It was a few days after the holiday that Andromeda made her way to Ted's farm. She and her uncle had decided to celebrate Christmas a little early, with the exchanging of gifts and pulling a few Christmas crackers. Sirius had even arrived and three of them and spent the day exchanging stories about the insane things their family members had done in the name of blood purity. It was the most at home Andromeda had felt with anyone in a long-time.
Considering how she'd left things with Jean, Andromeda doubted she'd feel quite as at home at Ted's, but even that couldn't diminish her joy at spending a whole week with him. A week that wouldn't involve school, or Lily Evans and her crusade against pureblood extremists, or the threats from her housemates about what they would do to her and Ted when they weren't at Hogwarts.
She also clutched her new copy of "Lady Chatterley's Lover." It had been her Christmas present to herself, but after reading the passages Rabastan had given her, she'd been desperate to know the whole story. He hadn't been kidding when he said it was risqué. Some parts had her blushing so hard she thought her cheeks would explode. And yet, she hadn't been able to put it down. She'd read the entire book in a day, practically forgoing sleep and meals. She and Lady Chatterley were as different as night and day, like Rabastan had implied. Yet Andromeda found herself in the story anyway. Lady Chatterley's journey so closely mirrored her own. A woman who refused to give her heart and passion over to any one man, until she found unexpected ecstasy with he most unexpected man.
And as Andromeda thought back to the climax of the story, and the sensations it had given her, her whole body quivered.
It made her more excited than ever to see Ted.
She practically leapt off the train when she arrived. Unlike the last time, she didn't allow herself to be distracted by the strange muggle clothing or sounds or conversation. She felt almost at ease among them. It was strange to think how much she had changed these past few months.
This time she spotted Ted before he spotted her, and she had almost reached him when he finally looked over. His eyes widened when he saw her, but this time he didn't look like he was hiding a smirk.
"Andromeda," he said, "You're wearing pants. Muggle pants."
"Sirius helped me pick them out," she said, twirling around like she was a model on the runway. She didn't even know what that meant, but Sirius had told her that was what she looked like when she spun like that. "He's surprisingly knowledgeable when it comes to muggle women's fashion."
"Huh," Ted said, before shaking his head. "Never mind. I don't want to know. You look amazing." And then he kissed her, right there on a square. It was a butterfly kiss, warm and gentle, yet she couldn't help but think back to Lady Chatterley's experience, and her skin suddenly felt entirely too hot.
Too soon, Ted released her.
Unlike, the last time, they talked the entire way back to the farm. So much so that Andromeda didn't realize they'd arrived until Ted stopped the muggle automobile. The farm looked so different now than it did it summer. The animals were all tucked inside the cozy barn, and a thick blanket of snow coated every surface like frosting. She had the sudden desire to curl up next to Ted's by the fireplace and stare romantically out the window, but she wasn't sure Jean would approve of their cuddling in public like that.
Speaking of, she waited for Jean to come outside to greet them, like she had before, but the door stayed closed. Even when she and Ted went inside, only the cold, stale air was there to greet them.
"Where's your mother?" Andromeda asked, once Ted had returned from taking her stuff upstairs.
"grandparents," Ted answered. "She won't be back until tomorrow."
Andromeda blinked. "So, we're alone?"
Ted paused, like he hadn't really considered that he and Andromeda would be alone, in his house, for the entire night. She saw his cheeks flush a little, and her heart soared again.
"Umm…," he said, "I guess," he turned back to her with a nervous smile. "That's all right, isn't it?"
Warmth spread through Andromeda's body as she smiled. "Let's build a fire."
She got her wish, once they had a roaring fire(which only took a second, thanks to their magic), she and Ted curled up on the couch and watched the snow fall outside the window. Ted's arm was around her waist and he played with her hair, while she rested her head on his shoulder and played with the collar of his shirt. The feeling of his heartbeat under hers made her suddenly feel safe, and secure.
Yet, right now she didn't want to feel secure. She wanted to be consumed by passion, by desire, by love. She wanted Ted, in every sense of the word. But even as she thought it, she was suddenly gripped with terror again. The same terror that had been plaguing her for months, and she wanted to scream.
She wondered if she should do a spell that would make her forget that moment with Rodolphus. Then she wouldn't know to be afraid of a man's touch. Wouldn't recoil from the man she loved.
Yet even though she desperately wanted those things, she knew this wasn't the way. Her mind may forget, but her body would always remember.
"Is something wrong?" Ted asked. She had no idea how he'd sensed her change in mood. She hadn't said anything, and he hadn't been looking at her. But somehow, he knew. The thought almost brought to tears to her eyes as her hear swelled. And just like that, her fear and hopelessness melted away. Her love left them no room.
She looked up at him as he looked down at her, his eyes suddenly bright with worry, and she said, "I love you, Ted Tonks."
His worry didn't quite fade but his eyes softened as he said, "I know."
And then his lips were on hers. His lips were gentle and caressing like before, but that same passion burned within her, and she knew what she wanted, what she needed. She was finally free of Rodolphus' shadow.
She gently pressed on Ted's chest until he gave in and fell back onto the couch. Then she hovered over him. Her lips moved from his lips to his neck, and then further down. Her fingers found the top button of her shirt, and carefully got it out the way. Her fingers continued to make a path for her lips. She heard Ted gasp suddenly, but he didn't stop her, not even when her lips reached the base of his trousers.
Carefully, she reached for the buckle, and began to undo the clasp. Only then did Ted grab her hands.
"Andromeda," he said, "It's alright, we don't have too—"
"Do you trust me?" she asked suddenly.
Her question caught him off-guard, but his eyes didn't leave hers as he said, "Completely."
She leaned down and briefly kissed him again before moving to his ear. "Then trust me when I saw I'm ready. For you. For us. For all of it."
Ted's body reacted to her words, and she pulled away to gaze into his eyes again. His caution seemed to melt away as he looked on her, and he smiled. "I am too."
She leaned down and again and kissed him. And kissed him. And kissed him.
And this time, there were no memories of Roldolphus' taunting voice in her ears, no visions of his groping eyes that stared at her like something to be consumed, no memories of his rough hands on her skin.
It was just her, and ted, and the roaring heat of the fire.
