Chapter 6

Slughorn was avoiding me. It was pathetic seeing a grown wizard turn around as I walked down the corridor. His classroom was the one place he could not avoid me. At the end of class, I chose to strike before he could put on his cloak again and run out.

I approached his desk.

"Professor," I said lowly. "I just wanted to let you know that I am not comfortable with that wizard ever coming to a gathering. My sister made me ask you."

Slughorn's shoulders visibly relaxed. "Thank you for that, Miss Black." He grabbed the nearest jar. "Here have a pineapple square."

I stared at the oozing jar. "Those are dragon testicles."

"Oh yes," Slughorn glanced at the jar surprised, almost dropping it. "Indeed, they are." He cleared his throat. "Any other matters – about the gathering I mean?"

"Yes," I put a list in front of him. "I was able to get these members of the orchestra society to agree to perform music. I also told the house elves in the kitchen when and what food to bring up. I have also compiled a list of club members that will be attending."

"Brilliant work as always," Slughorn pocketed the list. "I must be off I'm already running late to a meeting with the Herbology department. I'm afraid the newest Professor isn't as cooperative as the previous, to say the least."

I walked back to my desk in the now empty classroom. I packed my bag slowly trying to decide if sharing my real feelings about Riddle with Slughorn was the correct move. I didn't have a chance to get too deep into my own thoughts. Ted Tonks strolled into the room. His hair was messy like he had just woken up and his whole uniform looked crooked.

"I was looking all over for you," he said by way of greeting. "But then I remembered you mentioned you had Potions at this time."

"I did?"

"You did," he said. "I was worried about you. I got your owl. Are you feeling any better?"

"A bit," I admitted.

I didn't feel well enough to join Tonks on patrol last night after what happened with the Slytherins in the Great Hall. Partly because I was scared of what I might let slip in front of him. I didn't need any more trouble.

I put my Potions book in my bag. I tried to zip it up, but the zipper jammed halfway. I reached for my wand, but Tonks cut me off.

"Allow me," he pulled my bag towards him. I watched him tug at the zipper with all his strength. He stopped and looked up at me, laughing at himself. "This was much cooler and quicker in my mind."

My lips pressed together suppressing a laugh. "There's a charm for it." I took out my wand. But before I could perform the charm Tonks pushed my wand away.

"How about you teach me it?"

I looked away. "I cannot see why not." I paused. "I mean you did look like you were about to injure yourself."

"Do you want to get out of the dungeons?" He held out his hand to me and slouched into a bow.

I shook my head. "Fine. Only to get some fresh air."

I headed towards the Potion's classroom door. I could feel a smile creeping onto my face. I couldn't suppress it.

It wasn't a bright day. There was a cold breeze and the clouds were veiling the sun. I couldn't see any students at the lake or strolling about the grounds. I felt my shoulders tense, I hadn't considered how alone we would be out here.

I watched Tonks stroll over to my usual tree. I couldn't tell if this was a conscious decision on his part. He sat down under the tree. He patted the ground beside him. I turned my head towards the lake pretending not to see the gesture.

"You weren't sick were you?"

I turned back to him at the sound of his voice. He was now fully stretched out, his hands behind his head. And worst of all he was smiling at me knowingly like we were sharing a secret.

"It does not matter, Tonks."

"Talk to me, Andromeda," he said earnestly. "I was completely devoid of conversation last night. And I had to deduct points from a first year all by myself."

Suddenly I really wanted to sit with him. I couldn't help myself. I was already dusting away a few fallen leaves with my wand. I sat down insuring there was at least a one-person space between us.

I straightened my skirt. "That's unusual for you. If I recall correctly, you just ask students if they are lost."

"I had to make up for my missing strict witch."

"I'm not strict," I stated. "I'm fair. Don't get caught if you don't want to suffer the consequences."

"Last night broke my heart," Tonks smiled up at me. "I'm not supposed to be the one making first years cry."

"I do not make them cry," I rolled my eyes mockingly at him.

"You make them piss themselves."

"A little."

"Just a little,"

"I'm not Bella," I brought my legs up to my chest.

"Hey," Tonks pushed himself up on his elbows. "Thank God you are not. Honestly, I didn't find you for Charms practice. I knew what that note was about. I saw what happened at the table last night."

"Of course, you did," I sighed. "You seem to appear everywhere I am lately."

"That's the magic of friendship," Tonks beamed. "Get used to it."

"Oh please, you barely know me,"

"Oh really?" he cocked his head at me. "Let's see," he set himself back on the ground so he could count off his fingers. "Favourite colour's purple. Incredible – "

"I think I should go now," I tucked my hair back behind my ears.

"Wait, Andromeda," he sat up immediately. "What happened last night? You can tell me."

"That's hardly your business." Then I added quietly. "You really wouldn't want to know."

"Try me. I think I deserve more than a lie."

"Let's just put it this way, Tonks." I shut my eyes, trying to block out the cocktail of emotions starting to churn again in my stomach. "I failed at being pureblood. But I would not do anything differently. Bellatrix hates me. It feels like everyone's looking at me strangely. But I barely recognise anyone."

To my surprise, Tonks did not say anything. He waited to see if I would say anything before, he remarked. "I think being pureblood is overrated."

I sighed. "It is my whole life. But it suddenly feels odd. Do not tell anyone what I have said."

"Your secrets are always safe with me," he put his finger against the corner of his mouth and made a zipping motion. "Andromeda," he hesitated. "I have been meaning to ask you something,"

I was suddenly aware of everything but Tonks. The chilly breeze against my robes. How dry my mouth felt. How alone we were.

"I know your head of house has a party every month or so," Tonks started. "I would be more than happy to get dressed up and go with you."

I stared at him for a long second waiting for him to crack a joke. Instead, he looked off to the side avoiding my stare.

The first thing that came out of my mouth was not a no. "Hufflepuffs don't come to the Slug Club gatherings. It isn't a party really. It's students mingling based on their parents. I organise the 'party' and stand in the corner all night. You are not missing much."

"Well, I'm not just any kind of Hufflepuff."

"My sisters would not like it. I'm not supposed to be talking to you at all. Let alone so casually."

"How about this we could go to quidditch together, to an actual party, a Hufflepuff party," he listed. "Or Hogsmeade –"

"I can't." I stood up. His grey eyes were too intense. They were making me feel shaky all over. I balanced myself against the tree. "I can't," I repeated.

"But you would like to," he rose to meet me. He was too close again.

I panicked. And scoffed at him. "No never, I can't – " I lifted my arm to look at my watch. "I have to go - "

"Your watch is on your other wrist." He laughed, so easy, so carefree.

"But I do have to go," I said counting my breaths and trying to keep how flustered I was under control. "I have class." I lied.

I was already walking away from him, my still broken bag cradled in my arms.

"I will see you later then," he waved to me.

I hurried quickly away. I could not help but glance back at him. He was still looking at me. His face was now crimson. My eyes went to my shoes, pointed and now dusty from the dirt under the tree. I scowled at Tonks for making me feel so odd with his proposals. He could not have thought I would have said yes.

I sat on my bed that evening watching the clock above the dormitory door tick. I was counting down the seconds until I would see Tonks again on our patrol. I simultaneously felt apprehensive and excited. I could not think of a thing to say to him. Hello even seemed awkward. But maybe that was all in my head. He said we were friends. His intentions must not have been a date.

I wrinkled my nose. I only knew about dates from the Witch Weekly quizzes Narcissa made me take with her. We would spend rainy days in front of the fire making up answers to quizzes about boyfriends and crushes we would never have.

Besides he never said he was asking me out, I told myself firmly. My imagination was running away with me. I did not know why I was even considering this possibility. I shut my eyes trying to picture it, me and Tonks sitting across from each other – knowing Tonks he would probably go out of his way to place a chair next to me. I could see the dress I would wear, the cloak and even the drink I would order. I could see Tonks in his muggle clothes, bopping his head to music playing in the background and looking far too happy with himself.

"Stop it," I whispered to myself.

The dormitory door creaked open to reveal a familiar blonde head. "Bellatrix is campaigning for the cancellation of the Slug Club."

I couldn't help myself I rolled my eyes. "She can be the party planner when she repeats again," I said with an unnatural venom.

I grabbed my cloak from the hook above my bed.

"I am guessing you're not coming to Bella's meeting tonight." Narcissa stepped into the room. "Apparently she has a plan and has received new intel."

"Well, I guess I wasn't invited." I glanced at my face in the mirror. I didn't realise my eyebrows were pinched together. I tried to relax my face.

Narcissa didn't say anything. I think she already knew I had heard enough from Bella. I was to serve my punishment.

"Are you attending?" I asked.

She nodded. "To support Bella. You could still come too," she stepped closer to me. "Bella will cool off she always does. After all, we will always be sisters first."

"Can you be so sure of that?" I softened. "You have reason, Narcissa. Bella has an obsession. I would write to Mother and Father about it, but I can't predict how they would react."

"There has to be more to this club than," she lowered her voice. "It's half-blood leader. And I want to find out what that is. Do not write to Mother and Father. We already look plenty silly."

"Believe me I feel it," I sighed. "Blame me if – "

"If anyone annoys me," Narcissa finished. "I am working on my thick skin you know. Maybe one of these days you will not have to protect me."

For once, Tonks had arrived before me. He locked eyes with me as I came around the corner, clearly waiting for me to appear. He was sitting on the window ledge, the moonlight giving him a silvery glow and casting shadows that were bigger than him on the floor.

He smiled.

I smiled. And racked my brain again as to why he showed so much keenness around me. It felt like he was going out of his way to make me notice him, to make me happy and to make me laugh. The most confusing part was that he could have easily found a Hufflepuff substitute. That thought made my heart sink to the pit of my stomach. I liked his attention.

Maybe that's why I was the first to speak for once.

"Good evening, Tonks," I cleared my throat. "Do – how was your day?"

He beamed at this. "A lot better now."