Andromeda took his wand in both hands and snapped it.
Lucius looked like he had been cursed. His grey eyes opened wide as he stared at his wand in two pieces in her hands, turning it from a powerful magical object to two wooden shards.
"WHAT DID YOU DO?" He shouted.
Andromeda looked up at him calmly.
"It's what I'm about to do, Lucius." Andromeda said and took the hilt, driving it deep into his thigh, tearing the flesh as she twisted it viciously, driving it in and pulling it down.
Lucius howled in pain, dropping to the floor.
Andromeda reached the other up, trying to stab it into his shoulder but he swatted her hand away and the remnants of his wand skidded across the floor once more. He was bleeding profusely from the wound on his thigh and gripped his leg with a shaking hand. The blood soaked through his trousers and began to pool on the ground quickly. He was wheezing in sharp breaths, staring down as his Pure blood spilled out onto the dirty stall floor.
Andromeda wasted no time as she wrenched her own wand from his grip and flicked it in Ted's direction. The ropes holding him fell away easily and Ted took his first full breath, filling his chest with oxygen again. He pulled the last of the ropes from him and rubbed his arms as he got to his feet.
Horses began to whinny and stomp their hooves as the rich metallic scent of blood filled the air. Lucius was holding his leg tenderly as blood spilled around him turning dark as it gathered. Andromeda turned her wand on him. "I should kill you." She said, her voice cold. Ted stumbled over to her side, feeling strength return to him with each breath.
"Do it," Lucius hissed. "End it. Let me be free of you." He glared up at her with eyes as hard as iron in a paling white face.
Andromeda stared at him for a long moment, watching the blood pour from his leg where half his wand still stuck out. Lucius wheezed in a few more breaths and Ted glanced back and forth between them. As much as he wanted Lucius out of their lives, he didn't want Andromeda to become a murderer. He was about to reach out for her hand when a voice cut through the silence.
"Andromeda, please,"
Andromeda spun her head around at the soft, pleading voice behind her. Narcissa was clinging to the doorway of the stall, taking everything in with clear blue eyes.
"Please," She took a small step forward. "He's my husband…"
The spell of seeing Narcissa again was broken when she said that word. Ted watched as the thoughts swirl behind her honey eyes as she stared at her younger sister who had taken the Malfoy name and bound herself to Lucius.
Narcissa held out the small diamond ring and pulled a piece of straw from it. "Take him and go. Lucius won't follow you, he won't be a problem for you anymore, I'll make sure of it. Just please, don't hurt him."
Lucius grunted in pain and Ted turned back to him. His storm grey eyes met Ted's and Lucius gave a small nod in consent, unable to push words through his gritted teeth.
Andromeda seemed frozen in place so Ted reached out and took the ring from Narcissa. His fingers brushed hers for a moment and a weak smile flitted across her small features for just a moment. He turned back to Andromeda, but she was no longer beside him.
Andromeda crouched next to Lucius, their places so easily reversed from earlier this evening. She stuck the tip of her wand into his neck causing a deep indentation in the sweat-covered skin there and Lucius pushed himself back away from it the best he could.
"You are free of me and I of you." She said in a soft but firm voice so that only Lucius could hear her. Her amber eyes held his storm ones in a heavy gaze. "You and me? We're done."
His breathing quickened a little as his face twisted in pain and anger. "Get out," Lucius snarled. "Get the fuck away from me, Andromeda. I never want to see you again!"
Andromeda picked up Ted's wand and slowly stood back up. She moved past Ted and Narcissa to the small window where Lucius had left the black pearl ring and picked it up, turning it carefully in her hand and running her finger over the smooth surface of the pearl.
She held it out in front of her and tapped it with the tip of her wand. The black pearl cracked and crumbled into dust, falling away to mix with the dirt and straw on the ground.
Lucius cold eyes stayed on her for a moment then he turned his face away, unable to look at her anymore. He pursed his lips tightly and panted against the pain in his leg.
"No more spying. No more sabotaging. I want you out of our lives for good. And if you interfere again…" Andromeda nudged his leg with her foot and he grimaced, whimpering in pain.
"Fine!" Lucius spat. "Just go. Take your Mudblood and go." He glared up at her with pain in his grey eyes. Pain from the wound on his thigh and pain she had caused him over the years.
Narcissa ran to his side, kneeling in the straw and pressed her hands into his bleeding thigh, speaking to him softly. Lucius nodded silently and closed his eyes as she pulled the shard of his broken wand from his leg. Lucius screamed out and Narcissa set her small hands and black wand to work healing the wound and stopping the blood.
Andromeda handed Ted back his wand and he held onto her hand for a moment. She gazed up at him with warm honey eyes. Softly, her brows pulled together before her eyes slid back down to the pair on the ground.
"Narcissa," Andromeda started.
"He told you to go." Narcissa snapped over her shoulder, voice shaking with emotion but firm in her harshness. Her small hands pressed tightly down on Lucius' leg, but it seemed her healing charm had at least stopped the blood loss. Ted was sure there was enough on the ground for someone other than him to be worried for Lucius' well being.
"Go." She repeated. She turned back to Lucius and brushed a bit of his white blonde hair out of his face. His eyes closed briefly at her touch.
Ted intertwined his fingers in with Andromeda's, holding onto her hand tenderly. He didn't have to grasp it like she was going to be taken from him, he didn't have to latch on like she was going to run from him. Not anymore. All of that was over and now all they had to do was live their lives together. They would not have to run or hide or live in fear of Purebloods beating down their door in the middle of the night.
Andromeda looked up into Ted's eyes, like pools of melted chocolate as he gazed down at her with concern. She squeezed his hand a little to let him know she was okay and took a deep breath. She had to let the past die or she would never really be able to live. Andromeda led him from the stall without a second glance back.
.
.
.
Ted followed Andromeda from the stall. He didn't notice until they made it almost to the end of the hallway that her legs were shaking. He wrapped his arm around her and she leaned into him as they made their way to the end of the stables, heavy footsteps, but light feet.
She stopped as they reached the large open door with the vast grounds spread out around them. She turned back for a moment, looking around and Ted merely watched her. He had no idea what was going through her mind, but he would stand beside her until her thought had passed.
Andromeda raised her wand and flourished it in front of her. The sound of metal clicks filled the large stable for just a moment before the doors to all the stalls opened wide, banging against the walls around them.
Several horses made nervous or frightened noises and Ted saw one rear up on its hind legs before surging from its stall. It wasn't long before all the others followed it, stampeding from their stalls and passing Ted and Andromeda, looking like white specters as their manes and tails whipped around them.
They turned, watching the herd of pure white horses stream out onto the grounds and into the inky black night, pale stars shining like distant fires over them; the storm clouds moving quickly into the distance.
Ted moved in front of Andromeda and her eyes softened as he ran his hands down her arms. Their fingers intertwined and Ted slipped the small diamond ring back onto her hand. Andromeda sighed as he did and leaned her head into his chest. Ted pulled her to him tightly, holding her in his arms with the little bit of strength left in them.
It was brief and Andromeda pulled back after only a couple seconds, her eyes the color of warm honey.
"Teddy," Her voice was soft.
"I know." Ted said in a deep tone, resting his forehead against hers.
"I was so scared…"
"He's not coming after us anymore."
"No," She shook her head. "I was scared that I'd never get to tell you that I love you again." Andromeda reached up and brushed her fingers over his cheek.
Ted blinked his tired eyes, leaving them closed for a moment as emotions swelled in him.
"We argued and… I didn't tell you before you left…"
"Baby…" Ted pulled her into his arms again.
"And then…" She sniffed and Ted rested his cheek on the top of her head. "I love you," It was muffled against his chest. "I love you. I love you. I love you. I could say it for the rest of my life and it still wouldn't be enough."
"You can though," Ted whispered in her ear. "You can say it for the rest of your life, Dromeda." He pulled back to see her eyes shining like polished gold. "And now we can live that life."
.
.
.
Imogen gave a small sniff as she straightened Ted's tie. "I can't believe you're actually getting married."
Ted pulled at the sleeves of his dress robes. "I know. I mean, I always wanted this to happen, always wanted to be with her, but… for it to finally be happening… blows my mind." He let out a low breath.
Imogen smiled and gave a short laugh. "So everything with Malfoy is… over?" She asked tentatively.
Ted sighed. "I don't plan on parading around in front of him, but we don't have to hide anymore. We can be… normal."
"That's incredible," Imogen raised her eyebrows.
Ted ran his hand through his dusty blonde hair and pushed it back out of his face. They hadn't told anyone what had happened in the stables at Malfoy Manor. When they had emerged from hiding the next day, things had been a bit of a blur. They had gone back to Knockturn Alley for Howard, but the Ministry had already collected the body.
He had held Andromeda's hand as they walked into the Ministry of Magic and into the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. His heart had beat wildly, worried that she would be sentenced for using magic against the Muggles in the café. The Auror who had been assigned to her case was barely out of training and his jaw had dropped to his desk when he saw Andromeda calmly sitting on the other side of it.
Kingsley Shacklebolt flipped through papers on his desk and finally pulled out her folder. Ted glanced at it and was surprised to see that Kingsley had almost tracked them down with Howard's home address the last on his list not already scratched out.
Andromeda admitted what she had done and explained her reasoning without being prompted. Ted held her hand, knowing that although she looked calm she must have been terrified inside. Lucius had unknown influence in the Ministry and he could easily go back on his word and have her locked up.
"Actually…" Kingsley shuffled a few more papers. "There was a owl about your case this morning… it's around here somewhere…" Ted felt Andromeda stiffen beside him. "Ah-ha!" Kingsley flashed a bright smile. "Here we go."
Ted's stomach dropped as he saw the Malfoy crest on the envelope.
"Yes…" Kingsley's dark eyes roved over the parchment. "Backs up your story entirely, says the Muggles were under some enchantment and your actions were purely self defense…" His voice rumbled deep in his chest. "All other questions should be directed to…" He frowned. "N. Malfoy? That can't be right."
"N?" Andromeda breathed out. "As in Narcissa Malfoy?"
"I suppose so." Kingsley twisted his lips. "I thought there was only the one Malfoy… that Lucius fellow."
"He got married." Andromeda said quietly.
"He a friend of yours?" Kingsley raised an eyebrow.
Ted glanced over to Andromeda.
"I used to know him."
"Well, thanks to his wife, you're free to go." Kingsley shrugged.
"Free?" Andromeda gasped.
"Are you serious?" Ted's earthy eyes widened in surprise.
"I mean, don't go leaving the country or anything," Kingsley joked but his chuckles died out at Ted and Andromeda's haunted expressions. "Just if we have any more questions, that's all." He tried to reassure them.
"Thank you," Andromeda breathed out.
"Don't thank me," Kingsley leaned back, stretching out his long legs. "Thank N. Malfoy. I guess you Purebloods really do have your web spun all around us." He added bitterly.
Andromeda dropped her eyes down to her lap.
Ted placed his hand on her knee.
"Sorry." Kingsley placed his forearms on his desk. "It's just this is the third case I've had that's been shut down by Purebloods."
Andromeda lifted her eyes up and a strange gleam passed through them. "Maybe I can help you out with that…"
She had met with Kingsley a couple times since then, filling him in on some of the more obscure ties the Pureblood families had to each other. It seemed that Andromeda was a wealth of knowledge of the darker side of wizarding society. Ted was immensely proud of her for doing this and Kingsley's owls arrived almost daily now, loaded with questions. She had told him Thaddeus Nott had been responsible for Howard Roger's murder and Kingsley said he was working on an arrest. Unfortunately, there were three witnesses who provided an alibi for him.
"Three guesses who!" Andromeda had shouted, shocking Kingsley with her outburst.
"We'll get them, Andromeda," He said in his deep voice. "Trust me, I'm not giving up on this."
"Kingsley is right, babe," Ted offered, placing his hand on hers. "We won't let them get away with this."
Ted quite liked Kingsley. He was clever and quick enough that Andromeda found him entertaining even when they weren't working on one of his cases. They were currently staying with Ted's parents and Kingsley had come around one evening with an armful of files and his usual bright smile. Andromeda had spent the better part of the evening pouring over dossiers and incident reports. When she took his quill and began to scratch out certain things Kinglsey had objected at first, until Andromeda's hard glare silenced him. Ted had merely laughed and shook his head while offering Kingsley and Butterbeer which he accepted gratefully.
Over the next three days, Kingsley made five arrests.
Ted pushed his hair back out of his face again as he turned to face the mirror. Imogen was beaming behind him. She hadn't smiled much since Howard. Ted had told her in person, wanting her to find out from a friend instead of just in the Prophet. Imogen had shook her head and refused to believe him at first, claiming he must be mistaken somehow. Eventually she had broken down in his arms and they had comforted each other over Howard's loss.
Andromeda had been a great help to the both of them over the past week and through Howard's funeral. She had pulled Ted and Imogen aside and told them what had really happened in Knockturn Alley and how Howard had stood by her until the end. Imogen had thrown her arms around Andromeda and hugged her tightly, crying into her shoulder. Ted was surprised when Andromeda wrapped her arms back around the small dark haired girl and held her until she quieted.
They had waited until after the funeral to get married, out of respect for Howard. Two weeks later and they were finally here. He would have liked to have Howard's murder behind bars at this point, but Lucius and the Blacks had closed ranks and even Andromeda's testimony wasn't enough to shake them.
"He's got a lot of influence at the Ministry," Kingsley stated. "But," He leaned forward. "I do know of some people, outside of the Ministry, who would be interested in your story."
Andromeda wasn't keen to share her experience with strangers, but Ted had asked Kingsley if they could talk more after the wedding.
"He would be happy, you know," Imogen piped up. Ted turned towards her. "Howard. He would be happy that you and Andromeda made it."
Ted smiled and nodded. He still found it hard to talk about his best friend, but, he did think Imogen was right; Howard would have been glad to see Ted and Andromeda finally together.
"Thanks for saying that. It means a lot, Im, really," He gave her a quick hug.
Ted asked Imogen to stand beside him in place of a best man. He couldn't think of anyone else he wanted to stand in Howard's place and it felt right to have Imogen there; she had been the person he was closest to after his best friend having been his teammate and friend for years.
"Come on, Tonks." Imogen brushed off the shoulders of his black robes. "Time to go."
.
.
.
Andromeda rested her hand on her stomach and tried to breathe in like normal, but her lungs seemed to have forgotten to inhale properly. She looked at herself in the mirror and her stomach did a strange flip as she saw herself, once again, in a wedding gown.
It was as if her entire world had been turned upside down and shaken about then turned back up with pieces falling down in new locations. It was only a few weeks ago that she had been trying on a dress for a very different wedding. Andromeda bit her lip and blushed a little at the memory of the fitting room in Gladrags.
She stared back into the mirror and tried to recognize herself. She had healed from Lucius' curse and torture; the color had returned to her face and she no longer got winded walking up and down the stairs, but it still felt like something had changed in her. A weight that she had never known she was carrying around inside of her was gone. It was a bit scary; after years of being sheltered in Pureblood society to suddenly having none of its standards to hold her up, but she had Ted and he had been more than amazing helping her adjust to her new life. And soon, it would be their life together.
She picked up her wand and waved it over her head, flattening a few fly away hairs. Nerves and excitement swirled inside of her. In just a little while she was going to marry Ted. Ted who had joined HoM just to get to know her. Ted who had been willing to teach her how to fly. Ted who had waited patiently for her to love him back, who had risked his life just to be with her, who had never stopped loving her from the second he had started.
Andromeda ran her hands down the soft white fabric of the dress. It was simple, like everything else in their wedding, but she liked that. Lucius had wanted the largest event with his wealth and status on display. Ted just wanted her. While it had taken months to plan Lucius' wedding, it had only taken a couple of days to set everything up for Ted's. The only thing they had disagreed on was the vows.
"It's tradition," Andromeda said.
"No. You don't have to do that." Ted shook his head and a few stands of dirty blonde hair fell into his eyes.
Andromeda shrugged. "I don't mind, not if it's for you."
"It's unnecessary."
"I thought you wanted me all to yourself," Andromeda smirked leaned in closer to him.
"I do," Ted said in a low voice. "But I don't need you to take an Unbreakable Vow to make you mine."
Andromeda ran her fingers down his jawline and Ted pushed her back onto the couch, hovering above her. "I am, know you," Andromeda said softly with a slow blink. "Yours."
Ted ran his hand up her thigh and pulled it around him. "I know," He ran his nose along hers, breathing in her floral scent until he was lightheaded. Andromeda snaked her arms around his neck and trailed her nails over his shoulders. She pressed her full lips into his and flicked her tongue against his mouth, asking permission and asking for more.
Ted deepened the kiss, pressing his body down on hers. She loved the way he felt against her, warm, strong, and solid. Andromeda arched under him slightly and pushed her hips up into him. Ted rewarded her with a small groan and she trailed her hands down his back, pulling on his shirt until her fingertips grazed against his skin.
Andromeda saw her face redden slightly and quickly pushed the thoughts down inside of her, blinking rapidly as she tried to focus and took in a sharp breath. She ran her hands down either side of her body and shivered slightly. There was still a small part of her that wished that when she walked down the aisle, her loved ones would be there smiling back at her. She could picture Cissy's deep blue eyes brimming with tears as she placed a small hand over her mouth and Bella's wide grin spreading across her face, framed by her dark curls. But that was a dream, nothing more.
They had decided to keep the wedding small. Very small. They weren't hiding anymore, but they weren't flaunting their relationship either. Lucius wasn't the only one who didn't like the fact that a Pureblood had run off with a Muggleborn. Andromeda was fine with an intimate wedding of Ted's parents, Imogen, and the two of them. She was actually pleased with this because she wasn't sure she could come up with anyone she would have invited anyways.
Glancing up at the window and saw the moon start to rise above the treeline. Andromeda ran her fingers through her hair one last time before turning away from the mirror.
.
.
.
Ted had to stop his knee from bouncing as he waited at the altar for his bride. The chapel was small with wooden pews and large windows that the stars were shining through, illuminating the small sanctuary in pale, white light. He reached up and pushed his hand through his hair again, trying to get it to stay in place.
"You're only making it worse," Imogen hissed from beside him.
Ted pushed it back one more time and then dropped his hands back to his side, trying not to fidget.
Andromeda hadn't wanted any help getting ready and Ted offered to ask his Dad if he would walk her down the aisle, but Andromeda had refused that as well.
"No one is giving me away. I'm the one doing this." She had said and the memory still made Ted smile.
But his crooked grin slipped from his face as the door opened and bathed the room in moonlight. Andromeda appeared at the end of the aisle and Ted stopped breathing.
She had never looked more like the goddess he had always known her to be more than she did now. Her dress could have been made out of a moonbeam for the way it shone brightly around her. Loose and flowing, it was nothing like the one he had seen her in at Gladrags. He had thought she was beautiful then but now, she was divine.
Andromeda's honey eyes shone brightly in the dark chapel as she walked down the aisle towards him. Ted felt lightheaded and could only hope that he would stay on his feet. She played with a smile on her full lips, not letting it spread all the way until she stopped in front of him, looking up at him under heavy lids and dark lashes.
Finally he sucked in a deep breath. "Last chance to run off on me again," He muttered under his breath nervously.
Andromeda's smile widened. "This is where I was always running to."
.
.
.
Ted fumbled with the door and he and Andromeda spilled into the small attic flat above Quality Quidditch Supplies. Ted had gotten his job back at the shop and rented the tiny space for the two of them to start out on their own. It musty after being closed up for years and only one room with the wood burning stove only a few feet away from the bed, but it was theirs. He was very thankful they did not have to sleep in his childhood bedroom their first night as a married couple.
Andromeda's arms were around his neck and she was pulling him down onto her. He held her close to him, pressing her body against his and running his hands over it, feeling her curves under the flowing white gown. She felt so good in his hands, the sensation familiar, but different all at the same time. They stumbled backwards together until the back of Andromeda's legs hit the edge of the bed.
Her hands moved frantically over him, pulling his dress robe off his shoulders, which he shrugged out of only letting his hands leave her body for a moment before they were back on her, grabbing her hips and pulling them against his own. She was already tearing at the buttons on his shirt, pulling them open one by one with quick fingers. Everywhere her skin brushed his it burned like someone had set a match to it. It wasn't long before his shirt joined his robe on the floor and then his trousers followed.
He pulled his lips off hers and saw their dark pink color glistening back at him.
"I can't believe it…" Ted murmured as he gazed down at her.
"What?" Andromeda asked.
"That you actually married me. Me." He shook his head and a few strands of dusty blonde hair fell down into his face.
Andromeda let out a small laugh. "Well you should start believing it," She said softly and ran her hands over his bare chest. He could feel the rings on her fingers against his skin and a small thrill passed through him.
Ted wrapped his hand around the back of her neck and pulled her full lips back on his. They tasted like they were made from the same honey that her eyes were and he held her face in his hands for a moment, pressing his forehead against hers. "I believe in you," He whispered against her lips. "My goddess. My wife."
Andromeda reached up and slipped the straps of her dress over her shoulders. Ted watched as it slowly slipped from her and pooled around her feet on the floor. She laid back on the bed, stretching her legs against each other and leaning on her elbows. Andromeda shook her hair back over her shoulders and grinned up at him.
All the air left his chest as he stared down at Andromeda wearing nothing but her wedding bands. He leaned down over her and felt the coolness of her skin against the heat of his own. Her arms snaked around him, pulling him further onto her and he felt her leg graze against him as she slid it up his side.
Ted's eyes were the color of deep, rich earth as he gazed down at her. His sandy blonde hair fell down into his face and Andromeda ran her fingers over the etched lines of muscle on his shoulders and arms.
"I'm never going to let anything happen to you," Ted said in a low voice. "You know that right?"
"What are you talking about?" Andromeda asked playfully.
Ted's face adopted a look of sincerity. "I'm going to protect you. No matter what."
"Teddy," She said his name softly.
"I mean it. I'm going to take care of you."
She gazed back up at him and touched his cheek. Ted pushed his face into her hand and briefly closed his eyes.
"We're going to take care of each other. Together."
Andromeda was already burning when Ted leaned down to capture her lips again. Flames licked every inch of her insides in hot arousal and she made a soft whining sound as their bodies moved against each other and she felt his length press into her lower stomach. Ted's lips traveled over her jaw and down her neck, leaving petal soft kisses over her collarbone and chest.
His hands were tender as they moved over her body, cupping her breast and rubbing his thumb over her pink peak until she arched her back up, pressing into him. Her legs spread under him and Ted could feel the heat coming from her center, waiting for him. He swallowed hard before he positioned himself in between her legs. He wanted this time to be special, but was having a hard time controlling himself as Andromeda's nails trailed down his spine.
Ted pushed himself into her wet warmth, feeling the silk of her slide over him. Andromeda's small "Oh!" made his muscles contract and her lashes kissed his cheeks as her eyes fluttered. Immediately he felt lost in her. This was it, all he ever wanted. He rocked himself into her slowly, trying to keep himself in control and grounded but it was useless. His pulse sounded in his ears, blocking out everything but the gasps and small moans coming from… his wife. His wife.
Ted closed his eyes and tried to keep his focus from slipping. Andromeda's hands clasp onto him, holding on as their bodies began to move with each other. When he opened them, she was looking up at him with molten eyes. Her thighs tightened around him and Ted brushed a lock of wavy hair back from her face, wanting to see all of it as it pulled in pleasure, her mouth open, begging silently until a high pitched noise escaped her.
Andromeda clenched around him and Ted quickened his movements, diving deeper and thrusting faster into her. He could feel her pleasure rising in her as her breaths began to come in shorter and shorter gasps and her nails dug into his sweat-misted skin.
"I am going to love you until every star in my galaxy dies."
Her vow resounded in his head and he buried his face in the crook of her neck, breathing in that floral scent he had been drunk on for years.
"I'm yours."
She had never felt more his than she did at this moment. Andromeda was tight around him and she called out his name as she began to shake, quivering and sending tremors of pleasure around his length inside her. Ted groaned loudly and he held onto her as he felt the pressure of his own need building quickly as he rode out her waves of bliss.
Ted was gasping and held her close enough to him that he could feel her heart beating against her own, racing to match each other.
"I love you, Ted Tonks," Andromeda breathed out and Ted lifted himself up enough to see her face. Her heavy lids were resting halfway over her eyes and her cheeks were flushed with color. He was breathing heavy and a muscle in his neck twitched at the sound of his name coming out of her mouth. It was her name now too.
"I love you too," He said in a low voice, "Andromeda Tonks."
Her fingers wound in his hair and her lips parted in a full smile. "Say it again," She breathed out.
"Andromeda Tonks," Ted pushed himself deeper in her, making her gasp. "Andromeda Tonks." She let out a satisfied sigh and closed her eyes, leaning back into the bed. Ted sank himself into her again. Merlin, everything about her was warm and soft and inviting. He never wanted this to end, but knew he couldn't last much longer. Especially when she opened her eyes back up and they burned into him like liquid gold.
Ted's brows pulled together and he rested his forehead against hers as he sucked in breath and slammed his hips back against hers and pressed his lips onto her open mouth, groaning into it as he came undone inside of her.
He waited a moment before pulling himself out, catching his breath and breathing her in before he rolled onto his side next to her, pulling her close against him and nuzzling his face in her hair. Her ample chest was rising and falling with each heavy breath and she clung onto his arm, which was draped over her.
She leaned her head back and closed her eyes. "Mmm, I could fall asleep, just like this," She murmured quietly into the still darkness.
"Don't you dare," Ted said hoarsely and pulled her tight. "I finally have you all to myself and I'm not done with you yet."
Andromeda giggled and turned her head to the side to meet his dark eyes. "You have the rest of your life to have me."
"And I plan to live a long, long time," Ted smiled playfully. "Because this is heaven, Andromeda," Ted gazed deeply into her pools of amber. She sighed happily and scooted herself against him, running her fingers up and down his arm and causing goosebumps to follow in her wake. "When I die, I want to go to your heaven."
"Well…" Andromeda blinked slowly. "You're here now."
Ted grinned and cupped her cheek in his hand, bringing his lips back on hers.
.
.
.
End of Part I
.
.
.
A/N: I might take a small break before moving onto Part II… I have some of it written out but I want to flesh it out some more before unveiling it. Part II will be snapshots from their lives with cameos from Narcissa and Lucius and maybe even some Sirius or Bellatrix or Draco? We will see what I can commit to paper. There are a few other things like Kingsley that I put in that will be making a return in Part II.
I struggled with the wedding scene and this one and decided not to write out their full vows. They have declared their love to each other multiple times and every time I tried to write them out it just seemed cheesy. I threw in Ted's promise to protect Andromeda and a few lines from hers that I hope to bring back into play in Part II so be on the lookout for that.
I want to say the largest thank you ever to everyone who has stayed with this story all the way through Sweat the Battle and Light Years. All your reviews, favorites, follows, and everything else had meant so much to me and I am happy that I was able to produce something that you thought was (at least) mildly entertaining. Thank you all, from the bottom of my heart.