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The knock on Ted's door was as quiet as house-elf footprints, but to his already buzzed mind, it was like a Mandrake's Cry.
He glanced up groggily from his pillow. His door wasn't even closed, which ruled out his roommates and essentially anyone else he cared talking too.
"Go away," he mumbled, pulling the pillow over his head.
"Ted?" came the soft, musical voice, just before she peeked her head inside.
He sat up quickly, which almost caused him to black out.
"Can I come in?" she asked, hesitantly.
He wanted to scream the word yes, but he didn't trust himself, so he just nodded.
She walked over slowly, carefully. Her arms folded tightly across her chest like she was trying to protect herself from something. Her eyes glanced over the dirty clothes everyone, finally resting on the three empty bottles of Firewhiskey in front of him.
Ted turned red, but he didn't have any excuse to give. His heart sank a little as she sat on the end of bed, as far away from him as she could be.
"How did you get in here?" he asked, trying to sound sober, and probably failing. He could hardly believe she was here. She'd never broken a rule this significant before.
"I saw Teresa," she said, "just outside. She told me." She looked away, biting her lip the way she did when she felt uncomfortable.
He groaned. That was just what he needed. Teresa and Andromeda together, the two women whose hearts he'd managed to rip out.
"She's worried about you," Andromeda said. "She thought you might need me. But I'm, if you don't, or if this is a bad time I can leave—"
"No!" Ted shouted, far too loudly. Andromeda stared at him in alarm.
He swallowed. "I mean, you can stay, if you want too."
She didn't leave, but she didn't particularly look like she wanted to be there either. She'd never seen him drunk before, as far as he could remember, and it looked like she didn't like what she saw.
He sighed and collapsed back on his pillow. His day could not get any worse.
"Ted?" she asked. "What's going on?"
He didn't want to answer though, so instead he asked his own question. "Have you made up your mind?"
She blinked in confusion. "What?"
"About who you chose," he asked bitterly, unable to look at her. "because it sure seems like it." His tone made it clear he wasn't assuming it was himself. It wasn't like she'd given him much hope. Despite her promises they'd hadn't spoken since that night. She was always with Rabastan.
"No, it's not that." She moved closer, then seemed to catch herself. "It's just that… I don't trust myself around you."
Now it was his turn to blink in confusion. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means I'm having a hard time keeping my hands to myself." She glanced at her lap, unable to meet his gaze, but that didn't undo her words.
He stared at her, open mouthed, from where he was lying on the pillow. Andromeda couldn't control herself around him? Maybe this wasn't a complete terrible after all.
He laughed shakily, but even that wasn't enough, and soon his laughter died.
Andromeda glanced at him, her eyes bright with worry. Slowly, she edged a little closer.
"Ted, tell me what's wrong, please."
It was her please that broke him. He could never resist her, not really.
"It's my father," he said, hopefully he wasn't so drunk he started weeping. He wouldn't be able to recover from that.
"Is he alright?" she asked, edging just a little bit closer. It seemed that pity was helping her overcome her discomfort. Thank goodness he was so pitiful right now.
"He left," he said. "My mum woke up and he was gone and there was a note from him saying he wasn't coming back."
His throat was constricting and the tears were forming, he had to look away just in case they threatened to spill out.
"Ted," she had moved close enough to touch him, and her hand brushed lightly against his. "I'm so sorry."
He didn't want to look at her hand on his arm, in case that scared her off, but it felt good. His skin felt lighter where she touched it.
"It's my fault," he said. "He doesn't like that I have magic. My mum would stand up for me. That's why he…" He was forced to swallow again. He'd never told anyone that, except Teresa. He'd never wanted to tell Andromeda. He was afraid it would make her see less of him, if she knew what his father was like.
But thankfully, she didn't pull away. She even moved her hand, so that it slid down his arm and touched his wrist.
"It's not your fault. You can't help who you are or who your family is. Believe me, I know."
He didn't expect to, but he laughed. A hoarse, hollow laugh, but a laugh none-the-less. He'd never been like this with Andromeda before. He'd always been the one comforting her, and here she was doing the exact same. As terrible as this moment was for him, he knew in this moment he'd go through it again and again if it meant he could be with Andromeda like this.
"I just can't believe he would do this to us." He took another deep breath, once again willing away the tears.
Andromeda didn't respond this time, she just stayed by him. It was nice, gazing up at her. He'd give anything to be able to do that everyday.
She smiled softly, like she could read his thoughts. Her hand moved to his and she gently enfolded it in her own.
He sighed and closed his eyes. For another moment it was quiet, then he heard a faint rustle beside him. He opened his eyes, to find that Andromeda had slid down so that she was lying horizontally next to him. That was a dangerous move, as he was now hyperaware of the curve of her body, and his desire to run his hand along it.
Swallowing again, he said, "I've missed you."
She smiled, and her hand slid across his. "I've missed you too."
He could probably blame it on the fact that he was drunk, but he couldn't take it. He leaned over and pressed his lips to hers.
At first, it was like fire. Though surprised at first, her lips quickly opened up to him. He could feel warmth spread all over his body from her touch, and it made him feel weightless, like he could do anything.
Without thinking, he reached out a hand to trace down her side. But he shouldn't have done it, because it pulled her back into reality. She gasped and pulled away.
Groaning, he fell back on his bed. "This whole arrangement's rubbish."
"Engaged women can't just go around kissing other men," she was trying and failing, to sound angry about it, but he could tell she'd enjoyed it every bit as much as he had, "it wouldn't be proper."
He raised an eyebrow. "And lying next to them in their bed is?"
She glanced down at as their bodies, lying so close to one another, and blushed. But when she spoke she sounded rather sure, "Of course, as long as they don't touch each other."
He huffed, "Don't look at me like that. You're the one who's having a hard time keeping her hands to herself."
He expected her to blush. He did not expect her to grab a pillow and whack him over the face with it. Twice.
"Ow!" he winced, "Cut it out." She swung for a third time, and he managed to catch it and through it back at her. She squeaked, but recovered quickly and reached for the pillow again.
But this time he was prepared.
"How about ticking?" he asked. "Is tickling proper?"
"No!" she screeched, but she was already laughing too hard to stop him. The sound of her carefree laughs momentarily distracted him, and he stopped.
She was quick to take advantage of his weakness, and before he knew he was one begging her to stop tickling.
After that, he's not really sure what happened. Her lack of intoxication gave her a distinct advantage, which was the only reason she ended up on top and he didn't. Anyway, somehow, she ended up on top of him. For a moment they were both breathing heavily. Andromeda was trying to prop herself up so she wasn't lying directly on top of him, but she was shaking too much and slipping. They were both breathing so hard, their chests touched each time they exhaled.
There was no way that was proper, but Andromeda was in control, not him. And she wasn't moving. Her lips were so close to his, he could feel his breath on her face. His must reek of alcohol, but she didn't seem to mind. She leaned in, and he closed his eyes.
"Ted?" A loud voice rang through the room just before the door burst open. Come on, Mate, you know you—" Jake ripped back the curtains, to find a few started Andromeda lying on top of an equally startled Ted.
"What," he paused, emphasizing each word. "The. Hell."
Andromeda scrambled off of him, and then they both sat up. She looked positively mortified, but before either of them could say anything Jake shouted, "Andromeda Black? Are you freaking kidding me?"
Only he did not say freaking.
"Jake!" Ted hissed, glancing nervously at the open door. "Shut up!"
But Jake wasn't listening. "How'd you even get in here?" he asked Andromeda.
"The entrance." she said simply. Under different circumstances he might have laughed at her blunt tone, but not today.
"Are you out of your mind?" Jake asked, returning to Ted. "I mean, no offense Andromeda, you're a beautiful girl, but are you out of your mind? Andromeda freaking Black?"
Once again, he did not say freaking.
"Jake, will you just…help me get her out of here?" Ted groaned. Not only was he concerned someone would hear Jake, but all his shouting was giving Ted a splitting headache.
"She got herself in her just fine," Jake folded his arms across his chest. "She can get herself out."
"Jake!"
"The common room's empty." Jake said, not budging. "Everyone is at the match."
Ted didn't bother to respond, he just gave Jake the look. Finally, Jake sighed. "Fine."
He snatched something off his dresser and threw it at Andromeda. It was a mask. Frowning, she slipped it on, then glanced at the mirror. She gasped at what she saw. Her eyes were the same, but her cheekbones and cheeks looked different, hiding her from anyone who wasn't looking too hard.
"Where did you get this?" she asked.
Jake grinned. "I made it. And I better be getting it back."
She nodded, before realizing what she was agreeing too. She glanced back at Ted. The worry had dissapated somewhat during their little pillow fight, but now it was back in full force. He could see the unspoken question in her eyes. She wouldn't leave unless he told her too.
The last thing he wanted was for her to leave, but he knew Jake wouldn't stop until Ted calmed him down, and he would rather Andromeda not be here for that.
"I'll be okay," he forced a smile, hoping he sounded more confident than he felt, but based on the way he worry lines deepened he probably failed.
She took his hand again, and without thinking he stroked it, gaizng into her eyes.
Jake cleared his throat.
Andromeda blushed, and then, painfully, removed her hand from his. She avoided Jake, but as she reached the door she looked back.
There was an unspoken question between them. They didn't know when they would get another moment alone together, and that unknown was driving them crazy. But there was nothing they could do.
Finally, Andromeda left, closing the door behind her. Ted trembled a little at the sound. She was gone.
Jake stared between Ted and the closed door, mouth hanging open. Finally, he asked, "Are you boinking Andromeda Black?"
"No, of course not!" Ted said quickly, his face reddening.
Jake scoffed. "But you want too?"
"Yes," Ted said, without thinking. When Jake Guffawed even more he shook his head. "I mean, when the time is right."
Jake looked at ted like he'd just swallowed leeches. "Are you mental?"
"I already had this conversation with Liv," Ted groaned, falling back on his bed. "I don't need it from you."
"Liv knows?" Jake said, his face getting more and more priceless.
"She doesn't know we're back together," Ted said automatically, before realizing what he'd just let slip. "And you can't tell her. Please, don't tell her."
He was begging Jake now, he couldn't be more pathetic.
"Back together?" Jake's voice rose an octave. "As in, you were together before? For how long?"
Ted sighed. Telling the truth was not getting him into good places, but the guilt over lying was too much for him to take anymore. "I kissed her at the ball."
Jake's jaw dropped farther, then he shook his head. "How could I have missed this?"
"We had to keep it a secret, from everyone." Jake glanced at him, almost accusingly, and Ted sighed. "I'm sorry."
"Damn mate, you've got it bad."
Ted didn't answer, he could barely even look at Jake, which was more than enough of an answer
He cursed, then said, "You've got to call it off."
Ted felt something rise in his throat, as he choked out, "I can't."
"What do you think's going to happen Ted? Sooner or later, things are going to end, probably with your head on a spike."
"I don't care."
"And Andromeda? Have you thought about what this will do to her?"
The answer was yes, he had thought about it before, and he'd pushed away all the guilt it brought. But Jake's question brought it right back. Andromeda had already suffered a lot because of him, and he could only imagine what else she would go through. Some part of him, somewhere, knew what he was asking of her was selfish, and that part of him wouldn't let him look Jake in the eye.
"She's been practically branded because she stood up for muggleborn." Jake had sensed Ted's weakness and was pressing his advantage. "What do you think would happen if people knew she was doing, well, whatever it is the two of you are doing?"
Ted swallowed. He could barely breathe. Jake was right, they were doomed, and that should be enough to knock sense into him, but it wasn't. "The choice doesn't lie with me," he choked out, "it lies with her."
That was true enough, except Ted hadn't figured out what he would do if she didn't choose him, it wasn't a reality he could bare to contemplate.
Jake should his head, whether in pity or disgust he wasn't sure. "If you really loved her," he said with an air of somberness Ted had never thought possible, "the way you act like you do, you'd make the choice easier for her."
Ted clenched his jaw, but didn't say anything. What could he say? Jake gave him another, hopeless look before he stormed out, leaving Ted alone with his thoughts.
Jake's words had hit him to the core, and he could barely breathe. He couldn't bear the thought of Andromeda being hurt, nor could he bare the idea of being apart from her. It was like trying to force the same ends of two magnets together. No matter how hard you tried, you would never keep them together. The forces of nature were literally stacked together to keep them apart.