Neither Dumbledore, nor Lily, were kidding when they said they wanted to focus on defense magic. Professor Scrimgeour spent the entire class period drilling them on their stupify jinx. He even let them practice the stunning spell on each other, which was rare for any spell that could cause physical damage, even as temporary as the stunning spell. Scrimgeour insisted that stunning their enemies and then calling the authorities was the best way to keep themselves safe.
Even charms and transfiguration were focused on spell work that could hide them from the enemies or help them escape dangerous situations. All of her teachers had stopped talking about exams, and only talked about preparing for life outside Hogwarts. Technically, that was the whole point of schooling, but they said it with such sobriety, Andromeda was beginning to picture her feature as some bleak, dark forest that only her mastery of defensive magic would allow her to navigate. Though in her case that wasn't so far off base.
In preparation for this future, her teachers were assigning more homework than ever. Homework that Andromeda barely had time to do, as Lily demanded most of her attention. Somehow word had gotten out that Andromeda had warned Gideon, James, and Lily about the attack, and that was why the three of them had arrived ready to fight. Lily wanted to capitalize on that image by toting Andromeda around everywhere she went to tell everyone the story about how Andromeda had risked everything to save them all. Lily said it brought them hope. Andromeda thought everyone just wanted a closer look at the girl whose love life had brought most of the drama this year.
"Andromeda has put herself in harm's way for us time and time again," Lily said, while a group of first years looked on. "She doesn't have too. As a member of one of the most ancient pureblood families, Andromeda is the last person at risk from these Death Eaters."
That might have been true before Andromeda had started dating Ted Tonks, but she wasn't sure blood traitor ranked much higher than muggleborn anymore. She knew better than to interrupt on of Lily's impassioned speeches though.
"She and Ted know the risks they face going out with each other," Lily nodded to Ted, who stood on Andromeda's other side. Ted nodded solemnly, but Andromeda could tell he was resisting the urge to make a face behind Lily's back. It wasn't that he didn't take this seriously, it was just how Ted dealt with serious situations.
"But that hasn't stopped them from boldly defying tradition despite the backlash they will face," Lily beamed at them before turning back to the students. "If they can triumph, then there's hope for all of us, no matter what the opposition says."
Andromeda's skin prickled under the awestruck looks of the first years. She tried to smile despite her discomfort, but she feared it came out more like a grimace. She understood what Lily was doing. Panicked conversations had circulated the school ever since the attack. Some of their classmates had even left school for a few days to attend the funerals of loved ones that had perished in the attacks. Hogwarts had never before felt so bleak. Lily feared if they lost their morale, the Slytherins would become more emboldened then they already were. None of them dared attack outright for fear of what Dumbledore would do, but they'd left messages in blood praising Lord Voldemort and his followers. It was enough to make anyone queasy.
"How did you know the attack was going to happen, Andromeda?" said a trilling voice that still sent tremors down Andromeda's spine. The first years parted as Rita Skeeter stepped forward, giving Meda and Rita full view of each other.
Andromeda opened her mouth, but nothing came out. She'd told Lily, James, and Gideon that Rabastan had been her source, but that only been because she needed to get them to listen to her in a short amount of time. Thankfully the three of them had kept their mouths shut about it, but Andromeda dared not tell anyone else, especially Rita. But she had to say something, otherwise Rita would start prying for the truth, and maybe even find it.
"I, I overheard someone," Andromeda said, biting her tongue at how lame that sounded.
"Overheard who?" Rita pressed.
"I don't know," Andromeda said. "They were already dressed up in their cloaks."
Lily shot her a pointed look, as did Ted, but Andromeda ignored both of them for different reasons.
"Really?" Rita said, while a same curled on her lips, "Because I heard you had an inside source." Andromeda's stomach churned, with only made Rita's smile more pronounced, at that point Lily stepped in.
"We're just grateful Andromeda happened to be in the right place at the right time, and was willing to put herself at risk to share what she learned."
"How convenient," Rita said, "Maybe a little too convenient?"
The way she looked at Andromeda, like she knew. Andromeda had no idea how. Unless she'd seen her talking with Rabastan before the attack. But if Rita had proof, she'd already be spreading rumors instead of idly taunting Andromeda, wouldn't she?
"Not everyone is as cynical as you, Skeeter," Lily said. Rita looked like she wanted to say something else, but Lily said, "Morning break is about to end. Everyone should get to class."
Andromeda was still shaky on how she felt about Lily Evans, mostly because Lily had been parading her around like a stuffed puppet, but in this moment, Andromeda was sure she loved her. She gave the first years another smile, hoped it didn't look too forced, ignored Rita's piercing gaze, and turned to give Ted a quick peck before they went to their separate classes.
But as her lips reached for Ted's, he asked, "Is it true?"
She blinked, then pulled back, a slight frown on her lips. "Is what true?"
"Did you overhear some of the … Death Eaters," he stumbled over the name, "talking about the attack?"
She blinked again, before realizing what he was asking. He hadn't asked her before, his only concern had been whether or not she was all right. But now he wanted to know whether what she'd said had only been to appease Rita, or if she'd been telling the truth.
She wasn't, but she dared not tell him that. Not without raising questions she couldn't have him asking. Their survival depended on it.
"Of course," she said, smiling as she leaned in to kiss him again. This time his lips met hers, but she thought she felt a faint hint of hesitation.
She tried not to think about her kiss with Ted throughout the rest of her classes, nor as she made her way to dinner. This was the second time she'd lied to him, and she was fearful of what a third would bring. But she'd made an unbreakable oath not tell anyone that Bellatrix and Rodolphus were Death Eaters.
The thought brought a chill to her spine. She hadn't used them and Death Eaters in the same sentence before, but she'd known they worked for the mysterious Lord Voldemort, and if this was what his followers called himself, then Death Eaters they were.
Except, before she hadn't counted Rabastan as one of them, but now she wasn't so sure. She knew Rodolphus was pressuring him, but she'd hoped against hope Rabastan would resist. As much as she wanted to believe Rabastan only heard about the attack, she couldn't be certain he wasn't involved.
Either way, she couldn't tell Ted. Rabastan would eventually lead back to Rodolphus and Bella, whether Rabastan was involved or not. Bella's end of the oath was only upheld as long as Andromeda kept her secret. If she were to lead Ted to the truth in any way, no matter how round about, the oath would be broken and she and Ted would be in danger.
Also, she would have to admit that she'd been talking to Rabastan in the first place, and she couldn't tell Ted that. Things between them were finally good, and she couldn't risk disrupting that tranquility. At least, she'd thought they'd been good until today.
She emerged in the Great Hall and caught sight of Ted. The moment he saw her his whole demeanor lit up, and she pushed her fears away. She was being ridiculous, of course. She kissed him as soon as she sat down, a little deeper than she usually did in public. Enough that Olivia said, "Bloody hell, Ted, get a room."
"If you're jealous," Ted said as he pulled away from Andromeda. "I'm sure we could invite Sirius Black over to give you some snogging of your own."
Olivia blushed, something Andromeda had never seen her do before, and fell quiet.
"I, for one, will never get tired of the adorableness that is Andromeda and Ted," Lorie declared.
"It's true," Jake said. "Watching you two snog turns her on." Lorie slapped his arm, but Andromeda smiled. She couldn't remember ever feeling this comfortable around anyone. Even her own family. It was refreshing.
Her moment was interrupted by the arrival of the owls. Most came in the morning, but there were always a few that straggled in during dinner. Andromeda never got mail, especially now, but she liked to watch them flutter in with their various letters and packages. It relaxed her. There were more owls than usual. But with everyone trying to check in with their families since the attack, it was understandable.
A large brown owl dropped a letter in Ted's lap. Frowning, he pulled it open and quickly scanned the letter. "It's from my mom," he said, frowning. "She's wigging."
"Did you tell her?" Olivia asked.
Ted shook his head. "The attacks made the muggle news, even if they don't understand them. But she's smart enough to notice the signs."
"Another question?" Jake asked. "Your mom knows how to send an owl? Because Lorie's parents haven't gotten over the concept of flying broomsticks."
Lorie hit him again, while Ted said, "I taught her. She wanted to stay in touch this year, considering," he didn't finish that sentence, but Andromeda knew what he would have said. Considering dating her put him at more risk this year. That was true now more than ever, and her cheeks flushed as she imagined Jean reading the muggle news and fretting and worrying about what that meant for her son.
Ted immediately pulled out a paper and scribbled something, before immediately sending it back with the owl.
"That was quick," Jake said.
Ted shrugged again. "I told her not to worry and I'd explain everything over the break." Despite his words, Andromeda could see his mom's fear weighing heavily on him. She didn't know what to say, so she took his hand under the Table. He offered her an appreciative smile in response.
Another owl, this one black as night came their direction and dropped a letter in Andromeda's lap. She stared at with wide eyes. The only person who usually wrote to her was Alphard, though with everything going on, she could see him reaching out now.
She pulled the letter out, expecting to see the Uncle Alphard's scrawling print, but instead was a letter in loopy handwriting she didn't recognize. It was a short message, reading,
"I need to speak with you. Prefect's Lounge. Midnight. Make sure you're alone."
There was no name attached to it. She frowned. Who could possibly want to speak with her? Was it a trap of some kind?
She caught sight of more writing further down. A postscript. It read:
P.S. I'm still waiting on that rousing rendition of "God Rest ye Merry hHippogriffs" that your sister promised."
Andromeda's confusion only deepened, before she remembered a conversation from over a year ago. Bellatrix, in inviting Rabastan to their family party, had told him Andromeda would entertain them all with her voice. Bella had promised the God Rest ye merry Hippogriffs number specifically. It felt like a memory from another life, and she wouldn't have remembered it if not for the little reminder. Only one person would have thought to include that. Rabastan himself.
Her heart started pounding harder. Rabastan wanted to speak with her? Why? Actually, she could imagine why… but didn't he know how risky that was, for both of them?
"Who's it from?" Ted asked.
Andromeda immediately wrapped on the letter, her heart pounding for a different reason. She doubted Ted would understand the reference, but he would want to know who wanted to meet his girlfriend in secret at midnight, and she couldn't tell him. Like she couldn't tell him anything else.
"My uncle," she said, "he's worried too." That lie came out easier than most lies did for her. Ted nodded, but he was still watching her. She forced a smile and then buried herself in dinner, trying to push Rabastan and his demand as far from her mind as possible.