A/N: Thanks so much to the people who reviewed last chapter! I really appreciate it!
Andromeda nestled Teddy in her arms, sighing heavily. Today was the day, then. Her daughter and son-in-law were to be buried in Godric's Hallow. Harry had lightly requested it, saying that Remus would want to be near James and Lily. This was true, of course, and Andromeda had consented.
Still, she felt her heart ache just a little harder. The last few days had been a definite muddle of tears and hiding photographs, but this hurt more than crying could acknowledge for her. Nymphadora would be really gone now, without any chance at reappearing.
Teddy gave a little sneeze, and she sighed again. He was getting sick, running a fever and the like. Nymphadora had often been sick as a baby, she remembered. They were so alike already, mother and son.
It hardly seemed appropriate, though. If he were sick, he shouldn't be leaving the house, but he couldn't very well miss his parents' funeral. A sob crept up on her, and she quickly beckoned to her owl. She would write Harry, as she had already done twice.
He had said, the very moment he'd seen her, that he would help raise Teddy as much as he could. He had made it clear that she was free to lean on him, and Andromeda could tell that he loved Teddy very much. And while she knew that he had his own things to own arrange, with the Weasley family and the Hogwarts tribute, she couldn't help it. Everyone else had gone, and she needed someone.
She scribbled out the note, writing something about medicine and the funeral. He needed to come before noon then, since that's when the service would begin. She glanced to her own ailment cupboard, which was bare. She hadn't been out, since the battle, and she hadn't bought any of their ordinary staples. It had been a while since she'd been a parent, she realized. She was slightly forgetful in the art form of healing potions and Zonko's toys for toddlers.
Teddy gave a muffled wail, his fever clearly spiking. Andromeda cuddled him, feeling stupid and guilty about not having the proper medicine on hand. Any competent mother or father would know that you should never be without fever potion. Tears slid down her cheeks, and she was furious with herself. She had to get a grip on herself, for Teddy's sake. There would be plenty time for grieving, but she could do that while retaining her sanity, couldn't she? The two cried in unison, and Andromeda was uncertain who was the worse mess.
An hour passed, and then came a knock at the door. Andromeda muttered a prayer, running to the door. Ignoring her red-rimmed eyes and the disheveled Teddy in her arms, she threw it open.
"Thank you," she murmured, before she even got a glimpse of Harry.
He looked surprised for only a moment, before softening with sympathy. "Of course," he said. "How is he?"
"Teddy?" Andromeda asked, feeling stupider by the moment. "Yes, of course Teddy," she answered herself. "He's… he's very sick, I'm afraid. And I didn't have the right potions…" Her voice broke, and she stopped speaking.
Harry offered a smile, holding up a bag. "I've brought it. Would you like me to get him ready?" He sounded very sincere, eager to help despite his own forlorn appearance.
"If that's alright," Andromeda said softly.
Harry gave a nod at once, taking Teddy from her. He let his hand linger on her arm, clearly trying to give any sort of comfort. Andromeda shut her eyes, unable to bear his generosity. How could such a young boy be so strong? Harry patted her shoulder blade, and then slowly took Teddy from the room.
He was good with Teddy, Andromeda remarked to herself. She was uncertain whether it was his affinity for his godson, or that he was simply good with children. She hoped for a combination of the two, thinking hopefully of little cousins for her grandson. There, she told herself proudly. A silver lining. She was capable of finding things to look forward to.
Even as she thought this, her eyes fell on a teacup across the room. It was just a teacup, after all, but even that was too much. Nymphadora had drunk from that. Probably many times. Her only daughter, her only child. And she was gone now, along with her own father and husband. And her aunt… Andromeda thought, reluctantly.
She had been absent from the battle, having stayed home with Teddy, but she had read the expanded edition of The Daily Prophet the next morning. Bellatrix Lestrange. Credited with a dozen killings, including that of Nymphadora Tonks. This alone was enough to bring Andromeda back to bitter tears. Her sister had killed her precious baby girl, who wasn't even supposed to be at Hogwarts that night. Her throat seemed to form a wall, keeping the sobs in her throat, where they silently choked her. She lay her head against the tabletop, weakening enough to lose it entirely.
The minutes ticked on, and Andromeda found she couldn't stop herself. It was too difficult, especially with the approaching hours. She would get it out now, she told herself, and it would be better at the funeral. She thought quickly of Harry and Teddy in the next room, and then decided that they wouldn't mind. Or maybe, if she were lucky, they wouldn't even notice.
It was half past eleven when Harry returned, carrying a sleeping Teddy. "His nose is still running, but I think his fever's gone. I put him in his nicest clothes, if that's okay."
Andromeda picked her head up, her tears stopped for the moment. "That's wonderful. Thank-thank you, Harry. I – I –" she stopped again, shaking her head. Simple words had become too hard to say.
He gave a nod, for once not trying to soothe with a smile. It was too hard for him as well, maybe.
For just a seconds, Andromeda's maternal instincts returned to her. The boy looked exhausted. Positively drained, and she could bet that no one else had noticed. After all, the Weasley's had lost a child as well. Harry's hair was a mess, and his eyelids had purple circles under them. He hadn't stopped moving since the battle, and he wasn't going to unless someone made him. Unexpectedly, she gave a watery smile.
"Would you like some tea, Harry?" she asked. "We have a few minutes, and Teddy's asleep. Perhaps you and I could talk?"
He looked torn. He didn't want to refuse, but he also didn't have the energy for it. She took his arm, completely understanding. "It's okay," she whispered. "When you're ready, we'll talk."
"Really?" He sounded hopeful.
"Yes," she said. Then, with a sigh and a glance to the window, "It's nearly twelve. Should we go?"
Harry gave a nod, fully aware of the difficulty in the day to come. They each had an arm under Teddy, prepared to support his blissfully unaware form throughout the day. "Let's go."
A/N: Please review! Also, just to note, there will be five different stories, that will be circulating. Malfoy Manor, Andromeda and Teddy, St. Mungo's, The Burrow and Hogwarts. Thanks so much for reading!