A/N My usual thanks to everyone who reads, alerts, favorites, or reviews this story. I know I slowed the pace of updates a bit (this pesky thing called real life and a job) but I am still committed to this story and seeing the love definitely boosts my energy to see it through, so thank you.

This chapter picks up where the last one ended. I hope you enjoyed.

Disclaimer: I must not tell lies... Harry Potter is not mine.

Chapter 13: Confrontation

They Apparated just outside Andromeda's house. A simple albeit rather inviting house, it was neither odd-looking like the Burrow nor sombre like Grimmauld Place had been prior to Harry's renovation. It just looked... normal.

Secretly, Ron wished that would be the kind of home he could one day get for Hermione and him. Of course, he simply loved the Burrow but it was his family house, his parents' really, and he wanted something for just him and her, and maybe the babies she had mentioned earlier that evening. The thought brought a light pink colour to his ears and the start of a crooked smile on his face.

Harry used the heavy brass knocker on the door to alert Andromeda they had arrived. When the door opened a few moments later, Ron couldn't help the visceral reaction he had each time he saw Andromeda. While his brain knew it was Andromeda, Tonks' mother, Teddy's Gran and overall a very lovely witch, his first thought was always that Bellatrix had come back from the dead and that he should do his best to send her back.

That was until Andromeda smiled a welcoming albeit sad smile that failed to reach her eyes. Ron suspected that like his mother, Andromeda put a strong façade in public. Yet, behind closed doors and far from prying eyes, she would probably spend hours crying for the loved ones she had lost. Nonetheless, sad or not, the smile was there, and it illuminated Andromeda's features and brought kindness that would never have graced Bellatrix's face.

She greeted all four of them and invited them in the cosy sitting room.

"Where's Teddy?" Harry asked once they had all settled down on the comfortable sofa and armchairs.

"Down for a nap. Actually, I should probably wake him up. He hasn't been a happy lad. Teething," Andromeda explained apologetically.

"Poor little thing," Ginny said with sympathy. "Can Harry and I go and wake him up?"

"Certainly. Harry, you know where to go."

Harry nodded and took Ginny by the hand, under Ron's less than auspicious eyes. Ron was still ruminating over what Hermione and he had walked in on earlier that afternoon. Hermione was probably right (was she ever not right?) and Harry and Ginny deserved to be together that way too. It wasn't as if Ron couldn't fathom the closeness and happiness that resulted from this ancient and primal act of love.

As Harry and Ginny exited, Andromeda turned back toward Ron and Hermione.

"Why don't I get a kettle going? I could use some tea. You?"

"That'd be lovely," Hermione replied while Ron nodded. "Thank you."

Andromeda disappeared in her kitchen, leaving Ron and Hermione alone in the sitting room.

There was a brief moment of silence before they heard a loud knock on the door. From the kitchen, they heard Andromeda:

"Ron, Hermione, would you mind getting that, please?"

"I'll get it," Ron answered as he rose from the sofa.

In the short hallway leading to the entrance door, Ron noticed the Sneakoscope on a small side table. He was aware of the extra protections afforded Andromeda's house, having heard some conversations at the Auror office and between his father and Kingsley. The Sneakoscope was just another reminder of how their lives had been permanently and irremediably changed by the events of the past few years. Ron was relieved to see the little object was perfectly still. Whoever was at the door didn't have nefast intentions.

As he unlocked the door and was met by the unappealing sight of Narcissa and Draco Malfoy, Ron reconsidered whether the Sneakoscope was actually functioning properly.

Hermione, who had followed him by the door, looked equally surprised and displeased to see the mother and son.

"Malfoy?" Ron said softly. "Made a wrong turn and got lost?"

"What are you doing here?" Draco answered back, visibly as shocked to find his old nemesis there.

"Who is it?" they heard Andromeda ask as she came out of the kitchen, through the sitting room, to the short hallway.

As she recognised her sister, Andromeda froze in place:

"Cissy? What are you doing here?"

Narcissa took her sister in. While they had briefly met at the audience, she had made a point not to spend too much time looking at Andromeda then. But now, she could take the time. Andromeda still bore a striking resemblance to Bellatrix, with her dark hair and heavily-lidded eyes. The two older sisters had taken after the Black side while Narcissa had taken after her mother and the Rosier side. But Andromeda's hair was a softer brown colour, with some gray woven in it, and held in a simple and elegant bun, rather than flying around her face in a dishevelled way. Andromeda's eyes, while dark and heavily-lidded, were much kinder than Bella's had ever been. Yet, there was unmistakable steel in them as she looked at Narcissa and Draco.

"I need to talk," Narcissa finally told her, "privately."

"And what makes you think I want to listen?" Andromeda replied haughtily. She obviously wasn't pleased with the impromptu visit.

"I already have guests," continued Andromeda, while gesturing at Ron and Hermione, "who are welcome. You and your Death Eater progeny on the other hand, aren't."

Draco and Ron had both swiftly reached for their wand, Draco itching to aim it at the woman who so liberally insulted his mother and him, and Ron because he had anticipated Draco's reaction.

"I don't think that's a clever move, Malfoy," Ron told Draco in a low voice. "Why don't Mummy and you turn around and get back to whatever hell-hole you escaped from. You heard Andromeda, you aren't welcome here."

Draco glared at Ron with intensity and for a moment, it looked as if both were still on the edge of hexing the other. Narcissa broke the tension by gently rubbing her son's arm:

"Let it go, Draco."

"You should listen to your Mum," Ron continued, a shadow of a mirthless smile on his face.

Draco lowered his wand at his mother's request and Ron did the same although he kept his fingers tightly wrapped around the wooden stick. He had too much experience with Malfoy to ignore that the ferret liked to attack when his opponent was either already on the ground or with his back turned.

Seeing both wands lowered, Narcissa pursued her appeal to her sister.

"I understand why you'd feel this way. But all I'm asking for is five minutes of your time."

"Why, Cissy? I think we stopped having anything to talk about the day I married Ted and the entire family shunned me, including my supposedly closest sister."

"Andromeda, please," Narcissa finally begged.

She was remembering that her sister had a temper that flared quickly but that after the first outburst, she could talk reasonably.

"Just five minutes, please," Narcissa pleaded again.

Andromeda took a long look at her sister. She remembered the delicate little girl with long flowing blonde hair. The one who knew how to get what she wanted but never used force for it. That was how Cissy had differed from Bella. Where Bella had been bold and brazen, and unafraid of standing up to their father, Cissy had been quieter and had acted the part of the good daughter, never screaming or openly disobeying their father. She had actually had a way of wrapping their father around her finger, as the Muggles would say. Cygnus Black would have done anything for his precious little Cissy. There was at least one occasion when this skill of Cissy's had helped Andromeda tremendously. Besides, Cissy had never harmed anyone just for the pleasure of harming them, as Bella had done countless times.

And she, Andromeda, had been the middle child, not as pretty as either of her two sisters, not as bold and dominant as Bellatrix, not as adept at ruse and manipulation as Narcissa. She had just been a free spirit and had been left alone, the way she preferred to be, so long as she got good marks at Hogwarts. She wasn't delicate like Narcissa or constantly in detention like Bellatrix. No, she was just happy to be with a group of few friends, and Ted of course.

She hadn't told her parents about Ted until the end of their seventh year, probably because she knew they wouldn't approve of their daughter going out with a Muggle-born. That was the last time she had talked with her family.

Narcissa took her out of her reminiscence by pleading one more time:

"Andromeda, please."

"Very well," Andromeda said, making a snap decision. "But just five minutes. Follow me to the kitchen."

"Draco," Narcissa called softly.

"He can stay here. No need for him to come along if he's going to raise his wand at me again," Andromeda replied shortly.

Draco bit his tongue not to retort she was the one who had insulted him first. Surely, his mother would try again since she had asked that obviously stubborn sister of hers about five times for just five minutes of her time.

Draco saw a quick look pass between the two sisters, one that intimated that it was either a talk between the two women or no talk at all.

"I'll stay here," Draco said. "I'm sure Weasley and Granger are dying to have tea with me," he said sardonically while quickly glancing at Ron and Hermione who were standing by the door, silent witnesses to the bizarre exchange that had just taken place.

The two sisters walked out toward the kitchen, and Andromeda closed and sealed the door behind them. Draco was left alone with Ron and Hermione, neither one looking enthusiastic at being in his company.

"Are we going to stay in this hallway?" Draco asked haughtily.

"I don't see any reason to move," Ron answered nonchalantly. "Y'heard Andromeda, didn't you? Doesn't want you in her house. I can't blame her. I certainly wouldn't want you in mine either."

Draco was about to retort the feeling was reciprocated when he remembered what had happened at Malfoy Manor when Weasley and Granger had been unwitting guests. He swallowed the bile that rose in him, quickly attacking instead.

"And what are you doing here?" Draco asked. "Why do I have to keep seeing your face everywhere, Weasel?"

Ron took a deep breath and returned a cold smile. He knew Draco was baiting him, but he wasn't ready to bite:

"I might ask you the same, ferret."

"We came with Harry to fetch Teddy. Harry's his godfather," Hermione replied calmly.

"Ah right. You two can't go anywhere without St Potter."

As if on cue, Harry and Ginny, made their way in the narrow hallway, effectively crowding it. Ginny had a barely awake Teddy in her arms.

"Malfoy?" Harry asked with surprise and undisguised loathing.

"And here's our hero and well... is that his girlfriend? Potter is shagging your sister, Weasley? I suppose he's not the first one," Draco added with a condescending sneer.

He couldn't help it. His dislike for the four of them was deeply ingrained and seeing them together, so close, be it as siblings, friends, or lovers, only exacerbated his jealousy and feeling of inadequacy and loneliness. So he sought refuge in what he knew best, hurtful words and taunts. Yet he was keenly aware he stood no chance against the four of them (or even any of them individually) if they decided to go at him, which coincidentally, both Harry and Ron looked more than ready to do.

But it was Ginny who faced Draco, Teddy still gently settled in her arms and seemingly entranced by her red hair. She addressed Draco in a calm and clear voice:

"Obviously, who I choose to shag is none of your business, Malfoy. It's not as if you care, now, is it? 'Cause if it is, bad news: I prefer someone who actually has bollocks. And just in case, I'd like to remind you of what happened to that sorry face of yours when we got stuck in old toad face's office. Remember how well I perform the Bat Bogey hex. Well, I've learned a lot more in the past year. So just try me, just give me an excuse, go on..."

Under her composed demeanour, her eyes and body radiated cold fury.

Draco sneered again:

"And what makes you think I would have any interest in what any of the four of you does?"

"Good question, Malfoy, you brought it up after all," Harry replied, looking passably annoyed.

Draco was about to reply when Hermione raised her hand as a sign for everyone to keep quiet.

"Enough! I can't believe you just dropped by for a friendly family visit. What are you really doing here, Malfoy?" Hermione asked with perspicacity.

"To quote your friend Weasley here, none of your business, M... Granger," Draco replied curtly. He had almost called her a Mudblood but his face still remembered how much it had reeled from Weasley's punch last time he had done that in front of him.

"I think it has a lot to do with it, actually," Hermione replied, unfazed. "I think it has to do with our little deal, doesn't it?"

"Well, that's your problem, Granger, you think too much. Or maybe not enough, considering who you chose for a boyfriend."

Ron beamed as Hermione replied very seriously:

"Trust me, I made the right choice. But back to my question, if I hear that you and your mother are using Andromeda in any way to fulfil part of the deal you accepted..."

"Well, technically, I didn't accept anything," Draco countered.

"That's right," Ron said. "Mummy and Daddy made the decision without you. And wasn't it what just happened again right now? Not old enough for grownup conversation, Malfoy, are you?"

Draco glared at Ron with deep loathing. He had pinpointed exactly what hurt most. Did Weasley understand things better than Draco had given him credit for?

"Never mind that," Hermione cut them off. "If you use Andromeda, it will be breaking part of your deal. You can ask for her help, if she's willing to give it to you, but don't you even try to cross her.

Draco stared at her, casually ignoring her warning.

"I don't think we have to worry about that, Hermione," Ron said for Hermione's ear only. "Andromeda is one tough witch. She'll see through these two."

Hermione nodded imperceptibly. Looking at Draco, she finally said:

"We might as well wait in the sitting room."

She took Ron's hand and moved him along to sit close to her on the sofa. Ginny sat in an armchair, cooing to Teddy who seemed perfectly impervious to all the tension around him. Harry perched himself on the arm of the chair, looking adoringly at Ginny and Teddy. Gingerly, Draco followed them and sat himself in a green armchair covered with a hand knitted throw. As he took a look at Weasley and Granger huddled together, the perfect image of love and closeness, or Potter and the Weasley girl playing with the baby, he felt lonelier than he had ever been. He silently prayed that his mother wouldn't take more than five minutes.

Narcissa looked at the simple and comfortable kitchen. There was a simmering tea pot on the table, along with a few cups on a tray and a a plate of shortbread bisciuts. Draco and she must have interrupted tea.

Andromeda sat at the end of the table and motioned for Narcissa to take a seat nearby.

"Can I offer you some tea?"

"No, thank you," Narcissa declined.

"How are you doing?" Andromeda asked.

"I'm... fine," Narcissa said after a brief hesitation.

"Glad to hear that. And how's that scumbag you call a husband?"

Narcissa glowered at her sister before saying quietly:

"Lucius is all right, I suppose. He's changed. He's not the same man."

"Not that much, I'm certain," Andromeda replied sarcastically.

"He's not the same," Narcissa repeated vehemently. "It's like I've lost my husband."

"Well, well, well. I could almost feel sympathy for you, Cissy. But some of us have actually lost our husband. My Ted died because of people like Lucius. So forgive me, but I don't feel too inclined to have any sympathy. Is that why you came here? To talk about dear old Lucius?"

Narcissa took a deep breath.

"You know he would have been your husband."

"I haven't forgotten, Cissy," Andromeda replied in a much softer voice. "I know Father had chosen Lucius for me. But it worked better in the end, didn't it? You liked Lucius more than I ever could and he had the influence you were seeking, didn't he?"

"There's more to our marriage."

"I'm certain. Planning for our world to devolve into a pureblood-only society probably keeps you busy," Andromeda replied with coldness. "Yet, I do believe that in your twisted ways, you and that snake care for each other."

Narcissa glared at her, finding herself unexpectedly stung by the attack on Lucius. She went on the attack:

"And what did you find in your Mud... muggleborn husband?"

"Ted was funny. He made me laugh and was always there for me. And he loved me, for me, not my name or my fortune. Good thing actually given I never got any of that gold. It didn't matter. I had Ted and then Nymphadora," she said softly, reminiscing fondly before steel returned in her voice: "And now, they're gone. All gone. All I have left is Teddy. Why? Because of prejudiced witches and wizards like you and Lucius."

There was a pregnant pause before Narcissa finally launched:

"I married Lucius as a favour to you."

"You liked the snake, much more than I ever could. That and there's also the fact Lucius couldn't stand the sight of me and me of him. Don't tell me you regret it. I can't believe it was a sacrifice for you, Cissy. You always did things only if they benefitted you in the end."

"I also did for you," Narcissa said truthfully.

"Would you've done it if it had been anyone else than Lucius Malfoy? I somehow doubt that. Nonetheless, I haven't forgotten if that's what you want to hear."

"I'm glad you haven't," Narcissa replied, much more composed all of a sudden. "As it is I who now need to ask you a favour, albeit a much smaller one."

Andromeda lifted an eyebrow questioningly.

"You are good friend with Castor Greengrass, aren't you?" Narcissa pursued.

"Why are you bringing Castor into this? He's not your type, Cissy. He's not pretentious or an arrogant vile man. He doesn't care about blood status, and while he isn't poor, he isn't wealthy either," Andromeda quipped sarcastically.

"But he has the ear of the board of governors of St Mungo's..."

"Go on," Andromeda demanded, suddenly curious as to why her estranged sister needed Castor's help.

"I want to make a contribution to the hospital, for ... personal reasons, and the board refused my contribution."

"Isn't it that they refused to associate your name with it, instead?" Andromeda corrected.

Narcissa looked deeply irked that the emotion of the conversation had left her completely transparent to Andromeda. But then, even as children, Andromeda had always seen right through her. Andromeda spoke again:

"I don't know why you think Castor would help you there. If you want your name to be associated with good things done for St Mungo's, it's going to take more than opening your well-endowed vault at Gringotts. Things have changed, Cissy."

"I realise that," Narcissa almost spat. "But I need to make this donation."

"Make it anonymously, then!"

"I can't," Narcissa answered in a small voice.

"And why is that?"

"There ... there's this plan that I have. A deal I made to help us. If I make the contribution anonymously, my plan won't work and Lucius will gloat."

"Why don't you just leave the old snake? Or do you still feel something for the bastard?"

Narcissa's downcast eyes gave the answer Andromeda was looking for. She gave a big sigh and decided to at least nudge her little sister in the right direction.

"I can talk with Castor. But it won't be to help you get a free pass and regain your name. You'll have to earn that."

"If it is what it takes, I'll manage," Narcissa answered sternly.

"Is that son of yours part of the deal?" Andromeda suddenly asked.

"Draco is on my side. He lives on his own now and isn't in speaking terms with his father at present. He's still only a boy but he's just seen so much," Narcissa added wistfully.

"You saved him," Andromeda simply stated.

For all her differences with Narcissa, Andromeda could relate to her as a mother. A lot of untold things passed between the sisters before Narcissa finally made a decision she should have made months ago. She seized Andromeda's hand tentatively and told her:

"I'm sorry for your daughter."

The concern in her voice was genuine, not just a means to an end, like the other things in their conversation had been.

Andromeda nodded lightly in acknowledgement, reminded again that behind all the scheming and manipulation, Narcissa could, on occasion, give a damn about people other than herself.

"I shall be on my way, then. I've used the five minutes," Narcissa said as she released her sister's hand and found her way toward the exit.

As they made their way toward the sitting room, they found Draco sitting quite uncomfortably in a solitary armchair, across from Ron, Hermione, Harry, and Ginny. Teddy was in Ginny's arms, gently chewing on a toy, his hair changed to a vivid red to imitate Ginny's. Andromeda saw that despite a longing in Narcissa's eyes at seeing Ginny with the baby, Narcissa didn't get closer to the little boy she knew to be the son of a werewolf. Narcissa might have made a first step toward redemption but she still had many to take.

"Draco, we're done here," Narcissa said as her eyes switched over to her son.

Secretly relieved that the awkward visit was over, Draco rose silently and followed his mother toward the exit door without so much as a backward glance. Even though he understood why he had been excluded from the conversation between his aunt and his mother, the rejection still stung, especially as he had been forced to share space with Potter and his friends. There was a belligerent part of him that would like nothing better than to let his mother deal with the entire situation on her own. Narcissa seemed to know this and as he came close to her, she whispered for him only:

"I needed time alone with her. I think I got all I can from her. Let's go back to your flat and I'll explain."

Narcissa nodded her head imperceptibly toward Andromeda, while regally ignoring Ron, Hermione, Harry, Ginny, and Teddy. She then grabbed Draco's hand as they made their way through the door. A faint popping noise soon was heard, indicating mother and son had Disapparated.

Andromeda went back to the sitting room, familiar duelling emotions about her sister rising in her. She was rather surprised to see Hermione rise and ask her:

"Andromeda, I don't want to pry, but might I ask you what favour they needed?"

"Why does it matter, Hermione?" Andromeda questioned back calmly.

"I... I don't trust them," Hermione replied.

"And for good reasons, I'm sure. I don't trust them either," Andromeda said truthfully. "But I also know Cissy, probably better than anyone beside that scumbag she calls a husband. She's manipulative, and will always make sure her interests are served first. She's also quite prejudiced. Unfortunately, I believe that's a common trait in my family," Andromeda added with self-deprecation. "However, Cissy can love. She certainly loves that son of hers, despite all the things you've mentioned about him. And Cissy never harms people when she can avoid it."

The thinly veiled reference to Bellatrix was lost on nobody.

"She wants to restore her name and her influence, things that matter to her. But I think part of her is starting to realise she'll have to earn rather than buy this. Cissy is clever. She usually knows when to make the right decision."

"Are you sure?" Ron pushed, remembering all too well how Narcissa hadn't hesitated to duel Harry and him and hadn't intervened when Hermione had been so callously tortured.

"Yes. Because it affects her, she'll do whatever it takes. I think she tried to use gold and it's not working so well, is it? So she'll try other things. Maybe she didn't come to this realisation on her own but something or someone has done it for her."

Both Harry and Ron turned imperceptibly toward Hermione.

"Whatever or whoever did it should be lauded," Andromeda said, having seen the unspoken message between the young ones in front of her. "Maybe there's a road to redemption for her, and I daresay, her son."

"Maybe," Harry mumbled, having forgotten neither Narcissa's rescuing him nor all the years of taunting and hatred by Draco. "I hope you're right."

"Well, now," Andromeda changed the topic, "Are the four of you going to be all right with a teething Teddy?"

"Yes," Harry said confidently as he looked at Ginny and Teddy with a look of adoration and longing that Ron didn't like to see in his best mate's eyes while looking at his sister and a baby. "Besides, we're going to the Burrow. Mrs. Weasley'll be there too."

"Yes, Mum and Dad will be here," Ron emphasised, both a reassurance to Andromeda that Teddy would be well taken care of and a thinly veiled warning to Harry and Ginny to keep their activities in check.

"Fantastic. I'll see you tomorrow then. I'm excited to see what you've done with Aunt Walburga's house. I certainly hope you rid it of these awful elf heads," Andromeda replied drily.

She bade them good bye as they used her fireplace to make their way back to the Burrow with little Teddy in tow.

Andromeda turned back to her sitting room, now empty. She sat in the old armchair that used to be Ted's favourite, reaching in her dress pocket for a piece of parchment. It was a crude drawing of a cat, one Nymphadora had made when she had been five, and one Andromeda always carried on her person. She closed her eyes and let the tears fall freely.

A/N I did say Andromeda would come back...

Thank you for reading and as always, reviews are greatly appreciated.