Hyaa!

Before you start reading, here is a few things you should know:

- This is a Tedromeda fanfiction but I do put a lot of focus on Andromeda's relationship with her sisters

- In terms of the timeline, it begins with Ted and Andromeda's relationship and will (is supposed) to carry on until Nymphadora's (sorry, Tonks') birth, maybe even a little later.

- I have published quite a few Tedromeda fanfictions before and this one, although it will probably share elements with some of my previous stories, is not related to any of them in terms of continuity, although I might use one of the previous stories... I haven't yet decided ^^ Point is, do not expect continuity with my oneshots here.

- This is definitely not a Oneshot

- Not all chapters are from Andromeda's point of view. This is one is tho :)

- If you really, really, really want to dive straight into the Tedromeda, it starts at chapter 3.

- I am not a native english-speaker, all constructive criticism and help related to my language is strongly appreciated ^^

- do not hesitate to leave a review, it helps a lot!

Enjoy! :)

_ sheyamiku

The summer of 1967 was one of the best Andromeda Black had ever experienced. She could not say for sure what made it so special, though she suspected it had to do with her and her sisters' subconscious desire to make the most of their freedom before the start of a very important year for the three of them. Bellatrix was starting her last year at Hogwarts, Andromeda was in her sixth and Narcissa her third. On one hand, this meant they would finally be able to visit Hogsmeade together. On the other, it meant it was the last year for them to do so. It was with these thoughts in mind that they had readily accepted their Uncle Alphard's proposal at a one week vacation a little before the start of term. The problem was, on coming back home, they were far from ready for the approaching time of departure. As such, three days before September 1st, Black Manor was in chaos. Sirius and Regulus were running around the house like excited puppies whilst Aunt Walburga chased after them angrily and Druella busily threw clothes out of Narcissa's suitcase despite the young witch's loud protests.

In her relatively quiet room, Andromeda finally managed to close her own trunk. She released a long sigh after the required effort and took a second to breath. After what felt like years of sorting through her old furniture, she would have loved to rest longer, and doubtlessly would have if it wasn't for the loud and sensational entrance of her little cousin Sirius, who rushed in carrying a bright green robe on one hand and a pot of ink on the other. He was soon followed by Narcissa's no-less-noticeable arrival.

'Give it back!', screeched the young witch.

'Or what?', taunted little Sirius.

Narcissa's murderous look was a clear enough answer in itself and Sirius' barely perceptible shiver proved its effectiveness. Still, the little devil refused to give in. Sticking his tongue out, he scampered around the bed to hide behind Andromeda. Narcissa still fuming, the two sisters exchanged a glance which had the oldest smile despite herself. Sighing, she caught Sirius' arm behind her back and forced him to come to the front.

'Give it back, Sirius.' She said calmly. 'You know she has to pack quickly.'

Sirius' answer was the unhappy, childish pout of an eight years-old. Supressing a smirk, Narcissa swaggered towards the boy and snatched the robe out of his hands. Just then, Aunt Walburga appeared at the door with a look both murderous and disappointed. The coldness in her eyes made Sirius take a step back, closer to Andromeda who, herself, froze in her spot. Uneasiness put her stomach in a knot at the sight of the lady.

'Sirius Black.' She spat, and Sirius' eyes went down to his feet. 'And you too, Narcissa. What are you doing playing around like that?'

Narcissa shivered, her eyes squinted slightly and the corner of her mouth twitched. Anyone would have thought it was out of fear, but Andromeda knew her sister was supressing the desire to say something she knew she shouldn't.

'It's all right, Aunt Walburga.' She intervened. 'Sirius gave Cissy her robe back. They're fine now.'

Walburga's eyes snapped to her immediately. 'Are you done?' she asked.

Andromeda stopped herself from letting her snarky and completely inappropriate thoughts show on her face when she replied, controlling the edge in her tone. 'Yes. I just finished closing my suitcase.'

Her aunt nodded once and turned on her heels, her long black robe swiftly brushing on the wooden floor as she did so. 'Sirius. Come now.' She called in her icy voice.

Sirius, trembling, took a step forward, stopped, and looked up at Andromeda as Walburga's low and voluminous bun disappeared outside the doorstep.

'Save me…', he whispered with a grimace.

Andromeda chuckled and, a few feet away, so did Narcissa. Gently, the older witch put a hand on her cousin's shoulder and whispered, 'It's going to be okay, Sirius. Go now.'

Sirius gave her a doubtful look, before turning back. He took a deep breath exhaled loudly like a knight readying for battle, and with a last shake of his head, to give himself courage, ran up to his mother with exaggerated intensity.

Both girls tried hard to supress their laughter as they watched him go. That was until Druella's voice echoed from Narcissa's room, calling her daughter with clear impatience and a contained annoyance. Narcissa and Andromeda exchanged a look.

'Help me…' voiced the younger girl in perfect imitation of her cousin.

Sighing despite the growing smile on her face, Andromeda stood to join her. In her gratefulness, Narcissa threw her into a hug.

'Thank you!' she said in a baby voice Andromeda had grown to accept she found cute. 'Mom wants to take everything off my suitcase! Seriously, you need to stop her.'

The middle child rolled her eyes at the obvious exaggeration but followed nonetheless. Together they made their way to their mother, Narcissa still clinging firmly to Andy's arm. As they walked, the elder's eyes caught the vibrant green of her sister's robe, and taking a better look at the piece of clothing, she couldn't help but roll her eyes again.

'Cissy,' she said. 'Why, how and when will you ever need this at Hogwarts?'

Cissy looked back at her with a mix of despair and outrage. 'Andy!' she cried. 'Not you too! You know I'll finally be able to go on Hogsmeade weekends, and what if there are balls, or events, or special dress-up-days…'

'Okay, okay… I get it', intervened Andromeda to spare herself from more passionate if empty arguments.

Narcissa gave her an innocently grateful look and proceeded to enter her room with newfound confidence. Druella watched her come in with a raised eyebrow and a number of clothes floating around her head. Her eyes were immediately drawn to the robes her youngest carried in her hands and a long sigh escaped her red lips.

'Narcissa…' she started.

'Mother.' Replied Narcissa before she had anytime to finish. 'I am not going back to Hogwarts without this.'

Druella exhaled once more before deciding that arguing any further was already a lost cause. In hope of a less tiring conversation, she turned her attention to Andromeda who was distractingly playing with the flying clothes. Druella chose to ignore that last bit.

'Are you done packing, Andromeda?' she asked.

'Yes.' Replied the girl brightly. 'That's why I came. I thought I'd help Cissy finish with hers and you can rest.'

Druella looked at her with a mix of doubt and relief. But giving another glance at her youngest daughter, eagerly throwing piles of clothes inside the already full suitcase, was enough to convince her the fight was not worth it.

'Perfect.' She sighed. With a swirl of her wrist she made all the floating clothes pile up on the bed next to her. She then pat Narcissa's shoulder and walked out, stopping only before Andromeda to give her a knowing look.

'She must be ready tonight.' She warned. 'We won't have time tomorrow.'

'I know. It'll be done.' Assured Andromeda.

'And make sure it's quick. You also need to go to sleep early today, seeing as you probably won't get a lot of rest afterwards.'

'I know,' replied Andromeda again, though this time supressing a smile.

'Good.' Druella said, raising an eyebrow. 'I trust you.'

'Yes, mother. Don't worry, we'll get it done tonight. You can rest.'

'Fine. Good night.'

'You too.'

'And good luck…'

'Thank you.'

Now wondering what she got herself into, Andromeda walked to her sister, only to find her struggling with a large package that wouldn't fit anywhere.

'What's that?' she asked.

'That thing to store jewellery that I bought when we were at the beach with Uncle Alphard.'

'Cissy… Will you need it?'

'Yes!', replied the witch with angry certitude. 'Besides,' she added more calmly. 'It's memory.'

Andromeda's heart softened at those words. As she looked at her sister struggle to fit the package, her pale eyes determined and focused, she let her hand caress gently her long blond hair.

'Is that the last of it?'

Narcissa looked around. 'That coat too.' She said, pointing. 'And those robes.'

'It'll never fit.'

'I'll make it fit.' Then, throwing a look at her sister, she added, 'You can go to sleep, if you want to. I can finish this myself.'

Andromeda gave her a sincere smile. 'Honey, this is just not going to fit.' Her words were met with an angry stare that she chose to ignore. 'But I think I still have a bit of space in my suitcase.'

Narcissa's eyes slowly widened before a bright smile broke through her unhappy frown. 'Thank you!' she shrieked again.

The process required another trip to Andromeda's room and even more struggling, but finally, they were done. Still, as tired as she was and as tempting as her bed looked, Andromeda rose on her feet and left her room only to lumber her way to Bellatrix's. Not bothering to knock, she threw the door open and jumped on the bed.

The mattress was already occupied by her sister and her friend Sophie Gamp, both of whom showed no reaction whatsoever at Andromeda's entrance. When the latter collapsed on Bellatrix's lap, all the witch did was casually stroke her sister's dark curls.

'You look a little tired, Andromeda.' Said Sophie.

'You think?' responded the girl without looking to conceal the irony behind her words.

'Well,' said Sophie in turn, 'I suggest you sleep then because tomorrow, the night won't be for resting.'

Andromeda allowed herself a smile. Although she usually wasn't one for crowded places filled with sweaty, drunk, teenagers, she had to admit that she was excited for the upcoming party. It was the first time she was allowed to join such an event with Bellatrix. Besides, Sophie, the host, had promised that wizards outside of Hogwarts' would be joining, which, for a girl who had never met anybody knew after she laid a foot at the Wizarding School for the first time, was quite an exciting prospect.

Bellatrix gave her sister a wolfish grin. 'I can't wait to see our little Andy let loose…'

Andromeda replied by sticking her tongue out to her, which was source for much laughter.

'Also, Bella,' said Andromeda. 'I'm only ten month younger than you.'

'And still so innocent.'

Andromeda stuck her tongue out once more and pretended to grab her sister's neck, to which Bellatrix playfully played along, pretending to be strangled. The two sisters continued like such until Narcissa finally appeared.

'I see we're having fun without me.' She complained.

'Where were you anyway?' asked Andromeda.

Narcissa hesitated before replying. 'I… I just went to tell mother I'd finished.'

'Oh, Merlin…', mocked Bellatrix whilst Andromeda chuckled.

'That's cute.' Said Sophie.

'Come here, mommy's girl,' called Bellatrix playfully, tapping an empty spot next to her on the bed.

Grimacing, Narcissa obliged and went to sit with her head resting on her sister's shoulder.

'It's late,' said Sophie. 'Shouldn't you go to sleep?'

Narcissa flashed her a murderous look. 'I'm not a baby!'

'Aren't you?' teased Andromeda.

'You are, Cissy.' Said Bellatrix matter-of-factly though her grin said otherwise. 'But we'll allow you to stay tonight since you can't come tomorrow…'

'Urgh, that is so unfair!' Complained Narcissa loudly.

'Well, you are still too young.'

'I'm thirteen!'

'And I'm an adult.' Replied Bellatrix.

'I still can't believe mother and father even allowed you to go!' grumbled Narcissa.

'Yeah,' intervened Sophie. 'How did you convince them? I thought your parents were really strict?'

'They are,' said Bella. 'It was Andromeda that convinced them.'

'How?'

'I just threw their words back at them, you know. Told them it was important at our age to socialize and make connections amongst the good people. That convinced them.'

'Well done.' Said Sophie admiratively.

'Well, it worked because Andy said it,' whispered Bella.

'Don't be like that.' Said Andromeda.

'You know it's true.'

'It is.' intervened Narcissa.

Andromeda only sighed.

And so, the girls spent the following hour talking about the upcoming party, amongst other things, until Bellatrix noticed Narcissa had fallen asleep on her shoulder. Gently, she woke her up and accompanied her to her room. Realizing she could barely keep her own eyes open at that point, Andromeda went directly to hers. She closed her eyes, letting her head fall on her pillow, and allowed herself a smile, thinking that this year was starting promisingly.