Grimmauld Place…
Orion was exactly as Ted remembered him—yet somehow… more. Ted couldn't quite put it into words.
He sat behind the desk, and though the chair itself was anything *but* simple—likely costing more than half of Ted's house—on a scale like theirs, it was probably considered modest. Still, Orion made it look like a throne.
He wore a plain black shirt, the fabric faintly shimmering under the light. Ted had no idea what material it was—far too expensive for him to even guess. Silver embroidery lined the cuffs, fastened with black diamond cufflinks. Old money. Effortless, unapologetic.
His fingers were adorned with rings—the unmistakable Black family signet ring marking him as Lord of the House, and another darker, more intricate heirloom piece. Ted wasn't sure what it symbolized… but with families like this, nothing was ever just for aesthetics.
And then there was his presence.
Ted had seen plenty of wizards who relied purely on magic, neglecting anything physical. Being Muggle-born, he knew exactly what non-magical people were capable of if pushed far enough. He also knew that most pure-blood families underestimated that.
But Orion Black?
No.
That man could absolutely knock someone unconscious without a wand.
His build made that very clear.
His dark hair framed his face, loosely tied back in a low ponytail, and there was a faint scar now—one Ted was certain hadn't been there during his school years.
*What happened to you…?*
But then Ted's gaze reached his eyes.
Molten silver.
Terrifying. Mesmerizing.
Like the gaze of a predator—beautiful in a way that made your instincts scream at you to run, even as something inside you leaned closer, drawn in.
That's when Ted realized—
Orion Black was staring right back at him.
Unblinking.
Unmoving.
And *Andromeda*—
Where was Andromeda?
Ted forced his eyes away, almost physically dragging himself out of whatever hold that gaze had on him. He turned sharply—
Only to find his wife already seated, watching him like he had just embarrassed her beyond repair.
How long had he been staring?
"Long enough for me to question your sexuality, husband," Andromeda said dryly.
Ted choked slightly, mortified, and quickly moved to sit beside her.
Across from them, Orion let out a quiet chuckle.
That alone was enough to throw Ted off again.
*He laughs?*
He had always imagined Orion Black as some cold, untouchable figure—something closer to a man carved from stone than flesh.
"Ted Tonks, was it?"
Orion's voice cut clean through the room—smooth, controlled, and direct.
"What do you think you have to marry my family's daughter?"
Straight to the point.
Of course.
That hadn't changed at all.
No pleasantries. No wasted time.
Just a question that felt less like curiosity…
…and more like a test.
"I love her, Orion—I mean, my lord—"
"Please," Orion cut in smoothly, almost lazily, "enough with the pleasantries. You've already dared to marry my darling niece *Andromeda* and even managed to have a daughter with her." His tone drawled, slow and dangerous, sending a chill straight down Ted's spine. "You can certainly call me Orion."
"Y-yeah… I—" Ted faltered.
Orion's mere presence was suffocating. Fear coiled in Ted's chest, tightening with every passing second. His instincts screamed at him to run—to *escape*. He barely registered Andromeda's hand on his, her subtle attempt to steady him, to perhaps even get him to stand and leave.
But then—
A single thought snapped something inside him.
*If I don't stand my ground… he might take her away.*
Ted's grip tightened around Andromeda's hand, pulling her gently but firmly back into her seat.
"No," he said, steadier now. "I love her, Orion. Is it a sin to love someone?"
He could feel his magic stirring beneath his skin—restless, volatile. Whether it wanted to flee or fight, he didn't know. His mind raced through a hundred scenarios, none of them ending well for him.
"Oh, do you now, Tonks?" Orion mused, taking a slow sip of his drink.
Only then did Ted notice the refreshments in front of him. Without a second thought—forgetting dignity, decorum, everything—he grabbed the tea and gulped it down. The warmth grounded him, just a little.
"Uncle, I thought you brought him here to—" Andromeda began.
"Andromeda." Orion didn't raise his voice. He didn't need to. "I wasn't talking to you."
She stopped instantly.
The authority in his tone was absolute.
"Tell me, Tonks," Orion continued, eyes locking onto Ted once more, "would you die for her?"
"I will." No hesitation.
Orion didn't look impressed.
"Would you kill for her?"
"I will."
The answer came just as quickly—before Ted could even process what he had said.
Andromeda turned to him, startled.
Even Ted himself hadn't fully realized the depth of what he felt until that moment.
"Well… would you look at that," Orion murmured, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "There's always a certain allure to darkness—one that even the purest souls cannot deny."
His gaze flicked briefly toward Andromeda.
"And as you can see, he isn't afraid to taint his own soul to protect yours, Andy. After all… killing someone doesn't just affect you on the surface, does it? It burrows deep. Leaves a mark on the soul."
His eyes returned to Ted—sharp, knowing.
"You would know that, wouldn't you, Tonks?"
Ted froze.
"After all, you *almost* killed… what was his name again?" Orion waved a hand dismissively. "Never mind. Some unfortunate man who insulted your wife."
Ted's eyes widened.
"How—"
"Not bad for an amateur," Orion continued, ignoring him. "Ten out of ten for control. You dug up dirt, ensured he couldn't retaliate… very *Black* of you."
A pause.
"Then again, if you're attracted to my niece, it's not surprising you have an affinity for darkness yourself."
Ted sat there, stunned, mind racing.
He had covered his tracks. He was *sure* of it.
Beside him, Andromeda gave him a look that clearly said: *We are going to talk about this.*
"Don't look at me like that," Orion said mildly. "I always keep an eye on my family. And I was curious."
He leaned back slightly.
"You didn't think I'd let you get this far with her without trusting you to take care of her… did you?"
Ted swallowed and shook his head faintly.
"Good."
A beat.
"Well then," Orion continued, tone shifting ever so slightly, "I was merely offended that you didn't come to me to ask for her hand."
Andromeda scoffed. "You were holed up Merlin-knows-where! Who exactly were we supposed to approach—Walburga?"
"No." Orion's eyes sharpened at that name. "Not Walburga."
Ted didn't understand what passed through that moment—but it was *something*.
"Anyway," Orion went on, dismissing it, "I have a job for you, Ted Tonks."
Ted blinked.
"A job?"
"You're a lawyer, aren't you?" Orion said. "You will officially represent the Black family. We lack a strong presence on the legal side, and given… the nature of things I intend to do, I cannot keep relying on Abarax's favors forever."
His voice hardened slightly.
"Funding, methods—I don't care. Use the Black name as you see fit. You have my backing. I need a team ready within a week."
Ted's heart started pounding—but this time, not from fear.
Adrenaline surged through him.
A challenge.
A real one.
"Oh, I'm in," he said, almost breathless. "Absolutely."
He could already imagine it—the cases, the opposition, the sheer scale of it. The thrill of it made his blood buzz.
Orion smiled.
Not kindly.
It was the kind of smile that promised *war*.
"Good. Welcome to the family, Ted Tonks."
Ted froze for half a second at that.
"I'll have the dowry that was meant for Andromeda sent over, along with the appropriate wedding gifts. And as for the formal ceremony to welcome you into the family…"
He turned to Andromeda.
"When would you like it, Andy?"
"What—?" she blinked, completely thrown. "As soon as possible?"
"Then Tonks here will formally request your hand," Orion replied calmly. "And we'll proceed accordingly."
"And if Mother refuses?" Andromeda asked cautiously.
"She won't," Orion said, voice turning cold. "And if she does… well she would not dare to."
A pause.
"Never forget—in this family, blood comes above all. You will always have your family's support. You are a black after all Andromeda."
His gaze shifted back to Ted.
"Take care of my niece, Tonks. You don't want to face the consequences otherwise."
A beat.
"The guest rooms are ready. Stay, if you wish. Or leave."
Just like that—
They were dismissed.
The door to the study closed behind them with a soft click.
For a moment, there was silence.
Then—
Ted *jumped*.
A silent, ecstatic yell bursting out of him as he clenched his fists.
"Yes—YES—YES!"
Andromeda stared at him.
"Finally," he whispered, grinning like a madman. "A job that's actually *challenging*!"
She rolled her eyes, though a small smile tugged at her lips. "Don't underestimate this. You're going to be buried in work."
"Better than no work," he shot back instantly.
With a soft *pop*, Kreacher appeared.
"Shall Kreacher take Mistress Andy and Mistress Andy's partner to their room—"
"No need," Andromeda cut in quickly. "I'd rather not run into Walburga right now."
Kreacher bowed and vanished.
The two of them didn't waste another second.
Each walked away with entirely different thoughts—
Ted, buzzing with excitement and anticipation.
Andromeda… far more aware of what it meant to be pulled back into the orbit of the Black family.
And behind it all—
One truth remained.
Everything that had just happened… was because of **Orion Black**.