January 2000 (Co-written by Adrien42)

The scent of healing potions wafted towards Andromeda as she entered the lobby of St. Mungo's. It was familiar - after countless hours working there, it felt like coming home.

Taking a calming breath, she grabbed an empty seat and tried to hide her anxiety. Despite her best efforts, her foot began a slow tap and the fine silver chain she wore around her neck made its way to her hands. She was lost in her thoughts until a soft voice jerked her from her daydream.

"Andromeda." The look of shock on Catalina's face was quickly replaced with a warm smile and proffered hand.

"Ca… Catalina" It took her a moment to break out of her stun before she accepted the younger witches hand. "I wasn't expecting to see you…" She looked to the floor. "I'm glad you're still in the profession after everything that's happened these past few years."

The other woman gave her hand a brief squeeze before releasing it. "It's good to see you too. Doubly so, as we could really use your experience here."

She swallowed. "Of course."

An awkward silence settled over the pair for a few moments until the younger managed to speak up. "Right then. We best get on with the interview."

Andromeda jerked her head in what could be interpreted as a nod. "Yes, yes. We should."

The healer gestured in the direction they were to head, and after a brief nervousness included collision, the witch was following her former apprentice through the maze of corridors that was St. Mungo's.

On the walk down to the office, she couldn't help but notice how familiar everything was. From the paint on the walls to the to the slight bitter smell, it had all stayed the same. It made the differences all the more noticeable. The healers walked with a heavier step, shadows lurked in every in corner, and a few forgotten signs still hung, proclaiming no treatment would be given to magic thieves or blood traitors. Whether by magic or muggle means, the war had left its stains, and Andromeda suspect they'd take years to clean properly.

A gentle hand on her shoulder woke the witch from her reverie. With a bit of care, she was ushered into an office and onto a couch. The door closed with a dull thud, footsteps echoed through the room, followed by the sound of something almost crashing and a stream of muttered curses. After a brief silence, Catalina joined her with a smile and pot of tea.

"Want some?" Andromeda hesitated. "Peppermint. It helps."

Nodding, she accepted the cup. In a breath, she cooled the steaming tea and took a sip. She felt its natural magic start working almost instantly, and the tightness in her chest she hadn't noticed building dissipated.

"Sorry I didn't warn you. We're still having trouble dissipating all the dark magic, and it can be a little overwhelming at first."

A wry smile appeared on her lips. "So I've noticed."

They sat there for a while, drinking tea and giving Andromeda time to recover. Unsurprisingly, it was Catalina who broke the silence. "So…"

She glared at her near-empty cup before speaking. "I miss working here. I adore my grandson, but I think I'm going mad if I have to stay home any longer. And with everyone… With everything that's happened, I need to help." She looked up from her cup and saw the younger witch offer a sympathetic smile.

"Nothing's changed then, you're still a workaholic." She appreciated Catalina's attempt to lighten the mood, but the darkness still lingered. Noticing this, the other pulled back towards the serious. "St. Mungo's would appreciate having you back. You were one of our best healers, and with then lingering magic, sorely needed. But are you sure?" She sighed and reached out to take one of Andromeda's hand in hers. "Like you said, with everything that's happened...The victims of war... It's hard to deal with, even when you're uninvolved. But in your situation..."

Pulling back, Andromeda cleared her throat. "Healing is my passion, the one thing I'm truly good at. I worked through the first war, I can deal with the aftermath of the second. Don't try to shield me."

"I… I didn't mean to belittle you. I know how capable you are." She looked away. "To be perfectly honest, despite our troubled past, I miss having you around."

Andromeda froze. "I had to quit."

The younger woman meant her eyes. "I know." Catalina reached for her hand, but then jerked back.

It was Andromeda's turn to look at the floor. Even though the thought of Catalina after all these years made her feel like a giddy school girl, she still felt for Ted - loved him. She looked at the younger witch. "I want to... but I can't. His... It still hurts so much." A tear escaped her eye.

Catalina gave her a kind smile. "I know you need time. I'm here when you're ready."

She shook her head. "Please, don't waste your life waiting for me."

"I've tried, Andie. But it's still you that I want." She stood and walked to the door. Before opening the door, she glanced back with a smirk on her face. "See you here Monday."

September 2001

Andromeda nestled further into her cushions and quilts, gently drawing her fingers over the wilted paper in her hands.

"Your life is yours to live."

One tiny sentence, without which she wouldn't've had the courage to cut the ties to her family and bare his name on her heart. It may not have been what inspired her to jump, but she couldn't have flown without it.

She smiled down at the letter, just holding it and all its memories. after a few minutes she sighed folded the letter, placing it in a box resting on the bed.

With a deep breath, she pulled out the next in the stack - dated September 25th, paper was still crisp and white and his handwriting impeccable compared to her own healer's scrawl. She skimmed his writing until she reached the last paragraph, and swallowed. She had found the letter in her drawer, a few nights after he had left to keep them safe. That night had been the first in which she'd cried herself to sleep.

"Whatever happens, I promise we'll meet again!"

"I'm a wizard, not a thief."

"Tomorrow. This night is ours."

Tears snuck out the corner of her eyes as she remembered their last bittersweet night together.

Lost in her thoughts, she didn't hear the door open and only noticing her tiny guest when he crawled on her bed and placed himself on her chest, crumbling Ted's letter in the process.

"Why you sad, Nana?" He gave her a toothy smile, clumsily wiping her cheeks."Shh. It'll be okay.

Andromeda looked down at Teddy for a moment before wrapping the boy up into a tight hug, only letting go when he started to squirm.

"Nana!"

"Sorry, sorry. It's- Thank you Teddy." Mustering a smile and slung her arm around the boy before sitting up.

"Of course Nana. Always. What were you doing?"

They sat for a moment as she wiped her eyes and pointed out the box to her left. "I've been reading letters from grandpa."

Without letting go of Teddy, she reached for an especially brittle piece of parchment and quickly skimmed it before reading it aloud.

'Jinx my broom again, and I'll incendio yours! Also thank you very much for wrecking my favourite jeans!'

"Why did you hex grandpa's broom?"

Andromeda snickered. She was still surprised that this letter hadn't been a howler. "Grandpa and I used to prank each other when we were in school. Sorry, bug, It's been such a long time I don't remember what he did that made me do it. But grandpa standing there in only his briefs? That must've been funny, don't you think?"

He nodded and smiled, before crawling towards the box.

He put it in his lap and shook it, eyes wide with excitement. "Another one!"

Andromeda nodded and held out her hand. He reached inside, rummaged a little then gave her a bright green post-it note.

'Good job ruining my evening!'

She snorted. "Oh, this story's brilliant! Do you want to hear it?"

He nodded, rubbed his eyes and snuggled up against her side.

"When your mummy was a little girl, I worked a lot so grandpa had to watch her. She had a lot of energy and even more when we'd given her something sweet. Just like you." She tapped his nose. "So when grandpa confessed that he wanted to put her to bed early so he could watch soccer with his mates, I 'accidentally' let slip where we hide our chocolate. The little mischief took it and ate it all." She stopped smiling at him as he snuggled closer to her and yawned. "She didn't fall asleep until after the game was over. Grandpa was so annoyed he wrote me that note. I found it on my pillow when I came home - honestly, I'm surprised it wasn't a howler."

"S'not at school?"

"No, I suppose it wasn't - Though it was mostly me doing the pranking after Hogwarts."

He stirred, yawned and sat up whilst rubbing his eyes. "I'm sleepy, Nana."

She carefully scooped him up in her arms, prepared to march to his room.

He pushed himself away from her chest to look her in the eye. "Can I sleep with you?"

It had been more than a year since he had last slept in her bed. Surprised, she nodded, got rid of the box and then placed him on the mattress before laying down next to him. She watched him until he was fast asleep before drifting off as well.

June 2002

Teddy wailed, grasping at the air. The floppy, worn out plush bunny, dangling in Harry's hand was his favourite toy. The young wizard wrinkled his nose at the rabbit and let it fall on the table in front of Andromeda.

"This needs to go."

The witch looked up, one eyebrow raised and a slight frown gracing her lips. She scratched the bunny's thread-bare tummy with her finger before heaving Teddy up into her lap. "Nymphadora bought it when he was just one week old."

Harry's cheeks reddened and he ducked his head in response. After a moment of mumbling he glanced around the house before staring at the stuffed animal again. "Bunny aside, don't you think he needs new toys? His things seem a bit… well, worn out."

She pursed her lips. "He's a small child. It's normal that things break and wear out."

"Uhm… Well…" He paused for a moment. "Andie, that's not quite what I meant…" When she looked at him he stared down at his hands. "Do you need money to buy him new toys?" He rushed the question out and his cheeks reddened further.

Andromeda chuckled but shook her head. "That's very kind of you Harry, but no. He doesn't need new toys, I just need to be a little more diligent with my wand.. We're fine, plus I can't possibly accept your money." She brushed some hair from Teddy's face and kissed his head.

"Technically, it's your money." He channeled his house and worked up the nerve to look up at her, but couldn't stop his hands from wringing.

She gave him another look. "What in Salazar's name are you talking about?"

"Sirius, he, um… He left me his money."

"Ah." She released squirming Teddy from her embrace and leant back in her chair.

"I feel bad they left you with nothing."

She shook her head. "Not nothing, Harry. Remember, I chose this life. I chose Ted over a life of wealth, status, and influence and haven't once regretted it." She clasped the bunny in her hand and cleared her throat. "Besides, Sirius left Nymphadora some money. He felt bad for us too, you're both such Gryffindors. The galleons are in Teddy's vault now. I certainly won't touch them."

Harry relaxed his grip on the cup. He had wanted to ask her for a while, but he could never quite find the time or the nerve. "Did you know him well? Sirius?"

"I left before he started Hogwarts and wasn't there for him when he needed a home." Harry's hopeful gaze made her fidget with the plush bunny. "I regret having missed out on his youth and not knowing him as a man. The last time I saw him was only a few months before he… Before the battle at the Ministry. As much as I loved him, I could never convince myself to visit while he was in pri… While he was in Azkaban."

Harry nodded, guilt washing over his face. "Did you think he did it?"

Andromeda sighed. "Part of me held on to the idea of him as a small, innocent boy. At the same time, part of me couldn't escape the fact of what our family was capable of. Either way I was glad when he escaped that hellhole."

Harry nodded and the pair sat in silence for a few moments.

He sighed. "I wish I would've had more time with him."

She reached out her hand and placed it on top of his. "Me too, Harry. I'm sorry I can't tell you more about him."

She looked at his sad face for a moment before reaching for her wand. "Accio photo albums!"

Three leader-clad books landed with a small thud in front of Andromeda. After reading the label on the back, she immediately sent two of them back. In the third, adorned with the Black family crest, she found what she was looking for.

Carefully, she peeled the picture from the album and handed it to Harry. It was of herself and Bellatrix, standing on a neatly trimmed lawn with Sirius between them, each of them holding one of his hands to stop him from running off.

"It's the only one I have of him. It's yours if you want it."

Harry nodded, his eyes trained on young Sirius, tears threatening to escape. "Thank you."

January 2003

Andromeda ran the ivory comb through her hair. It was the shortest it had ever been, barely touching her shoulders, shorter in the back than in the front. With a flick of her wand, she pulled it into a nice updo. Leaning closer to the mirror, she glared. Traitorous grey hairs intermingled in her dark mane.

Out of habit, she plucked some of them only to realise that it was of no use anymore. Frowning, she tugged and stretched the skin around her eyes and mouth. All the laughter and grief of the past five decades were plain to see. She grimaced, which only accentuated her wrinkles, and then laughed, falling back into her chair.

Looking into her dark eyes, she pictured herself as a teenager - young, rosy-cheeked and spirited but trapped in a life that wasn't hers.

As a child she had dreamed about the day her parents would introduce her to her future husband. When the day finally came, her bubble burst. Corbin, albeit easy on the eyes, was crude and plain and nothing like the man she had envisioned being with. That night she had cried herself to sleep. Her goals of becoming a trophy wife crashed down around her as the reality sunk in.

At sixteen, Ted Tonks stepped into her life with a big grin and an even bigger heart. Step by step he led her out of the darkness until she was safe in his arms.

She saw him now, their happiness and love and their marriage that should've lasted a lifetime. She closed her eyes and fought back the tears.

After a few breaths, she applied her lipstick. It was a rich burgundy, Ted's favourite colour on her. Trying and failing to stay in control, she was thankful when Teddy interrupted her.

He tugged at her sleeve. "You have to come down. Guests are here."

She pulled him up into her lap and looked at their reflection while running her fingers through his hair. Almost instantly, his hair morphed to match hers. She closed her eyes and inhaled his scent.

Fifty had come and nothing was as she had imagined it. Tears welled up again but the warmth of her grandson nestled against her chest kept them from falling.

April 2004

"It's rude to leave a party without saying goodbye. Doubly so when you're the one hosting it." Catalina joined her at the railing, setting down a glass of fire whisky in offer.

"You can't blame me. Too many bloody lovebirds crowding my living room. Ted and I were never like that." Andromeda huffed.

Catalina laughed and rolled her eyes. "No, no you weren't. It's hard to stomach, isn't it? Even harder when you're old and single. "She shot Andromeda a meaningful look and pushed the glass towards her. "Drink up! You need some liquid courage."

Andromeda snorted but took the glass nonetheless. After a moment of hesitation, she took a sip. The liquor burned the whole way down. She sighed. "They remind me of how fucking lonely I am." And laughed as a few traitor tears welled up.

The younger witch shot her a worried glance. "Do you still miss Ted?" Catalina's voice was strained.

It took Andromeda a moment to sort through her feelings. "I miss... Being with someone but not him specifically. At least in this context." Her cheeks flushed at the candour in her words. Afraid to find judgement or rejection in Catalina's eyes, Andromeda looked down at the pond below.

The younger witch let out a huff. "It's about time you moved on."

Surprised Andromeda meant her companion's eyes. Unfortunately, they told her nothing. With another deep breath and small sip she fortified herself. "Years ago you told me you'd be here when I'm ready. Did I let you wait for too long?"

Her hopeful gaze stayed focussed on Catalina but when the younger witch averted her gaze and got up without saying a word, her stomach turned. For several moments neither of them spoke. Andromeda's fingers got clammy.

After what felt like a lifetime, Catalina turned and sighed. "You silly woman, do you really not realise how much I still want you?" She let her chidings sink in, but couldn't help ending with a smile.

"Oh!" Andromeda's hand flew to her mouth as a small sob escaped her lips.

The younger witch was immediately by her side, cupped her cheek and gently ran her thumb over her wet cheeks and lips. She bent down, their breath mingling, their lips nearly touching.

They were still for a moment as if trying to preserve the feeling forever, but time marched on. Andromeda's left hand ghosted over the collar of Catalina's shirt and up to her neck as she pulled her closer. She shut her eyes and gasped when Catalina's lips finally met hers. The kiss was slow and soft and a promise for so much more.

March 2005

It was a small grey owl that delivered the letter. The wax seal was immediately recognisable - St. Mungo's. In her haste to open it, Andromeda nearly tore open the parchment.

"Yes!" Her grin spread cheek to cheek. Finally, her life's work, the countless hours she had spent on the job, were being recognised - St. Mungo's offered her the position of head healer. She summoned Ted's old ballpoint pen and a fresh piece of paper to begin composing her response. Of course she would accept, it was a great honour and a decent pay raise. Sure she'd have to work a few extra hours a day, but it'd be worth it. And it wasn't as if she hadn't worked the same hours when Nymphadora was growing up.

She froze.

All the missed quidditch games, lost family dinners, and never taken vacations sprang to mind. What she would give to make the trip to Hogwarts to see Nymphadora play, or to sit down and have tea with Ted's parents. With a clenched fist, Andromeda sighed and put down the pen.

She balled up the letter and vanished it before going to Teddy's room. She smiled at the door as the charmed quidditch players zipped up and down their pitch before quietly pushing it.

The room was only illuminated by the soft light coming from the constellations on his ceiling. His bed stood in the centre of the room, surrounded by numerous toys, arts and crafts, and discarded quidditch gear.

Cautious not to step on anything, she sat down at the foot of his bed and watched his chest slowly raising in falling. In his sleep, his hair shifted the rainbow. She swallowed the lump in her throat - he looked so much like his mother. She smiled down at him and reached out to tousle his hair.

After a few moments, she left the room as quietly as she had entered. Door handle still in hand, she leant back, ignoring the enraged calls of the quidditch players. Closing her eyes she took a deep breath.

"Are you alright, love?"

Catalina put her hand on her cheek and Andromeda held onto her wrist and sighed.

"Hmm? Yeah, St. Mungo's offered me head healer."

Catalina locked eyes with her for a moment before her lips curled up. "You won't do it."

Andromeda smiled wistfully and shook her head. "No. I can't repeat my mistakes. He deserves better."

June 2006

"Augh!" She crumpled the paper and threw in the sink. A quick 'incendio' and it was ashes. She clasped at the counter with one hand and slammed her palm against the smooth wood with the other. "The picture-perfect family!"

Hermione burst into the kitchen - Harry trailing behind - and extinguished the smoking paper. "Andie! What's name is going on?"

Expression blank, Andromeda sat back down and reached for a cookie. "Draco's getting married."

Hermione's eyes widened, she shot Harry a meaningful glance. "Did you know about that?"

The wizard shook his head. "Our conversations usually don't go further than the latest Quidditch match." Leaning against the counter, he summoned a cookie from the platter.

Andromeda pointed from one to the other. "You're both in touch with him?"

Hermione nodded sheepishly and sat down next to her. "Few years back, he wrote me. I burned the first two of his poor attempts at apologies but wrote back the third time. I've met with him a few times, actually. Wouldn't call him a friend, though."

Andromeda let that sink in before looking at Harry.

Swallowing the last bit of his third biscuit, he shrugged. "I see him at the Ministry from time of time. There aren't many friendly feelings between the two of us. I'm happy for him, though, Astoria seems to be a good match."

"Is she pureblood?" Andromeda leant back in her chair and took a slow sip from her coffee, her eyes never leaving Harry.

"A Greengrass," Harry answered.

The older witch snorted. "Of course! Narcissa wouldn't want her precious baby boy to marry a filthy Mu- Muggleborn." She flinched but quickly gathered herself and feigned innocence.

Hermione, despite having shot her a withering glance, kept her voice calm when she spoke. "I don't know much of what happened between you and your sister. And not that it is any of my business... But Draco… He told me she's changed quite a bit. For the better."

Andromeda's chest tightened and she took a deep breath before shaking her head. "I've got nothing to say to her. I don't even want to see her face." She looked down at the cup in her hands.

"I understand." Hermione reached for her hand and squeezed it.

For a moment, everyone was silent. Then Harry cleared his throat. "Don't you think you're missing out on tying together the remainders of your family?"

Andromeda's felt the blood drain from her face. Hermione's grip on her hand tightened.

The bravery he had mustered disappeared when Andromeda's eyes meant his. "I just… I thought, maybe… for Teddy…" he babbled before turning his head.

Andromeda sighed. "I know you mean well and yet I don't see the need of such a reunion."

Both her guests opened their mouths but closed it when she abruptly got up from the table. "I don't want to hear it. Narcissa has made it very clear that I am no sister of hers."

Her voice broke halfway through and she quickly turned towards the counter to hide the emotions that threatened to overwhelm her.

"Andie," Harry spoke softly and put his hand on her shoulder.

"Don't, Harry, please." Her voice trembled.

Harry gave her arm a little squeeze. "We're just outside if you need us."

She nodded but didn't turn around.

October 2007

Andromeda hung her raincoat on the hook, casting a quick drying charm to keep it from ruining the wooden floor. She was about to slip into their bedroom to change out of her uniform, when she heard Teddy and Catalina talking in the living room. She smirked, sneaking up to the door.

"Come sit with me for a moment," Catalina said.

The witch stopped and listened. Andromeda heard Catalina leaning back into the cushion, and the patter of Teddy's feet as he approached the couch. The small yelp that followed told her that the witch was tickling him before heaving him into her lap. Just like she always did. A proper smile tugged at her lips.

"You know I love you and Nana very much, right Teddy?"

The tremor in Catalina's voice made Andromeda's breath hitch.

"Yeah. You're my second nana!"

Catalina laughed. "That's right, love. You also know that I love spending time with you, right?"

Andromeda's eyes widened.

"Uh-huh," the nine-year-old answered.

Catalina exhaled. "Good... that's good. I don't want that to change."

Andromeda's stomach dropped and she put her hand in front of her mouth. She heard the rustling of Catalina's clothes as the witch paced the room but she didn't dare to look. She closed her eyes and counted to ten to calm her heartbeat.

"What would you say if we all moved in together?"

Catalina's soft voice and Teddy's excited cry echoed through the room but the only thing Andromeda heard was the blood rushing in her ears. She slid down to the floor and inhaled and exhaled until her stomach unclenched. Once she was feeling well enough, she stood and walked into the room.

Upon seeing Andromeda, Catalina's cheeks paled.

"You scared me there for a moment!" Andromeda said breathlessly. She gathered Catalina into her arms and held her tight.

After a moment, the young witch stepped back and looked at her while she cradled her face in both her hands and pressed a tender kiss to her forehead. "I'm sorry, I thought you were out. Move in with me - a new house.. A fresh start for all of us." She gestured around the room then put her hand on Andromeda's cheek again.

The elder witch enclosed her wrist with her fingers. Before she could answer, Teddy flung himself at her and slung his arms around her waist.

"Can we, Nana? Please?"

With her gaze holding onto Catalina's and her hand in his hair, Andromeda nodded. "Yes."

"Woo!" Teddy exclaimed and tugged at her shirt. "Can I have a bigger room? And…Oooh! Can we have a pool? Please, Nana? Please?" His cheeks were flushed and he rushed out the words. "Oh! I need to go pack!" He bolted out of the room.

Andromeda laughed heartily. "Easy there. We need to go through our old stuff first!" Despite her excitement, her voice held a tad of sadness.

"It will be good for us," Catalina said gently.

Andromeda looked up into her eyes and sighed. "I know."

May 2008

The Hogwarts courtyard was crowded making it difficult for Andromeda to led Teddy through the mob of witches and wizards. She spotted the Golden Trio and a few co-workers, but couldn't recall anyone else. She couldn't help but wonder who they'd lost.

After a few minutes of weaving through the crowd, she managed to find Catalina on the other side of the podium, engrossed in a heated discussion with a bunch of her Ravenclaw classmates.

She hadn't expected to see it as she approached, so when the marble statue came into sight, her breath caught. She tightened the hold on Teddy's hand once they stood in front of it.

For a moment, both of them just stared, but then - in a bought of courage possessed only by children - he let go of her hand and found Nymphadora's name. "There's mummy!" He turned and smiled at her.

Andromeda cleared her throat and crouched down beside him. "And there's daddy and grandad." Her voice became thick as she traced over their names. "Today we're here to honour them." She quickly looked down at the floor and let out a few breaths. When she meant his eyes again, worry was evident on his face.

She stroked his cheek. "Everything's fine, my love. I just miss them." Her throat closed up and despite her effort, her eyes began to water.

"Don't cry, Nana." His eyes were dark and wet like hers and his voice a pitch higher than usual.

This broke her, made her heart ache and her stomach turn. She sat down on the cold cobblestones and pulled him into her lap, one of his knees on either side of her thighs. He nuzzled his head against her neck and soon she felt his hot tears and wet cheeks on her skin.

They held each other tight. "I got you, my love. It's okay. Shh, it's okay," she whispered in his ear as she rocked them both.

She shook her head, her vision blurred and she swallowed a sob. Ten years and it hurt as if it were yesterday. Afraid the pain would never leave, she sat there, trying to comfort the both of them. With every one of his little sobs, however, her chest tightened and her throat constricted further until she couldn't bear it anymore. Luckily, she saw Catalina close by. She stood on wobbly legs, lifted Teddy up in her arms and walked towards her lover.

Catalina spotted her and approached with furrowed brows. She took the boy from Andromeda's arms, put him down on the floor and clasped his hand. He snuggled up to her and buried his face in her robes while she stroked his hair.

"Why don't you sit down, love? You look pale." Catalina whispered and reached for her arm.

Andromeda sniffed and rubbed her face. "Watch him, please? I… I have to go… I… n- need to breathe." She balled hands, knuckles white from the pressure.

Catalina grabbed her by the elbow and dragged her out of the crowd into a quiet, shielded passage. "Let's get you home."

"No, I... Nymphadora…" she looked away, fresh tears running down her cheeks.

Catalina studied her for a moment then wiped Andromeda's tears with a handkerchief. "Do you want company?"

Andromeda shook her head but before walking away, pressed a kiss on Teddy's forehead.

"Nana, wait!" Teddy yelled.

As much as it hurt, she didn't turn determined steps she strode towards the Black Lake, apparating as soon as she passed the wards.

It was a short walk from where she landed, but it seemed to take hours. The ground was muddy from a recent storm, and the wind kept pushing her back - the elements were fighting her. And while Andromeda was thankful for the extra time to prepare, she wouldn't let them stop her.

The moment she was in front of Nymphadora's grave, she slammed down to her knees and screamed.

September 2009

They had been lounging in the garden ever since lunch. Together, she, Cat, and the Potters had accompanied Teddy to Kings Cross Station for his first year at Hogwarts.

Andromeda drummed her fingers on the smooth, metal surface of the table in the garden, staring out at the darkening horizon. The chatter around her died as a small hawk owl landed on the backrest of an empty chair.

Ginny scooted closer to Andromeda. "We all know what's in that letter! I bet you he's a badger!"

Andromeda laughed as her heartbeat picked up pace. She couldn't help but recall Nymphadora's first day of school. The owl held out its leg and hooted disapprovingly as Andromeda hesitated. Harry reached out in her stead, helped the fidgeting bird, unfolding the parchment and handing it to her.

After another breath, she lifted it, her eyes narrowing to decipher the scrawl. She started to tear up a little as skimmed the letter, searching for little arrows or hidden messages like his mother used to do. However, this time there were none.

She let out a breath she didn't know she was holding, as she reached the bottom. When Andromeda glanced up, she was greeted by several expectant faces. With a shaking hand, she lifted her glass of fizzy lemonade. "To Hufflepuff!" Despite her effort, her voice sounded strained.

"To Hufflepuff!" her guests echoed before cheering and clinking their glasses.

Suddenly, she felt the cool breeze of the autumn chill deep in her bones. A shiver ran down her spine, she slung her arms around her waist and closed her eyes imagining the warmth Teddy was surrounded by. For a moment she dared to think back to her own years at Hogwarts and the clandestine hours she had spent in the Hufflepuff common room and dormitory. The cosiness and solace of the badger's sett, paired with Ted's love, had banished the darkness and burden that came with being a Black, a Slytherin. Lost in the memories, she didn't return to the world until she felt something draped around her shoulders. Opening her eyes, she found Ted's yellow and black scarf wrapped around her and Catalina returning to her spot on the bench. She gave a weak smile, twirling the wool between her fingers, focus drifting slowly back to her guests.

"I'll teach him to become the best Seeker the badgers have ever had!" Harry exclaimed in a loud voice.

Andromeda smiled at the prospect of another small quidditch player and took another sip of the bubbly beverage. Another shiver ran down her spine and she wished the lemonade were a cup of tea.

A warm hand on her arm took her out of her musings. "What were you thinking about?" Catalina asked, the weight of her hand pressing comfortably down on her forearm.

Andromeda's smile widened. "Hufflepuffs. With their radiating warmth and big hearts." She leant closer to Catalina and tucked her head against her shoulder. "I can't believe he's at Hogwarts now. Where did the time go?"

Ginny sighed heavily. "It feels only yesterday that I'd've been able to hold him with one arm."

Harry nodded and draped an arm around his wife's shoulders. "And now little Lily is already walking and talking."

Andromeda gave them a mellow smile and lifted her glass. "To our children!" She took a sip and only loud enough for Catalina to hear she added, "Wherever they may be."

Warnings for this chapter:

None