Disclaimer: As always I own nothing but the original characters and the situations all characters find themselves in. Thanks for reading, enjoy.
Andromeda's Knight
Andromeda figured out that Ted had talked to her sister, but decided not to push the issue or make a big deal out of it. Cissy hadn't come to talk to her about whatever the two had said to each other, but Ted had stopped questioning her about her sister and Cissy had started to look at her with the strangest look in her eye. Like she had some sort of terminal disease and her sister was just waiting for her to keel over and die.
Which was ironic really, since in a lot of ways Andromeda felt like she was just now starting to live.
And her life would go on, even without her family in it, the Slytherin thought to herself as she wandered through the school library. She would be just fine by herself because Blacks were strong enough to take anything. They didn't need anyone but themselves to rely on. And she had one person in her life who genuinely liked her and didn't want to change a thing about her, Andromeda reminded herself sternly. And Ted Tonks might be a Hufflepuff, Muggleborn AND an occasional pain in her side, but he was still someone.
An important someone.
And she was getting used to that fact.
Finally locating the textbook she'd been looking for Andromeda added it to the floating pile beside her, eyes scanning down the spines to make sure that all the books on her list had now been acquired. None of them had been required reading during her years at Hogwarts, but she wasn't about to risk her graduating marks by assuming that her teachers had properly prepared her for her NEWTS. How some of the teachers still had jobs within the school walls was beyond even her comprehension.
Leaving the aisle Andromeda was heading towards the check out counter when she happened to catch sight of Ted, who was sitting at a small table by himself, writing something down with the silliest grin on his face. Intrigued, especially since doing homework never made him so happy, Andromeda changed course and with her wand directed the books to land on the desk as she moved to stand at his side, looking over his shoulder with interest.
"What are you doing?"
"I think I've finally decided on a name for my Muggle." Ted announced as he gazed down at the name he'd circled on his piece of parchment. "It's been bugging me, drawing him but not giving him a proper first name. Everyone should have a name after all. But none of the ones I came up with till now suited him."
Andromeda looked at the circled name. "Martin Miggs?" That was the perfect name for some imaginary Muggle? It was a horrible name, she mused, but then perhaps it was standard procedure for Muggles to give their offspring horrible names to go with their genetics.
"Yup. You see I plan to call my comic 'The Adventures of Martin Miggs, the Mad Muggle'. I knew I wanted to call him a Mad Muggle and by giving him a name that starts with Ms too I'm making the title memorable and easy to remember. Plus I was always going to give him the last name Miggs since I based his character design on this kid I know back home who's last name is Miggs. Do you like it?" He asked, smiling up at her hopefully.
"I'm sure it will suit the character."
"I know." Grinning foolishly Ted would have done a victory dance if she hadn't been there to see him do it. But still, it was nice to have her there to congratulate him. "Would you like to see some of my comics?"
"Do bad things happen to this Martin Miggs?" Andromeda asked, crossing her arms in front of her as she considered adding some of his comics to her workload. And it would most definitely be work if she had to read his work and pretend it wasn't boring and uninteresting. And how interesting could it be, starring a Muggle.
In the back of his mind Ted wondered if Andromeda wanted bad things to happen to Martin, but was smart enough to know that he probably didn't want to know the answer to that question. "Well he gets into some scraps, Martin does. That's part of having an adventure after all." Looking at her Ted worked up a grin. "The comics for witches and wizards you know. The idea is to entertain while at the same time teaching them a little about Muggles."
"That they're often mad? We're already well aware of that, Ted."
Ted's lips twitched. "There will be perfectly sane and rational Muggles in the comic as well, Andromeda."
"Well comics are supposed to be very fictitious." Was her droll response, her curiosity about the comics piqued in spite of herself. "And if you wish for some constructive criticism I'll look over your comics for you." A thought occurring to her Andromeda gave the Hufflepuff a considering look. "Are you planning to actually get your comics published? You said that you intended for them to be read by wizards and witches. Is this your planned occupation?"
"Yup." Ted grinned, nodding his head. "I mean really, what else could you see me doing in the Wizarding World? And drawing and telling stories are what I'm good at. What I love to do. Plus, I'll be making people happy and entertaining them. That sounds like a pretty good way to make a living to me."
"I see." Impressed, since she rarely heard him talk so passionately about something, Andromeda was pleasantly surprised to learn that he was looking that far ahead. She'd never realized he had any goals that didn't involve being liked and having fun. Her male social peers never talked about careers or working for a living, they all lived off the work of others or the fortunes their ancestors had previously amassed. It was rather appealing, Ted's intention to make something of himself in the Wizarding World, especially when he could simply use his magic abilities for monetary gain in the Muggle World if he was careful.
"Well don't you two make a lovely couple."
Ted and Andromeda both looked over, neither pleased to see Annie Miller watching them with a smirk just teasing the corner of the girl's mouth.
"You know, Miller, I rather preferred you when you looked like a muskrat. Your face was more pleasing to look at." Andromeda drawled out coolly, enjoying the color that flooded the other girl's cheeks.
"Your sister is going to pay for that." Annie hotly threatened. Just as soon as she figured out how to get her revenge without Lucius Malfoy knowing she'd been the one to do it. Her family did business with the Malfoys after all.
Andromeda's lips curved into a pureblood sneer. "You and what army? Not even the Death Eaters would have you."
The vibrant color of Annie's cheeks paled to white at the mention of the Death Eaters. Everyone knew Andromeda and Narcissa's sister Bellatrix was one of the Dark Lord's top lieutenants. And everyone knew how dangerous and violent Bellatrix Lestrange could be. Was Andromeda threatening to sic their older sister on her if she tried to take her revenge against the other two Black sisters?
Normally he would have felt bad for the other girl, but Annie Miller had brought this all on herself, Ted thought as he watched the two girls silently exchange a dozen insults with their eyes and facial expressions. That Andromeda would win was a forgone conclusion too. Someone like Annie would never stand a chance against his girl. Against Andromeda, Ted silently corrected. Andromeda was not, unfortunately, his girl.
Feeling herself weakening pathetically under Andromeda's superior air and words Annie forced herself to speak as she tried to hide the fear that compelled her to flee. "The Death Eaters won't want you in their ranks either, once they find out you've been keeping company with Mudbloods, Black."
Andromeda's words dripped superiority. "Unlike you and your 'friends', Miller, I don't require an army to put Muggles and Muggleborns in their place."
Hissing her anger Annie whirled around on her heels, calling out over her shoulder that Andromeda would be sorry she'd said that later.
"Now there's an overused exit line." Ted comment with a shake of his shaggy head.
)
In her afternoon classes Andromeda felt eyes following her wherever she went. It didn't take a genius to figure out that Annie Miller had started some new rumors about her and Andromeda simply pretended not to be aware of all the speculative looks she was getting. What they thought of her didn't matter and a reaction would only encourage them to descend upon her like ravenous wolves on a wounded deer.
It did occur to her that Ted wouldn't have the sense to follow her example, and so she wasn't all that surprised to be informed by Molly Prewett that he was once again in the Medical Wing.
Stiffly thanking the Gryffindor for the update Andromeda did her best to keep her face blank and contained until the end of the class, when she took off for the Medical Wing as fast as she could without her worry being obvious. Molly had said Ted would be fine but Andromeda was becoming increasingly concerned about the regularity of Ted's visits to the Medical Wing. Everyone else might have become so used to his various injuries that they were far too cavalier about Ted's physical wellbeing.
Arriving at the Medical Wing Andromeda was promptly informed by Madam Pomfrey that Ted had already been discharged and sent back to class. Relieved to hear that while working hard not to show it Andromeda was about to excuse herself when the door opened and in came two male Hufflepuffs with their arms wrapped around the waist of a third Hufflepuff boy that Andromeda was fairly sure was Ted.
"Oh for the love of Coca Cola." With a loud huff of indignation Andromeda marched towards the three boys, all of them cowering under the force of her stare. "You're back again? How do you ever expect to pass your sixth year if you insist on spending so much time in this room?"
"He'd be okay if he'd just stop fighting with Slytherins." One of the boy's muttered under his breath.
"Slytherins? You were picking fights with members of my house again? What, do they have to kill you before you realize the gross stupidity of fighting with them, Ted Tonks? Have you no common sense at all? Because really, you behaving this stupidly is really not helping you to convince me that my family hasn't been wrong in thinking that you Muggleborns are as dumb as trolls."
Meeting her gaze with the one eye that wasn't swollen shut Ted's voice was soft but firm. "I'd rather take the beating than be the kind of guy who would let them talk badly about you."
Andromeda stared at him, her gaze softening ever so slightly. "And when are you going to get it through your thick skull that I could care less what they think? They can say what they like, it reflects on them, not me."
"That will be enough, Miss. Black. If you have to yell at your knight in shining armor then you can do it after I've patched him up. Again." Madam Pomfrey announced, thinking it was best for all that the two to be silenced. "Boys, if you could help him over to the nearest bed please."
Once Ted was safely deposited on the bed the two Hufflepuffs were sent back on the class while Andromeda stayed behind to supervise Madam Pomfrey's work. She spoke not a word and didn't open her mouth again until the healer had pronounced Ted once again fit to leave her sight.
The older woman's voice indicated she wouldn't be at all surprised to see him later in the day.
Thanking Madam Pomfrey for her help Ted did his best to ignore the various aches his body was still feeling and the disgusting aftertaste of the potions she'd made him take for his injuries. He didn't like the idea of coming back to the Medical Wing but he had a feeling it was a distinct possibility. He'd been lucky both times in that a teacher or other students had stepped in to help him when he'd faced off against his opponents. Would third time be the charm or his final strike, Ted wondered as he turned his head to meet Andromeda's piercing gaze.
"Sorry I worried you?" He offered weakly, wondering if a fight with her counted as his third strike. She did look like she'd like to give him a couple shocks with her wand too.
"Stand up."
Doing as she asked Ted's eyes widened to the size of dinner plates when she pulled out her wand and pointed it at his chest.
Ignoring Madam Pomfrey, who'd seen the wand being drawn and had hurried over to intervene, Andromeda pointed her wand at every article of clothing the Hufflepuff wore in turn, using the same spell over and over again as she infused the school uniform with spells that would cause the clothing to repel jinxes and curses, sending them back at their sender. It wouldn't save him if they aimed for his head, but it was something she could do.
Crossing her arms as she watched the girl work her spells Madam Pomfrey could see her wing filling up with students before the week was over. The girl cared, the healer marveled as she observed the middle Black sister. Andromeda Black genuinely cared about the safety and well being of the Muggleborn. Ted Tonks would certainly be spending a lot of time in her care because of it, but so would everyone who harmed him. Andromeda would see to it.
And so the Hippogriff came to care for the dove, Pomfrey thought with a small smile. Who would have thought it?
)
Once she was done with her spell casting Andromeda indicated that they would both leave, walking out together in tandem. Ted thought about pointing out that it wouldn't help end the rumors if they were seen hanging out with each other, but knew better than to think she hadn't thought of that already. She honestly didn't care. So he opted to just enjoy her company as they made their way through the hallways, which were deserted as most everyone was either in class or one of the study areas.
"Aren't you missing class, Andromeda?"Ted asked, belated realizing that he wasn't the only one who wasn't in their scheduled class.
Mouth opening to deny that fact Andromeda's eyes widened as she realized that she was, in fact, missing her last class of the day. She hadn't even realized it. Her only thought had been to get to Ted and make sure that he was really all right.
Lips twitching as he realized what had happened, it took all of Ted's strength not to grin like an idiot. "Thank you for skipping to check on me."
"Don't mention it. And I mean that." There wasn't any point in trying to get to her class now, she'd simply write an apology letter to her teacher and see that he got it that evening. That she'd never, ever missed a class without being stuck in the Medical Wing irked her more than she could say.
"Well I have to get to my D.A.D.A class. I can't afford to miss one of those classes."
"Then we better get you there as soon as possible." It wasn't like she was going to be around to tutor him for his seventh year after all.
Together they headed for his assigned classroom, arriving their in record time do to her long strides and unwillingness to let him dawdle. Arriving at the classroom Andromeda turned and smiled faintly at the Hufflepuff. "Don't forget to apologize to your professor for not showing up on time."
"I will. Promise."
"Good." Reaching out Andromeda gently touched her fingertips to his bruised cheek. "Try not to add to your injuries, please."
Without thinking his action through Ted set his hand over his, sandwiching her hand between his and his cheek. "I'll do my very best."
Cheeks flushing just a little Andromeda didn't know quite what to do. "You need a haircut." She finally blurted out, unnerved at the feel of her hand against his skin. It made her stomach feel weird and her scrambling brain couldn't decide whether she wanted to keep her hand where it was or jerk it from his grasp.
With his free hand Ted pushed his bangs away from his eyes ruefully. "Bad things happen when I try and cut my own hair. I'll have to ask Molly or Hestia to cut it for me."
Not liking the idea of either woman touching Ted's hair Andromeda's voice took on a note of command. "I'll cut it for you tonight, during out tutoring session. I can quiz you while I cut it."
"Really? You'd cut my hair for me?"
Andromeda nodded, carefully sliding her hand out from under his. "Yes. Now you need to get to class. Pay attention."
"I will."
She was less than reassured, but knew there was nothing she could do to make him pay much attention to the class. She'd just have to pick up the teacher's slack and make sure that the Hufflepuff was as prepared for fighting against the dark arts as he could be.
Because without her, Ted Tonks was a sitting duck.