Disclaimer: I'm not J.K. Rowling and these are not my characters. I am just borrowing them.
This was written for Louise Foxhall's "Three Sisters Black Competition". I hope you enjoy!
Family.
Exhausted from her exertions, Andromeda collapsed into her chair. Caring for any child, especially a hyperactive Metamorphmagus, was bound to be hard work. She had been on her feet all day, busy with the daily toils associated with motherhood. But she wouldn't trade her family for anything. The word had been on her mind all day, floating through her thoughts and impeding her concentration. She loved her new family – with every fibre of her being – but that didn't mean that her estrangement from her sisters didn't hurt.
Even if they were pureblood supremacists and murderers.
In many respects, she was glad to be rid of her Black name. Ted Tonks had been a breath of fresh air at Hogwarts and the thrill of seeing him without her parents' permission had only added to the excitement. He was kind and generous, refusing to judge her for her Black heritage. Most importantly, he loved her with a passionate intensity. Andromeda had never experienced unconditional love and Ted's open affection had, originally, disconcerted her. However, her love for him had banished any doubts. Even now, decades later, they were still deeply and irrevocably in love.
Andromeda was blessed and she knew it.
Ted understood, better than anyone, how much her family's attitude had disgusted her. They had ranted about the importance of blood, but they hadn't realised their family needed more than purity to keep it together. Their house had been loveless and empty of any real joy, completely unlike the home she shared with Ted and Nymphadora. Without those two, her life wouldn't be worth living.
Yes, Andromeda understood the importance of family.
Wistfully, she thought of Narcissa. Blonde and delicate, her younger sister had married Lucius Malfoy. In her opinion, the man was an idiot, but there was no denying he cared for her sister. She hadn't been invited to the wedding – at Bellatrix's orders she suspected – but the photos published in Witch Weekly were impossible to misinterpret. Rummaging in a box, Andromeda pulled out a pile of tattered clippings before returning to her chair. As she stared at the image, Andromeda allowed a smile to grace her features. Gazing into each others' eyes, the newlyweds wore expressions of deep devotion. She was glad, in spite of everything, that Cissy had managed to find love. Flipping through the sheaf of magazine pages, she found another photo of Narcissa, this time with a bawling baby. Again, the expression on her face was difficult to misinterpret.
It was obvious that Narcissa understood the value of family.
Unlike some.
Her heart tightening, Andromeda looked down at her precious stack of clippings. The disdainful gaze of Bellatrix stared malevolently back, a man's arm slung loosely round her shoulders. In comparison to Narcissa, her countenance could not be more different. It was obvious she did not care for Lestrange; even her exiled sister could see that. Her hand, unconsciously it seemed, was caressing her left forearm and Andromeda had the sinking sensation that Bellatrix's affections did not lie with her husband.
"Why, Bella?" she breathed, feeling a stab of anguish. For all Bellatrix's claims that she understood family, Andromeda was not fooled. Marrying for the sake of blood was not honouring the institution of family; it was making a mockery of it. If Bellatrix had understood family, she would have loved Andromeda regardless of marriage to a muggleborn. Without realising it, Andromeda had begun to crush the parchment in her hand. With a deep breath, she put it down and counted to ten. It had been decades since her estrangement, yet she could remember it as though it were yesterday.
Head held high, despite her fear, Andromeda had marched into the dining room. Beneath her father's imperious gaze she had announced – boldly – that she was engaged.
"I'm marrying Ted Tonks, father," Andromeda had said, flicking her hair away from her face.
"A pureblood, I assume." His reply had been laced with irritation, but Andromeda allowed herself a moment of hope. He had been annoyed, that much was clear, but there had been no fury. Yaxley had been repulsive, even he could see that.
"No." She had tried to keep the tremor from her voice.
"No? A half-blood?" And then the fury had come, rolling in waves which had nearly sent her flying. Whatever his flaws, their father had been a strong wizard,
"A muggleborn, actually," Andromeda had replied, trying desperately to remain calm. She had never understood his ridiculous prejudices, but she feared them all the same. His reaction had been terrifying. With a violent gesture he had drawn his wand, slashing at the air. She had been vaguely aware that her sisters were cowering, but all her attention had been diverted. She had conjured a vast shield. Her love for Ted, she had realised, was worth more than her father's opinion.
"If you wish to apologise," she had said, overcome with rage, "I will be with Ted – the man I love." With that, she had left the room. In fact, she had left their lives.
And part of her heart.
After all this time, Andromeda still regretted her loss. She had loved her sisters, even the murderous Bellatrix. She wished, with all her heart, that they could have found it in themselves to accept Ted. If they'd really loved her, they could have managed that. Her anger was palpable and she felt the urge to throw something. However, that would mean she'd have to tidy it up. With a rueful smile, Andromeda thought that Nymphadora made enough mess without the help of her mother.
At that moment, her daughter let out a fresh screech and Andromeda stood wearily to her feet. Despite her tiredness, however, there was a spring in her step. She loved her family and there was no where she would rather be. If Bellatrix had truly understood the importance of family, she would have allowed Andromeda to remain in her life.
And Andromeda's heart would still be whole.