"It still amazes me no one notices a magic portal in the middle of King's Cross," Jean said, shaking her head.

"People notice what they want to notice, Mum," Ted offered with a sly smile before pulling her into a hug. Andromeda felt something tug in her heart at the way they embraced. Her own mother had ever embraced her like that, and now she never would.

"Thank you again for everything, Mrs. Tonks," Olivia said warmly, as Jean pulled her into a hug as well. "You know you are always welcome," Jean said warmly.

Andromeda stood stiffly near the platform. She hadn't wanted to interrupt Ted's goodbye, but Olivia had managed to insert herself so seamlessly. Meda doubted she could do so even if Jean didn't hate her. As if she could sense Meda's thoughts Jean suddenly turned toward her. Andromeda forced out a smile, but she doubted she fooled anyone.

Sighing, Jean crossed over to her, and Andromeda stiffened. Was she coming to continue last night's conversation? Or perhaps offer her own pleas to end their relationship, as Olivia had given to Ted.

Jean stopped just short of her, and said, "I'm sorry your family isn't here to see you off,"

Her words caught Andromeda off-guard, but this time her smile was genuine, albeit sad. "I appreciate that, but truth be told they never came to see us off. They hired someone else too." Her parents loathed being around that many muggles, and always found excuses not to be there.

Jean bowed her head softly, then said, "I'm sorry for that as well." Then she gently lifted her hands out, and Andromeda slowly walked into them. Their hug was briefer than the others, but Andromeda didn't care, she recognized it for what it was. A peace offering.

As she pulled away Jean whispered in her ear. "Promise me you'll take care of him." Her soul almost broke at how desperate his mother sounded, which was why she replied back, "with my life."

It didn't quite wipe the worry, or suspicion from his mother eyes, but it was certainly a better note to leave on than Andromeda could have hoped for.

The stares and whispers began to follow them the moment they stepped out onto the platform. Andromeda stiffened again, not that she'd really relaxed before. Ted responded by slipping his hand inside hers. The moment he did she felt his mother's words flash through her mind. Promise me you'll protect him. Based on the looks she was getting from some of the other purebloods, thoughts of harming Ted had already crossed their mind.

Her stomach dropped as she saw the Carrows, who looked both sickened and delighted at the same instance. They may not have been the brightest, but they were loud, and nasty. They enjoyed tormenting muggleborns as much as they loathed them. Before they could make a move, or even open their loud mouths, someone screeched her name.

The whole platform looked over in surprise, and Andromeda barely had time to prepare before she was wrapped in a giant bear-hugged that lifted her off her feet.

"You did it!" Sirius huffed. "Son of a Banshee you actually did it."

"Sirius," Meda gasped. "Breathing… requires… oxygen."

He released her, though that may have been because he was too excited to hold still anymore. "I can't believe you actually did it. I knew you could, of course, I just didn't think you actually would." He placed his hands on her shoulders, grinning broadly. Sirius' gang of friends lingered behind him. Like usual, Pettigrew hung behind the others and Lupin gave her a warm smile. The only thing missing was Potter's usual contemptuous glare, which had been placed with something resembling pride. Of course, when he saw she noticed, he looked away.

"You've got to tell me what happened. Because we all thought the wedding was still on until my parents let it slip you'd been disowned." It didn't surprise her that her parents had kept the details of her botched engagement and disownment under wraps. Despite what Bellatrix had said, about how the other families would "praise" them for rooting out a bad seed, her parents would still want to keep the details of her scandal as hidden as possible to avoid further shame.

"Sure," she forced out, "But not here." The Carrows were still leering at them. They knew they couldn't take the infamous "Marauders," but there were others lurking around too. Mulciber, Crabbe, Goyle— all practically fuming in disgust and the blood traitor reunion happening before then.

Sirius glanced around, as his familiar sly smile slid into place. Unlike her, he loved provoking outrage, but then he shrugged, "Suit yourself." He clapped her shoulder again and then took off with his friends. As soon as he was gone Andromeda grabbed Ted's hand and raced for the express. The last thing she wanted was to wait around for one of them to make good on those glares.

Andromeda wanted to dart into the nearest compartment, but Ted and Olivia wanted to reunite with their friends, Lorie and Jacob. The stares continued to follow her as they walked through the train corridors, but thankfully, no one tried to speak to them.

Finally, they found the others and slipped inside.

"Andromeda!" For the second time that day, Andromeda found herself being practically tackled in the shape of a hug. At least Lorie was not quite as strong Sirius, but Andromeda still struggled to breathe.

"It's so good to see you again!" Lorie said.

"Likewise," Andromeda said. "You look well." The last time she'd seen Lorie she'd been covered in soot, wandering aimlessly around the bar of the Leaky Cauldron, having just had her memory wiped. If seeing Andromeda at all reminded her of this traumatic incident, she gave no sign of it.

Jacob, also smiled warmly as he came up behind Lorie, placing his hands on her shoulders. This earned a raised eyebrow from both Ted and Olivia.

"Wait," Olivia said slowly, "Are you guys…"

"We wanted to wait to tell you in person!" Lorie squealed as threw herself at Jacob, unable to contain herself any longer.

Jacob smiled as he smoothed down her hair. "We got together soon after, you know," Andromeda blushed, but no one commented further.

"That means we can double!" Lorie reached out and took both Ted's and Meda's hands in hers. Andromeda smiled, but felt another flash of worry. If she and Ted became targets, so would anyone who was near them. Based on the sour look Olivia gave her, the thought had occurred to her as well.

"Great," Olivia muttered as she brushed passed them and collapsed into a window seat. "Now I get to be a fifth wheel."

"Please," Lorie collapsed into the seat next to her, while Jacob slipped in beside. "You're single because you want to be. I know how many boys you've turned down."

Lorie's musings on exactly why Olivia was single, as well as the infinite possibilities that awaited their first double date, as well on her musings on literally everything else that would face them in the upcoming months— carried them through the first hour of the train ride. Not that Andromeda minded, Lorie's excitement over everything was infectious, and it certainly beat the tense silence that had plagued them before.

She was just in the middle of predicting who would be the new recruits to the various quidditch teams when the door opened and Sirius slipped inside.

"Alright, it's later," he said as he took a seat next to Andromeda, immediately making himself comfortable. "Now spill."

Potter, as usual, sauntered in behind him. Lupin was absent, probably absorbed with Prefect duties. Their mousy shadow was also missing. Meda didn't mind, Pettigrew had always looked at her like she was going to eat his face off.

"How'd you manage to break off your engagement? Based on the way your mum was talking, I thought for sure they'd drag you to the altar in chains if they had too."

Andromeda smiled grimly, she had no doubt her mother would have if Andromeda had given her chance. The smile slipped off her face as she remembered what, or rather who, had pushed her to finally break ties with her family…

She hadn't told anyone besides Ted, and she hadn't spoken of it since that night together. She'd barely thought about it. Every time it came up she forced it away, as if pretending it never happened would make it so. That didn't stop the nightmares, or the chills that would fill her body every time she had to wash between her legs…

"She became a full-on runaway bride." Ted squeezed her hand under the table, understanding what was causing her silence. "Showed up on my doorstep the night before, wedding dress and all."

Sirius let out a whistle, his pride in Andromeda growing. "And they just let you go?"

Once again, she hesitated, unable to force the words out.

"Of course not." It was Olivia who interjected this time. "They found her and Ted in some seedy motel."

"And you fought him off?" Sirius said, continuing to stare at her despite the other people speaking. He seemed lost between surprise and awe.

"They had a little help." Sirius finally turned his attention Olivia, one eyebrow raised.

"You mean to tell me four Hufflepuffs managed to fight off a squad of snakes?" His evident disbelief earned him glared from Jacob and Ted and a dervish snort from Potter.

Olivia, however, only smiled coolly. "You want a demonstration? Because I would be more than happy to oblige."

Sirius didn't comment, but he did eye Olivia for a moment longer before turning his attention back to Andromeda.

"Well, regardless of how it did or did not happen, I'm here to officially welcome you to the Black sheep of the Blacks club." He settled back into his seat, even throwing his hands behind his head. "Perks include getting to spit on any snake you see, literally, and never having to attend another family party."

"I'm all for the second perk," Andromeda said with a snort, "but the first one might be tricky, considering I still live with them."

"I didn't think of that." Sirius thought for a moment. "Maybe Dumbledore will let you switch houses."

Andromeda smiled sadly. "I don't think it works like that."

"Maybe it should." Sirius removed himself from his position of comfort to clap her on the shoulder. "Obviously, you were a late bloomer. Clearly you belong in Gryffindor."

"Perhaps, but then I would have to cheer for you in quidditch," Andromeda slid his arm off her shoulder, smiling cheekily. "And even I couldn't stoop so low."

Sirius and Potter scoffed, while Jacob whistled and Ted took her hand is his. "That's my girl. She knows Hufflepuff is where it's at."

"Does that mean you're actually planning on winning a match this year?" Potter shot back.

Ted responded with a gesture involving his middle figure, which earned him more scoffs and whistles. Despite the surface-level contention, Andromeda smiled. It occurred to her that is this moment, surrounded by people she loved or at least cared for, she was happy. For once she wasn't concerned about her family or her future or her loved ones. It was as new and overwhelming as it was beautiful and intoxicating.

Then she door slid open, and a blond-haired figure peered her head in. The smile slipped off her face. She should have known this moment was too good to last.

"Dear me, it looks like I have the wrong cart. My apologies." Rita Skeeter's familiar drawl washed over them, as did her piercing gaze. She found Andromeda and feigned surprise. "Andromeda, is that you?" She chuckled. "I hardly recognized you in such company."

Sirius and Potter stiffened, like always preparing for a fight. Skeeter paid them no mind as she said, "I wanted to ask how you are doing. I can't imagine how difficult it was to have your marriage fall through like that. I know Rabastan's been taking it hard. Spends hours on end at the Taverns, I've heard. It's nice to see you moved on so quickly." Her eyes flashed to Ted, who was still holding Meda's hand. His eyes narrowed, before he could say anything Potter stepped in front of Skeeter, blocking her line of sight.

"I'd say it's about time for you to move on. In fact," He stepped closer to her, while removing his wand from his pocket. "I'd be more than happy to show you the way."

"Put a sock in it, Potter," Skeeter shot him a glare. "Evans isn't around to impress. In fact, she's off the market completely. Going out with Gideon Prewett. He's head boy now, you know. I guess riffraff just isn't her type."

Potter stiffened. His interest in Lily Evans was no secret, but exactly how deep his feelings ran was. But not, apparently, to Skeeter, who seemed to have anticipated his reaction and was thoroughly delighted by it.

"It really was good to see you, Andromeda," she said again. "I'm sure your sister will be thrilled to know you've settled into your new life nicely."

And with that threat hanging in the air, she finally did as Potter asked and moved on.

"Not her type," Potter grumbled, glaring at the sliding door like it had been the one to insult him. "What the hell does she know?"

Potter's problematic love life was the least of her concerns, however. Even Skeeter's promise to tell Narcissa what she had seen— while it sent a painful pang through her chest— was not what had Andromeda's mind in a twist.

She'd said Rabastan had taken their break-up hard. Alluded to a drinking problem, even. Andromeda had no idea how Skeeter would know about that. She could be lying, just looking for a reaction from Meda. But as she thought about the last time she'd seen Rabastan, the broken way he'd watched her literally leave him and everyone they knew for another man, she doubted it. It left a guilty pit in her stomach she knew she wouldn't be able to shake, no matter how hard she tried.