I know I've said before that angst gets me depressed. This is angst, but in a good way. Andromeda uses it as a way to move on with her life, and find motivation to keep going.

Disclaimer: JK Rowling is the genius. Do I look like a multi-billionaire with endless ideas? I didn't think so.

December 17, 1968

I'm just an empty shell now. A walking and talking zombie. It's all dark - there seems to be endless night, no light at the end of the tunnel, if there may be an end. I keep walking in darkness. but why? Why do I still keep going? Sometimes I wonder if there's anything left to live for. But there IS. It's out there, somewhere. It's cliche, I know, but it's the truth. Despite the fact I KNOW there is a reason for my existence, for my being here, it eats away at me from the inside. Little by little, I am crumbling apart internally. Eventually, it will destroy me. Not quickly like a toothpick tower would collapse if its support was yanked out. Slowly and painfully, it will kill me, little by little.

Andromeda's eyes watered once again as she reread her diary entry on what would have been Bella's 60th birthday. She remembered the day she wrote it clearer than anything. It was the day her family bonds were ripped, torn apart. It was the day her family truly became part of the Dark Side. The day Cissy declared her loyalty to her husband, Lucius, his ideals, values, and whatever he attempted in life. The day Lucius was branded with the Dark Mark. The day she lost Bella to the Dark Lord. The day she decided to run away from home.

Her life became much brighter after that. She met Ted, got married, had a beautiful daughter. She watched Dora grow up with a fiery, motherly passion. That was her drive, her motivation to live, she found out. For Ted's and Dora's sake. When Dora became an auror, Andromeda remembered sitting in her room, crying for days, worrying about what would become of her once she started fighting the Dark Lord, and what would happen if she ever had to face a Death Eater, alone, and worse: if that Death Eater was Bella.

Inside, Andromeda knew some part of her still loved Bella and Cissy. A small childhood connection that she couldn't let go of. As much as Bella had shown a desire for evil when she was still a girl, and Cissy showed a certain weakness and couldn't stand up by herself, Andromeda knew for certain that if something happened to her, Bella and Cissy would be there. Dora was lucky - she could fight Bella or Cissy with just a vengeance for justice. But if Andromeda had to face her sisters, she knew it would be disaster.

The day Dora and Remus were married was one of the happiest in Andromeda's life. She knew Dora would be happy and cared for, and there would be another person to watch after her. They day Teddy was born made Andromeda want to faint. She looked into Remus' and Dora's face and saw there the same expression she and Ted gave Dora. It was love. It was a powerful thing, more than the Avada Kedavra spell could ever be. It was this scene that kept her going after she found out Ted was killed. Her grief almost took her over for the days after the announcement on Potterwatch. Andromeda was strong, tougher than many men could ever be. But she still crumbled, and when she did, Ted was there. And now, she was on her own. But she had to keep going. For Dora's and Remus' sake, and most of all, for Teddy's future.

The Battle of Hogwarts was the most devastating day of her life. Her daughter, her pride and joy, was killed. By her own sister. But Andromeda still could not bring herself to hate Bella. She knew she had the right to. Everyone did. But she couldn't. In a way, she was grateful to Molly for getting rid of one of society's greatest dangers, but part of her still wondered. What would Bella have done if she had survived? Could she feel remorse and become the person she was before, the one Andromeda knew and loved?

Andromeda wanted to collapse the second she saw Dora's body. It was resting next to her husband's, both faces looking serene and peaceful. It was surreal. Mothers weren't supposed to outlive their daughters, especially vivacious daughters with so much life and spirit in them like Dora is. Was. Andromeda couldn't bring herself to say it. She broke down on top of Dora's limp body, crying miserably. She lay there for minutes, hours, until a hand gently squeezed her shoulder. Andromeda thought it was Molly until she turned around and stared at a sad, pale face, creased with worry but still as beautiful and delicate as porcelain. Cissy. They stared for a long time, until Andromeda broke down again and threw herself into Narcissa's arms. The two sisters stood there, holding each other and crying. They walked over to where Bella was, a surprised expression still etched on her face. Cissy gently pulled the strands of midnight-black hair out of her unseeing eyes and Andromeda kissed her forehead. They watched as the sun set, and Bella's body was buried.

The years after Voldemort died brought an age of peace over the Wizarding Community, and into Andromeda's heart and mind. Andromeda watched as Teddy grew up, bright and cheerful just like his mom, but as wise and cautious as his dad. He grew up without his parents, but seemed to understand why they weren't there. He was understanding, and loved his grandma more than anything. Except maybe Victoire or Aunt Cissy. Narcissa and Andromeda reconciled, but nothing could fill the gap that their years apart had formed. Andromeda came to terms with the person Bella had become, and Bella never felt the same way about her as she did. But Andromeda couldn't help but hope that, deep inside, Bella still had a heart to the end even if she had forgotten how to use it.

Awwwwww, poor Andromeda. I can't bring myself to hate Bella either, because I didn't know what she was like when she was younger. Maybe she would have turned out differently with different parents.

But what did you think? Reviews are the source of my happiness!

~ZeeZee