house of black

chapter 9: the last supper.

The Black Family Home, June 1972.

*note this date is a year after my edit as i adjusted my timeline slightly! if anyone wants a black family timeline i can post my version here so you don't get confused!*

Friday, 4pm

School had completed for the year, meaning that the only daughter of Cygnus and Druella Black left to complete her education was Narcissa. Andromeda had left Hogwarts with 5 NEWTS and promising prospects going forward, much to her families surprise and delight.

"They're having dinner to celebrate tomorrow." Andromeda said as she sat in Diagon Alley at the back of the Leaky Cauldron.

"It's nice that they want to celebrate you 'Dromeda." said Ted Tonks, who was sitting right beside her, holding her hand.

"It's not to celebrate me, it's to celebrate the fact that my father thinks he's going to get a better offer to marry me off." she said flatly and Ted looked away.

"Just try to enjoy it Andy." he said gently. "Please. I hate thinking of you stuck in that house."

"I know Teddy." she said softly. "I'm sorry."

"You should never have to be sorry for how you feel, Andromeda." he said to her and she met his gaze before kissing him softly. He returned the gesture and brushed away a tear on her cheek.

Andromeda broke away from him slightly and looked down. Ted allowed her to take a moment of silence. They both knew they could not keep meeting like this for much longer. Their romance would have to come to an end and it hurt Ted more than he could put into words. He had never cared for someone more deeply than he had for Andromeda Black. And although he would never admit it to her (as it would place her in an unfortunate position) he could not imagine his world without her in it.

"Come." Andromeda said suddenly, squeezing his hand. Ted looked at her, confused.

"What?" he said.

"Come. To dinner tomorrow." she explained, eyes bright.

"Andy you know I can't." He sighed.

"Of course you can." she said, her lips pressed together.

"You know what that would mean.." he mumbled.

"I do." she said with a nod and Ted met her eyes with a strange realisation.

"Andy.." he stammered.

"Ted. I choose you Ted. I choose us." she whispered.

Ted looked over her face for a moment as he felt his break into a grin. Andromeda could not help but follow suit. He laughed giddily and wrapped his arms around her, burying his face into her hair. He felt her kiss his cheek and he didn't think he'd ever been happier.

"I love you Ted." she whispered.

"More than anything." he replied softly, pulling back to stroke her cheek.

"Seven O'clock." she said as he nodded. "You mustn't be late."

"I'll be early." he assured her.

"And you must tell no one." she instructed.

"Not a soul." he promised.

"Perfect." she smiled.

"It will be." He answered.

____

Saturday 1pm

The next day was hot, the kind of hot where the sun hid behind the clouds and the air was thick with humidity. Andromeda had spent all day selecting her outfit. A long silken green dress, one of the very few things she had inherited from her mother. Bellatrix was not tall enough to wear it and it was much too grown up for young Narcissa, who was out frolicking in the garden probably writing love poems.