A/N: This was written for the The Golden Snitch's ANZAC Day prompt: write about a character waiting for a loved one during any war of your choosing. (House Mizu, Mahoutokoro)
For me, Andromeda Tonks is such a heartbreaking character. She gives up everything, and loses everyone. I imagine, of many, many terrible nights, the night of May 1, 1998-waiting for her daughter and son-in-law to come home from battle-had to be one of her worst.
The wooden chair rocked back and forth, back and forth.
Andromeda Tonks was tired. So very tired.
It wasn't the physical tiredness that comes from being around a newborn, although there was that. Teddy was an exhausting baby. Poor Nymphadora was still breastfeeding every two hours, and Teddy still hadn't quite figured out his days and nights. So Nymphadora could rest, Andromeda had offered to stay up with Teddy in the wee hours of the night.
No, Andromeda was tired in her soul. It had been just over four weeks since Potterwatch had announced the death of her darling Ted. T0 say that she was heartbroken was an understatement. Ted had been her everything, as she had given up everything to be with him. For him, she had renounced her inheritance, her family, and her pureblood heritage. For him, she had spit on the words of her family—Tojours Pur. For him, she had braved snide comments in Diagon Alley and pitying looks of those who would still deign to talk to her.
She thought back to those early days, when he would hold her while she cried. She didn't miss her family's hateful rhetoric, but she mourned the loss of her sisters, who she loved, and the parents she'd once thought loved her. And later, when they'd had their precious Nymphadora, he'd whispered words of affection, of how she had brought honor to the House of Tonks, of how he desperately wished that their daughter would take after their mother, who had the bravery of a Gryffindor, the cunning of a Slytherin, the wisdom of a Ravenclaw, and the giant, warm heart of a Hufflepuff.
But Ted was gone, murdered by the very people her family supported. She wondered if Bella had a hand in his death.
And she rocked her grandson back and forth, back forth, and she cried.
It was late. And poor Teddy was so hungry. She'd used the last bottle that Nymphadora had left, and she hoped her daughter would be back soon. Nymphadora and Remus had practically flown from the house when they received Kingsley's patronus. "We'll be back when it's all over," her daughter had told her, hugging her tightly. "Keep him safe. I love you."
Andromeda hadn't wanted to let go.
She firmly believed the news of Ted's death had sent Nymphadora into labor, just as the news of the Prewett twins death had sent Molly Weasley into labor all those years ago. Twin deaths, twin births.
A life for a life, Andromeda thought, gazing down at her grandson. His hair was midnight blue, and his small mouth was slightly open as he dozed on her chest. She closed her eyes and listened to him breath, felt the rise of his small chest on her breast, felt the joy of her grand baby start the long, arduous process of mending her fractured heart.
Ted was gone. She would never again see his smile, feel his touch, wake up to his kiss. And the loss of him ached deep within her.
But Teddy was here.
And soon Remus and Nymphadora would be back, perhaps a bit worse for the wear. But they would be home, the war would be over, and Andromeda would find peace with her beautiful daughter, her strong son-in-law, and her precious Teddy.
The war had already taken so much. She was ready to be with her family and to start healing.
She rested her eyes. She was so, so tired. But it will be a bit better in the morning, she thought to herself. It had to be.
And the wooden chair rocked back and forth, back and forth.