Disclaimer: As always I own nothing but the original characters and the situations all characters end up in. Everything else belongs to someone else and those someone's could and might sue. Thanks so much for reading, hope you enjoy and let me know what you think!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Thoughts and Chocolate

Deliberately looking away so that she didn't have to see the strange way he looked at her Andromeda again demanded to know if there was anything about the study notes he didn't understand. If there was nothing else she would leave.

"I think an idiot could ace this test with notes this good."

"That was the idea."

As he was not an idiot Ted got that she was calling him an idiot. Slytherins had called him far worse though and he could see that she was fraying around the edges. Most people wouldn't see it, but as an artist he knew something about faces and had happily studied hers for years. The straighter her posture the more she was trying to contain and hide. He thought he could probably use her back as a ruler at the moment.

"Well if that's everything then I'll-."

What she would have said died in her throat at the sound of the Medical Wing's door opening. The two of them watched as Antonin Dolohov came in with a fellow Slytherin who had a supporting arm around Antonin's waist. The venom had done its job, Antonin's face was painfully swollen and red, the claw marks from her nails starkly visible.

"What happened to him?" Ted muttered as he watched Madam Pomfrey hurry over to see to her latest charge, demanding to know what had scratched him. Not that he was sorry the bastard had gotten hurt of course. Hell, if it weren't for how messed up his body was right now he'd be doing handsprings. And he'd never been coordinated enough to ever do one before. He'd find a way though, first opportunity.

"A Black cat crossed my path." Antonin hissed in answer to Madam Pomfrey's query, turning his head to glare in Andromeda's direction. He wouldn't rat her out, but his eyes promised retribution at the first opportunity. The bitch was going to pay and pay big.

Madam Pomfrey wasn't any stupider than Ted and both instantly figured out that Andromeda had been the one to deliver the venomous blow to Antonin's cheek. Why was another question neither could answer. While Madam Pomfrey directed the Slytherin to the nearest bed Ted gave Andromeda a questioning look. Of course he knew who Antonin was to her and that he was one of the guys who'd spent an hour beating the crap out of him, but that didn't explain why Andromeda would go after him. It wasn't like Andromeda would ever avenge-

The doors opening again it was Dumbledore this time, leading the way as Mr. Filch and Professor Slughorn trooped into the room, Slughorn using magic to keep the final visitor aloof as he magically transferred the student to the closest unoccupied bed.

"Oh dear heavens." Madam Pomfrey squawked as she got a good look at the boy. "Whatever happened to him? He looks like he'd been run over by a herd of Hippogriffs!"

"I'm afraid we don't know, dear lady. Filch found him like this in one of the underground hallways and alerted me immediately. Looked to me as though the boy had been lying there for quite a while. He's a Slytherin but that's about all we know, his face is so swollen."

"Rookwood. He didn't show up for supper." Antonin informed them without even looking at his badly beaten friend. His eyes were focused totally on Andromeda. Watson was in St. Mungos, his own face was clawed and damaged, and now Rookwood appeared to have been beaten to a pulp. All in one day. And the only thing they had in common besides their house was the run in they'd had with the Mudblood earlier. The same Mudblood whose bed the Black bitch sat beside. And wouldn't his brother have something to say about that?

"it does seem to be a bad day for the Slytherin House." Dumbledore agreed while Madam Pomfrey examined her two new patients. "One can only hope that this will not be continuing, don't you all agree? Miss. Black, I should like it if you would pack up your things now. To be on the safe side I will escort you back to your dormitory while Professor Slughorn will remain with his students. Mr. Tonks will have to muddle through his homework alone tonight."

"I'll be fine, Headmaster. There's no need to trouble yourself on my account." Was her cool response. Andromeda got the distinct impression that the old man knew she was responsible for three of the attacks but she had no intention of confirming or defending herself. Just let him try to prove she'd done anything wrong. She'd welcome putting him in his rightful place. Directly under her heel.

"I insist."

"Do go with him. I'll do you proud on the test, I promise." Ted added earnestly, worried about her safety. He wanted to spend as much time with her as possible, but he didn't want a hair on her head disturbed either. He'd never forgive himself if she was hurt because she'd been out late helping him study.

He was giving her one of those weird looks again. The one that had her feeling all mushy and disgusting at the same time. "Fine then." Anything to escape being looked at that way by the stupid idiot, Andromeda thought with a small grimace. Gathering her few supplies together in her bag Andromeda stood up, sliding the satchel's strap over her shoulder. "Your essay was satisfactory, if a bit lacking in the research department."

"I get that a lot." Was his somewhat cheeky response.

"No doubt." Nodding her head stiffly, the closest she was going to give him to a good night, Andromeda didn't for a moment consider returning Ted's cheerful 'good night'

Walking over to stand at Dumbledore's side Andromeda didn't glance at either Rookwood or Antonin, instead acting like they didn't exist at all. They were so below her notice one of them could be gasping his last breath and she wouldn't turn a hair. Good riddens to bad rubbish if they did both die.

Leading her out before she pushed Dolohov too far Dumbledore motioned for her to lead the way as they walked side by side down the hallway.

)

Ignoring her headmaster Andromeda made no attempt to engage him in conversation. She saw no point in wasting valuable thinking time engaged in polite chatter about the weather or the school year. He knew her and her family well enough to know that she could care less what he thought of her.

"Tell me something, Miss Black, do you think we shall be having any more incidents like today?"

"I couldn't say, Headmaster. I am not a seer after all."

Amused by her cheeky response Dumbledore thought not for the first time what a waste it would be for someone like Andromeda Black to live the life her family had mapped out for her. She would fair no better than her sister Bellatrix, he thought sadly. And while Andromeda was a great deal saner than her older sister Dumbledore couldn't see her not withering away in a marriage of convenience, where her only purpose was to breed and behave as Purebloods should. There was life and spirit in her, just well hidden to all but a few.

"And how is your tutoring of Mr. Tonks going?"

"There are probably stupider students at this school. He'll pass."

Mouth twitching Dumbledore couldn't help but wonder if it was the Hufflepuff's grades or his crush on her that had Andromeda so annoyed. It was probably a combination of both. Personally he thought Ted Tonks' crush on her rather endearing, if extremely ill fated. In reality Dumbledore thought it would do Andromeda a great deal of good to be around someone like Ted, hence him pairing them up for the tutoring. Ted was someone who loved life and the little things, which was something that would do Andromeda a world of good to learn. If nothing else he hoped that perhaps Ted could soften the girl's view of Muggleborns and prevent her from following in her sister's dark path.

Knowing her well Dumbledore said none of this, seeing her to her dormitory without another word except 'good night'.

)

Shortly after the numerous attacks upon her house members Andromeda received a letter from her future fiancée informing her that once he got back from a business trip she was in a great deal of trouble. She wasn't worried. In fact, there was a part of her that hoped Nicolai would come and get physical with her. Andromeda knew her father's love was conditional, and that if she ever did anything to disgrace the family name he'd cut her off from the family without regret. But he was also a very civilized man, who distained anyone for letting their emotions get away from them. And he would not tolerate a man physically mistreating her without a damn good reason. And her father would be on her side when she told him what Antonin had said of her. By impinging her honor Antonin had casted a shadow on the name of Black. Her father would do worse than she if he knew.

And while her father would never let her refuse Nicolai's proposal when it came he could certainly break the unwritten agreement between their families if he felt Nicolai wasn't good enough for one of his daughters. And anyone could see she could do better. But she could only do better if she was allowed to consider those with blood less pure than her own. And that was the problem. Inbreeding was too prevalent in the old families and it showed. Those were the facts. Her older sister was beginning to scare her and Cissy didn't have original thoughts, she just echoed what she was told to think. The ancient and noble families were essentially polluting their blood while trying to save it. Anyone acceptable in her father's eyes was either closely related to them or with mental/physical ailments that were a direct result of their 'pure' blood. The irony wasn't lost on her.

She and Nicolai were fifth cousins, and their families had been intermarrying for centuries. Just thinking about what kind of ticking human time bomb they could create between them was nauseating. Societies needed influxes of fresh blood, it was just that simple. And it wasn't like she relished the idea of marrying someone of mixed blood, Andromeda mentally assured herself. She was, after all, a product of her class and breeding. But she also didn't want to bring a child into the world who would live a painful life because he or she was deformed or sickly or mentally unstable. A child doomed by its genetics alone.

That and being stuck with two parents who'd cared more about blood than the baby itself. Nicolai was sure to be a horrible father. Not that any son of hers would end up like the Dolohov men. That would happen over her dead and rotting corpse. But then again, if she pushed Nicolai too far…wasn't he perfectly capable of seeing her dead? In a fair fight she'd win but…and then who would see the child raised properly? Who would love it? Who would even mourn her passing? Would she have to let herself be broken just so that she could ensure the safety of a child she'd allowed brought into the world in the first place?

Because by Merlin she didn't want to marry that violent bastard.

But what other choice was there?

)

Stepping outside the classroom Ted was practically vibrating with happiness. He had just kicked serious test ass. He had never, ever, in all his sixteen years ever come out of a test so sure he'd aced it. He wasn't sure he'd ever actually aced a test now that he thought about it. Or at least not since elementary school when coloring in the lines was a big deal.

But he'd aced one today, Ted could feel it in his bones. Grinning like an idiot Ted called out greetings to everyone he knew in the hallways, spreading the joy as his smiles proved very infectious. And than he spotted the person responsible for his new Charms brilliance, standing by a stain glass window that threw a rainbow of shades across her still form. Beaming Ted hurried forward, wondering if she would be proud of him. Maybe she'd ever smile at him! A guy could dream after all.

But when he got close enough to make out her expression Ted stopped in his tracks. Her mood was the polar opposite of his own. She looked…sad. Sad and resigned. It made his heart hurt to see her look so drawn and beaten. She was looking towards the window as if for answers, he doubted she was even aware of the people passing by her, not even glancing in her direction. She was completely alone in a hallway full of people.

Not for long though.

Riffling around in his school bag Ted finally located the slightly battered package with a small "Aha." Taking a deep breath for courage Ted walked over to her and held it out towards her, watching her eyes drop down to evaluate before rising to meet his.

"Take it. Consider it a thank you for all your help."

Looking back down Andromeda could see that the package containing the Chocolate Frog had seen better days. It had probably been in his bag for a while, bumping up against books and whatever else the idiot carried around with him. And he wanted her to have it? This was his idea of a proper thank you?

"I know it looks a little rough around the edges but I'm sure it's still got plenty of hop left in it. Besides, it's chocolate. Chocolate always makes things a little better."

Her gaze was scornful as she met his gaze. "You honestly believe that something like chocolate can make things better?"

"What I mean is that chocolate makes a person feel better. And if they're feeling better than they aren't nasty to the people around them. And if those people are infected with positive thoughts instead of negative ones then they'll make the people they meet happier because they're happier than they were. Chocolate can't make me smarter or better looking, but it can put a smile on my face. Every little bit helps, you know?"

No, she didn't know. That his stupid argument made even a little sense annoyed her. And he kept holding the damn thing out to her, refusing to accept the fact that she didn't want his stupid chocolate frog. It wouldn't change anything after all. All chocolate did was give you a false sense of well being that faded as soon as the sugar left your system. There was absolutely nothing to be gained from the damn thing but added weight. Not that she had anything to worry about in that department but still, any girl who thought chocolate would get them over their personal issues didn't see the irony of eating something constantly that gave them a lot of those issues in the first place.

"Come on, you know you want it." Wiggling the box in front of her Ted's smile was teasing, his eyes bright as he forgot to be self conscious around her for the moment. She just didn't seem like herself at the moment, so above him as usual. "It's croaking your name." He added, trying and failing to elicit a smile.

"Do I look like a child to you?"

Looking her over from head to toe Ted had to shake his head. A child she was not. Heck, in heels she'd be taller than he was. And nobody wanted to get him started rhapsodizing about her curves and face and-

Annoyed, both at his words and actions, Andromeda was too tired to threaten or hex. She'd just take it and throw it away when he wasn't looking. "If I take it will you go away?" She asked, crossing her arms in front of her, trying to regain some of her poise.

Blinking it took a moment for Ted to realize she'd said something. "Sorry?"

"I said, if I take it will you go away? I have no wish for yours or anyone else's company right now."

Hah, success. A considering look on his face Ted couldn't resist pushing her just a little further, treating her as he would any girl. She was becoming more than just a dream to him and he was discovering that the real woman was just as wonderful and intriguing.

"I'll go…but you have to take a bite before I'll leave, just to make sure you don't just waste it by tossing it first chance you get." Because she would, he could see it in her eyes.

Andromeda was so annoyed that she snatched the package from his hand, tearing the gold packaging open so that the chocolate frog gave a loud croak of fright and tried to jump free. Catching the frog in mid air Andromeda kept her gaze on Ted as she brought the frog to her lips and viciously bit its head off.

"Happy now?" She asked threateningly as soon as she'd swallowed.

"Yup. I like a girl with a hearty appetite. See you after supper."

And with a jaunty wave Ted did as he'd promised, and left her to her thoughts and chocolate.