When Andromeda woke up, she felt light, almost weightless. The pressure on her chest was gone for the first time in a long time, and it was glorious. She kept her eyes closed a little longer to savour the tranquillity and Hermione's proximity. Despite the unforeseen intimacy of sharing a bed, waking up next to her gave her a sweet sense of serenity.
Without turning around, she reached over and put her hand on Hermione's ribs and caressed her side. The younger witch stirred, and Andromeda quickly withdrew her fingers so as not to wake her. Careful not to disturb her further, she untangled herself from the sheet they were sharing and rolled onto her side to get a good look at her.
Asleep, she was even more beautiful than awake. Her soft hair cascaded lightly over her face and shoulders. Barely visible freckles adorned her cheeks and nose. Andromeda gently tucked her hair back and then stroked the nape of her neck. It had been a long time since she had felt so close to another person and she could have gazed at the young witch for hours.
Andromeda wished she could just cast away the grief and be a reliable, strong partner for Hermione. She sighed, for it was not that simple. She was painfully aware that the road to healing was still a rocky one. This stunning woman in her bed, however, had just helped her over a very bumpy patch. The fact that the young witch had stood by her with so much compassion and strength during one of her darkest moments touched her deeply. At the same time, it worried her because the doubts were still gnawing at her. What would happen if she were to go through such a hard time again?
She detached herself from the thought, as it was not important for the moment. All that mattered now was that she knew she wanted Hermione in her life, needed her in her life, and had to show her that.
She stroked her hair again and twirled a lock around in her fingers. How absolutely magnificent she was. Andromeda smiled contentedly as a surge of warmth flooded through her. Being in love with Hermione was an indescribably beautiful feeling.
Giving in to her emotions yesterday had also done wonders for her well-being. Her mind was less clouded. She ran her hand over her face and frowned seconds later because it felt so sticky. Although she had no desire to leave the cosy warmth, she had to take a shower. Her head hurt when she got up, and she felt positively drained from all the crying.
Under the scorching hot shower, she used a soft cloth to wash her face and neck to erase the salty traces of her breakdown. She enjoyed the water for a little longer before she went into Nymphadora's room.
Even after the hundredth time, she rolled her eyes at the sight of the chaos inside the wardrobe. Although she always dusted Nymphadora's room and often read a book in it or listened to Nymphadora's music, she had never managed to organise the closet. The mess was a vital piece of her daughter's personality, and Andromeda wanted to cherish it forever.
For this very reason, she carelessly threw clothes that she had previously worn and laundered back into the wardrobe. She never felt closer to Nymphadora than when she wore her clothes. Two years ago, she never would've done that. Not even if she had been paid to do so. It made her laugh and put her hand over her mouth not to wake Hermione. Nymphadora would surely make fun of her, and the thought warmed her heart. She knew that from somewhere, her girl was watching her and laughing with her.
She rummaged around on the top shelf with her hand. After a while, she felt a rough piece of fabric and pulled on it. To her disappointment, it was not a pair of trousers but a very short denim skirt. She threw it back and kept searching. Then finally, from far behind, she pulled out torn dark jeans. She eyed them critically, unsure if she could fit into them or not, but it was worth a try.
They were so tight that she for a moment contemplated using magic, but her wand was in her bedroom. A few muttered profanities later, she had the jeans on. The T-shirt fit effortlessly as it was loose, dark, and surprisingly had no tears and holes in it. She pulled it over her head on the way out of the room.
When she peeked into her grandson's bedroom, the boy was quietly playing with his stuffed animals. On tippytoes, she entered the room. She lifted him into her arms and spun them around once, which made him laugh. Still a little bleary-eyed, he looked at her and gurgled. Much like his mother, he was never much of a talker early in the morning. She pressed her nose against his and then kissed his forehead. 'Did you sleep well, my heart?'
'Yes!' Teddy exclaimed and grabbed a strand of her damp hair.
Upon her return to the bedroom, she spotted her wedding band on the bedside table. Unconsciously, she rubbed her index finger over the bare spot on her ring finger and picked it up. For a moment, she turned the ring back and forth. Her eyes roamed over the woman in her bed, and she briefly considered not wearing it anymore. Although she was sure about Hermione, it didn't feel right to take the ring off yet. Sighing, she sat down on the bed with Teddy in her lap and put it on. A familiar warm tingling sensation spread through her hand.
Lovingly she stroked Hermione's head until the young witch opened her eyes. Andromeda smiled and pressed a gentle kiss to her cheek. 'Good morning, my love.'
Hermione stretched languidly and sighed before resting her head on her hand. Her eyes roamed over Andromeda's face before she smiled brightly. 'Do you feel better? You're practically glowing!'
Andromeda nodded and cupped her cheek. 'I do. Thanks to you, my love.'
Hermione eyed her again. She looked content, and she was sure she wasn't wearing glamour. As lovely as it was to see her so relaxed, she didn't know where she stood with her, and it worried her. Hermione's brow furrowed, and she searched Andromeda's gaze. 'Are we good?' she asked with a soft voice.
Andromeda sighed at the concern in her wary expression. She reached for her hand and held it against her heart. 'I don't ever want to let you go!'
Relieved, Hermione exhaled slowly. Her words were like music to her ears. She brushed her fingertips over Andromeda's cheeks. 'I'm glad.'
The two witches sat there and looked at each other. Hermione was so close to her, and her feelings for her so strong that Andromeda felt a little dizzy. How wonderful it would be to be even closer to her, to feel her lips against hers. Right when she had gathered all her courage to kiss her, Hermione turned away from her and stood up.
Andromeda let her head fall back against the headboard and laughed, which made Teddy giggle.
Hermione turned with a puzzled expression. When she spotted them laughing, she had to smile. 'How about breakfast?' she queried.
Andromeda had to gather herself for a moment. She looked longingly at Hermione's lips once more and nodded. 'Yes, breakfast, good idea!'
When she moved, her drowsy grandson began to squirm and looked up at her. His hair turned an aggressive shade of dark orange in the process. Andromeda fondly ruffled his mane. She knew it was mere minutes before he began to throw a tantrum if she didn't get some food into him. 'Someone's starving. We better hurry!'
In the kitchen, Andromeda sat him in his highchair, and with a flick of her wand, fastened his bib around his neck.
Hermione kissed his forehead then focused on Andromeda again, who was buttering a piece of toast. 'What's his breakfast?'
Andromeda sent his buttered toast directly into her hand. His orange juice flew into her other hand, and Andromeda winked at her.
With pink cheeks, Hermione sat down opposite him at the table and handed him his toast with hesitation as he was making a lot of unhappy faces. After the third bite- which he ungratefully spat out - Andromeda placed two pieces of toast in front of herself and Hermione.
Hermione reached for the one with Marmite and took a bite. After a short while, she was interrupted by Teddy, who had managed to tug at her wrist with his chubby hand.
Andromeda chewed her toast and smiled. 'Let him try. Let's see if he enjoys Marmite as much as you do,' the older witch said fondly.
Hermione broke off a generous piece and gave it to him.
He licked it, grimaced and eyed it with a hint of disgust in his features. After a moment's hesitation, he bit off a piece, slowly chewed it and then grinned. 'More,' he demanded. Both women laughed.
'You're such a clown,' Andromeda said, tapping his nose and handed him a piece of her toast, which he chewed contentedly.
She searched Hermione's face again. The pretty witch looked at her lovingly. 'Do you have plans for today, dearest?'
Hermione didn't have to think long. She was excited to spend the day with the older witch. 'If you feel like it, we can try out our latest potion recipe. I'm curious to know if it works.'
Andromeda nodded excitedly. Brewing potions had always been fun for her, and together with Hermione, it could only be great. 'Of course. I can't possibly let you test it on your own.' She laughed and then took a sip of tea while looking at her over the rim of the cup.
Hermione beamed. 'This is going to be so much fun. But say, can I use your shower? I can't exactly leave the house in these.' She pointed towards her yellow leggings. 'There's only one person who was able to pull these off.' She gently squeezed Andromeda's wrist, who smiled fondly.
'You're right about that, and they even looked good on her! As for the shower, of course, you can. I'll get this one ready in the meantime'. She tickled Teddy's belly before she lifted him out of his highchair.
Andromeda was dressing him when Hermione joined them in his room.
She was also wearing Nymphadora's clothes. The black slacks were a tad too long on her, so she had them turned up slightly to make them fit. She looked beautiful, her face and hair illuminated by the sun.
Hermione looked around the room and gasped. The mural was large, with a lush flowering field below a sky painted in the most beautiful hues of blue. In the middle, however, the wall was white.
Andromeda sighed heavily and stroked the white surface. She cleared her throat. 'Nymphadora had been painting it for over two months when her father died. After that, she never picked up the brush again. And then well, then everything changed anyway.'
She shrugged her shoulders, but her expression was strained. Nymphadora had never told her what she had planned for the centre. It saddened her because the ugly white patch was yet another reminder that her daughter had been taken away from her.
'I don't know how to finish it,' Andromeda admitted after a while in an unsteady voice. She pushed the t-shirt over Teddy's head and carefully put both his arms through the sleeves.
Hermione stepped closer and touched the wall, stroking her fingertips over one of the flowers that had been painted with delicate strokes and detailed in bright colours. It was a magnificent work of art and a shame it wasn't completed. She assumed that it must feel terrible for Andromeda to see it like this. As she watched the painting, more and more ideas formed in her mind. After a while, a smile spread on her lips. She turned towards the older witch. 'Would you let me finish it?'
Andromeda's face lit up, immediately curious what the wonderful witch had in mind. 'That would be brilliant, my love! I can't wait to see what you come up with. It's depressing as it is.' She dressed Teddy in a pair of fresh jeans and set him down on the floor. He immediately made a beeline for the trunk in which all his toys were stored.
Hermione watched him open it, and a blue cube caught her eye. She picked it up and started to fiddle with it in her hands. She met Andromeda's gaze. 'I'll make a sketch for you for the mural. Shall we start with our potion now?'
Andromeda raised an eyebrow and lifted her gaze from Hermione's hands. 'Don't you have to work?'
Hermione frowned a little before answering. 'I quit.'
Andromeda's eyes widened. Even after all the rambling about her dreary job, she had not foreseen the former Gryffindor to resign so quickly.
Hermione noticed her bewildered expression. 'I could no longer work there. It almost crushed me. That's why I came by yesterday. No one else knows.' She didn't quite manage to keep the excitement out of her voice. She was glad to finally tell the older witch and, as a result, spend more time with her and Teddy.
Feeling guilty that she had drawn all attention to herself the day before, Andromeda's face fell a bit, but she quickly pulled herself together and smiled. 'I'm proud of you, my love. That's bold!'
Hermione's eyes gleamed. 'I am a Gryffindor, after all!'
Andromeda laughed and nodded before she turned serious again. 'What are you going to do now?' Judging by the look on Hermione's face, the question wasn't an easy one.
Hermione gave her a small smile. 'For now, I'd like to work on that potion. I'll look further after that. I received a large number of Galleons after the war, so I'm in no rush.'
Andromeda thought about her words for a while and furrowed her brows. 'How dirty is the money?' She kept her gaze focused on Teddy, who turned his hair and eyes into the exact same shade as hers. 'Charmer,' she whispered and kissed his head which made him giggle.
Hermione exhaled noisily. 'The money couldn't be dirtier. I'm likely squandering both the Lestrange's and the Malfoy's fortunes right now.' Hermione shuddered at the thought of how the fortune had probably been built up.
Andromeda chuckled drily and touched Hermione's cheek. Hermione's idea of using her wretched family's money to change the world made Andromeda incredibly proud. 'Spend it all! You deserve every single knut!'
'I hope I can undo some of the harm they did.' Hermione's eyes travelled to Teddy and then back to Andromeda. She took a deep breath before she spoke. 'If you let me, I want to help you raise him. There are so many things I'm passionate about that I could teach him.'
Andromeda's stomach clenched. She put Teddy on her hip and stepped closer to the young woman. 'I'd love that very much. Do you even realise how brilliant you are?' Andromeda stroked through her locks and looked at her. She kissed her cheek close to her mouth and let her lips.
Hermione tensed and toyed with the idea of turning slightly so that her lips were against hers. She stepped closer to her, but before she could do anything else, Teddy's squeak brought them back to reality.
They looked at each other with a shy smile on their faces. Andromeda wiped her hand on her jeans and sighed heavily. 'How about some coffee?'
They sat down in the living room with steaming cups of coffee and watched Teddy play with the blue cube. The metamorphmagus squealed whenever he pressed the right buttons, and the cube projected runes into the room.
'I just love ancient runes,' Hermione whispered more to herself than to Andromeda.
They watched him play and drank their coffee in comfortable silence. When Teddy became a little fussy, Andromeda heaved him into her arms.
'It's now or never. He'll be out like a light soon, which gives us time to work on the potion.' Andromeda said softly as she stood up.
She quickly summoned some of Teddy's toys, stored them in her purse and linked arms with Hermione.
'Oh, no, no, no, we do not apparate!' Hermione shrieked and marched towards the floo.
Andromeda laughed heartily and followed her into the green flames.