The minutes that lived and died between the moment Andromeda asked who Elvis was and the squealing seemed to pass faster than they should have. It could have been that they were eager to see the confusion that both rushed through Ted and decorated his features as his gaze shift first from the album to Andromeda and then from Andromeda to a person he knew only too well. Though eventually confusion dissipated and left genuine joy with a hint of panic in its place, Ted found himself hugging her back.
Clara, named so after the protagonist of a ballet her parents fell in love with, had been a constant in his life up until he departed for Hogwarts for the first time. Like so many, she was someone that appeared episodically and a letter from her would find its way to him via his parents. She was someone Ted knew he could count on to be there first thing Christmas morning and leave only when the talk turned to things she hadn’t the time for.Â
“Field trip.” The excuse left him faster than he could have anticipated but knew that it was a concept that translated from the muggle world to the wizarding world. It may have been a stretch but in true Clara fashion, she didn’t press into it. “We’ve been in town for a few days but only got some time free today. Unfortunately, today is the last day we’re here too.” Ted knew it was far too convenient but it was the first thing that had come to mind and it seemed to serve well enough.
As the chaos brought on by Clara’s sudden appearance and his setting of a particularly good cover story, Ted had almost forgotten that he should have introduced Andromeda to Clara. Perhaps if he had done so, the next few moments would have gone down completely different. “Andromeda has a different taste in music besides there are a lot of people out there who have no idea who the King is. Which, is actually why we came in today.”
Shifting the attention away from them and instead on the Elvis album that he had been previously looking at, Ted picked it up along with the one behind it. “What better way to introduce someone to Elvis then to listen to them after lessons and such. Honestly, I should just have my dad send his whole collection at some point. He’s got duplicates you know but who could blame him when I use to mess them up.” A small chuckle left him as he held onto the albums and he was glad to hear Clara laughing along though he hadn’t really expected Andromeda to laugh.Â
It was entirely too easy to note how Andromeda hadn’t taken a liking to his friend, although he couldn’t completely fault her for it either. Clara had a strong personality and he knew plenty of others that hadn’t taken a liking to her, though a few of them would later change their minds. “We really have to get going but you’re coming over for during the winter break, right? I actually think my mother would be heartbroken if you didn’t show up.” To some degree it was a joke although they both knew that his mother was quick to consider his friends as part of their small family. “Besides, if you don’t show up who else is gonna keep me company when they go on and on about one thing or another.”
Making his way over towards the cash wrap, Ted glanced behind him to make sure that Andromeda was alright. The actual transaction itself had gone off easily enough and though he told her it was alright, Clara had been kind enough to give him a discount. With a plastic bag in one hand, Ted reached out for Andromeda’s hand once more before apologizing for such a short visit and a promise to make it up to her over the winter break.Â
Had he been with anyone else, Ted would have possibly stretched the minutes as far as they could have gone. It may have been his seventh year at Hogwarts but the feeling of missing his friends had never truly gone away. It was a selfish thought to sneak off alone or with someone else but as they stepped out into the busy streets of London, Ted found himself wondering if it was possible.
“Sorry about her, she’s just very vocal about things.” If an apology was truly needed wasn’t entirely clear but he had offered her one just in case. “One of those people that speaks without thinking too much about what they’re going to say. But, anyway, we got one thing and now all that’s left is the candy.”
Ted knew he shouldn’t have been excited but a part of him simply couldn’t wait to see how Andromeda would react to a supermarket. Â
It could be said Andromeda wasn’t entirely fair with her initial reaction of meeting someone who was obviously close to Ted, but she didn’t see any other way. She was thrown into a strange place and lost not only to those around her, but everyone around her as well. Ted himself wasn’t even quite someone who Andromeda would say she was completely comfortable around.Â
She didn’t get a chance to respond to the girl’s list of questions--- thankfully enough, that is. She didn’t wish to come up with whatever excuse was needed and was happy to nod along to whatever it was Ted felt was appropriate to toss the girl’s way. In fact, she planned to stay out of the conversation entirely now. Music wasn’t a big interest to Andromeda, so as the two discussed that she stayed by Ted’s side, but it looked as if she wasn’t paying the pair any attention. That wasn’t true, of course--- she was hanging onto almost every word due to the fact that this part of Ted’s life interested her...even if she believed the company he kept outside of his friends from school was questionable. Then again, Andromeda didn’t even really know who he considered to be his friends at Hogwarts.
“Of course I’ll see you over break,” Clara answered with a confident smile, only turning her attention to Andromeda for a brief moment. She didn’t seem the least bit phased by her less than friendly attitude--- if anything maybe amused by it “But I sincerely hope you’re not going home for at least part of your break alone. I’m sure Ted’s Ma and Pop would be really interested in meeting you. Andromeda was it? That’s a really interesting name. I have to ask how your parents came up with that one.”
It was only then that the Slytherin turned her dark gaze back to the pair. The initial annoyance was almost gone, though she was still short with the girl. “I sincerely doubt you will see me at the Tonks’ residence for the Holidays. I’ll be home and I live rather...far from here,” Andromeda said casually enough. “But I’m named after a constellation--- it’s a reoccurring theme for names in my family. It’s also a name of a princess in a Greek mythology tale. If you’ve studied any Greek mythology you’ll likely know half of my family.” Her tone only seemed to lighten towards the end when she talked of herself and her family, and Clara seemed interested enough to nod along and keep quiet for the few short moments which Andromeda explained.
The rest of their time in the shop seemed to go along easier. Andromeda didn’t talk much and only nodded as a goodbye after Clara demanded Ted write to her more. Once they were finally walking out of the shop Andromeda glanced down when she felt Ted reach for her hand once again. This time she pulled her hand away--- not frantically like she almost wanted to the first time he reached for her hand, but firmly enough before she crossed her arms over her chest.
“I promise not to run off this time. There’s no need to be scared,” she said, glancing over at Ted. “She seems like someone who you would spend your free time with. But she seems to know you well--- she talked of your parents fondly enough. Childhood friend?”Â
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