Well check this out, another chapter! Wow, I'm impressing myself with the fact that this hasn't just fallen by the wayside with all my other writing endeavours. However thanks to some lovely reviewers I was able to spur myself into action, and here we are.

Also I just watched the newest Doctor Who, any Whovians? If so, tell me what you think of Clara, I'm intrigued!

Chapter Two

"I don't know what to say. I hate writing letters; they're just always so bloody awkward." He moaned, popping another Jelly Slug into his mouth

It was at that, his other roommate, Freddie, scoffed "You're constantly writing Tommy."

Ted shrugged "It's different, writing to Tommy is easy, he's not even five. I can write half a page and just draw a picture of a lion and he's happy." He smiled slightly, thinking of his exuberant little brother "when I write to my Dad he wants to actually know stuff."

"Just put some bollocks about your classes and then come down for breakfast." Freddie said, getting up from his bed, Sean following him and snatching the bag of Jelly Slugs

"Hey!" Ted exclaimed, trying to reach them

"It's not even nine. Plus these are Greta's favourite, imagine how much of great boyfriend I'll be if I bring here these," He grinned, ducking out of the room before Ted's yellow pillow could reach him

"Prat." He muttered, scribbling something generic and vague onto the parchment and dropping his quill. He hated letters, he always had. Ted had never been so great with words. Sure, when he was speaking he was fine, but the problem with letters was there was no spontaneity, it all felt too forced for him and most of the time, if Ted didn't feel comfortable he just would avoid it completely; which made it hard to keep in touch with his Dad during term time.

In the Great Hall, Andromeda was also receiving her post, and feeling similarly unenthusiastic. It was her Mother again.

Dear Andromeda,

You have yet to reply to my last letter, and Narcissa tells me that you did in fact receive it. I will, however, put your negligence aside if you reply with the same promptness as your sisters do.

Bellatrix tells me that you declined her offer of meeting with her and Rodolphus to discuss your future. I know you may think that you are still a child; Lord knows you still act like it sometimes, but you must stop thinking so selfishly, and start taking more consideration for the family. You are 17 next year, which as you well know means that your match will be set. Personally, I have a few suitors in mind, as does your sister. Have you met Rodolpus' younger brother Rabastan? I think you will find he is quite charming, not to mention a highly suitable match. I've arranged for him along with a few of my own choices to come to a party over the Christmas break, in order for them to meet you. But in order for any of them to consider you, you must start acting like an adult.

Also, do not forget to make yourself presentable at school. I have heard from Narcissa that you sometimes don't even brush your hair properly. Honestly Dromeda.

-Mother

"Letter from Mother?" Narcissa's voice made Andromeda look up from her letter with narrowed eyes

"Can you stop talking about me in your letters? My hair is fine, why must you feel the need to talk to her about it?"

"I was merely making conversation Dromeda," Narcissa said, sitting opposite her "And since you never reply to her she asks about-"

Andromeda raised a hand to her "I'm busy, that's all Cissy."

Her younger sister made a slightly disbelieving noise "If you insist."

"Can't you go sit with your friends?" Andromeda asked, feeling more than a little irritated at her

"Oh yes," Cissy said, rising "Because you are just positively overflowing with offers of company." She said in a cold tone, before moving away, and Andromeda waited until she was away before rolling her eyes. If she was honest, she preferred the solitude. It was always such an effort trying to keep up with her friends; making sure that she wasn't saying the wrong thing.

She let her eyes wander over the elegantly inked words again, feeling her stomach twist at the very idea – the idea of a 'match' was some stupid old Black tradition that no-one but Cygnus and Druella adhered by. On Bellatrix's 17th birthday she was matched to Rodolphus, whom she was set to marry in the summer, once she has finished school. But the very thought of marriage made Andromeda feel sick, especially to someone that she didn't even know. She pushed herself upright, haphazardly shoving the letter into her pocket, she could write back later but for now, she just needed some air.

However, as she tried to make it outside the first year that she tutored, Catelyn, stopped her "Hello Andromeda," She said timidly, obviously only just realising her irritated expression, which she was quick to rearrange, smiling at the young girl

"Yes Catelyn?" She asked, surprised at how easily a placid tone came out of her steadily increasing angry mood

"Well, Monday is my birthday so-"

"Happy early birthday,"

She smiled slightly at the older girl "Thanks, but since it's my birthday on Monday I was hoping that we could rearrange my tutoring. I understand if you're too busy but-"

"That's not a problem Cate, how about we meet in the library today at six?" She said quickly, trying to exit the Great Hall before Bellatrix came downstairs. If her sister caught her she'd be stuck with another conversation about him.

"That's great thanks Dromeda," She said, but Andromeda was already exiting the Hall, slipping out into the grounds. She had a quill in her pocket and she could write a reply on the back of her mothers, Andromeda was aware this would probably annoy her but at that moment she didn't particularly care, her feet carrying her up to the Owlery.

Once she was up there, she sank down to the ground, her cloak getting damp from the grass as she scribbled a reply to her mother

Mother,

Sorry that I haven't replied to your earlier letters. My Prefect duties are a lot more work that I originally envisioned.

Andromeda frowned at the obvious lie. Her Prefect duties were a doddle; she would go for a patrol across the school twice a week and have a chat with another prefect, but who was her mother to know any different

Regarding Bella's offer, I just don't think that lifestyle is for me. Although, I will think about my future, of course, but I am just not sure if marriage is really for me right now. Perhaps when I am a few years older, but I don't feel like marriage will really be the best move.

I look just fine at school; Cissy is just being a bother.

-Dromeda

She sighed slightly reading over her letter, but knowing that was the best she could do. At least until she saw her mother in person, although she knew it was going to be a difficult topic to approach. She stood up, brushing some grass off the back of her robes, and entering the Owlery

"Meeno," Andromeda called out to her owl, the small brown owl flying down to her and landing on her arm "Hey there girl, take this to my mother. And if you can, peck her until she sees sense." She paused, chuckling dryly "You'll be there for a while," She said, petting her head before attaching to letter to her leg. She was about to leave when a noise behind her made her jump, instantly going for her wand and whipping round to the noise, only to find a sheepish looking Ted Tonks standing there, his hands raised, in a slightly mocking surrender

"What were you doing?" Andromeda snapped, receiving only a raised eyebrow from Ted

"I was sending a letter, you know, because this is the Owlery." He said obviously "Now will you lower your damn wand, I'm not threatening you."

Andromeda only belatedly realised her wand was still raised, awkwardly bringing her hand down to her side "You made me jump."

"Evidently." He responded with a slight smirk on his lips

"You can stop looking so bemused you know," Andromeda said, inclining her dark eyebrow

"My apologies," He said back, his smirk growing "But it's a little odd hearing one of the mighty Black's talking to an owl," He teased, making Andromeda scoff. If only he knew exactly how crazy some of her family was he might rethink that joke

"Yes, well," Andromeda started "I have always been the oddball of the family, now if you'll excuse me." She said making her way over to the door

"I'll see you tonight then," Ted called after her, making Andromeda whip round

"What was that Tonks?" She asked

He ran a hand through his hair "Well Black, we've got patrol tonight. You and I,"

She frowned slightly "But I thought I was with Patr-"

"His Dad's ill, he's gone home. Wow, you really never listen in those meetings do you?" He asked, suspecting she managed to get along by resting on her status and those unfairly long legs

"I do listen." Andromeda said half-heartedly, running a hand through her hair

Ted just laughed slightly "Sure. So I'll meet you outside the Great Hall at six thirty?"

"Can we make it seven, outside the library?" Andromeda asked him, remembering Catelyn

"Hot date?"

She laughed softly "Tutoring a first year," Ted couldn't help but look a little bit shocked, mostly at the fact that one of the high and mighty Black's was tutoring "Don't look so surprised Ted, we're not all bad you know," She added with her own smirk

He quickly responded "Oh no, just ninety per cent." He teased before nodding "Seven at the library."

Andromeda nodded before walking away from him, unable to quell the slightest feeling of excitement at the prospect of spending a whole evening with the blue eyed, arrogant muggleborn.