A/N: I don't dislike Andromeda Tonks,I just don't know what kind of a person she is. If she was Sirius' fav cousin then I guessed she'd not really be herself for a while after she had found out he was dead. Anyhoo, read away.

Chapter 3 - An unexpected offering.

Andromeda Tonks arrived shortly before teatime and made it very clear to her daughter that she would not be staying that long, much to Nymphadora's relief. Andromeda handed Tonks her dripping cloak in the door way with not so much as a 'hello'. She didn't even look at her.

"Oh Dory, what's that old bag still doing up there?" she asked, referring to the painting of her aunt, Sirius' mother. "That'll be the first thing to go."

"We've tried Mum, it's just-." She was cut off as her mother walked away.

"Where is your 'Order', I want to meet them Dory," she called from ahead.

"Downstairs in the kitchen Mum," called Tonks from the cloak hooks, as loudly as she could without waking Mrs Black. Tonks joined her friends in the kitchen as her mother began to introduce herself to those who didn't know her. She notice her mother's movement to be slow and suspected that she had taken something, a calming potion most probably.

"Molly and Arthur. How are you both? Hope the children are well." As Molly began to answer, Tonks tried to round up the others; Kingsley, Lupin and, to her surprise, Harry.

"Apologies, in advance," was all she could manage to get out before her mother arrived at her side.

"Mum, this is Kingsley Shacklebolt, he's an Auror I work with." At the word Auror, Andromeda piped up.

"Out-ranking my Dory, no doubt. "

"Actually, no," lied Kingsley. "Tonks is a higher level Auror than myself." Tonks stared at Kingsley who offered her a wink. She smiled in return.

"Remus Lupin, nice to meet you Mrs Tonks."

"Lupin, now there's a name I've heard before." She offered her hand. "Nice to finally meet you Remus. Ah, and who do we have here?"

"Mum, this is Harry -."

"Potter, yes I can see that, Dory dear, thank you." Andromeda stared at Harry, making him feel rather uncomfortable. He looked down at his shoes in the hope that she would look away. She did.

"Nice to meet you all."

They sat, Harry next to Lupin much to Lupin's dismay. He angled his body away from Harry without appearing too rude. Tonks noticed this and glared at him, causing him to overt his eyes to the table.

Andromeda tried to speak many times and failed, before coming straight out with the name they dared not say themselves.

"Sirius, as you probably all know, was my cousin, and one of the most courageous people I know . . . knew," she corrected. Tonks wished she were a thousand miles from here, or anywhere really, even drowning herself in the nearest toilet upstairs sounded appealing. She glanced around at her friends. Molly, Arthur and Kingsley had their eyes fixed on Andromeda. Harry and Lupin did not. Andromeda began to speak again.

"It pains me to be here, in this house, more than any of you will ever know, for many reasons which are not for here and now. However, my cousin has left this house, along with its contents, to me." Arthur, Kingsley and Lupin exchanged glances.

"Now I know what you're thinking. This house is important to you, you need it for your 'Order'." She turned and smiled at her daughter who rolled her eyes. "And that is why I have decided to give the house to Dory." All eyes fell on Tonks and she began to feel the heat in her cheeks.

"What? Mum, I don't -."

"That's my final say Nym, otherwise I'll sell it and your friends won't want that. Take it Dory." She rose from her seat and headed for the stairs. Tonks rose, opening her mouth in protest.

"Nymphadora, after what I said to you last night it's the least I can do."

Harry frowned and looked at Lupin who shook his head; not now.

"Mum, they were just words, they didn't hurt!" Tonks' lie was evident as her voice cracked. Andromeda reached the top of the stairs.

"Dory, take it. It's what Sirius would have really wanted, after all. He loved you, Nym." And with a sad smile Andromeda Tonks walked away from Number 12 Grimmauld Place for the last time.

"I'll put the tea on then," Molly said eventually, after what felt like a life long silence for Tonks.

"Forgive me Molly," she said numbly. "But I won't be joining you."

A/N: Back again. When Andromeda says to Lupin "That's a name I've heard before. It's nice to finally meet you." I wrote that as if she was remembering what Sirius has told her about his best friend. But reading it over, it could mean that Tonks hasbeen talking withher Mum about Lupin. Take it as you will, I'm easy :)