AN: Take Two, Ted's perspective this time, on his and Andy's wedding day. Kudos to my two reviewers.

Promises – August 1971

Part of me is still in shock that we're standing here already. It doesn't seem that long ago that I proposed to her – was it really eight months ago? I look at the beautiful woman standing in front me. The beading on her white gown – glittering like dewdrops in the sun – accenting her slim figure. Her crown of thick, dark hair cascading gently down to her shoulder blades. The delicate veil – which my mother had given her – obscured her aristocratic face and her blue-grey eyes, but I know that those sparkling orbs are focused on me as much as mine are on her.

I don't deserve this marvellous woman in front of me. It was nothing more that a stroke of pure luck that let us find each other. A very fortunate one, too.

But the celebrant interrupts my thoughts.

"... So, Do you, Edward Jeremy Tonks, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold, for richer or poorer, and in sickness and in health?"

Of course, would I be standing here if I was going to say 'no'?

"I do."

"And do you, Andromeda Violetta Black, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold, for richer or poorer, and in sickness and in health?"

Last chance to run, Andy. But I know you won't.

"I do."

And finally the words I've been waiting for: "You may now kiss the bride."

Not that I haven't done so before today, mind you... I give Andy a chaste kiss – don't want to shock poor grandma too much – and turn towards the crowd. I know I'm grinning like a fool, but don't give a damn. If I can't smile today, there would be something seriously wrong. Andy smiling so broadly I think it's going to shatter her face.

Looking into the crowd, I can see my parents in the front row with my brother – my sister cheering form her position beside Andy as one of the bridesmaids – and my extended family ranging behind them. Then there was the school friends; Gideon and Fabian Prewett, caterwauling somewhere from the back; Emma laughing happily next to Andy as the Matron of Honour; Florean Fortesque, trying to avoid the troublemaking Prewett twins; even a couple of our old teachers showed up, Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Flitwick.

And just two people from Andy's family. That was her sacrifice for marrying me; the loss of her family. She says that she doesn't care, that she's glad to be free of them.

But we both know that's not strictly true. I know that there was a time – before any of them went to Hogwarts – that Bellatrix, Andy and Narcissa were as close as sisters can be. I personally can't understand what the Black family must be like, but judging on what Andy's told me (and what I've seen of Andy's sisters), it seems very... cold. A family which she doesn't fit into anymore.

For someone who declared that she didn't care, her face shone – a beacon of happiness – when her Uncle Alphard and little cousin Sirius appeared. Alphard, I'm told, was the one adult who encouraged views other than the pureblood mania of the rest of them. The one labelled as 'eccentric'—when they were feeling kind.

He's probably the main reason Andy didn't turn out like them. And now it seems like he's helping Sirius, the only other receptive mind in the family. Sirius, I have met before, cheeky little prankster, but a good kid from what Andy's told me. He's about to start his first year at Hogwarts himself, and I know Andy's hoping that he doesn't follow the family tradition of Slytherin. He's too good for Slytherin, she says.

So was she.

But as for the rest of the Tojours Pur clan, I think their fools at best, dangerous lunatics at worst. As soon as her family learned of out engagement—as soon as Narcissa Black wrote home after the Christmas holidays—they disowned her. And that wasn't the end of it. Bellatrix began to send threatening messages, and there was a total of three howlers sent in private: one from her parents, one from her Aunt Walburga, and one from her dear older sister. Please note sarcasm.

All I could do was hold her, as she pretended that it didn't hurt her.

Fools, they're the ones that have lost out; They've lost one of the only decent members of their family, and she fits too well with my family to go back to that travesty of a family.

We now can have everything they don't: freedom, love, happiness, laughter and even more love.

I promise to love and care for Andy til the day I die. So, here's to the rest of my life, with Andy by my side, and I by hers.

AN: Yes, I know this is much shorter. Call it the difference between Andy and Ted, Andy's the slightly more contemplative one; hence hers is longer. (Not sure if that will carry through all of them though… :D) For those who are interested, there will probably be about 30 chapters to this. At least, that's the plan for now...

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