Chapter 7

At the end of September, while every other Slug Club member was thinking about getting ready, I was standing in heels moving the furniture in Slughorn's large office. I had to make space for long trays of finger food and the musicians and students that would be packed into the office in less than an hour's time. An old record player on one of Slughorn's bookshelves kept me company though the sweet-sounding music it was producing would jump or crackle randomly.

Slughorn, as usual, was nowhere to be seen. I imagined he was either slowly tying his tie or using the element of surprise to steal herbs from the greenhouses. My wand hand was starting to get tired from swishing furniture around when a knock came at the door.

I huffed an annoyed sigh. The orchestra society was always early to tune or polish their instruments. Even though I told them time and time again don't bother. Everyone is always more interested in the treats floating around anyway.

I pulled open the door but stopped halfway when I saw who it was. Without thinking my hands went to my black dress as if I could hide it behind my palms. I was suddenly embarrassed.

"What are you doing here?"

"Hello to you too," Tonks replied. "I thought you could use some help." When my face did not relax, he continued. "You said that you had to set up alone. You emphasised that there would be no one around two or three times. I thought that could be an invitation."

My eyes traveled down his body to his shoes. He wasn't wearing his school uniform or his itchy-looking muggle sweater. He was wearing a white shirt, the cuffs and the top button undone, and dark trousers. It was far from appropriate wizard formal attire, long capes over layers of waistcoats and velvet.

"Am I fancy enough to be your date for 20 minutes before the Slytherins show up?" he held out his arms and did a spin to show off his outfit.

My eyes focused on his shiny shoes. "I like your shoes."

I smiled, managing to meet his eyes again. They were full of life and eagerness. And they were looking at me. All I had to do was say yes. But no sound would come out of my mouth. Instead, I pulled the door fully open, my palms sweating. I turned away from the door leaving it open. I kept my back to him as I pretended to read something in my planner that was open on one of the tables.

I felt the floorboards creak behind me. "I like your shoes too. But you're taller than me now."

The record player scratched loudly as it changed song.

"Thank you, Ted," I managed to say. I wanted to thank him for having the courage to come to the snake pit and get dressed up for me. I never had someone do something so stupid and risky for me.

The door creaked open again. My heart went into my throat. I turned quickly to see Tonks taking a tray from a house elf. Tonks didn't seem to hear the house elf's protests, he was too busy laughing at my reaction.

"Relax, Andromeda, it is just sweet ol' Dinky,"

I dropped my hand from my neck. "How do you know its name?"

"Because I asked it?" Tonks came back to me balancing the tray in one hand.

I eyed it nervously, waiting for Slughorn's pineapple treats to hit the floor. I did not have the energy to protect Slughorn's favourite sweet.

"I like to go to the kitchens. Especially when I was younger. The house elves are actually quite the gossips. And for some reason, they like feeding me."

"It is their duty." I made a face as he pawed one of the pineapple treats. "I suppose you do not have house elves in the muggle world."

"Thank God," Tonks picked one up and sniffed it. "I understand why Hogwarts needs them, but it would be nice if they got holidays or pay."

I twisted a string of beads hanging from the end of my dress. "We have house elves at home. I can assure you it is their way of life."

"Sounds miserable," I was about to ask which part but I did not get a chance. "By the way, what are these?"

"Slughorn's," I replied watching some crystalised sugar fall onto his shirt. "They are pineapple-chewing sweets. The same as in the jar in class."

Tonks beamed. "The stuff that he offers Slytherins. I feel so privileged to be holding one." He popped it into his mouth.

"You're not missing much," I said and on cue, his face contorted at the taste. "He likes them mixed with lemon extract."

He pointed to his mouth, and I laughed. I grabbed one of the napkins behind me. It had been folded into the shape of a swan. Another one of my skills that Slughorn liked to capitalise on.

He spat it out into the hollow back of the swan. Then finally examined what he was holding. "This is quite pretty. Can I keep it?"

"Be my guest." I could not help but smile and reach over to dust off some of the sugar that had littered his shirt. "I appreciate you coming here, Ted. I do not think I can explain how much it has improved my night."

His whole face lit up. "You just called me Ted." He edged closer to me. "Say it again."

"You misheard."

He set down the tray on the table behind me, accidentally brushing against my dress. I nervously avoided his eyes. I felt my face grow hot.

"Just say it and I will stay the whole night."

"I can't say it," I still couldn't bring myself to meet his eyes. I felt them on me. "It will only cause trouble."

He brought his hand to my face. So gentle, barely touching my skin. I shivered and wrapped my arms around myself.

The door creaked open again. I straightened and I swatted his hand away expecting to see a house elf. Instead, a tall dark wizard in full dress robes was swinging the door fully open.

"Who is this, Andromeda?" Evan Rosier said by way of greeting.

I looked to Ted who was still facing me and then to Evan. I exhaled. A quiet sorry almost escaped my lips as I grabbed the food tray behind me and forced it into Tonks's arms.

"One of the students that volunteered to be a waiter." Tonks's face dropped at my words and unfeeling tone. "No need to worry." I moved passed Tonks to the center of the room.

"Good. I have always questioned the hygiene of the school house elves," Evan caught his reflection in one of the decorative mirrors around Slughorn's office, turning his body and attention away from me. "I have been meaning to speak to you about serious matters." He straightened his tie.

I shot an annoyed look at his back. Of course, he was continuing this in front of Ted. He couldn't even spare the energy to look closer at Ted. He was just another lesser wizard to him.

"If this is about Bella's obsession - "

He cut me off, "I did not come here early to talk about your stupidity."

"Marvellous," I glanced behind me at Ted, accidentally meeting his glare.

"I was wondering your opinion on Rabastan Lestrange," he was now patting down his oiled hair. Unknowingly reminding me of how much recent wizard fashion made my nose wrinkle. "The brother of Bellatrix's betrothed."

"I have no opinion." I frowned. "I met him once and he schools at Durmstrang. I can barely remember what he looks like." Besides his yellowed teeth. Yellowed from substances that frequent Knockturn Alley most likely. "Did my mother mention him?"

Evan turned and smiled at me. "That's why you are my favourite cousin – "

"What is your point?" I interrupted, my cheeks reddening. I kept imagining what Tonks was thinking.

"Aunt Druella seems to think it would be a very good match. You and Mr short wand. His wand is only five inches, did you know that?"

I ignored the question, "I have heard nothing of this match,"

"I guessed as much," he said. "If I recall correctly when we were younger you said you would give your heart to me over any other wizard."

I stepped back into Tonks. I tried to make him go away discreetly. Evan couldn't see me press my hand against Tonks's soft stomach. I swallowed hard. This was all so inappropriate.

Before Evan could remark, I retorted unnaturally high. "That is no basest for an argument I was a child. If this is about the Black fortune, that is mainly going to Bella. You know that. And we're cousins…" I trailed off because I knew in the Black family and in other pureblood families we were all related in some way. No one seemed to discuss how unappealing that was.

"I am just suggesting you write to your mother. Remind her that she was a Rosier before – "

"You can't get a match?" I was beginning to sweat. I anxiously unhooked my dress cloak and instantly regretted it. I was feeling even more exposed.

Rosier glared at me. "Do not interrupt me, Andromeda, we have been over this." He stalked towards me. "And do not ask me something so insulting. Leave." He aimed the last part at Tonks who was still hovering behind me. I could feel his once endless patience wearing.

I fixed my cloak. "Fine. But I am done discussing this now. I have a party to prepare for."

Evan was about to say something more, but Tonks beat him to it. "Andromeda, where do you want these?" I stared at the tray and pointed blindly to a corner.

Evan sat down in an armchair across the room. "You told him your name?" he said snidely.

Tonks suddenly turned to face Evan, his face tense. "I really can't listen to you anymore."

"What was that?" Evan slowly rose. "I thought I recognised you, you're the prefect mudblood."

"And you're the prick pureblood." He replied his face completely red now. "Don't ever speak to her like that again. She is a person not a thing for your sick goals."

I shut my eyes just wanting it all to go away.

"Mudbloods need to know their place,"

I opened my eyes again to see Evan's wand pointed at me. My breath caught.

"What are you doing, Evan?" I backed away.

My hands started to shake. Anger and pure exhaustion were coursing through me. I reached for my wand. I knew it was sitting on a table behind me.

"Blame the mudblood, Andromeda,"

His mouth moved but the words never came instead a silver tray replaced the venomous look on his face with one of shock. As the tray twisted through the air, it threw sugar and pineapple treats across the room. The tray collided with his chest and landed at his feet with a loud clatter.

I unfroze, a wave of adrenaline bursting through me. I ran to get my wand as Rosier yelled in outrage, "Depulso!"

I suddenly felt the floor rushing towards me and the leg of a table. As my head lay on the cold floor, I could see Ted's shoes hurrying towards me. The sight of his shiny shoes filled me with relief. Short-lived relief as my vision began to cloud over with blackness. Until I was uncontrollably sent to sleep.