(Hey everyone, I decided to take a break from my big bang theory fic and get rid of this plot bunny that's been creeping in my head for the past couple months! This story will have a mixture of light and dark moments so heed warning. It also won't be completely focused on a certain couple. I tried to stick to the Harry Potter series as much as possible. Everyone who died in the books is still dead. I just added a little bit of my own imagination to things :) Not to mention making Andromeda Tonks (nee Black) a more important character, and adding an OC character of my own. Feedback and ideas are always welcome.)

Chapter One: I'm a Survivor

I don't believe in self pity

It only brings you down

May be the queen of broken hearts

But I don't hide behind the crown

When the deck is stacked against me

I just play a different game

My roots are planted in the past

And though my life is changing fast

Who I am is who I want to be

The baby girl without a chance

A victim of circumstance

The one who ought a give up,but she's just

Too hard headed!

A single mom who works two jobs

Who loves her kids and never stops

With gentle hands and a heart of a fighter

I'm a survivor

~Reba McEntire

It was an unusually hot June night as Andromeda Tonks made her way slowly up the stone stairs of Malfoy Manor. Receiving an unexpected owl from her

younger sister Narcissa, she knew not what to think, or even why she bothered to show up. Andromeda was disowned by her family when she decided to

to marry Ted Tonks; a Muggle born wizard. It had been many years since she had heard from her little sister. Of course it wasn't a normal letter asking one

how they were doing. This was a cry for help. Taking each step carefully, she thought of what Narcissa had written.

Dearest Dromeda,

I know it has been years since we last spoke, but I need your help. The times are going to be changing, and I am fearful...

Something unexpected for lack of better words has happened and I have no one but you to turn to. A fortnight ago I gave birth to another child.

A daughter, much to Lucius' displeasure. He suspects her a squib on top of being a female that never should have been born to a Malfoy heir.

I'm sure you have heard about the mysterious death that occured at the Triwizard Tournament, and the rumors that the Dark Lord has returned. You also

are probably figuring my husbands' involvement as you read this as well. I assure you they are not rumors. Lucius is very upset that the baby can put us at risk, and

in bad graces with the Dark Lord.

I will cut this letter short. Please Dromeda, take her. I fear Lucius might go to any lengths to conceal her birth, even resorting to disposing her.

I hope you will come.

Your sister,

Cissy

P.S. Destroy this letter after you have read it.

Andromeda shook her head sadly at the thought of her sister trying to get rid of her newborn daughter. She told no one as she knew her husband nor her own daughter would ever have approved of her agreeing to this. She had always been a sucker for situations like this. She couldn't just let something horrible happen to an innocent child. She didn't even heed time to think whether or not she would regret becoming involved with her sister and her "kind", she reached the door and raised her hand to knock. Before she had the chance however, it opened up to reveal a pale and disheveled Narcissa Malfoy.

Narcissa looked at her sister with gratitude; a first in years for Andromeda. "Thank you for responding to my letter..." she started, but her sister waved a hand to silence her. "I came because I was scared for the child that you apparently have no will nor gumption to protect yourself."

Narcissa looked at her stricken "I'm doing this for my daughter. I want to give her a chance at a normal life away from all of this." Tears were forming in her eyes "You know Lucius will never accept her."

Andromeda looked at her sister and felt pity. This was the reason she herself had never fit in with the house of Black. The women were nothing but pawns to be controlled by whatever suiter they were arranged to marry. She knew all too well that Lucius Malfoy had inherited his cruel and domineering personality from his father and numerous male ancestors before him. She knew how he treated her sister for the most part. Narcissa was beneath him for the simple fact that she was female. In the Malfoy family there were never female heirs. Rumor had it that girls were disposed of in fear they would weaken the Malfoys' precious pure blood. To them, women were unreliable and could bring shame on the family. Much like Andromeda did to her own.

"I understand Cissa..." she replied quietly, trying to control the urge inside her to slap the woman for being so weak. "How kind of Lucius to let the girl live..." she continued bitterly.

"Despite what you believe, Lucius is not that heartless." Narcissa paused. Andromeda knew she was choosing her words wisely. "I'm sure he cares...he just..." Once again her sister cut her off.

"I don't have time to listen to you making excuses for your husband. Where is the child?"

Narcissa wiped a few stray tears from her eyes as she turned, leading Andromeda into the house. The door shut behind them quietly, as they headed up the stone stairs to the second floor of the manor. She followed Narcissa into the last room on the left. It appeared to be her own bedroom. The only thing that stood out in the unnaturally tidy room was a squirming bundle in the middle of the king sized bed. Narcissa quickly walked over to the bed and picked it up, turning to face her sister. Andromeda looked at the wiggling infant and couldn't help but smile. The baby had the blondest hair she had ever seen, and big grey eyes. "She's gorgeous Cissy..." she whispered, reaching out to touch a little hand. When she looked up at Narcissa, she could tell on her face that she was breaking inside.

"Does she have a name?"

"Yes. Alexandrina..." her voice broke "Alexandrina Narcissa Viktoria." she looked down at her daughter and smiled weakly "She looks just like her brother did when he was a baby...he would have loved her." she laughed hysterically through her tears. "Draco always used to beg us for a baby sister when he was little...not a brother who could upstage him, just a little sister..."

Andromeda reached out and touched her shoulder "Does your son know that you were...expecting?"

Narcissa nodded "He was frustrated. Figured it was a boy who would be his rival. He's growing more like his father in that aspect. I sent him an owl informing him that the baby did not make it. That way he won't bother to ask questions. He just turned fifteen a couple of weeks ago...a fifteen year old boy doesn't need to know..."

Andromeda didn't press the subject any further. "I'm sorry this had to happen to you Cissy." Narcissa gently handed Alexandrina to her sister and quickly turned away from them. "You have no idea...how hard...this is. Please, take her and go. I...I can't." She dropped down onto the bed and put her head in her hands.

"Don't worry. I'll take good care of her." Andromeda spoke after a minute. She looked down at Alexandrina, who looked right back at her with mild curiosity.

"I can already tell she's going to be wonderful..."

"Thank you." Narcissa managed to say finally.

Andromeda took one last look at her heartbroken sister before she apparated. At the sound of the pop Narcissa turned to find she was now alone.

"Goodbye Drina...I love you..."

Two years later : May

Andromeda sat at the kitchen table, clutching the letter that Minerva Mcgonagall's owl had sent. A week ago she had thought her world had ended when her husband Ted was murdered by Death Eater Snatchers a few months before that. This however, was something she never wanted to receive. Her daughter Nyphadora and her husband Remus had perished at the Battle of Hogwarts. While the wizarding world was rejoicing at the downfall of the Dark Lord, she was mourning the loss of her family. The sound of small footsteps descending the stairs made Andromeda turn to see a small little girl with white blonde hair enter the room. She smiled slightly as the child rubbed the sleep from her stormy grey eyes "Aunt Annie, Teddy crying again."

Sure enough, when Andromeda focused herself she could hear the wails of her grandson coming from up the stairs. "Sorry darling, Auntie was just thinking..." She placed the letter on the table and followed Alexandrina up the stairs.

"You sad cause Dora and Remy went to heaven?" Drina turned to look up at her. Andromeda was surprised at how aware the child of not yet three was.

"Who told you that?" Andromeda reached the children s room and retrieved a crying Teddy from his crib.

"Mione..." was the little one's response. She smiled warmly at her niece and sat in the rocking chair, holding the now consoled baby boy close, letting her tears fall freely.

Alexandrina tugged at her white nightgown silently, her little face screwed tight with contemplation. She then walked over to her aunt and touched her leg. "They is with the father auntie." She pointed up towards the ceiling. "He take care of them, and I take care of you and Teddy."

July

Narcissa breathed a sigh of relief as she noticed the house elves had set the manor back to the way it was before Voldemort and his cronies had moved in. She and Draco had just returned from Lucius' trail for being aid to Voldemort and a Death Eater. Three years in Azkaban was a light sentence, compared to the others who got life or worse; the dementors' kiss.

"Mother..." Draco spoke as he entered the room, causing her to snap back to the present.

"Yes sweetie?"

"Blinky said this letter came for you...it doesn't say who it is from." He handed her the sealed note, eyeing her carefully.

Narcissa took it from her son and hugged him lightly, making him look at her even more confused. "Thank you. I think I will retire. I am really exhausted." She left him standing there awkwardly.

When she reached her bedroom, she shut the door behind her. Sitting down on the bed, she broke the wax seal of the envelope and pulled a letter out. She noticed that a photograph had fallen into her lap. She gently picked it up and turned it over. It was a simple Muggle photograph, but that didn't stop the overload of emotions that hit her.

She recognized her niece Nymphadora with bubblegum pink hair, smiling broadly with a newborn baby bundled in blue with turquoise colored hair. Next to her was her husband Remus Lupin, grinning proudly with a little girl in his arms. She was leaning over their new son, planting a kiss on his little head. A little girl in a white lacy dress that went well with her bleached blonde curls. The back of the picture read "Drina saying hi to her new cousin Teddy."

Narcissa quickly wiped her eyes to prevent her tears from contaminating this treasure. She then picked up the letter and read,

"Dearest Cissy,

I thought you would like the picture. Drina (who now wants to be called Alex) is growing to be an amazing little girl. She's very intelligent and reminds me a lot of you when you were a little girl. I heard about Lucius, and I am sorry. I hope you and Draco remain strong during this time. I am writing to inform you that i am taking the children and leaving the country. Not much is left for us here. I am sure you can understand why. I just thought telling you was the right thing to do (considering the circumstances)

Best of luck to your family,

Andromeda

Narcissa folded the letter quietly and took the picture again into her hands. 'Even if I wanted her back...she looks so happy. A perfect fit, and a baby brother to look after,' She thought with bitter sadness. After an unknown amount of time, she finally got up and placed the photo along with the letter in her beside table. Not a day would go by that she would not look at that picture; mourning the loss of what could have been.