Chapter 17:

Ted swooped Andromeda into his arms, spinning in a circle as the girls laughed and cheered and oohed and awed. Arthur laughed as the couple spoke to each other at the same time.

"So happy to see you -"

"Can't believe you're here -"

"I love your sister -"

"Oh my goodness I love you -"

"I'm hungry -"

"Okay -"

"I love you too -"

And then they were kissing. Georgia squealed happily and then groaned, declaring, "Teddy, that's gross! It's really cute at first but now it's gross!"

"It's okay, Georgia. Teddy really likes Andromeda."

In an exaggerated whisper, Georgia asked, "Is he going to marry her?"

Molly laughed and Andromeda blushed, but she didn't stop kissing him. When they finally broke apart, she stay pressed in his arms, smiling up at him with sparkling eyes. He smiled back at her, holding her tightly to his chest.

"I missed you," Andromeda whispered. "Thank you for writing me."

"How'd you find this place? Thanks for visiting."

"I FOUND HER!" Georgia shouted. "I found her on the street!"

Ted laughed and Georgia joined their hug. The door swung open again, and two adults walked through - they could only be Ted's parents. Both smiled at Andromeda.

"A 'friend'?" asked his mother.

"Hi, I'm Andromeda," she replied, smiling at her.

His mother achieved an even bigger smile. "Oh, Andromeda! We've heard all about you! Would you like to stay for lunch?"

"I'd love to."

Andromeda, Ted, Molly, and Arthur were soon stocked with a full picnic, and Ted was soon sitting on the picnic blanket with Georgia on his lap as he ate a large sandwich. Now that everyone had calmed down quite a bit, the conversation had turned into a general summary of each person's summer.

Molly had described with a rather cheerful smile her two week long stay with her brothers (Andromeda remembered Gideon and Fabian quite well and smiled when she heard they were doing well working at the Aurors offices). They had traveled to Wales, where Fabian and Gideon had a two week trip to relax. After that, she had spent the last week baby-sitting Georgia and spending time with Ted and Arthur.

Arthur's summer had been relatively less exciting; he had stayed at his parents with Charles and Bilius, and then spent time with Ted, and when Molly got back, they had held a rather large three person party.

Ted's summer had been spent primarily at his house with Georgia and his parents. He practically glowed with happiness at being with Andromeda, his eyes shining at her. "And how about your summer, Ana?" Ted asked.

Andromeda smiled timidly. "Well, Bella got married two weeks ago, and I was the maid of honor. My parents went to Italy, Bella went to Paris with her husband for their honeymoon, and Narcissa is visiting her friend in France. I stayed here. Sirius has been visiting every day. Then I got Ted's letter, and...well...I just thought an adventure sounded like fun."

"Good! I'm so glad Georgia found you," Ted smiled at her, and then took a bite of his sandwich.

Georgia swung over to sit on Andromeda's lap, her face lit up with excitement. "You're pretty, Ana. My brother, Teddy, he likes you!"

Andromeda turned to smile at Ted, her heart swelling with feeling. She missed being so carefree, she missed being able to stare at Ted and be in love, she missed the feeling of safety and of happiness. She wasn't able to feel so happy and carefree at home, or at school even. This moment, she realized, may never come again. And she bit the inside of her lip as disappointment settled through her. Having to choke back tears, Andromeda said, "That's okay, Georgia. I like Teddy."

Georgia squeaked happily. "Good! You're pretty! And you're nice, just like Teddy. You can be his princess!"

Ted reached over to brush his hand against Andromeda's cheek and pushed her hair away from her face. "She is my princess, Georgia."

Andromeda spent the whole afternoon and evening at Ted's house. He introduced her to the muggle way of life, and even showed her how to use the television. They watched some TV shows and then Arthur's favorite movie (Robin Hood). Andromeda found she missed cuddling with Ted as she snuggled up next to him on the couch. His arm settled around her gently, and she comfortably placed her head in his shoulder.

She murmured to Ted, "You know, you're just like Robin Hood."

She felt his chest shake with a little chuckle. "He's a good man. I only want to be him if you are my Lady Marian."

"I will be."

Andromeda closed her eyes, and accidentally fell asleep. When she woke, she was incredibly distressed to find herself in Ted's arms, but she didn't leave. She stayed, with her head against his chest.

Molly had left, but Arthur was asleep in the recliner. Andromeda sighed, her mind bursting with anxious activity again. The nervous pit in her stomach opened, and all she could think of was how she had to get home before someone else did and realized she was not there. She frowned slightly, disappointed at the fact she couldn't stay in the comfortable, happy life she had had yesterday afternoon.

Slowly, Andromeda pulled herself out of Ted's arms and walked to the door. His father smiled kindly at her, as he was getting ready to leave for work.

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you," his father whispered.

"Thank you," Andromeda whispered back as she pulled on her cloak.

Just as she was about to step through the door, an arm pulled her back. Ted's face look down at her, a little sadly. "You weren't going to leave without saying goodbye, were you?"

Andromeda didn't answer; instead, she kissed him. Her arm wrapped around his neck and his around her waist and he cupped her face with his other hand. Moaning with pleasure, she pulled herself closer to him. He gently pushed her against the wall.

Finally, they broke apart. Andromeda placed her head against his shoulder, gasping for breath. His lips sank to her neck, where he gently kissed her.

"Andromeda," he whispered. His voice sounded sad, and her heart tore. "Please...please...don't do this to me. Don't just leave me again. Please..."

She turned back up and kissed him again. It was so passionate it made her head whirl, but she didn't mind one whit. She just wanted to kiss him for the rest of her life. His kisses were so gentle, so loving, so unlike all the other disgusting Slytherins she had been forced to have relationships with.

"I don't want to hurt you," she whispered, and a tear escaped her eye. He brushed it away. "I miss you, Ted...if you still love me, if...I...if you will take me back, I'll be your girlfriend again." She winced at her own words, and he noticed.

Ted held her face with both of his hands, kissing her nose gently. "Ana, I know you worry for me, and my parents, and Georgia. But I knew the risk when I started. Molly updated me on all those. I love you, Ana. I want you in any way possible."

Andromeda reached up to hold his face as well. With a very grim look in her eyes, she whispered, "I will not give myself to you in any way unless you promise me some kind of future."

Ted laughed a little, making her smile a little. "Dearest Ana, I would not ask you to be in a relationship with me just for the fun of it. You are much too dangerous. No, dearest, I'm thinking of a future." He smiled at this. "A very wonderful future. Just the two of us. We could elope." He kissed her neck before leaning back to look at her. "Run away with me, Ana?" he asked, smiling. "Right after graduation?"

Andromeda felt herself start to grin with excitement and hope. She kissed him one last time. "Yes. Yes, absolutely." She walked to the door again, turning back to look at Ted. "Tell Georgia I adore her, and intend to visit again for a tea party."