I don't own Harry Potter. Sadly, that right goes to JK Rowling. I just own the concept of this fic, really. Please enjoy. The first chapter speed runs until the first year of Hogwarts happens! Just warning y'all.
1
"Dromeda, that can't possibly be what I think it is."
Andromeda Tonks, née Black, looked down at the small bundle of blankets that had been put into her arms by her harried cousin. She didn't have time to ask him why before he rushed off to his motorcycle and took off in a flurry of movement. The bundle moved, and a tiny, ghostly pale fist emerged.
"I…" the man who had first spoken sputtered in disbelief.
"This is my cousin's child," Andromeda murmured, noting the child's colouring, the Black silver eyes and the tufts of dark hair that were already curling. "Of course, he didn't tell anyone."
"She's oddly adorable," her husband said, leaning over her shoulder to peer at her littlest cousin.
"She gets that from the female side of the Black family," Andromeda teased, rocking the child slightly. "I never expected this of Siri."
"He's always full of surprises," he agreed. "I do hope Nymphadora takes to the little one."
There was no worry of the Tonks' only daughter not liking her cousin. The metamorphmagus spent time entertaining the small child by changing her hair colour and getting small rounds of laughter out of her. The laughter was too familiar to the Tonks, bringing a round of sadness out of the elders. The child would have to be careful with her last name. Her father had betrayed his own friends. Another round of laughter reached the adults in the kitchen, and a sad smile appeared on Andromeda's face.
"He left her with me to keep her safe," she softly said, nursing a cup of tea in her hands. "We'll do so, and eventually, we will tell her about her father."
Ted Tonks and Andromeda would raise the small Black Heiress as one of their own. Asteria, a name that came from the Titan of falling stars herself, slowly grew up with the Tonks. Nymphadora, the best older sister one could ask for, liked to test her abilities by asking for colours in the morning. Ted enjoyed watching American television with her, noting her enjoyment of the Addams Family, which lined up with her penchant for the macabre. Her magic, lining up with the black family magic that caused her curls to frizz with magic while angered, had begun showing itself.
"Tia!" Had become a normal shout through the house, always followed by a slightly smug Asteria ducking into a book in her hands. The only snag that came up was when Asteria was four and Dora, as her older sister preferred being called, was going away to Hogwarts. The magical destruction had been difficult to fix as Dora calmed her sister down by letting her know that she'd constantly write while at school. Those shouts of "tia" had dwindled as Asteria spent more time with her sister before the inevitable parting.
"Mum," Asteria called. "Why does the school allow the Dursley boy to hurt people? Especially his cousin?"
That had been a difficult question to answer, and it got worse when Asteria had brought said cousin to visit. Harry Potter, a child that had disappeared from the public eye, was a certain case of malnourishment. The knobby knees and glasses that were nowhere near his prescription caused her to worry. It worsened when he flinched when Ted let out a happy cheer in the background. His team had scored. Asteria slowly looked at her new friend and simply smiled. The listless smile was new, and it scared Andromeda. The Black family looked after their own, and poor Harry was one. She almost felt bad for the family that… cared for him. Almost being a keyword. She ensured that Harry had a large snack and tea while the two worked on their homework. It was always laced with a potion to help him get more nutrients. He seemed to come over more often once his guardians discovered that they didn't have to deal with them. Something the boy's mind had supplied. One day, after Andromeda had noticed Harry's recent bruising on his face, Petunia Dursley had woken up to find all her grass dead and the beautiful rose bushes in the front of her lawn that her nephew kept in wonderful condition missing. Andromeda had no care for those who harmed children. She'd have to save her full revenge until she was sure she could keep the small boy safe. The sounds of light laughter coming from the family room caused her to smile. Harry fit in well with her family, and Nymphadora adored the boy.
The next friend to join the two was an olive-skinned girl with a mane of bushy brown hair and pearly white teeth. Hermione Granger was what some would call a know-it-all, but she oddly meshed well with the strange children at her school. Strange things happened around the three of them, and Andromeda found it the slightest bit amusing that her cousin collected the magicals around her. Their school marks all went up, much to Harry's chagrin when he was punished for doing better. Oddly enough, his family fell ill before his punishment was halfway done. The second they let up, the better they felt. That jinx had been a trick Siri had used, and some part of her hated using something he created.
When their Hogwarts letter came, Andromeda realized that eleven years had gone by. Ted watched as his beautiful wife, with her softly lined face and few grey hairs, paused in cooking breakfast. Dora and Tia were going over the class load at Hogwarts, Dora wanting her sister to be prepared for anything. The gothic eleven-year-old followed modern clothing trends and found that the change would drastically change her wardrobe. Andromeda gave a small smile when Tia wondered if she could bring her parasols or fans. The little lady didn't want to be parted from them. A phone call from Hermione informed them that she, too, had gotten a letter, even though the newly minted witch was calling to say that their plans for school had changed. A saccharine smile appeared on Tia's lips.
"You prat!" Hermione had hissed at her pale friend.
"I wanted to surprise you," Asteria said before gazing toward a giant figure coming out of Gringotts. "And Harry as well."
"Tia! Hermione!" Harry's yell almost caused a ruckus, and the masses started to whisper.
"Harry," Hermione happily greeted as the scrawny boy approached them. "You didn't think we'd leave you behind, did you?"
"A pleasure to see you again, Hagrid," Andromeda greeted the rather green-looking half-giant.
"O'course," Hagrid smiled, his dark eyes glittering happily. "Mind joinin' me in the pub for a quick kip?"
"Mum, we can find what we need," Asteria calmly said. "Dora told me where to go and what to do."
"Just your robes. We will be back when Hagrid is feeling a bit better," Andromeda sighed. She trusted the three to behave themselves.
Hermione, Harry, and Asteria decided to get their robes at the most known store. Madam Malkins was a rather large store filled with different fabrics and mannequins showing off the different styles. Hermione sniffed at a rather constricting piece of pink clothing. The influence of Asteria was showing itself as they all gathered around the darker fabrics. A teenage witch came and showed them to a fitting area. A boy with pale blonde hair was already being fitted for his school robes.
"Hogwarts as well?" An elderly witch asked the three.
"Yes, Madam," Asteria answered with a polite smile.
"Right, you all stand still," she strictly told them.
"Hello," Harry greeted the other boy, getting a raised brow out of the boy. "Hogwarts too?"
"Yes," the boy drawled. "My father's next door buying my books, and mother's up the street looking at wands. I'll drag them off to look at racing brooms; it's ridiculous that first years can't have brooms."
"There's a reason for that," Hermione huffed. "Rules are there for a reason."
"Indeed," Asteria agreed. "Mum says that it's to make sure the first years don't get hurt."
"Do you have your own broom?" The boy asked, sizing the trio up.
"No," Harry answered, frowning slightly at his tone. He was being reminded of his cousin.
"Play quidditch?" the boy continued.
"If we don't own brooms, why would your next step in logic be quidditch?" Asteria asked, keeping her face serene. "I believe you might be skipped over for Ravenclaw."
Hermione and Harry gained confused looks, and Asteria knew that her friends would research just what she meant by that. She lifted her arms as an enchanted tape measure went around her bicep to see just how small they were. Dora did like to joke about her "noodle arms".
"I'll be in Slytherin," the boy retorted before something caught his eye. "I say look at that man."
"That's Hagrid," Harry said, smiling slightly at the half-giant.
Hagrid had an ice cream cone in his hand and waved happily at Harry. Asteria did something that surprised Andromeda. A genuine smile appeared on her face when she noticed how happy her friend was. Perhaps she didn't just see them as toys. The pale-haired boy gave a derisive snort as the slim woman walked in and double-checked the fabric before quietly requesting some lace to be added to the black hats for Asteria. It would be made in the regulation of the uniform, of course.
"I heard that he's a savage," the boy said. "That he lives in a hut on the school grounds, and he gets drunk and attempts magic, setting fire to his own bed."
"I think he's brilliant," Harry defended in a cold tone.
"Do you?" the boy sneered, and Hermione bristled.
"Is this what the noble house of Malfoy has come to?" Andromeda asked. Her appearance behind the three caused the boy in question to jump. "I believed my sister would've taught you proper manners, but perhaps that's your father's influence."
"Blood traitor," the boy murmured.
"You don't get to talk about her that way," Asteria hissed at him, and Andromeda gave Madam Malkin an apologetic look as she rushed to finish the uniforms for them.
"I can't believe that prat!" Hermione loudly stated as the group left with their new uniforms in enchanted bags, per Andromeda's request to make it easier on the three.
"Our world is unfortunately filled with many like him," Andromeda wisely informed them, not meeting her sister's eyes as they passed on the street. "I came from a family like that."
"But… you're so nice," Hermione said, not understanding fully why.
"I grew as a person," Andromeda explained before smiling when Hagrid handed Harry his ice cream. "I would've hoped that my old house would grow after I left it, but that didn't happen."
"Mum was a Slytherin," Asteria explained. "It's the house of cunning and ambition, not the house of whose blood is more infused with magic. It's ridiculous, really."
"So, if we do get into Slytherin, what we will we do?" Hermione asked.
"We stick together," Harry answered with a nod, finishing his ice cream. "What's next?"
Hagrid had been warned by Andromeda that the three seemed to share a similar mind regarding books and their curiosity. He watched as the Tonk's ward, one he learned was the daughter of Sirius, picked up a few extra books on potions and jinxes. He had to steer Harry away from darker forms of magic due to his curious nature. Hermione bought the required books and a few extras to learn more about the magical world. Her parents had simply dropped her off with money to exchange before hurrying back due to a medical emergency. She was lucky that Andromeda and Asteria were there. Harry would also be staying with them. Good thing that Dora was so used to the three.
"I wonder how they keep their toads' eyes in such perfect condition," Asteria murmured to herself as she studied the ingredients in the apothecary.
"A stasis charm?" Hermione suggested, picking up on the terminology of the magical world quickly.
"Maybe," Asteria agreed.
"I can't believe they'll be with you until September," Hagrid stated as they had lunch together, watching as a nearby witch staring at Harry giggled after Asteria put something in her tea.
"I've had Asteria since Siri left her with us," Andromeda said as Harry tried one of the chips that Asteria offered him. "She has a malicious streak in her and far too much inspiration from Ted and the telly."
Her mother would've been rolling in her grave if she had heard such words coming from her daughter, and a small part of her revelled in it. It also allowed her to think of something other than Ollivander scaring Harry. She'd explain everything to him as he grew older. He deserved to know. They said their farewell to Hagrid, and Andromeda quickly returned with three children in tow. Ted greeted them with a foamstache from some hot chocolate he made. Dora greeted them with bright pink hair and a bird beak.
"Are we going to watch The Addams Family when it comes out?" Asteria asked Ted as he turned it to a TV station that played old American shows while Andromeda quietly sat in her chair, deciding to let Harry be a child a bit longer.
"Movie Night?" Ted asked, and the group nodded in unison. "Maybe if the cinema gets it in time for the holidays."
He made the children beam at him. He quickly shooed them to bed. Harry already had a place to stay due to his aunt and uncle sending him there on longer vacations. Andromeda and Ted always lied, said they punished him, and made him work. Harry spent his time reading and playing with Asteria and Hermione. It was the best thing they could do. Even as September 1st seemed to rush towards them and their morning, the day of was filled with scurrying kids, a tripping Nymphadora, and Ted making breakfast while chuckling when Asteria found her hat and the lace attached to them. Andromeda had arms constricting her stomach for a few seconds before gently prying the girl off her.