Disclaimer:I'm only going to say this once: I do NOT own anything you recognize. No infringement is intended, no profit is being made. I'm writing this for fun and amusement.
A/N: It's finally here! As promised, a fic devoted exclusively to Ann and Ted. And FYI- it's going to be a long one. Enjoy! The rest, as always, is at the end.
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The Meeting
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Why is it that girls invariably have crushes on upperclassmen?
Why do I?
Yes, that's a better question.
She looked up from her Transfiguration book and watched him as he walked by the water's edge of the lake.
It was a very warm day, but not too warm for the season. A perfect day to read outside and get a bit of fresh air.
The school term was coming to a close, final exams having just finished and the population of the school in generally good and happy spirits.
She was in her sixth year and he was finishing his seventh. It wasn't surprising that he had chosen to venture out of the castle for a bit a fresh air. She knew that he was fond of being out of doors. It seemed as though he never missed a chance to be out on the grounds.
Happily, she pretended not to notice his appearance and contented herself with scanning the same two pages of her book, her blue-green eyes carefully watching him.
It wasn't as if she hadn't seen him before. Hogwarts was a large school, but its population wasn't. Further more, he was a member of her house.
She noticed that his Hufflepuff tie was nowhere to be seen.
It was rather warm to be wearing a tie….
They weren't in the same social circle. He was older and tended to spend time with some of the Quidditch players, but from what she had observed, she believed that he was quite nice.
He often joked with his friends in the Great Hall, but he was respectful of other students. He did, however, seem to get on better with the boys in the house better than the girls. It was just a hunch, but she thought it might have something to do with his sense of humor. He wasn't crass or vulgar, but he had a certain unique sarcasm that allowed him to deliver very effective jibes that were meant to amuse and were often taken the wrong way.
It did surprise her, though, that he didn't have a girlfriend….well, not a long term one. She knew, like everyone else in Hogwarts who was seeing whom, it was just the way things were when there were so few in each house and all… He dated, he just never seemed to stay with any of the girls longer than a week or so.
He was handsome, though. Tall with dark brown hair and hazel eyes and a swoon-worthy smile. Definitely one of the best-looking guys in fifth year and up.
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Why is it always the quiet ones that are so adorable?
She's a year behind me, but still…..
He had first noticed her when she was sorted. Her eyes were striking, but were hidden behind her soft brown hair.
She had been short then, too. Much shorter than the rest of the girls sorted that year. That was no longer the case. Now, though she was seated under one of the trees reading a book, she was a respectable five in a half feet.
From what he knew, she was very intelligent too and tended to spend lots of her time reading. Her friends were mostly those in the same year as her, but she was always willing to have a conversation with anyone.
That characteristic had caused a bit of trouble when she was younger. Apparently, her elder sister saw no problem with conversing with the others, as long as they were Slytherins. And encouraged her younger sister to follow in her footsteps, but to little avail. Not too many of the students in Slytherin were happy about that situation, but over time grew used to the younger girl's willing association with rival houses.
He had heard her say that she wanted to get a bit of fresh air and he'd seen her exit the castle….
Perhaps he would be able to talk to her…..
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"You know, you're not very inconspicuous." A voice said from above.
She was startled and jumped slightly, looking up only to meet hazel eyes.
"You startled me."
He smiled apologetically.
"That was not my intention. Why are you down here?"
"I'm reading my book. What does it look like I'm doing?"
Honestly, what kind of a question was that?
"It looked more like you were watching me."
She arched an eyebrow at him.
"And I suppose you'd like that, wouldn't you?"
"I can't say as I mind a pretty, young lady watching me." He smiled.
Her other eyebrow rose.
"You're referring to me now?"
"Of course not, honey. Simply making a general statement."
She chuckled and shook her head. Closing her book, she stood up and looked him in the eye.
He was taller than her, but she was not intimidated, not in the least.
"I'm not your 'honey'." She told him.
"Pity." He said.
She shook her head again.
"I don't think we've been properly introduced before. I'm..."
"Andromeda Black, I know. Everyone knows the Black sisters."
She frowned.
"But it is a pleasure to finally get to meet you in person and not in name only. I'm Theodore Tonks."
He held out his hand and she took it, but instead of shaking her hand, he brought it to his lips and placed a gentle kiss on the back of her palm.
"Do you greet all people like that? I can't imagine wizards like having their hands kissed by another wizard."
He grinned.
"No, I don't imagine they would. I know I wouldn't. You, however, are a special exception."
"Why?"
"Shall we call it 'professional interest'?"
"Professional interest?"
"Yes, I think so."
"Do you need help filing out a résumé or something?"
"No. Maybe 'professional' was indeed the wrong word. Perhaps another?"
"I don't mind word games. But I find mind games to be more worthy of my time."
"Really? I shall have to remember that. But I suppose 'romantic interest' would be a better term."
"Romantic? And what possessed you, a seventh year about to graduate, to notice me, a lowly sixth year?"
"May we drop the pretentiousness?"
She smiled. "If we must."
"I think we must." He said and he took a deep breath. "Honestly?"
"Yes."
"I noticed you when you were first sorted. And now…." He smiled. "I'm afraid I notice little beyond you."
"Puppy love."
He shook his head.
"A crush then."
"For six years? I doubt any male at this school could have a crush for six years on the same girl. No."
Was this really happening?
Or was she dreaming this?
"Mind if I make a confession?"
"Not at all. I don't mind playing the part of priest for a moment." He smiled.
"It's not that kind of confession."
"Even better."
"I…I noticed you too."
"I'm flattered."
"Don't mock."
"I'm not. But I do have a question for you."
"Alright, but I reserve the right not to answer if I don't like it. Fair enough?"
"That's only fair. Why didn't you say anything?"
"Why didn't you?" She countered.
"I didn't want to seem like a pervy upperclassman. I thought I might scare you."
"I didn't want to seem like a silly little girl with a crush. But… you don't think you scare me now?"
"I hope not. You don't strike me as the kind of woman who can easily be intimidated, but when you were younger I believed you to be such a girl, because you were so quiet."
She chuckled.
"I'm glad you changed your mind, but you were right to think what you did when we were younger. I was easily intimidated."
"What changed, if you don't mind me asking?"
"Nothing, I suppose. My father always frightened me and to some degree, he still does, but he's not as scary now that I'm no longer three feet tall. I'm not afraid of him and I don't think I should fear anybody else."
"I suppose not." He smiled.
"So, why tell me of your….infatuation now?" She asked.
"Hoping that you are equally besotted in return." He smiled.
She laughed.
He frowned.
"No, I'm not laughing at what you said, not really. I just didn't think you would use the term 'besotted'."
"I do possess a vocabulary that surpasses an ape's, you know."
She smiled.
"Yes, as evidenced by our current conversation, but the fact that it is our first conversation should be considered."
He smiled.
"Why tell me now, though?" She asked.
"Term ends tomorrow. If not now, I'm afraid I might never have gotten the chance."
"Alright, what exactly do you want from me? What would you say is an ideal out come of would like a bit of your time, if you are willing to share it. My ideal outcome would be for us to write to each other over the summer, perhaps meet in Diagon Alley and see if we can start something, if you are amenable to that."
"A relationship then?"
"Yes."
She looked up at him, his eyes sparkling down at her in the late afternoon sun.
"You know, your track record is poor where relationships are concerned."
"I suspect so, considering none of those relationships were with you."
"You really do have your heart set on me, don't you?"
He smiled.
"And when you realize I'm not all you've imagined me to be? What then?"
"I've hardly had to imagine, Andromeda. I know who you are."
She sighed and shook her head, looking out at the water.
"You know my name and little more and I can say I know just as much about you."
"It's a place to start."
She looked back at him again, impressed by his determination.
"You realize that this is foolish? You'll have graduated after tomorrow and I'll be coming back here in September. Even if, by some fluke, we do get along over the summer it won't last."
"And I thought Slytherins were supposed to rise to challenges and be, at least, somewhat optimistic about their ability to manipulate situations." He chuckled.
"I'm a pessimistic optimist. I'm sure things will go wrong. And I've never had reason to change my view. And for the record, I don't like manipulation."
"I've never heard a Slytherin say that before."
"Yes, well…I don't exactly fit in. One more reason why I think this….situation is doomed to failure."
"Perhaps I can change that."
"Weren't you listening?"
"Yes, I was and I think we have an excellent chance of making this work."
"You're serious?"
"Yes. It's easy enough to send owls and I'm sure you're allowed to go to Diagon Alley, right?"
"Yes, but…"
"And as far as after the summer, that's really getting ahead of ourselves and sinking the ship before leaving port, so to speak."
"You've really thought this through…."
"As I said, I notice little else but you and in the course of noticing you, I was able to plan possible meetings."
"Just think; your N. E. W. T. s probably would have been higher if you'd have applied such diligence to studying." She chuckled.
"My N. E. W. T. s were high enough anyway."
"I guess I don't have anything to lose, do I?"
"Do you?" He asked with a smirk.
Both of her eyebrows went up.
"I fail to see how that's any of your business."
"Yes, I suppose that is a conversation for another time."
Yes, like never!
"It's getting dark. We should go inside." She said and she made to go back to the castle, but he stopped her, blocking her path and pressing her against the trunk of the tree, but not forcefully.
"What are you doing?!" She hissed.
"I would like an answer before we go back up to the school. Please…just, just answer me and I'll let you go."
"Not going to force yourself on me?" She questioned, angry sarcasm biting through her words.
"I….I'm sorry…" He said and he stepped back, his gaze lowered, his head hanging dejectedly.
She sighed heavily.
They had been getting on well, before… Well, it was understandable that he would want an answer….and he didn't hurt her….just startled her a bit…..
She stepped closer and leaned up, softly kissing his cheek.
He looked at her, his eyes wide and surprised.
"You shouldn't mope like that. You're a grown wizard."
"Why….?" He asked, his hand coming up to touch where she had kissed.
She smiled at him.
"I thought you needed it."
"I suppose I know your answer." He said, morosely.
"I would have thought you would be happier to get what you wanted."
He looked at her again, startled by her words.
"You mean….?"
"I would like a relationship with you, very much in fact, I'm sorry if my behavior hinted otherwise. I'm not used to such attention and some of my defenses were in overdrive. I was cruel and I am sorry. You did nothing to deserve it. You're right about not getting ahead of ourselves. I would like it vey much if I could write to you and see you over the summer and see where it takes us. But I feel it only fair to warn you I'm….I'm not like the other girls…I don't fuss about my robes and hair and I enjoy banter, though I rarely am able to engage in it. Thank you for that, by the way. I enjoyed that aspect of our conversation. And I haven't been in a relationship of this sort before, so I apologize in advance for my defenses because I am sure they will emerge from time to time."
He smiled at her.
"I find most of the other girls to be quite fake, to be frank. Not something I can say I find very attractive. And you are not the only one who enjoys banter. I'm glad that we both do, actually. It will make things easier, seeing as most of my humor is banter and few can understand it, let alone appreciate it. And I can understand your defensive position, especially if you haven't experienced this before. I don't mind, though I do hope that in time you won't feel the need to be defensive around me. I will forgive your cruelness, I know it was not intended, if you will forgive me for pushing you against the tree, as I also did not intend it."
"Deal." She smiled.
"May I walk you back?" He asked, offering her his hand.
She nodded and slipped her hand into his larger one.
They made their way back up to the castle in silence, but both were smiling.
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A/N: Due to the fact that people seemed to fall in love with my Ann and Ted in my RL/NT fics, I decided to give them a story of their own. This is my take on the begining of their relationship. I hope this made you laugh and I hope you'll come back and read the next chapter. Reviews are strongly encouraged. Thanks for reading!
A/N2: On an unrelated note, I know that many people that read my stories are fans of Stephenie Meyer's "Twilight" series. The 4th book in the series is due to be released in Fall of 2008 and a "Twilight" movie is in the works. So, lots more Bella and Edward to look forward to. More information can be found at Stephenie Meyer's webpage.