Author's Note: I realize that it has been a while since I have posted anything. I finally replaced my computer but just didn't get back into the habit of using it, so I never posted what I had managed to piece together with my phone. I have taken the time to remake my notes for this story and I have the day to write and post things, so hopefully it will be enough for me to get back into a routine.

I am hoping that I am able to post some other things today or at least make enough progress to post later in the week.

I would like to say thank you to everyone that stuck around through my lack of writing.

Chapter 12 - It's a Date

If there was a clock in the classroom, Ted would be staring at it, watching the seconds tick by. His father had gotten him an entirely mechanical watch for his second year which he had charmed the spring so he never needed to remember to wind it, but he wasn't about to dig it out there check the time while in class, especially potions class, even if he could barely wait to sit with Andromeda in Defense class.

Professor Slughorn was demonstrating different methods of monitoring and adjusting the brewing process, "Now I know all of you are aware of the dangers of an incorrectly brewed potion and how volatile they can be, but let me assure you, no matter how badly students have been hurt during the first four years of lessons, NEWT and professional potion making can be significantly more catastrophic." The jovial professor's had taken an unexpectedly serious edge.

"I do not say this to scare you, but rather to impress the importance that every safety measure is vital. Because this year is the last one required for potions learning, I would be remiss to not ensure my student's safety outside this carefully controlled environment, and to further support safety first, no student shall be graded poorly for not handing in a potion at the end of class brewing so long an analysis and correction of mistakes are submitted at the beginning of the following class."

Ted glanced around the class, there were a few students who looked hopeful at the chance to improve their grades even with poor potions performance, some just saw it as more work.

Professor Slughorn clapped his hands to bring attention back to him, "Now I know you all remember the rule of not casting spells in the potions laboratory and despite that you have seen me vanishing poorly made potions countless times. Allow me to explain. The spell I use is not a simple cleaning or vanishing charm, it is the result of one man's life long dedication to safety. Maximilian 'Mischief' Moritz, the creator of the spell, has saved countless lives despite not living long enough to see his work implemented. He had left his journal to the son of a friend before his death, in fact, besides this life saving spell, a large number of schoolyard jinxes used today have originated from the journal being published.

The Potion Removing charm, or Max's Mischief Vanisher as it was first known, is a complex spell that temporarily renders a potion inert before vanishing the liquid, allowing for the safe disposal of all but the most potent potions. To emphasize its importance, I will attempt a normal vanishing charm on this mixture of standard potion ingredients, but do not worry, it is significantly less potent than the most common potion and the results will be harmless, if a bit pungent."

He took several steps back from the cauldron and pointed his wand. A ploom of black smoke erupted from the brew and it began to bubble angrily. The first two rows of tables leaned back, fearing an explosion despite the man's words. Professor Slughorn traced a shape similar to a 'd' with an exaggerated upward flick at the end as he spoke, "Unfrughe Rundastand." The brew was gone and so was the smoke.

He turned his back to write out the description of the spell on the blackboard. "This spell requires requires the caster to use more magic than the target contains, as well as the focus and intent needed, making it unsafe to teach to younger students. An improperly performed Potion Removing charm can result in a worse reaction than a regular Vanishing charm. So for homework, I want everyone to take a set of these five potion vials and practice removing the potion," said as he gestured for students to come up to the front to receive them.

"Each is labeled with a number one through five, with five being the most difficult to handle. The vials have been charmed to be indestructible along with monitoring charms for safety. Every week, each student will hand in these vials at the beginning of class and receive a new set at the end for practicing the charm. Your goal is to hand in as many empty vials as you can manage. Tampering with the vials or any other cheating will result in an automatic failure and a detention for every attempt," the professor explained as the last of the students returned to their seats.

"This shall be your homework every week as well as any brewing analysis and essays I assign, but the vials will be all I assign today. Before I dismiss the class, I want to remind you that safety and potion analysis are the two main parts of both the written and practical portions of the Potions OWLs. You are free to go."

Professor Slughorn immediately followed his dismissal with a parting comment, speaking over the students' packing, "Those who have trouble managing the Potion Removing charm may find it helpful to read the story behind the spell's creation. There are several copies of the section of Maximilian's journal pertaining to this spell available in the library. Though it is unlikely to be on the OWLs or even the NEWTs, it is a vital part of potion history and is something I consider essential to anyone looking to become a potion master. It is an interesting read as well, especially if you consider that Maximilian Moritz never made a single potion in his entire life." He chuckled in his usual manner and waved the students on before cleaning up his demonstrations.

Ted made his way through the rest of his classes without anything particularly interesting happening; it had been more review and other summer cobweb removal. It wasn't that classes were boring but rather that he couldn't focus on them. It wasn't until Professor McGonagall loomed over him with a disapproving eye that Ted realized how foolish he was acting.

"Mister Tonks, now that the class has your attention, would you care to elaborate on the limitations of freeform transfiguration compared to structured spell transfiguration?" she questioned. Her pause only lasted long enough to confirm his confusion before returning to the front of the class. Transfiguration was strenuous for him under normal circumstances, so there was certainly no chance he could have answered her off the top of his head.

"No? Then perhaps you should do some research on the subject for the next class, I believe two feet of parchment should suffice considering that you have not paid attention during this entire period," she finally broke from her boring stare to address the class, "While the rest of you have a twelve inch assignment on the three principles of freeform transfiguration and what one may do to avoid common mistakes, as we have discussed today. That will be all for class. You are dismissed."

Ted hung back as the others left the class. "I'm sorry, Professor McGonagall," he said, not waiting for the class to completely empty.

She appraised him for a moment before giving him a terse nod, "Just make sure it does not happen again." He quickly acknowledged the order with a nod. The professor's scolding demeanor left and she gave him a small smile.

The shift surprised him, but he had heard about how Professor McGonagall had a soft spot hidden somewhere. Ted had figured her hidden side was reserved for Gryffindors. "With the way Professor Flitwick is excited to be teaching you already, I was expecting you to be more attentive," she said. It sounded like it was a small soft spot. "While I may not have the camaraderie of a Hufflepuff, I do want you to know that I am here if you ever wish to discuss anything, not just whatever had you so distracted today."

"Thank you professor, it's nothing, well, not nothing, but nothing you can help with," he rambled with a blush growing on his face. She quirked an eyebrow, which set Ted off on more rambling that he couldn't reign back, "Well, not that you couldn't help, it's that I wouldn't ask you for help. Not you specifically! A general sort of you, you know? I'm not sure I should talk about it, it seems like something she would want kept secret if it all works out."

Ted shrunk into himself as he spoke, becoming too flustered to notice that Professor McGonagall was now smiling. He only noticed this when she spoke again, "Mister Tonks, Theodore," she gave him a moment to realize that she wasn't going to scold him, "While there are many rules involving edicate at this school, only untoward and harmful student interactions are punishable and I trust you to know the boundaries."

Her expression softened a bit further as she continued, "If a student needs assistance with such a situation, even outside of Hogwarts, the other professors and I would put the student's safety and education above all else."

Professor McGonagall's reassurance was as official was he expected her's to be, but it had done its job. He thanked her and excused himself from the classroom to hurry off, a little more resolute for his encounter with Andromeda. As he rounded the corner away from the transfiguration class, he heard her comment to herself, "Ach, I almost forgot to open up the floo network, they may be waiting for me." Ted didn't hear anything else as she was already hurrying in the opposite direction.

When Ted finally reached the classroom, he hesitated to cross the threshold with his foot hanging awkwardly a dozen centimeters off the stone. He meant to quickly locate Andromeda and sit with her, but his brain hitched and fumbled when he saw her laughing at something. The afternoon sun streamed through the windows, giving her such a celestial presence that everything else was mundane to him, even with two paper creatures fighting each other under the control of his classmates.

He slipped into the seat beside her. "Good to see you're well," he greeted her feeling a little over formal with his phrasing. The smile she gave him in return had a blush start to creep up his neck it was so welcoming.

Her response was cut off by Travis Barkowitz exclaiming about his paper tiger's victory over Edward Olligrimm's bear who was in turn cut off when a paper eagle swooped down and snatched them both off the pushed together desks. The bird dropped it's prey in the waste bin before taking perch on the rim. It loosed a raspy caw that silenced the class for Professor Phemli. "I do hope that wasn't either of yours assignments," the professor commented as he took his place by the blackboard.

"Right, speaking of your assignments, we are going to be talking about them before they are handed in. If at any point you feel like one of the questions you ask in unimportant, feel free to write an amendment to explain your new reasoning. I am doing this to emphasize that I believe in knowing how to survive over grades"

There was a murmur as half of the class dug about their bags for ink and quill. "While I believe grades are secondary to education, I will not hesitate to fail students who do not take this seriously. Tests you will be taking through out my class will be simulations that can result in harm for the unprepared; safe guards can only help so much," he intoned seriously.

Anyone who had yet to retrieve a quill did so while he wrote the scenario on the board as a reminder. The room was filled with a nervous silence. There was only the sound of the professor physically writing with the chalk. The paper eagle broke the tension by taking off and landing on Professor Phemli's head. "Get off you ruddy bird!" He growled and swatted at the avian construct as it clutched at his head, chalk still in the hand he swung about.

The bird gave an indignant squawk and retreated to a perch on one of the rafters. "You're supposed to go after trouble makers, not make trouble!" he called up. The professor flicked a bit of chalk into the bird's mouth with inhuman speed and accuracy, causing it to choke for a moment. "Keep this up, I'll recycle you before the week is out," he threatened. The bird quickly settled down.

By the time Professor Phemli brought his attention back to the class, the serious mood was gone and students had relaxed. Ted saw mirthful glint to his eyes. A glance to his left caught Andromeda's eyes. She had seen it as well. Ted believed the whole argument was staged, but he was unsure of the exact reason. After all, the professor had gone on about always having a plan, so why couldn't that apply to situations besides ones of great peril.

The class had spent ten minutes discussing the hippogriff scenario before it segwayed into a more in depth discussion of understanding a situation and prioritizing information. Harek and Perdita had slipped into the back of the classroom as professor Phemli was getting worked up, "You must understand that you cannot only pay attention to people and creatures first. With magic and magical beasts, things are not always what they seem. Intent is the most important aspect of casting a spell, but it is also the most important aspect of predicting outcomes. If you are able to understand what your opponent wants, you can adjust your actions appropriately, whether it is a beast wanting to eat you or a toddler trying to play hide and seek."

He paused and took a breath, "I apologize, I was getting a little off topic. I believe the original point was that just because a spell will solve your problem does not mean it is the best solution. Just because a bombarda makes a noise, does not mean you should use it to knock on a friend's door." A chuckle rose from a few of the students.

Professor Phemli turned his attention to the late arrivals, "Thank you, Miss Barnes and Mister Jameson, your timely intervention of my rant prevented me from forgetting to hand out your assignment." The same students that had chuckled were now groaning. Andromeda spared him an eye roll and refreshed her quill to write it down. "I want you and your partner to select four spells that would be useful when dealing with the hippogriff. The spells you pick are going to be demonstrated and explained to your best of your abilities, and then we shall collectively pick the four most useful to all learn.

You will be graded over the next week on three things: the reasoning for your spell selection, your ability to perform your spells, and finally, how well you learn the selected four spells. This is an exercise in understanding how to determine if a spell is appropriate. Now because we have two new students, I think it will be fine for you two to pair up. I would like to remind you that I will not hesitate to separate a partnership that is not conducive to learning."

The class took a moment to resettle into the lesson, but the rest of the class rolled on for Ted without anything of note outside the expectations of their Defense professor. He and Andromeda had a conversation using quietly passed notes that had them agree that Professor Phemli lived by a code of paranoia. Ted has also been nearly brow beaten into joining Andromeda and her two friends when they 'interrogated' the transfer students about their shopping trip.

"Look, I get that Perdita was planning on buying some muggle things for you and your best friends, but do I really need to hide and wait for them to sit on the couch?" Ted questioned as his crush all but shoved him into a broom closet and shut him in.

"It will be great," Andromeda assured him, "I'll be back to pull you out to surprise them. We'll all have a laugh."

After a long breath waiting to hear something else, Ted dropped his head against the door and grumbled to himself, "When she mentioned having a few good ideas for the broom closet on the third floor, did she not realize why I was so embarrassed? I mean, come on Ted!" His grumble had transformed into a self-chastising rant while he thumped his head on the door, "You kept glancing at her lips like a lovestruck idiot! Just couldn't keep your mind off of kissing her!"

The squeak from the other side of the door that Ted initially ignored in favor of his rant, "I mean, how could someone like her want to kiss someone who can barely keep himself together around their crush, and not to mention that… oh. Shite." He felt his face drain to white. His body kept moving and threw open the door while he mind was stuck hoping she wasn't still there.

His constant stream of denial grew from a thought to a hushed tone. Ted jammed himself against the locked door, bashing his nose hard enough to feel a trickle of blood. His panic turned to resignation and he slumped against the door. "Bugger me."

Then, the door jerked open only to suddenly stop with a jarring vibration. Ted was on his feet and around the door in time to see Andromeda hunch over in pain and stumble a few steps back. He moved to catch her but right as he was over her, she jerked herself upright. Ted couldn't pull back in time, so he took a headbutt to his already hurt nose.

With one hand holding his bleeding face, Ted fumbled around for his wand. He stood straight and took a breath to help him focus on the spell. He instead gagged and spat a mouthful of blood out. Apparently, he had been hit in the lip as well. He blinked away the tears and focused, "Epifsky." His mispronounced spell punched him in the face and added a split to both of his lips.

Ted looked for Andromeda, having lost track of her in his pain. He also took the moment clear his mouth for his next healing attempt. He could see her stomping in pain in the middle of the room. "Episkey," he managed. He groaned as his injuries were forced from his body with as much pain as they had been inflicted with.

Ted made his way to Andromeda, "Hey, let me take a look at that."

She didn't react. She just stood there with her head tilted back, eyes closed, with her free hand clenching and unclenching, so Ted gently touched her shoulder.

Andromeda spun about, pulling him off balance. When he recovered, she had set herself in what must be a combat pose. Her wand was securely in her right hand, her bloody left was squeezed into a fist ready to strike. With her nearly drenched neck and collar, Andromeda was intimidating, but it was her wide, furious eyes that froze him in place.

Ted only managed to move after she relaxed and returned a hand to her nose. "Would you like me to fix your nose or would you prefer to go to the infirmary?" he asked.

She thought about it as he approached. Andromeda gave him a slight nod and braced herself with closed eyes and a held breath. "It will be painful for a short bit," Ted said in an attempt to confirm permission and reassure.

She glared at him and moved her hand. "Just do it already," she gritted out. There was blood in her teeth and it was still flowing down her face.

Her intensity almost forced him to give pause, but Ted quickly abided the scarily attractive girl, "Episkey."

Andromeda clenched her jaw. She ground out a word too low for him to understand and stomped her foot. It gave a tremendous crack. She ground her heel into the stone

It sounded like sifting gravel. She gave a small sigh and a nod to herself, "Much better," before turning back to Ted, "Thank you. I also apologize for losing my temper and swearing like that."

Ted stirred from his stunned state when he was addressed. He had an aside with himself in his dazed state, "What the hell? Ooh, wizard swears. Explains why everyone uses those silly Merlin's this and Morgana's that. Yeah, also explains my lack of detentions whenever I swore."

It was Andromeda's laughter that broke his fugue. She was so overcome with her laughter that Ted joined in. As the laughter trailed off, Andromeda spoke between gasps, "That was. An interesting. Confession."

The last of his laughter froze in his throat. A burning stone settled in his stomach. His jaw worked silently at forming a word that never came.

"If there had been less blood and pain, think I might have accepted," she said with a teasing tone that was completely lost on Ted. His daze had returned.

She opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted by Ted nearly shouting, "Tergeo, Tergeo, Tergeo," as he pointed his wand at everything red. A few of his spells struck tapestries in his over eagerness. Andromeda was taken aback by the wild glint in his eye as he threw about magic.

He spun to face her as his expression shifted in a blink to a more demure one before he visible steeled himself into a bold look that reminded her of the one she wore for her Evil E persona and family gatherings. She silently dubbed him Theo and let a small smirk out, after all, it wasn't often that she underestimated someone. "Andromeda Black, would you do me the pleasure of going on a date with me in Hogmead this weekend?"

"No," she responded. She took a moment to enjoy the way she held his heart in her hand. She quickly gave him reprieve, "Rather you should accompany me, as Perdita and Harek are leading the Evil E's on a shopping trip into London this weekend and I would prefer not to be the only one in the group without a partner."

Ted jawed silently before he nodded. "Like a double date?" he asked.

"Double date?" Andromeda asked after the unfamiliar term. She realized what he meant the second she asked, "No, it's more of a triple date, Kelly and Lucy are coming shopping as well."

"Huh. How is it going to work?"

"Well, I'd say we start off by locating everyone else. They were supposed to be here already," she was about to suggest searching for their friends when she was interrupted as the door swung open with a bang.

Lucy strutted in first and laughed as both of them froze in surprise. "See? I told you they would get together if we left them alone in a room for long enough."

"Gods, you're such a manipulative bitch," Kelly said as wrapped her arms around Lucy from behind, "I love that about you." Both girls were blushing lightly.

"Alright, we get it! You all are couples now!" harrumphed Harek as walked around the hugging couple standing in the way making eyes at each other. He flashed out a grin, "I want to see how the Evil E's react to the mundane stuff we bought."