Silver Heritage

Author Note: Am I Joanne Kathleen Rowling? Nope. It's not mine, then. This is the first chapter of the sequel to The Colours Trilogy - AGP Tales. It shows you the life of Andromeda Ginevra Potter from her birth to Hogwarts graduation. This kicks off on Ginny's 25th birthday, August 11th, 2006 - the day Luna's water breaks. At this point, Harry and Luna have been married for two months short of four years, Neville and Ginny for 3 years, and Ron and Hermione for six. Neville's doing odd jobs in Herbology now, although he's not teaching at Hogwarts yet, Ginny is a Harpies Chaser, Ron's an Auror with Harry with Department Head, Luna's writing for the Quibbler, and Hermione's trying to improve creature rights for the Ministry. The memory flashbacks aren't mine.

"Luna, love, hurry up! Molly'll have us slaughtered if we miss Ginny's party at the Burrow!" Harry called up the stairs. Luna sighed a bit, a rare grimace playing on her face. No-one dared mess with Molly Weasley in a good eight years since she'd laid the final blow to Bellatrix Lestrange. Then again, she, Ginny and Hermione had been trying to better Bellatrix just prior, so Luna was glad Molly had stepped in. Walking down the stairs, the former Ravenclaw felt light-headed, so she sat down on the sofa, breathing heavily. Harry walked over.

"Lu, c'mon. What's wrong?" he asked, seeing the slight sweat on her forehead.

"I think we might have to head to St. Mungo's." Luna said half-sarcastically, but there was urgency in her tone as well. "Oh. Really? But you're only.. never mind. Let's go." Harry spoke very fast, rushing out as much as he could. Finding Sirius' bike, he hoisted Luna onto the backseat. Ten minutes and they were travelling down to a wizarding version of the maternity ward. Harry being the Man-Who-Conquered, the couple got a private room. He made Floo Calls from the waiting room fireplace, and soon enough Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Neville were there. Hermione and Ginny stepped forward, hugging Luna the best they could from her wheelchair-bound position, whispering words of comfort, and Harry, Ron and Neville had weary smiles - they were uneasy with pain, but 'family' was 'family'.

Amazingly, it was a calm delivery. Apparently when the Healers had offered Luna a Calming Draught, she laughed off. Healer Harding walked into the waiting room - the five pacers were tense, but turned to face her. "Mr. Potter?" she asked. Harry looked her in the eye. "Nothing to worry about. In fact, everything's fine. You can come in." Harry walked in to find a grinning Luna, her hair slight dark blonde from labour, but unscathed. "So?" Harry asked, giving Luna the knowing look only she knew and shared with him. She winked. Harry punched the air. Luna took the newborn from Healer Harding.

"You know you can send the others in if you want." she breathed to Harry. "Guys." Harry whispered through a crack in the door. Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Neville got up and walked in. Hermione and Ginny got teary eyes and Ron and Neville smiled - Ron knew what Harry was feeling, as Hermione had just given birth to Rose a couple of months earlier.

"So, what are you going to name her?" Hermione asked. Harry and Luna's eyes were on Ginny. The redhead smiled a slightly cunning grin.

"Oh I know." she said.

"What?" Ron asked. Ginny's eyes sparkled.

"Andromeda Ginevra Potter." she remarked. Hermione, Ron and Neville made muttering noises, but Harry waved in a shushing gesture, pointing to Andromeda.

"We'll explain, but right now, Luna and I need a moment with Ginny." The others smiled. Hermione spoke a revelation as she walked out.

"Thirty-nine and a half weeks instead of the usual forty. Wow." Harry and Luna grinned in full.

"That's my moonbeam for you." Harry chuckled. Luna blushed and lightly slapped her husband. A moment's waiting and out of the legendary six it was only Harry, Luna and Ginny in the delivery room.

"So, you're fine with the middle name, Gin?" Harry asked. Ginny rolled her eyes and half-tackled him in a hug.

"I'll take that as a yes." Harry croaked out, massaging his neck.

"Remember when we promised that name?" Luna asked. Ginny grinned sheepishly. "Vaguely... didn't I scream your full name, try to hex Harry, but you shielded him, got hit instead, and he hexed me back?" she whispered, laughing.

"Anyway, Ginny, we remembered what we said that day. Andromeda gets your name as a middle one, and you're her godmother. Oh, sorry we couldn't make to your party." Harry conveyed. Ginny shook it off with a 'never mind'.

"Actually, now I come to think of it, we thought the best gift for you on your 25th birthday was your goddaughter." Harry mentioned. Ginny nearly gibbered with happiness. "I swear, I'll get a present for her. Is it fine if the others come back?" Ginny replied.

Harry nodded, taking Andromeda from Luna, his face ablaze with emotion as he held his daughter. "Hey." Ginny whispered through the crack of the door. Ron, Hermione and Neville returned.

"So, why did they call her Andromeda Ginevra?" Neville asked Ginny.

"They're just fulfilling an old promise. Ten years ago when I found out about Harry and Luna being an item, they calmed me down by promising me that their daughter's middle name would be Ginevra in my honour. And it fits because we share birthdays!" she uttered. Ginny quickly remembered something. "Oh, yeah. We're Andromeda's godparents." she quipped. Neville's eyes bulged and his jaw twitched for a second.

"Another part of the promise, Nev. What do you think that blazing look I gave you and Gin after your ceremony was for? Originally Ginny was godmother, but Harry and I couldn't be happier that you're our child's godparent as well." Luna laughed as she said this. Harry felt his child squirm in his arms as she opened her eyes for the first time. He saw Luna's silvery orbs gazing back at him. He ruffled the top of Andromeda's head, a slight fuzz of black hair. The others looked with emotion in their eyes. Both Harry and Luna's smiling faces looked as though a permanent Sticking Charm had been placed on their mouths.

Hermione chuckled quietly. "What Herm?" Harry asked.

"Well, its just, in the Muggle world the scientific abbreviation for the metal of silver is a.g." Harry and Luna shared a shocked look, then laughed.

"Appropriate." Ginny mumbled. Harry had a thought.

"Here you go, Aunt Ginny." Ginny let out a watery chuckle as Harry put Andromeda in her arms. "Hey, Andromeda. I know your loving parents will probably spoil you rotten, but I'll be the most caring godmother and faux-aunt there'll ever be." A day later when Andromeda was in the nursery, Ginny came up to Harry and put her arm around his shoulders. "Hey." he breathed, knowing it was Ginny from process of elimination quickly in his head. Hermione's sisterly touch was different. They both looked at the infant.

"She's something else, isn't she?" Ginny said. Harry snapped out of his daze.

"Yeah, she is. Trust good old Luna to feel literally no pain, even though she wasn't magically assisted." He laughed.

"Actually, I was just thinking." Ginny paused, a sentimental look in her eyes.

"Who does Andromeda look like more, you or Luna? Tough question, isn't it?" Ginny grinned. Harry thought about it.

"You're right. It is a tough question. She's got my hair, nose and cheekbones, but Luna's eyes, eyebrows and she'll probably have her mother's heavenly smile too." Ginny laughed when Harry said that - he could still act like a completely smitten third-year when it came to Luna, but their love was so pure Ginny didn't mind one jot.

"I know her middle name's for me, but what's with her first name?" she asked curiously. Harry thought back a decade in a flash and remembered why.

"It's because of Luna's mother, Andromeda. Yes, I know, its confusing that Luna's and Tonks' mothers' names are the same. I thought that too. But it's all Luna's doing. The day you two had that patronuses conversation and saw the horse, I doodled a sketch of that constellation and levitated it to the Ravenclaw table. Since that day I've always felt I should name my daughter that." Ginny punched him.

"You big softie!" Harry just realised something.

"God it's going to be confusing when Teddy comes over." he laughed. Harry got lost in a flood of memories - Tonks flying with him from Privet Drive, Remus packing at the end of third-year, Remus teaching Harry to conjure a Patronus, him smiling at Luna's Patronus when it was a doe for the first time - but a prod from Ginny brought him back.

"I got something from the gift shop. A Pygmy Puff. I told you I'd get a present." Harry groaned half-heartedly, remembering Arnold. Ginny read his mind.

"It's a novelty one. Not like Arnold at all. They flash a four-colour combination, each one in the shop was different. Go on, Harry. Stroke it from the right 'side of the head' to the right 'foot'!" Harry did so. The white Pygmy Puff changed entire body colour to red, gold, blue and bronze one after the other. Harry hugged Ginny.

"Thanks." he mumbled.

A second present arrived later, this time from Xenophilius, who apologised for his lateness - he thought the due date hadn't changed. Only Luna knew what the present was. "A pretend Snorkack." she muttered to Harry. He laughed, seeing Xeno's note attached. 'For Andromeda', only the whole thing was written in capitals, and the 'A's were circles enclosed by triangles with a line going down the middle. "You know that your mother and I played cloak, wand, stone to decide your name when you were born, Luna. She'd be proud of you. I see the second 'Meda has inherited her eyes." And with a wave, Xeno left and Apparated. Sunday dinner at Grimmauld Place was overjoyous, with the three couples sharing memories of their Hogwarts days, and drinking to the newborn's health - 'Meda and Rose were resting in their cribs. Harry's conversation with Ginny was proven as Teddy came along for his Sunday visit. The Metamorphagus' face lit up as he looked into the cribs, he changed his face, and in an instant his turquoise hair was black and his eyes silver. "I take it you want to hold your new cousin?" Luna said, grinning affectionately. She put 'Meda in Teddy's arms.

"Thanks, Aunt Luna." Teddy replied.

"She's called Andromeda." Harry said, biting back a laugh. Teddy looked at his grandmother. Harry shook his head.

"No. Wrong Andromeda, Ted. For Luna's mother." Teddy stiffened - he knew Luna's mother had died when Luna was nine.

"That's a wonderful tribute." he choked out, his hair subconsciously changing pink - his own salute to Tonks. Harry chuckled at this - Teddy really was caring and funny, but rebellious.

Harry was right - Andromeda Ginevra had got Luna's infectious smile. She'd been smiling when a bit of a shock happened. Looking back on it in retrospect it was funny, but she was just nearly five at the time. Lounging in her room she heard a sudden shout from her father. "Ginevra Molly Longbottom get in here NOW!" Andromeda was intrigued by the muffled tone, so she went down the stairs.

"What's going on?" she asked. Luna had been surprised by Harry's rage too and was in the living room, so she bent down to her daughter's level.

"'Meda, honey, I think it would be best if you play with Godrow." But Luna backed down a bit, because as much as Andromeda had her eyes, the youngster had somehow learned that 'firm' look that Harry's eyes got when he was persistent. A buzzing was heard and Ginny came tumbling out of the fireplace. She took one look at Harry, and laughed. Harry's throaty growl shut her up though. But he was covered in red and purple splotches from the neck up, despite the fact a few of them were bandaged - thank Luna's brief stint as a Healer. Harry mumbled something along the lines of "You knew tentacula were horrible, why in the name of Merlin..." but Ginny looked solemn as she declared "It was Neville's idea, and we thought you could control the stems."

Harry was about to fly into another rage, but his daughter's touch on his waist calmed down. "Yes, honey?" he asked - Andromeda really was like the teenage Luna at times, plagued with an innocent curiousity.

"Why did you shout Ginevra into the fireplace?". When Andromeda asked this, Ginny doubled over, wheezing her way over to one of the chairs. She beckoned Andromeda to sit on her lap. "Because it's the proper way to say Ginny." she chuckled. Andromeda's jaw dropped.

"I didn't know my middle name was a namesake!" she exclaimed - sure, she knew that her first name was a tribute to her grandmother, but she'd always wondered about her middle name. "I'm glad I've got your name Aunt Ginny." the five-year-old said, her eyes sparkling. Ginny ruffled her goddaughter's ebony hair.

"So am I, Puff." The duo chuckled - Harry and Luna never called their daughter 'Puff', only Ginny did. Andromeda figured it was because Ginny had gotten her Godrow the Pygmy Puff when she was born.

"Revenge is imminent." Harry scolded, waving his wand in front of Ginny. Ginny stared back - he'd obviously forgot about her Bat-Bogey Hexes. But she wormed out of it by shockingly using the trademark honey-toned voice.

"Is ickle Harry going to curse his best friend ten days before her 30th birthday?". Ginny just roared with laughter when she saw the Man-Who-Conquered's face. "Fifteen years, Gin. You're lucky Hermione isn't here. She'd make a big deal." Harry muttered.

Luna laughed. Fifteen years. Had it really been that long since Ginny had interrupted that calm moment in the Room?

"Why would Aunt 'Mione make a big deal?" Andromeda asked. Harry shook with mirth this time.

"Because Hermione was the only one who could set Ginny right when she was acting like a child! Oh, ow!" His anecdote stopped when Ginny pinched him, hard. But to save trouble, Luna cut in. "Don't be so hard on Ginny, Harry. She's basically the reason Andromeda's here." Harry's jaw dropped when he realised Luna was right.

"Accio Pensieve!" Ginny exclaimed, reading Luna's mind. The Pensieve landed with a CLUNK on the living room floor. As Harry was extracting memory, he could vaguely hear his daughter say "What do you mean 'Aunt Ginny's basically the reason I'm here'?" but by then he'd got the strand he needed, and poured it into a bottle, labelling it 'Love at First Sight', and tipped it in the Pensieve.

"Just grip my hand and copy me." Harry said to the five-year-old. She did so, and was swirling around until she felt wood. She was on the Hogwarts Express! Looking up, she saw Neville Longbottom. "Hi Harry" the memory Neville panted. "Hi Ginny... everywhere's full... I can't find a seat..." Harry, Ginny and Luna laughed.

"Goodness, he's changed from loveable goof to confident hero." Ginny said, but grimaced at what her memory self was about to say.

"What are you talking about? There's only Loony Lovegood in here-" Ginny suddenly felt a see-through stare on her. "Momentary slip-up, Puff. Your mother was and remains one of my closest friends."

"Hi, Luna. Is it OK if we take these seats?" the memory Ginny asked the younger Luna. "Watch your father as he looks at me right there." the present Luna told her daughter. The memory Harry looked at the past Luna - he smiled lopsidedly, showing he was on her wavelength. The memory Luna nodded. The present Harry laughed. "I've only had that look four times in my life. My heart was controlling my face then, not my brain. My brain was wondering other places at the time." He thought it would be best not to mention Cho Chang - after all, he hadn't spoken to her for thirteen years.

"What were the other times?" 'Meda asked.

"Well, you just saw the first. Second was when I kissed your mother for the first time, third was our wedding day, and fourth was when she told me you were coming along. Oh lord." Harry said, realising what the point the memory was at - his mouth was full of Stinksap and the compartment slid open. "Oh... hello, Harry. Um... bad time?" the memory Cho Chang asked. The present Ginny was full of fury, but the present Luna was smirking, her eyes giving Cho a see-through stare.

Harry whispered "I'll explain their reactions when you're older. It's to do with a stressful time - let's just say that Cho Chang got me to walk on metaphorical hot coals." Things fast-forwarded in the memory, and now the students were outside Hogsmeade Station. Luna had just handed Ron Pigwidgeon's cage.

"Here you are." she said. "He's a sweet little owl, isn't he?"

"Er.. yeah... he's all right" the past Ron said gruffly.

"Ron and Luna's bond was a bit strained at first." Harry mumbled.

"Shall we get in, then?" the past Ron said uncertainly, worriedly looking at Harry. "Yeah, go on..." the fifteen-year-old Harry said. "It's all right" the memory Luna said dreamily. "I can see them too. Don't worry. You're just as sane as I am." The thirty-one-year-old Harry pulled Andromeda out of the memory, laughing. The five-year-old almost drove Ginny down in a hug. "I can see why my parents named you my godmother. You stemmed their first meeting." she quipped. Ginny laughed.

"That, and overall they owe me big-time because of some Hogwarts memories. The day after you were born your dad and I talked about your appearance because I'd been wondering which parent you look like more." At Ginny's comment, Harry perked up. "It was a tricky question. Lu, what do you think?" he asked.

Luna thought about it and turned to her daughter. "Personally 'Meda, I think you look like both of us. You have Harry's thin face except for my eyes, eyebrows and smile. Your hair is a mixture - the black comes from Harry and so does the messiness on top, but the waves recall my hair, and the mix in lengths is how yours ends at your shoulders." Ginny's eyes sparkled.

"What's the eye-sparkle for?" Harry asked. Ginny gave him a sly look.

"I know what I'm getting Andromeda in ten days!" she guffawed. Luna led Andromeda into the kitchen to make dinner as Ginny whispered in Harry's ear. He laughed. "Go ahead, but you know I'll only give a trimmed-down reason." he muttered. Ginny squealed and Apparated. Luna came back after checking the dinner was going smoothly. "What was Ginny squealing about?" she asked. Harry laughed again. "Andromeda's birthday present, that's what, and if you're wondering-" he had seen the looks of desperation in Luna and Andromeda's faces "-I agreed not to tell. And no, no see-through stares will work.". Disparaging noises were heard. The faint sizzle from the kitchen showed dinner was done. "I decided to go continental." Luna beamed. Once she saw what it was, 'Meda did her best French accent.

"Are you wanting ze bouillabaisse?". Harry and Luna laughed their heads off.

"We'll have to tell Fleur you said that. I'll bet you ten Galleons she'll laugh." Harry said, chuckling. "Don't forget to add the extra Knut." Luna proclaimed. The three of them beamed at each other, knowing what the amount meant symbolically. The next Thursday the Burrow was buzzing with atmosphere over Ginny's 30th birthday party. Molly heard a knock on the door.

"HARRY!" she squealed, hugging him fiercely. Luna and 'Meda wore weary smiles as Molly hugged the daylights of them.

"I thought I'd make up for it this time." Harry explained to Molly. "After all, I wasn't here for Ginny's last milestone birthday." he said. Molly waved him off with a "never mind" and a "yes but you had a wonderful reason", gesturing at her 'granddaughter'. Andromeda blushed. The family quickly walked in. Cheers greeted them. Later, the guest of honour entered, her arm laced in Neville's. Ginny laughed when she heard a mock-pout. "Don't worry, Puff. I'll be around for your party later." she said, soothing her goddaughter. A sudden knock at the door and a throaty foreign voice. Ginny coughed heavily. "Phlegm..." Andromeda giggled. Ginny shushed her.

"Hey. That's our secret!"

After the upheaval of the Burrow, a quiet party ensued at Grimmauld Place. Harry's eyes lit up at his daughter's glee. He snickered when Ginny and Neville handed 'Meda their present. Luna's eyes widened. "Is that…" but Harry nodded.

"Yes. Not the one of course, but it is a replica." At Luna's wink, Ginny clued Andromeda in on the diadem, since she didn't know when she unwrapped it.

"It's representative of your parents' last adventure at Hogwarts. I know you like their school history and I've got a feeling you'll be a Ravenclaw so I got you that diadem. Believe me, you are just nothing but wonderfully witty. In time, you'll see how much of both your parents you have inside you. Definitely two-sided, like your mother."

Harry laughed, but Luna looked baffled. Ginny nudged Luna in the ribs. "Sorry, Lu. Blame my dad for that. It's an inside Muggle joke. And besides, you're not two-sided anyway. Want to take a journey to clue in these silver-eyed 'Claws, Harry?" Ginny questioned. Harry nodded, summoned his Muggle wallet, and took Ginny by Side-Along. Andromeda looked at her mother quizzically. Luna half-smiled.

"If I know your father, he's up to something dangerous yet exciting."

AN: All the memory dialogue from Phoenix comes from Chapter 10, 'Luna Lovegood'. When Harry was saying to Ginny how Luna's and Tonks' mothers' names are the same… like I explain in the Purple Trio AN, I had to name Luna's mother Andromeda, for astronomy reasons, so I thought I'd have characters point that out. And just what are Harry and Ginny up to in the last paragraph? It's understandable about Ginny's anger at Cho, even in viewing a memory - Cho stole her first guy. But why is Luna smirking? I'll leave you to ponder. If you think you've realised why, message me. Actually, if you think you've got any tongue-in-cheek jokes I've put in, say so. Like Godrow, or the ten Galleons and one Knut. There's more 'Meda action to come!