The next week went by in a haze. It seemed Andromeda could not walk more than two feet without catching a glimpse of either Ted or Rabastan. Both instances would cause her such an intense rush of excitement, guilt, and longing, she could barely breathe. She wasn't sure how much longer she could live like this before she broke.

At least it gave her something to look forward too during the Quidditch Match. Though to be honest, it was the only thing she was looking forward too during the Quidditch Match. She'd avoided the common room as much as possible since the incident with Bellatrix. She'd taken to eating in the Great Hall quickly during the non-busy times. She kept her head down in classes and in the hallways, but in the Quidditch Pitch it was impossible to avoid them. She hadn't even liked Quidditch to begin with, but with all those eyes staring at her like she was some strange, malformed creature, it had reached a new level of insufferability. She'd only come because Rabastan had told her too, as he thought it might be a way to get back in good grace of her classmates if she showed some team spirit.

But as she took her seat and people literally hissed, she wasn't sure it was working. She glanced behind her, where Rabastan was sitting. He gave her a warm smile, before quickly returning to the match. That was all he could afford, especially with Rodolphus sitting on his other side. It was enough to lift Andromeda's spirits and remind her that someone, at least, cared about her continued existence.

Magdalena, on her right side, also gave her a quick, soft smile, which Andromeda returned. That was the end of their interaction though. Magdalena was receiving the backlash of Andromeda's actions simply because she didn't shun her like the rest of them. Now she hesitated about acknowledging Andromeda in public. She understood, and she would never ask Magdalena for more than her kindness, but it did mean she was running out of people to talk too.

Sighing, she glanced across the field, where the yellow-clad Hufflepuff's were gathered. Trying to catch Ted's eyes with Rodolphus so close was risky, but she couldn't help it. Catching a glimpse of him was the other reason she had come. But she couldn't find his sun-gold hair amid the crowds. Frowning, she searched for the dark afro of his friend, Olivia. She found her easily enough, along with the other two Ted spent his time with, but Ted himself was absent.

Her chest sank, while a worried knot formed in her stomach. That wasn't like him, he loved Quidditch as much as she hated it, the irony of which he loved to point out. He wouldn't miss it for the world, unless something was wrong.

Without thinking, she glanced back at Rodolphus. Had he discovered the truth about Ted and her and decided to do something about it? The thought sent a tremor through her. But if that were the case, wouldn't he be trying to hurt her as well? Unless he was waiting for the right moment…

As if he could sense her gaze, Rodolphus turned to her. He grinned softly, but his eyes flashed dangerously. She quickly looked away, but she could feel his eyes piercing the back of her head.

Her worry over Ted wasn't gone, but there was nothing she could do about it now. She would have to wait until after the match.

Three hours later, the match still did not have a conclusion. Usually games between Gryiffindor and Ravenclaw did not last this long. If she didn't know better she would think her cousin was doing this on purpose, but he seemed just as frustrated as anyone else. She couldn't take it anymore. Ted had never reappeared, and worry was literally eating her up alive.

"Excuse me," she said, making her way to the castle. Others had given up on a conclusion as well, so surely it would not look out of place for her to leave.

She did her best not run as she hurried over the castle. It occurred to her once she was inside the double doors that she had no idea where Ted might be. He hadn't been by the lake. He could have been in the forbidden forest, or he could in the common room, or he could be wandering the halls of Hogwarts. There was very little chance she'd find him before the end of match, and then there would be to many witnesses.

Eventually, she settled on the kitchen. Even if he wasn't there the house-elves would be able to tell her if he had been. She had barely taken a few steps when she heard the distinct sniffling of someone behind her.

She froze. Ted wasn't really the emotional sort, but there was a first time for everything. Slowly, she peered around the corner, but instead she found herself face-to-face with a very teary-eyed Teresa Podmore.

They both froze as they saw each other, though Teresa, despite being emotionally distraught, was the first to recover.

"Ms. Black," she tried to smile through her tears. "I apologize if I'm causing a scene." Andromeda just stared at her. The awkward tension between them was so thick she could barely breathe. She'd never really spoken to Teresa before, she was a muggleborn after all. And yet, her life seemed largely affected by this muggleborn, and not just because she and Ted had technically ended her relationship over her. She had also seen her with Ted on Valentine's day. Considering Ted had professed his love to her a few days later, she doubted it had been very serious, at least on Ted's end. Teresa was another matter.

But now probably was the best time to feed her jealousy, not when Teresa looked so… broken.

"Here," Andromeda said, handing her a hankercheif.

Teresa's eyes widened, but then she took it. Andromeda didn't say anything as she nosily and messily blew her nose into it and then dabbled her eyes.

"Thank you," she said, sounding like she meant it. She looked better, but Andromeda could tell another wave of tears were coming.

"Are you alright?" Andromeda asked. She knew the answer was no, but it seemed impolite not to ask anyway.

Teresa smiled briefly again, but this time it looked a little more real. "I will be. Thank you."

Andromeda nodded, before noticing that she was making a lot eye contact with Teresa. She looked away before the awkwardness overtook her again. She should leave, but she felt wrong leaving Teresa in this state. Perhaps she could locate one of her friends for her, it wasn't like she was having any luck finding Ted.

"I also wanted to thank you for what you did, the other day. It must have taken a lot of courage to stand up to them like that."

She didn't need to clarify what Teresa was talking about, there could only be one thing.

"You have no idea," she didn't mean for it to sound so dark, but it did. Teresa didn't look alarmed though, she looked sympathetic.

"I can't imagine what you are going through because of it. I just wanted you to know, that it meant something, to us." She reached out a hand and placed it on Andromeda's.

She must not have meant to do that, because her eyes widened as she glanced down. Any other pureblood would have recoiled at the touch of muggleborn. A few months ago Andromeda would have as well, for fear that she would be caught.

But not this time. This time all she did was sit in silence, staring at their hands.

Teresa pulled her hand away, but this time her smile glowed. "I can see why he likes you."

Andromeda glanced up, heart-pounding. "Rabastan?"

"No," Teresa's smile grew wider at Andromeda's reaction. "Not Rabastan." She gave Andromeda another smile, a knowing smile.

"It's all right," she said, catching Andromeda's panicked expression. "I won't tell anyone."

Andromeda let out a deep sigh. "How did you find out?" The fact that she did was alarming in and of itself. How many other people knew about them? Unless, of course, she was right about Teresa's feelings for Ted, then she might have been paying him special attention.

"I guessed," she said, once again noting Andromeda's distress. "And then Ted confirmed."

"How long have you known? " Andromeda asked, trying not to sound too scared of the answer.

"For about ten minutes," she said, looking away. Andromeda didn't have to see her face to know she was in pain. That confirmed her suspicion then. Teresa had feelings for Ted.

She didn't want too, but she started picturing Ted with her. She would be better for him after all, she could be with him without fear that it would result in his head being ripped off. Maybe she should back-off and let Teresa have him.

No sooner had the thought crossed her then a sickening heat spread through her body, like fire.

"Is he all right?" she asked quickly, no point in denying she wanted to know, desperately.

Teresa only sighed, which made the pit in Andromeda's stomach harden. She'd been right to worry then.

"He's in the common room," Teresa said, breaking the silence. "It's just over there, behind that staircase. The password is, honeysickle."

Andromeda almost choked in surprise. "Why are you telling me this?"

Teresa smiled again, but it was a sad smile. "Because he would want to see you."

Andromeda didn't respond, and Teresa seemed to be at the end of her ability to have this conversation while keeping it together. Andromeda didn't blame her. If she the shoe had been on the other foot she might have clipped Teresa over the head with her shoes. Teresa was clearly a much better person than she was.

She didn't move as Teresa walked by, but she before she disappeared from sight she said. "Teresa?"

Teresa paused and glanced over her shoulder.

"Thank you," Andromeda said, her throat dry. Hopefully she sounded sincere and not like she was gloating.

Teresa gave her another soft, sad smile. "Take care of him, promise me."

Andromeda nodded, and then Teresa was gone. Slowly, she turned toward the staircase that she had indicated. Entering another house's common room was a serious offense that would land her in a lot of trouble if she was caught, especially if word got back to Rodolphus. But Ted was in there, and he needed her. That thought alone was enough to send her marching off toward the staircase, as quickly as she could before she could change her mind.