Disclaimer: The characters here and the world they inhabit are the creation and property of JK Rowling and her assigns.

Andromeda saw the next week or two as a sort of honeymoon. She and Severus enjoyed their new experiences together and made the most of every moment when the baby took naps or slept through the night. She refused to think of the future except to consider that she would need to remember every moment in Severus's embrace, every feeling as he brought her ecstasy, and every intonation as they discussed ordinary things. She especially didn't think about Hermione Granger, nor the testing that would change this beautiful present into an all-too-certain future.

She had more practical experience in the bedroom than Severus, having been married for so long. However, she discovered that he was quite well-read on the subject and had a number of things he wished to try. As he made her writhe in ways she never thought possible or sigh with joys she had never imagined, she asked herself how she had merited such a considerate and inventive lover. Only once did the thought bring her sorrow; only once did she realize that what he did with her would simply give him practice for a lifetime of such pleasures with another woman.

He found her one morning, huddled over a tea cup and a hot-water bottle. "Are you ill, my dove?"

She shook her head. "No."

"But you clearly don't feel well." He sat next to her and would have gone through a list of possible ailments. She decided to cut the examination short. He needed to know, anyway.

She shrugged. "I seem to recall telling you that I'm essentially barren. Nature hasn't seen fit to take the curse from me, just the blessing. We won't be able to do all of the—everything—tonight."

She could never get enough of his kind smile, because it was such a surprise when it flashed across his face. "We can work around the situation," he answered. His fingertips traced her face. "I'm sorry if it makes you unhappy."

She shrugged. "It would have been nice to have another child to comfort me when Ted left," she reflected. "If my hands had been full, perhaps my heart would not have ached so much." She sighed. "I do have Teddy, though."

As if on cue, the baby began to fuss.

"He'll be wanting a clean diaper and a bit of play, I'll wager." She made to get up, but he patted her hand.

"Let me do it."

As she watched him play with the child, she reflected that it would be good for him to have a younger witch in his future. A younger witch would provide him with his own children. How much more would he love to crawl on a floor, pretending to chase them and smiling in spite of himself when the little one shrieked with glee? She smiled while watching him even as the view in front of her went in and out of focus.

"Are you crying, my dove?"

She realized that there were tears on her cheeks. "I don't know if you realize how wonderful you look with him. I think you might well be one of Teddy's favorite people, Severus."

Later that evening, Severus tenderly put his arms around her. "I've never spent as much time with a witch as I have with you, so this is outside of my experience, but there's a charm we might try, if you're willing."

"Was that in one of your books as well?" she asked with a smile.

"If you're too tired or feel too poorly, I wouldn't mind holding you in my arms as we rest."

"I'm actually feeling better," she admitted.

"Than shall I?"

"Certainly." She closed the space between them and put her arms around his neck. "Unless you're too tired after your play with Teddy, that is."

He leaned down and kissed her until she couldn't stand. Then he ran his hands down her sides until they were resting on her hips. He whispered a charm, and she felt a warming sensation. He whispered another charm, and the covers on the bed drew back.

He made her forget the ache of the morning. His hands kneaded sore muscles and caressed her into a fever that he delighted in relieving. He continued to caress her as they cooled. "Your body is so different tonight," he mused. "Your skin glows... and somehow you seem ready to burst with life. Are you sure you're unable?"

What was he thinking, to speak as if it would be a desirable thing in this marriage? She mustn't cry, but the thought that screamed into her ear was that he must be imagining a different witch, a younger witch, who desired him as much as Andromeda did. Her hand trembled as she pushed the hair back from his face. "I'm sorry, I'm sure I cannot. I've done nothing to prevent conception for years. It's probably your charm that makes me appear different." He would have the younger witch soon enough and would live out this fantasy.

He shook his head. "Don't be sorry. I've had as much experience with children as I really want, anyway. I'm content to play with your grandson."

She kissed him one last time before he went to sleep. One more day of their precious time was over. He would be moving on to another witch and the possibility of his own children soon enough. She brooded over it until the moon set that night.

New Years was an ordeal for the inhabitants of the cottage. Narcissa invited herself and Draco to dinner on New Years Eve. Andromeda decided not to fight against it and prepared herself for the worst. While discussing her finances with a solicitor, she discovered a few truths that she wouldn't mind telling to her dear sister.

Severus was quite supportive of her. He considered that it would be easier to face Narcissa head on than to let her chip away at the pleasant world Andromeda ruled. If it were up to him, his wife's younger sister would never darken the door again, but for some reason, Andromeda craved Narcissa's approval. He considered his own familial relationships and kept silent.

He wore his dress robes and watched in open admiration as she prepared for the evening. "I've always thought the various paraphernalia women owned was useless. Now as I watch you, I see that you have a use for everything."

"I don't have as much as some women, I suppose, just my few little vanities."

"I can't argue against them, since I'm captivated by the results they achieve."

He offered to help with her lingerie and then sighed in disappointment when she lifted her robe over her head to settle it down around her. "I hate to see that disappear."

"You'll see it again soon enough." She turned around and smoothed the lapels of his dinner jacket. "Listen," she said with a serious look on her face, "I can't wear this tonight." She held up her left hand and indicated the ring he had placed there. "We can't let anyone know we're married."

"Not even your sister?"

"Especially not her. One way or another, she would find a way to ruin me. Do you want Hermione to know about us?"

"Not until I tell her, but I want my wife to wear my ring. What would I do in the mornings if it wasn't there?" He referred to his habit of kissing the ring on her finger as he woke every morning, and he was so emphatic that it seemed almost real. She wanted to sit down and cry at how much she loved him right then and there.

"Of course I'll wear it. I couldn't bear not to," she assured him. She reached behind her, and a golden chain slid across her dressing table and into her hand. It was fine but sturdy. She put it through the ring and then around her neck. She dropped the ring down the collar of her robe and patted it as it came to rest. "I'll have it just over my heart the entire time."

"It would be churlish to argue with that, wouldn't it?"

"I don't want to waste a single precious moment of our time together by arguing."

"Nor do I." He cupped her face in his hands. "Besides, kissing it there opens up a wealth of possibilities. Will I do irreparable damage to your toilette, my dove, if I kiss you now?"

"I'm sure I can repair it." She raised herself on tiptoe.

He kissed her sweetly but in a way designed to show her how much he desired her. By the time they finished, she needed to straighten not just her makeup but most of her clothing as well. He smiled contentedly at her as he refastened his trousers and tugged his jacket back into place. When they finally arrived downstairs, they discovered that Draco had already acted as host to not one female guest, but two.

"Why, Mother! I wasn't expecting you!" Andromeda mentally calculated the changes she would need to make to the dinner she and Birdie had prepared.

"Narcissa assured me that you're always prepared for any ruffian or Mudblood to show up for dinner. I thought to myself, 'Well, why not her own mother?' Surely you wouldn't want me to be alone on New Year's Eve?"

"Of course, not, Mother. You're quite welcome. I just hope my simple table is satisfactory."

"I don't need anything particularly fancy, child. I can make do with anything, you know."

Andromeda excused herself to check on things in the kitchen. Narcissa followed her. "Has it happened again?"

The elder sister looked the younger one in the eye and said, as evenly as she could, "It's none of your business."

Cissy grabbed Andie's arm. An instant later Andie's wand was in her face. The younger sister let go and hissed at the elder, "It's entirely my business and you know it." She looked her sister up and down and pondered the way Severus and Andromeda had come down the stairs... together. There was nothing improper about the way he held her hand in his arm, but the little looks were so intimate... "You've been at it the whole time, haven't you?"

"Again, it's none of your business."

"It's everyone's business if that Mudblood decides to cause us trouble."

"What can she possibly do?"

"She's extremely clever. I don't want to find out, especially not the hard way. Now, Andie, are you ruining the plan?"

She pulled away from her younger sister and looked out the window. "I've watched them for six months. He singles her out and devotes his days to her scoring well on the N.E.W.T.s. It's obvious she's special to him. What else could it be?"

Narcissa came and stood near her. "Then what is he doing with you?" she asked in a stern undertone.

"I'm a diversion while he's waiting... or maybe practice... I think he's trying to maintain a professional level of decorum with her while he's playing a pedagogical role. Just as soon as the N.E.W.T.s are over, he'll make his move... and I'll... just be a memory... I hope it will be a pleasant one..." Andromeda hated the way the tears welled up just from talking about it. She hated that her younger sister was there to witness it.

Narcissa came and stood next to her. "We'll take care of you, Andie. There's got to be someone better than a half-blood Mudblood-lover for you."

She had been a Mudblood-lover for over twenty years, but she supposed Cissy wouldn't care about that. Suddenly she couldn't stand the presence of her sister in her kitchen. She summoned a stern voice of her own and was almost surprised that she was able to use it. "Dinner is ready, Cissy. Why don't you return to the sitting room and ask everyone to sit down? I'll be along after I've spoken with Birdie."

Andromeda arrived in the dining room to discover her mother sitting in her seat at the end of the table, across from Severus at the other end. Narcissa was at Severus's right hand while Draco was at Mother's right. With a snap of her fingers, she Summoned a place setting to the space between her mother and sister.

Dinner progressed in a way that might be predicted. Draco sat and enjoyed his dinner. Aunt Andie gave a guy plenty of filling food to eat. The adult conversation was fascinating in that it was interesting to see Mother's and Grandmother's constant meddling directed at someone else. For once he could relax and enjoy a meal without worrying about what would be said to him.

Druella Black was initially complimentary about dinner. It was amazing that one of her own daughters had learned to cook, although it wasn't anything compared to what the elves were preparing at her house for the next day. That meal, to which only true pure-bloods were invited, was to be a quite elegant affair. From there on the conversation went down hill.

"By the way, Andie, I'm negotiating with Mr. Fudge right now, although Narcissa has encouraged me to wait until that Stanley Roberts comes back from his home in the United States. I'm sure they both would like to meet with you privately. They both want to see your financial statements, of course. Then you may choose."

"Isn't that a brilliant plan?" put in Narcissa.

"Your sister has done such hard work on this. I'm sure she will be gratified to have it all come out at the end."

"No," said Severus, "it's not a good plan at all."

Druella laughed cruelly. "I don't see why your opinion should matter."

Narcissa flashed a furious glare at her sister. "He thinks he has a say just because he's shagged her."

"Why should he care? Aren't you arranging—"

"It doesn't matter what anyone is arranging," said Severus in a quiet voice that Draco and his aunt recognized as highly dangerous. "Perhaps you should know. Just the other day, Andromeda and I—"

She couldn't let them find out now, not like this. Narcissa was liable to pull out her wand and start spouting Unforgivables. She cleared her throat and cut him off. "We discovered that you can't make a contract in my name, Mother. You may make any arrangements you like, but they have no force unless I sign them, myself."

"But my solicitor said an unmarried daughter—"

"She's not unmarried."

Andromeda looked at him in warning. "I was married twenty-five years ago to Ted. As soon as the marriage was consummated, I gained control of my own life. The solicitor I spoke with was quite clear on the matter."

"The Mudblood died."

"Yes, but I was married and that gave me emancipation from your schemes."

"A Mudblood hardly counts."

Severus couldn't keep from speaking. "What about—" Andromeda stopped him.

"I appreciate what you've tried to do for me." She turned and spoke specifically to Narcissa. "I appreciate what you've both done, but I don't need you to help me in that capacity. I can sort out my own affairs."

"Well that's most ungracious," said Druella.

"You'll end up with nothing," put in Narcissa.

"Truly, I thank you, but I can't do what you're asking of me. I wasn't able to do it twenty-five years ago, either."

"No, you had to run off and ruin yourself. I couldn't look Mary Alice Lestrange in the face until the day she died. What did this family get from that? Your father and uncle killed—"

Andromeda jumped to her feet. "That was their own fault. They shouldn't have been running around, killing perfectly innocent people in the dead of night."

Druella stood, too. "Innocent, were they? Their disgusting son stole and ruined our daughter. I don't even know you anymore, the child I carried for nine torturous months. They should have known better than to mix with the likes of us. Bellatrix was the firebrand and Narcissa was spoiled, but you were the good one. Then you were tainted by that Mudblood, and it tore our family apart."

It was all she could take. She sank into her chair in sadness. "I'm ruined, then? I don't know why you bothered to come, Mother. You should know, that whatever Ted was or wasn't, he was a good man, full of courage, honor, and loyalty. I'm sorry you never appreciated him."

Severus couldn't stand another minute and went to her side. "If you ladies have said all you plan to say, perhaps we should wish you a Happy New Year?" It wasn't a mere suggestion. Andromeda's hands fluttered to where his rested on her shoulders. Narcissa didn't miss the implication.

"You're going to keep mucking about in my sister's knickers, then?"

He chuckled softly. "No, I intend to make love to my—" He felt her stiffen under his hands and understood her concern. "I've been making love to the incredible woman she is."

Narcissa's face reddened. Andromeda saw something there that she hadn't noticed before, and she turned to look at Severus, whose face was impassive. Finally the blonde-haired witch found her voice. "I think all we can expect tonight is disgusting behavior between these two, Mother. Draco, it's time to go home. Andie, don't forget."

The three left in a flurry, and the two who remained stared at each other. "I'm sorry," said Andromeda. "They shouldn't have spoken to you like that."

"You aren't to apologize for them." He pulled her in his arms. "I don't know why you let them in, why you let them do that to you."

"They're my family. There was a time when we were actually... affectionate to each other."

He pulled her close. "I'd like to think that I'm your family, now."

"For as long as you are here, anyhow."

"It's nothing for you to consider," he said sternly. "I'm not going anywhere for a long, long time." He tipped her chin and started kissing her. He waited until she started to become quiescent in his arms and smiled into her eyes. "Why did we have your sister and your mother over, anyway?"

"Narcissa's been pestering me to come over for part of the Holidays." It reminded her of something. "What has your relationship been with Narcissa?"

He burst out laughing. "What would bring that on?"

She stepped away and looked seriously up at him. "There was something in her eyes tonight; I never saw it before. She's angry at me because she worries that I'll ruin her plans, but she's furious specifically because of you."

He waved a hand. "I'm sure it's nothing."

"Severus, it's not nothing."

He sighed and raked his fingers through his hair. "She was at her wits' end when Lucius was sent to Azkaban. The Ministry was applying certain pressures, and the Dark Lord was entirely too interested in Draco. She came to me for help, and then she came again for comfort."

"So you've been my sister's lover?" Andromeda wasn't sure how she felt about that.

He shook his head. "I'm no home-wrecker. There are rules about that sort of thing, and although I'll freely admit to desiring her at one time, her neediness caused the appeal to wane. I had no idea how to comfort her, either. I didn't understand comfort until you showed it to me last summer."

"I see." She felt a little silly. Narcissa's rage lay in the fact that Andromeda had, at least temporarily, something that the younger sister wanted but had never attained. The comment about neediness was not lost on her. She should be careful not to show her feelings too strongly.

He broke into her thoughts by tugging at hair pins and whispering into her ears. "You promised that I could see all of that delightful satin again. Shall we head upstairs?"

"Oh, yes," she replied.

They rang in the New Year with groans of passion and sighs of contentment.

A/N: Thank you for reading and reviewing, and especially to beta reader Mark Darcy.