Andromeda Tonks's home was beautiful, friendly, and cozy. It was so unlike anything of her sisters that Harry couldn't hardly believe she was related to either Bellatrix or Narcissa. Teddy Lupin, Harry's godson, was busy laughing like a little elf , flying around on a toy broomstick, and making a general nuisance of himself. And Harry was loving every minute of it.
Although Harry supposed he should stop Teddy and tell him to fly elsewhere, the Tonks's lounge was where the little boy was currently content to play. Teddy Lupin essentially had two grandmothers; Molly Weasley and Andromeda Tonks positively doted on him. Harry also spoiled him rotten. It was impossible not to–Remus and Nymphadora's son was so wonderful with his cherub cheeks, infectious laughter, large eyes, and kaleidoscope hair that nearly everybody who came in contact with Teddy adored him. Everybody except Draco Malfoy.
Upon hearing about Narcissa's daughter, Hermione had practically insisted that she and Draco go over to his aunt's house to ask if Andromeda knew anything about Arachne or her where she was. "It is a good place to start," she had said.
Draco had not been too keen on visiting his estranged aunt. However, desperate times called for desperate measures, so he swallowed some more of his pride once Hermione agreed to do most of the talking, especially if Andromeda threatened to throw Draco out of her house.
Little did Draco know, Harry Potter just happened to be at the house with Teddy Lupin when Hermione and Draco showed up. The awkward pause which happened when Harry answered the door with Teddy in tow stretched on into interminable silence. Not even Hermione could think of a way to rescue the situation. Everybody was simply speechless. Everybody except Teddy Lupin.
"Nana! There's a strange man at the door!" Teddy called out to Andromeda.
The little boy's grandmother came running and said, "What's the ma–Draco!" when she saw her nephew from halfway across the room. Although Andromeda was no Molly Weasley, she ran to Draco and tentatively embraced him. The blonde young man was shocked beyond belief–even more shocked than he was to see Harry–but he returned the embrace in spite of himself.
Andromeda spoke, "I'm so sorry about your father." Draco winced as if she had just slapped him. "I hear your mother's taken a turn for the worse, too." His aunt embraced him again.
Draco swallowed several times passed the lump in his throat and thanked his aunt, despite all the people looking on. Then he said, "You have no reason to be kind to me. Why are you doing this?"
"Nonsense!" clipped Andromeda, all at once reminding Draco of his mother. "You are family, and I can be nice to you if I wish, regardless of anything that has happened in the past. Now stop standing in the doorway and come sit down." She gestured him over the threshold and he followed her into the house to the lounge.
Teddy kept staring at him. "He's tall, Nana."
"Yes he is, Teddy."
"His hair is almost white."
"Yes it is, Teddy.
"And he doesn't smile much." Draco stared back at the little boy with blue hair.
"He has a lot to think about, Teddy."
"Are you a Meh-la-may-gus, like me?"
"No, Teddy. I don't think he is." Andromeda answered for her nephew.
"Why is he talking to me?" asked Draco, half in panic.
Andromeda looked at Draco kindly, "Because he is a very curious little boy who is very curious about meeting new people. And while it might be odd for you to consider, you are his cousin."
"Lookit what I can do!" Teddy exclaimed, as he turned his bright blue hair into a shade which perfectly matched Draco's hair. Rather than impressing Draco, he stared at the little boy even more. The young man just did not know what to make of his little cousin.
At last, Harry seemed to have found his manners and offered to take little Teddy out of the room and to entertain him outside. The little boy dodged Harry and persisted in talking to Draco.
"I'm this many," Teddy said, holding up four fingers, "but soon, I'll be this many!" Then he held up all five fingers of his little hand. "And you can even come to my birthday party!"
"C'mere, little guy!" Harry said.
Harry finally caught up to Teddy and hauled him away, Teddy squealing and protesting all the while. Hermione shot Harry a grateful look as he exited the room. It was not lost on Draco that Hermione and Harry would doubtless talk later about Draco's ensuing conversation.
Andromeda graciously invited Hermione and Draco to sit in her lounge. "What brings you here, Draco?"
Draco looked helplessly at Hermione. She took his cue, smiling a little awkwardly, "Well, where do we start?" Then she looked back at Draco and encouraged him, "You can do it, just tell her what you told me."
The young man thought it would be nearly impossible to talk to his aunt, but as he'd already explained everything to Hermione a few hours previously, it came far easier the second time.
Draco's aunt sat there, shaking her head in disbelief. "I always suspected something was up when Narcissa went away that time before she married Lucius. She was gone for nearly a year. Now I know why."
His heart sinking, Draco said, "So you've no idea who Arachne's father could be?"
"Oh, I wouldn't say that," Andromeda said mysteriously.
"Then who might it be?" Hermione asked.
Andromeda looked to the side, as if slightly embarrassed to reveal what she suspected. "Well, you mentioned Arachne was born with black hair. The only man I know of that Narcissa was interested in approximately twenty-five years ago was Igor Karkaroff."
Draco's jaw hit the floor. He turned to Hermione who was mirroring his look. Igor Karkaroff, former headmaster of Durmstrang, Death Eater, who also happened to have black hair. It all fit. He'd always assumed his mother had far more impeccable taste in men, but that was before he found out he had a sister. By now, Draco wouldn't be surprised if Narcissa had a lovechild with James Potter.
"Well, at least we don't have to inform the father," Hermione said weakly, obviously trying to find a bright side to the situation. Draco rolled his eyes. Sometimes Hermione was so tragically Gryffindor.
"Where are you going from here?" Andromeda asked her nephew.
"The only place we can go. We're headed to Munich."
A/N: I will try to answer any questions that you readers may ask about the story, as long as it doesn't pertain directly to the plot line. This story has/will contain many twists, turns, and red herrings. That is what I prefer to read in a story so that is what I will write. It makes the reading process far more enjoyable, and I wish for you to have fun in your discovery. Thank you. =] ~Rae Carson