Chapter Six:

"Meda?" asked her little sister.

Andromeda turned to look at her sister. Narcissa wasn't looking at her though; her gaze was fixed on the boys in the distance, the Slytherin boys, involving Lucius, Severus, Evan Rosier, Rodolphus Lestrange.

"Are you in love?"

Andromeda nearly choked on the question, surprised. Immediately her mind flashed to Ted Tonks. No - she wasn't in love with him, she simply couldn't be.

"No," Andromeda replied a little too quickly and a little too brusquely. "Why?"

Narcissa turned to look at her and start to grin. "Oh come on, Andromeda. You can't hide it from anyone. You're starting to turn red. You're in love. Who's the boy?"

"I'm not in love," Andromeda snapped, her face flaming.

"Okay, okay."

She sighed and leaned against the back of the bench.

"Straighten up, Andromeda. Blacks aren't allowed to slouch. Plus, Lucius and his friends are coming," advised Narcissa, prodding her sister in the side.

Andromeda sat up, rolling her eyes. "Why did you ask the love question?"

"Because Bellatrix asked me who you're interested in. She says you are rarely interested in anybody, but she thinks you are now. Not only that...I was just wondering...what do you do when you're in love? I think I am, but I...I'm just confused. I guess."

Andromeda sighed again, sitting up as straight as she could. "I suppose you tell him you love him. Then hope he isn't totally disgusted with you. Considering you are brave enough to admit it to him."

The look on Narcissa's face made Andromeda worried she had frightened her and talked a little too harshly. She immediately reiterated, saying, "Of course, your man probably loves you back."

"Oh. Does your man not love you back?" Narcissa asked, looking innocently worried.

Andromeda managed a weak smile. Maybe now her sisters wouldn't bother her - they would merely think that the boy didn't like her back. "No. He's...he's not interested."

"I'm sorry, Meda."

Lucius swept over and offered Narcissa his arm. "May I escort you inside?"

Severus swept next to Andromeda as a sign of being polite, offering her an elbow. He was a gentleman, very much so. Surprisingly kind.

Andromeda shook her head. "I'm going to stay out here for a while."

"Alright. See you," Narcissa stood up and walked with Lucius, suddenly smiling with a breezy lightness she hadn't had before. Her eyes were glowing.

Andromeda chuckled a little. Narcissa obviously loved Lucius, who, despite his annoying and rude arrogance, loved her back. She was soon abandoned on her lone bench, gazing out at the cold Hogwarts grounds, drawing her cloak tightly around her. She was alone, the way she liked it.

Until a cheerful voice chirped, "What a lovely conversation. Really. Sisters." Arthur Weasley swung over next to her and sat with her.
Molly soon followed, smiling and rolling her eyes. "Leave her alone, Arthur. How are you today, Andromeda?"

"I'm fine," she said, a little too quickly.

Arthur grinned at her impishly and said sweetly, "I can tell you're not. Tell me about your problems, gorgeous."

"Arthur!" exclaimed Molly.

"I thought girls liked it when boys did that," frowned Arthur, glancing up to the standing witch.

Molly rolled her eyes. "Arthur, really."

Arthur leaned closer to Andromeda and whispered, "She likes to say my name."

Andromeda smiled a little. "And why doesn't that surprise me?"

Molly blushed. Arthur took her hands and tugged her to his lap and settled his arms around her waist.

"Sorry, Meda," apologized Arthur. "Our other friends don't let us have our displays of affection very often, but you just take everything in stride."

Andromeda shrugged. "I suppose. Maybe they're just jealous."

"Yeah, Ted's probably just upset for the same reason you are about your love life. Your man doesn't love you back?" asked Arthur.

Andromeda shrugged again, frowning and looking away, allowing herself to slouch. "I suppose. There's just too many requirements...my sisters have to approve, my parents must, the rest of the school, the stupid family rules...just can't do much for myself. Maybe he would love me. I just don't know if I'm strong enough to both leave my family and fall in love. All secretly."

Molly touched Andromeda's shoulder and looked her in the eyes. "Listen, Andromeda. I know you don't want to disobey your parents, but what about yourself? They never let you be your own person. At least try to be yourself, and maybe yourself will love that person still. Is he pureblood?"

Andromeda slowly shook her head. "I have never loved a muggle before. In fact, I have never loved before."

"Not many of us have, truly."

Arthur said softly, "We know someone who loves you though, Andromeda."

Molly covered his mouth with her hand. "Arthur, that's secret."

Andromeda shrugged, somewhat miserably. "It doesn't matter anymore, Molly. I'm just tired, I guess."

"You want to hang out with us at Hogsmeade tomorrow? We can help you sneak into the forest and we'll bring the butterbeers and no one will find you. Promise," offered Arthur, after gently moving and kissing Molly's hand.

"That would be lovely. I think I'm going to go get dinner and go to sleep. See you guys tomorrow," Andromeda stood up, saying goodbye to Molly and disappearing inside.

"It must be hard," Molly said softly. "To not have your parents approval over doing the right thing."

"It's not right to them. What they think is right and what we know is right are two different things, doll."

She turned and kissed him, holding his face. He tightened his arms around her, tucking her into his embrace. They remained outside for several minutes until Molly started to shiver.

"Come on, love. You're shivering. Let's go inside," Arthur said softly and tenderly.

They walked inside quietly, and instantly, Frank, Alice, and Ted were surrounding them.

"Where were you two?" asked Alice suspiciously.

"Honestly, Alice," Molly said, smiling a little. "You are so distrusting of us, when you and Frank have been together much longer."

Arthur rolled his eyes. "If you want us to be anymore obvious, I could snog her right here. You know. I wouldn't mind that."

"No, we don't need that image," muttered Ted grumpily.

"He's upset," Alice said, grinning. "Andromeda wasn't at dinner."

"Speaking of our quiet friend," Arthur said in a whisper. "We're hanging out with her tomorrow at Hogsmeade. We saw her at the bench we were at outside."

"Alice, she's so distressed," Molly said, with a sigh.

Alice frowned. "Why, on earth? She's doing so well!"

Arthur interrupted, "She's in love with someone. A muggle. She's scared to love him back."

"She's in love?" asked Ted, looking deflated.

Molly and Alice exchanged looks, both suppressing smiles. "Ted, don't look so upset," Alice said gently.