Chapter Text
When Ted saw her cross the Leaky Cauldron's entrance, his heart did a funny jump in his chest. She was beautiful. She was so beautiful, it was breathtaking.
But she was a Black. And Ted knew what that meant. Ted knew how she was actually like beneath that external beauty. And he cursed.
"Shit" he whispered under his breath, making his best to turn away and hide from her.
Ted and Adam used to go around Hogwarts breaking the stigma that Rich kids were better than students with scholarships. Ted and Adam hated that particular group of Slytherins that walked around the halls thinking they were better than others and treating people like shit.
But Andromeda Black was different. While Bellatrix was mean and superficial, the worst kind, always intimidating others, Andromeda was quiet and gentle. Ted learned this when he had to work with her for a school assignment. It hadn't been that bad. Ted had managed to actually make her laugh. But he wasn't surprised that when the assignment was over, Andromeda never spoke to him again.
Graduating from Hogwarts didn't guarantee the luck of getting rid of those bastards, no. Ted had to meet them mostly everyday at work. The Leaky Cauldron was the most popular café amongst Oxford Students. And the same group that used to torment Ted and Adam at school, was now tormenting him at work. Bellatrix Black, The Lestrange Brothers, Seth Parkinson and his girlfriend, a wanker who Ted didn't know, and of course.... Andromeda.
Bellatrix was the worst. She didn't come to The Leaky Cauldron for the delicious food or for a nice cup of coffee, she liked coming here to make Ted's life miserable.
There had been several times in which Ted almost lost his temper, throw a punch or kick them out. But Tom, his boss, had warned him that The Lestranges and Blacks were the most important costumers.
"I used to serve Cygnus and Alphard Black myself, boy!" he always said "And even Castor Lestrange, back when they were Oxford Students... Bloody good tips they gave me"
Of course, Tom didn't know the little brats that their children were. He always sided them. Ted had been on the risk of losing his job, several times.
Even if Andromeda was alone right now, Ted didn't want to see her. She was one of them after all.
Ted hid in the kitchen, like a stupid little boy. And he saw how Andromeda took a seat in their usual table. She was looking around, probably searching for him.
"Tammy... Hey..."
Tammy was one of Ted's best friends. Ted knew her since they were five. But Tammy wasn't in school with Ted. She didn't know them. She didn't know they were the worst kind of people. Tammy had started working at The Leaky Cauldron a few weeks ago. After she started living with Ted. And luckily she didn't serve "their table". Ted could only image the jokes, slurs and insults that would come out from Bellatrix's mouth. And Tammy had been through so much already.
Tammy was just picking up an order from the kitchen when Ted saw his opportunity.
"I need a favor, love"
Tammy's mouth twisted. She raised an eyebrow.
"Teddy, I am busy"
Ted grabbed her shoulders and forced her to see through the little door window. Their usual table was one in the back with a perfect view. Andromeda looked kind of lost on her own.
"I need you to attend her"
"But that's your table"
"I know that..." Ted sighed "But... Please?"
Tammy turned to look at him with curious eyes.
"Let me guess..." Tammy said "Another one of your conquers?"
Ted couldn't begin to explain the nightmare he had been living through since the beginning of the fall. He hadn't told anyone actually. He didn't want it to look like he was complaining. This job was more of what he had dreamt of.
Tammy laughed when Ted didn't answer.
"Oh Teddy, you need to learn how to reject a woman properly. Not hide like a whinny baby" she tutted. Ted just shrugged "This is the last time I deal with one of your or Adam's girlfriends"
Ted smiled at her.
"Have I ever told you how much I love you?" Ted pouted. And Tammy rolled her eyes with a smile.
"Blah blah..." she shook her head and walked out of the kitchen.
Ted watched as she walked towards Andromeda's table, taking the little notebook out of her pocket. Ted watched as Tammy took her order. Andromeda told her something that made Tammy frown. She side glanced towards Ted. Then she responded something and walked back towards the kitchen. Andromeda sat back, crossing her arms.
"What happened?" Ted asked anxiously as soon as Tammy crossed the door.
Tammy looked at him.
"She wants a cup of coffee"
Ted found himself sighing in relief.
"But she also wants to talk to you" Tammy added and Ted's eyes widened "She said she is not leaving until she talks to you"
Ted swallowed as Tammy shook her head.
"She is really dazzled by you, isn't she?"
As Tammy walked to serve the cup of coffee, Ted wondered what the hell Andromeda wanted to talk about. Ted hadn't directly spoken to her since their assignment together in seventh year. Ted hated that part of him was curious and excited to talk to her. She was pretty but... Fuck...
"Here, Romeo" Tammy put the cup of coffee on his hands "Go talk to her and be honest. If you don't want her. Just let her know"
Tammy was an incredible person. Ted made a mental note to tell her everything afterwards. Ted hadn't shared many details with his friends about his adventures at Hogwarts. It wasn't fair that he got the chance to go to a decent school and not them. Besides, the only good thing that Ted got from Hogwarts was his friendship with Adam.
As Tammy walked away, Ted sighed. He had to face her eventually. Ted didn't want that little princess to complain to his boss about his bad service or something. Tom was keeping an eye on him because of the many incidents and complains from Andromeda's friends.
Ted walked towards the table reluctantly.
"Your coffee, Miss" Ted said as he laid it on the table, looking specifically at the floor "Can I get you anything else?"
Andromeda blinked at him, like she couldn't quite believe he was actually in front of her. Ted noticed she had blue eyes. More like a greyish tone of blue. Her eyes were beautiful in fact. But he tried to ignore that.
"So you are still here" she said finally, looking away "I thought that after last time, you.. you would have..."
Andromeda didn't finish. She looked down embarrassed.
"Lost my job?" Ted scoffed "I almost did, actually"
Last time, Ted had lost his temper. He got so angry that he almost punched Rabastan Lestrange in the fucking face. He didn't. But he grabbed his shirt and that was enough to be a serious offense for Tom.
"I am sorry..." Andromeda swallowed "It got a bit out of hand last time"
Ted snorted "A bit out of hand?" he shook his head "Your little friends made me loose my temper. They were really nasty about me and my friends"
Andromeda bit her lip and Ted found that gesture adorable.
"OK sorry..." she said "I came here to explain..." she sighed "Rod and Rab were having a really bad day, they found out their father was having an affair..."
Ted chuckled. He couldn't believe it. Rich people.
"For what I know she is a lousy, much younger woman... She even has a kid. And Castor wants them to meet him.... Castor and his wife are definitely having a divorce..."
Ted faked a gasp, covering his mouth.
"Oh my God!" he exclaimed with a girly voice, mocking hers "Poor Rod and Rab... My condolences. They must be going through such a difficult time..."
"Are you making fun of me?" Andromeda asked, raising an eyebrow "This is a serious matter!" Ted pretented to weep "Their mother is devastated and they really used to admire their dad"
Ted tutted.
"Sorry for breaking it to you, princess" he snapped "But there are people with REAL issues out there. People that depend on a low pay job to survive and don't go around making other people's lives miserable"
Andromeda buffed and licked her lips. Those lips... Those rosy wet lips of hers. Ted wondered a second if they would taste something rosy... Like cherry or strawberry. Wait... Why was he thinking that?
"I know that sometimes they act like..."
"I don't have time for rich people's issues" Ted spat interrupting his weird thoughts "You are so fucking dramatic!"
Andromeda gasped "Oi! Excuse me?"
"You don't know what is like to have real problems" Ted added "You have everything! You just snap your little fingers and mommy and daddy give you everything you want"
"You have no idea how our lives are!" Andromeda said furiously.
"Oh right! I can imagine" Ted snapped sarcastically.
Andromeda shook her head.
"I came here to apologize and explain... And you act like a total wanker"
"You and your little friends almost made me lose my job!" Ted snapped now, coming closer to not shout "Excuse me for not being more polite"
Andromeda was silent, almost scared. Ted fought the urge to touch her cheek to comfort her. Ted fought the urge to smile at her and see her smile back. Ted was supposed to hate her.
But fuck... She was so beautiful. So beautiful it made Ted go crazy and think crazy things. That was probably it.
"And you are going to make me lose my job now..." he added more calmly "So excuse me"
Ted walked away from the table. He couldn't be there anymore. Confused with his feelings. Between hate and... And....
"You know what, Tonks? People are right about you"
But now Andromeda was following him as he did his best to clean the tables around. He was just trying to do his job. That was all.
"What about me, princess?" he sighed.
Ted begged that Tom wasn't around. And Tammy wasn't getting the wrong conclusions.
"You walk around thinking you are the great hero, don't you?" Andromeda continued "You know it is not our fault that we have money and you don't"
Ted stopped collecting the used dishes to look at her.
"Of course not" he said "It is not what I..."
Why was Ted trying to justify himself with her? He didn't have to give her any explanations about his life or his beliefs. So he just shook his head and carried on cleaning.
"You just resent us for it" Andromeda continued speaking, following him around "But we are not just stupid rich kids with a plastic life, okay?"
"Oh I bet..."
"Sometimes it is not money what matters, perhaps we are looking for something else... Perhaps we have internal and emotional issues. Perhaps we feel trapped..."
It sounded as Andromeda was talking mostly about herself. What could this pretty princess be experiencing?
Ted wasn't curious at all, obviously.
"You think all of our problems are solved because we have money? Well there's more to us than meets the eye..."
Ted walked into the little corridor that lead to the bathroom. Mainly because he didn't want to be seen by his coworkers or his boss. Andromeda followed him even there.
Ted leaned against the wall, facing her and crossing his arms.
"What do want from me, Andromeda?"
Andromeda was surprised to hear her name from Ted's mouth. Ted liked how it sounded. He had never said it out loud.
"Are you here to apologize or make more fun of me?" Ted added "Did your friends send you?"
"No!" Andromeda snapped "I wanted to tell you that I spoke with Bella, and she is going to stop. She is going to leave you alone"
Ted chuckled.
"I don't believe that for a second"
"Why not, excuse me?"
Andromeda raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms. A single lock of hair was falling gracefully down her forehead and Ted wanted so badly to put it behind her ear. It would be easier to hate her if she wasn't this gorgeous.
"Do you actually believe Bellatrix?" Ted asked "She lives to torture me"
"That's my sister you are talking about"
"Yeah, your sister is a..."
Bitch. He wanted to say it but somehow didn't dare.
"A what? She is a what?"
Ted shrugged. But Andromeda was already furious. Ted saw how her cheeks went red and he grabbed him from his shirt.
"I am not going to let you talk shirt about my sister or my friends"
Andromeda was close now. Too close. Ted smelled her sweet perfume. Something like roses. Her eyes looked bigger and brighter. Ted figured he could get lost in that grayish ocean. Her cheeks were pink just like the tip of her nose.
Ted was instantly out of breath. He swallowed.
"You surely remember how your dear sister and your dear friends made fun of me, or insulted me, or put things in their food and made me change it, how they laughed in my face..."
Ted tried to keep his voice steady as his heart raced and he felt a strange warm on his body.
"They were all silly jokes..."
"I didn't find them funny" Ted said "Answer me, why didn't you say anything and let them mock me everytime?"
Andromeda swallowed as well. But she kept staring into Ted's eyes.
"I asked them to stop it" she answered, lowering her voice "We are not coming back here"
"Great!" Ted said, staring at Andromeda's lips "I am so glad I don't have to see you again"
"You know what? I am glad as well" Andromeda said "You're annoyingly cocky and egocentric"
"And you are an annoying whinny rich princess"
Ted wanted to kiss her. Ted wanted to kiss her so badly.
"I hate you"
"The feeling is mutual, darling"
But somehow they were closer. Ted had fancied lots of girls, girls who actually had broken his heart. But he had never felt like this. Being pulled like a magnet. Somehow, having Andromeda close, made Ted lose track of time and space. His mind clouded, only replaced by a strong desire for her.
They leaned a bit closer unconsciously. And Andromeda closed his eyes. Ted closed his eyes as well. He was so close. He felt her breath against his own. He could almost taste her lips...
"There you are, Ted... Oh!"
Andromeda pushed him away and Ted came back to reality. Right. He was at work. He was on his shift. And this was Andromeda. Andromeda Black. What the fuck did he just do? Ted almost kissed her! What was wrong with him?
Andromeda seemed embarrassed and the color of her cheeks had left. She was pale.
And the worst of all was that Tom had been the one to catch them. Ted's boss looked furious. Ted closed his eyes. He was surely fired now. All because of a Black. Great.
There was a tense moment of silence.
"Oh thank you, sir" Andromeda spoke with an aristocratic tone "I feel so much better...I really thought I was going to puke... "
Ted took a moment to react but be finally cleared his throat.
"Yes,.ma'am" he said "There was no problem"
Tom looked between the two with exceptical eyes.
"Do you feel fine, Miss Black?"
"Oh yes" Andromeda sighed, grabbing her chest "I should've listened to the doctor and not drink more coffee. It is dreadful for my stomach"
Andromeda gave Ted a last glance.
"I feel better, thanks" then she started walking away "Good afternoon"
Tom gave her a polite smile as she walked passed him.
Ted was still against the wall, trying to catch his breath. Trying to understand what just happened. Sure, Andromeda was beautiful but Ted was no longer a teenage boy. He had to have a bit of self control. Jesus!
"I am sorry Tom..." Ted ran his fingers through his hair "I don't know how it happened..."
Ted knew what was coming. Tom was no stupid to believe Andromeda's story. Ted could say goodbye to his job.
Tom took a deep breath.
"Look Ted..."
Sometimes Tom spoke to him like a real father. Like we was genuinely worried about him. Not just like a boss.
"I understand if you want to fire me"
"I don't want to fire you" Tom shook his head "Your father is one of my best friends. You are like a son to me..."
Ted sighed in relief but he still felt guilty.
"Look... I know what is like being young, having that age to flirt around, fool with girls..."
"Tom, that's not..."
"But she is not just a girl" Tom raised his voice a bit "She is a Black! The Blacks are one of the most powerful families in the country"
Ted closed his eyes in frustration. He knew that. He fucking knew that.
"No offense, Ted" Tom continued "But I know Cygnus Black and he is not going to like someone like you messing up with his precious daughter..."
Ted clenched his teeth. Yes, he knew that. Someone like him. Someone with no money, without an important name. Someone who would work his whole life and would never live with half of what The Blacks had.
Tom's expression softened.
"She is an impossible, boy" Tom patted his back "Why don't you look someone else for you...Someone like you"
Those words hit Ted hard. It sounded as he wasn't enough for Andromeda because he didn't have money and was a nobody. Ted got it. They were from different worlds. But still hurt.
"Someone like Tammy, for instance, eh?" Tom smiled now, rubbing his hair. Ted shook his head.
Tammy was like his sister. He knew her forever. Besides, she was hopelessly in love with Roger.
He didn't say that. He swallowed accepting his fate.
"There's nothing going on between me and..." Ted sighed "I swear, Tom. I don't like her like that. I don't like her at all... She is just another costumer to me"
Perhaps Ted would not see her again. Didn't she say she and her friends would not come here anymore? That was good. Ted was glad. He couldn't wait to not see them. To not see her.
She was just a pretty girl confusing his mind.
Tom nodded.
"Maybe is better if you don't..." Tom began "Serve their table anymore"
Finally! Ted had been begging Tom to give another person that table. And he didn't listen.
But that was before...
What? No! Ted hated them. He hated those rich wankers. He was glad to not serve their table anymore. They weren't coming here anyway.
He didn't say that to Tom. He would be sad to lose his best costumers. Especially if it was because of Ted.
"Anything you want, Tom" Ted nodded eagerly. He was so grateful not to be fired. He really needed to come back to reality. He needed this job. He really needed it. "Sorry, I won't cause trouble again. I swear"
Tom nodded.
"You are good kid, Ted" he said "Get back to work"
"Thank you, Tom" Ted answered "Thank you"
Tom was right. Ted should focus on his life. He had his job at The Leaky Cauldron to help his parents with their debts. He had his band and the dream to one day become famous. He had his friends who had gone through so much but still knew how to see the positive things in life. So it was better not to cross paths with those rich kids anymore. And ignore the flame on his chest, the increased heartbeats, and the shiver on his lips that a certain gray-eyed rich girl had left.