An: Thanks again to Tangerine Fields for the idea of Titus as Quidditch captain, which I've shamelessly stolen from her story Adrenalin. And if any of Ted's Quidditch info is wrong, it's because I've misplaced my copy of Quidditch through the ages.

Chapter Nineteen – Glimmering Sand

Andromeda

I know I've told you before, but I want to reiterate how pleased I am that you turned down Antonin Dolohov. I imagine your father disagrees with me, but the way that boy acted; he was practically new money, and of course, you would have been spending part of the year in Russia. I'm assured that it can be lovely, but I feel that anywhere that has so much snow cannot be good for the soul.

As you know, your eighteenth birthday is fast approaching and you have not mentioned any suitors since Dolohov. Do you have anyone in mind? The eldest Mulciber is charming, and so is Harold Blishwick. You know that by now Rodolphus was already courting Bellatrix. I hope I hear good news from you soon.

Your loving Mother

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As the next few weeks passed, they fell into a routine. Passing notes in transfiguration, feigning indifference in Charms, and meeting in the room of requirement after dinner. Of course, it wasn't perfect. Tom was beginning to ask where Ted kept sneaking off to, and Titus reckoned that Andromeda smiled at the mudblood too often. Every time Titus mentioned this, she maintained a cool façade. At least, she did her best to keep quiet during the rants about the mudblood filth and the scum the fool of a headmaster allowed into the school.

"And the way he looks at you. Dromeda, you'll have to be careful he doesn't proposition you."

She faked a sneer. "He's Hufflepuff. I doubt he'd have the courage to."

"Don't you believe it. They're not as timid as you'd think." Titus paused to pick a piece of fluff from his trousers. "In Quidditch, they're downright violent. It's like playing against Gryffindor. McEndry nearly took Malfoy's head off in the friendly last week."

Quidditch was increasingly becoming a topic of conversation. As the captain of the house team, Titus was frequently boring her about the last match of the season, which was coming up soon, bringing Hufflepuff and Slytherin face to face. Andromeda didn't care. Quidditch was of no concern to her, even when her best friend stood a chance of lifting the Quidditch House cup.

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"And the chasers are the only ones who can score." Ted had heard of Andromeda's antipathy towards the greatest wizarding sport and had taken it upon himself to teach her the basics before the upcoming match.

"And the quaffle scores a hundred and fifty points. Fine," she finished for him, exasperated. "Can you help me with this essay now?"

"The quaffle gets ten points," he told her gently, placing a hand on top of hers to stop her from drumming her fingers. She wrenched her hand away, hurriedly looking up and down the aisle of the library that they were in. Her message was clear; no touching, not even friendly gestures. "There's no-one here," Ted told her, disappointment tingeing his words.

She caught the tone of his voice and she softened slightly. "I'm sorry. I just…" She sighed, gently giving him her hand again. "It's hard to relax when anyone could come around the corner."

He smiled, his thumb stroking her palm. "I know. But…" He paused before continuing. "I can't even hold your hand in the corridor. And sometimes you'll say stuff, and I just want to kiss you for it and I can't." He was shocked when she pressed a quick kiss on his lips. "I thought we weren't doing that," he said, a smile creeping onto his face.

"One off," she told him with a grin. "Anyway, there's no-one here, and even if there is, I'll say you propositioned me."

"Gee thanks," he huffed. "Why do I get to be the bad guy?"
She smiled as he sulked. "Because. Now will you help me with my essay?"

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Andy-

I hope you realise how furious Father was when you refused Dolohov. He had high hopes for beginning to expand into Russia, which you dashed with very few words. However, I think he may forgive you if you find another firstborn quickly. I have to say Mother keeps making encouraging remarks about the Mulciber boys. I am not entirely sure which ones, as there are so many of them, but I imagine you could have your pick. Please choose one soon, as Mother is having fits about seating arrangements for the wedding.

Bella

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She was on a second floor corridor, talking to Narcissa about the precise shade of pink Bellatrix wanted them to wear for the wedding, when Sirius appeared at her side. "Andy, can I talk to you?"

Narcissa rolled her eyes as Andromeda turned to their cousin. "What do you want?"

Sirius glared at Narcissa and shook his head. "In private."

Narcissa sighed loudly, making her displeasure clear. "Fine. I'll leave."

As her sister walked away, Andromeda raised an eyebrow. "You shouldn't be so mean to her. You know she can do magic at home soon."

Sirius laughed. "I'm not scared of Cissa. Bella, yes, Cissa, no." The corridor was busy as students of all years milled about, chatting and laughing. Sirius took his cousin by the hand and led her to an empty classroom. It was only when the door was firmly closed, that he blurted, "I saw you kiss Ted."

"I'm sorry, what?"

"You kissed Ted. In the library." He seemed so excited, so buoyant at his exclamation that she couldn't help but laugh.

"You were in the library? When did that miracle happen?" She sat on a desk, almost losing her balance when she caused it to shift slightly.

"I go to the library," Sirius protested. "Normally when I'm looking for Remus, but I do go in."

"Which one's Remus?" Andromeda asked, thinking back to the hours she'd spent in the same train compartment as them. "The one with glasses?"

"No, that's James," Sirius told her, with a smile. "The one with the book's Remus."

She frowned, trying to remember what he looked like. "Skinny, quiet, mousy hair?"

Sirius nodded. "That's him. He's really clever. You'd like him."

Andromeda shrugged. "Sirius, he's twelve. I only put up with you because you're my cousin," she teased.

He rolled his eyes. "You don't mean that. You know I'm cool anyway."

She laughed, ruffling his hair. "So can I go now?"

He stared at her in confusion, before realising that he'd collared her for a reason. "No. You kissed Ted! What's going on? "

"Nothing." She smoothed down her robes. "I think you must have been seeing things."

"Andy." The way he looked at her reminded her so much of when her father wanted to know who had broken the window. "I know what I saw."

She shook her head. "I don't think you do. Me and Ted didn't kiss in the library."

"You did," Sirius persisted. "Andy, please, credit me with a little sense."

Andromeda smiled tiredly. "Sirius, even if we had kissed, which we didn't, I couldn't tell you because the whole school would know by evening. Please credit me with a little sense."

"Fine." Sirius arranged his features into his most hangdog expression. "I must have been seeing things."

She smiled at him. "See you around."

"Maybe it was that Ravenclaw," Sirius said to her, as she walked to the door. "You know, the one with the hair."

Andromeda laughed, as she opened the door. "Such a good description Sirius."

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Dear Mother

While I appreciate your concern for my romantic life, I have to say that at this moment in time I need to concentrate on my NEWTs. With the exams fast approaching, I fear that any attempt to ensnare someone will be detrimental to my results. I understand your concern, but I promise, I won't let you down.

Andromeda

Andromeda had let two men read this letter before she sent it, and both had different opinions on what was wrong with it. One was concerned with her choice of vocabulary; the other was concerned with her ideology. The first she could placate with an embarrassed "it's how I write" and a kiss; the second took much more persuading.

"You don't need good results," Titus told her with a frown. "You're not going to work when you're married."

Andromeda pushed her hair back, then took the parchment from him. "What if I want to?"

"You won't need to" he insisted, "unless you marry beneath you."

"Well, what if that happens?" she asked quietly. "Tainted by Lestrange, I rejected Dolohov. What respectable firstborn going to want me now?"

Titus smiled gently. "You're a Black. Men are queuing up to marry into your family."

His words hit her. It was what she'd told Sirius at Easter. She didn't want that. She wanted to marry someone who actually liked her, not her family. She wanted to marry someone who didn't think her daily activities should be limited to flower arranging. She wanted to work, not because she had to, but because she wanted to. She didn't want the life was coming to her.