A/N
Dear readers, this is my second story about my two favourite characters Andromeda and Hermione. It will be focussed mainly on Andromeda, her thoughts, her present and her past. It will include flashbacks (the first in chapter three) that will be written in italic.
Disclaimer: Sadly I don't own the characters. They belong to the brilliant mind of J.K. Rowling.
"You should join me today," Harry called whilst getting dressed. He was frantically searching for his favourite pants in the huge wooden closet.
His clothes were scattered everywhere when Hermione entered the bedroom. Sighing she picked wrinkly t-shirts and pants up and threw them on the bed.
"Are you looking for those?" she asked with an amused tone as she picked up a pair of ragged jeans and dangled them in front of his face. He grabbed them smiling and continued: "She would really appreciate your company, Mione."
"So you two have been talking about me," she stated, ignoring her friend's request.
"If you must know, I may have accidentally told her that you are feeling a bit lonely these days."
She huffed and slumped down on the bed. This is exactly what she had been trying to avoid. Two days prior Hermione had told Harry that she felt a bit alone sometimes with just him and Ginny around. Although she enjoyed living with the couple, it just wasn't enough for her. They both didn't share most of her interests which is why she spent most of her nights reading alone in her room. Sure, the trio went out for drinks and met their Hogwarts friends but she wished for more than that. She needed someone to have heated discussions with, someone who challenged her.
She felt divided. On one hand, she really didn't want to bother the older witch with her seemingly insignificant problems, the woman had already too much on her plate. On the other hand, she knew from Harry that Andromeda was very well read and kind hearted and lonely these days. Plus, the witch's past intrigued Hermione and something had drawn her towards her ever since Remus' and Tonks' funeral. The way she had stood at their graves was still sending a shiver down her spine.
"You overthink this." He lay down next to her. "Come with me, play with Teddy, talk to her casually. You don't need to have an in-depth conversation about your favourite book and your awkward social life on your first meeting. What's holding you back?"
She threw a pillow at him and ignored his question, not sure, how she should even answer it. He was right, though, she should visit them. At least they finally stopped trying to set her up with Ron again. Still a bit reluctantly, she agreed to accompany him. "But let me freshen up first." He rolled his eyes at her.
The apparition point Harry chose was a two-minute walk from the small house away. It was situated just outside of London in the middle of a muggle neighbourhood. Hermione had only faint memories of the house, as she only spent a short time there when it served as a safe house for the Order. She remembered that the house was cosy and neat, displaying a variety of muggle and magical objects. The only things she memorised about Andromeda were that the older woman was a warm, impeccably dressed and calmer version of her older sister. She also remembered her to be a bit distant and slightly haughty but in no way arrogant. It was probably her regal upbringing.
When they reached the entrance to the small garden, Harry addressed her with a warning: "We've heavily warded the house and its surroundings. Let me go first to make sure they won't hurt you." He walked through the small wooden gate, cast a spell and then waved for her to join him.
The garden was well looked after. Hermione spotted various vegetables sprouting in neat patches and yellow flowers were surrounding the gravel walk up to the house. Hermione was sure they were daffodils, or in latin; narcissuses. The meaning behind it made her smile.
Harry rang the doorbell. No answer. He rang it a second time, a worried look forming on his face. "Andie, are you home?" he called into the house.
They finally heard a faint 'Coming!' from inside the house. When Andromeda opened, the older witch's cheeks were red and she was breathing heavily. Her chocolate brown curls hung dishevelled around her shoulders and down her back. She gently brushed them back against her ears.
Hermione looked at her in disbelief. That was certainly not how she remembered Tonks' mother. Andromeda was not only wearing a t-shirt, no, she was wearing a shabby 'Weird Sisters' t-shirt that screamed "Tonks". The black humour was blatant and Hermione had to cover her mouth with her hand to stifle her laugh. Andromeda followed the young woman's gaze and chuckled.
"I take it you like my shirt?" she asked amused and tugged at her shirt, looking at it. She then stepped away from the door and gestured for her guests to enter. She was pleasantly surprised to see Hermione Granger on her doorstep. Harry had told her he'd try to persuade her to come by, he hadn't had much hope, though.
"I'm sorry," she said, unable to keep the exhaustion off her voice. "I didn't hear the doorbell. Teddy is teething; the poor boy has been raging all night and all morning long."
Just as she had finished talking, they heard his desperate cries echoing down the hall. Andromeda took a deep breath and rolled her eyes.
"Here we go again. Please take a seat in the living room, Harry you know the way. I'll join you in a moment."
She turned on the spot and Hermione's eyes widened in disbelief again as the older witch jogged towards the staircase. Andromeda was wearing tight black jeans, her ebony wand securely stored in one of the back pockets.
Harry grabbed her arm. "Stop staring, Hermione!" he exclaimed and dragged her by her arm through the hall towards the sitting room.
