A/N: JKR owns the characters, I'm simply borrowing them. Thanks for all the lovely reviews; you know I really appreciate them! Enjoy! Xx

Chapter 10

Andromeda helped a very pregnant Hermione up the steps to the Manor. "Nervous?" she asked Hermione.

She shook her head. "No," she took a deep breath. "I'm ready. Are you?"

Andy nodded. The two of them were at Malfoy Manor, meeting Narcissa for tea. Andy had decided to leave Teddy at home, just in case things went sour.

Gripping Hermione's hand tightly, Andromeda knocked on the door. A house elf appeared moments later, opening the door.

"Lady Tonks, right this way. Lady Malfoy is in the sitting room," the elf bowed to them before leading them down the hall.

Hermione stiffened slightly as they passed the room where it had happened.

"It's all right," Andy whispered, squeezing her hand in a comforting motion. Hermione smiled at her weakly.

The small elf lead them to a small room, where Narcissa was seated on a couch. "Andromeda," Narcissa said, standing.

Hermione looked at the Malfoy woman, taking in her appearance. She had looked much better now that the war had ended. Narcissa was beautiful.

"Hello Narcissa," Andromeda said, somewhat stiffly.

"Miss Granger, what a surprise," Narcissa commented at her appearance. "Please, take a seat, both of you," she motioned to the couch opposite hers.

The three of them took their seats. Hermione shifted awkwardly, her glance darting between both of the sisters. The tension in the air was so thick it could have been cut with a knife.

"So, Andromeda, how have you been?" Narcissa began, smiling weakly at her older sibling.

"As well as I can be," Andy replied.

"And Miss Granger?"

"I'm fine," Hermione replied. "And please, call me Hermione." She hoped she would remember all the Pureblood etiquette that Andy had told her before they came. The last thing she wanted was to unintentionally insult Narcissa Malfoy.

"Hermione," Narcissa said with a smile. "I see you've captured the attention of my elder sister."

Hermione flushed, tightening her grip on Andromeda's hand. "Yes, she's been most supportive during my time of need."

"Well, I didn't know you were into female company, Andromeda, but I am glad to see you happy."

Andromeda stiffly picked up a cup of tea, taking a sip. "Hermione does make me happy, and with all that I've lost, it's nice to have someone there for me."

Hermione's tongue darted out and wet her lips. She had never felt more awkward in her entire life. Why on Earth did she agree to this? It was obvious neither of them wanted to budge, and Hermione wondered how much longer they would sit here before actually getting down to the nitty gritty.

Narcissa was quiet for a moment, unsure how to proceed. She wanted to make amends with her sister, but wasn't sure how too.

Hermione shifted, rubbing her bump. Pain flickered across her face.

"Are you all right?" Andy asked her worriedly, gently brushing Hermione's arm.

"Fine, she's just been really active lately." Hermione grinned. She loved her little girl and feeling her move gave Hermione chills. "Her kicks have become much more intense the bigger she gets. It sometimes feels like she's tap-dancing on all my organs."

"How far along are you?" Narcissa asked, turning to Hermione.

"Seven months," she replied, her arms wrapping around her baby protectively.

Narcissa smiled for a moment, and then abruptly stopped. Her eyes widened in horror. "Oh, Hermione, I-"

"Don't," Hermione stopped her. "I don't want nor need your apology. It wasn't your fault."

"But I feel responsible," the blonde witch said, shifting uncomfortably in her seat.

Hermione took a deep breath, shaking her head. "No, you're not. The person responsible is dead… I made sure of that." Andromeda squeezed her hand tightly. "But that's now why I'm here. I'm here because I want to see the two of you reunited, but neither of you are really putting in the effort."

"Hermione, I-"

"Shush, Andy," Hermione said to her lightly. "Let me speak." She smiled at her comfortingly, before turning back to Narcissa. "Mrs. Malfoy, I know you messaged Andromeda because you want to make amends with your sister, but you must realize that there has been a lot of damaged done. You may have lost your family recently, but Andy lost hers long ago."

"I was young then, and foolish. I went along with what mother and father wanted, not really thinking about how it could have affected us," Narcissa replied forcefully.

"But what about the past years? Our parents have been dead for a long time, Narcissa. If you wanted me back, you should have said something earlier!" Andy snapped back, all her anger at her family surging forward. "When I needed and wanted your support, none of you were there!"

"I wanted to contact you, Andromeda, I really did! But Lucius forbade it! And if the Dark Lord knew I was speaking you with… there would have been hell to pay!"

"There was hell to pay, Narcissa! I wanted my husband die! I watched my little girl be killed by our sister! And then her husband! I've paid for leaving the Black family, Narcissa. I pay every damn day when I look into my grandson's eyes… knowing that someday I'll have to tell him why he has no parents. I look at Hermione, and see the evidence of what this war has done to her, knowing that it was just another casualty of this war." Andromeda was quiet for a moment, her chest heaving with every breath she took.

"Andy," Hermione said gently, reaching up and taking her hand. "Why don't we leave? You need some time, and I think Mrs. Malfoy needs to really put things into perspective."

Narcissa reached up, quickly wiping away her tears. "Yes, I agree with Hermione. It seems there is much to consider that I… that I haven't thought of before."

"Fine," Andromeda said, helping Hermione up. "Good-bye."

"Good-bye, Mrs. Malfoy. Thank you for the tea," Hermione said politely, before exiting the room.

Narcissa collapsed onto the couch before succumbing to her tears.

"I'm sorry," Andy whispered, burying her face into Hermione's neck.

"Shhh, it's all right. Why don't we go back to your place for some tea?"

Holding hands, the two of them Flooed home.

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