Prologue

Andromeda Tonks nee Black was in far from a good mode. Work at St. Mungos has been stressful due to a massive increase in injuries from a collapsed stadium at a national quidditch game between Germany and England. Andromeda's daughter has been suffering sever nightmares from watching her father, Ted Tonks, get murdered at the hands of her own biological aunt. And Andromeda has slept no more than five hours the past three night. So when she got a letter from Albus Dumbledore asking her to meet him in the ministry of magic as soon as possible, Andromeda was pissed.

"Ah, Andromeda, how nice of you to arrive," Dumbledore said, the moment she entered the lonesome room.

The Black Sister rolled her eyes. "Skip the pleasantries, Albus," Andromeda said in the perfect pureblood tone. "Now…" she crossed her arms. "Mind telling me why exactly I am here?"

Dumbledore smiled. "Still the young girl I had crying in my office, I see."

Despite herself, Andromeda's lips twitched upwards. "No," she said, "not in the way you think, at least. War changes people, Albus. You of all people should know this."

"Yes, yes. I suppose." Dumbledore tilted his head. "But perhaps it has more to do with your husband being killed by your own sister?"

The lightened mode immediately disappeared. So this was why the old man wanted to speak with her. She should have known.

"Why are you bringing up Bellatrix?" Andromeda questioned. "What has she done now?"

"As you well know, she is currently imprisoned in Azkaban-"

"The entire damn wizarding world knows that!" the woman snapped. Briefly she thought about how happy she was that she left her daughter at home. The mere mention of her dear family brought out the worst in her. "She tortured the Longbottoms!"

His blue eyes lowered in sadness. "Yes, she did. They will never again be able to live normal lives – or raise their own son."

Andromeda looked away uncomfortably. "Is that why you asked me here? To rub my relation to such a monster in my face?"

"No," Dumbledore replied simply. "I have a small request of you."

"A request?" She was suspicious now. Perhaps getting Dumbledore's help to escape from her family and their illogical beliefs was a mistake.

"You see…Bellatrix and Rodolphus had a child, a baby girl named Hermione."

Andromeda narrowed her eyes. "What does this have to do with me?" She had known about the three-year old girl for a while now; the moment she was born, the Daily Prophet went wild upon hearing that the Noble Houses of Lestrange and Black now had an heir.

"Seeing as Bellatrix and Rodolphus are unable to care for the child, I would like you to take her."

Brown eyes widened. "Are you bloody serious!?"

"Dead serious, Andy. We need to think what is best for the child."

"What makes you think Narcissa would allow it? Bellatrix probably made her the godmother incase something happened."

Dumbledore nodded. "Yes, she did," he admit. "But seeing as the Malfoys are currently in a predicament with their ties to the Dark Lord, the ministry has deemed them incapable of raising the child."

Narcissa certainly threw a fit, Andromeda thought. Her youngest sister was known for showing no emotion, but Andy knew better – Narcissa cared for her family deeply. Hearing that Hermione would be taken from them must have felt like a stab in the heart, especially given that Bellatrix was now in prison and would never see the light of day again.

"I don't know, Albus…" she whispered. "It feels…wrong." Although Narcissa didn't care for her, Andromeda still cared for Narcissa. "And her mother…she killed my husband. How do you think Nymphadora would feel living under the same roof with the spawn of the woman that murdered her father?"

Oh, no. Dumbledore's eyes suddenly gave a bright twinkle. Not good.

"I don't know," the old man said. "Why don't you ask her?"

As if on cue, a little purple-haired girl came running into the room with a spitting image of a young Andromeda in her arms. What the hell!? How did she get here? "Mum, can we keep her!?" Nymphadora exclaimed. "She's so cute!"

Little Hermione clapped her hands together. "No," she laughed. "You cute!"

The ten-year old blushed. "Aww!" She tapped Hermione's nose. "Not as cute as you!"

Hermione giggled and buried her face into Nymphadora's shoulder.

Andromeda glared at Albus. "You manipulative bastard."

"What can I say, Andy? You never did play your cards right."

"Why you little-"

"Mom!" Nymphadora said, oblivious to her mother's anger. "Can we keep her? Please! I always wanted a sister!"

Andromeda sighed. "I don't know, Dora. Raising a child is a big responsibility."

"Please!"

"Dora-"

Hermione must have sensed the uncomfortable situation, for she lifted her head off Nymphadora's shoulder and turned slightly to see who she was talking to. The moment her eyes landed on Andromeda, the three-year old was stunned. "Mummy?" the girl said, a smile on her face. Andromeda looked like a clone of Bellatrix. "Mummy!" she cried, wiggling out of Nymphadora's grip and landing on the ground.

When Hermione began to signal that she wanted Andromeda to pick her up, the raven-haired woman staggered back. "I'm not your mum, child."

Hermione was unaffected. "Mummy! Mummy!" she cried, continuing to jump up, begging to be held.

Nymphadora smiled at the sight. "Come on, mum. She won't bite."

Andromeda glared at her, but, nonetheless, picked up Hermione. It was a strange feeling, but nice. Hermione must have felt the same, since she gave Andromeda the biggest smile ever and began to lightly trace the woman's cheekbones.

"It seems like young Hermione has taken a shine to you," Albus commented.

"Shut up, Albus!" she snarled, though her voice lacked any real venom.

But the moment Andromeda looked back into Hermione's bright eyes, she felt her heart melt. Maybe Hermione could be what Bellatrix never was…

Please review! Don't be cruel, though. I've only recently began to write.