Andromeda had never been so excited for Valentine's day, and it was a rather frightening feeling. It had taken some careful planning on hers and Rabastan's part, but they had finally gotten everything into place. All that was left was to make sure they were in the right place at the right time to witness the fruits of their labor.

She hadn't been surprised when Rabastan had accepted the terms for their date, what surprised her was how excited he was about fulfilling them. He had put so much energy and effort into the preparations, she could have sat back and relaxed if she had wanted too.

She checked her watch again. It was just after five, meaning Rabastan was already waiting for her, but for once, the idea didn't bother her. She smoothed down her hair one more time in the mirror and then bounded down the stairs.

"Andromeda," he said, the moment she came into view. "You look lovely."

She glanced down at her pale-pink dress robes. "The robe is Narcissa's. Apparently, everything I own is too drab for Valentine's day."

He laughed. "I get the feeling this isn't the first time she's taken control of your wardrobe."

"Nor the last," she said, while he offered her his arm. She slipped hers inside, relishing the comfort his presence brought. She never thought she'd feel like this with someone else again.

They arrived at Madame Pudifoot with time to spare, but that gave them time to go over their plan again. Even though they had already done it a million times, it never hurt to be sure.

"There's their table!" Andromeda shout-whispered, unable to contain her excitement. Madame Pudifoot caught her staring and gave her a thumbs up. She still couldn't believe Rabastan had roped her into this, but she was sure his smooth charisma had won her over in an instant. It didn't seem like many people said no to him, except for maybe his brother.

Even so, she couldn't believe Madame Pudifoot had gone through all this trouble simply because Rabastan had batted his eyelashes. The table was set in a far corner, and she'd even put up curtains around it to give it a bit more privacy. A single rose hovered above the table, and she had somehow charmed it to glow, giving a romantic-themed light to the whole area. Individual rose petals gently danced around the table as well, giving the whole thing a surreal feel. If she knew her sister, which she did, she would charmed from the moment she walked in.

She glanced at Rabastan. "Are you sure Lucius is coming?"

He smiled slyly. "I told him to be here and to take credit for whatever was attributed him, regardless of whether he had any hand in it or not."

Andromeda raised an eyebrow. "And he agreed to that?"

Rabastan shrugged, "Eventually." Then he cast her a glance. "Are you sure Narcissa is coming?"

It was Andromeda's turn to smile slyly. "I told her we were having our first official date. She'll be here. Trust me."

As if to prove her point, Madame Puddifoot's door swung open, a familiar head of luscious blond curls walked in. Narcissa scanned the already assembled couples until her eyes rested on Andromeda and Rabastan. Her eyes immediately lit up and she gave Andromeda a tiny little wave before edging her way into a corner table. She tried to pretend she was intensely interested in her nails, but her glances in their direction every five seconds gave her away. Andromeda and Rabastan glanced at each other, and then looked away quickly to keep from laughing.

No sooner had they managed to stifle their giggles then Madame Pudifoot waltzed over to Narcissa and beckoned her to follow. With a confused and excited look, Narcissa followed her over to the table she had prepared. Her eyes widened as she glanced around, but the only people she could see were Andromeda and Rabastan, who made sure to pretend they were in deep conversation and oblivious to Narcissa's existence. Out of the corner of her Andromeda could see a familiar excited flush rush into her sister's cheeks, and she allowed herserlf a small smile. But there was just one problem, where was Lucius? She could see that Rabastan had the same question. But just as they were about to get worried the door swung open and Lucius rushed in.

Andromeda raised her eyebrows. She had never see Lucius look so flustered, but he looked near ready to pass out. Thankfully, Madame Pudifoot was an expert on all things romance. She subtly slipped her arm into Lucius and guided him toward the table. Just before she reached Narcissa she slipped her arm out and with a deft smile left him alone to join his date.

Lucius swallowed, and then glanced at Rabastan. Andromeda had to look away to keep from bursting out into laughter at the look on Lucius face. Rabastan face contorted like he was trying to do the same, and he gave Lucius an exasperated look before waving forward.

Finally, Lucius turned away from them and walked toward Narcissa. Thankfully, since Andromeda was about to burst. Her sister looked up in surprise at the new arrival and for a minute, they just stared at each other. As the moment continued, Andromeda felt the smile slip off her face. But then, finally, her sister gestured to the seat across from her. Lucius nearly collapsed with relief, and once again Rabastan and Meda were forced to look away to stifle their giggles. When they looked back, they found Lucius had managed to remember how to speak, and whatever he was saying put a smile to her sister's lips.

Satisfied with their work, Rabastan and Andromeda turned their attention to each other.

"You're one a kind, you know that Andromeda?" Rabastan said. Andromeda was still chortling from Narcissa and Lucius date, but it dried up as she blushed.

"I don't know what you mean."

Rabastan's eyes were still sparkling with laughter, but he was serious as he said, "I've never met someone who spent so much time thinking about everyone else."

Andromeda's blush deepened, and she looked away, but the next thing she felt was a hand on top of hers. When she looked back, Rabastan was gazing at her intently. In spite of herself, she smiled. He responded by moving his hand under hers and gently stroking her wrist. It felt nice, and she felt herself relax a little.

"They're aren't many purebloods like you either," she whispered quietly.

His eyes danced again, and she noticed she was leaning closer. "What do you mean?" He asked, seeming hungry for the answer.

Without realizing it, she was leaning closer too, close enough that she could feel his breath on her cheek.

"You're kind," she whispered, and then she didn't have time to say anything else, because Rabastan's lips were on hers.

The door tinkled as someone walked in. That meant they had an audience, but Rabastan didn't seem to care, so she tried not to either and instead focus on the pleasant sensation of his lips on hers. Only when he finally pulled away did she allow herself to look and see who had come in.

Her blood froze when she saw Ted glaring daggers at her.

For a moment, she just stared at him. She hadn't seen him since that fateful day in the hallway, when Rodolphus had decided to announce her engagement to the whole school. To be fair, she had avoided most everyone after that day. The stares and whispers that followed her were almost unbearable. She'd only gotten through it because of Rabastan. Thankfully, his anger over Rodolphus revelation had put a rift between them, so she didn't have to spend anymore time with Rodolphus. But all that time hiding away with Rabastan meant she'd had no time to seek Ted out, not that she would have known what to say to him if she saw him. She just didn't want him to hate her.

But based on his look, it was too late for that.

She looked away and pretended she was searching for something in her bag so Rabastan wouldn't see the broken look on her face. It shouldn't matter to her what Ted thought of her anymore, but it did. And the idea that he hated her hurt so much she could barely breathe.

"Andromeda?" Rabastan prompted. She took a deep breath and looked up with a forced smile, but she could see he wasn't convinced. He glanced over her shoulder, and his eyes narrowed.

"It's that muggleborn, isn't it? He's been bothering you?" Rabastan hadn't mastered the dangerous calm their elder siblings had down to a science, the kind that made her fear for life. But his suspicion still made her nervous. If he said the wrong thing to the wrong person…

"It's not him specifically," she sighed. "It's just… with everything they've all been saying, I can't help but be worried for all the muggleborns." That wasn't a lie, she just had to hope Rabastan thought that was all it was.

But far from appeasing Rabastan, he only looked more distraught. "Andromeda," he hissed, glancing around. "You can't say stuff like that here."

For a moment, she forgot about Ted. After everything Rabastan had told her before, she wouldn't have thought he'd taken offense at her statement.

"You're not saying you agree with them?" She stammered before she could stop herself. She hadn't meant to sound so accusatory, but Rabastan leaned back a little regardless.

"Of course not," he sighed. "But we can't speak so openly about our feelings. Surely, you of all people should know that."

He had no idea. But she bit her lip. She'd already gotten herself into enough trouble. She couldn't risk anymore. At least this new topic of conversation had gotten them off the subject of Ted, but what had been a comfortable atmosphere before was now tense and awkward, and neither she nor Rabastan seemed to know how to fix it.

Sighing, she chanced another glance at Ted. She really shouldn't, but she couldn't help it. He was no longer glaring at her, which was a nice change, until she realized why. She'd been so focused on him, she hadn't noticed the person with him. It made sense that he wouldn't be here alone, Madame Pudifoot's catered to a specific clientele, and it was Valentine's day. She supposed she should be happy he wasn't alone. Especially considering he was with Teresa, the kindest human she knew. Teresa said something, and he cracked a smile. She should be happy he was smiling again. But all she felt was strangely empty, like someone had sucked out all her insides and left just a cold vacuum.

She looked away, and this time she didn't look back. It wan'ts long after that she and Rabastan left anyway, especially since neither of them seemed to know how to start a conversation. Andromeda wanted to say something, but she was afraid Rabastan would start prying again, so instead she kept her silence.

Things got a little better when they went to a sweet shop, and Rabastan plastered a chocolate mustache on his lips, making her giggle. Now that he had found away to overcome the tension between them she found herself relaxing again. It was easier to forget about Ted when Rabastan was doing such a good job of making her laugh. Maybe she would get through this after all.

She was positively beaming when she excused herself to wash room. That this, until she walked into the wash room and found it was actually an empty room. Thinking she had just made a wrong turn she turned around, just in time to see the door slam shut and lock in front of her.

Something was happening. Out of her control. Her pulse had just started to race and thin line of sweat coated her brow when she heard a voice say.

"Relax, would you? It's just me."

She gasped in shock, certain she was mistaken. But when she whirled around she saw none other than Ted Tonks standing behind her.

For a moment, all she could do was stare at him. It was like so many of their meetings before, except he had always had that excited, goofy grin on his face. There was no trace of that grin in his features now.

"Ted?" She gasped. "What are you doing?"

"I had to speak with you." He stepped forward, but made sure to leave a few between them. "Don't worry, I'll have you back before your fiancé realizes you're gone." He spat out the word fiancé like it was a disease.

She swallowed. She had expected a confrontation like this, but that didn't make her any more prepared.

"Ted, I—"

"I'm not here to talk about your engagement," he replied stonily. "Though I suppose I should offer my congratulations."

It sounded more like he was offering her a bat-bogey hex.

"It was arranged," she said quickly. Perhaps she shouldn't be telling him this at all. It wouldn't make things better, but she couldn't help it. "You know that, right?"

He was silent for a long moment. He wouldn't look at her, but she could tell he was having an internal battle over something.

Finally, he whispered. "When?"

She bit her lip. This was a question she'd been hoping to avoid. She could barely choke out the answer. "Just before… just before the ball."

She waited for his angry tirade, or bitter insult or whatever he had prepared, but he didn't say anything. He just stared at her, and then he started laughing. Loudly.

"Ted!" she hissed, without thinking she rushed forward and shoved him back every so gently. "What are you doing?"

He did his best to stifle his laughter, but it took him a while to truly get control of himself.

"Sorry. It just makes sense. Pretty little princess needed just a taste of rebellion before mummy and pops sold her off and locked up the key."

He was still chortling, but there was so much malice packed into his voice she felt like she'd been slapped. She considered slapping him herself to settle the score, but decided against it.

"Is that what you think we were?" The raw, almost desperate note in her voice sobered him up.

"Doesn't matter now, does it?" he said. He tried to glare at her, but he couldn't do it. He looked away, hiding whatever he was really thinking from her. She just stared at him, then realized she couldn't bear the site of him. She turned away in what she hoped was anger, though it was really to hide the moisture gathering in her eyes. Hopefully she could get away before the tears really started to fall.

"Wait." Ted's voice stopped her in her tracks, and suddenly she was angry again.

"Did you think of another insult you forgot to sling at me?" Her eyes felt dry, so she dared turn around to face him. To her surprise he looked guilty, a sign that he didn't completely detest her despite his efforts to convince her otherwise.

"No. I came to warn you."

His suddenly sober tone caught her completely off-guard.

"Warn me of what?"

He looked like he could barely get the words out. "Rodolphus knows."

If she thought his words were like a slap before, it was nothing compared to what she felt know. It was like she was incapable breathing. "What?"

"He knows how I feel about you." Catching the look on her, he amended, "Felt."

She just stared at him. This couldn't be real. It couldn't. It was her worst nightmare come to life. And it didn't make sense. It didn't make sense at all.

Before she knew what she was doing, she strode forward and slapped Ted. "You filthy liar!" She screeched, slapping him didn't feel like enough so she shoved him too. "If Rodolphus knew he would hurt you."

She lifted her arms to shove him again but her grabbed her wrists. She was shaking, and tears were coming down her face. But Ted's grip was somehow comforting, steady.

He waited until she had calmed down a little before he said. "He was under the impression I was suffering enough, with yours and Rabastan's announcement and all."

She glanced at him. She'd known he was angry that she had lied about her engagement, but she assumed anger was as far as it went. He was trying to hold her gaze, as it to prove Rodolphus was wrong, but he couldn't. He looked away. She stared after him for a moment, willing him to look back at her, but he refused.

Sighing, she gently pulled herself out of his grip, and he let her go. Without Ted's steading presence, she collapsed in on herself. "What do we do?"

"He doesn't know about you." Ted said gently, a stark change from his earlier tone. "He thinks my affections were completely one-sided. After all, why would the great Andromeda Black want anything to do with me?"

His gentleness lasted a whole two seconds.

"As I recall," she seethed. "It was the great Edward Tonks wanted nothing to do with me."

For once, Ted had nothing to say. But he looked like he wanted too. They were still standing less than a foot from each other, close enough that they both forgot they were avoiding eye contact.

"It doesn't matter now," Ted said, looking away. "Because we can't have anything to do with each other. We can't give Rodolphus reason to think there was ever anything between us."

He was right, of course, but there was something in the way he said it. Without hesitation, like he'd been thinking about this for a long time.

"So, you went through all this effort to talk to me to tell me you can never speak with me again?"

She expected him to look away again, but he didn't, his eyes never left hers as he said, "Yes."

He didn't move, and neither did she. They both knew once they did, there would be no coming back. Finally, Andromeda couldn't take it anymore. She brushed past Ted and headed for the door. But no sooner had he disappeared from view, then she found that she couldn't leave.

She turned around and said, "If Rodolphus ever…decides you aren't suffering enough, tell Sirius. They'll help you."

She wasn't sure what to make of Ted's reaction, but it looked almost, introspective.

"alright," he said.

She stepped closer. "Promise me."

He paused, staring at her, then said. "I promise."

And once again, they just stared at each other. It was like there was something running between them, holding them in place. Her gaze traveled to his arms, remembering how warm and secure they felt around her. His gaze rested on her lips, and before she knew it, she was doing the same. Like always, they found themselves moving toward each other without really thinking about it.

And just like that, Andromeda snapped back into reality. She stepped back quickly, effectively breaking the connection between them.

"Goodbye, Mr. Tonks," she said, and then she turned toward the door. She didn't dare turn around, and this time she actually made it out.