Upstairs in her room, Nymphadora was talking rapidly to Rodolphus as she held Teddy. "Mum never told me!" she finished in anguish. "All this time I thought I knew my mother, but I didn't!"
Rodolphus just shook his head. "She'll need time to adjust after snarling at the Weasley woman," he said, then shook his head again. "Can you imagine what her parents might have made her do? I knew your mother had a hard life before she was disowned, but I didn't know any part of the story Narcissa told."
Nymphadora closed her eyes and sank down onto the bed. "She was once like me, and I had no idea," she whispered. "Mum always encouraged me to fit in and not stand out, but—Rod, I had no idea!"
"I know, Dora, I know," he murmured, sitting down next to her and slipping his arms around her. "I'm sorry, Nymphadora. I didn't know either." He ached with the thought that Andromeda had arranged his marriage to Bellatrix, and could not understand how the Andromeda he thought he had known could have done it.
"I can't believe it," Tonks said with a shudder. "All the times I used my abilities to annoy her—oh, Rodolphus, I've had to have hurt her so much over the years! I didn't know—I wouldn't have done half of the morphing I did if I had known—!" She buried her face in his shoulder.
Rodolphus hugged her firmly, and said quietly, "Perhaps you should let her know how you feel. She's got to be feeling insecure after flying off the handle and morphing like she did in front of everyone."
Nymphadora looked up, regret and sorrow in her eyes, and nodded.
Andromeda sat curled up in a heap on the couch, sobbing bitterly. Rabastan was standing in front of her, trying to figure out what was wrong and why the woman's hair was black. "Did someone curse you? Did someone say something they shouldn't have? Andromeda, what happened to you?"
The black-haired woman merely sobbed in anguish and turned away from him. Rabastan felt very out of place, but placed his hand on her shoulder. "Andromeda, what is it?" he asked in concern.
"I'm—I'm a—monster," Andromeda sobbed, then slapped his hand away. "Don't touch me!" she shrieked, then looked very small and afraid. "I'll hurt you."
Rabastan stared at her. "What in Merlin's name are you talking about?" he scolded. "You are not a monster, and I am more liable to hurt you than you are to—"
"No!" shrieked Andromeda, jumping up and heading for the stairs.
Rabastan was across the room in seconds, restraining her. Andromeda screamed and fought him so that he felt magic surging through her arms, ready to be released in a curse. He used his magic to bind hers, keeping her from using it.
When she looked at him, he saw a wild terror in her wide, teary eyes. "I've hurt too many people," she sobbed. "I don't want to do it anymore. I tried to stop myself, but it hasn't helped! And now, my daughter—oh, Raben, I gave her my curse! I can't help her, either! Oh, please just kill me! Make it stop, please!"
Rabastan held her tightly, his heart pounding in slight fear, confused by her words. "No, Andromeda," he said firmly. "Nymphadora still needs you; Teddy still needs you too! And if I'm not mistaken, you just gave advice to the Weasley girl. Your work is not done."
Andromeda shrieked in mental pain as the weight of everything crushed down on her. Suddenly, she froze in Rabastan's arms, feeling his gentle kiss silence her. She melted against him and wept like a child.
"Mum," said Nymphadora's voice, and both Raben and Andromeda jumped in shock. Andromeda tried to pull away from him, but he refused to let her go. Nymphadora's Patronus came over to Andromeda, and the woman froze again, staring at it.
"Mother, I—I don't know how to begin this," Nymphadora's voice stammered. "Narcissa told us about you being—being like me. I—I'm sorry, Mum. I didn't—didn't know, or I wouldn't have—I wouldn't have done all the things I did to annoy you. I never meant to hurt you—" her voice broke off for a moment, and Andromeda and Rabastan heard her choke, "No, let me finish!"
The Patronus continued, "Mum, I don't blame you for anything that's happened in my life, or even for my being a Metamorphagus. I'm your daughter, and I love you. I will always love you. I'm coming by to see you tomorrow after work. I'll see you then."
The animal fell silent for a moment, and Andromeda buried her face in Rabastan's shoulder. "Rabastan," the animal continued, "I think Mum's hurting really badly over something right now. Could you please make sure that she's all right before you go to bed? She was deeply disturbed when she left our apartment, and I'm very worried about her. Please watch over her for me until I can get there. I'll be coming to see her after work tomorrow."
As the Patronus disappeared, Rabastan gently guided Andromeda toward the staircase and helped her climb the stairs. He led her to her room, and she looked at him, pain in her eyes. "What is it that Narcissa told them?" he asked her. "What is Nymphadora talking about?"
"No!" cried Andromeda in a panic, her tears returning. "Raben, please!" She tried to pull away from him, and when she opened her mouth to scream, he kissed her again, his heart pounding. She once again fell silent, and Rabastan helped her open her room to them.
"You should go to sleep," he told her quietly.
Andromeda got dressed robotically, making sure she stayed modest in front of him. She stood in the middle of the room when she was finished, and Rabastan came over to her, marveling and worrying that she was so unsure of herself. "Come," he murmured in her ear, and led her to the bed, helping her lie down and tucking her in.
He turned to leave, but she jerked up and gasped, "Don't leave me, Raben. Please?"
Rabastan turned back to her and sat down on the edge of the bed. "I can't stay with you," he told her quietly.
"Please?" Andromeda asked, her wide brown eyes full of tears until after Rabastan finally sighed and nodded. She raised her hand and duplicated her bed, scooting all the other furniture over to make room.
"Good night," Rabastan told her quietly, and Andromeda turned over to face him.
"Good night," she whispered, then reached out and grasped his hand. She fell asleep faster than Rabastan, for he was very disturbed by everything he'd heard—and by where he was sleeping.
When Rodolphus awoke to the Waking Charms he had set, he yawned and turned toward Nymphadora in the bed. "Dora, Love," he said softly, taking her into his arms and sitting up. "Wake up."
"Wha—?" she asked, stretching slightly and pressing her face into his robe. "What's going on? It's—two o' clock in the morning!"
"Rabastan will be getting ready to leave the house right now," Rodolphus murmured to her. "Send your mother a reassurance: she will need it."
Nymphadora nodded and picked up her wand from the nightstand.
Andromeda pulled away from Rabastan's grip on her arm, her heart pounding as she looked at her daughter's Patronus. "Mum?" came Nymphadora's voice uncertainly. "It's really early here—goodness, Rodolphus, there is no need to tickle me. I'm awake!"
Andromeda smiled a little and Rabastan laughed. Nymphadora continued, "Anyway, Rod told me that Raben works today, so whatever you do, don't keep him under house arrest. I will come see you this afternoon—tonight, your time, I guess. I love you, Mum. I'll see you after a little while."
With those words of promise ringing in her ears, Andromeda turned to Rabastan, once again a calm, collected woman. "Goodbye," she told him before turning to go to her room.
A knock sounded on the door, but the door opened before either of them could answer it. Rodolphus glanced from his brother to Andromeda, then said, "Nymphadora asked me to stop by. She said to tell you—" he looked directly into Andromeda's eyes "that she loves you."
Andromeda trembled slightly, looking at him. "Rodolphus," she breathed quickly, "I'm sorry. I—Bellatrix—oh, I'm sorry, Rodolphus!" Her eyes filled with tears and she looked down.
Rabastan held his breath, knowing that he would never kiss Andromeda, even to calm her, in front of his brother. Rodolphus watched Andromeda for a moment, then said, "It's all right now."
Andromeda looked up, then darted across the room and threw her arms around him. "I'm sorry I did that to you," she wept. "I know I should have refused, but—"
Rodolphus rubbed her back gently, feeling very awkward. "You're forgiven," he told her. "Goodness knows that I've been forgiven worse than marriage arrangements." The black-haired woman flinched a little, but hugged him tightly.
"Does the guilt go away?" she asked in a small voice.
"It gets easier to bear," Rodolphus told her, sharply recalling Nymphadora asking him the same thing. "Do you remember Nymphadora being hysterical with guilt a few days ago? She could not help what she did, and neither could you, Andromeda. It's over: you're finished with that Dark part of your life."
Andromeda sighed deeply. "Thanks," she told him, then let go of him and stepped back. "You should go." He nodded at her, then left. She drew a shaky breath, wiping a tear from her eye and looking at Rabastan. "You know I don't love you, right?"
"Yes," he answered. "And you know I don't love you either, don't you? I only kissed you to bring you out of shock."
Andromeda nodded, then said, "Well, you should get to work too." Rabastan left without another word, leaving Andromeda to wonder where Teddy was if Rodolphus hadn't brought him by and if both the child's parents were at work.
Nymphadora carried Teddy downstairs and sighed, seeing Shaul, Mordor, and Draco sitting on the couch. "Are you taking him to work?" Draco asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I don't know," sighed Nymphadora. "Rodolphus didn't think it wise to leave Teddy with Mum after what happened last night, but—if I left him with you two—" she looked at Shaul and Mordor "would you be able to take care of him until your father gets home?"
"Yes," Mordor said. "And if we can't, we can always wake the Weasley up and have her do it."
Draco glared at him, and Shaul rolled his eyes. "Oh, honestly," Shaul said. "We'll just have Draco do it. After all, he needs practice being a father—" he ducked a blow from Draco's fist and rolled off the couch, laughing. "We can do it, Dora," he told her.
She set Teddy down, and the child toddled over to his cousin sleepily, still in his pajamas. "Thanks," she said gratefully, then grabbed a snack to eat before hugging both twins goodbye and leaving.
Nymphadora struggled through the day, trying to ignore Detah, who she now knew was a Death Eater who wanted her dead. With that pleasant thought running through her mind, she had to keep telling the Fairmont sisters not to disclose their plans of operation to Detah, who was uncomfortably nosy.
Finally, the one twin scowled at Nymphadora. "I don't even know why you don't trust him," she said. "I just think that you've decided you don't like him, and you're just being stubborn. I'm going to go talk to him." She jumped up, her hair flashing red as she glared down at the British Auror.
"If you do, you will cause deaths," Nymphadora told her, and the other sister bit her lip.
"Ash, maybe you shouldn't," said Isabelle. "We'll just have to see what happens."
Ashley growled at Nymphadora and sat down, just as Detah came over again. "Finished?" he asked.
"Not quite," Isabelle replied before the two glaring at each other could say anything. "We're having a few last minute disagreements about our plans."
"I see," said Detah, looking from Ashley to Nymphadora. His gaze settled on the black-haired witch, and Nymphadora reinforced her Occlumency Shields, waiting for the probe, but it never came. "Is there trouble, Nymphadora?"
"Don't call me Nymphadora," she hissed at him, wishing that Andrews would come over and shoo Detah away. "Hey," she added as an after-thought. "Can you do a Patronus?"
Detah gave her a dirty look and walked off. Isabelle stared after him. "Do you think he can?" she asked her sister and Tonks.
"All Aurors have to be able to do it, don't they?" Nymphadora asked the sisters
"No, they don't," Ashley corrected her. "Not here in the States. Don't look at us like that! Just because you're a Brit doesn't make you better than us, Nymphadora Tonks!"
"I'm a Lestrange," Tonks corrected coldly.
Ashley scowled at her again. "You're more a brat than you are a Brit," she snapped.
Andrews appeared at the opening to the cubicle just as Nymphadora opened her mouth to tell Ashley that Americans couldn't create a good comeback if they had received a PhD in insulting people. "Getting along well," he said. "Very good. Tonks, may I see you in my office?"
Tonks rose to her feet, still annoyed with the girls, and followed him to his office. Once the door was closed and the wards had crackled into place, Andrews sat down, motioning her to do the same. "Are you having problems with the sisters?" he asked her.
"Sir, I don't—" she bit her lip nervously "I don't trust Detah, and he keeps asking about our plans. The girls do not understand why I don't trust him, and I really can't explain it to them, either. Then, they think I'm just being an arrogant English woman."
"This is because your husband told you that Detah is an ex-Death Eater?"
Nymphadora stared at him. "Well, part of it," she stammered. "How did you know?"
Andrews watched her for a moment before replying, "He met me in an entertainment hall and informed me of it. I have not said anything to Detah, neither have I checked his arm. If he is indeed Joshua Matthews, then he is also wanted, dead or alive."
"Oh." Nymphadora looked down, not sure what to say. Suddenly she looked up. "Wait. Rodolphus told you?"
"You didn't think Detah would say something, did you?" Andrews asked wryly. "Yes, Rodolphus Lestrange set up the meeting. Very skillfully, I might add. He is in much danger if anyone finds out that he's stuck in the middle of all this. He wants to protect you, Nymphadora."
"I know," she whispered. "But don't call me Nymphadora." She frowned at him and he smiled.
A knock sounded on the door and he called, "Come in!"
Two men entered, looking at Tonks with interest. She barely gave them a second glance, concentrating on Andrews. "We need another Auror to complete the raid assignment," said one of the men. "Do you want us to take one of the Fairmont girls, or get one of the trainees?"
Tonks nearly gaped at them for asking if one of the trainees would suffice for a raid mission, but she kept her mouth shut. Andrews looked over at Tonks, then back at the two men. "Neither," he replied. "I think Ms. Tonks needs to get out into the sunlight: she can go with you."
The two men looked at her again, and one said, "All right. Come along, Tonks. We've heard about you, but never seen you in action. We'll tell you about it on the way out."
Nymphadora stood and followed them, and Andrews watched her in concern. There was something different about her since she had first come in that he just couldn't put his finger on. He now knew that she was in great danger, but that her husband was trying to help the situation by putting himself in the middle of it. Andrews shook his head. The poor girl and her family were headed for disaster.
Nymphadora stumbled into the apartment, being greeted by Shaul and Mordor. "You're hurt," Mordor said, almost accusingly.
"I'm fine," she told him. "I was just hit by a piece of flying wood." Tonks smiled slightly just as Rodolphus came down the stairs and walked over to give her a welcome-home kiss.
"Dora," he said softly, touching the bloody cut on the side of her neck and face.
"It's okay," she reassured him as his brow furrowed worriedly.
He drew his wand and she closed her eyes as he touched his wand tip to the side of her face. She heard him murmur the spell, and felt her wound burn all the way up and down. Finally, she looked up at him and reached up to touch her face. "Did it scar?" she asked him worriedly.
Rodolphus smiled at her. "No, Love. Your face is still the same. Always beautiful," he murmured at the last, leaning forward and kissing her again. "So how did it go with your mother?"
Nymphadora stared at him in horror. "I completely forgot her!" she whimpered. "Oh, goodness!" Pulling away, she hurried back toward the door.
"Aren't you going to eat supper?" Rodolphus called after her.
"No!" she called back. "I have to get to Mum before she wonders why I'm not there!" And she hurried out the door, disapparating and worrying that her mother might think she wasn't coming. Walking into her mother's house, she called, "Mum?"
Rabastan's voice came from the living room. "We're in here, Dora!"
Nymphadora hurried into the room and stopped, finding her mother quietly playing chess with Rabastan. Something seemed off, and she said, "What's going on?"
"You forgot, didn't you?" Rabastan accused her.
"Um—sorry?" Nymphadora said lamely. "Mum—" she hurried over to the black-haired woman and put a hand on her shoulder. "I'm here now: I was injured at work today, and Rodolphus reminded me to come after he healed me. I'm sorry, Mum."
Andromeda didn't look up, and Nymphadora sighed. "I'm sorry," she told her mother again. "Narcissa told me so much of what happened to you before you left to be with dad. I had no idea that your childhood was so difficult."
She stared at one of the chess pieces. "It was hell," Andromeda shuddered. "Dora, I know you faced hard times at school because I made you a half-blood, but—" she gave a small choked sob "Dora, if you'd suffered in the House of Black like I did—I couldn't let it happen to my children. So I chose to marry your father, and I do believe I chose well, for he was a good man. I loved him, Dora, and he was a very good father to you."
"They Imperiused you?" Tonks asked her, putting an arm around her mother's shoulders.
"Yes, but that's over," Andromeda breathed. "It was over by the time I turned twelve. Then, I had to be so careful that I didn't let anyone know what I was, or Father and Mother would have tortured me ruthlessly. By the time I was finished with school, I'd done countless horrors to people—and every summer I went home to ruin more lives."
"I'm so sorry, Mum," Nymphadora whispered, and Andromeda closed her eyes.
"The things I've done!" the woman moaned, hiding her face in her daughter's robe. "Some of them—oh, Nymphadora, they deserve Azkaban!"
Nymphadora blinked in surprise, and Rabastan raised an eyebrow at Andromeda. "Mum, you're not like that now, and it's all over. Besides: your parents forced you to do what you did."
Andromeda wept, "But you don't know—"
"I don't need to know," Nymphadora interrupted her mother.
"Bellatrix wanted me to join the Death Eaters after I graduated," Andromeda whispered, "but Father had told me several times that he did not believe that girls should be involved in war firsthand. But I was already a tool of my own family; I was not about to become a tool for the Dark Lord."
"So you knew before Bellatrix revealed her Dark Mark to your parents that she was a Death Eater?" Tonks realized. "Oh. Goodness."
Looking up, the black-haired woman said, "Do you remember me telling you that my parents found out that they had two wayward daughters in one night? They found out that Bella was a Death Eater, and they found out that I had not only married a Mudblood, but had destroyed my powers because I had gotten pregnant." Andromeda sighed. "They were more angry that I had destroyed my powers than that Bellatrix had gone against their wishes, or even that I had married a Mudblood secretly against their will. Do you know that they might have disowned Bellatrix for becoming a Death Eater if I, the favourite daughter, hadn't gone awry at the same time?"
Nymphadora looked shocked, and Rabastan seemed a lot more confused than he had been, but wisely kept his mouth shut. "So was she spared because you left, or did she reveal her Dark Mark because you left?"
"She used my situation to her advantage," sighed Andromeda. "Just as I, or any other Black—or any other Slytherin, for that matter—would have done. She revealed her Dark Mark, then told us that she had joined the Dark Lord in order to rid the world of people like me. Bellatrix wanted to win our parents over to her side, because Narcissa was engaged to Lucius, and he was going to get the Dark Mark very soon as well. All of this was happening, and I wanted to get out of the entire situation. Thank goodness for your father, Nymphadora. He saved me." She hid her face in Tonks' robe again.
Nymphadora wrapped her arms around her mother and hugged her tightly. "I love you, Mum," she said firmly. "You are different from Bellatrix because you chose to leave, and you refused to be everything that she was. I know you don't like me to quote Dumbledore, but Mum, it's what you are now that matters instead of what you have been, or what other people have made you be. You are not evil, Andromeda Tonks; you're my mother, for goodness' sake! I know you're not evil."
"You haven't seen what I can do," Andromeda whispered.
"No, but I don't need to, and I really honestly don't want to," Nymphadora replied. "I bet the two of us could be the most wicked witches in the Wizarding World if we wanted to, now that Bellatrix is gone. Just because we could be wicked, doesn't mean that we have to be, or are going to be. You didn't choose the Dark, Mother. I didn't choose the Dark. Goodness knows that we could: Mad Eye was always scolding me about it. I think he knew that I could have been a menace if I'd turned, but I didn't turn. And you didn't either, Mother; we turned away from it. We fought it, with all that we have."
Andromeda looked up, about to say something, but all she did was cry, stand up, and throw her arms around her daughter. "I'm still fighting for the Light," Nymphadora whispered in her mother's ear. "It's still hard. Rodolphus has told me that my life is in danger at the Office, and I know that there are Death Eaters in the American Auror Office, one in particular who wants me dead. Mother, I'm fighting for Teddy, for Rodolphus, for this little one—" Nymphadora touched her stomach as her mother drew back and looked at her "for you, and for me. I want to come back home, Mum. I miss being around you, and I need to see you a lot more than I do."
The woman sighed deeply, trying to stop her tears. "Please come home quickly," she begged. "I need you to come home and keep me sane!"
"You'll be okay," Nymphadora said softly. "I promise I'll come home soon." She squeezed her mother tightly, then asked, "Do you think you can take care of Teddy tomorrow while we're gone?"
"Yes," Andromeda whispered. "I know you didn't bring him today. Where was he?"
"Shaul and Mordor took care of him," Nymphadora answered. "I didn't even ask about Teddy before I came over here. Teddy likes the twins, and so I figured it was safe to leave him with them, especially because Ginny and Draco are at the apartment as well. I'll bring him by tomorrow. You'll need something to take your mind off your troubles, and Teddy will help you. And, if when he takes a nap you start feeling bad, send me a Patronus, and I'll send my Patronus to keep you company."
Andromeda smiled weakly. "Thanks," she said.
Nymphadora smiled back. "You're always welcome, Mum," she replied. "Just make sure you don't say too much with the Patronus, 'cause I'll probably be in the Office." She stepped back from her mother, then asked, "Are you going to keep your hair black?"
Andromeda swallowed hard. "I can't change my appearance unless I get really angry," she sighed. "I won't be able to change it back."
"Oh." Nymphadora looked sad. "I'm sorry."
"You could change it for me," Andromeda said, then snapped her mouth shut, looking worried.
"What?" Nymphadora asked in surprise, and Andromeda bit her lip, hating herself for even starting to mention it.
Andromeda looked down, then answered, "A Metamorphagus can change someone else's appearance if she touches their magic with her own." Nymphadora stared at her mother in horror, and Andromeda said, "Nymphadora, please—I don't want anyone else to know."
Nymphadora continued watching her mother, worriedly. "Mum, I've never done—"
"I have," Andromeda interrupted, and Rabastan's eyes grew wide. "I can guide you through it," Andromeda told her. "I've seen memories of it happening to other people, and I know what it feels like: I'll be prepared for it."
"Mum, no!" protested Nymphadora, considerably worried.
"Please, Dora," her mother pleaded. "I don't want anyone to know what I once was. If you're fighting for me, then please protect me!"
Nymphadora sighed, then nodded and looked down. "Tell me how to do it."
Andromeda took a deep breath in relief, then took Nymphadora's left hand and placed it on her chest. "Spread your fingers," she told her daughter. "You'll need to let magic flow through your fingers and dig for the magic in my core. When you finally touch it, you will know. Then, use your own abilities to turn my hair dark brown. If you want to draw your wand to counter-balance the magic, then go ahead."
Tonks looked into her mother's eyes nervously, and Andromeda placed her hand over her daughter's. "You can do it, Nymphadora," she said softly, then smiled grimly. "I could do it by age ten, and so easily, that whoever my subject was, they barely felt anything. Reach for my magic."
Nymphadora bit her lip, then let tendrils of her magic wind around her mother's, searching very carefully. Andromeda lifted her right hand, then jerked it back to her side, saying, "Reach for the magic, Nymphadora. Look closely. It's like a piece of burning coal at the heart of a fire. Look for the base: it's the thing that makes a wizard or witch what she is."
Closing her eyes, Tonks searched gently, feeling her mother's magic, warm and reassuring, surrounding her and drawing her in. Feeling the magic stemming from somewhere, Tonks reached for the source with her magic until she heard Andromeda gasp. "Mum?" she asked, before she was nearly blinded by the strong magic she was encountering.
It felt like she was holding the sun in her hands, the magic she felt was so powerful and vibrant. Nymphadora didn't hear her mother cry out, mesmerized by the power that she felt. After a few minutes, she heard her mother sob, "Nymphadora! Nymphadora, please! Just do it."
Jerked back from her thoughts, Nymphadora closed her eyes and willed her mother's hair to turn brown, feeling the magic change. Nymphadora withdrew her magic, and her mother sank to the floor, sobbing. "Mum?" Nymphadora asked, kneeling beside her, her mind still reeling with the memory of how powerful her mother's magic was. "Mum, are you all right?"
Andromeda sobbed and wrapped her arms around herself, not replying. Nymphadora put her arms around her mother. "Mum, did I hurt you?" she asked, trembling. "Oh, I'm sorry!"
"N—no," choked Andromeda. "I've just never felt your magic like that. It—it's—I used to be like you. A long time ago. And you also held my life in your hands, Dora. When you touch another wizard's magic, you have the ability to crush the life out of them by destroying their magic."
"Mum: have you done that?" she asked in horror.
"No!" sobbed Andromeda, hiding her face in her hands. "No, I never did. But Mum and Dad wanted me to several times, and they Cursed me every time I refused!"
Nymphadora held her mother tightly. "And you still wanted me to get into your magic?" she asked, surprised.
Andromeda took a deep breath and looked up at her daughter's face. "Yes," she whispered. "I trust you. I know you wouldn't tamper with someone else's magic: it can permanently maim them, you understand."
"Mother," Tonks said, sounding very small, "you know much more about being a Metamorphagus than I do, and you weren't even one as long as I have been!"
"Anyone can tamper with someone's magic," Andromeda said after taking a deep breath. "It's just more dangerous when we play with it, because we can change their magic, and they won't be able to change it back. But Dora, I was taught to always be aware of my magic and what I could do with it. I was trained in wandless magic starting from about two years old all the way up until I went to school. I have done more things with morphing than probably any other Metamorphagus has, but a lot of it is very dangerous and should not be widely known. It could also make you a target for those who would want to exploit your powers."
"Like I'd have anything that they'd want to use besides my ability to impersonate anyone," Tonks said, rolling her eyes.
Andromeda grabbed her daughter by the arms. "Nymphadora, humans are not the only things you can impersonate!" she said sharply. "You can be anything you want to, not limited to anything from venomous serpents to a house cat! You could make yourself an inanimate object—not that I'd advise it when you're pregnant. Nymphadora, Rabastan has been right all along: you are more powerful than you know, more than I've ever told you, and for very good reasons. I know the power of the Dark, and the way my family has gone. I wouldn't have been surprised if you'd taken after Bellatrix and run off to join the Death Eaters, but I'm so proud of you that you didn't."
The woman trembled a little before continuing, "Nymphadora, you're more powerful than I was, and when I first held you after you were born, I felt your magic fairly crackling inside you. I knew, from the first moment I touched you, that you would be a very powerful witch. Your father didn't understand like I did, because he had never held a magical baby before, and I hadn't told him of my powers."
Nymphadora gaped at her mother. "You never told him?"
"I told him when you started Auror training," Andromeda replied finally. "My magic was becoming unpredictable and I needed him to be able to help me if I accidentally morphed. For eighteen years, my morphing had lain dormant, but it seeped in, rare and unpredictable. I knew it could happen whenever because I had been taught to be aware of my magic. Your father was able to correct whenever I accidentally changed myself."
"Like when?" Nymphadora asked. "And why didn't I ever notice until last night?"
"Do you remember when you brought Remus here the first time?" Andromeda asked, finally drawing herself to her feet. Nymphadora nodded and stood up as well. "When you flat out told us that you loved him and were going to marry him, I couldn't control the reaction of terror that my magic had to your words, and I had to leave."
The girl nodded. "You ran up the stairs, and Dad excused himself a moment later and followed you. Remus was really scared that you didn't like him."
Shaking her head, Andromeda sighed. "I was afraid for you, and him, Dora, and I felt my magic reacting to my fear," she explained. "I wanted to protect you from everything I'd gone through, and I was terrified that if you were no longer with me, I couldn't help you. But Remus was good for you, Dora; he was a very good man."
Nymphadora bit her lip and looked down, tears prickling her eyelids. "I loved him so much," she whispered.
"I loved your father, too," Andromeda whispered in reply. "He saved my life, otherwise I would have died under my parents' ruthless use of my powers. I owe him everything good in my life, including you."
"Oh." Tonks' face turned slightly pink, and she hugged her mother before saying, "I've got to get home. Remember, Mum. Send me a Patronus if you need company."
"I will," her mother promised, hugging her tightly. "Thanks for coming."
The girl nodded, then turned and left the house, apparating to the apartment.
Rodolphus came to meet her and immediately drew her into his arms, giving her a hug. "I love you," he murmured to her, kissing her cheek because she seemed to be thinking about something else. "No matter what."
"I love you too," she whispered before turning to him and giving him a kiss on the lips. "Mum was playing chess with Rabastan when I arrived." Nymphadora shook her head. "She hasn't played chess in I-don't-know-how long, and I really have no idea what would prompt her to do that. But I distracted her, and I don't think they finished their game."
"Makes perfect sense," he chuckled softly. "Was she very upset?"
"No," Tonks answered, snuggling onto his lap when he sat down on the couch with her. "She seemed a little disappointed that I'd come late, but she talked. She described a lot of her life to me and explained why she's acted the way she has several times. I understand her more now, and I helped her regain her brown hair so she doesn't have to go around looking even more like Bellatrix than normal."
Rodolphus hugged his wife slightly and said, "When I arrived this morning, she begged my forgiveness for her arrangement of my marriage to Bellatrix. I told her that she was forgiven, and she cried like a child in my arms. Nymphadora, do you remember what you said about letting go of the anger I have toward Bellatrix?"
"Yes," she breathed, and Rodolphus pressed his lips to her forehead before murmuring, "I think it's starting to fade. I'm finally healing, Dora."
"Rod!" she cried, tears coming to her eyes. "Oh, Rod!" She squeezed him tightly, overjoyed at his words. "Oh, yes! Yes!" She wept for joy as Rodolphus cuddled her close, rubbing her back gently. "I'm so happy for you," she whispered to him. "I love you so much, Rodolphus."
"Thank you," he murmured. "I owe you so much, Dora. You've done so much good for me."
Nymphadora pressed her forehead against his rough cheek. "You've helped me understand things from others' point of view," she said. "Through your eyes, I've seen things that I never would have seen otherwise. Thanks."
Rodolphus hugged her again, then asked, "Are you hungry? We had supper while you were gone, because we didn't know when you'd be back."
"Of course I'm hungry," Tonks said, teasingly offended. "I'm pregnant!"
"Whatever you say," he told her, giving her a kiss before lifting her to her feet and standing to lead her into the kitchen. "I want to keep you safe, Dora," he murmured. "Please be careful at work."
"I will," she promised him. "I just went on a raid today: a special assignment to get me out of the Office so I wouldn't murder that stooge—Ashley Fairmont."
He raised an eyebrow at his wife. "Stooge?" he said. "What kind of a word is that?"
She rolled her eyes. "Some sort of Americanism that means 'idiot,' or something like that," she said. "Moron, dumbkopf, etc..." she sighed, then grinned at his expression. "I have quite the range of insults."
"Russian insults?" he asked her.
"French insults?" she retorted.
"Darling, you're not Russian," he told her, and she pouted at him. Rodolphus groaned. "Oh, stop!" he told her, leaving her near the table and walking on into the kitchen. "Why do you always resort to that?"
Laughing, she crept up behind him and wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing the soft spot below his ear. "Because it works," she murmured in amusement. "And if something works, shouldn't we use it, as long as it's reasonable?"
Rodolphus turned and drew her into his arms, holding her against himself again. "It might wear out," he warned her.
"Not on you," she giggled, looking into his eyes and winking. "I know you."
"Guilty," he sighed, then kissed her lips. "Goodness, witch. Go sit at the table until I bring your food to you."
"Okay," she said happily, laughing as she hurried back to the table and sat down, grinning over at him. Rodolphus shook his head and quickly prepared her food.
While she was eating, the boys and Ginny came downstairs and joined Tonks and Rodolphus at the table. Ginny smiled at her, and Nymphadora smiled back. "Is your mum okay?" Ginny asked.
Tonks nodded, taking a bite of her supper. "She's okay," Tonks replied. "She told me that she wants me to come home as soon as I can. I'm not sure when that will be, though."
"It might be sooner than you think," Rodolphus said quietly.
"What do you mean?" Ginny asked him.
"How would you know if she would be able to go home soon?" Draco questioned.
"Because I know the Death Eaters she and the American Aurors are after," Rodolphus replied.
The twins stared at him. "You would not betray—"
Rodolphus fixed them with a severe glare and both of them recoiled, silent immediately. "I would not," he said, his dark eyes boring into them. "Not after what we did to Karkaroff—and not before that, either."
"It would be dishonourable to betray them," Ginny said understandingly, and the three Lestrange men stared at her.
"Since when do you think of something like that?" Mordor sneered at her.
"She's a Gryff," Shaul said, rolling his eyes. "It's that stupid honour thing."
Nymphadora nodded at Ginny, agreeing. "The dishonourable are dishonoured," she said quietly. "Rodolphus would not speak of them, and I would not ask it of him."
Draco joined in the conversation. "You are one of the few," he told her.
She shrugged and continued eating. After a moment, she looked up at the twins and asked, "Where's Teddy?"
"Oh, he's sleeping," Ginny answered for them. "I played with him and he fell asleep after a little bit, so I put him in the playpen. I have a Waking Charm set on the sleeve of my robe to alert me if he wakes up."
"Yes, they stuck Ginny with taking care of Teddy, because they didn't know what to do with him when he started crying," Draco said, rolling his eyes.
"But I didn't mind," Ginny said quickly. "Teddy's a sweet child."
Tonks smiled slightly to herself, wiping her mouth on a napkin. "I hope he's going to be like Remus," she said. "Instead of me."
Rodolphus allowed the back of his hand to brush hers gently, reminding her that he loved her. Nymphadora looked at him, then leaned over and kissed the corner of his mouth before whispering, "I'm going to go see Teddy." He nodded, and she stood, walking out of the dining room.
Nymphadora went into the living room, finding Teddy in his playpen as Ginny had said. She watched him sleeping sweetly for a moment, then sat down next to the playpen and rested her chin on her knees as she watched.
After a moment, Shaul joined her, sitting on the floor beside her. "We didn't leave Teddy with Ginny because he started crying," he said uncomfortably. "Mordor and I just didn't feel up to being nursemaids."
Giggling quietly, Nymphadora nodded in understanding. "So you let Ginny take care of him, and then she didn't give him back?"
"Yeah," Shaul said, rubbing the back of his neck gingerly. "Anyway, Dora, I want to tell you to be very careful around those you're working with. If Father says you're in danger, then it's a very, very bad situation. Father doesn't worry about danger very much: he's rather immune to it. He's escaped from so many dangerous situations that it doesn't really bother him even to be cornered."
"I'll be careful," she promised, then shyly slipped her arm around his shoulders. "Be careful at school. You have to go back soon, don't you?"
"Yes," he sighed. "I'll be glad when we're finished. It's very tiresome, after years of magical instruction, to have to go to school and supposedly learn new things. Especially after everything we went through when our mother trained us to be Death Eaters?"
Nymphadora glanced at him, almost smiling. "She did your training?"
Shaul nodded once. "But don't get any sweet little motherly pictures in your head," he warned her. "I swear she tried to kill us. She trained us hard, and she didn't let us just slide by; we had to do everything well. If she was pleased with our progress, she merely drilled something else."
"Ouch," she sighed. "I can't imagine being trained as a Death Eater, but if you're born for it, I think it should be easier."
"Yeah," Shaul answered again. "Mordor had it easier than I did, but I still think she was harder on him." He shook his head. "He just found it easier to pass all Mum's tests."
Nymphadora smiled at him. "It looks like you survived," she mused. "You must have passed them satisfactorily as well."
Shaul shrugged. "I'm alive. I survived her, and the Dark Lord, and my brother—and Father." She poked him sharply in the ribs, and he winced. "Dora!" he protested. "I was nice!"
"Sure you were," she answered, a grin appearing on her face as she squeezed his shoulders gently. "I know what you meant."
"And I said I survived Mordor as well," complained Shaul. "Father hasn't done half as many things to me as he has."
"Oh," Tonks said mischievously. "Should I complain about Mordor, then?"
"There is nothing about me about which you could complain," interrupted another voice, and Nymphadora looked up to see Mordor looking down at her.
Tonks winked at him. "I'm just trying to make your brother feel special."
Mordor snorted. "He is special," he said. "Very—ow!" Shaul had grabbed his brother's ankle, magic crackling, and pulled him to the ground, tackling him.
"Hey!" shouted Shaul as Mordor hit him with a fist.
"You started it!" Mordor retorted, trying to hold his brother down on the floor.
Nymphadora stared at the two in amusement, seeing Draco, Ginny, and Rodolphus come into the room and watch the Lestrange twins in surprise. Ginny smiled happily, but Draco seemed shocked that his cousins were rolling around on the floor in a fistfight. Rodolphus' face was passive, revealing nothing.
"Muggle punching?" Draco asked disdainfully.
"Stay out of it, Malfoy!" Shaul snapped, laughing as he tried to pin Mordor down. "You'll get your hair messed up!"
Ginny gasped, then started laughing, much to Draco's embarrassment. She slipped her hand into his and squeezed it gently, leaning her head against the sleeve of his robe. He squeezed her hand back, then glared at Rodolphus when he looked at the couple for longer than a glance.
Suddenly, Teddy gave a cry, and Nymphadora turned toward the playpen, seeing Teddy stir and open his eyes, crying as he became aware of everyone surrounding him. His mother stood, then leaned down and picked up the child, holding him close and rubbing his back reassuringly. "It's okay," she told him softly.
Shaul and Mordor sat, laughing, on the floor, looking up at Nymphadora. "Sorry," Shaul laughing as he ducked away from his brother's hand. "I guess we woke him up."
"It's fine," Nymphadora said, smiling at the boys as she went over to the couch and sat down. After a few minutes, Teddy woke up all the way and stopped crying, keeping a hold of his mother's robe as he looked at the others in the room.
Rodolphus came to sit down by his wife and her child and Teddy looked at him with wide eyes. "May I hold him?" Rodolphus murmured to Nymphadora, and she handed the child to Rodolphus, curling up against his side, and leaning her head against his shoulder, closing her eyes.
"I'm tired," sighed Nymphadora, then smiled slightly. "Today I actually got to do something at the Office instead of sitting around, and now I feel like I've been running a marathon."
"A—what?" Mordor asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Um, it's a really long race based on endurance," Tonks replied. "Of which I have none anymore."
Shaul snorted, and Rodolphus said, "I'm sure that's not true. I'm sure it's just because your energies are channeled not only to you, but to our little one. And you were also injured this morning, don't forget. Your body was probably trying to heal itself, and made you more tired."
Mordor laughed. "And you had to deal with a hysterical Andromeda—"
"She wasn't!" Nymphadora hissed at him. "She was fine! Although I scared her and she was upset. But she wasn't hysterical."
Shaul cut his brother off as he was about to speak, and the two nearly went back to wrestling, except that Ginny sat down between them, and Mordor yanked his hand away just in time.
"Touch the girl and I'll make you wish you hadn't gotten out of bed this morning," Draco threatened Mordor.
The Lestrange boy smirked and reached toward Ginny again. Ginny jerked away from him, and nearly fell against Shaul, who grinned and leaned closer to her. She glared at him, and when he didn't stop, she brought her hand up sharply and slapped the side of his face.
Shaul stared at her. "I was teasing!" he said as the red mark her hand had made began to show up on his face.
"I have brothers who like to tease that way," she said. "They know better than to test me."
"I thought you were my friend," Shaul pouted, and all four other adults stared at each other uncomfortably.
"Even friends have personal space," Ginny said pointedly. "Goodness, Shaul. I'm going to bed." Ginny stood and headed for the stairs, Draco following her.
Sharing a glance, the twins smirked mischievously, then jumped up and sneaked after their cousin and his fiancee. When they came back, Shaul's ears were red, and Mordor was grinning at him.
Nymphadora grinned at the two. "Did he kiss her good night?" she asked knowingly.
"Um, yeah," Shaul said, his face turning slightly pink.
"Oh, yes," Mordor laughed at the same time. "Malfoy now knows what he wants and how to get it."
"He's a good boy, really," Nymphadora defended Draco. "And he's not crude. Narcissa did an excellent job raising him."
Shaul made a face, and Mordor rolled his eyes. "He's a sissy."
Nymphadora frowned at the two. "He has done the best he could in the position he was in," she said to them sharply. "Don't you ever call him a sissy. He's done a lot better than you two did: he kept his record clean!"
Mordor glared at her. "He didn't have the mother we did!"
"She taught him just as much or more than she did you," Rodolphus told his older son. "Narcissa protected Draco from becoming a hardened Death Eater—and he also had a father—you didn't."
"And whose fault was that?" spat Mordor at his father.
"Mother's," Shaul said, brushing his shoulder against his brother's. "She wouldn't allow him to know about us."
Mordor glared at the foot of the couch. "I'm almost certain the Dark Lord and Bellatrix alone knew of us," he said bitterly. "Except for him." Mordor looked murderous, and Shaul seemed very nervous.
"Who?" Nymphadora asked curiously.
"The one who raised us," Shaul answered finally. "He was a horrible man, and his favourite thing to do was experimental Dark potions using Muggles."
"That's the place—" Tonks began, and Shaul nodded.
"You were held there," Mordor said unfeelingly. "You were supposed to be killed, and your power transferred to someone else, probably him."
Tonks listened, Rodolphus frowning, although he squeezed her hand reassuringly. "They wanted to take your blood," Shaul said. "There are—crazy things that people could do with your blood, Nymphadora, and he wanted to do them. He wanted to kill you, and use you for his experiments. When we stopped him from killing you, he tortured us after we left the room."
Nymphadora looked sad. "Sorry," she told them. "I didn't mean to cause problems. And I certainly did not expect to get out of there alive, especially after the torture that he did to me."
"Yeah," Shaul sighed. "I think it was the third time we had seen you, and I was terrified that he was going to kill you—or worse yet, expect us to do it!"
"Would you have done it?" Tonks asked softly.
Shaul looked down, and Mordor seemed surprised. Finally, Shaul said coldly, "I'd rather die."
Tears came to Nymphadora's eyes. "Shaul, I love you," she told him softly. "You're such a sweet boy."
The boy jumped up and sat down beside Tonks, putting his arms around her. "I love you, Mum," he murmured, and Mordor glared at his brother.
As the older twin was about to snap at Shaul, Rodolphus glared at Mordor, making him shut his mouth and angrily storm out of the room, going upstairs. Shaul looked up, sighing when he realized his brother wasn't there. "I'm sorry about him," Shaul said to his father and Tonks. "He still wishes Mum was alive and he doesn't like me to call you Mum." He added the last part apologetically to Tonks.
"Then maybe you shouldn't," she said softly. "He is your brother, and he should be more important to you than I am."
Shaul breathed a deep sigh, and Nymphadora rubbed his back gently. "But—what would I call you then?" he asked her, puzzled.
"I have other names and titles besides 'Mother,'" Tonks chuckled. "I'm Nymphadora Tonks Lestrange; I'm an Auror, and a Metamorphagus—but if you call me Auror Lestrange, I'll shoot you."
"Oh." Shaul was surprised at her words. "I wouldn't," he said quickly.
"I've told everyone at both Offices not to call me that," she said. "It just sounds wrong. But, Shaul: call me Nymphadora, or Dora, or Tonks, or—or—even something completely random."
Rodolphus chuckled, his eyes on Teddy. "Call her Aunt," he said.
Shaul looked at her thoughtfully. "Aunt Nymphadora," he said out loud, musing. "Maybe."
"Or just 'Auntie,'" Tonks said with a slight shrug. "Now why don't you go on up to your room."
"Yes, Auntie," he piped up, then laughed and hurried away up the stairs.
"Are you ready to sleep?" Rodolphus asked his wife as she yawned. "I know you're tired," he added.
Nymphadora motioned to her son. "I can't go to sleep until I get him to sleep," she sighed sleepily.
Rodolphus leaned over and kissed her cheek. "Let me do it," he said softly. "You need to go on to bed."
He stood, and she stood with him, before protesting, "No, Rod, you've been up for a long time already—"
"Shhh, Love," he murmured, guiding her toward the stairs and not allowing her to take Teddy from him. "You need to get your rest tonight, because you've had a lot of stress for the last two days. You need to take care of yourself and the little one."
"No, Rod!" she protested as he led her down the hall. "Let me—!"
"Nymphadora, you need to go to bed," he told her quietly but firmly.
"But you've been up since two!" Nymphadora protested as he opened the door to their room and gave her a little push inside.
Rodolphus smiled at her. "I took a long nap when I got back from work," he replied. "I'll be all right." Nymphadora continued protesting, but when Rodolphus told her to get dressed for bed, she pouted at him, but its effect was ruined by a giant yawn. "Get dressed," he repeated, laughing softly.
She obeyed silently, sitting on the edge of the bed when she was finished and looking up at Rodolphus and Teddy. "Rodolphus," she began, but he came over and pulled back the blanket and sheets.
"Lie down," he told her.
"Roddy!" she complained, but he merely motioned her to do as he had said. Nymphadora obeyed, closing her eyes and curling up, pulling her knees up as far as she could. She felt him sit down on the bed next to her, but didn't move.
A sigh escaped him after a moment, and he said, "Dora, all I want for you to be safe. And if you won't take care of yourself, then I will take care of and protect you." He placed his hand on her side, and she shivered, but didn't move. "I love you," he murmured to her, leaning down and kissing her cheek. "Good night."
Teddy made a soft sound, then slipped onto the bed from Rodolphus' lap and crawled over to his mother. He copied his father, leaning down and kissing his mother's cheek. Her eyes flew open, and he sat back on his bottom, watching her.
"Say 'Good night,' Teddy," Rodolphus told the child.
"Night, 'dy," the little boy said, and Tonks' mouth dropped open.
"Teddy!" she whispered, sitting up slightly. "Oh, I love you!" She hugged her little boy, and he wrapped his arms around her neck, clinging to her for a moment before kissing her cheek again.
"Night," he said firmly, then pushed her away.
Tonks released the child, then looked at Rodolphus, who smiled. "I didn't think he would actually say it," he said, then opened his mouth to add something.
Nymphadora lay back down, watching him as he looked away, brow furrowed. "Rod?" she asked in worry, and Teddy struggled against his father's grip so that Rodolphus let him go back to his mother. The child curled up against his mother, holding the front of her shirt in his small fist.
"Please don't be upset with me when I try to help you," Rodolphus told her quietly, looking down. "Dora, I—I am trying to protect you." He sighed again, then said, "I'll be coming home late tomorrow."
"Roddy!" cried Nymphadora. With a dry sob, she sat up and flung her arms around his neck, pressing her face into his robe. "Oh, Roddy!" she choked when she felt his arms slip around her and hold her tightly. Teddy cried out and sat up, and Nymphadora reached out, drawing him into their embrace. "Please be careful," she whispered to her husband, guiding his hand down to rest on her stomach. "You have two of us to protect."
"Three," he corrected her. "Teddy too is part of our family."
Nymphadora leaned back to look into his eyes, then closed her eyes as he leaned forward to kiss her. His fierce, hot kiss made her want to cry as she felt the protectiveness that he was trying to tell her he felt. She marveled that the same fierceness that made a terrifying Death Eater could also make a terrific husband and father, and reveled in the truth that being his wife and mother of his children was her privilege. "I love you," she breathed, her lips against his neck as he hugged her tightly after the kiss.
Rodolphus buried her face in her hair. "My Love," he whispered. "Don't wait up for me tomorrow night. I'll wake you when I come back from work."
"Okay," she agreed with a slight sigh. Releasing him and lying back down, she gathered Teddy into her arms again, and he lay beside her quietly, playing with the tiny ribbons on the front of her shirt.
Her husband watched them for a moment until Tonks patted the bed beside her and gave him a stern look. He grinned, then changed his clothes and slipped into bed beside her. "Good night," he said, then kissed her softly before turning out the light.
Teddy said a few syllables and started to sit up, but Nymphadora kept her hand on him, and the child obediently lay back down. Moments later, both the child and Rodolphus were asleep, and Tonks lay awake, looking at her husband's face. She reached out and took his hand in hers, feeling it to be rough and calloused. Bringing his hand as high as she dared, she kissed his knuckles, then drew back, feeling something different beneath her lips.
After closing her eyes for a moment to help herself get more used to the darkness, she looked at Rodolphus' hand again. Her heart nearly stopped. On the tip of each of his fingers was a horrid-looking, pale scar. Her mind flew back to the night of their Love's Week that he had Cruciated her, then held back a second Curse. Nymphadora remembered his hands blistering with the force of the uncast spell, and had no doubt that the scars were from the magical burns he had received.
"Oh, Rodolphus," she whispered as she thought of how painful it must have been. "I'm so sorry." She bit her lip as she looked at his scars again. It was his right hand: his wand hand, and she wondered how he managed to use his wand before his fingers healed into the scars. She kissed his fingertips, one by one, wishing she could heal them.
He stirred, and she froze, her hand still in his and her other arm cuddling Teddy against herself. Rodolphus turned onto his back, giving her hand a squeeze in his sleep before he released it, continuing to sleep.
"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I love you." She closed her eyes and fell asleep after several quiet, long minutes.
Rodolphus woke up early the next morning, feeling tired, but aware. Turning toward his sleeping wife, he saw her with her arms around her son, holding him close. "Dora," he breathed, leaning over and kissing her cheek. "I love you. Hello, Teddy." The child did not stir, and Rodolphus almost smiled at him. Gently touching his wife's stomach, he murmured, "Good morning, little one."
Nymphadora stirred and stretched, covering his hand with hers and sighing, "Rod? It's so early—oh. Are you leaving?"
"As soon as I'm ready," Rodolphus answered quietly. "I just wanted to let you know that I was almost ready. I'll tell you before I leave."
She nodded slightly, then pressed her face back into the pillow and continued to rest. Rodolphus crawled out of bed and dressed quickly before coming back to Nymphadora and looking down at her. She had retained her natural form during the night, and she made a stunningly beautiful picture, lying there with Teddy in her arms.
"Nymphadora," he said with a soft groan in his voice. "You're so beautiful!" He leaned down and kissed her one, two, three times. "Mmmhmm," he sighed, pressing his face into her long, black hair.
"Rodolphus," she whispered sleepily, reaching up and wrapping her free arm around his neck. "I love you. Have a good day."
He kissed her again, promising her he would. "Just remember," he murmured in her ear, "don't wait up for me."
She nodded, then whispered back, "Be careful, Rodolphus Lestrange. I expect you to come home in one piece."
"Of course," he chuckled, then became solemn when he realized that she wasn't joking. "Sorry," he said quietly, then stood up again. "Goodbye, Love."
"Bye," she whispered. When he had gone, Nymphadora looked at the closed door for a moment, then lay back on her pillows and fell asleep.