Chapter One: Beginning of a Life

Andromeda Tonks lay in the stark white sheets of the hospital bed. She was currently staring down at the pink blanketed bundle that was her daughter. Andromeda was still trying to grasp the fact that she, Andromeda Tonks had a baby. A real baby! Someone she and Ted could take care of and help to grow and who didn't have to go through what she and Ted had gone through.

She gently unwrapped the baby so she could look more closely at her. The mother stared down at her daughter still trying to fathom what had just taken place. She was jerked out of her thoughts of how happy she was when she noticed the tiny amount of hair on the top of the baby's head. It was changing color; one second it was bright green then it changed to a deep blue. Andromeda gasped. She knew what this meant, but how could it be?

"Ted, Ted!" Andromeda shouted. Her husband hurried into the room.

"What's the matter, is something wrong?"Andromeda gestured at the quickly changing hair that was now a bright pink.

"Do you know what this means? I think our daughter's a metamorphmagus." Said Andromeda excitedly.

"A what?" asked Ted still confused.

"A witch or wizard who can change their appearance at will!" she said a hint of exsasperation creeping into her voice. "Didn't you learn anything in Transfiguration? Do you know what this means Ted? Think of what jobs she could have! She could be an aurror with this!"

"Are you sure? They're supposed to be really rare." said Ted uncertainly.

"I'm sure! I mean look at her hair!"the mother gestured to the hair that was now magenta.

"I guess you're right," said Ted finally comprehending. "but shouldn't we tell Dumbledore?"

"I think we should, but not right away. Maybe wait a few days?"

"Yes, I agree." said Ted. "We should wait a few days. Get used to the idea that we have a kid."

Andromeda smiled. "In the meantime, we should do some research on how to best deal with this."

"You're right again as always." laughed Ted. They lapsed into companionable silence. Ted broke the silence. "I think she'll be clumsy like me, but she'll probably have some feisty streak in her like the Black sisters."

"Don't even mention Bellatrix or Narcissa to me. We've gone over this. They aren't family anymore and never will be." said Andromeda coldly.

"I'm sorry dromeda." he said laying a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I shouldn't have talked about them."

"It's ok Ted. I try to forget them also."

Just then the door opened and the mediwitch that had delivered their daughter came into the room. "Is Nymphodora ready?" she asked.

Andromeda, in all the excitement, had almost forgotten the name she had given their daughter. Nymphodora. Andromeda secretly hoped her daughter wouldn't someday curse her for the name.

She was brought out of her thoughts by the sound of her daughters cries. "We're going home." sc Andromeda softly to her daughter. Nymphodora stopped crying at the sound of her mother's soft voice. "Are you ready Ted?" she asked her husband. Ted nodded. "More importantly, are you ready?"

"You know I hate ST. Mongos! I'm so tired of this room! Of course I'm ready." Said Andromeda glad to finally be leaving.

The pair, Andromeda carrying the baby left the hospital room. They took the lift down to the lobby where there was a fireplace. Ted reached into a tin of Floo powder and threw a handful into the flames. He shouted "home!" before jumping into the greenish flames, Andromeda close behind.