Sorry this chapter took a while, I was having a hard time writing it. Hopefully my plans for this summer won't keep me from updating.
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter
A few days later Artemis found herself sitting in the back of the library, a blank piece of parchment in front of her. Artemis twirled her quill in her hand while trying to think of what to write; writing to my own mother shouldn't be this hard Artemis thought. She'd been sitting in the back of the library coming up on three hours and still she had yet to write the letter to her mother. Teddy had come up to her after breakfast that morning to tell her that he had written to their parents the night before, causing Artemis to realize that she had yet to write her own letter. She was pulled out of her train of thought by a tapping on the library window. Artemis looked up startled at the window to see a brown owl sitting on the windowsill with a letter in its beak. Getting up and opening the window, the owl flew in and landed on Artemis' book. Artemis looked at the owl confused as this owl did not belong to Kingsley or her Gran, who were the only people she received owls from. Taking the letter from the owl, Artemis opened the letter and found herself staring at her mother's handwriting.
Artemis,
I know that you said you would write in a few days but I couldn't help but write to you. I'm truly sorry for seemingly abandoning you with Kingsley. Although Kingsley has been reassuring me these last few days that you enjoyed growing up with him. Personally I was worried that Kingsley would be a bore to live with, but then that is my own opinion and I'm glad that you grew up happy. (Artemis chuckled at this; Kingsley had been rather boring when he would insist on mandatory reading time when she was younger.) I am looking forward to seeing you in a few weeks at winter break. Looking at the photographs that Kingsley has just aren't enough especially since they don't talk back. Please don't worry about your father he'll come around in time, and if it makes you feel any better he's still getting used to the idea that he's a father to Teddy, let alone twins. I guess that's what happens when you die knowing that your children are a few days old, then wake up, and all of a sudden they're fifteen. It always did take Remus a while to get used to things even if they were planned (while actually between you and me, Remus and I weren't trying to get pregnant, but I never regretted it). And speaking of Remus, try not to mention your shifting to much around him. He still feels like it's his fault, although as I've pointed out many times to him it's technically my fault since I'm the one who is from the Black family. Don't worry though he'll get used to the idea it was just always a fear of his that he would pass on his Lycanthropy to our children. He just needs to accept the fact that you do not have his Lycanthropy.
On a more upbeat note your father and I have bought the house next to my mom's so if you and Teddy would rather stay with her over break we can visit all the time! If you want that, if you would rather only see us once in a while then that is fine too. I also understand if you are planning on staying with Kingsley, but he had mentioned that you have been spending most of your breaks at Andromeda's. Please write back. You can tell me anything. I'd love to hear about you growing up, although Kingsley has provided me with plenty of embarrassing baby stories. What do you plan on doing after school? What classes are you taking? Well obviously you're taking Ancient Runes. I hope that I'll hear back from you and if not then I'll see you in a few weeks.
Love,
Mom (or Tonks)
Artemis smiled, not only had her mother confirmed her fears about what her father would think of her but she also managed to slide into the role of a nosy mother all at the same time. Suddenly Artemis found it much easier to write to her mother and quickly wrote a letter telling her mother about all her friends, her interests in Ancient Runes, and anything else that came to her mind before sending the letter off with the owl that was still sitting on the table.
Over the next few weeks Artemis continued to receive letters from her mother every few days. It soon became something that she looked forward to, and in her replies Artemis would tell her mother a little bit more about herself. After talking to Teddy, Artemis learned that Teddy had also been writing to their mom but neither twin had yet to hear from their father. Although their mom had been reassuring them that he wasn't upset with her anymore, just still getting used to being a father to twin fifteen year olds.
Snow had fallen heavily by the time Artemis and the other students boarded the train to go home for winter break. Teddy and his friends joined Artemis' compartment and soon a game of exploding snap had started, filling the compartment with laughter. As the train neared the station Artemis noticed that Teddy had gotten quiet, so she pulled him out of the compartment.
"Okay, what's wrong?" Artemis asked once she had shut the door to the compartment
"I'm just worried about dad, I'd feel better if he had written to us by now."
"Me too, it would have been nice to have gotten one letter from him."
"You don't think he's still upset about that little thing you can do, do you?"
"I don't know he might be, I know Kingsley and Harry have been reassuring him that it isn't anything he caused, mom even mentioned that she's reassuring him."
"Okay, then maybe he's just waiting to talk to us in person."
"Maybe, you haven't mention my little thing yet, are you okay with it?"
"Well I do have some questions but I figured I'd wait till we were home, I noticed that only Charles and Catherine seemed to know."
"Yeah, Alex and Julia know too just because they saw me once, but thanks for waiting to bring it up."
"No problem, we should probably get our trunks together, I think we're almost at the station."
The twins returned to their compartment to find their friends packing up their trunks and they followed suit. Soon the train pulled into the station and everyone disembarked. Artemis and Teddy said goodbye to their friends before going in search of their family, neither really knew who would picking them up. Teddy spotted Bill and Percy Weasley, who were picking up Victorie, Dominique, and Molly. They decided to head over that way since one of the Weasleys' had to know who was picking them up. As soon as they reached them they saw that Andromeda and Tonks were standing next to Bill who was talking to Tonks. Spotting them first Andromeda pulled both Teddy and Artemis into a large hug.
"Oh good you two found us, we realized on our way here that we forgot to tell you that we were picking you up." Andromeda said after she released them from the hug
"Well we figured we'd look for the Weasleys and it worked out." said Teddy
"Yes and as soon as your mother stops talking then we'll leave, The Weasleys', Potters, and Kingsley are coming over for dinner."
"Are we going to your house?" Artemis asked
"Yes, for now and then you two can go wherever you want for the rest of break."
"Sounds good, can we go?" said Artemis
"Nymphadora if you're done we're ready to go." Andromeda directed towards her daughter
Artemis and Teddy tried to hide their laughter as their mother turned towards their Gran, her hair tinged red; "Mum its Tonks."
"Yes well I named you and I will call you the name I chose for you."
Tonks rolled her eyes before looking at Artemis and Teddy awkwardly, "Hello you two." she said pulling them both into a quick hug
"Alright then let's go." said Andromeda ignoring the awkward greeting between her daughter and grandchildren. They all said goodbye to the Weasleys' before heading to the floo station and flooing to Andromeda's house.
As soon as Artemis and Teddy came out of the floo they immediately took their trunks upstairs to their rooms; leaving Andromeda and Tonks in the kitchen. After setting her trunk in her room Artemis went across the hall into Teddy's room and shut the door behind her. Teddy looked up from throwing his books out of his trunk to see Artemis pacing around the room.
"What's wrong?" Teddy asked
"Does this feel awkward to you?" Artemis asked
"Awkward?"
"With mom."
"Well this is the first time she's actually met us, I mean the last time she hugged us we were babies."
"True."
"Just give her time; she'll get more comfortable around us."
"I guess so; do you think dad is here?"
"It didn't look like it; maybe he's next door at their house."
"That is true."
"Let's go back downstairs and find out, he'll probably be here for dinner." Teddy stood up from where he had sat on his bed and headed out of his room, followed by Artemis. The two arrived in the kitchen to find their Gran and mom sitting across from each other, each with a cup of tea in front of them. "So what time is dinner?" asked Teddy joining them at the table followed by Artemis
"In an hour, since the Weasleys are joining us too I am not worrying about the food, Molly is bringing everything and planning on cooking a few more things once she gets here." answered Andromeda, causing Artemis and Teddy to laugh
"So should we set the tables?" asked Artemis
"If you want to, I've already expanded the dining room to hold everyone."
"Well do it now." Teddy said as he and Artemis stood up from the table and headed down the hall to the dining room to get the tables all set up.
Once the twins had left the kitchen Tonks spoke up; "See they'd rather set tables then talk to me."
"They actually do like to be helpful at times." said Andromeda standing up to get more tea
"So they're not just ignoring me?"
"No they're not ignoring you; they probably feel just as awkward as you do."
"I hope things will mellow over soon."
"They will, just don't give up trying to get to know them."
Before Tonks could respond the floo activated as Kingsley stepped through, looking slightly worried. Andromeda noticed this and grew immediately concerned; "Kingsley what's wrong?" Andromeda asked
"Derek was released from the Ministry this morning and not long after some aurors spotted him with his father and Greyback heading into a forest in Northern England." said Kingsley sitting down at the kitchen table
"He's back?" said Andromeda, while Tonks sat there confused
"Why does Greyback involve you mom?" Tonks asked Andromeda
Kingsley and Andromeda exchanged a glance. No one had told Remus and Tonks about Greyback's interest in Artemis and Teddy. It had been a topic that had yet to come up mainly due to the fact that they had come back from the dead at the same time that Artemis had been attacked last. Kingsley cleared his throat before answering; "A few years ago he kidnapped Artemis and Teddy and he's been after them ever since, although he has shown more of an interest in Artemis."
"What! Why haven't you told Remus and I about this?" shouted Tonks
"Dora please keep your voice down, we were going to tell you both eventually." said Andromeda
"We haven't spotted Greyback in a while and Derek didn't turn over any information, so Harry and I weren't concerned with telling you before now." explained Kingsley
"Seriously! You weren't concerned with telling Remus and I? They're our children!" shouted Tonks
"Tonks we had everything under control." Kingsley said in an attempt to defend himself and Harry
"I don't care Kingsley, you still should have told us." declared Tonks, her hair a very harsh shade of red by this point
"Told us what Dora?" asked Remus as he walked into the kitchen from the backdoor, surveying Tonks and Kingsley facing off and Andromeda sitting at the table with her tea
"That Greyback is after our children." said Tonks
"What! Why?" exclaimed Remus turning on Kingsley
"This really isn't the place to discuss this, Teddy and Artemis are right down the hall." said Kingsley, really hoping that Harry would get here soon to back him up
"That's not the point, why weren't we told?" asked Remus
"I've already explained it to Tonks, just talk to her, I'm not repeating it." said Kingsley as Remus glared at him
Before anyone could say anything else the floo activated and Molly and Arthur arrived quickly followed by the rest of the Weasleys and the Potters. The newly arrived group stood there in silence looking at the scene that they had walked in on. Andromeda made the first move and stood up to start cooking with Molly, Molly's daughter-in-laws, and Ginny. The children ran off to play in the family room, while the rest of the adults followed to keep an eye on them. Tonks and Remus followed them in hopes of talking to Harry who was avoiding making eye contact with them. Arriving in the family room Tonks and Remus found Artemis and Teddy in the middle of the room with all the kids around them playing some sort of game. The two parents stopped in the doorway, staring at their twins.
"They really are good with the younger kids." Harry said coming to stand next to Remus and Tonks
"How long have they known each other?" asked Tonks looking over at Harry
"Since a few days before their 11th birthday, Kingsley told me first before giving Andromeda your letter and then telling Teddy." explained Harry
"And Teddy was fine with it?" asked Remus
"Well no not at first, he seemed to accept it eventually and as they've gotten older they have gotten closer, I'm not sure if he's said anything to Artemis yet about her shifting, he didn't know about that before." answered Harry
"Really? He never noticed?" asked Remus
"Well no, since she can shift whenever she feels like it." said Harry
"Right." said Remus
It didn't take long for dinner to be finished and soon everyone was heading in to the magically expanded dining room to eat.
I'll be rotating updates with my other story, so the next chapter may take a while depending. Please leave a review! I know you're all reading this story but I do still enjoy getting reviews :)
