Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. Not making any money, just having fun.

Note: Thanks to my beta, Eilonwy! A thousand thank yous! Chapter title taken from "If I Wrote You" by… yup, you guessed it – Dar Williams.

General Reminder: These are deleted scenes from the story "We Learned the Sea." If you haven't read it, these won't make any sense. You can find that story under my profile page. Also, these scenes weren't actually deleted from the story; they're more like extra scenes. Enjoy!

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Letter Writing Type

Draco hadn't planned on leaving the Edge until the first phase of his plan was complete. However, just two weeks after Harry and Hermione had arrived, he received a message that had to be answered.

A strange yet somehow familiar owl delivered a letter to him one night after dinner. Hermione was outside reading and Draco and Harry were discussing the day's progress. Draco frowned as he removed the small envelope from the owl's leg. It flew away immediately; no return reply was necessary.

Inside the envelope was a stiff, square black card; inscribed on it in bold, block-style, white letters was the message: AT ONCE.

Too late, Draco remembered that Harry was in the room.

"What's that?" he asked.

"A message," Draco replied absently, still staring at the card. "I'll be leaving tonight, Potter. I should be back before morning."

Harry's eyes widened. "I thought you said you couldn't go anywhere."

"There are two, perhaps three places I can go and be safe. Tonight, I've been called to one of them."

"Are you going to tell me what this is about?" Harry asked.

"That depends on the nature of the call. I cannot imagine that it would have any bearing on what we're doing here."

Harry glanced toward the porch door. "Is it…them?" he whispered.

"No."

"Then who—"

"Potter. I have given my word to share with you everything that related to this cause. As difficult as it may be for you to imagine, I do have something of a presence in other circles."

Harry nodded. "Are you leaving now, then?"

"No."

"But it says, 'at once.'"

"I know what it says, but unlike you, I also know what it means." Draco stood and pushed his chair under the table. "Don't wait up," he said with a smirk and left the kitchen.

Four hours later, Draco was standing at the top of a bridge in Castle Morpeth on a dark, cobbled road. He had a full, heavy cloak drawn around him, the hood completely hiding his face. The only light was the moon.

He stood peering into the darkness, watching the moon dance on the brook as it tripped and danced over the smooth, worn stones of the bed. She was late. She was always late. It gave her control.

"You came."

Draco jumped; he'd heard no one approach.

"Of course I came," he said turning to see a figure approaching in the moonlight, cloaked in black. "One does not refuse such an invitation."

"Indeed," said the figure, a woman. He could tell she was amused.

"What do you want?" Draco asked.

"Let me look at you."

Draco scowled but complied, lowering his hood. The woman followed suit. Draco smirked. "Your hair is on fire, dear aunt."

Andromeda Tonks quirked an eyebrow. Her hair was a very bright shade of red. "How does the moon find you tonight, nephew?"

He sighed. "Well. Though I'm sure you didn't summon me for that. What do you want, Andromeda?"

She narrowed her eyes. "Don't be so hasty, Draco. I had a sudden, inexplicable desire to see you, and I acted accordingly." She studied his face, his eyes. It was unsettling; he looked away.

"My, my, Draco. Who is she?"

His scowl deepened. "I have no idea what—"

"I'm talking about," she finished. "Of course you don't. Tut tut, Draco. You know there's no use denying it." Andromeda walked regally to the bridge and stood beside him. "Pray tell, would dear old dad approve?"

Draco shifted his weight from one leg to the other.

"Excellent," said Andromeda gleefully. "Going to join the ranks of the family outcasts?"

"Andromeda, I don't have all night," he replied irritably.

"Of course you don't. You have someone…" she paused, watching him. "…something very important to return to." She nodded. "I understand. There are things in this life worth dying for. I am pleased to learn you've finally caught on."

"Death is ever before me," he returned.

"Of course it is. We're in a war. And it is death I wish to discuss with you." Andromeda began circling him slowly; he remained stationary, staring into the night.

"When you came to me, two years ago, I helped you, no questions asked. I gave you information, materials… I saw that you had a fire lit inside you, and that you would accomplish your end with or without my help. So I chose to aid you, under the condition that I could, at any point in time, make a request of you."

Draco swallowed hard. Andromeda knew things. He had no idea how she knew them, but she did. He couldn't lie to her, and he'd given his word to repay her kindness. At the same time, he didn't completely trust her. "What would you ask of me?"

She stopped circling and faced him, and her eyes, for the first time he'd ever seen, were free of the knowing glint and instead, full of concern. "Spare Bella."

Draco blinked, momentarily speechless. "I have no intention of killing anyone."

"Whatever you do, Draco, please. Don't end her life."

Draco cocked his head slightly. "She wouldn't ask the same for you."

"I know that," said Andromeda softly. "But she and I are very different." Then she chuckled. "Obviously. Everyone always said your mother and she were like night and day, but that was only in their appearance. Bella and I have always butted heads."

"I cannot make any promises, Andromeda. This is a war, as you mentioned."

Andromeda's eyes bored into his. "Please don't kill her. I'm not worried about Narcissa. I know you would go to great lengths to keep her safe, despite your tenuous relationship."

Draco sighed. "I won't kill Bellatrix."

Without blinking, without pause, Andromeda continued. "Neither can Potter kill her."

Draco's breath caught in his throat and fear seized him.

"Do not worry, nephew. I don't know enough to do you any harm and besides, if you're up to what I think you're up to, the world will be a better place."

Draco nodded slowly. "Potter won't kill her."

Andromeda let out her breath and she smiled, genuinely relieved. "Thank you, Draco."

"But I can make no promises about her life."

"Of course. Bella will make her own choices. I just felt, very suddenly, that the biggest threat to her life was you."

"There is only one circumstance under which I will be unable to keep my word. You should know of this possibility."

Andromeda frowned. "What is it?"

"If the Dark Lord can only be defeated if Bellatrix is dead."

"She could be Stunned instead," Andromeda protested.

"Were she merely in the way, yes. What I'm saying is, if, for whatever reason the Dark Lord cannot be defeated unless Bellatrix dies, then we will have to kill her."

Andromeda peered into his eyes as though searching. He felt nothing—he knew it wasn't Legilimancy—but he still felt that she was sifting through his memories and thoughts somehow. And there were quite a few memories he didn't want her to see…

Her eyes suddenly went wide. "Merlin!" she breathed. "Such evil magic, such a twisted soul! I understand, Draco. And, should such an awful thing befall her, she's no longer my sister anyway. I would release you for your promise."

Draco nodded.

Andromeda smiled. "It was good to see you, Draco. I look forward to a time when out meetings might be more frequent and less covert."

"As do I," he replied.

"Thank you for coming."

"Goodnight, Andromeda."

Draco remained in the middle of the bridge and watched as Andromeda walked toward the end of the bridge. She stopped just as she disappeared from his sight.

"I agree with you, Draco. She is beautiful. Good night."

Draco shut his eyes and heard Andromeda Disapparate with a pop! He turned to lean against the railing of the bridge once more, his thoughts resting on the image in his mind of a brown-haired witch sleeping on his porch swing.

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A/N: I really, really had fun with this chapter! Specifically, Andromeda. Hope you like it too!