Once Ted was stable, Dumebledore went out into the hall to talk with the healers. Andromeda didn't know what they were saying. She should, but she couldn't bear to leave Ted's side. She'd almost lost him before. She'd watched him be tortured. She'd almost lost to him Bellatrix and the Rodolphus several times. And everytime Voldemort—or he-who-must-not-be-named—or one of his accolytes hurt or killed a muggleborn, she always saw Ted's face.

But this was different. For a moment, she'd truly thought Ted was dead, and that it was her fault. They'd healed the burns on his face, leaving only a faint scar. They'd even managed to regrow his hair, save his eyebrow. He hadn't regained consciousness yet, but he looked at peace.

And yet, horror still filled her as she stared at him. She couldn't even bear to touch him, terrified she'd find another way to hurt him.

The door opened, and Dumbledore slipped inside. "The Healers have removed all the effects of the fire from his system, but they would like to keep him here for a day or two to give him a chance to completely recover."

Andromeda nodded stiffly. His words should comfort her, but she felt nothing but the overwhelming fear.

Dumbledore sighed. "I should also tell that we discovered evidence that Amycus Carrow was Imperiused into attacking Ted. Imperiused by Bellatrix Black."

She already knew her sister was behind the attack, but it still filled her with dread. The imperius curse was unexpected.

"He would have done it without the curse," she said dryly.

"I imagine he would have had the motivation, though not the skill." Dumebledore sighed. "Unfortunately, our laws state that no one is accountable for what they do under the Imperius curse, no matter what Amycus would have tried to do on his own."

He was right, though Andromeda was sure Amycus had willingly allowed Bellatrix to curse him, but that would be difficult to prove.

"Andromeda," Dumbledore said. "I've been meaning to reach out to you. Forgive me for waiting until a time like this, but well, better late than never. Isn't that what you all say?"

She froze, knowing what was coming next. Her cheeks flamed at the prospect of discussing her pregnant status with the headmaster.

"I wanted you to know we have an extra room in the teacher's lounge, and the other teachers have agreed you would be more comfortable spending the rest of the school year there than in your crowded dorm room. It would afford you more privacy."

Andromeda gaped. She wasn't sure what she'd expected him to say, but it wasn't that. She shook her head automatically. It was a nice thought, but the idea of being among all the teachers in her condition was too much.

"Think about it," Dumbledore said. "Slughorn told me you were thinking of dropping out of school." She blushed, and glanced down.

"I imagine there are a lot of reasons for that," Dumbledore said. "Some of them my own fault. I know you've faced a lot of obstacles as an open blood traitor in Slytherin. I should have done a better job to protect you."

Andromeda shook her head. "No. It's not your fault."

"Agree to disagree, perhaps." He smiled warmly, and then stood up. "I will be returning to school, but if you would like to stay here until Ted recovers, I understand." He turned to go, then glanced back at her. "I know your path is a difficult one, I just want you to know that you have choices. You are a brilliant witch, and we'd love to keep you at Hogwarts just a few months longer if you'll have us."

He dipped his head, seeming to miss Andromeda's stunned expression, and then left. Andromeda glanced back at Ted, but her mind was whirling. Since Ted's attack, she'd forgotten about her plan to drop out of school. If Bella was really going after Ted, then she really should drop out. If Bella knew she and Ted were separated, she might leave him alone. It might be the only way to keep him safe.

But the idea of actually leaving Hogwarts, dropping out before her NEWTS…. Call her crazy, but she loved school. She loved learning. She even loved taking tests when she actually felt prepared for them. The idea of giving that up hurt in ways she didn't expect. And what about her life after Hogwarts? She hadn't had time to think of it. She'd been too focused on surviving her primary education to consider anything else.

And truth be told, she had no idea what she wanted to do. She could be a healer, or work in the ministry, or perhaps write a book of her own…

She didn't know, but she knew she wanted to keep learning. She wanted to make the best life for her, and for her child.

She took a deep breath, glanced at Ted, and felt her fear come back. It might not matter what life she wanted. Bella would never stop hunting her. Andromeda was an afront to everything Bella believed in. She wouldn't stop until she'd destroyed Andromeda's life completely, beginning with Ted.

Someone knocked on the door, and a moment later the door opened and Liv peaked her head in. "Can I come in?" she asked.

Andromeda gaped. Not because Olivia was here, but because she'd asked before doing something. Olivia didn't ask, she just did. It was one of the things Andromeda admired about her the most. Once the shock wore off Andromeda nodded.

Olivia took a seat next to Andromeda and glanced at Ted. "How is he?"

"He'll be all right," Andromeda said, "this time." Olivia didn't say anything, and after a moment Andromeda sighed. "You were right. This is all my fault."

Olivia sighed, but instead of responding, she asked, "How are you?"

Her question caught Andromeda off-guard but she replied automatically, "Fine."

"Andromeda."

That was all she said, but the way she said it, so sure that Andromeda wasn't fine, pulled the truth from her.

"I don't know what to do," Andromeda said. "I don't know how to do this without him. But if anything were to happen to him…"

Olivia didn't respond, which was strange, as she usually had an opinion about everything. Instead she looped an arm over Andromeda's shoulder and pulled Andromeda into a hug.

The gesture shocked Andromeda so much it seemed to shatter the walls she'd built around herself, and everything came tumbling out. She sobbed, and trembles racked her body. Her emotional outcry didn't startle Olivia, she only held onto Andromeda tighter.

The sobs were almost overwhelming, but with each new wave, she felt the pain inside her lessening somewhat. Eventually she got the point where he sobs subsided.

"I was wrong about you too," Olivia said finally. "I think you bring out the best in each other." Andromeda coughed, and Olivia added. "I'm not saying you haven't made mistakes. But Ted's a better person with you. He's kinder. More open. Happier. And he brings out the fighter in you, as the Carrow twins can attest."

Despite herself, Andromeda chuckled. Olivia loosened her grip on Andromeda, but kept her arm on Andromeda's shoulder. But there was something Olivia didn't know, that might change her opinion.

"I knew Bella was a death eater," Andromeda said. Olivia glanced at her in surprise and her arms stiffened. Andromeda felt all her fear and anxiety rushing back in, but she continued, "I found out last year, but I made an unbreakable oath with her. In exchange for my silence, she wouldn't hurt Ted."

Olivia's eyes got as round and large as a house-elf's. Andromeda braced herself for the judgement that was bound to come her way.

Instead, Olivia said, "Ted knows, doesn't he? That's what caused the rift between you."

Andromeda nodded. "He thinks… he thinks if I'd told someone… then they could have stopped Bella and the others sooner."

Once again, she waited for Olivia's judgement, but it never came. "Maybe. Maybe not. There's no way to know for certain."

Tears dripped down Andromeda's face. "It was all for nothing anyway. Now that the secret's out. Bella won't stop coming for Ted. I can't… I can't protect him anymore."

Olivia sighed. "Maybe," she said again. "But I don't think that will stop you from trying. And you won't be alone."

Andromeda glanced up. Maybe Olivia just didn't want to kick a dog while it was down, but there was no anger on her face. It didn't make sense.

"Ted was right," Andromeda said. "I put his life above everyone else's. I can't… I can't forgive myself for that."

"You were a teenager," Olivia countered, her fire returning. "A kid who was put into several impossible situations, and did her best to survive. And you didn't kill those people. Lord Voldemort and his followers did. You can't blame yourself for trying to protect the people you love."

Andromeda took a deep breath. It wouldn't be that simple to forgive herself, or for Ted to forgive her, but Olivia's words lifted some of the weight off her chest.

"I have to admit, I'm surprised this is coming from you," Andromeda said with a wry smile. "I thought you didn't like me."

Olivia chuckled. "Sirius may have changed my opinion of you, just a little. He thinks the world of you."

She should have known Sirius was somehow responsible. Despite being the world's biggest prat, he was probably her best friend, and always would be. "You're good for him. He needs someone to take him down a few pegs."

Olivia chuckled, and the next thing Andromeda knew she was laying her head on Olivia's shoulder and closing her eyes.

She used to put her head on Bella's shoulder all the time when they were younger. And until recently, Narcissa had often rested her head on Andromeda's shoulder. She missed her sisters terribly, and she always would, but sitting her with Olivia as she waited for Ted to wake up, she realized she was wrong. She wasn't alone, and she never would be.