TRAITOR

~.~

Chapter 5:

Andromeda sat listening to her teacher's words mingle with the sounds of rain, which splattered loudly against the windows. It was quite a lulling sound that eased the tension in her shoulders and neck. She adored the sound of the rain, it soothed her in a way which nothing else did; whenever there was a thunderstorm, Andromeda preferred to be near a window, so that she could feel the wind and water against her skin and hear the resonant rumble in the clouds above her. She found it oddly freeing.

Sadly, during this particular deluge, she was trapped within a chamber, low in the school. The windows were frosted emerald, bathing the room in a deep teal hue, which was very similar to the Slytherin Common Room. Again, Andromeda found the muted turquoise tones calming, especially mixed with the coolness of the stone bricks. However, there were many in this school who found the dungeons a scary or unwelcoming place to be. The Hufflepuff students for example, always appeared to be on edge whenever they descended far into the network of corridors, as if expecting to find some hideous, serpentine monster waiting for them in the depths. Which was utterly ridiculous. The scariest thing they could bump into was Bellatrix.

Beside her, Andromeda heard the soft whisper of pages being rapidly flicked over. Frowning, she glanced over to see Tonks bent over his Advanced Potion Making textbook, anxiously scouring the lines of text and inspecting the supporting diagrams. He was avidly searching for something to help him understand what Slughorn was talking about. Rolling her eyes in aggravation, the witch snatched the leather-bound book from Tonks's hands and turned to the correct page, before shoving it back on the desk.

He was an idiot.

Andromeda didn't understand how he could be so confounded! Potions wasn't that hard, it just took patience and concentration, like most magical subjects. Although depending on the concoction, brewing times varied, from an hour to a few months. For the Slytherin Prefect, that made the process more interesting, but she supposed not everyone shared her intrinsic fascination.

Suddenly, Slughorn stopped rambling and produced a small glass phial from his robes. He then walked around the room, coming close to each of his students, giving them a chance to examine the contents. When he approached her, Andromeda wasted no time in carefully scrutinising the swirling golden liquid. She took note of the sickly-sweet aroma that tickled her nose and the rich amber flecks which eddied in slow circles as the professor took a turn about the room.

Andromeda grinned; the potion's fragrance gave away its identity.

The teacher stopped at the front of the class and cleared his throat.

"Can anyone tell me what this potion is?" He asked and instantly several students raised their hands, Andromeda included.

"I take it you know what it is." Tonks uttered, earning yet another eye roll from his partner.

"Don't you?" She retorted quietly, knowing very well that the Mudblood didn't know what the brew was.

For the tenth time in as many minutes, Andromeda wondered why in Salazar's name the Hufflepuff had chosen Potions as a subject, when he clearly had no aptitude for it. She also pondered whether he would, even with her help, improve as a potioneer. At the moment, Andromeda doubted it very much. She would bet half of her inheritance that Tonks would not make it to the winter term, which amused and terrified her in equal measures.

If he didn't succeed, it would reflect on her and subsequently prolong his mentoring...

"Ah, Miss Turnpott!" Slughorn called, snapping Andromeda's attention back to the present.

"Felix Felicis?" The girl said confidently and the female Prefect snorted, trying to hold back laughter.

Only an incompetent moron would confuse Liquid Luck with what the Potions Master currently held.

Their teacher looked slightly perplexed at the answer he had been given. "No, Miss Turnpott. It is not Felix Felicis." His gaze scanned the room and landed on Andromeda who radiated self-confidence. "Miss Black, what is this potion?"

Andromeda slowly lowered her arm and smiled smugly. "It's the Elixir to Introduce Euphoria, professor."

"Correct! What are its' effects?" Slughorn's former passion for his profession resurfaced as his customary smile returned.

"The potion induces inexplicable feelings of irrational happiness and elation in the drinker."

"Well done Miss Black, it does indeed. However, it also has side-effects. Can anyone name the most common two?"

Instantly Andromeda's hand shot up, claiming her professors' attention.

"Yes, Miss Black?"

"The two most common side-effects are excessive singing and nose-tweaking." She answered accurately, chin rising with pride as her teacher beamed in delight.

"Correct again. Twenty points to Slytherin. Now, it will be your mission today to create, in pairs, a sample of this intriguing potion. It should only take you an hour to complete. Remember, this is advanced potion making, so do not be discouraged if you should not succeed on your first attempt." He waited for his students to nod in assent. "Marvellous, now, off you go."

As soon as the Potions Master dismissed his students, they dutifully began collecting their ingredients. However, before Tonks could leave their shared workbench, Andromeda made a request.

"Whilst you're up, grab a couple of peppermint sprigs." She directed, pouring water into their cauldron pot and feeling droplets splash on her bare hands.

In her peripheral vision, she saw Tonks frown and look back down at the required list of ingredients in his book.

"We only need: porcupine quills, shrivelfig, sopophorous beans and wormwood. It doesn't mention peppermint."

Andromeda huffed in frustration, before using her wand to light a small fire beneath the cauldron.

"Believe me when I say, we need peppermint." She stressed, hoping that he would stop looking so incredibly stupid and do as he was told. She knew what she was doing and if he listened, he might actually learn something.

"Fine." Tonks sighed, rising from his stool and heading for the ingredient cupboard.

When the Hufflepuff returned, Andromeda started chopping up a shrivelfig, feeling the rich purple ooze coat her fingers as she cut it into long thin slices. When done, she dropped several pieces into the cauldron and Tonks started breaking the porcupine quills into small pieces with deliberate twists of his wrists. Scooping the thin spines into a pile, Tonks waited for instructions.

"What's next?" He asked.

Andromeda could feel her partner's eyes follow her skilled fingers as she delicately took a handful of the quills and filtered them into the mixture. There was a loud puff from the cauldron as the ingredients began to melt, causing the liquid to turn the colour of fresh milk.

"Now, we have to stir the potion anti-clockwise, four times." She spoke clearly, observing as Tonks placed his reddish grained wand into the brew and began to stir. "Good."

Satisfied that it was safe to leave Tonks alone for a minute, Andromeda turned and scanned their ingredients and shredded a stem of peppermint. Collecting the strips of green, she carefully sprinkled them into the potion, watching as the essence from scattered leaves seeped into the potion.

"What was the peppermint for?" Tonks questioned.

"It counter-acts the side-effects." She replied blandly, trying to put some space in between them after realising he was far too close.

Tonks pulled a face. "It doesn't say that in the textbook."

"Well, whoever wrote the textbook obviously found the side-effects hilarious to watch and decided to leave it out for future generations to enjoy." She muttered bitterly, but Tonks chuckled.

"Yeah probably. Although the singing would get annoying quick, wouldn't it?" He laughed, looking at her with an open expression of friendliness.

Git.

Andromeda scowled, not deigning to reply or even acknowledge his jest. Instead she went over and grabbed three ripe sopophorous beans and put them in a mortar. Using a pestle, she slowly ground the pearl-white pods until they began to spill their sweet silver juice. When happy that they were sufficiently squashed, the witch picked out the scraps of flesh, and poured the liquid into the cauldron. The shiny droplets dissolved, causing the concoction to shift in colour again, this time it took a creamy shade, and the fragments of peppermint were transforming into crispy little flakes of gold.

She allowed herself to smirk. Hard work did pay off.

"You enjoy this, don't you?" Tonks asked with a gentle smile, causing her own to fade. Potions was a comfort zone for Andromeda and she mentally scolded herself for allowing her composure to drop. She didn't respond and the Hufflepuff sighed sadly. "I was only being pleasant."

"Well don't be." The witch barked, suddenly irate. "This arrangement is hard enough. I don't need you making it worse."

"How is being nice making it worse?" He quizzed, sounding genuinely puzzled.

Oh, he really didn't get it, did he?

"Look here you foul-"

"How are you two doing?" Slughorn interrupted happily, silencing Andromeda's seething retort. She could feel it fizzing on her tongue but she managed to hold it back, remaining quiet as her favoured professor glanced between them. "Mr Tonks?"

The Hufflepuff offered a tiny smile. "We're doing fine professor. Andromeda is a really good teacher."

Andromeda's scowl intensified. Why was he complimenting her? Did he think she would giggle and fawn like other feckless girls when they were given praise? If that was the case, he would be sorely disappointed.

"Excellent. Miss Black, can I borrow you for a moment?" Slughorn asked rhetorically, not waiting for her compliance as he headed towards the back of the room. Unable to say no, the Slytherin followed her Head of House. From where she stood, she could see Tonks using equipment to accurately measure out the correct amount of wormwood extract. "How is mentoring going Miss Black?" He asked affably.

She shifted uncomfortably, not wanting to admit that it wasn't as bad as she had thought. "It's... okay. Tonks doesn't need much supervision in Charms. He'll grasp non-verbal magic soon, he's quite adept at it."

The comment made her want to squirm, but it was true. He didn't need much aid in Charms.

"Fantastic! What about in Potions?"

"In Potions, he needs a lot of help." She emphasised, watching her professor closely. "He doesn't even know the difference between-"

"That is exactly why I appointed you, Miss Black." Slughorn injected, placing a hand on her robed shoulder. "You are the most proficient student I have taught in many years and I know you will pass on your knowledge to Mr Tonks." He began to turn away from her but suddenly rounded. "Oh and adding peppermint to your potion was ingenious." His voice had turned almost squeaky with excitement. He truly did admire an intelligent student who used their intuition.

Andromeda huffed in response and made her way back to her workstation.

Sudden dread coiled in her stomach as she realised that the Mudblood had been in charge of controlling their concoction for far too long. Not knowing what to expect, she looked inside the cauldron with apprehension, worried that the brew would be completely ruined. However, she was pleasantly surprised to see that the mixture had taken on a buttery hue, and that the steam rising from it was infused with a syrupy tang. If left to stew for the remaining time of the lesson, it would be a perfect sample of the Elixir to Induce Euphoria.

"I think I did it right." Tonks offered meekly from behind her, his breath moving some of the curls around her ear.

"You did." She replied, unable to keep the bewilderment out of her tone.

.


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After dinner, Andromeda made her way to the second floor, waiting by the shifting staircases for her patrol to start. Tonight was her first on duty, and predictably, she was making the rounds with the Mudblood, Tonks. She would rather wander the lonely castle by herself for three hours than spend another second in his company, but the parchment of instructions from the two Heads had been absolute and brooked no argument.

Your patrols should last three hours. Start at the entries to your dormitories and go through the school, not ignoring the classrooms and towers. As discussed on the Hogwarts Express, students have been sneaking to the Astronomy Tower after dark. Also take extra care when roaming near Gryffindor Tower and Ravenclaw Tower.
Stay with your partner and remain vigilant. No exceptions.
- Nicole

So, here the Slytherin Prefect found herself, leaning against the ancient walls, listening to the grinding of stone and waiting for her 'partner' to appear. As usual Andromeda was a couple of minutes early, giving herself plenty of time to compose herself before the ensuing torture began. She vaguely wondered if it would be worse being alone with him rather than in a classroom which was overseen by a teacher.

A distant shuffle of feet on brick announced the arrival of Tonks. Andromeda pushed off the wall and squared her shoulders, taking a calming breath and watched as he came around the corner.

"Hey." The Hufflepuff said in a cordial voice, before glancing down at his watch. "You're early."

"And you're actually on time." The witch stated coldly, remembering how he had blundered late into the Prefects meeting on the train. "Let's get started, shall we?"

"Sure." The Prefect said, plastering a grin on his face which earned him a glare.

They began by riding the moving stairs, getting off on the third floor the duo carefully and quietly made their way down seemingly endless corridors and passageways. Using Lumos, their wand tips radiated a bright warm light, illuminating the way. The Prefects took their duties seriously, thoroughly searching every alcove, behind every door and listened intently for those tell-tale whispers of skulking students.

So far, they hadn't encountered any curfew-breakers, and time was slowly ticking by. The first hour, Andromeda was adamant that she would not break the silence that enveloped them and Tonks seemed to be similarly inclined; which had been a relief to the Slytherin. However, as the second hour passed beyond nine o'clock, the silence became too much for her companion. She could feel his body beginning to get restless with the need to speak.

When they reached the spiral staircase at the base of the Astronomy Tower, the Hufflepuff decided to end the witches' the peaceful night.

"Can I ask a question?" He asked, voice sounding incredibly loud in the barren hallway.

"If you must." She replied sourly, reigning in the urge to say that he already had.

"I understand that you agreed to this mentoring business." He said, climbing the veined marble steps next to her. "I was wondering why. You clearly dislike me, so why would you agree to it?"

'Agreed' wasn't quite how Andromeda would put it. Manipulated by Slughorn with the promise of reward is how she would describe the affair. But she refused to elaborate on the details with a Hufflepuff, not wanting to have another awkward conversation with him. Instead she simply confirmed what he had been told with a muttered 'yes'.

"Why?" He asked again, in an amiable tone. Clearly, he was determined to get his partner to speak. So, when she didn't reply, he continued, "Professor Sprout said that you were very-"

"I don't care what Sprout said." Andromeda snarled, quickening her pace. "Why I'm doing this is no concern of yours."

"I'm guessing it's for house points then."

"Why else would I do it?" She snorted, rolling her eyes in indignation.

"Out of the goodness of your heart?" Tonks teased and the witch gritted her teeth, trying to block him out.

As they ascended, Andromeda listened to the wind, which whistled around her body, whipping up her coffee coloured curls. The temperature grew cooler with every step as they climbed. When they reached the top of the tower, the pathway branched in opposite directions. Tonks headed left, which would take him to the classroom. With wand raised, Andromeda took the other route, soon coming to a section of flat roof. Approaching an arched doorway, the witch exited the tower. Immediately rain slammed onto her face, momentarily shocking her with its ferocity. Straining to see with the onslaught of wind and rain, Andromeda squinted in an effort to source any anomalies. All she could see in the downpour was that the star-gazing platform was deserted, unsurprising when the rain thundered against every surface. It would have been impossible for young Professor Sinistra to adequately teach in these conditions.

Wishing she could linger, Andromeda marched back indoors, realising for the first time how drenched she actually was. Gems of water dripped from the strands of her wet hair, and splashed on the floor. She felt a trickle down the back of her neck, causing her to shiver.

"Andromeda? You're soaked." Tonks's hazel eyes were alight with humour as he looked her up and down.

"I'm aware." She breathed, looking behind him. "Find anyone?"

"No. Did you?"

The witch shook her head in a negative, feeling more watery beads flick from the ends of her saturated locks. Knowing she couldn't continue Prefect patrol in her state, Andromeda dried herself, using the Hot-Air Charm she had learnt over the summer holidays. As warmth blasted from the elm wood, the Hufflepuff stepped back, impressively watching as the water quickly evaporated from Andromeda's figure.

"Let's go." She said loudly, clearing her voice and checking her watch. "We still need to check Gryffindor Tower."

"Ladies first." Tonks announced with a mock bow, letting her lead the way back down the tightly spiralled steps.

As they combed through the dark school, the Slytherin said nothing, intent on performing her duties and then getting much needed sleep. She silently hoped that their patrol would remain a quiet one and that they would not find any first years willing to test her already stretched patience. Andromeda's tired feet continued to push forwards and she fought the urge to sit down and rest, just for a moment.

"Get down!" A hiss echoed in the inky blackness.

Andromeda rolled her eyes and once again took out her wand, but she noticed that the Hufflepuff already had his in hand.

"Homenum Revelio." Tonks muttered and three disgruntled Gryffindors were pushed from behind a wall carving by an invisible wave of magic. Tonks and Andromeda both adopted matching expressions of disappointment as they regarded the trio of students. All of them were first years by the look of them and they looked at the emblems on the Prefects' robes. They relaxed at the sight of the badger, but tensed when they spotted the silver serpent. Good.

"Boys, what are you doing out of your Common Room?" Andromeda asked, raising her chin in challenge.

"It was a dare." One of them answered quickly.

"Sorry, we won't do it again." Another responded, fidgeting with the arm of his jumper.

"Dare or not, you shouldn't be out after curfew." Tonks reprimanded gently. Far too gently.

Andromeda stepped forward, determined to make an example of the young lions. "Ten points will be deducted from Gryffindor." She said flatly and all of their mouths popped open.

"Ten?!" The taller one all but shouted, receiving glares from the rudely awoken portraits.

"Each." She added, earning a frown from her fellow Prefect.

"Andromeda, isn't that a bit harsh?" He asked quietly, looking down at her.

The Slytherin was unmoved. "They have to learn to not break the rules."

"Yeah, but-"

"Thirty points from Gryffindor." Andromeda repeated sternly, turning back to the shocked group in front of her. "Now, get back to your dorms. Quickly."

All three boys ran off, their silhouettes swallowed up by the unlit corridor. She turned back to Tonks who was still gazing at her with some expression she couldn't pin.

"What?" She asked with a scowl.

"I still think you were a bit harsh on them."

"I don't care what you think." She retorted, brushing past him as she continued their walk.

"Yeah, clearly." The Hufflepuff mumbled. "Those boys were terrified."

"And what would you have done?" The witch questioned, spinning on her heel to face him. "Let them go with a tap on the wrist?"

"No, I-"

"Oi!" Both of the Prefects looked at the wall, seeing an enchanted canvas move as its grumpy inhabitant shuffled around in the confines of its ornate gold frame. "Take your lovers spat elsewhere. Some of us are trying to sleep!"

With a disgusted huff at the implication, the snake stormed off into the darkness, suddenly desperate to get back to her own dorm.

.


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a/n: So, their first night on patrol! What do you think? I hope it sounded realistic and I hope you enjoy this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it!
I think that the next chapter will be from
Ted's P.O.V.
As always, please leave a review with your opinions and ideas, I'd love to know your thoughts. I read them all!
Thank you everyone.
- DQ92