Chapter 4: Gemini Andrews
Gemini Andrews was a very happy woman normally. But, it had been a year since her reason for living, her husband of 44 years Fred passed away and she now was a changed woman. Gone was the bright and bubbly woman who'd venture out and do things for the wizarding community. To say Archie was concerned would be an understatement. Now, Gemini only ventured out for Noble House Council and Wizengamot meetings. But, Archie didn't know that Gemini was planning to reunite with Fred sooner rather than later
For the past six months ever since the death of Fred, Gemini had been lacing her tea with liquid belladonna. As she was a very skilled potions mistress, she knew that investing enough of the poison would cause heart failure and she'd soon be reunited with her husband. Archie didn't know her plan and she made sure the healers at St. Mungo's were told not to tell him until they completed her autopsy after her death.
Now, Gemini was in St. Mungo's in hospice care. Archie knew that he didn't have much time left with his mother, so he took bereavement leave from work (even though as co-owner of Bode and Andrews Curse Breaking Services he didn't need to), and went to St. Mungo's to be with his mother in her final hours. Just like his father had done with his grandmother in 1989.
"I'd like to give you my final instructions, Archie before I'm reunited with your father." Gemini said one night. "Of course, mom." Archie said sitting down next to her bed.
"After my death, the first thing that will happen is my healers will take my body down to the morgue to perform an autopsy at my request. Next, I want you to get in touch with Ted Tonks and have the latest version of my will certified as my last will and testament with a private and public reading to be done as soon as possible. Next, get with Ragnok at the earliest possible moment, take up the head of house rings for the Andrews, Black, Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, Slytherin, Le Fey, and Emrys lines. I know with me still alive you didn't feel comfortable taking up the rings. And finally, I want to give my last words to a Daily Prophet reporter preferably William Wordsworth he's an old friend of mine. If Barnabus Cuffe tries to force you to allow Rita Skeeter to take down my last words tell him that I will not have that foul witch anywhere near me and if he tries you will have my permission to sue the Prophet for slander. Also, even though I requested it, I will still act angry because those leeches in the press always want to get the last words of a dying Head of House and you know how much I detest the press." Gemini said.
Alice Smoke, Gemini's healer walked in at this point to check vitals. "How long does she have left?" Archie asked her after Gemini went to sleep on the 24th of May. "I'd say she'll be gone early in the morning but what time I can't say at this time." She said. Archie nodded and decided to head home for the night.
When he came back early the next morning, he went straight to his mother's room bypassing the welcome witch. Everyone knew how close the young Lord Andrews was to his mother and no one, be it healer or mediwitch would stop him from being with his mother before she passed, even if it was before regular visiting hours.
Archie walked in and sat down watching as Gemini sipped on what would be her last cup of tea. He smiled sadly and grabbed her hand not wanting to let go.
Are you comfortable, mom?" Archie asked. Gemini Andrews was on her deathbed, that was for sure, so Archie wanted to make sure her passing was peaceful. "I am, thank you, Archie." Gemini Andrews said coughing softly. "You aren't in any pain?" Bonnie asked finally speaking (Bonnie had just gotten back from her honeymoon the night before and came to see her mother in the earlier hours of the morning via a private floo connection in Gemini's room). Gemini gently shook her head and finished her tea, which unbeknownst to Archie and Bonnie was laced with a fatal dose of belladonna.
Healer Smoak walked in at that point and smiled sadly. "Your mother's still with us I see. How are you feeling Lady Andrews?" She asked. "Very tired, Healer Smoak," Gemini said. "Well, someone from the Prophet is here, they want to get your final words before you pass." Healer Smoak said. Gemini scoffed. "Of course they do, those leeches always want to get the final word of a dying Head of House! They never-." Gemini's heart monitor started beeping quickly and she calmed down slightly. "As long as it isn't Rita Bloody Skeeter, I don't care who takes down my last words," Gemini said after she calmed down all the way. Archie, however followed his mother's instructions and told Barnabus Cuffe who his mother wanted. Of course, Cuffe wanted to have Rita Skeeter take down her last words but under threat of a liability and slander lawsuit, agreed to send someone else.
William Wordsworth, who was a trusted friend of Geminis walked in. "Glad to see you're still with us, for the time being anyway, Gem." He said. "I was half expecting to see Skeeter walk through that door, Bill," Gemini said. William shook his head. "Barnabas wouldn't let her, seeing as you hate the woman." He said. Gemini smiled and slowly closed her eyes. As she closed them she said, "Here I come, Freddy." And closed her eyes completely, never to open them again." William wrote down those words then stayed to listen to the heart monitor flatline, the signal, that his best and closest friend, was gone forever.
"Time of death, 7:45 am, 25th May 1991." Healer Smoak said.
After making sure he got those words dow, Wordsworth left and Archie started sobbing quietly, unable to keep the stiff upper lip that he was able to keep in place when his father, grandfather, and grandmother passed.
His mother was gone for good.