Sing All Our Cares Away
Here is another short scene that popped into my head. This chapter is a quasi-continuation of the first one. It's a prequel kind of thing. There isn't a pairing in this story because it's not about Harry's love life, or anyone's really, it's a story of the little moments in the stories. Enjoy
Andromeda Tonks had done everything right.
She had left her family in order to be with the man she loved. She'd been a loving wife, a devoted mother, and even with her family bribing people, she'd managed to become a rising star at St. Mungo's, now in charge of her own ward.
She'd done everything right, damn it.
It was a month after the Battle. Teddy was crying for food, Andromeda was crying for his mother.
It wasn't supposed to be like this.
She'd been so proud the day her daughter was accepted into the Auror training program. She and Ted had taken the money they had been saving as a graduation gift and spent it on a dragonskin wand holster and a set of dueling manuals. Nymphadora had hugged them both tightly. She'd wanted nothing more than to make their world a better place, a safer one.
Andromeda hadn't approved of her choice in men. Charlie Weasley had been fine if a bit obsessed with dragons, but Remus had annoyed her greatly. He was too old, too caught up in feeling sorry for himself, and Andromeda had been worried that he wouldn't be a good husband.
She'd been proven right when Remus had abandoned his wife and unborn child.
She really wished Ted was still here. Ted would at least be able to share her pain if not remove it. He would love being able to meet his grandson and namesake.
She picked up the screaming baby and began to cuddle him. "Come on love, let's get you a bottle," Andromeda said quietly as she walked out of the room and down the stairs.
Harry was at the kitchen table preparing breakfast for both of them. He turned and greeted her, "Good morning, his bottle is on the counter." Harry had been staying with Andromeda and Teddy since leaving Hogwarts after the Battle. He was Teddy's godfather and he had promised to be a part of the little boy's life.
Harry was a blessing to the woman, without him she doubted that she'd have made it this far.
She gave Teddy the bottle and looked over the child to Harry, "Will you be going to the Ministry today?" She asked him.
He nodded, "For a few hours to let him parade me in front of the ICW. Then I'll be back." Harry hated this part. Kingsley had offered him a job with the Ministry ostensibly to work for the DMLE. However, his job had ended up being nothing more than acting like a famous face. He felt trapped and she knew that.
She felt the same way.
When Harry came home that night Teddy was sleeping peacefully, but Andromeda was in Ted's office crying. She had opened his desk for the first time since he'd left. On the desk was a stack of papers she'd pulled from the drawer.
"Andi, are you alright?" Harry asked, walking over to her side.
She motioned helplessly at the papers, "Ted hid a letter to me." She sobbed softly as Harry looked at it. This is the hardest thing I've ever written Drom. I'm not coming home. I'm muggleborn, which means I'm a danger to my family. Maybe if it was just us, we could face it together. But Dora has her baby to worry about. The best thing I can do right now is to leave, that way if they find me they won't also find you. I want you to know I don't regret a moment of our lives together. You gave me everything, hopefully by distracting them, I can keep them from coming after you. Love forever, Ted.
All Harry could do was hold the woman. Andromeda cried against him, "That stupid, stupid man." She said in a ragged whisper.
Harry did his best to comfort her. The truth was, he would have done the same thing in Ted's shoes.
