This Is How It Ends (Andi, Ted, Rabastan, Rita)

[Ted Tonks]

Ted had his hands around a small bouquet of flowers as he sat on the staircase in the entrance hall. He had thought of going down to the greenhouses, but he didn't want to accost her in front of all of her students on the first day. Plus, he knew that Narcissa was still a student here, as well as three dozen other pompous pureblood types.

But today was Andi's fist day teaching, and he wasn't going to let that pass so easily. He was proud of her, and he wanted to know how it had gone.

So here he was, nervous for some ungodly reason, waiting in the entrance hall for her with flowers.

[Rita Skeeter]

Rita stood before the mirror in her dorm giving one last once over of her red satin dress. She usually wore a green one when she wasn't in school uniform, and she loved the feel of satin almost as much as she loved her red painted nails and glamor charms. But she had a good feeling about today and she didn't have any classes today with her schedule being adjusted to allow her more time for the school paper and the Daily Phrophet that her head of house had approved a schedule adjustment to have a day off in the week to write or study. She just had to make up the required classes durring the rest of the week.

After giving herself a once over and casting one last charm on herself to make her blond curls almost bounce, thinking it a nice touch, she walked out of the dorms and through the empty common room and up out through the dungeon passageways. She didn't bring her paper or quill with her today, if she remembered a comment by Rabastan today was the day that Andromeda was supposed to start her Herbology class and she had a hunch that she should keep an eye out for Ted being around if he was as much of a sap as she suspected.

She left the duneon levels and came up into the Entrance Hall, just as confident as normal her hips swaying almost dramatically. She'd always had a sense for flair even in the minor things she did unconsiously now. As she came into the Entrance Hall she quickly noticed Ted Tonks standing with a goofy sentimental expression and flowers in his hand. Inwardly she chuckled what a dope... but she didn't let on even the slightest her thoughts, but she had not been expecting to see him standing in the Entrance Hall. What was he doing here? Then she wondered if maybe he was waiting for Andromeda Black to come in from the Greenhouses after her classes were over. Of course that must be it, she told herself. He hadn't seen her yet, too busy being nervous she suspected as he watched out the doorway.

Rita Skeeter looked around quickly to make sure no one was nearby, hmm... yes this was as good a time as any she figured and strolled up to him with her fingernail lightly trailing across his muscular back as she rounded on him with a sweet expression that hid her cold searching gaze. "Mr. Tonks! Imagine finding you here... oh and with flowers, how sweet you must be waiting for someone... what did you do wrong?" She insinuated that he'd done something wrong since most guys only brought flowers when they'd suffered a fight or argument recently and she was trying to nigg her doubts in as early as possible.

She lowered her eyelids in an almost sultry manner and waited for his response.

[Ted Tonks]

Ted hadn't even heard her approaching, but he felt it. More correctly, his back tensed when she ran her fingernails over it, and his head turned to watch as she circled in front of him.

Ted did not like to judge people. In fact, he tried very hard not to, but he was unable to stop from giving this girl a once over, and the word that came to mind was less than flattering. He should have already felt uneasy, but he was too anxious to see Andromeda to realize it.

"Nothing wrong," he told her with a polite smile. "I'm just waiting to surprise someone. I'm sorry... I know I recognize you, but I'm afraid I don't remember your name."

[Rita Skeeter]

Rita gave a little pout, as though she expected him to know her, but of course she wasn't famous YET... she would be she knew in her heart but she'd knew of course he might not know her, especially if he wasn't into gossip columns and he didn't look the sort. She blinked up at him in what she hoped was a sincere looking introduction, "I'm Rita, Rita Skeeter.. I write for the Daily Prophet. But no need to tell me your name, of course you're getting quite a reputation here already.. as a matter of fact I happen to be in the know that an ariticle is supposed to be appearing in the paper soon about Andromeda.. the poor girl, her name may end up tarnished forever with that little scene she had with her sisters the other day." She noted his look of surprise that she might have heard of it and continued with a softening sympathetic voice, "Don't look so surprised, rumor spreads quickly in the right circles. Such a pitty too when I heard her sisters were disowning her over little ol' you. You must be quite the charmer Mr. Tonks to have her walk away from her family like that."

Rita didn't know all the details but she knew enough to piece together certain bits and twist it to her own conclusions, she had more up her sleeve to tell him but she might as well be ...honest. It worked for those sentive types she thought if she used truth to get what she wanted sometimes.

[Ted Tonks]

Ted frowned at this. He knew word would get around, he had just hoped it would take longer. And then he had to wonder... did Andi know an article was going to be published about her?

He shook his head, though the frown remained "It isn't about charm, Miss Skeeter," he said softly, and his eyes held a look that said she should mind her own business. He and Andi had discussed this. It was all right.

He was only know beginning to realize how much this would affect her, though, and how little it would him. He didn't have a name to be compromised... Ted had nothing to lose. Andi had a lot more on the line.

Still, it didn't matter. He loved her and he would give her everything she needed, anything she wanted.

[Rita Skeeter]

Rita ignored his look of not butting in, it had never detered her before. And regardless even if she did "butt out' the article would be written and she'd make sure it was as scathing and tarnishing as anything could be in a paper widely read and respected by the wizarding world.

"So if not out to charm her, then you don't mind that her sisters are devistated by her betrayal. You do realize of course that they told the paper they would take her back with open arms if it wasn't for you standing in her way. To think that she would choose a man over family and how much she'll regret it in years to come. I'm sure you know that already though."

Rita only paused a moment, "Love is so sweet and pure and steamy at first until the passion fades and she gets a clear look at what choices she made in the heat of the moment. Women are creatures of passion, Mr. Tonks... we let our emotions get in the way of facts and decisions of right and wrong. And usually regret them later, unfortunatly. Lust is a poweful thing, enough to cloud the mind into love. A shame how quickly love can fade when you have regret gripping it's teeth into your heart." Rita had only added a few bits of untruth to that, but the overall effect was better if she laced it all with hard cold facts that she knew she'd seen over and over again in her gossip columns. "I see it all the time Mr. Tonks, I've seen relationships sour at the simplest things.. regret is one of the worst, regrets, doubt and to think what hers would be like without a family and her reputation smeared all over the news. Such a shame you'd let it come to that for something as frail as love that can be easily lost. But of course, you don't do it out of charm, but perhaps you just don't care what your love will do to her in the end."

As she spoke she touched his arm as if giving him sympathy. The man had to know just how much he was forcing her to give up for him, her family, her name, her reputation, and most likely in the end her regrets tarnishing her supposed love.

[Ted Tonks]

Ted tried not to listen. She wasn't saying anything that hadn't already crossed his mind. She wasn't even saying anything that he hadn't already said to Andromeda, in fact. Hadn't she had to nearly beg him to believe her that she wouldn't regret what she had done?

He took a deep breath and looked at the girl, dressed like she should be anywhere but in a school.

"Miss Skeeter, I'm actually supposed to meet Miss Black in a few minutes. Wonderful speaking with you and all, but I'm afraid we'll have to part ways here."

They had talked about this, and Andi also knew that if it came down to it, he would let her go in a heartbeat. It would kill him, but if that's what she wanted, he would give it to her.

He took a step to the side to go by Rita. Maybe hed just meet Andi by the greenhouses afterall.

[Rita Skeeter]

Rita Skeeter didn't hesitate in the least, she was always quick on her feet thinking and this was no exeption. "Then by all means, go to her. Ruin her life and make her regret and hate you in the end. But don't doubt for one moment that she will end up hating you in the end once the novelty of dating a muggle born has worn off and her infatuation wanes, because it will you know when she opens her eyes and relizes what you made her leave." She spoke with a new perspective, a new angle and then her hand slowly went to his arm easily interpreted as a concerned gesture as she waited for him to break. And he would break in the end, she had her charms as well, not including the glamore charm she'd cast upon herself earlier.

"I saw her crying you know," she spoke almost softly like a lovers carress, "the other day she was with one of her cousins and I saw you're dearest love crying over her sisters. The deepest cut in life, Mr. Tonks is loosing yourself for someone else only to realize what you lost after it's over. Starting over and then regretting it. But that makes you as much a badboy as her family then to make her choose you over them, but then everybody loves a rebel Ted. Forcing her to leave everything so you can be happy, but of course go right ahead and ruin her life, it's nothing off my back. I was just trying to help after all, let you know what is happening in the world around you and to know what you are asking her to give up for little ol' you. Just don't be surprised with the scathing scandles that are ready for public printing as we speak."

She paused a moment adding another layer of doubts to his mind, "Did you know she still harbored feelings for her dear Rabastan? He wants her back you know, wants to make her his wife, even now he's likely with her I saw him carrying herbology books when he left for class earlier. Even just the other day, I was walking outside by the lake and by accident ran across her talking to her cousin Alice. Ioverheared her say that she still felt something for him and the sound of sad regret was heady in her voice as she spoke. I didn't stay around to hear the rest but she was crying and her cousin was giving her a hug. Her family only want what's best for her."

She had heard them talking after all.. no one knew she was an animagus, but she could turn into a beetle without much effort and used it quite often to get the information she needed. It was amazing what people said when they thought no one was listening, even if she stretched the truth a little tiny bit it was based on truth.

"You could be the one to save her from making a mistake you know. You're very sweet and charming and any woman would be smitten by you." She took a step closer to him her eyes smoldering to prove her point. "It's not hard to see why she is so infatuated over you that she would leave all that she loves behind. Afterall you are a novelty to her way of life, any pureblood witch would be facinated by someone new and different.. especially when you are so handsome you that any warm blooded female could loose their good sense over. Enought to mistake infatuation and lust with love." She heavily laced the word infatuation, a word which was easily confused for love and lust, something easily flamed and easily riddled with holes when regrets set in and easily turned to hate when it wore off.

[Ted Tonks]

Ted forgot to pull away from that hand on his arm this time, and something close to hatred flashed in his eyes for a brief second. Who did this girl think she was to come and say these things to him? His relationship with Andomeda was none of her business, and he hated her for butting in. Ted never hated a soul; he was too laid back.

But that look was gone as quickly as it had come, and replaced with something harder to read. Of course their relationship was everyone's business. She was a Black, one of the most pominent names in the wizarding community, and choosing him was a scandal. That was the one thing he hadn't considered, was how the rest of the wizarding world would take to it.

Even Molly didn't like him, and she was considered a blood traitor too. What did that say about him? Was Molly the cousin Rita saw, or was it Alice? That's all he needed... no one but Andromeda on his side. Arthur had warned him, even. And who knew how long he would have Andromeda on his side?

Despite what Rita was saying, Ted wanted to fight. He wasn't a rebel, he wasn't a badboy, and he didn't want to force Andi into anything.

"I didn't force her to leave her family," he told her, then, without thinking about the consequences, added, "That was her choice... a choice I tried to make her take back. This isn't about infatuation or lust. It is love."

Well, sure, a nagging voice in the back of his mind spoke up, which sounded suddenly a lot like Rita. It's love for you. You're also older than Andi and aren't giving up a single thing.

In fact, Ted was gaining everything in Andromeda's choice, and the girl was losing everything. This was another thought that crossed his head, at least a dozen times in the last five minutes alone.

"I only want her to be happy," he said, feeling the need to defend himself, but it was clear as he spoke now that the thoughts were mixed up and jumbled in his head as well.

[Rita Skeeter]

Rita could hear the slow breaking in his stubborn control and she noticed he hadn't pulled away this time. She acted like a viper with sweet honeyed words and tried to take hold of the crack his this man's insecurities.

"You want her to be happy and yet you make her give up everything for you. And while you say you love her, you'd let her give up everything that matters for your own happiness? Surely if you truely loved her you'd let her free, make her free so that she wouldn't hate you for it later when the novelty wears off. That's not selfless love. And to know that some day she might look at you with hatred instead of love when she realizes everything she gave up for you."

"There is a saying you know.. Love is the only emotion that can be changed to hate in a heartbeat. Do you really want her to end up hating you or if you love her would you be willing to prove it by doing what is right for her? Her family still wants her back but you are standing between them, ripping on her arm forcing her to choose and tearing her down to loose everything just so you can have her."

Rita paused a moment and saw doubts flashing in his eyes, but he made no move away from her this time and he didn't show any other emotions. She took a step closer, almost sliding like a snake when he was too distracted to notice closing in on the man who she was not afraid to say she could enjoy the taste of if the opportunity was present. He was very good looking even for a mudblood, and the novelty she spoke of was certainly true even for one such as herself. He might even be fun to have for one night... Even Rita could befuddle a man with the right charms and she considered it.. perhaps.

[Ted Tonks]

"Don't make me out to be the bad guy," he said, trying to draw his thoughts together, though they were pulling him in a hundred different directions. "I'm not making her do anything-"

By the time he found Rita's eyes again, she was much closer than he had realized. He didn't have much time to think about this before she started in on him again. He was a good deal taller than her, which, at this point, was the only thing that he felt gave him any kind of advantage.

And he lost that when he sank back against the staircase, running a hand through his short hair. "You've got this all wrong, Miss Skeeter," he said.

[Evelyn Turner]

Evelyn had left Herbology with the rest of the students, stopping only when she dropped one of her books in the mud. She spent a few minutes cleaning it with the hem of her robe and was one of the last to come through the Entrance Hall. She was about to go to the stairwell when she heard the name she had been thinking about; Rabastan. Rita Skeeter and an older man were discussing Rabastan. Curiosity overcame her and she stopped long enough to listen. They were also talking about Professor Black. Just then Evelyn had a flash of the long talks Rabastan and Professor Black had had during Herbology. And Rabastan wasn't even taking that class! Finding a nook to hide in, Evelyn eavesdropped on the two, hoping for more information.

[Rita Skeeter]

Rita saw him slink back towards the stairs, slumping almost. But he had only gained a few inches and she was quick to gain the advantage though she did so with friendly concern. "Of course you aren't, not intentionally. But even the best laid roads of good intentions are the ones that most often lead to temptation and darkness."

She pause long enough for it to sink in and then as she began to speak again she closed the distance with ease. "And I don't think I have anything wrong but I do know what others will see and what she has at stake to loose. Besides shouldn't you think of her safety as well? If you were together you'd be a threat to the dark lord that you seek to fight, and I don't doubt he would seek to strike at any threats he saw and it might be likely he'll find and kill her personally just to get her out of the way to get to you. I would think that if you loved her as you claim you do, not only her happiness but her saftey would be worth saving. You put her in danger just by being close to her, the dark lord would surely seek to destroy anything you loved as I'm sure he knows that you are one of his enemies and he would seek out any weekness you have. And once that article gets out... he'll know if he didn't already."

She saw a look of fear in his eyes for the briefest of moments and reached up and held his head bringing hers down to kiss him. She herself was tempted by his charms and had to taste him, to strike where she saw him caving.. befuddle his senses enough to sneak her way in, to take advantage of his moment of weakness. She pressed herself against him, she was slightly taller than him now with the way he had leaned into the shairwell and she wrapped her arms around his shoulders before he could have a chance to stop her and kissed him. Her body pressed against his, her arms entwined around him and her lips on his.

[Andromeda Tonks]

Andi walked back to the castle, with Rabastan following close behind her. Normally, as the Herbology teacher, she spent much of her time in the greenhouse, but in order to work on her mission as an auror, she needed to spend as much time as possible in the staff room. Also, she had received a note from Dumbledore that tonight's dinner was to be a special affair and that all staff should plan to attend.

She only wished Rabastan would stop following her. His presence was disconcerting to her, and she wasn't quite sure how to handle it. She wanted to tell him off, but he kept being so uncharacteristically nice. What was it with him, anyway? Surely he didn't really want to be friends? Did he think she was an idiot?

She entered the building, innocent as could be, and headed toward the stairs. She saw a blonde girl kissing someone, or so it seemed, up against the stairs. She rolled her eyes. She knew she wouldn't have gotten away with such a public display of affection when she was a student. She was just thinking that maybe she should split the couple up when she got a glimpse of the man involved in the passionate embrace.

Ted.

Instantly, it was like the world was tilted on the wrong axis. Everything was spinning chaotically, and her stomach began to churn. No... she couldn't be seeing this. She couldn't... it was someone else. It had to be. Ted wouldn't... not some cheap blonde...

"What's going on here?" she demanded in a strangled tone.

[Rabastan Lestrange]

Rabastan had followed her back, keeping his eyes open, and mumbling about inane things to keep her busy.

When they finally entered the castle, he saw them, and he truly had to fight to keep the wicked grin from his face.

"Uh... Andi, let's go back outside. It's... nice..." he trailed off, timing it perfectly with when she realized who was on the staircase. Thank Merlin... he couldn't have planned this to go any better. "Andi..."

[Ted Tonks]

She took him by surprise, kissing him like that, but his brain and his body were reacting slowly. He had a lot on his mind, and he was overwhelmed anyway. It was a strange thing that an intrusion like hers barely registered in his mind with everything else.

When the fog began to clear, though, he knew this was wrong, and his hands went to her waist to push her away. This was about the same time he heard Andromeda's voice, and he didn't realize that his action could have looked like he was pulling Rita closer.

"Andi..." he said, slowly, finally disentangling himself from the blonde. His movements were still slow, and a terrible thought came to mind.

"Andi... did your class let out early?"

[Andromeda Tonks]

Andi couldn't breathe. She fell back against Rabastan, having forgotten he was there. She didn't even hear his voice when he spoke to her. The feeling in her chest was 100 times worse than it had been the other night when she'd split from her sisters. She was positive she was dying. Her heart pounded violently, her breathing strangled, and everything seemed blurry and smeared together.

"Ted..." she gasped. "Please... tell me you were giving her mouth to mouth resucitation..."

[Rita Skeeter]

Rita almost purred when his hands came to her waist she was actually enjoying herself a moment, before she realized that he was starting to unwrap her arms from him as he said Andi's name.. she hid a smirk behind a pout as she let him. There was no sense fighting him especially if they had company now.

She pouted as he stood away from her and put her hand on his shoulder to steady herself from falling from his removal of her from him. She realized it might look like a familiar gesture but she didn't want to make a fool of herself by falling that moment. Ted asked Andi a question and she peeked from his side with a pout up at Ted. It was only partially an act, she had enjoyed it for a moment. But she saw Rabastan playing his part and she continued to play hers looking like a familiar lover to the man beside and bashful for being caught in public snogging.

[Rabastan Lestrange]

Rabastan wasn't expecting to support her, but he took th chance, setting his hands gently on her body, in an innocent way, to keep her steady and on her feet.

"Andromeda, let's just go," he said quietly to her. "You don't want to be here."

He set a heated gaze on Ted, as if he were truly angry at the man for hurting Andromeda like this, and then the look, behind Andi, turned into an evil smile.

[Ted Tonks]

"No," Ted said, though he wasn't sure if he was saying it to Rabastan or Andromeda.

"Andi, wait, don't go," he said, still battling with the thought in his head that said to let her go. She hurt now... but she'd be able to go back to her family, wouldn't she? And she'd never have to regret anything.

"I wasn't giving her CPR... I didn't expect to see you..." he said. Both were true statements. Neither helped him.