Author's Note: Written for Round 10 of the QLFC 6 — Soapies

Team: Pride of Portree

Position: Chaser 1

Prompt: Write about a death at an otherwise happy event (a wedding, a birthday party, etc.)

Prompts Used:

2 (object) potion vial

6 (word) poisonous

8 (pairing) Andromeda Black/ Ted Tonks

Word Count (excluding Author's Note):

A/N: AU — Little is known about the death of Druella Rosier Black. The HP Wiki lists it as 1955 or later, with no specifics about how she died either — which is about as flexible as a death gets. Lucky me. Considering that it is not spelled out, I will consider it an AU for the purposes of respecting Rowling's universe in which it was irrelevant.

This feels like it has some relation to a recent story I wrote with both Andromeda, Ted and the Black sisters for a previous round, and in my head, it might. However, no particular correlation is being drawn from that story to this.

Beta Love: Litfreak89, Sehanine, and Story, Please.

Till Death Do Us Part

"Tessa, you've outdone yourself!" Andromeda squealed as she squeezed the owner of The White Wyvern in a giant hug. The usually cozy, if outdated, pub was bright with streamers, flower bouquets and a ceiling enchanted with a starry night sky. The tables groaned under the weight of the spread of food that had been prepared and a growing pile of beautifully wrapped gifts bowed another. Andromeda was overwhelmed. It was all she could do to keep her joyful tears in check.

When Ted had originally suggested that they throw their engagement party there, she had a hard time imagining it — but he seemed so sentimental for the place, and it didn't much matter to Andromeda. So, with very little fuss, she agreed; Andromeda was happy to make Ted happy in ways big and small. Now, as she stood in the warm glow of the gold and silver crepe, she could hardly believe she had ever considered anywhere else.

"I wouldn't do this for just anyone, ya know," Tessa teased as she broke their embrace and wiped a tear from her own cheek. "I just couldn't turn that silly man of yours down!" Andromeda looked over the woman's shoulder into the crowd, easily spotting him. Tall and lean, Ted Tonks stood a head above most of the people in the room. Even if he hadn't, he would have stood out for his inability to stop staring at the magically enchanted ceiling — his chin pointing almost straight up, his head tilted back at an awkwardly uncomfortable angle. It made Andromeda smile. So many things about Ted did.

She hadn't meant to fall for him. It certainly had brought her nothing but trouble from her family, but it seemed almost inevitable, in hindsight. Their accidental meeting in this very bar was the whole reason Ted insisted on hosting the party here. That, and the fact that he didn't want Andromeda to lose contact with the Wizarding World because of him. Of course, Ted knew that her associating with him was a problem for her family — it was no secret among most of the alleyways and shops in magical London that the Black family was especially particular about their marriage unions. As Andromeda's relationship with Ted became more serious, her parents became distant to the point where they now only communicated through her sisters. Muggle-born or not, Ted appreciated that her life was changing inextricably by marrying him — and he was doing everything in his power to maintain some level of normalcy for her.

Andromeda could not help but smile as she walked up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist.

"Doesn't your neck hurt?"

"Not enough to get me to stop," he sighed happily. He turned quickly, pulling her close and Andromeda instinctively responded by tilting her face up to meet his kiss. She felt rather than saw the arrival of yet another guest, the green glow of the Floo pushing its harsh contrast through the thin skin of her closed eyelids. It was a reminder to her how many other people she had yet to greet — people, Muggle and Magical, who chose to support and celebrate their union rather than shun them. Andromeda was only just beginning to appreciate the love in the room when her attention was yanked back to reality by an unexpected tap on the shoulder.

"Can we talk?" came the soft, but commanding, voice from behind her.

"Narcissa?" she asked, stunned. No one could have convinced her that any of her immediate family would voluntarily show up to this. Andromeda was incredulous at the petite blond form before her. "Is that you, Sirius?" she prodded. "That is not funny. You know not to joke about the family—"

"It is NOT Sirius Black," Narcissa hissed, "but it is serious. Otherwise, why would I be here?" She hit the last word in such a way that left no misunderstanding that the person standing beside her was, indeed, Narcissa Black. "I can't think of anywhere I'd like to be less, actually."

Narcissa was a sleek combination of their mother's haughtiness and their father's ideologies. She could turn her nose up in the most beautiful way — it almost felt like a compliment to be insulted by her. Perfect as she appeared though, Narcissa had a nasty habit of defiance when it came to Andromeda. While everyone else had written her off as a Muggle-loving fool (and far worse, if the rumors could be believed), Narcissa continued to visit — even if those visits had become less frequent. Andromeda was grateful to still have some connection to her family, even if it was tenuous and somewhat begrudging.

"Nice to see you, Cissy," Ted piped up. It was his one act of insolence; he just could not abide being ignored. Andromeda smirked as her well-bred sister struggled against her nature. It would be rude to ignore him now that he'd addressed her, but it was clearly evident by the look on her face that she absolutely loathed to speak with him.

"Ted," she managed between lips that hardly moved.

"Can I get you a drink, love?" He turned to Andromeda, a self-satisfied smile on his lips.

"I would love one," Andromeda replied. She had a feeling she was going to need it, and she was appreciative of his grace to find a suitable reason to leave her and her sister alone. She gave his hand one last squeeze and watched him wander off into the throng of well-wishers as he made his way to the bar.

"There's no need to be so rude, Cissy," Andromeda turned back to her youngest sibing.

"I don't know what you mean." Narcissa sniffed, her hand instinctively sweeping back behind her neck to allow her fingers to shake out her long, lustrous blonde hair. Andromeda was jealous of few things, but Narcissa's ability to own a room with a flick of the wrist was enviable. "Besides," she continued, "would I be here if it weren't absolutely necessary?"

Andromeda had to think. When was the last time she and Narcissa had gotten together? Even her youngest sister had started to pull back once it became clear that Andromeda planned to make her relationship with Ted permanent. She was sure it had been months since they'd gotten together, but with all the wedding plans to manage, Andromeda had hardly noticed. Has it been a whole year?

"Andromeda! Are you even listening to me?" Narcissa demanded. "Mother is on her way!"

"What?!"

A cruel smirk crept over her sister's face. "Oh, yes, dearest sister. Our loving, compassionate, supportive mum is coming to celebrate your pending nuptials." Read: Our domineering, demanding, and far from understanding mother is coming to drag me away from the life I love whether I like it or not. Andromeda wanted desperately to wipe the smile off Narcissa's face, but she had to be mindful of the kindness her sister had actually done her. She had come to give her warning.

"Thank you," was all Andromeda managed before she turned and made a beeline for the bar where Ted was gathering up drinks. She wove her way through a throng of bodies to get there which only amplified her anxiety. All these people…

She practically ran into him as Ted turned, his hands full, in an attempt to rejoin the party. "WHOA!" he shifted just a second too slowly, spilling something cold and blue down his front. The little paper umbrella got stuck in his shirt pocket. Andromeda could see frustration flash across his face, but once Ted met her gaze and read her panic, it passed quickly enough.

"Andromeda?" he asked, reaching back with his one surviving beverage to place it on the bar top. "Andromeda. What's wrong?"

"My mother—" she gasped. When had she started crying? "My mo—hic—my mother is—hic—is coming he—hic—here!"

"Okay," he grasped her up into his arms, and squeezed. "It's okay, love," he whispered in her ear. "We are okay. She can't take you from me," he leaned back to look into her eyes. "Remember? We talked about this." And they had. Andromeda was certain to be honest with Ted about her family; their prejudices, their proclivities. But she was never sure if he took her seriously.

We're about to find out.

Tessa had come out from behind the bar with a glass of soda water and a rag, in an attempt to help Ted clean up. In doing so, she slipped Andromeda a small vial. "Good for the nerves," she said, genially, patting her hand before declaring Ted's shirt a total loss and scurrying off to find him a replacement. "I'm sure I have something of my husband's hanging in the office that will fit," she shouted back over her shoulder as she left the room. Andromeda stared after her, the potion bottle still in her hand.

"What's that?" Ted asked. Andromeda felt herself blush as she looked up to find him shirtless. It was still hard for her to imagine that he was all hers.

"A calming draught of some sort," she replied, her eyes darting back to the phial so that she would stop gaping at him. She noticed that it had a sort of shimmer to it. "Odd…"

"Oh yeah? — Hey, thanks, Tessa," he threw towards the Wyvern's owner as he shrugged on the replacement shirt. "Odd, how?"

Andromeda rolled the vial around in the dim lighting. "I just can't say I've ever see—"

BANG!

The door to The White Wyvern almost exploded as Bellatrix came barreling through, her wand extended, clearing the way for the more dignified entrance of one Druella Rosier Black. Only the music played on as people pressed themselves away from the commotion at the door and the wild-haired woman in black waving her wand.

"Andromeda Vinda Black!" Druella bellowed, commanding the room seemingly without effort. The few people that were left at the bar quickly disappeared, leaving only Andromeda and her semi-dressed fiancé to stare down the petite, dark-eyed woman with the larger-than-life reputation. "I do believe your father and I have entertained your unruliness long enough," she said, snatching up her middle daughter's wrist as if she were going to drag her out bodily. Andromeda looked beyond her mother's slight form to see that Bellatrix kept her wand directed at her. There would be no struggle; she would come — willingly or no.

Druella sneered at Ted and turned her back on him as if he didn't exist. "While I am sure he is a perfectly fine specimen of manhood," she said with obvious distaste, "this Muggle-born is no fit match for a Black. Your father and I will NOT have it." She nodded at Bellatrix who continued to inch closer, ever the silent threat. "It is time that you put aside this foolishness and return home. We will see you make a proper match."

Andromeda knew that there would be little and less her mother would listen to; Druella's daughters were to be seen, not heard. But as she looked back at Ted, seeing the pain in his expression, she knew she would have to speak up — if only for him.

"No." It was meek and quiet, but it was a start.

"What did you say?" Her mother asked, her voice also subdued, but forceful.

"No, mother," Andromeda continued, her voice gaining in volume, if only just a bit. She kept her eyes locked on Ted so she wouldn't lose her nerve. "I said, no!"

"Are you drunk or stupid?" Druella crossed the distance between them with deceptive speed, grabbing at Andromeda's face, turning it forcefully so they were looking at each other. The movement startled Andromeda. Instinctively, she reached out to brace herself — and dropped the vial.

"What's this?!" Druella stooped down, swiftly grabbing up the potions ampule from the ground. Her eyes narrowed and she looked directly at Ted. "Now it makes sense," Druella shouted. "You're drugging her! I should've known there was no way my daughter would turn her back on her family voluntarily."

"NO!" Andromeda shouted. "No, mother. He didn't—he hasn't—"

"Quiet!" Druella growled, cocking her hand back as if to strike her daughter. Andromeda cringed, but no blow came. Not yet, anyway. For all her outward appearances of courtesy and calm, Druella Black had a temper than could get away from her; it was a fact all her daughter's knew frightfully well.

She tilted the phial up toward the light, turning it this-way-and-that, much as Andromeda had done only minutes before. "Looks mundane enough," Druella mumbled mostly to herself. "Much like him." The matriarch of the Black family would not even allow Ted's name to cross her lips. To everyone's surprise, she popped the cork from the vial and sniffed before drinking down the potion in one gulp.

Bellatrix and Narcissa stood stock still — shocked. Andromeda's head swiveled around the find Ted, his wand being withdrawn back up his sleeve.

"What did you do?" she hissed at him.

"A mild Confundus charm," he replied, nonchalantly. Andromeda dug her fingers into his arm to express her displeasure. "What?!" he exclaimed. "You said it was a calming draught. She certainly needed one."

Bellatrix immediately rushed to her mother's side, while Narcissa confronted Andromeda.

"What is in that?" she snarled.

"It's nothing more than a nerve tonic," Andromeda answered, already bone weary from the stress of it all. "Tessa gave it to me to—" Andromeda peered over her shoulder to look for the barkeep, but she was nowhere to be seen.

"Mother? MOTHER?!" Bellatrix had cut into her sisters conversation. "She's falling over — There's something wrong! Help me, you dolts!"

Both Narcissa and Andromeda, with the significant strength of one Ted Tonks, grabbed up the slumping form of Druella Black, laying her out on the floor after several attempts to prop her back up in her seat failed.

"That's some tonic," Ted mused, only to receive a well-placed elbow in the side from his better half.

"Mother," Narcissa whispered, lightly patting her hand. "She's getting cold," she said, accusingly, her glace icy hot on her sister and her lover. Andromeda started at Narcissa's words, sliding out of her seat and next to her mother. Her fingers instinctively reached for the delicate wrist and she began to beat out a pulse.

"It's slowing," she admitted, looking up at Ted with fear. "Her heart is slowing down." Andromeda was stricken. She may not have agreed with her mother on everything, but she'd never wanted her dead. She frantically looked from face to face, trying to find someone to help.

Druella, for her part, never uttered a word. Her gaze fogged over and all the tension she held in her face seemed to ebb away, leaving behind a lovely visage — the clear inheritance of all her daughters.

Andromeda found her mind racing, along with her heart. Could it have been poisonous? Why would Tessa give me something so dangerous? Could she have made a mistake... Her eyes combed the pub for her friend, but there was no sign of her.

Andromeda reached out and clutched at Ted, afraid to leave her mother's side. "Tessa," she squeaked. "She's gone." Ted's head whipped around, scanning the room quickly. When he turned back to her, she could see by his expression that also could not find her. "We need to find her. We have to know what was in that vial." At that moment, Druella's body heaved up, her face contorting in silent pain before she collapsed back down, motionless.

Andromeda screamed. "Hurry, Ted! Find her!"

Ted ran, tearing through the Wyvern, opening doors, and calling out into otherwise empty rooms. From the back of the darkened kitchen, he was answered by the flapping of the screen door in the evening breeze — and the empty alley beyond.

As he stood at the open door, he couldn't help but wonder what sort of omen it was to have death hang over the start this new life. He wondered how long it would take Andromeda to realize that she had been the intended target. He wondered if it had been meant for him, too. He wondered what it all meant. And his only answer was the howling of the wind, and the growing wail of sorrow coming from the other room.