Written for the Christmas Advent Calendar (day 1—write about a countdown), the Christmas Character Challenge (write about a family), Amber's attic (wheel of fortune), Showtime (penny's song), Liza's Love (write about parents that are accepting), Jingle Bell Song Challenge (do they know it's christmas?), and the Muggle Music Assignment (task 2, john legend—winter wonderland).
...
Andromeda shivered in Ted's arms. The living room of the Tonks' house was hot, far warmer than the outside weather, but she was freezing down to her bones, the kind of chill you couldn't get rid off no matter how hard you tried.
"Dromeda?"
Andromeda turned to where Ted was sitting beside her on the sofa, peering up at her with a gentle look of concern.
"Yes?" Andromeda tried to keep her voice smooth but it cracked, coming out as more of a croak than a question. It was utterly unacceptable of a daughter of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Black, but then again—she wasn't one anymore. Less than an hour ago, she had walked out and there was no going back now.
"Come here, Dromeda," Ted coaxed, resting his chin on her shoulders. "It's Christmas, love, you need to get out of your head."
Andromeda shrugged, looking away. "I don't mean to intrude, I know you and your parents were going to celebrate together, and here I am, with problems nobody asked for or wanted me to bring into the house."
"Wrong." Mr and Mrs. Tonks had come in while Andromeda hadn't been paying attention and they stood side-by-side, their expressions so fond it made her want to close her eyes. She wasn't used to this—the generosity, the open affection. "Andromeda, you're always welcome here."
Andromeda nodded shakily. Tears clung to her eyelashes—she was an orphan, now, but she had this: Ted and his family full of warmth.
Suddenly, Mrs. Tonks was holding her too and Andromeda couldn't even say a word before the older woman said, "10."
Confused, Andromeda turned to Ted, who simply said, "9."
It went on like that: "8." Mr. Tonks' grin was mischievous; "7." Ted's arms tightened around her; Mrs. Tonks squeezed her arm. "6."
"5," was Ted, gloriously halfway to whatever was waiting her, and then it was blur of 4, 3, 2—
—1 was Ted's lips against hers, sweet like caramel, promising her she'd never ready this kind of loneliness ever again, and for a minute, Andromeda dared herself to believe in a brighter future where her dreams could come true.