March was a rough month, but thankfully it's behind me and I should be able to return to my once-a-week posting schedule. Thank you all for sticking with it!

Ted's father stayed for Christmas, but left in the evening. He didn't want to impose too much, he said. Things were still stiff an awkward, but he embraced his son before he left, and promised to write more. Considering where they'd stood a couple days ago, being on speaking terms was nothing short of a Christmas miracle. Ted certainly seemed to have a new light about him as he flitted around the house, like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

And speaking of Ted… and Andromeda… they had to get more creative about how they spent time together. Things got a little easier when they only had to hide from Jean rather than Jean and Edward, but Jean was still suspicious whenever they disappeared together.

Thank heavens for magic, as it let them steal the most unlikely of moments together. Multiple times a day. Now that it didn't hurt, Andromeda found herself craving it more and more, and Ted was in no place to stop her. She felt like she was living in a bubble of ecstasy, and for once, she wasn't afraid of falling back down to Earth.

Well, except for maybe one thing. Rabastan. She felt indebted to him, since he'd been the one to help her move forward. She wanted to thank him, but she wasn't sure he actually wanted to hear the results of his success. At least, not in detail. On the flip side, she felt almost guilty thinking about Rabastan at all. She definitely felt guilty for not telling Ted she was in contact with him. She feared Ted wouldn't understand, and it would drive a wedge between them. She couldn't imagine losing either Ted or Rabastan right now, and keeping Rabastan a secret was the only way she knew to hang onto both of them.

In the end, she sent a letter. All it said was, "For all our differences, I still found Lady Chatterley's experiences informative. I cannot thank you enough for your kindness, and one day I will find a way to repay you. Perhaps I will finally sing my rendition of God Rest Ye Merry Hippogriffs.

Merry Christmas,

A

"Who are you writing?" Ted asked as he came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. Panic coursed through her, even though she'd already folded the letter and sealed it. She managed to keep her voice light as she said, "My Uncle."

"I still need to meet him," Ted said thoughtfully. "It would be nice to meet a member of your family that doesn't hate me."

"Likewise," Andromeda said, smiling, "Do your grandparents know I'm a Witch?"

He chuckled, and she felt relief pour through her that they could joke about their complicated family situations so easily. It was like every barrier that stood between them was coming crumbling down.

"You should change," Ted said, kissing her head before finally releasing her. "We're going out today."

"Where to," she asked as she began to change. She paused, remembering Ted was still in the room, and then remembered that wasn't really a concern anymore.

Ted's response was delayed as he was distracted the sight before him. When he continued his voice was huskier. "On a date. In London."

"A proper date?" Andromeda asked. "In public? I don't think we've done that before."

Ted grinned. "That's the nice part about the muggle world. No one gives a damn that we're together. We can do whatever we want," and then he proceeded to kiss her.

"Maybe not whatever we want," Andromeda whispered. "For example, we couldn't do this." And then she pressed herself up against him.

Ted growled and led her to the bed, but before they could get any further, Jean called, "Breakfast is getting cold!"

Ted moaned again, then kissed her lips briefly, "To be continued,"

"You'd better," she murmured back, as they reluctantly made their way downstairs.

"So, where are we going today?" Andromeda asked once they'd made their way to the heart of London. Other than the train station and Wembley Stadium, she hadn't spent much time in London. Her family preferred to use fireplaces to get around.

"Somewhere I know you've always dreamed of going," Ted said. Andromeda eyed him in confusion until she saw the theater in the distance. A giant poster was plastered on the front of the building, featuring the name of her hero.

"You're taking me to see Shakespeare?" she said, her disbelief and excitement boiling over.

"Henry V," Ted said. "I was hoping to see Romeo and Juiliet, but then I thought it might hit a little too close to home."

He'd barely finished his sentence when her lips where on his again. For a moment, she forgot where they were and completely melted into his embrace until she heard a voice say, "Merlin's Pants, Cousin, I know you like being the new Black Sheep of the Black Family, but this is getting ridiculous."

Ted and Andromeda sprang apart, causing Sirius to chuckle. But it wasn't just Sirius that had snuck up on them. It was Olivia, Jake, Lorie, and Potter. Andromeda raised her eyebrows on the last one. She'd understood why the others were here. They'd talked about doing this date, mostly to annoy Olivia though she couldn't help but be excited about it now. But Potter? He was… single… among others things. Based on his sulking expression, he knew it too.

"I'll see you guys in there," he muttered. Once he was out of earshot, Andromeda turned a questioning glance to Sirius.

Sirius shrugged. "He's been sulking all Holiday, I thought it would be best he get out of the house."

"You know why he's sulking, right?" Andromeda asked, "And you thought this," she gestured around at the three assembled couples, "Would make him feel better?"

"If certain someones could keep their tongues to themselves," Sirius replied cheekily, "then it wouldn't be so bad."

"Never," Ted said, before planting another kiss on Andromeda's lips. She heard Lorie coo, while both Olivia and Sirius made gagging noises.

"Unless we want to make Potter watch the show by himself," Jake cut in, "I suggest we head inside."

Despite hers and Teds claims otherwise, they made sure to keep their tongues and hands to themselves while Potter was around, not that it seemed to make much of a difference. When the audience gasped and cheered and applauded, he continued to sulk in the corner.

While nothing could spoil that magic Andromeda felt at finally being able to see one of the Shakespeare plays she'd been reading for years performed, she couldn't help but be worried about Potter. Their relationship had a rocky start, but she could almost call them friends now after everything they'd been through. She had to find a way to cheer him up.

So, when Potter got up to leave during intermission, she followed him. He didn't seem to be anywhere, he just wandered the hallways, snapping at anyone who got in his way. It was only when he finally reached a secluded hallway that Andromeda made her presence known.

"Hey," she said softly, but Potter whirled around like he'd been jinxed and whipped his wand out.

"Oh, it's you," he lowered his wand, though he still looked like he wanted to jinx someone. "Shouldn't you be off snogging your Romeo somewhere?"

She'd been doing a lot of that lately, but she kept that thought to herself, it wouldn't help matters. "I'm glad you decided to come."

"No, you're not," Potter retorted, bristling. Andromeda bit back her own retort. When Potter was in pain he reacted like a rabid dog. She just had to let him get it out.

"I really am," she said. "It's never a dull moment when you're around."

Potter huffed, but this time he didn't have a comeback, so she pressed on. "I never thanked you, by the way. For what you did in Hogsmeade."

"I didn't do it for you," Potter said, but the hostility was finally fading from his voice, replaced with something gentler.

"Did you ever try out my advice?" Andromeda asked.

Potter raised an eyebrow. "You mean when you told me to stop acting like a prat?"

She couldn't help but smile. "Yes, that one."

"What do you think," he muttered.

"I think a year ago you and I couldn't say more than five words to each other, and now look at us."

It finally worked. Potter cracked a smile. It only lasted for a second, but it was there. "It's too late. She's never going to change her mind about me."

"You'd be surprised," Andromeda said, though she wasn't thinking of Ted. She was thinking of Rabastan. Every day he continued to surprise her. "Can I give you one more word of advice though?"

Potter shrugged, which was as close to a yes as she'd ever get.

"Stop putting itching powder in Gideon's trousers. You want to prove to her your different? Then be the kind of man she wants to be with. The one who will risk his neck to save muggles and muggleborns without a second thought."

"What if she thinks I'm just doing it to impress her?" he asked softly.

"Are you?" Andromeda asked.

"No," Potter responded, with more fire then she'd ever heard him use before.

She smiled again. "Then you have your answer. Now come on, the second act is starting, and that's where all the action is."

She was about to walk away when Potter said, "Hey, Andromeda?"

She paused, her nerves flaring just in case. Potter didn't always have the best things to say.

"Ted's a lucky guy, just don't tell him I said it."

She smiled again. "Your secret's safe with me."