That evening, Teddy went to his grandmother's for dinner. She had a steadying influence that Teddy needed at the moment.
He hadn't appreciated that quietness when he was younger, and had always been eager to leave and visit Harry or Draco's homes. Each had had different but equally alluring attractions to a young boy. The Grimmauld House was always brimming with people and usually at least one of them was scheming to make trouble. The Malfoy Manor had been quieter but with expensive wizarding toys to play with and expansive grounds to explore.
Yet Andromeda had been the influence in the background. She managed the logistics of his visiting timetables and what he would need for school, a trip, or a full moon. She was the one who had sat him down and lectured him about treating girls well, the ethical use of magic, the finer points of puberty, and how being a werewolf didn't change his humanity.
She was reticent by nature and her lectures only came right as Teddy was starting to wonder about the topic. So it became natural for him to seek out his grandmother when he wanted to sort something out just as he was doing now. She would either allow him the silence to think things through or she would pierce him with her grey eyes and ask him questions that inevitably struck at the crux of the matter. When he was younger, he had thought she could read his mind. Maybe she could, but now he had Occlumency training and she still had the unnerving ability to read between the lines.
He hoped that she could use her superpower at this dinner as well. His head was too full of thoughts for them to do much more than ping around the inside of his head. However, Andromeda merely ate her dinner, seemingly content to let him think the whole meal.
Finally, Teddy blurted, "Do you remember the Moonlight Killer case?" At his grandmother's amused glance, he corrected himself. "I mean, do you remember what happened around the original murders?"
"I doubt I remember anything that the Ministry doesn't already know," she said mildly. "What do you think I might remember that would help?"
Even used to his grandmother's approach, it was still frustrating to have his questions turned back on him. "Well, did it seem like it could have been some rabid werewolf? Or did it seem to have connections with the war?"
"If it did, would it change how you investigated?" she asked.
He wasn't sure, would he? "Er, I suppose I'd rather get clear on the werewolf angle before I chased any more wilder theories," he allowed. "What do you remember about the werewolves?"
"Your father was my main source of information," she said with the delicate implication that Remus had died before the pack formed or the murders took place. "Surely there is someone else who would have more personal knowledge of them?"
"No one I trust," Teddy mumbled, stabbing at his potatoes. That was one of the reasons Hermione wanted to join the pack in the first place. Yet, his conscience couldn't allow that.
When he looked up, his grandmother's gaze had sharpened, like she had scented a trail. Teddy waited for her to say something, but she stayed annoyingly silent as she focused on finishing her carrots.
Teddy was trying to come up with a question that would get her talking again when the patronus appeared. It was Harry's white stag telling him to report to him immediately.
Andromeda slowly put her fork down and dabbed at her mouth. Her eyes twinkled as she said, "You know dear, I've enjoyed having you here again. The house is so quiet sometimes."
"But Harry makes things a little too noisy?" Teddy guessed.
Andromeda laughed. "Actually, I was thinking of coming over and seeing what the fuss was about."
"Well, it's probably about Hermione wanting to join the werewolf pack," Teddy said, trying to warn her off. "It's probably resulted in another fight between the two of them."
Of course, her eyes only twinkled more. "How fascinating. Do take me along, Teddy."
Since you didn't say no to Andromeda Tonks, Teddy did just that.
As soon as Teddy was out of the fireplace, Harry was yelling from the other room. "What did you say to Hermione?"
Teddy took a moment to give his grandmother his arm so that she could step over the fireplace grate. It was only when he had seen Andromeda almost fall after tripping over her rug that Teddy had realized how fragile she was in her old age. Now, when they went out together, he always stopped to make sure she handled the more challenging parts. He tried not to make it obvious what he was doing, but his grandmother would always pat his hand afterwards, silently acknowledging it. While he was thus occupied he could hear Hermione.
"Honestly, Harry," she said. "Didn't I tell you this was my idea? Don't go blaming Teddy."
"You said you'd be more careful," Harry was saying. "Then you go off with him and suddenly decide to dive headlong into danger again. What do you expect me to think?"
Andromeda placed a hand on Teddy's arm for support and glanced up to the voices. They both made their way up the stairs to where Harry and Hermione were still yelling at each other.
"I expect you to think that I'm a grown woman who makes her own choices," Hermione snapped.
The staircase door creaked as Teddy opened it to the ground floor.
"There you are," Harry said, poking his head into the hallway. "Now, Teddy, explain-" Harry suddenly stopped as he recognized who Teddy was with. "Andromeda! Er, of course you are always welcome but this isn't the best time-"
Andromeda lifted a hand to cut him off. "I heard well enough what is going on, young man."
It was still strange for Teddy to hear Andromeda address his Uncle Harry like that. Harry, with his graying temples and lined jaw, did not look young.
Hermione peeked over Harry's shoulder and brightened as she saw the older woman. "Andromeda!" she said brightly. "Oh it is nice to see you," she said in a completely different tone than the one she had used with Harry. "Come, sit down. Would you like some tea?"
"Who are you, offering tea in my home?" Ginny said, popping her head over the banister of the stairs to the first floor.
Hermione frowned at her. "Oh, now you are going to make an appearance?"
"You were holding your own," Ginny said flippantly. "Tea, Andromeda?"
"That would be lovely, dear. Nothing too strong, though, given the hour."
Ginny pointed her wand in the general direction of the kitchen in the basement.
Andromeda nodded in approval. "Now, am I to understand that we are disapproving of our little war-hero's plan to put herself in danger again?"
Hermione fidgeted and Harry looked uncomfortable. Teddy again marveled at how she managed to make all involved parties squirm.
"Hmm, we might as well go back down to the basement so we can have our tea," Andromeda said. So they all trooped down the stairs again to the large table by the kitchen.