A/N: JKR owns the characters, I'm simply borrowing them. I just want to give my thanks on all the support and feedback ya'll are giving. I really appreciate it! I hope you all enjoy!

Chapter 9

The two of them were sitting on the couch at Andromeda's house when the owl arrived. Getting up, the older woman opened it, curious as to see who was writing her. As she scanned the letter, her eyes widened in surprise.

"What?" Hermione asked from the couch, looking up. "Who is it from?"

"It's from Narcissa," she replied, the disbelief evident in her voice.

Hermione didn't know much of Andromeda's past, but Sirius had explained to them that his Aunt and Uncle, along with the rest of the family, had disowned Andromeda when she ran off to marry Ted, who was a Muggleborn.

"I haven't heard a single word from her since I left that night… I wonder what she could possibly want." Andromeda sat down next to Hermione, handing her the letter. Bending over, she scooped Teddy off the floor and into her arms.

Hermione read the letter.

Andromeda,

I am sure you're very surprised to hear from me, and I must admit, I am surprised to be writing to you. I had never thought I'd see the day where I would want to speak to you, but that day has come. After the War, I had lost everything. Lucius is Azkaban, and Draco is traveling abroad with his fiancé, and I confess myself lonely.

I know what I have done, and how I have treated you, is something that isn't forgivable. I hope, however, that you can find it in your heart to give me another chance, Andromeda. I've missed my eldest sister terribly.

Please, owl me back and let me know either way.

Hoping to hear from you soon,

Narcissa.

Hermione bit her lip. Looking over at Andy, she saw she was on the verge of tears. "Don't cry!"

"I can't help it! She goes on about how lonely she is, and how she's lost everything… yet both of her family members are alive! I've lost so much more than her, and you don't see me sending about pity letters." Andromeda shook her head angrily. "No, I won't meet with her."

Hermione gently laid a hand on Andromeda's arm. "I think you should see Narcissa," she said softly.

"What?"

"You should visit Narcissa." She took a calming breath. "I know you don't want to, Andy, but she is your family despite everything we've gone through. And I really think seeing her would make you feel better… even if it's just for closure."

Sighing, Andromeda nodded. "Would you come with me?"

"Come with you?"

"To see Narcissa, would you come to the Manor with me? Despite everything that had happened there?"

Hermione trembled slightly, her face paling. Heart racing, she slowly nodded her head. She needed closure too, she realized. "And it wasn't Narcissa's fault… what had happened to me," Hermione said, looking in Andy's eyes. The pain and confliction evident in them broke Hermione's heart.

"Standing there and doing nothing, or casting the curse herself, I see no difference. She was there and had a chance to stop it, but didn't."

Hermione at once knew. Andromeda held Narcissa responsible for what had happened to her…that's why she was reluctant to go. "Well," she said, rubbing her baby bump, "I'm going to go to the Manor, with or without you."

Andromeda sighed. "I'll go too then, if only to support you."

Hermione smirked, knowing she had managed to get what she wanted.

"You really should have been a Slytherin, love," Andy said, leaning over to give Hermione a quick kiss.

Hermione smirked. "No, I'm a Gryffindor, through and through. That's where my bleeding heart comes from."

Andromeda smiled at her cheekiness. "Well, I'll set Teddy down for his nap, and then we can take tea out on the veranda."

"That sounds wonderful," Hermione replied, smiling.

Andromeda disappeared to put Teddy to bed, leaving Hermione a moment to stretch herself. As she stretched, she felt a small kick. Smiling, she placed her hand on the spot. "Hello, baby," she said softly, rubbing the area gently. "My little girl," she cooed, grinning when she felt the kick again.

Hermione still hadn't decided on a name for her little girl, but she decided she had plenty of time. She had been playing around with a few ideas, but wasn't really sure. There was just so many to choose from! How was someone supposed to make up their mind?

"I love you, little one. Mummy loves you so much," she whispered, tears prickling the corners of her eyes.

"Are you all right?" Andromeda asked, entering the room with a tray of tea.

Quickly wiping her eyes, Hermione nodded. "It's just so hard sometimes," she admitted quietly. And it was hard… waking up every day knowing that she was a single parent. Every little kick just served as a reminder, and Hermione was just afraid she was going to mess up. "I just feel so alone sometimes."

"But you're not alone," Andromeda reminded her. "You have me, Harry, Ginny, and Ron. Hell, you have the Order supporting you, love. Don't you ever for a second think otherwise."

Hermione smiled at her. "You're right."

"Yes, well, there are some benefits to being old."

Laughing, Hermione stood. "You're not that old, Andy." The two of them moved outside, sitting on the porch. Hermione added some milk and sugar to her tea, whispering a cooling charm before taking a sip.

"Has she been moving a lot?" Andromeda asked as she noticed Hermione placing her hand on the bump.

The brunette nodded. "She's been very active. I have to pee every ten minutes because she's pressing right onto my bladder. Honestly, pregnancy isn't anything like I thought it'd be."

"Oh no, they make it seem like its all rainbows and butterflies, but we know that's not the case. Trust me, when I was pregnant with Nymphadora, I was a mess… could barely control my bladder. Ted, rest his soul, put up with me and my incessant nagging."

Hermione smiled wistfully. "Thank you for putting up with my relentless nagging, Andromeda."

"That's what partners do," she replied matter-of-factly.

Hermione beamed at that. The two of them didn't define their relationship, because they didn't really see the point. They didn't need a label to know how they felt, but the reassurance felt nice all the same.

"Thank you," she whispered, before leaning over to give Andy a kiss.