Disclaimer: The characters and setting are propert of JKRowling and associated. I promise I'll put them back when I'm done with them.
Just a little short for your enjoyment! Thanks to Muhaaauder for betaing it, even though she's writing exams at the moment.
Rebel
[Every family has one. A little talk across generations.]
"Don't you want to play with your cousins?"
Molly looked up when she heard the voice. It was Andromeda Tonks. She smiled as the esteemed lady sat down next to her. Everyone in the family knew Andromeda Tonks, though they didn't see her very often. The story went that since she had been widowed and lost her daughter, she had largely withdrawn from society. Today, however, she had graciously accepted Grandma Molly's invitation to tea.
"Hello Mrs Tonks," Molly said respectfully.
Andromeda laughed. It was a nice sound – a bit bitter but cheerful nonetheless. "Just Andromeda, dear. Mrs Tonks makes me sound terribly old."
Molly nodded at this information. "Andromeda then."
Andromeda smiled at the girl. At sixteen, Molly was a stunner – long brown hair and the biggest, bluest eyes you ever saw. She was sitting on the deck behind the Burrow, reading whilst the rest of the family played Quidditch in the garden. Andromeda repeated her question.
"Don't you want to play with your cousins?"
Molly looked up at her. "Not particularly. They..." She scowled in frustration. "They don't think I can. Play, that is."
"And can you?" Andromeda asked, eyeing the youth closely.
Molly flushed. "Well, yes, I can. That is to say..."
"You learnt by sneaking other people's brooms from the shed when no one would notice?" Andromeda was smiling knowingly. Molly went an even brighter shade of red.
"H-how did you know?"
The older woman smiled secretively. "Don't worry. I won't tell anyone. Your secret's safe with me."
Molly eyed Andromeda suspiciously. Andromeda was staring out into the garden now, her eyes following the group of children and teenagers flying around. She seemed almost wistful. Eventually, Andromeda spoke again.
"How did I know? Would you believe that I used to do the same thing when I was your age?"
Molly shook her head instinctively then flushed when she realised what she was implying. Andromeda chuckled at the girl's expression. "Don't worry. I was quite rebellious when I was younger. It didn't go down too well with my parents. Eventually I was disowned."
"How come?" Molly asked, before realising it would seem disrespectful and backtracking. "I mean, well, you don't have to tell me if you don't want to. It might be private and stuff. I was just..."
"That's okay dear. I wouldn't have mentioned it if I minded speaking about it. It was because my family didn't agree with certain... values of mine. They didn't like that I married a Muggleborn."
Molly had heard of such Pureblood traditions, but she had never actually met someone affected by them. Suddenly, she was seeing Andromeda in a completely new light. Andromeda noticed her expression.
"Yes, I was quite the little rebel." She smiled suddenly, and it seemed so much more real than the one she had been wearing earlier at tea. "Now off with you. I'm sure there are spare brooms in that shed. Go show them what you can do!" She shooed Molly off and the girl complied, suddenly feeling much better about herself than before.
FIN
So, this didn't really come out how I planned it, but then things rarely work out that way. I apologise for not posting anything for so long... Things have been hectic. Nonetheless, here you go!