Four Years Later
Part II: It Was a Dark and Stormy Night

On a lonely, rainy, miserable strip of highway, a cloaked figure stood with his thumb stuck out, trying to catch a ride. After two trucks drenched him in water, one pulled over in front of him. The figure jogged to quickly catch up. He climbed up into the cab and was greeted by a smiling, friendly, and oddly familiar face. "Hello Stranger," said the driver. "Nasty night to be out hitchhiking. McKenna must be around here some place." this was followed by a chortle. "Sorry mate," he said. "Inside joke for a lot of Truckers in these parts."

"Its fine," said the cloaked figure as he buckled himself in.

"What's your name fella?" asked the driver as he started moving again. "Mine's Tonks, Ted Tonks."

"Potter," was the only word spoken from under the hood.

"Ah," Ted Tonks said. "Good name, Strong name." he drove on. "Names are a tricky thing," he continued. "Take my daughter for instance, hates her name. Won't let me or anyone else call her by her first name. Too bad though, Its a rather lovely name. Would you like to hear it?"

Potter made no response.

"Nymphadora," Ted Tonks finally blurted out. "now isn't that a lovely name? My wife picked it out, she's got a beautiful name to. Andromeda, doesn't that just sound beautiful?"

"Yes," Potter finally admitted.

Finally sensing that his passenger wasn't really in talking mood, Ted Tonks let the man just sit for a while. Finally he asked. "Any where in particular you need to go? I'm well ahead of schedule and known for helping strangers."

"Otter St. Catchpole on your way?" asked Potter.

"Pass just a couple miles north of there actually," Ted Tonks informed him.

"Perfect," Potter said.

a few more miles went by in silence, the rain was easing off. "Potter?" Ted Tonks finally asked. "My Daughter has a friend by that name."

Finally Potter pushed back his hood. He had wild and unruly black hair, and his cheeks and chin were darkened with stubble. He wore glasses that were cracked and taped, but somehow only served to make him look more dangerous. his eyes were a crystalline emerald. "Yeah," Potter said. "I know."

Ted Tonks nodded, looking at the road ahead, still slick with rainwater. "She's been worried about you," he said.

"I had to... figure things out." his voice was distant and sorrowful.

"You back now?" he asked. "Going home?"

"I'm back," Potter nodded. "But I don't know if I'll ever be home."