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She made an effort to avoid the common room entirely after that incident. She only had two friends anyway, and neither of them liked the common room much either. Rabastan preferred to avoid the gossip that his parents had forbidden him to marry Andromeda, among other gossip about his Fiancé. And Magdalena, who had never much liked the common room anyway, seemed equally uncomfortable with all the negative attention Andromeda was receiving. She was surprised by how much they all had to say about her. She'd never been popular, persay, but no one had dared say anything for fear of Bellatrix. But that was all over now. While Bella herself did not participate in the gossip, she did nothing to stop it, preferring to pretend her sister didn't exist.

Now that she thought about it, she realized she had three friends. Narcissa. She could tell all the talk was hurting Narcissa, probably more than it was hurting her. She caught her sister gazing at her sympathetically from across the Great Hall a few times, but she never said anything. Bellatrix had forbidden her too. Whatever she wanted to say to Andromeda she would say through Rabastan.

"She's worried about you," Rabastan told her. "She fears you have lost your way."

She wasn't entirely wrong, but Andromeda chose not to speak on it. She hadn't mentioned her promise to Rabastan from a few days ago. It was too painful.

"Tell her I'm sorry," Andromeda replied. It was true enough.

"She says to be patient with Bella. She'll forgive you, one day."

Andromeda doubted that, but she wasn't going to squash Narcissa's hopeless optimism. At least Narcissa looked happy. She was scarcely seen without Lucius these days. Neither of them had said anything official about their courtship, but it was clear from the way they were looking at each other there was something there. After everything Narcissa had been through, the last thing Andromeda wanted to do was burden her with her problems, not when things were finally looking up for her.

It was thoughts such as these late one evening that allowed her to become so distracted she didn't notice the arm that doubted out and pulled her into an empty classroom.

She nearly screamed, but managed to bite her tongue in time. Thank goodness, because her assailant was Ted.

She couldn't believe it. After the way things ended between them she'd assumed she'd never see him again, other than the occasional site of him in classes and in the halls. But never like this. Never alone.

It was making her tremble.

"What are you doing?" she shout-whispered after she had recovered. "Are you trying to tempt fate?"

"I could ask you the same question," he said. He seemed as unsettled as she felt. They were both hyperaware of their proximity to each other, and even though there were several feet between them, they were both toitering on the back of their heels like they were trying to move themselves even further away.

"What were you thinking, standing up to them like that?" his tone matched her own. "To Rodolphus. Don't you think it's a major red flag when you start standing up to for muggleborns? Especially when said muggleborns happen to be my friend?"

Her mouth dropped open. He was angry. With her. After everything he had put her too.

A rage like she had never felt soared inside her.

"Bugger off!" she shouted.

Ted's eyebrows rose so high they seemed to disappear. "What did you just say?"

But she was only getting started. "All the time we were together, you told me not to hide my head in the sand, and you've never forgiven me for what happened to Teresa, and now that I actually start standing up for muggleborns you come after me again."

"Things were different then. You didn't have a spotlight on you."

Her eyes darkened. "Yes, I did."

Ted's eyes went wide. "What are you talking about?"

But she looked away. She'd said more than she ever meant to anyway. "It's none of your business."

"Damnit, Andromeda," Ted ran a hand through his hair, like he always did when he frustrated. "Tell me what's going on."

"Why do you even care?" She was so angry she near tears, her voice shaky and her eyes wet.

Ted was shaking too, but his eyes never left hers as he said, "Because I'm love with you."

She froze. Completely. Her shaken stopped, as did her breathing, for a moment. It was as if the whole world stopped with her. She couldn't move, not even when Ted stepped toward her and said, "I love you, Andromeda Black. And I have for awhile."

And just like that, she snapped back into reality. Except, it didn't feel anything like reality.

"I don't believe this," she whispered, turning away from Ted. She couldn't bare his gaze anymore. It didn't feel real, it couldn't be, not after everything they'd been through. But the look in his eyes made it impossible to deny.

"Well, it's true," his voice had that broken quality she'd heard before. It seemed to be one she brought on quite enough, but for once it didn't make her feel guilty.

"Why are you telling me this?" she said, near hysteria. She couldn't help it. It was more than she could handle. "Why now?"

"Because I'm tired of staying away from you."

"You're the own who said it was too dangerous for us to be around each other!"

"I know, and it is, I just don't care." His eyes were boring into her again. Eyes that pierced right through her, right to her heart. And she couldn't bare it.

"I can't do this." She folded her arms across her chest, trying to hold herself together. She felt like she was about to break into a million pieces.

"Andromeda, Please—" Ted stepped forward, but one look from her froze him in his tracks.

"Please? You dare say please to me? Do you have any idea what I've been through because of you."

The guilt and remorse she saw was almost enough to calm her rage. "I know I—" he started.

But it still wasn't enough.

"You left me!" The words seemed to rip out of her chest, and she gasped. "You left me just when I was starting too—" but she couldn't speak anymore. Her chest hurt too much for speaking.

"Starting to what?" Ted said, he took another step forward, and this time she didn't glare at him. She didn't have enough strength left to glare at him.

He just stared at her, seeming about to break apart himself. She could tell he wanted to come closer, but he didn't dare. She turned away again, before she truly lost it.

"You're wrong, about what you said earlier," he said quietly behind her. "About me not forgiving you. I have. Or rather, I know there's nothing to forgive. And I was wrong about what I said about you that night. I was wrong about you."

"No," she replied hoarsely, before she could stop herself. "You're not."

"I know you were the one who told Sirius about what they were planning to do to Teresa." Ted continued. She whirled around, she couldn't help it. She had never told anyone that. Except for Sirius himself.

"He told me," Ted replied, answering her unspoken question. "I also know that's not the first time you warned him about their planned attacks on muggleborns."

She closed her eyes. She wanted to deny it, like she had done so many times before, but there was no point now. Ted would see right through her.

"Why didn't you tell me?" he asked, his voice raw.

She didn't want to answer, she wanted to ignore him and be angry, but she couldn't. No matter how hard she tried.

"I don't know." She sighed. "I had a lot of things on my mind."

"Like what?" he said gently.

The words were on the edge of her lips, and she desperately wanted to let them out. But she couldn't, could she?

"Andromeda, you can tell me." He took another step toward her, and when she didn't react, he took another. "I promise I'll listen this time."

She shouldn't. She should tell him to leave her alone and then never speak to him again. But she was so tired off holding her tongue.

"Do you remember when we stumbled upon Rodolphus and Narcissa?"

He nodded. She could tell he was confused, but he didn't interrupt her. He just waited, patiently. She hesitated. She'd never told anyone about this, other than Bellatrix. She'd kept the horror of it buried down inside her, and it had been slowly eating her up.

Ted still didn't say anything, he just waited. It had been so long since she'd spoken to Ted without getting into a fight, it felt weird to be trusting him with something so private.

But there had been a time when he'd been the only person she would have trusted with something like this, and in some ways, he still was.

"I thought something seemed off then, and then I saw the bruises on Narcissa's arms and stomach and I realized what it was." She couldn't say anymore, but she could tell from Ted's face it was enough.

"Andromeda," he said gently, "I'm so sorry."

It was those three words. Those three, soft, simple words, that finally broke her. The sob ripped through her body as she collapsed in on herself, sinking down toward the floor.

In an instant Ted's arms were wrapped around her. He froze. He probably hadn't meant to touch her like that, it was an old habit. He started to pull away, but she grabbed his sleeves. He didn't need more incentive. His arms wrapped more securely around her, holding her together.

"She wouldn't let me help her," Andromeda gasped, "not that I had any idea how."

"Is she still…" Ted asked, "I mean, does Rodolphus still..."

"No. Things between ended during Christmas."

He relaxed, and she felt his hand gently stroke her forearm. "So, you saved your sister too."

"Not me. Bellatrix. Just like I wasn't the one to save those muggleborns. Sirius was." She gasped for air again. Her sobs had subsided somewhat, but her tears were coming faster than she could handle. Ted's sleeve was already wet. "You weren't wrong about me. I'm weak, and afraid. And I'm always going to be that way."

"No. Andromeda, you're not. You're the strongest, bravest person I know."

She shook her head. He'd said those things to her before, and she hadn't quite believed them, but now she knew they weren't true.

"No. If I was strong I would be able to protect the people I love."

He'd begun stroking her hair, and then she felt something firm press against it. His lips?

"You do protect them," he said against her hair. He had kissed her then. "I've seen the way Narcissa looks at you. She trusts you. She loves you. And you've been there for Sirius. He told me. He about ripped my head off when I told him about Teresa," he laughed shakily, and his hand gently traced her hairline before pulling it behind her ear. She should tell him to stop, but she couldn't even if she had wanted too, "When I complained about you doing nothing to help her. And you've been there for me, more times than I care to count. And today, you were there for Lorie."

His hand move down her hairline, briefly brushing against her neck. His hands were so gentle, and hesitant, like he was expecting her to resist at any moment. But his caresses were the only thing holding her together.

"I don't know if I can do that again," she whispered. "Bella was so angry. And she's going to tell our parents. I don't know what they'll do this time."

"This time?" Ted repeated.

Andromeda held her breath. She hadn't meant to say that, but there was no taking it back now.

What you said before, about this not being the first time you were under scrutiny…"

She didn't speak. She'd never told anyone this story either. She'd planned to take it to her grave, but now that she had opened the floodgates there was no stopping the tide.

"Last June, during terms. I was in the library and I lost track of time. I left late. And on my way back, I heard a scream. It was muffled, like someone had snuffed it out, but I knew I heard it. I searched the rooms, and finally…"

She couldn't believe she was saying this out loud. She could barely breathe, but once again Ted was patient, no wanting to rush her. He just stroked her hair.

She took a deep breath and continued. "I didn't see the others when I first walked in, I just saw her. She was lying on the ground, shaking. She looked so pale I almost thought she was a ghost at first. She looked up when she saw me. I remember her eyes. They were so wide, and terrified, and in pain."

Her body trembled as she remembered. Ted's grip tightened in concern.

"And then she said…" she stopped again, unable to say the word.

"Said what?" Ted prompted gently.

"Crucio," she whispered, barely more than a whisper.

Ted's grip on her tightened again, but once again, he didn't say anything.

"I screamed," she continued. "I couldn't help it. It was—" She closed her eyes. There weren't words to describe what it was, so she continued. "I don't think they knew I was there until then, but before I could do anything they put a hand over my mouth.

"She told me the mudblood was dirty, and foul, and they were cleansing her. And then she smiled." She swallowed, like she could swallow up this particularly foul detail. "And then she did it again." She didn't give her a name, but she was sure Ted could guess who it was. She just couldn't bring herself to say her name out loud.

"The girl was twisting so much she was scraping her body on the floor. Her skin was looked red there were so many cuts everywhere. I couldn't take it, watching her wreathe like that. I grabbed my wand and flicked it at them. I don't know what happened, but they let go. And then I ran toward her. I don't know what I was thinking, I just flung my body over hers. I told them if they wanted to hurt her, they were going to have to hurt me too.

"She told me to move, but I couldn't. I begged her to stop. I told her she was killing her, the girl, and that if she was caught she would be sent to Azkaban, but nothing I said made her lower her wand.

"The others kept telling her to jinx me, or just blast me out of the way. But she didn't want to. She wanted me to move of my own accord. When one of the others tried to jinx me himself she turned on them.

"Finally, she told them all to leave. She didn't want them to see any more of treachery, and she didn't want any witnesses to our conversation. They resisted, but when she turned her wand on them they left.

"She screamed a lot of things at me. I don't remember all of them. Obviously, she called mea blood-traitor and told me I was worthless and a disgrace. She even threatened to curse us anyway, but I didn't move. I think I was too scared to move. Finally, she couldn't take it anymore and she left. I suppose that was good, I don't know what she would have done if she'd stayed. Neither of us moved for a while, until finally I got up and took her back to her common room."

Andromeda shuddered, and Ted clasped her tightly again. The worst of her story was over. Reliving it had been terrible, yet she suddenly felt lighter. Like some of the pain and guilt had been lifted off her shoulder.

Ted continued to gently stroke her. Once her shudders and tears had subsided he asked, "You didn't take her to the hospital wing?"

She swallowed. "I was afraid they'd be able to figure out what curse was used on her."

She expected him to say something, about how she'd risked the girl's safety to save her sister's skin. Or at least to push her away, but he didn't. If anything, he held her tighter.

"The girl…," he said slowly, "it was Piper, wasn't it?"

She let out another breath. She had wanted to protect Piper's identity, but she wasn't going to lie to Ted anymore. "Yes."

"So that night, with the movie, when those Slytherin boys came in…"

"They were there. Except for Rodolphus, but I'm sure he would've been if he'd been around."

Ted was quiet for a moment, no doubt putting the pieces of the puzzle together. She didn't mind. It was nice just to sit in silence for a while, with Ted's warm arms around her.

"What did you sister do after?" he asked finally. So, he had figured out who the perpetrator was.

"Bella didn't tell our parents everything." it felt weird using her sister's nickname. She was sure it was weird for Ted too, but he was still uncharacteristically, and mercifully, silent. "She told them I was doing it to keep her from being expelled, which was partly true. They were so furious. They assumed I was becoming like Sirius, and they didn't think they could take the shame. That was when they decided to bethrothe me to Rabastan, as a way of keeping me in line."

She expected another comment, but Ted was still silent. His grip around her did tighten at the mention of Rabastan, however.

"What do I do now?" she rasped.

"Exactly what you've been doing."

She shook her head. "I can't. Not anymore. I don't know who I am anymore. I don't know where to go. I don't know what I'm doing. I feel like I'm being ripped in half, like I don't fit anywhere. How do I keep living like this?"

She glanced up at him. She'd been avoiding that, he was too close, but she couldn't help it. She needed to see him. He was so close to her. She could have counted his eyelashes if she wanted too, and she did, surprisingly enough. The thought almost made her laugh, which was the strangest thing that happened all evening. It felt right though, staring into Ted's eyes. He could feel it too, she could tell. His eyes slowly traveled down to her lips. He wanted to kiss her, she was sure, but he was hesitant. He didn't want to do anything she didn't want too.

She smiled at him, and that seemed to be answer enough. He slowly pressed his lips to hers. At first his kiss was slow, and hesitant. It had been a while since they kissed, and they'd been through so much since then. She could feel the raw, passionate hunger underneath his soft lips though, and in the firmness of his hands. She waited for it to break through, for him to seize her so hard she might break and kiss her like he would never see her again, but he didn't. His touch stayed soft, and tender, as did his lips. He traced his way around her lips, soft and sweet, like butterfly kisses. It was as if he was trying to heal her with his lips, and it was working.

But soon, a face popped into her head, and she pulled away.

"I can't," she said breathlessly.

"I'm sorry." Ted's grip on her loosened and he pulled away, like he was trying to see how little he could touch her while still supporting her weight. "I shouldn't have taken advantage of you like that."

"No, it's not that, it's…"

"What?" he asked, his eyes searching.

"Rabastan," she said simply, but it was enough. He broke in front of her again, and his hands slipped off of her completely. She slid away from just a little, not because she wanted too, but because she felt like he needed the space.

"Do you love him?" Ted asked, his voice barely a whisper.

"I don't know. I don't know what I feel right now." She waited until he looked at her, so he could catch the meaning of his words, that Rabastan wasn't the only one she had confusing feelings toward. "But I can't hurt him, not like this."

Ted was silent. She didn't know what she expected when he started speaking again, but it certainly wasn't his crooked grin.

"For what it's worth, I plan to fight for you." And then he leaned over and kissed her again. It was a playful kiss, but still one that sent tremors down to her toes. It was that sensation that reminded her to push him away again.

"Ted, what did I just tell you?" She was trying to sound angry, but she had to bite her lip to keep from laughing.

I know," Ted groaned, "but he gets to kiss you, and he doesn't have to do it in secret. That gives him quite the advantage. But don't worry." He winked. "I've got an advantage too."

"Oh, really?" she couldn't help but play along. His enthusiasm was infectious, after all.

"He doesn't know he has competition."

She couldn't help it, she smiled and did he. She was drawn to that smile, and the lips went with him. She moved her gaze up to his eyes, just as he did the same. He felt it too, that connection that seemed to pull them together, like there were magnets pulling them closer

She stood up so quickly she almost lost her balance. "I have to go."

She saw the shadow of sadness pass over Ted's features, but he didn't try to stop her.

"Just promise me one thing," he said to her retreating figure. She grabbed the door-handle, then looked back. She didn't dare let go, or she might find herself running back to Ted.

Ted had stood up. His crooked grin was still in place, but it didn't reach his eyes anymore. They were wide and pleading and desperate. "Promise me he won't be the only one who gets to spend time with you."

She hesitated, the nodded, because she didn't trust herself to speak. Then slipped outside.

She'd now made two promises to two different men, and she couldn't fulfill one without breaking the other.

If she thought her heart was divided before, it was nothing compared to how she felt now.