For a moment, they were all stuck in silence, then they exploded.
"Oh my God!" shouted Lorie.
"I told you this was a mistake," snarled Olivia.
"How the hell did they even find us?" was Jake's answer.
"We've got to get out of here, now," Ted Raced over to Andromeda. She couldn't take her eyes off Star though, who was beginning to tremble.
"We need to apparate!" Jake continued.
"Where to?" Liv asked.
"Does it matter?" Ted seethed. "Just pick some place." When Andromeda continued to stare at the Elf he took her hands in his.
"Andromeda," his voice was soft, but earnest. "We need to go."
Rather than replying she held her finger up. Luckily, her strange behavior silenced the rest of them as well. Star was trying to say something, but she didn't dare speak over the wizards.
"What is it, Star?" When Star continued to tremble she reached out to steady the Elf.
"Tell me," she said gently, but firmly.
"I'm sorry, mistress," Star's eyes filled with tears. "But, if they find me here... if they realized I told you…"
"It's all right," Andromeda smiled. "Go home, Star. And thank you."
Star's trembling subsided, and she even gave Andromeda a small smile before disappearing.
And just like that, the panic her worry over Star had kept dormant suddenly resurfaced. And yet, it didn't. It was like her body knew she should be terrified, which was why heart started racing and her palms got sweaty, but her brain couldn't process it. It just felt fuzzy.
Ted squeezed her hand, and she glanced up to find him staring at her. They all were, actually. Shock lined most of their faces, especially Liv's. Not Ted's though, his face just seemed to glow.
And just like that, everything seemed to click. Bella and Rodolphus were coming. They had hurt Ted before, and nothing would stop them from doing ut again now now. She couldn't let that happen.
"We need to go somewhere full of muggles." She was surprised at how steady her voice sounded. "They'll have a harder time finding us there."
"Wembley Stadium," Jake said without hesitation. "Doesn't get any more muggle than that."
Andromeda had no idea what that meant, but there was no time to argue. She whipped out her wand, as did everyone else. Well, everyone except for Lorie.
Her lip was trembling as she said, "I haven't passed my apparition test."
"What?" Liv screeched, and Andromeda felt her body clam up again.
"I figured I would just try again seventh year," Lorie said in a panicked voice. "I didn't think I'd need it."
"Can anyone do side along?" Liv asked, but everyone shook their head.
Her heart was pounding so hard she couldn't think. She glanced at Ted. If they found her, alone, she could lie about where she had been. There was still a way to keep him safe.
"Then we should run," Olivia said. Once again, no one argued. They merely raced out the door. "There's a bus station this way," Olivia shouted over her shoulder. As they reached the road Andromeda turned and raced off in the opposite direction Olivia had indicated.
At least she tried too, Ted grabbed on her arm before she had taken so much as two steps.
"What are you doing?" he hissed.
"They aren't after you, they're after me." She locked eyes with Ted. Beggging him to understand, to let her go. "You'll all be safer with me gone."
She could see the protest forming on his lips, but Olivia beat him to it.
"Don't be prat," she snarled. Somehow she'd also noticed Andromeda's little escape attempt and had raced over to them.
Andromeda blanched. She hadn't been expecting that. "What?"
"We are not leaving you to their mercy," she grabbed both Ted and Andromeda and yanked them forward, "now, come on."
She was too stunned to argue or fight back, and Ted's death grip on her hand would make turning around difficult. So instead she ran blindly after them. When they reached the next street Olivia turned and went into a small alleyway between two buildings. Except, it wasn't an alleyway, it was a dead end.
They all skidded to a halt, before turning to Olivia in confusion. She glanced back, but her face mirrored theirs. Before any of them had time to say anything, they heard a voice behind them.
"Praise Salazar, I'd thought you'd never stop bickering long enough to make it here."
They all whirled around.
Leaning against the entrance to the alley, looking like he'd just found a stash of Golblin Gold, was none other than Rodolphus Lestrange. Andromeda felt herself tense at the sight of him. Her reaction did not go unnoticed, and brought a sick smile to his lips. Next to him stood Bella. Unlike Rodolphus she was not calmly enjoying the scene, but rather had a her wand extended. Her expression redfinifed the phrase, if looks could kill. There were a few other Slytherins standing around her, with sickening looks of excitement as they cornered the unsuspecting witches and wizards.
And behind them, was a fairer-haired lank figure that had become all too familiar to her. Rabastan.
She couldn't ignore the way her heart stopped at the sight of him. His eyes immediately found hers. She wasn't sure what she expected when she saw him again. She hadn't been able to think about him, she had only been able to think of her own safety. He looked haggard, like he hadn't slept. His eyes had a frenzied look, but upon meeting hers, they seemed to both relax and tense up at the same time.
She felt her heart break a little. There was so much she wanted—needed—to say to him. But now was hardly the time.
"Have to say we weren't expecting so much of a party," Roldophus drawling voice continued, "but it will make things more interesting."
"Bella," Andromeda wasn't sure what she wanted to tell her sister, but there had to be some way to help her understand why she had left.
But the words had barely left her mouth when Bella snarled, "Don't. Speak." She stalked forward, eyes blazing. " The only reason you are still standing is because I want to get out of this mudblood sinkhole as soon as possible, now come."
She swallowed. Roldophus was eyeing her with that same, sick grin. The last thing she wanted to do was move any closer. But if she could talk to Bella, alone, then maybe she could make her understand. And it was her best chance to keep Ted and the others safe.
She stepped forward, but once again, Ted's hand wrapped around hers in an iron grip.
"Hands off her, filth," Bella seethed.
Ted didn't take his eyes of Andromeda as he said,"No,"
"Ted—" her protests were cut off by the look in his eye.
"I'm not losing you again," he was almost shaking, but his voice was firm as he said, "And you know you don't want to lose me."
Tears sprang to her eyes. She needed to help him see this was the only way, but she couldn't. She coukdn' t take her eyes off him.
"I said," Bella brandished her wand, "hands off."
But looking into Ted's eyes, she knew he wasn't going to let her go, and she didn't have the heart to make him.
"Fine," Bella almost smiled as she raised her wand again, "have it your way."
She didn't hear the curse her sister muttered, but she saw the jet of orange flame race toward Ted.
"No!" She didn't think, she just jumped in front of hin. She heard him call out, but it was too late. Bella's spell hit her lower back and spread through her like fire. She cried out and stumbled forward, and instantly Ted's arms were around her.
She glanced back just as Bella raised her wand again. Before she cast another spell, Rabastan knocked her hand out of the way. "Bella, stop."
Her shock quickly turned to disgust as she turned on Rabastan."You are as weak as your Fiance."
Rabastan blanched at her words, but it was Rodolphus who said, "Watch it, Black." He didn't move from his place against the wall, but the way his hands clenched around his wand made it clear it wasn't an empty threat. Just like that, Bella turned her malice on Rodolphus.
The tension between the three of the was intense, but it was also distracting. Perhaps distracting enough for them to escape.
She glanced back at Ted and mouthed the word Apparate. His eyes widened, then he nodded. As he silently passed the plan to the other three, Lorie's eyes widened. Jake gently wrapped his hand around hers. Andromeda felt a thrill of uneasiness pass through her, but she would just gave to trust Jake and Lorie.
With another nod at Ted, she closed her eyes. She had never been to Wembley stadium, but Ted had shown her enough pictures that she could picture it clearly in her mind.
But before she could focus her magic enough Ted roared, "Andromeda," and the next thing she knew she was shoved sideways. Her eyes shot open just in time to brace herself as she fell forward. She glanced back just as a curse caught Ted in the midsection and sent him flying backward. Other curses began flying, forcing their friends to break concentration from apparation.
Cursing, she scrambled to her feet and prepared to race after him. Before she could strong arms wrapped around her waist and pulled her against the wall. The experience reminded her of another time a man had forcibly grabbed her waist. Rodolphus. For a minute, she was paralyzed with fear, but as her back slammed against the wall she sprang into action. She screamed and shoved and kicked, not even caring where her blows landed, just so long as they did.
"Andromeda," a soft voice whispered in her ear, "please, wait."
She froze. It wasn't Rodolphus ,it was Rabastan. Once again, her eyes found his. She felt a wave of guilt pass over her. She'd left him, after she'd promised him she'd be his side, she'd left him. And based on the look in his eyes, it had hurt him every bit as much as she expected.
But the she remembered why. Rodolphus' words. About what Rabastan had allowed him to do, and her guilt burned away.
"Let me go," she hissed, trying to rip her arms out of his grip.
"I'm trying to help you," he hissed, not loosening his grip in the slightest.
She laughed humouressly. "There's no helping me out of this one."
Rabastan shook his head. "Tell them he kidnapped you." When she continued to struggle he grabbed her face between his hands and forced her to look at him. " Tell them he was still in love with you and he couldn't bare the thought of you being married so he took you. I'll back up your story."
She stopped struggling long enough to stare at him, shock evident in every part of her features. He must know the potion was a lie. Must know that whole story Rodolphus had invented was a lie. So why was he still trying to protect her?
She shook her head. "And leave Ted to deal with the consequences?"
She didn't miss the look of hurt that crossed over his features, which confirmed her suspicions, but didn't answer her question.
Finally, he said, "We can tell them he was still under the effects of the potion. Or Sirius cursed him again, just please," His hands slipped off her face, but only so he could take her hands in his. "Andromeda, come back home."
Her lips parted. He meant it. Somehow, after everything she'd done to hurt him, he still wanted her. It didn't make sense, but there was no denying the truth in front of her.
For a minute, she forgot where she was. She saw their future again. Her heart would always belong with Ted, but there was happiness with Rabastan. Of that she had no doubt.
But like a dark shadow, Rodolphus came creeping back into her head, ripping that future apart.
"I can't," she choked, fighting back tears.
"Why?" His hands moved up to her face again, like his touch could somehow change her mind.
"Is it true?" she asked quietly.
"Is what true?" his pained look turned to confusion.
"What Rodolphus said." Her throat was so tight she could barely speak. "The night before our wedding. Did you tell him to…" She still couldn't bring herself to say the words out loud, but keeping it in seemed to be ripping her up from the inside.
"What are you talking about?" She felt a glimmer of hope at his continued confusion. But she had to know for sure.
"He was there," she gasped. "That night. Before I left, he…"
Rabastan continued to stare at her in confusion, before something clicked. It was like a light went off in his brain, and then everything went dark. His confused look turned to horror. His hands slid off of her as he slowly backed away. After a one long, last, fleeting look, he turned away from her, but not before she saw the shadow of guilt that passed over his face.
She let out a deep breath. It wasn't the closure she was looking for, but there was no denying Rabastan knew something about that night, something he wasn't telling her.
But there was no time to think about it now, they had to get out of here.
Rodolphus and Bella were baring down on Olivia and Ted, while Lorie and Jake were holding their own against the others. There was no way they'd be able to apparate during the fight. They need a better distraction.
Ted's bag was slung around his shoulder. Hopefully his birthday present was inside, or her plan was meaningless.
She raised her wand. "Accio Smoke cloud."
She could have cried in relief as two tiny grey balls zoomed out of Ted's bag, but there was no time. Before they had moved so much as a foot she flicked her wand, and both of them exploded. Before she could blink the entire alleyway was filled was smoke. She threw her arm over her mouth as the smoke wafted toward her, burning her eyes and throat.
She had to hope the others would seize the opportunity and apparate, but she couldn't wait to make sure. She just had to trust them.
She pictured the Wimbley stadium, focused her magic, and then she was gone. She thought she heard a scream as she dissapearred, but soon the only sound she could hear was the rushing of wind as her body was squished in all direction like she was be thrown through a tube half as wide as she was. She'd forgotten how uncomfortable apparition was.
Soon, it was over, and she slammed onto the grassy ground beneath her. It took her a minute to realize the world was no longer spinning. Slowly, she pulled herself up. She still had all her limbs, so at least there was that. The blinding sun was making it hard to see, but if she was not much mistaken, she was standing in the center of the Wimbly Stadium. There was a loud pop next to her, and a moment later Ted appeared, blinking confusedly into the silent next to her.
She could have cried in relief, but her moment was cut short by two more pops, as Jake and Olivia appeared.
But just Jake and Olivia.
Both of whom looked like they were ready to break, or break something.
"We have to go back," Jake hollored. He raised his wand like he was going to apparate again right that second.
"We can't Jake." Oivia shouted back. She looked close to break down herself, but her voice was firm as she said. "It'll only make things worse."
"I don't care." He closed his eyes, and Olivia jumped forward, knocking his wand out of his hand.
"What happened?" Ted asked, "Where's Lorie?"
Jake was shaking too hard to speak, and tears we're beginning to spill down his cheeks. Olivia didn't look much better, but she managed to choke out, "We were about to apparate with Lorie, but before we could Rodolphus ripped her away."
Olivia didn't direct her words at Andromeda, but she might as well have. Andromeda felt like she'd been slapped and punched at exactly the same time. The idea of Rodolphus alone with any woman, but especially one as sweet as Lorie, made her blood boil.
Ted's eyes went wide, but he seemed unable to process the reality of their situation. "Why? They were after Meda."
Andromeda swallowed. "She's bait." Everyone's eyes swiveled in her direction. She almost couldn't say the next words, but she had too. " For me."
And suddenly Jake, who she had never seen look truly angry in their seven years of attending Hogwarts together, suddenly bore down on her with the fury of the Whomping Willow. "This is your fault. You and your psycho family."
Andromeda flinched, but didn't deny his words. Ted moved closer to her, like he was going to shield her from Jake, but he was still too shocked to come to her defense.
Too her surprise, it was Olivia who laid a calming hand on Jake's shoulder. Andromeda waited for Olivia's own commentary about how Andromeda had brought this down on them, but instead she said:
"We need to alert the ministry. They've gone to far."
Andromeda shook her head. "There's no time. My family has… connections… they'll make sure the ministry never finds her."
As quickly as Jake's anger had come, it evaporated, and now he just looked ready to break.
"So what do you suggest?" Olivia asked in a quier voice. For once, she sounded like she really wanted to listen to what Andromeda had to say.
"We'll get her back," Ted seemed to have finally pulled himself out of his shocked state. "Together, right." He reached out and took Andromeda's hand. "Andromeda knows them. She'll know what to do."
Her heart was pounding so hard she could barely think, but Ted's touch seemed to steady her.
"That's right." She whispered. "I know what to do."
There were some ropes not far from where they were standing. Just enough to make her plan perfect.
None of them saw it coming, not even when she called out the jinx, nor when the ropes sprang from their quiet resting place and flew toward their friends. It was only when they wrapped themselves securely around her friends did they react, but by then it was too late.
Ted struggled, but that only made the ropes tighter. In his panic he cried out, "What are you doing?"
Her hands shook, but her voice was clear as she said,"Jake is right. This is my fault." Olivia and Jake stopped struggling against their own bindings long enough to glance at her, their eyes wide and disbelieving.
But I'm going to fix it," Andromeda continued. "I promise."
Fear crept into Ted's eyes, but he shook his head, like he could make this go away. "No. I told you I couldn't lose you."
Tears welled up in his eyes, and she felt her own do the same. Her resolve wavered, but she couldn't back down. Not know.
She took his face in her hands. "You have to trust me."
She'd hoped her touch would calm him the way it calmed her, and it did, for a moment. But it did nothing to alleviate the fear in his eyes. "Please, Andromeda—"
She pressed her lips to his, in part to stop him from talking her out of it, in part because she had to kiss him. One more time before she left. He had to know how she felt about him.
She could feel him fighting her, because he knew what this kiss meant. But a part of him couldn't help but respond. Let her feel what he felt for her.
Finally, she pulled away. "Trust me."
For a minute, she thought he was going too, but then he starting begging her again. When she walked away, he began screaming her name. Shudders ripped their way through her body at the sound of his scream. Her tears broke free, and she could feel a sob building in her throat. She had to leave. It was now or never.
He was still screaming her name as she apparated away.