I don't even know what to say besides enjoy this chapter? I've been severely uninspired to do anything and I need a vacation. Accio November.

Dora


Nymphadora was awakened one morning by her Mark burning. Although it was not a rare occurrence, it still annoyed her every time. She quickly crawled out of bed and hurried to dress and respond to the call.

She was just leaving her room as she spotted her mother walking down the hall toward her. "You too?" Andromeda said in surprise. "I thought they tried to keep us separate now. Oh well."

"How are you awake?" Nymphadora sighed as they left the wards together.

"Breakfast was an hour ago," the older witch mused. "I've been caring for Roo and amusing Teddy so that Narcissa and Draco could have some time to talk alone."

"Oh," Dora said, becoming silent as they approached the hall. She and her mother entered the room together, both surprised and concerned with what they found.

The Dark Lord stood speaking to Rodolphus, but they were not alone. Delphini Riddle stood beside her father, watching and listening to the conversation, and she glanced at the two witches as they approached them.

"Nymphadora," the man greeted them. "Andromeda. So glad you could join us."

The two bowed before him as one, both murmuring, "My Lord."

"I'm sure you're wondering why you've been called here," he said, motioning them to rise. "Your son, Nymphadora."

Dora's face drained of colour as she tried to think of what the Dark Lord could mean. Andromeda raised an eyebrow. "Which son?" Rodolphus glared at her, but neither witch looked at him.

"What about him?" Dora barely whispered.

"He will be going to Hogwarts next year."

Dora was speechless, and Andromeda spoke up, "Then you have his Hogwarts letter?"

"Yes, of course," Delphi said, her eyes boring into Dora's. "The boy must learn magic to be useful, and he can best be monitored at Hogwarts."

"And Elara?" Dora questioned, glancing at Rodolphus.

"When it's time," the Dark Lord said, just as the door flew open.

Nymphadora gasped when she saw her eleven-year-old son hurry into the hall, his hair pure white as Bellatrix stormed into the room after him. Teddy hurried over to his mother, who immediately placed her hand on his shoulder protectively, facing the others.

"Ready to go?" Bellatrix demanded of them.

"Go?" Dora asked her with a scowl.

"Andromeda and Edward are going with Mother and me to get our school things," Delphi said, rolling her eyes at Nymphadora.

"Whenever your mother is ready," Voldemort said to Delphi before turning and leaving the room.

Everyone looked around at each other, Dora saying to Teddy, "Are you all right?"

"Of course he is," Bellatrix huffed. "I merely fetched him from the Prisoners' Ward."

"Bella," Rodolphus began, but she cut him off.

"No. I'm not in the mood for your and Nymphie's drama," she said sharply. "If I have to drag her cub around, I don't want her or you around. Dromeda, Edward, come along now."

Andromeda motioned Teddy to join her quickly, and he reluctantly but quickly moved to follow her. Bellatrix led the way out of the room, Delphi at her side as they walked to the entrance of Malfoy Manor. "Keep an eye on the cub, Andromeda," Bellatrix said sharply before holding out her hands to Delphi and Andromeda. "I'm not looking after your spawn."

The witch smirked at her older sister. "I thought that was your life now, Bella."

Bellatrix smirked. "Roddy's made that his priority, hasn't he?" She disapparated before Andromeda could answer her.

The moment they appeared in Diagon Alley, Teddy stared around in amazement, never having been out of Malfoy Manor in his life. "Where are we?" he said to his grandmother.

"Diagon Alley, love," she answered him. "This is where most children get their things for school. I imagine we're doing a bit of shopping for you."

"But...I'm not going to school," he said in confusion.

"You are," Delphi told him in a slightly sing-song voice. "His list, Mother?"

Bellatrix rolled her eyes and pulled two papers out of her pocket, glancing at them before giving one to Andromeda. "Don't stray too far, Andy," she said with a shrug. "I'd hate to have to track you down."

"We'll tag along," Andromeda smirked. "For now. Where to first?"

"Robes?" Delphi said, looking over at her mother. "You know I hate being fitted, so let's do that first."

Bellatrix agreed and led the way to the shop, the small group immediately greeted by the owner. Delphi was quickly taken care of, Teddy awkwardly shuffling forward when he was pointed out to the shopkeeper.

"And who is this?" the woman asked tentatively.

"I'm Teddy Lupin," the boy answered as he stepped up to be measured for his first year robes.

"You're that Metamorphagus prisoner, aren't you?" the assistant mused. "Of course you're going to Hogwarts."

The boy frowned. "Well, I think it's because Elara's going next year, and it wouldn't be fair if she did and I didn't," he said after a few seconds, making Andromeda cringe inwardly at his understanding.

"You've got to learn magic to be useful," Bellatrix said to Teddy sweetly. "I won't be responsible for what happens if you turn out a weakling like your mother."

Teddy glared at her, but didn't reply, and the dark-haired witch laughed. "He can't even deny it!" Bellatrix grinned in delight.

"I don't want to be evil," the young boy said, turning at the assistant's request. "Mum's not evil."

"Your mother is a good person," Andromeda agreed, ignoring Delphi's smirk and Bellatrix's scoff of ridicule. "But it is safer to do what you're told, Teddy, even if you disagree with it."

The boy glanced at his grandmother, then shook his head. "Didn't you and Mum fight over that?"

Delphi laughed. "They fought at least a year," she said. "Andy's a much better Death Eater than Nymphie."

"Yes, because Andy always does what she's told," Bellatrix said with a pout. "She's no fun."

Teddy grinned at this, blushing slightly when he saw Delphi regarding him with a look of interest. He turned to Andromeda again as she said, "You can do whatever you need to do to survive and not change what you believe is right or wrong, Teddy."

The boy nodded with a frown, and the others were quiet until the robes were finished. When they arrived at the bookstore, the four split up to get their books, Bellatrix warning Andromeda and Teddy to meet them at the counter in ten minutes. Andromeda found herself very amused by some of the books she was to get for Teddy: times had definitely changed since even Nymphadora had gone to school.

She and Teddy met up with Bellatrix and Delphi at the appointed time, having their books packaged and all before they left, walking toward the apothecary. Andromeda heard Teddy begin to speak, but shushed him softly, realising that there were more people watching them than had been at first. Teddy shot her a look of concern, and she momentarily wondered what was wrong with him before things began to happen.

A man nearby turned and shot a spell at the four, but before the others could react, Teddy had jumped in front of the spell, yelling out in agony the moment it hit him. Both Andromeda and Bellatrix yelled in rage, raising their wands and attacking. Teddy crumpled to the ground as Delphi looked on in shock at what was happening.

Seconds later, Andromeda came rushing back to Delphi and breathed, "Delphi, your mother asks for you to Summon Rodolphus and Rabastan for backup. If you would, please..." She held out her left arm to the girl, hearing Bellatrix's crazed shrieking in the background.

Delphi reached out and grasped the witch's arm, immediately Summoning her mother's husband and the man's brother. They appeared quickly, Rodolphus looking annoyed until he spotted Delphi. "What's going on?" he demanded, looking around at the sound of his wife dueling.

"There was a direct attack on Delphi," Andromeda said quickly. "She's got to be taken back to the manor."

"I'm staying," Delphi said stubbornly.

"You're a child," Andromeda said to her. "And I won't be responsible for your getting hurt. You're coming with me."

"You can't get into the wards," Delphi smirked.

"I'm not playing your games," Andromeda snapped at her. "Rod, Rab, go help Bellatrix."

The two men frowned, then hurried off toward the sounds of dueling. Andromeda turned back to Delphi. "If you want to be angry with me, that's fine. But with the rebels running around, it is not safe for you to be here."

Delphi's face became a blank mask, and she said, "Shall we go home, then?"

Andromeda held out her hand to the girl and grabbed onto Teddy with the other hand, disapparating the moment Delphi took her hand. They appeared on the walk up to the gates of the manor, and Andromeda drew her wand, levitating her grandson after them as she hurried after Delphini who had stalked on ahead. She was glad the girl let them into the manor, though Delphi immediately disappeared down the hall toward her room.

Glancing back at her injured grandson, Andromeda quickly made her way to the Prisoners' Wing, being greeted by Nymphadora at the entrance. "What happened?" Dora cried, rushing forward in a panic. "Oh, Teddy!"

"We were attacked by rebels, and he jumped in front of a spell that I believe was meant for Delphi," Andromeda sighed. "I haven't had a chance to check on his injuries yet." Nymphadora followed her into Teddy's room, where Andromeda began to check whether she could help the boy or not.

Andromeda looked up from her grandson after a few moments and said, "He'll be okay, but it'll be a painful recovery. At least it wasn't too bad of a curse."

"We don't have any potions for him, or anything," Dora groaned, sitting down beside her firstborn and looking at him regretfully. "Why did he jump in front of Delphi?"

"I don't really know what happened, it just happened so fast," Andromeda murmured. "I think he realised something was going on just before it started."

"He shouldn't have done it," Dora said sharply. "Delphi can see a healer whenever she needs to; Teddy can't."

"Well, it was his decision," Andromeda answered, stepping back. "You'll have to ask him about it when he wakes up." She turned and left Nymphadora to watch over her son.


"I can't believe you didn't make sure he was okay," Elara muttered, shooting a reproachful look at Delphi. "He's my brother!"

"Half-brother," Delphi agreed. "Whatever the rebels did to Edward, I think Andromeda can probably fix it."

"He's Teddy," Elara reminded Delphi. "And that spell was meant for you. It could have done anything to him."

"Poor Teddy Bear," Delphi giggled slightly, holding up her hands placatingly at Elara's scowl. "Come on, Elara," she said to her friend, "you've got to admit it's a little funny to call him Teddy Bear."

Elara huffed. "But you're making fun of him and he's hurt," she said, shaking her head. "I need to go see if Mum's all right...she's probably worried."

Delphi raised an eyebrow, but shrugged. "She's got Andromeda: she'll be fine."

The younger girl looked at her friend for a moment, then said, "Look: I know you want me to stay, but...I want to see Teddy. He saved you."

"Fine," Delphi sighed dramatically, flopping backward onto her bed before glancing up at the girl again. "Ask him how he knew what was going to happen before anyone else did."

"Of course," Elara said gratefully, hurrying toward the door. She turned as Delphi called her name.

"Tell him I appreciate it."

Elara grinned and nodded, then hurried from the room.


The young girl arrived at her brother's room to find their mother sitting with him. Elara quickly went to her mother and grasped her hand, asking, "Is he okay?"

"He should be fine," Nymphadora answered with a sigh. "He's just going to hurt a lot when he wakes up."

"Yeah," Elara nodded, sitting down on the bed beside her mum. "Poor Teddy." She tilted her head and looked at him carefully.

"I thought you'd be with Delphi, asking her what happened and all," Dora said to her daughter curiously.

Elara frowned slightly. "Well, I wanted to make sure Teddy was okay," she answered. "And I want to hear him tell what happened."

Dora nodded. "He might hurt too much to talk," she said after a moment, glancing at the girl. The woman tensed for a moment, then told her, "Your father is here: why don't you go meet him?"

With a huff, Elara left the room, a little annoyed at being sent away from her brother's side. Her father greeted her kindly and she hugged him tightly, asking, "Did you get the rebels, Dad?"

"A couple of them," he answered her. "Everything is fine, Elara."

"Are you here to see Roo?" Elara asked him curiously, walking beside him as they headed toward the children's rooms.

"No," Rodolphus said shortly, "they sent me up here with a potion for the cub."

Elara did not comment on this, only saying, "Shall I take it to him, Dad? Then you can help me practise spells today."

Rodolphus considered it, then shook his head. "I might as well speak to your mother, since I'm sure she's with the boy right now."

"Okay," Elara smiled up at him.

Nymphadora looked up in concern as soon as they entered the room and demanded of Rodolphus in a hushed voice, "What do you want?"

"I came to offer my assistance in healing your cub," Rodolphus said with a shrug, "but if you don't want help..."

"Mother has already looked at him," Nymphadora said stubbornly. "I doubt you could do any better."

Elara grasped her mother's hand and said earnestly, "Mum, he's got a potion for Teddy. Please let Dad help him."

Nymphadora looked between her children, then turned to Rodolphus. "Do you really have a potion for him?" she asked, her tone slightly subdued.

"I do," the man answered, his gaze burning into hers. "Yet you care more about hating me than caring for your son. You could have never known, Nymphadora."

Elara awkwardly moved to be nearly between her parents. "Dad, please help Teddy," she requested. "Delphi wants me to talk to him."

"Why?" her mother said in alarm as Rodolphus raised an eyebrow at the statement.

"Because she said he moved quicker than both Nan and Bella," Elara answered. "She's curious about how he knew something was going to happen before they did."

"I see," Rodolphus said, pulling a vial out of his pocket and walking over to the bed. "That is unusual, for Bella. Perhaps we shall find out, hmm?"

Elara looked on earnestly and Dora in concern as Rodolphus glanced at the boy in annoyance before beginning to see if he could do anything for him. Rodolphus enervated the boy and motioned his mother forward. "You've have to convince him to take the potion...it's a painkiller."

Dora looked down at her son worriedly as he stirred. She leaned closer to him and murmured, "Teddy...Teddy, we've got a potion to help you..."

The boy groaned softly as he woke, and Elara called his name softly. "Ow," he breathed, "ah—"

"Teddy," his mother said firmly, "you need to take this potion to help you with the pain." She moved to help the boy sit up and and assisted him in taking it.

"Oh...thanks," the boy said with a small grin before he opened his eyes and realised that Rodolphus was in the room. "Hey...is Delphi okay?"

Dora looked slightly disturbed, but Elara nodded. "She wasn't hurt at all because you got in the way," she told her brother. "She says thank you."

A grin spread across Teddy's face, and Rodolphus interrupted just as Dora was about to speak. "I need to speak to your mother for a few moments," he told the two children, resting his hand on Nymphadora's hip possessively as she shivered at his touch. "You will be fine, won't you?"

"But-" Dora began, and Elara nodded to her father.

"I'm okay now," Teddy said.

"Very good," Rodolphus said, leaning down to kiss his daughter's head before leading Nymphadora from the room.

Elara looked down at her brother and shook her head. "How do you go out for one day and come back half dead?" she sighed.

The boy grinned, blushing slightly. "Well, I didn't think it would go over well if the Dark Lord's daughter was hurt," he said, "but I didn't stop to think that it would hurt me too."

She shook her head again, then hugged him carefully. "I'd tell you to be more careful, but I think you did the right thing," she said. "I just wish we were older so we could use magic instead."

"Well then she could have protected herself," Teddy pointed out.

"But you jumped to protect her before even Bellatrix did," Elara said with a frown. "How did you know something was going to happen?"

"I just did," Teddy said after a moment of thought. "Maybe I got some special instincts from my dad's being a werewolf."

"Oh." Elara nodded slowly. "I wish you had a dad," she said.

Teddy frowned. "At least he's not a prisoner," he muttered. "He's free, even if he's dead."

Elara hugged her brother again. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "Get better, okay?" She jumped up from the bed and left the room.


Rodolphus couldn't help but smirk in amusement to himself as he followed Nymphadora in to her room, closing the door only to turn and pin her to the wall, his hand gripping her hair firmly as she went to protest. "Nymphie, you're well accustomed to this now," he scolded, "behave."

She closed her eyes, locking away her emotions as he kissed her, his other hand sliding down her back to grip her backside. "Have you missed me?" he chuckled, releasing her hair and cupping her face in his hand falsely gently. "Oh, Nymphie..."

"I'll just be leaving..."

Both of them jumped in shock, Dora crying out in horror when she realised her mother had been sitting on the bed, most likely waiting for her. "Mum," she whimpered, feeling Rod's tightened grip on her arm.

Rodolphus was nearly speechless, though as Andromeda went to walk past them to the door, he said, "Yes, perhaps check on the cub, Andy, since Nymphie's distracted at the moment."

"Don't forget the Contraceptive spells," Andromeda said sweetly. "We don't need to be blessed with the traditional Lestrange weakness anymore."

Dora was confused, though shocked as Rodolphus released her and glared at Andromeda in fury. "That IS NOT a Lestrange family trait!" he yelled at her. "Nymphadora merely failed to—"

"Oh, don't blame her," Andromeda said with a sigh. "It wouldn't matter anyway. You and I both know your father lied to ours about which generation the Lestrange illness would return in. It has nothing to do with the House of Black obviously, because Dora, Delphi and Draco are perfectly healthy."

Rodolphus began to speak, but Andromeda continued, "Don't say it's got to do with my daughter: she's got two perfectly healthy children, Rodolphus. But your history...Bella's miscarriage—I know she had at least one. And Reuben's continued illnesses lead me to believe that he only survived because Dora's new blood outweighed the Lestrange weaknesses."

Dora was leaning against the wall for support in her shock at her mother's words as Rodolphus seemed to be grasping for something to say to the woman. Finally, he spat, "It doesn't matter anyway because Nymphadora can no longer have children."

The younger witch cringed in shame at the expression on her mother's face, and Rodolphus gave her the most evil look and said, "They fixed her at St. Mungo's. Didn't you tell your mother, Nymphie? Tsk-tsk."

Andromeda looked the man in the eye and said, "That does not change the truth of what I have said. You see, Rodolphus: it's all your fault." She turned and walked away from him, a curse splattering against the inside of the door the very second she shut it on them.


"He suggested that he may have inherited heightened senses from his werewolf father," Delphini reported to her father. "The boy moved quickly for someone with no training."

The Dark Lord seemed to think about this for a few moments before he said, "And have you done anything to encourage this behaviour in the boy?"

Delphi smirked in amusement. "I sent him a healing potion," she answered. "I intend to keep an eye on him at school. He may turn out well after all."