A/N: Disclaimer, see Chapter 1. Thanks to everyone who's reviewed, favorited, and followed! Your sweet words help to feed the muse! Prompt used this chapter: searching.

Chapter 8

Hermione had just returned from a Healer's visit and was surprised to see Andromeda was in the parlor. "Andy, what is it?" she asked worriedly, moving towards her as quickly as possible and taking a seat down on the couch.

"It's Teddy," Andromeda replied, her eyes red and puffy.

Alarmed, Hermione quickly looked around. "Teddy? Andy, where is he?" she asked nervously, worry setting into her stomach. She loved that little boy dearly and would be horrified if anything had happened to him.

"Harry and Ginny took him to the park… I needed some space away from him."

That took Hermione by surprise. "Space? Andromeda, why would you need space from your grandson?"

"Because he said his first word today, and he called me 'Mum!'"

"First words? Andy, surely he's a bit young to be talking already!" Hermione cried, rather surprised someone so young could speak.

Andromeda waved her hand. "It's different with wizarding children. Besides, you're missing the point."

"The point? Andy," Hermione gently said, placing her hand on top of Andromeda's. "Teddy calling you Mum isn't that big of a deal."

"Of course it is!" Andromeda protested, a panicked expression on her face. "I'm not his mother, Hermione! I don't want him growing up thinking that I am."

Hermione frowned sympathetically.

"I'm not his mother…" Andromeda whispered, burying her face in her hands and sobbing.

Hermione patted Andy's hands and leant over to kiss the top of her head. "It's all right, Andromeda. It's not really as bad as it sounds."

"Of course it is, Hermione! My poor baby is dead, and now I have to raise her son! And he thinks I'm his mother?" she paused, allowing her shoulders to sag in defeat. "I don't even know how I should feel right now."

Hermione frowned. She couldn't even imagine being in that type of situation. "Andromeda, it'll be all right. I promise. Once Teddy is older, you'll be able to explain to him what happened to his parents. You can tell him how brave they were, and how their deaths helped saved the lives of millions."

"It's not fair," the older woman whispered, her voice hoarse.

"I know it isn't, but life isn't fair, Andy," Hermione gently reminded her.

"Nymphadora would have known what to do! I feel so lost… I'm not fit to be a mother again."

Hermione frowned. "Now that type of talk is just uncalled for! You were a great mother to Tonks, and you're being a great mother to Teddy. Tonks would have told you to relax Andy, and that you're doing a great job. She'd be proud of you, just like I am."

"You really think so?" she asked through her sniffles.

"Of course I do!" She hugged her tightly. "Tonks would be so proud of you… Andy, you're doing a brilliant job raising Teddy."

Andromeda sniffled for a moment, reaching up and dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief. "I'm sorry for losing my control, Hermione, I was just so shocked."

"I know, but you knew this would happen someday, Andy, it just happened a bit sooner than expected."

"You're right," Andy said with a nod.

"You know he'll go searching for answers someday, but today isn't that day. Just let it happen, let him call you Mum. He's too young to understand that you aren't. But when the time comes, and he is older, gently tell him the truth."

"You think that's what I should do?"

Hermione nodded. "You can try getting him to call you grandma, grammy, or whatever, but I really think he's too young to even understand. He'll get it once he's older."

"It's just making me worried. What if he searches for answers and doesn't like what he finds?"

Hermione frowned. "That won't happen. His parents are heroes, Andromeda; he'll understand what happened to them. It'll hurt, but he'll be okay. Just look at Harry."

Andromeda nodded, wrapping her arms around Hermione. Burying her face into Hermione's wild curls, she mumbled a "thank you."

"It's nothing, Andromeda. I'm here for you, just like you're here for me." She hugged Andromeda tightly, hoping that she'd feel better soon. Teddy calling her Mum was just another reminder to Andromeda that she had lost her family during the War.

The healing process was going slow for all of them, Hermione included. She had nightmares often, of what occurred at Malfoy Manor creeping into her thoughts.

Harry would wake up, screaming during the night as well. It seemed that being tainted by Voldemort's soul had changed Harry, and he was struggling with recuperation. Ginny was helping him, but it wasn't enough.

They were all broken. And only time and each other would help them heal together.

Andromeda untangled herself from Hermione's curls, gently cupping her face. "Thanks, love," she whispered, before brushing her lips against Hermione's. This kiss was soft and gentle, filled with the love the two of them shared.

Breaking apart, the two of them smiled. Andromeda stood, linking hands with Hermione. "Do you want to walk down to the park to see Harry, Ginny, and Teddy? Or is that too far for you?"

She stood, rubbing the bump. "No, I can make it," she said with a smile.

Linking hands, the two of them walked outside and towards the Muggle park down the street. Ginny and Hermione would often picnic down there in their downtime. It was quiet and serene, and many magical folks didn't visit.

A loud pitched giggle filled the air.

Walking over, the two of them found Harry pushing Teddy on the swing. The boy was giggling like crazy, waving his hands around in excitement. When he saw Andromeda and Hermione approaching, his hands made little grabby movements towards them.

Andy scooped him into her arms, kissing his nose. He cooed in response.

Hermione looked at him, smiling. "I wish I could hold him. Unfortunately, until this baby is born in three months, that just won't happen."

"And by then, you'll have your own little one to hold," Ginny said, moving forward to hold Harry's hand.

"True," Hermione replied with a grin.

"Come on, let's all go over to the Burrow for dinner," Ginny suggested after checking the time.

Hermione glanced at Andromeda, who nodded. Linking hands once more, they braced themselves for a night full of Weasleys.