Chapter Fifty-Six: Murder

As they walked towards the pitch it became apparent the Hufflepuff quidditch team was just finishing up an early morning practice, no doubt brought along by their losing to Slytherin. However, the team seemed cheerful as they started leaving the pitch, all of them encouraging one another that next year would be different and that they would be sure to win in honor of the graduating seventh years. It was rather touching but Remus was confused as to why Andromeda had brought them here until he saw Ted catch her eye, something passing between them.

He too looked worn out, his eyes red and swollen. But a lot of Hufflepuffs seemed close to tears, so it was possible he was just touched by his teammates and caught up by the warm air of camaraderie that surrounded them. Remus glanced as Sirius who for once wasn't glaring at Ted, he seemed rather scared actually as if he suspected something worrisome was about to happen.

It took a while for Ted to untangle himself from his fellow Hufflepuffs, but once he did, he ran over to Andromeda who hesitated then ran toward him, the two of them meeting and hugging each other as if they hadn't seen one another in a long time.

Or, Remus realized with a pang, as if they had been through something terrible together. Sirius must have come to the same conclusion because he reached out and grabbed Remus' hand tightly. Ted and Andromeda walked back to the two of them hand in hand in a way that made Remus feel rather self-conscious that he and Sirius were hand in hand as well. But Sirius didn't let go and he wasn't about to pull away from his friend who needed his support.

Andromeda glanced at their linked hands then at Remus who had been looking at the couple, unlike Sirius who was staring at the ground. There was a strange look and a sort of intensity in her strong gaze that caused him to look away quickly, feeling like an intruder on what seemed like a very personal matter.

"Sirius."

"Drommie…" There was the same pleading in his voice that he sometimes got when talking to Remus, both desperate for whatever information was about to be bestowed on him and terribly frightened at the same time.

"I told my mother," Andromeda replied with a low tone full of hate that surprised Remus. He glanced back up, Andromeda was now looking into Sirius' eyes who seemed as surprised as Remus at the hatred in her voice. Only Ted didn't seem surprised, in fact, the same hatred shone in his normally soft eyes as well.

Sirius didn't respond and neither did Andromeda, both of them seemed too scared to continue. Then Ted, looking close to tears, put a hand on her shoulder which seemed to jostle her. She took a deep breath and continued.

"She took it...surprisingly well. At least...at the time I thought she had. I really...really thought she had…"

"D...Drommie…" Sirius stuttered his voice cracking as tears filled his eyes. Andromeda let out a tense laugh, filled with anger and despair that made Remus ache.

"If I had only been smarter. She sat me down for tea….she put something in it. Sirius...I lost one of the babies."

"No your mother killed him." Ted corrected angrily. Sirius just looked stunned. Remus squeezed his hand but he neither pulled away nor squeezed back.

"Are ...are you sure...she killed it?" Ted looked ready to say something angrily but Andromeda stopped him with a slight head shake and her hand on his shoulder.

"She admitted it, Sirius. Said it was for my own good. That I should only be giving birth to pureblood babies and anything less should be a crime." Her anger seemed to evaporate and now she just looked sad and rather lost. "I think it goes without saying that I won't be going back there ever again. My sisters don't know though, neither does my mother. We got in a horrible argument after she admitted it of course, but she still thinks I'll "come to my senses." I'll just write to her at the end of the year and that will be that."

There was a brave finality to her voice and posture. Remus knew that Andromeda had always been a little different, and he wasn't at all surprised to hear the determination in her voice to be done with her family. He was surprised though to hear she had lost one of the babies, he glanced at Sirius to see if he noticed but his friend had a hurt look on his face and seemed too sad to process everything at once.

"She…...she killed it."

"Him Sirius, it was a boy and his name was going to be Harry Tonks after Ted's grandfather." She replied proudly, her stance stiff, the grief cooling into a strength Remus marveled at.

"Harry. I like that name." Sirius replied in a soft voice still sounding at a loss seeming to try to think things through.

"Drommie I'm sorry. I'm sorry. They are terrible! The whole lot of them!" He cried suddenly, gripping Remus' hand so tightly he wouldn't have been surprised if he heard one of his joints pop out of place.

"You aren't terrible Sirius." She pointed out kindly. Sirius looked at her, and whatever seemed to have happened during their last conversation clearly was still weighing on them both because they each tried to apologize at the same time. They gave identical awkward laughs which were really quite cute, then a silence fell again.

"I'm not ...well I'm not really one of them. I don't ...well I don't suppose I could live with you and Ted?" He asked, more than a hint of pleading in his voice. He looked from his cousin to Ted who he seemed to realize he better start treating nicely if he wanted to get away from his family. Remus' heart soared with hope for an instance before Andromeda shook her head sadly.

"Sirius I would. You know I would. Only…..you were right I never should have anything!" Her composure cracked and she leaned against Ted to hide her tears. The young man held her in his strong arms and looked down at the boys sadly.

"Druella Black.." He began, making a point of not saying 'Andromeda's mother'. "After she poisoned Andromeda killing one of the babies. She also took away Andromeda's inheritance money since the account the money is in is under Druella Black until Andromeda graduates."

"So the money is gone." Sirius finished with a hint of irritation then his eyes widened. Remus let out a relieved sigh, Sirius had finally noticed. "Wait! One of the babies?" He asked excitedly, as if hardly daring to believe it. Andromeda straightened and managed a sincere smile at her younger cousin.

"I was carrying twins. My mother didn't bother to ask how many babies I was pregnant with when I told her, and only measured out enough of that horrible stuff to kill one of the babies."

"I'm sorry you lost one. But ...but wow! Twins!" Sirius stared at her in awe, then confusion as if trying to figure out where the baby was hiding in the petite young woman. Sirius's cousin realized where the confusion was and started laughing, hysterical laughter that seemed to shake away the rest of the despair, clinging to her and Ted.

"I know I don't look pregnant but that's thanks to a simple charm." She looked around, making sure they were alone. Then waved her wand whispering something Remus couldn't hear. Suddenly Andromeda was larger, much larger. Resting a hand on her stomach with a sad smile.

"Can...can I?" Andromeda nodded and Sirius rushed over, dragging Remus with him. Now close enough to touch his cousin he let go of Remus' hand to hug Andromeda and then touch her belly letting out a surprised gasp. Andromeda laughed again.

"She's a real kicker she is." Remus tried to back away, still feeling like an intruder but Ted put a hand on his shoulder and smiled at him.

"Isn't it incredible Remus?" He asked in a tone that made it sound like they had been good friends for a long time. Remus knew Ted was nice, Hufflepuffs were stereotypically the nicest out of all the houses, but Ted was known for his kindness even amongst his house. At least that is what Remus had heard, and by the young man's smile and ease at including him, he decided the rumors about the Hufflepuff were right. He hopped Sirius, in time, would be able to reach that conclusion as well.

"It's amazing." He whispered back. "Also...I'm...I'm sorry for your lost." He added respectfully because that's what you were supposed to say in these types of situations, at least he thought so. He knew it had been said to him at his mother's funeral and those people hadn't even meant it, he did and hope he conveyed that. He must have because Ted nodded at him with a look of gratitude.

"Thank you. I'm glad Sirius has such a good friend."

"What are you two whispering about? Come here." Andromeda laughed, still amused by Sirius' very loud excitement. He was now talking to the baby girl telling her, in a mock whisper, all the trouble he was going to show her how to get into.

"Don't you go corrupting my sweet little daughter." Ted chuckled now placing a warm hand on Sirius' shoulder. For a second Remus was worried the warm mood full of hope would be ruined by Sirius' dislike of the young man. But instead, Sirius looked a little surprised then grinned, apparently coming to some sort of respect for Ted.

"No promises." Ted smiled back and Remus wanted to dig a hole and disappear. He was ruining this family moment, he didn't belong here he knew he didn't. He must have looked more embarrassed and uncomfortable than he realized because Andromeda took his hand with a gentle smile.

"Thanks for coming here with Sirius. I don't think he would have spoken to me otherwise." He nodded feeling somewhat dazed. He could hear Ted and Sirius now full out bonding over the Quidditch game yesterday. Apparently Sirius had no qualms about leaving Remus with his cousin. A cousin Remus didn't know at all, because on Ted's offer to let him ride his broom, apparently the newest model, he let out a whoop and was rushing off with him before Remus could shout for help.

"She really is a kicker." Andromeda sighed, looking around again before lowering herself to the ground, in what he was quite sure was an unladylike manner. He wasn't sure whether to sit or stand. Was he supposed to leave or would that be rude?

"You can go if you like. I don't blame you for being uncomfortable." She sighed again. Remus should have taken off, but when he looked at her she looked sad once more, looking a lot like Sirius when he was feeling lonely with the same little frown on her face. Pretty sure he was dumb for doing so, he instead sat on the ground with her. She looked surprised then smiled.

"I don't think Peter or James would have stayed." Remus knew they wouldn't have stayed. Peter never would have come with Sirius, not that he thought Sirius would even ask him too. James certainly would have come, but no doubt would have dashed after Ted and Sirius, which is what Remus should have done, rather than sit across from a Black. James pretended otherwise but Remus knew he was uncomfortable and untrusting even of Andromeda, the only Black he seemed to like besides Sirius.

"Probably not." He replied honestly, not really knowing what else to say. He wanted to give his condolences to her but he couldn't seem to form the words a second time.

"You're a lot like Ted in that aspect. Not many people would approach me being a Black and all." She was smiling, but it was a pained smile and Remus was hit with the realization at how lonely Andromeda must have been until she met Ted. With only her sisters and other Slytherins to keep her company.

"How did you two meet?" He asked, now honestly curious. Andromeda's smile grew so that it didn't look so hurt.

"Well, Ted was always surrounded by people. Very popular amongst his house and even with the other houses. Polar opposite from me. Hufflepuffs and Slytherins had defense against the dark arts together our fifth year." She chuckled at the memory she was recalling, her eyes filled with happy nostalgia.

"We were picked to duel and I beat him so fast. I quite hated him at the time just for being popular. Well, four of his friends didn't like the fact that I beat him so quickly so they hexed me after class. Ted came to my defense immediately and told his friends off. He even went so far as to help me to the hospital wing. I was cold to him, but I think he could tell I was lonely. He stayed with me and talked to me like I was a normal person. Not a Black but just, well just Andromeda. We were friends, close friends until the end of last year. We've been together ever since." She finished explaining proudly.

"That's wonderful. He seems really nice. Sirius talks really highly of you all the time and I know he hasn't been fair to Ted but..well he's already coming around." He finished lamely, feeling both the need to apologize for the many times Sirius had tried to hex Ted and also defend him.

"Oh don't worry I know. I'm relieved Ted is finally spending some time alone with Sirius. I want him to be apart of our lives."

"He wants that too." Andromeda sighed, and Remus had a feeling she was feeling guilty about not letting Sirius live with her.

"Did he talk to you about Spring Break? I heard his mother was terrible to him." Remus nodded, not wanting to say anything unless he had to, not wanting to accidentally reveal more than Andromeda knew.

"Just ...you and the other boys look out for him when I'm gone alright? He has a tendency to get himself in trouble." Remus let out a slight laugh.

"He sure does."

"And our...his family. Well…" She gestured to her stomach, the deep grief back once more. "Now you know just how far they'll go. If Sirius wasn't the only male heir I'm sure they would have already disowned him."

"We'll look after him. Only ..." He hesitated but Andromeda gave him a look that said go one, so he did. "Only I know it's not my place and everything. But ...Sirius knows the risk being involved with you will cost him. But he still wants to Miss Andromeda. He...well you know how bad his family makes him feel. You and his uncle are the only two that are any different. So ...so maybe you could… keep him updated, let him visit, or whatever you deem appropriate to keep him involved?" He bit his tongue sure she'd yell at him for going too far, trying not to think about how cruel her older sister Balltrix was.

Andromeda looked him over and regarded him carefully, a slight frown on her face that made him think he had indeed overstepped.

"I'm sorry." He replied quickly feeling foolish.

"No. It's alright. You do have a point. I just...wish I could protect him more than I have. He certainly doesn't make it easy." She finished with a hint of irritation towards her difficult cousin. Remus flinched, it almost sounded like she blamed Sirius. Before he knew what he was doing he was coming to Sirius' defense, this time definitely stepping out of bounds.

"To be fair he shouldn't have to be so worried about...about his family accepting him or not. He shouldn't have to jump through all their hoops in order to be their version of a perfect son just to get their approval." He remembered Sirius sobbing on the train after the break, of the way he deflated and got defensive anytime his family came up, and he felt himself get upset.

"He shouldn't have to be hurt because they never treat him right, because they feel he's not good enough. He shouldn't have to be afraid of them! He shouldn't have to feel like it's his fault!" He finished, nearly shouting he was so worked up. He flinched and hung his head.

"Well, you certainly are bolder than I thought you'd be." He thought she was mad at him before he caught the amusement behind the exasperation.

"I certainly can see why my cousin is friends with you. And why my older sister has it out for you." Remus looked up shocked.

"Oh yes, Bella tells me everything. I'm one of the few people who will let her go on and on and on." Andromeda smirked. "She thinks you are single-handedly ruining Sirius Black, the future of the Black family. Then when you disarmed her, well, definitely watch your back around her. Does Sirius know?" Remus shook his head quickly, terrified she'd tell him. Andromeda sighed.

"Didn't think so. Otherwise, he would have gotten himself in trouble confronting Bella. Do me a favor and don't tell him alright?"

"I wasn't going to." He assured her, worried she'd think that he'd send Sirius off to fight his battles for him. He wouldn't ever put his friends in danger, no more danger than they were in being around him. He was suddenly all too aware of the tiny innocent baby inside Andromeda, and even though he knew the feral thing was a lie he still felt the panic rise in him.

"I..I probably should go."

"Did I offend you? I didn't mean to. I just don't want my cousin in any trouble that can be avoided. You understand?" He nodded, understanding all too well.

"Well you can leave if you like but I imagine Ted and Sirius will be back soon, and my cousin will be much more happy to find you still here."

"Alright." A bit of an uncomfortable silence filled the air, and he could feel Andromeda's eyes on him as if she was trying to figure something out about him.

"I'm sorry you lost one of your babies. I can't imagine how terrible that must have been for you." He finally spoke up, once he couldn't stand the silence anymore.

"Thank you, Remus. It's been hard. Almost a month since I lost him. I'm so grateful I didn't lose Nymphadora as well." Remus felt himself smile a little.

"Nymphadora. That's a pretty name."

"Thank you. I'm sure Sirius will find it just dreadful, he finds any elegant name annoying. But if Nymphadora chooses to go by something else when she's older that's fine by me. Sirius better not convince her otherwise though." Remus laughed, imagining Sirius telling little young Nymphadora with the utmost seriousness that she can only go by Nymph or Dora or something. Another silence stretched, but this time it wasn't altogether uncomfortable.

"I think you're right Remus. The more I think about it and talk to Ted the more I realize it might be a mistake cutting Sirius off, even for his own good. But I'll have to careful. I simply can't risk any of my other family finding us. Especially not with the current going ons of our country. I don't want Nymphadora getting involved in any of that, not ever." Remus nodded, not wanting that for the little baby or any babies. He couldn't imagine the growing war would continue that long though. Surely peace would be reached and Voldemort would be stopped before Nympahdora could even stand, with luck even before she was born.

He heard laughter and turned to see Ted and Sirius walking back towards them. He couldn't hear what they were talking about but clearly they were both in high spirits. Ted with an arm around Sirius' shoulders that the boy hadn't thrown off. As they got closer he rolled his eyes hearing them talk about the mechanics of future brooms, and what future models might look like.

"Ted dear I think we best be letting Sirius and Remus enjoy their weekend." She responded already having replaced the spell that hid her pregnancy without Remus even noticing. Sirius looked surprised and utterly delighted to see Remus still there.

"Drommie didn't scare you off then?"

"Oh, I tried." Andromeda teased.

"We just talked about you the whole time," Remus replied quickly pleased to see a flash of uncertainty on Sirius' face before he realized they were joking.

"You better not have." He whined. Andromeda gave another deep laugh.

"By the way, Sirius in case you are wondering the baby's name is Nymphadora and Remus thinks it's a pretty name and I won't be convinced otherwise." She smiled at Sirius' look of disgust and then she and Ted went one way to go on a walk together while Remus and Sirius headed up to the castle.

"Nymphadora what sort of name is Nymphadora? The poor thing would be better off being called Dora than bloody Nymphadora." Remus laughed at him and Sirius and him bickered jovially about the name as they walked to the classes.