Disclaimer: Harry Potter is JK Rowling's party, I'm just rocking the dance floor.

Halloween

I – October 31st, 1981

Someone was banging at the door.

Andromeda Tonks shook her head over the impatience of little children. Then again, her own daughter wasn't any better, that's why Andy felt so lucky her husband had volunteered to go with her around the neighbourhood asking for sweets tonight. So either they were back very soon – far too soon for her daughter's usual tastes – or some little guy was behaving very rudely.

And grabbed the bowl of sweets from the cupboard, gazed around swiftly to make sure nothing magical was in sight and opened the door.

Her jaw dropped open. "Sirius?"

Her young cousin was looking awful. He was crying and dripping wet. In his arms he was clutching a bundle of sheets that looked suspiciously like a baby. And Andy knew only of one baby in Sirius' vicinity. "Is that Harry?"

Sirius stifled a sob and nodded fiercely. Andy stepped to the side and urged him into the living room where he collapsed on one of the sofas. She rushed after him and took the sleeping toddler out of his shaking arms.

"What happened?" Andy asked anxiously. "Where are James and Lily?" She was afraid of the answer. She hadn't seen them since one fine day in July, when they had met in London to celebrate her daughter's eighth birthday. The Potters had gone into hiding shortly after that, because Albus Dumbledore had warned them the dark Lord Voldemort was targeting them. Nobody knew where they lived, apart from Andy's cousin Sirius Black, James' friends Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew and Lily's best friend Alice Longbottom. Andy and her family only heard about them from Sirius during his weekly visits, much to Nymphadora's regret who loved James and Lily dearly – Lily especially, because Dora had fondness for unusual hair colors. Andy and Ted liked the young couple as well, they had ever since Sirius had brought them over.

But Sirius had Harry with him and that practically dictated something had happened to James and Lily. Something had to have happened, given the state of her cousin. Andy looked down on Harry in her arms and noticed the deep red, lightning bolt shaped scar on his forehead. She stroked the toddlers silky hair away when Sirius finally spoke.

"I was going to visit Peter tonight," he told her. "I've had a bad feeling all evening. When I could find him, I went to James' house. The door was opened and – and –" he sobbed and buried his face in his hands. "the dark mark was over their house. I went inside, thought maybe there was something – you know – I just hoped…" Sirius cried into his hands for a few moments and Andy felt tears drop from her eyes.

"James was in the hallway. I bet he tried to fight so Lily could get out. But she didn't. She was up in the nursery, in front of the crib. She did something, something against the dark lord." He looked up suddenly. "He's dead, Andy, Voldemort is dead."

She flinched at the name then stared at him. "Dead?"

"Yeah." He rubbed his eyes, then sobbed again. "But James – he's gone. And Lily. First I thought Harry was gone too, but then he started crying. There was nobody there and James and Lily dead and little Harry crying…" He stopped talking and just sat there staring at his hands. Andy hugged the baby to her breast and started rocking him gently, more for her own comfort than his since he was still sleeping soundly.

It was silent for a few minutes. Andy tried to imagine Sirius without James, tried to think how Remus and Sirius would sit without him between them and how Harry would have to grow up without his parents. Sirius looked up abruptly. "I need you to take care of him."

"What?" Andy was startled out of her thoughts. "What do you mean?"

"I need to get rid of someone – something. I can't do it when Harry's with me. Andy, I need you to take care of him."

"You can't leave him here," Andy denied. "What about his family? And what do you mean, get rid of?"

"That doesn't matter," Sirius shook his head impatiently. He looked around, then rushed over to the table were Nymphadora's drawing papers were scattered. He wrote furiously for a second. "And he doesn't have family, only Lily's awful sister and you know she hated her. We're the closest relatives he has."

Andy was staring at his back in confusion. Sure, with James' mother being her and Sirius aunt in some way they were related but there had to be somebody who was closer to the Potters. "What about the Longbottoms?"

Sirius looked up in surprise. "They are closer to us than to the Potters, why?"

"No, not the relation. But Alice is his godmother. If you can't take care of Harry, she should."

"Andy, nobody knows where they are. They went into hiding when James and Lily did. I don't have time to search for them." He turned around and handed her a piece of paper. "Here, take this. Please take care of him. I'll be back as soon as I can."

She shifted Harry in her arms and took the paper. She glanced at it and then shook her head. "No, Sirius –"

"Please," he came close to begging her. "The ministry and everyone would send him to Lily's sister and she's horrible. You can take care of him. I have to go. I have to – to chase a rat."

"A rat?" Andy frowned tiredly. Sirius eyes were dry now, only the tear tracks on his cheeks showed his earlier breakdown. But the look in his eyes was frightening, until it softened when he looked at the bundle in her arms. He stepped closer and stroked Harry's hair, then bend down to kiss his forehead.

"Please, Andy," he repeated and looked at her pleadingly. She nodded once and he whispered a thank you before he turned around and left, leaving her standing with a one-and-a-half year old toddler in her arms.

O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O

"Good morning," Ted greeted her when he entered the kitchen and saw her sitting at the table. She had went to bed early after conjuring a crib for Harry and had not been awake when Ted and Nymphadora had returned. "Andy, you have to explain the baby to me."

Andy had been staring at her teacup and gave a sad smile at her husband's words. She pushed the DailyProphet in his direction as he sat down and he took it frowning.

You-know-who dead screamed the headline in giant letters, with a slightly smaller line beneath it: HarryPotter,theboywholived – hedefeatedthedarklord!

Andy observed Ted blanching and swallowing hard as he read the article that detailed what Sirius had told Andy the evening before. Of course, the reporter hadn't seen the house and – contrary to what Sirius had mentioned – claimed Harry to have defeated he-who-must-not-be-named. How a toddler should have done so was not questioned in the article, instead it mentioned that the house had blown up shortly after the bodies of James and Lily were pulled out. Apparently Rubeus Hagrid had seen Sirius leave with Harry and the author reported Harry to be at an 'undisclosed but safe location'. Ted looked up.

"So, the baby asleep in our bedroom… is Harry?"

Andy nodded. "Yes. Sirius brought him here yesterday evening while you were out with Dora."

Ted shook his head. "Why did Sirius –"

"Turn the page," she interrupted him and settled her face in her hands. She knew what he would read next. Sirius Black betrayed Potters. Andy couldn't believe the article claiming Sirius to have been the Potter's secret keeper who had betrayed them to Voldemort and blown up a street, killing twelve muggles and his friend Peter Pettigrew, when captured by Aurors. But it was Albus Dumbledore who had been quoted confirming Sirius as the secret keeper. It just didn't make sense to Andy.

"Sirius wouldn't have done that," Ted said agitated. "He's a bit rash but no murderer. And he never would've betrayed James."

"I know!" Andy moaned into her hands. "It doesn't make sense. I mean, he was here and a complete wreck, but then he left again. I've tried to contact the Ministry earlier this morning, but the Head Auror told me they've send Sirius to Azkaban already."

Ted let out a long breath. "So, what now? Won't Children Services take Harry in? Or his family?"

Andy snorted and gazed at him. Then she flicked her wand and accioed the paper Sirius had written. Ted read it quickly. "This doesn't clear up anything."

"No, it doesn't. It's no explanation whatsoever. It's just Sirius making me guardian in his absence based on his relation to me, and to Harry." She sighed "Ted, what do we do?"

He ran a hand through his hair. "We know Lily has – no, had – a muggle sister."

"Whom she hated and who hated her. We were at the wedding, remember? We can't give Harry to her, poor little boy would be unhappy his whole life."

"Well, what do you want to do, Andromeda?"

"I don't know, Theodore."

He glared at her. When she slumped he said softly, "We never had a child after Dora out of fear your family might… do something."

Andy looked at him carefully. "You mean we should, well, raise him?"

Ted shrugged. "We have all the legal stuff right here," he said, waving Sirius' paper. "Remus would never be allowed to keep Harry and at least we didn't hate his parents. And we knew him before he was called – what was it?" he looked at the Prophet. "Ah yes, the boy who lived."

She smiled slightly. "Yes, that's true." Andy considered it for a moment. "You know, it might be the right thing to do. We could turn the second guest room into a nursery. I think we still have most of Dora's old things in the basement."

Ted nodded at her and stood up. "I'll make breakfast and you get Dora and our new charge. We'll go to the Ministry to do the legal work after eating."

O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O

"Well, Mrs Tonks, this seems to be genuine. It is nice to know Harry Potter will be living in a nice magical household as yours."

"Thanks," Andy said warily. "Just this signature and we are done?"

"Exactly," the woman from Child Services smiled. "We will send someone along in a few weeks to see if all is well, just like we do in every case of changing guardianships or adoptions."

Andy nodded and signed the form with her full name, then watched it pulse a light red.

"Wonderful," the woman acknowledged and duplicated the parchment with a wave of her wand. "Every file and post will now be send to you, Mrs Tonks. And if I might warn you about incoming owls the next few days? Harry Potter has a lot of people who want to thank him."

Nodding again, Andy took her copy and left the office. In the hallway, Ted and Dora were already waiting for her, Ted carrying Harry in his arms. The toddler was looking around curiously and occasionally tugging at Ted's collar.

"All done," she declared after tucking the paper away and taking Harry from her husband. "How about we do some shopping to fill Harry's new cupboards?"

Dora cheered. "Can I choose some of the clothes? And a new broom for him?"

Andy sighed. "He will not be needing a broom, Dora, he is not even two years old!"

"Sirius gave him one for his first birthday and you bet James did let him fly it often enough." Andy turned to Ted who was examining the ceiling innocently.

"No," she repeated and started to walk towards the elevators. "He will not be having a broom."

"Bwoom!" Harry exclaimed and laughed while waving his little arms. "Bwoom, bwoom!"

"See, mum?" Dora skipped next to her. "He wants one!"

"You will both learn that you don't always get what you want," Andy answered resolutely and then frowned when her husband winked at her daughter. "You two are incorrigible."

Ted shrugged. "You know," he said softly. "James had grand plans for his son to be the next Quidditch star of Gryffindor."

Andy shut her eyes when they stood in the elevator, trying to stop the tears forming again. All three Tonkses had had a good cry when they had told Dora about what had happened the last night. They would sorely miss their friends.

When they apparated into Diagon Alley, Ted side-alonging Dora and Andy still with Harry on her arms, they were greeted by an exuberance not even seen on Christmas. The whole street seemed to celebrate the demise of You-Know-Who with price reductions and sales. It was a stark contrast to the feelings of the Tonks family, who while being glad he-who-must-not-be-named was dead, were not ready to celebrate as two of their friends were dead as well.

They spend most of the time in Twinder's Toddler Toys and Cedrella's Children Clothing, before briefly examining the nursery furniture in Frembass' Furniture. When Dora started to get hungry and Harry looked tired, Ted and Andy decided to return home.

As they stepped to the Apparition point, Albus Dumbeldore stopped them.

"Mr and Mrs Tonks, Nymphadora," he greeted them with a friendly smile even as Dora grimaced at her name. "Might I assume that this is young Mr Potter?"

"Yes, that's Harry," Andy confirmed with a smile for the boy who was now resting against her shoulder, watching them trough sleepy eyes.

"Ah yes," the headmaster of Hogwarts said, "I just heard you had taken up his guardianship. I actually want to discuss exactly that with you."

"There is nothing to discuss," Ted said firmly and looked at the old man warily. "He will be living with us now."

"That might not be such a good idea," Dumbeldore said and both Ted and Andy frowned. "But please," he continued, "let us discuss this elsewhere. Might I invite you for lunch in the Cauldron?"

Andy and Ted shared a look and reluctantly agreed. After they had settled at a table, Dumbledore waved his wand and Andy saw the shimmering indication of a privacy ward.

"I cannot in good conscience let you raise this young boy," he reopened his earlier argument. "It is much to dangerous."

"Dangerous?" Andy asked suspiciously. "How can it be dangerous? You-Know-Who was defeated yesterday."

"Yes, but you of all people should know there are still dangerous people around, his followers. You have to think of your family, Mrs Tonks: Your sister and her husband, for example, but quite a few others haven't been captured yet. They will possibly come after him. I will take him to his aunt where he will be safe."

Ted scoffed. "How can he be any safer in a muggle home than in our house?"

Dumbledore leaned forward and answered in a conspiratorial tone. "He will have a better protection there, based on his family's blood."

"Okay," Andy started, glaring at the man. Sirius had given Harry to her. Lily had hated her sister. The sister was awful. Why in Merlin's name should he be safe there? "First of all, blood magic is illegal. Second, on the same argument we could raise this kind of protection at our home, because we are related, albeit not closely. Thirdly and most importantly: Guardianship was already signed over to me. And I will not give it up to a person who behaved as horrible to her sister as this muggle did."

"I wanted to ask," Dumbledore said unconcernedly. "how you did gain guardianship. I imagine a lot of people would try to gain custody of him based on the argument of being related."

"Maybe so," Andy acknowledged. If she could, then so could every other – remaining – Black, the Malfoys, the Prewetts, the Weasleys, the Yaxleys and the Lestranges, although the last one would be a stretch if it wasn't her Black-born sister Bellatrix. And she would never ask for custody of a small child. Or any child.

Dumbledore seemed to wait for an answer, but Andy remained silent until the food had arrived and she saw her daughter tucking in. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Ted smirk slightly when Dumbledore asked,

"How did you manage to be granted custody of the wizarding world's hero?"

"Well," Andy said slowly. "I had this parchment, written and signed by Sirius, that made me Harry's legal guardian in his absence. And since he was shipped to Azkaban – without a trial I might add – he will be absent for some time."

"The deeds of Mr Black are something we all rather want to forget," Dumbledore said frowning. "And he brought Harry to you and wrote such a paper? I wonder if he…. Hmm. May I see it?"

"No," Andy refused. "You have no business with this. We had Child Services check it and they declared it to be genuine. Whatever Sirius did or not did before or after writing it, it doesn't change a thing."

"Please reconsider. You might feel safe in you house, but it's possibly not safe enough."

"We contracted a firm to upgrade the wards this morning," Ted said. "And they already are good, because as you said earlier, we have Andy's family to think of."

"You are fighting a lost battle here, professor," Andy said firmly. "We will not be giving Harry away. He will live with us and be much happier than he ever could be with Lily's awful sister."

She stood up and carefully took Harry out of the transfigured seat, but the boy slept on undisturbed. Dora jumped out of her seat and took hold of her father's hand when he stood up. "Bye Professor," she chirped cheerfully and Ted and Andy followed suit. "Good day, Professor Dumbledore."

And with that, the newly four-headed family left the Leaky Cauldron and returned home.

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