Hogsmeade
October, 1973
Andromeda had woken up with a throbbing headache. Her eyes struggled to adjust to the bright morning sun seeping through the curtains of her four-poster. She groaned as she heaved herself out of bed and to the shower. The hot water was soothing on her back, she closed her eyes and the memories of last night came trickling back like the drops of water running down her face. The memories were hazy, it all didn't quite fit together seamlessly. Although, one thing she did know, was that she had spent a considerably long time outside with Ted Tonks. What was I thinking? She thought. The only option now would be to avoid him determinedly. It would be bound to rouse suspicion if she was seen conversing with the likes of him, after making an abrupt disappearance to her own party.
Once she had finished in the shower, she dressed and headed up to breakfast. The other girls's beds were empty- they must've already headed up to the great hall. She couldn't help but feel nervous- had she embarrassed herself? Well, she'd find out soon enough.
'Andromeda! Risen from the dead' said Prudence, cheerfully. How could she be so cheerful? She had been spotted knocking back firewhiskey at various points in the night.
Andromeda groaned, rubbing her head. She poured herself some tea and began to laden up her plate with scrambled eggs, bacon and toast. 'Never let me drink again' she grumbled, sipping her tea like a lifeline.
Amaryllis chuckled, 'You were quite drunk'
'Where did you disappear to last night?' said Esmerelda, eyeing her sceptically. Andromeda stiffened.
'Should ask Prudence that, the last time I saw her she had her tongue down Yaxley's throat!' said Andromeda, deterring the attention away from her whereabouts.
'No you did not!' said Amaryllis, ogling at Prudence.
Prudence looked rather smug.
'Well? What happened with you and Yaxley? Come on, I can tell you're dying to spill' Andromeda persisted.
'We may have... you know' she said, looking pleased with herself.
'No you didn't' said Amaryllis in a hushed voice.
'Prudence, please tell me you didn't have sex with Yaxley!' said Andromeda, exasperatedly.
Prudence went bright red.
'Merlin's beard! You did!' said Esmerelda 'Well! What was it like?'
The remainder of breakfast was spent with Prudence explaining in meticulous detail exactly how and what had happened. Andromeda was happy that her friend was pleased, but Yaxley? Surely this could not end well.
Prudence spoke about it all so maturely, despite only having lost her virginity last night, she spoke about things that made the other girls giggle and squirm with disgust, as if she could not believe they were all so childish.
'Girls, you're all going to do it someday! Might aswell know how a dick works...'
'Prudence! Not at the breakfast table for Merlin's sake' said Andromeda. Prudence just laughed and took another spoonful of her porridge.
***
Monday morning. Andromeda gulped down the building feeling of worry in her throat. Facing Ted Tonks again felt like a nightmare after she had most definitely made a fool of herself when she was drunk. As usual, she was there before him. He was nearly always a minute or two late, sauntering in when everyone else was settling down. Andromeda supposed today would be no exception. She unpacked her ingredients and book, set everything up next to her cauldron. She was turning her book to the page Slughorn had instructed when the door swung open. Ted strolled in, his bag slung over his shoulder casually, his hair rumpled up. Andromeda glanced, but only for a second, before staring decidedly at her book.
'Morning' Ted said to her, his face cracking into a wide grin.
Andromeda didn't reply, just gave him a small curt nod before averting her attention back to her work.
He didn't seem hurt by her cold greeting, merely smirked to himself, as if he saw this as some kind of challenge.
'Rough night Friday then eh?' he said. Here we go. She knew it was going to be brought up.
'It was a common room party' she said, her face set in a frown, 'Nothing crazy'
'If you say so' he smirked.
'Listen' she hissed, 'If you tell anyone we were outside- alone together- people could get the wrong idea'
Ted laughed dryly. 'Don't worry, I won't tell anyone you were consorting with a mudblood'
Andromeda had heard her fair share of that word, growing up in a family such as her's and being in Slytherin, although it sounded different coming out of Ted's mouth, it unsettled her. She almost wanted to say something- to tell Ted not to call himself that word- but it would all seem so hypocritical, and he'd most certainly make a joke of her. So she stayed silent.
The remainder of the potions lesson was an awkward affair. After Ted realised he was not going to receive the engagement in conversation from her as he had had the evening of the party, he actually shut up. They merely worked alongside each other, avoiding eye contact and recoiling away from each other when their hands got too close.
'Well well' came the drawling voice of Yaxley. 'If it isn't Andromeda Black. Good night on Friday?' His eyes glimmered maliciously which made Andromeda frown
'What do you want Yaxley' She sighed, bored.
'Quite the dancer when you've had a drink- or a whole bottle for that matter' he continued, leaning against the table.
'Go away Yaxley'
'It's a shame really- I had Prudence but I would've loved to give one of the Black sisters a try-'
'Oi, shut up before I make you' said Ted, staring daggers into Yaxley, his knuckles clenched so tightly they were turning white.
Andromeda was surprised of Ted, defending her despite her being downright nasty to him previously.
Yaxley's eyes flickered as he turned to Ted, a vindictive smirk playing on his lips. 'What this then? Got your own personal mudblood to defend you? Or maybe-'
'Just fuck off will you' she sneered, dreading what was to come after that 'maybe'. Yaxley recoiled slightly, noticing Ted's clenched knuckles, and sauntered back over to his workbench.
'Prick' Ted said, glaring at Yaxley's retreating figure.
'Thank you' said Andromeda, in an undertone, 'But you really didn't need to-'
'Its alright, Yaxley was out of line' muttered Ted.
Andromeda was still seething with rage as she made her way back to Slytherin common room for her free period, she really ought to tell Prudence- Yaxley bragging about how he had 'had Prudence' was sickening- he viewed her as merely an object to be used- a conquest...
'Ugh what a dickhead!' Said Prudence, after Andromeda had explained the interaction to her friend, leaving out the part about Ted intervening, of course. 'And to think I was going to ask him to go to Hogsmeade with me!'
There was a Hogsmeade weekend at the end of October, which Andromeda was grateful for, she needed to buy some new quills.
***
The remainder of October passed with nothing out of the ordinary, Andromeda had warmed to Ted slightly from him defending her, although she continued to avoid him to get Yaxley off her back, little had changed in that department.
The girls woke early on the last weekend of October and headed down to Hogsmeade. Winter was on its way, the spiteful cold air of the Scottish Highlands made Andromeda's cheeks and nose turn rosy. The girls chose a cosy table at the back of the Three Broomsticks, and clutched thier flagons of butterbeer to warm up.
They were laughing and chatting happily when the tall lean figure of Yaxley approached their table. Andromeda stiffened with anger, Prudence crossed her arms, her expression guarded.
'Ladies' he said, as if trying to be gentlemanly. Andromeda nearly laughed out loud. 'Prudence, may I speak with you'
Prudence arched her brow. 'I thought I made it perfectly clear, I want nothing to do with you'
'I merely wish to apologise' he said, 'Will you take a walk with me?' He held out his hand in a feeble effort to appear gallant.
Prudence accepted, although her guarded expression did not falter.
They walked out of the pub, Andromeda was secretly praying that Prudence wasn't foolish enough to forgive him.
After a while when Prudence didn't return, the girls grew suspicious. 'I'm going to go and look for them' said Andromeda, striding out of the pub.
She stepped outside and rounded the corner until she heard voices from an alleyway nearby. She turned swiftly to see Yaxley pushing Prudence against the wall. She looked visibly uncomfortable.
'Come on, you know you want me' he was saying. Prudence struggled against him.
Andromeda ran towards them and withdrew her wand. 'Get off her!' she shouted, pointing her wand at Yaxley square in the face.
He turned to face her, alarmed.
'Move it or I'll hex you'
Yaxley released Prudence, who ran to Andromeda.
'Merlin Black! Ever heard of having a bit of fun?' he seethed.
Andromeda cackled, sounding eerily like Bellatrix. 'Fun! Harassing girls is fun to you is it?'
'Come on Andromeda, lets go...' mumbled Prudence.
Andromeda reluctantly complied, although she was very enticed by the idea of shooting a good hex at the piece of scum that was Yaxley. Although knowing her friend just wanted to get away from him, she looped her arm around Prudence's, and the two girls made their way back to the Three Broomsticks.