I own nothing. All characters belong to J.K. Rowling
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This portkey deposited her in the exact same stop she had landed in not a week before. There was no one waiting in the entranceway for her this time though, nothing but the cold and empty echo of her own footsteps as she walked towards the room she was sure they were waiting for her. The portraits were all staring again, seeming more apologetic this time than before so she left them be, not even giving her usual glare in response. Andromeda knew she would need all the strength she had left in her to get through the argument that was waiting for her beyond the doors of the study. As soon as she was in reach of them, she squeaked open the doors the smallest possible amount and slipped through the space made. Mr Pucey stood alone in the room, a glass with amber liquid in one hand while the other held tightly to the mantle of the fireplace.
"Hello," she called softly and watched as his grip on the fireplace tightened, his knuckles turning a stark white against his skin, and then released before he turned to look at her.
"Andromeda," he replied nodding his head to the rich green sofa on her right. Scurrying forward she wasted no time and almost flung herself into the comfort it offered, watching as Mr Pucey repeated the process at a slower pace. "He is still here, Draco I mean. Blaise had asked if he could stay for several days before the incident at dinner and I did not see fit to revoke my acceptance," he sighed as he lifted his non-glass holding hand to rub over his face. Andromeda thought that it was the most human she had ever seen him look.
"That's okay. It wasn't anything to do with him personally, not really. It was about me," she finished as a blush crept over her cheek.
"Will you tell me what happened? I-We were all concerned," the wizard declared. She had not missed the 'I' that he had tried to score out however and that gave her a slight glow in her chest. Maybe he did not loath her as she'd thought, maybe she was jumping to conclusions. He was clearly a hard man but then no matter his personality she was sure the world would have made him that way regardless. Raising a son on his own after the death of his wife and feeling like he had to give away his daughter in order to keep her safe from the world he inhabited, it sounded almost like a nightmare to the young witch.
Silence fell better the pair only interrupted by the clinking of the ice in the glass across from her as Andromeda pondered just how to answer that question. In her haste not be appear even more cowardly to these people she had not stopped to consider what explanation she would give them. 'I saw too much, felt too much during the war, and may possibly be going a little bit mad' didn't seem like the kind of answer she was willing to give. "The war," she finally settled on as an opener. The man opposite her tensed immediately. She worked hard to kept her voice calm, not accusing or vicious, just curious. "You say you were not a real Death Eater. Does that mean you didn't see the things they do? Didn't go to the meetings, or participate in the raids?"
"Two meetings were all I was ever required to attend."
"You understand then, at least a little. I know what happened at those meetings, the torture and death. Ever since my first year I've been involved in dirty and dark things that I really had no place in. I know that, I know I'm young and was just a child when I started fighting against Voldemort and the Death Eaters. I've seen things you wouldn't believe, things I'm not even sure I believe sometimes. You went to two meetings, I spent six years helping my best friend survive against everything that wanted to kill him. You went to two meetings, I spent five weeks running from the combined forces of the Death Eaters, me, Harry and Ron. That month that you so wanted to know about before, well it was spent fighting, hiding, searching, fighting. I won't tell you about the details, we promised we never would, but I can tell you that it wasn't good. I saw things I sometimes can't ignore and while most of the time the fact that not two months ago I was being tortured in the middle of a muggle street is something I can forget, it wasn't today," Andromeda ended with a shrug that didn't even convince her of its authenticity.
"Tortured?" came the only reply. The normally light eyes of the man in front of her now seemed almost black.
"Yes. I don't want to talk about it, please don't ask for details. You know who I was, know at least some of the things I've done. I was at the Final Battle and some people seem to think that was all that there was," she said with a shake of her head. "It wasn't, there was more. A lot more it just wasn't loud and bright and out there for everyone to see. It was my choice to be there for it all and I don't regret that one bit. I'm alive, both my boys are alive and we won."
"I'm not quite sure what to say now Andromeda. This has given me more of an understanding of you but I still do not understand what caused your reaction this evening."
"That was caused by a lot of things," she sighed. She wasn't sure how to explain this without making it sound like it was his fault, because it wasn't and even she could see the stirrings of guilt in the man. "I, as Hermione Granger have a history with Malfoy. We've never gotten along, him calling me a Mudblood and I even punched him in the face once," she laughed. Looking up she could see Mr Pucey was laughing quietly too. It was a nice momentary break from the tension. "Not one of my finer moments I suppose. Seeing him here after what I know he did at Hogwarts, seeing the Mark when he was eating dinner and not being sure if I could trust you or Blaise or even Adrian was all just too much. This is the first time in years I've been away from Harry and Ron, since we were twelve when I stopped spending the summers with my muggle family and that's having more of an effect on me than I'd wanted to admit."
"You thought I would hurt you? That Adrian wouldn't protect you," the man uttered in a broken voice. "I know things have not been the best but I would never, ever hurt you Andromeda. You are my child, my precious daughter." His face was a portrait of agony and a desperate desire for the witch before him to understand and believe the words he had said.
"I know that. Sitting here now I have no doubts that you would keep me safe but on some level that Mark on your skin means something to me and as much as I try to ignore it, it is still there. We both had lives before this week and ignoring those lives isn't helping bring us together," she sniffed.
"No, no I suppose it isn't," he mused. He looked at her then, really looked one of those soul searching looks and she resisted the urge to turn away from him. As much as she might deny it she wanted to know this man, wanted to think of him as a father and not as the cold aloof Mr Pucey. "Perhaps we should try again Andromeda, both endeavouring to be more open with the other. I do not wish to fight with you and squash your spirit. That is something I do not think I could be forgiven for."
"We'll try again then," Andromeda smiled, "and I am sorry. I didn't mean to be rude to your guest."
"It is alright," he assured her. "Even I can understand that rudeness can be forgiven in some circumstances. Will you apologise to Draco? He was most upset by your fear of us, as was your brother and Blaise." She readily agreed to that, adding that she would apologise to Adrian and Blaise as well. "Very well. It is late, we should both retire now. Mr Malfoy is in the guest suite next to Mr Zabini and shall not be leaving his rooms until morning," he finished with a smile towards his daughter.
With that last dose of information allowing her to breathe even easier she quickly rose, bid Mr Pucey good night and hurried to her room wanting only to fall into her soft, warm bed. Once there however, she was greeted by a frantic Adrian.
"Andromeda! Are you alright? You came back! I can't believe you came back. What happened?" Adrian spat out the questions rapid fire, rising from his seat on the edge of her bed and lunging towards her.
Allowing herself to be pulled into a comforting hug she silently berated herself for ever thinking that this boy, her brother wouldn't protect her. "I'm fine Adrian, sorry for worrying you but fine otherwise. And of course I came back," she added as she disentangled herself from him.
"I wasn't sure you would. Blaise was but I just didn't know," he told her as he rubbed his hands over his face in a gesture so similar to that of the father not half an hour before. Grabbing her hand he pulled his over to her bed, sitting on the edge and getting her to do the same. "What happened 'Dromeda? You looked so scared."
"I was just being silly. Seeing Malfoy here, all the pressure of everything that's happened this last week...it was just all too much and I panicked. I don't want to dish out the horrible details Adrian but I'm fine now. I went to see Harry and Ron and the rest of the Order and they calmed me down. Then I came back," she finished crawling up the bed to lie down and stare at the ceiling. Patting the space beside her she turned and smiled at her brother urging him to take the space beside her.
"If you ever want to talk I'm here for you," Adrian promised as he kissed her cheek before lying down along her right side. "I've never seen Dad or Blaise so ruffled before," he added and Andromeda could hear the smile in his voice.
"Boy I wish I'd been in my right mind to see it," she laughed turning to face him. "God I hate these robes," she complained as they twisted around her legs, "I miss jeans."
"They did look mighty impressive as the fluttered around you when you fell out of your chair," he joked causing them both to curl up with their laughter. Andromeda knew she'd been right to come back then, Adrian was a reason all by himself. They talked softly for awhile before they both started to drift off to sleep, each one finding comfort in the solid presence of someone lying next to them. Andromeda woke a few times throughout the night, either nightmares or the sounds of the Manor jostling her from sleep, but each time she saw her brother lying between her and the door and fell back to sleep.
When she woke in the morning it was to find herself curled tightly against the side of her brother with his arm resting on her side and the other under her head.
"I see sleeping beauty is finally awake," he drawled as Andromeda rolled away from him.
"Um...what time is it?"
"Just after seven, still early. I'll go and get ready then come back and get you so we can go to breakfast together. Alright?"
"Yeah course," she mumbled in reply before throwing her legs over the other side of the bed and rolling out. "I'll just go for a shower and then wait for you." Standing in the shower letting the water pound down her back, she went over the events of the night before. While the dinner had been an unmitigated disaster, her return had gone so much better than she had expected. Between the calm and understanding Mr Pucey had shown and then being able to be with Adrian like she would be with her friends it had all turned out alright in the end. She still felt the sting of betrayal that neither of them or Blaise had thought to tell her who was coming to dinner but she combated it with the knowledge that she had hardly been open with them either. Things weren't perfect, no were near it but she didn't want to give up and lose the two Pucey men yet. Now she had to face Blaise and Malfoy, sit with them at that same table and watch them look at her as if she was a lunatic. Andromeda wondered if someone would have told Malfoy who she was now in a bid for him to understand her behaviour, but somehow she doubted it. That twinkle she'd seen in Blaise's eye before he had introduced her to Malfoy told her he was enjoying knowing something his friend didn't and she was sure his Slytherin nature wouldn't allow him to just throw away the advantage like that. Deciding she had spent enough time musing on last night she quickly finished her shower, spelled her hair dry and dressed in the outfit she picked from the closet. Sthenelus was just beginning to receive some much desired attention from the witch when a knock came to the door and Adrian stuck his head in telling her it was time to head down.
"Has the routine always been like this? Always so strict I mean," she asked as they started the journey to the dining room. It was rather inconvenient having both of their bedrooms so far away from the main areas of the Manor, it made for a long walk at least four times a day.
"Since I was old enough to go to the dining room, so basically as long as I can remember. You get used to it, I like it now actually. It's twice a day when I know that I'm going to see Father and now you as well," he smiled. Andromeda returned his smile even though her own thoughts about the enforced meals were much different.
"Why are they here, Blaise and Malfoy I mean?"
"They always spend most of the summer here, have since they were old enough to walk," Adrian answered. "Mrs Zabini was friends with our mother and they were greatly alike, both enjoying travel and going to spas and such. By the time Blaise was five he'd probably been left with his families elves for the majority of his life so Father suggested to his mother that when she went away, Blaise come and stay here with us. Draco well...,"he paused looking down at her with a serious expression. "He and Blaise have always been close ever since I have known them and when Blaise started coming over to stay Draco used to come and visit him. Later he would stay for longer sometimes for the whole time that Blaise was here, with Fathers permission of course."
"But why?," she pushed not understanding the reason Malfoy would come and stay here.
"To get away from Mr Malfoy I think, though I haven't ever asked him directly. He would come, be subdued and withdrawn for the first few days and then he would be fine. I never felt it was my place to pry," he finished as they came within sight of the dining room. "I know you did not get along with him and that he was very cruel to you while at school," he said flushing as the words left his mouth. It was then that Andromeda remembered that he had been there, standing amongst the gathered Slytherin quidditch team when Malfoy had called her a Mudblood the first time. "But try and remember that things aren't always what they seem to be," he advised placing a hand on the small of her back and pushing her ahead of him into the room.
They were the first to arrive, which she was rather thankful for as her brothers comments had left her feeling more confused, and easily slide into the same seats they had occupied last night.
"What are your plans for the day?," she asked as she dished up a breakfast of omelette and grapefruit. Since she had arrived at the Manor her eating habits had slipped, only have picking at her breakfast and dinner while ignoring lunch completely, and she had decided that she would have to make more of an effort.
"I was going to be going into the offices with Father, but decided that I would stay here with you today."
"Don't be silly Adrian," she scolded. "I'll be fine, you carry on with what you had planned. I'm sure you'll be missed if you don't go."
"That he would be," Mr Pucey called as walked towards the table having entered the room moments before. "Not that I would want him to come if you required his presence today Andromeda," he added slipping into his seat and giving her a genuine smile.
"Honestly, I will be fine. Besides," she added with a smirk," I could take them both anyway." Nodded but still smiling Mr Pucey agreed, declaring he was sure she could. "I had thought I might spend the day in the library again, I said to Abe I would go back and read him more of the current books on dragons."
"Abe?" Looking towards Adrian she saw he looked just as confused as to who she was referring to.
"One of the portraits. Abbott Pucey I'm sure his name was, told me to call him Abe."
"You're making friends with the portraits," Adrian stated although it sounded like a question.
"Well he made friends me with if you want to be technical, but yes. All the portraits stare at me constantly and Abe is the only one who didn't try and pretend he hadn't been ogling me. And he spoke to me," she added. "He seems nice, reminds me of Charlie."
"Charlie? A friend I presume," Mr Pucey spoke broken into her musing. Andromeda looked up to see his face pinched but he seemed to be trying to control his reaction.
"Yes a friend, a Weasley, I've known him since the year of the Quidditch World Cup. He is Ron's second oldest brother so we were never overly close," she assured him. Any response that the man might have been about to give was cut off by the doors to the room opening and the tall forms of Blaise and Malfoy striding in. Both of their gazes sought out Andromeda, Blaise seeming concerned and Malfoy had an expression on his face she couldn't decipher, and while Blaise quickly looked away she continued to feel the hot pressure of Malfoy's stormy eyes on her as she looked back down at her plate.
"Morning gentlemen, did you sleep well? Come sit," Mr Pucey's cheery voice said. It was the first time Andromeda had ever heard him sound anything close to cheery and she wondered what it was that had him concerned enough to try and lighten the atmosphere, she would like to think he was concern for her.
"Yes thank you," both boys answered as they moved to take the same seats as yesterday. She could still feel those eyes on her but was determined not to let them rile her. Letting the conversation flow over her listening with a half ear, picking on Blaise and Malfoy planned on playing a game of Seeker vs. Seeker in the full sized pitch behind the Manor, Andromeda continued to eat her breakfast while steadfastly ignoring the eyes trained on her. Her Gryffindor nature wouldn't let her ignore what she took as a challenge for too long though, causing her to snap her head up quickly during a break in chatter so as to catch the Malfoy heir in the act.
"Good Morning Miss Pucey," he said looking her straight in the eye. There was not one trace of embarrassment or apology at having been caught staring at her and he just seemed to be waiting expectantly for her reply. Everyone seemed to be waiting for her reply actually.
"Morning Mr Malfoy. I trust you are enjoying your breakfast after the disruption to dinner last night," she responded with a quirked brow.
"Please call me Draco," Malfoy answered immediately still with those intense eyes. "Breakfast is lovely thank you, much, much more enjoyable now that I can see you are no longer in distress Miss Pucey."
"For us all," Blaise interrupted. "You are welcome to join us out on the pitch today if you'd like Andromeda," he offered with a far too smug smirk. Instead of answering Andromeda digested the reactions of the men around the table. Her brother beside her had stiffened as soon as the offer had left Blaise's lips which she interpreted as concern that the request would make her uncomfortable, which it didn't she knew he had only asked knowing she would refuse and it seemed he was also hoping for a reaction out of those at the table. Mr Pucey was just shaking his head lightly with his usual smirk plastered across his face. Malfoy, well he seemed to be doing an impressive imitation of his namesake, his nose flaring and hot breathes panting from his mouth. He was still staring at her but not his gaze would flick to the boy sitting next to him as well and the look in his eyes when they landed on Blaise was a lot harder than when they rested on her. Andromeda was rather confused by the whole thing and swiftly reminded that these were Slytherins and there were likely silent conversations and gestures which she, as a Gryffindor was missing entirely. Not knowing things was not something she enjoyed at all and she resolved to learn quickly, she was sure she would have ample opportunity to observe over the next month.
"No thanks Blaise," she answered eventually before going back to the food in front of her again.
The rest of her day was rather similar to the one before, quiet time in the library reading to the most talkative portrait she had met in the past six years. She only hoped that her evening didn't follow the same pattern, which thankfully it didn't. Diner was much the same as breakfast, casual conversation which she dipped into here and there but mostly stayed out of. Malfoy was still staring at her, reminding her of the Pucey portraits, but she accepted that as one of the repercussions of her breakdown the night before and was sure that his constant inspections of her wouldn't last long. After the meal was over, just as she was about to head up to her room to write to her friends back at Grimmauld Place Mr Pucey stopped her and asked if she would like to come to his personnel study. Not having a decent reason to refuse she agreed and they left the three boys behind.
"Thank you for coming. I was hoping we could use this time to converse, we have yet to spend any time together since you came here," the man said almost hesitantly as he directed her to a love seat that sat under a window. At her nod and smile he sat down next to her, summoning Sanny and asking him to bring them some tea. "How has your day been? Adrian was rather concerned at leaving you here with Blaise and Draco."
"It's been fine, I spent most of it in the library as has become my routine. You do have a wonderful collection, I think I could spend my whole life with it and never once be bored," she passionately declared.
"Adrian had told me you like to read, I do as well. When I was younger, about the age you are now, I spent all my time in the library. I was and am still fascinated by the theory behind magic and spells and luckily for me that is the main focus behind our main collection," he answered.
"Is that what you do then? At the Pucey company? I'd never thought to ask before what it is you actually do."
"We research new spells, improve the old ones working alongside the Ministry. I'm sure you have heard of the Unspeakables?" He asked waiting for her nod yes before continuing. "Our business has much in common with their work, the research branch mainly. We occasionally look into magical artefacts that are discovered as well although I have never had as much interest in that side of the company."
"That's amazing! I would love to know more about the theories behind the spells we use," Andromeda replied showing genuine interest. "I've never really understood why nothing past the main functions, uses and origins of the spells we are taught is explained. So different from the muggle sciences where everything is theory build on theory and each one needs to be understood."
"If you are interested I could suggest some texts for you to read," he offered before softly laughing at the immediate positive response. After that they slipped into an easy flow of conversation talking about many things, Hogwarts, her favourite subjects, her least favourite subject which led on to a lengthy discussion on their shared distrust of divination. Lying in her bed drifting to sleep later that night, Andromeda couldn't help but wish they both had been trying earlier. Now that they were both willing to make at least a slight effort things were much calmer and she had even enjoyed the time she spent alone with the usually oh so imposing man.
Her good mood and the general positive atmosphere between Andromeda and Mr Pucey lasted through breakfast the next morning. She peppered him with questions that had come to her overnight, basking in the relief of now knowing she had something in common with the man that was her father. In her haste to get started on the reading list he had provided for her the witch missed the three other occupants coming down minutes after she had departed for their morning meal. Thus she was rather surprised when after she hadn't appeared for lunch, taking a few sandwiches in the library instead, Blaise and Malfoy ventured into the library to find her.
"Andromeda! We're coming in," Blaise called as he pushed open the heavy door. Whipping round in her now favourite wingback chair, hair flying about her the witch saw Blaise striding confidently into the room with Malfoy following at a more sedate pace. "Mind if we join you?"
"Um I guess not," she answered but couldn't help the longing look she sent towards the book in her lap. Blaise spotted it, laughing loudly at her disappointment before indicating to his friend to bring over the companion to the chair he was currently lifting over to where she was sitting. In no time at all they were both dropping into the plush chairs they had placed in front of hers blocking the view she had over the grounds. The silence between them was making her uncomfortable, not to mention the continued staring from Malfoy, but she refused to be the one to break it.
"My mother asked me to pass on her regards," Blaise finally drawled. "I received a rather lengthy missive this morning, most of it pointing out your many favourable attributes and asking for each and every detail on your conflicts with your father."
Snorting in a rather unladylike fashion Andromeda replied, "Be sure and give her all the boring details then, maybe it'll get me out of those teas she is so desperate for me to go to."
"Nothing is getting you out of them. I have no doubt she'd find a way to make you go even if you die," he chuckled. "What are you doing in here anyway?"
"Reading," she said simply. It felt odd carrying on a conversation with Blaise while Malfoy sat silently boring holes into her face. Ignoring the dark boys snort at her simplistic response Andromeda shifted uncomfortably in her seat, risking a look through her midnight hair at Malfoy. She was startled by the intensity in his eyes as they met hers, the Malfoy mask still present but seemingly not able to contain all of the emotion he was projecting out through his blue eyes. If only she knew what it was he was showing so clearly. "Why are you staring?" she asked before she could stop the words.
"You are fascinating to me, why wouldn't I stare?," he deadpanned back at her.
"Because it's rude. I find it hard to believe all those oppressive Malfoy manners would allow you to forget that," she snapped still looking him dead in the eye.
"I know you," he said, ignoring her comment and leaning forward in his seat. "I know I know you, I just can't quite work it out yet. Won't you tell me Miss Pucey?"
"Yeah Andromeda, why don't you tell him," Blaise laughed. "Or better yet give him the same chance you gave me."
"Alright, I'll give him the chance. We only get three each though," she declared drawing agreement quickly from Blaise with Malfoy following reluctantly behind him. "I'll start shall I? Did you fight in the Final Battle?" Andromeda fully intended to use this game to her advantage, there was no way he was going to work out who she was from just three questions especially not when she was throwing questions like that back at him. It surprised her that he had agreed to the little game at all, knowing that he would be going into it at such a disadvantage and with Blaise here to hear any of the questions she might ask him. Seen as how he had agreed though she was going to get some of those questions that had been bothering her since he had shown up here seemingly friendly with her not-real-Death Eater father, non-Marked brother and neutral-but-light leaning Blaise answered.
"No," Malfoy responded quickly. He didn't look shocked or put out at all by her question much to her dismay.
Before he could speak again, seeing the disbelieving look on the witch's face Blaise interrupted. "Perhaps we should cause a lie detection spell," he suggested. Andromeda nodded her agreement immediately as did Malfoy to her shock. Once the spell had been cast, one she had never come across before but was apparently used in business meetings and would cause a Stinging Hex to be directed at anyone who lied, she repeated her question and received the same obviously honest answer.
"No need to look so disappointed Miss Pucey," Malfoy drawled at seeing her reaction. "Are you wearing a glamour?"
"No," she laughed.
"Come on Draco. Think before you ask," Blaise sneered sounding rather annoyed at the stupidity of his friend. This confused the witch, maybe he did want his friend to work out the answer after all.
"Calm down Blaise I'll give him a little explanation to that one. No, I am not wearing a glamour now. Yes, I have worn a glamour before although unknowingly," she explained with a smile, the first she had directed to Malfoy. "My turn again. Did you want to be a Death Eater?"
"No. It was not my choice," he answered after looking at Blaise and receiving a small nod. Andromeda was perfectly prepared for the hex to hit him then, wouldn't have felt even the slightest bit of sympathy, but nothing happened. "Did you fight against the Dark Lord in the war? And by fight I mean wand to wand during the battle or skirmishes that took place."
"Yes," she nodded. She had thought the answer obvious, and it seemed Blaise had too, until he had added on his conditions. Then Blaise had returned the smirk to his face and she had admitted that he wasn't as stupid as he sometimes appeared. Many would say and honestly believe that they had fought in the war despite not raising their wand, and in a way they had, but his conditions radically narrowed down the prospects for her previous identity.
"Last one Andromeda, best make it good," Blaise challenged as she thought of just what to ask. Coming up a blank and deciding that she had been cruel enough in her choice of her first two questions, she smiled and asked if he liked the colour red. Both boys started to chuckle, looking at her as if she were insane to give away such an opportunity.
"I do actually," Malfoy answered with a smile, a real honest to god smile. It took her a few seconds to realise she was staring but as soon as she did she looked away. "I already wasted a question so I hope you won't hold it against me that I use this one to its fullest Miss Pucey... Do you hate me?" She automatically opened her mouth to answer 'Yes, oh yes! Definitely I hate you!' but quickly shut it again when he magic flared around her as if preparing itself to shield her, immediately making her think of the Stinging Hex punishment. Her feelings towards Malfoy were something that she had never really examined in great detail, only knowing that he had the power to hurt her feelings and apparently frighten her also. Andromeda wasn't sure that those two things amounted to hate.
"No, I suppose I don't hate you," she begrudgingly answered. Seeing another smile wash over Malfoy's face she was quick to continue. "That doesn't mean I like you! Which I don't as I'm sure you have guessed."
"As long as you don't hate me," he leaned forward," I have something to work with." Andromeda was thoroughly confused by that statement but decided to let it rest for now.
"So? Who was our darling Andromeda Pucey in her previous life?" Blaise asked removing the need for any response from the witch.
"I have no idea but I intend to find out," Malfoy answered. "The mystery is all the more fascinating now."
"Oh believe me it is even more interesting from where I'm sitting," Blaise drawled. "I don't think you will work it out though Draco, so all I can say is that September 1st is going to be very interesting."
