I had to update this today, I would have updated it at the weekend but it's been hectic, anyway the next chapter is written and will be uploaded Wednesday at the latest, I would do it tomorrow but it's my Son's birthday so hectic hectic week/weekend. :D
Everyone stayed on high alert over the next few days, looking for anything that might seem somewhat suspicious. Astoria continued to make an appearance at odd times around the Manor but nothing she seemed to be doing was anything to write home about.
The Friday evening it was Andromeda's turn to pick Teddy up from the Malfoy Manor, she hadn't ever been to the home her sister resided in, she was long burnt from the family tree before her sister's wedding to Lucius. Andromeda wasn't even invited to the couple's nuptials, not that she expected to be but it still hurt, she had to find out her favourite sister had married from the daily prophet.
Andromeda had wrote to Cissy ahead of time so they could allow her to floo over, she knew it would take far too long to change the wards and she never liked the idea of apparition anyway.
"Ms Tonks I believe?" Andromeda brushed the soot from her steam punk dress style dress before looking at Malfoy.
"Yes, you must be Mr Malfoy?" She knew who he was, who didn't when he's face plastered over every business paper.
"Actually it's Lord Malfoy but we won't get too far into that" Andromeda –after only spending a short period of time with him- wanted to hex the blasted smirk off of his face, how was anyone capable of being in a close perimeter of the pompous git.
"Is Teddy ready?" Lucius nodded and opened the floo room door.
"I think the children have yet again tired Hermione out" Lucius let out a small chuckle before opening the study room door.
"Grandma" Andromeda's face immediately lit up at the happy little boy.
"Hello my darling" She bent down and opened her arms wide open as he ran up at her.
"Have you been a good boy for Aunty Hermione?" She brushed his platinum blonde hair out of the way; did he always want to look like Scorpious when in the boy's presence?
"Always, haven't I Aunt Hermione?"
"All have you behaved exceptionally well, apart from Albus but I think Uncle Harry has him in control" Andromeda grimaced, Albus was always such a pleasant young man in his presence.
"It would seem he has been spending too much time with Uncle George at the joke shop" She tried to stifle a laugh, really she did, but it couldn't be helped.
"Oh dearie me, Hermione are you free tomorrow evening? You see I find myself in some actual company and I do believe you promised to teach me that lovely recipe" Hermione smiled as she packed away the classroom equipment.
"Beef stroganoff, Oh yes I did didn't I. Then I will make time to come over and have tea with you and Teddy" She ruffled the little boys hair as she walked past him.
"Can I come too Aunt Andromeda" Andromeda looked to her great nephew and smiled slightly, why did they all have to look like Lucius?
"I'm afraid that is up to your Father darling" Scorpious looked up to his dad with a beaming smile.
"Please Daddy"
"Well, that depends, do I get to come two?" He addressed his Aunt with a wide smile.
"Of course" Why all of a sudden she felt awkward she had no idea.
"Andy, I hadn't been informed of your arrival, please do excuse my manners" Yup that's why she felt suddenly awkward. Sure they had communicated via owls over the last week or so, but she hadn't seen her younger sister in a little over 2 decades.
"Narcissa" She greeted with a gentle nod, keeping her hand on the little boys shoulder.
Cissy, without giving any warning jumped at her older sister and engulfed her into a bone crushing hug, forgetting who was in the room with the two, throwing all her 'how to act' actions from the window because she missed her older sister and she hoped the feeling was mutual.
Everybody in the room had no idea where to look; they didn't want to intrude on such a private moment.
"Grandma, Aunt Andromeda has said I can go to her house for tea tomorrow" Cissy smiled at her Grandson as she pulled away from her sister.
"Can the invitation be extended to us?" Cissy dabbed her eyes with her pocket handkerchief.
"It may but I apologise in advance, my house isn't as extravagant as what you have here"
"Oh please, Andy has the most homely of homes they can be" Hermione scoffed behind the two sisters.
"I can imagine, when we used to play with our dolls, mine had to be pristinely kept, your dolls always played house and Bellatrix's … well her dolls were just as raged as she was, maybe that should of given us some indication of where our lives would lead" Andromeda bit back a snidy thought at her sisters comment.
"I know you always got along with her, but I ask you to refrain from talking about her in my presence"
Cissy frowned, what had Bellatrix done that she hadn't known about? Andromeda gave her the benefit of the doubt by casting a silencing spell around the two.
"Because of your dear sister, I have no Daughter, my grandson has no Mother, She murdered the only family I have left. Could you do that Cissy? Could you kill family because they were on the wrong side?" Narcissa shook her head no, feeling unnecessary guilt rise up into her throat. Even if the devil himself ordered her too, she couldn't kill family. It had practically crushed her when her parents announced Andromeda no longer belonged to the house of black.
"Maybe she didn't know she was your daughter?" Cissy suggested.
"Impossible, my Nymphadora –until the day she passed- looked like Bellatrix in her younger days"
"Yes, so did you if I remember, everybody used to stop Mother and ask if you were twins"
"Ah yes, did you know I still received gifts and such off her? Even Teddy receives a small gift from her on birthdays and Christmas's" Narcissa smile lit up.
"Mother would love to see you; she was ever so envious when I told her we were back in touch. Father died just before the war broke out" Her voice softened at the thought of her Father.
"I know, of course my family paid their respects … at a much later date"
With a flick of her wand the silencing charm had erupted around them.
"Finally come back have you dear?" Lucius kissed the top of her head.
"Oh do behave" Cissy shooed him away playfully.
"Well we must be going, plenty to do before this monster's bedtime" Andy picked Teddy up and rested him on her hip, ignoring his protests to walk like a big boy.
"Do be quiet Teddy, you are as tired as …."
"As a Dragon" Scorpious laughed out giggly.
"Yes, that would work, you're as tired as a sleepy Dragon, which reminds me of a song I used to sing to your Mother, although the lyrics are something to be acquired" Hermione laughed lightly and closed the classroom door behind everyone.
"Puff the magic Dragon by any chance Andy?" Andromeda nodded and smiled at the younger witch.
"Yes, I dare say it might not even be appropriate to sing to such delicate ears" Everyone walked them to the floo room where Lucius tapped his wand to activate the floo.
"Hermione, do bring Severus tomorrow evening. I do believe it has been a while since we last had a good chin wag"
"Andromeda, it was only last week" Hermione protested with a slight smile playing at her lips.
"Oh yes, still, bring him so he is not on his own for the evening" Hermione smiled and watched the two of them floo home.
Hermione flooed over to Malfoy Manor before heading over to Andromeda's, of course Draco was inclined to invite Astoria, and of course she accepted. She was only glad that Severus –had with much persuasion- decided to come along.
"Do stop fidgeting" Severus sneered down at Hermione, not that it had the same effect on the little chit, no she had to make it worse by bloody smirking up at him.
"Don't fret Sev we will be at Andy's place soon" He automatically brushed down his waistcoat feeling slightly self-cautious … Not that he had a clue about what she was hampering on about.
"Are we ready then dear" Lucius drawled as his wife entered the room looking absolutely stunning.
"Of course darling" Narcissa took her place next to Lucius as Hermione keyed the coordinates into the fire.
"It's Tonks mansion we need to floo to" Hermione spoke to everyone making sure they didn't go to the black place (Grimmauld place) by mistake.
Hermione cringed at the floo magically whisking them away, she absolutely hated the floo network and avoided it at all costs.
"Aunt Hermionnnneee" No longer had she stepped away from the fireplace had Teddy gripped onto her leg.
"Hello little man" She bent down to pick him up and smothered him in kisses.
"Aunt Hermione don't, Scorpious will be here soon and you will show me up" Heat rose into her cheeks from her telling off.
"Well then, that's me told" She smiled gently at Andy -whom Severus had yet to let go of-
The greetings had undergone and Andromeda was showing them into the parlour room.
"It is a lovely home you have here Ms Tonks" Lucius allowed his wife to sit on the sofa before sitting himself.
"Thank you" Andromeda smiled and waved the floating tea tray over from the cabinet.
"Is this your late Daughter? She really does like her " Cissy asked as she picked a picture frame up next to the sofa.
"It is with her Husband, that was her wedding day" Draco peered over with a raised eyebrow.
"I didn't know she married Professor Lupin, does that mean that Teddy will …." Andromeda shook her head with a smile.
"I had Severus check for the tell-tale signs the minute he was placed in my care, Nymphadora refused time and time again to have him looked at. She said she could live with it if he was, but I wanted to know and not for it to be a surprise" Draco begrudgingly sat back down next to Astoria; he pinned to be near Hermione to be able to touch and smell the familiar aroma of Vanilla.
"I suppose congratulations are in order of your return Ms Greengrass" Andromeda started off pleasantly enough.
"It's Mrs Malfoy and yes I suppose they are" Cissy's eyes narrowed at the young witches tone towards her own sister.
"Oh dear, but you see if I call you Mrs Malfoy I will simply get confused as I see Cissy as such" Hermione inwardly smirked at just what game Andy was playing. Very clever indeed.
"Spain is lovely this time of the year is it not?" Astoria stiffened slightly and nodded her head, giving out a heavy sigh as if she was bored.
"I remember when my Ted took me for my honeymoon to Spain" Teddy lit up at the sound of his Grandfather and sat on Andy's lap.
"That's my Grandfather isn't it?" Andromeda stroked the little boy brown hair and nodded.
"It sure is sweetie, it sure is" Teddy frowned and turned around on his Grandma's leg.
"Uncle Lucius" Lucius looked up surprised at the little boys familiarity with him.
"Yes" he didn't know whether to play nicely or drawl like Severus tends to with people he is unsure with.
"I overheard Grandma and Aunt Hermione speaking once about you, why do you hate them so?" Lucius raised an eyebrow at Andromeda and Hermione.
"This was many many moons ago Teddy darling" Hermione interrupted gently.
"And you should have been in bed little monster"
"I don't hate them as you put it Teddy, there was a big disagreement before you came and even before your Aunt Hermione was born" He steered his gaze to Hermione, the little witch was smirking at him. The cheek. She is definitely Severus's ward.
"A disagreement, that's a falling out isn't it?" Lucius sharply nodded his head and raised his coffee cup to his mouth.
"Did you hate Grandfather because he was a muggleborn?" Lucius nearly spat his tea out over the cream Persian rug.
"I did not have the pleasure of knowing your Grandfather Teddy so I cannot say"
"I think it is time you go show Scorpious were your toys are darling" Andy placed him on his feet and waited till the boys were out of earshot.
"I apologise for Teddy's lack of manners this evening, he is rather fascinated to where he has come from. You should be here when Harry comes over, he is firing question after question at him although I am reassured he does no such thing when he is there"
Hermione pulled Andy in for a side-ward cuddle to stop her getting ahead of her emotions. Cissy sat rather tensely across from the two, hoping it was her whom could comfort her Sister as such.
Draco fiddled with his nail beds on his fingers, his estranged wife irritating him to no end with her tea slurping.
"Did you not get sent to eloquence school before marriage girl" Severus spat out, staring her down.
"Severus, do behave. I am sure it is not Ms Greengrass's fault" Andromeda reprimanded the frowning Wizard.
"I see it is time for us to make tea, have you bought everything in I asked for Andy?" Andromeda nodded and allowed Hermione to help her up, old age and sore ankles were doing her no good.
"Would … would you like to join us Cissy?" Andromeda held an outstretched hand to her surprised younger sister.
"Thank you" Cissy smiled and stood up gracefully, following the two into the kitchen.
"Don't find me terribly rude for asking Andy, but do you not have house elf's? This house is surly too big for you to clean by yourself"
"Of course I do but do you think I would hear the end of it from Miss Granger here if she saw one working this fine evening whilst we are cooking?" Hermione tried to protest but couldn't come up with a valid reason to argue, Andromeda was right, she would have kicked off.
The trio of witches tended to stay on amicable subjects, neither of them wanted to avoid hexes in the amazingly tiny kitchen.
"So would you care to tell me why the last time I saw you, you were all over my nephew and now your avoid his eye contact like the plague" Hermione -wandless- warded the kitchen and pulled a stool out to cut up an onion.
"There is nothing to say on the subject really Andy, his wife came back, wanted him, got him and that's the end of it" She refused to meet the eyes of Narcissa staring at her, strangely even.
"Mmm, you know I don't believe you right? There was so much spark and chemistry flying between the two of you. I don't need a lab to know the two of you are matched perfectly together, just become his …"
Hermione stared icily at her friend as magic crackled around her.
"No, you of all people should know my feelings of the subject Andy" Cissy rose an eyebrow at the exchange between the two but naturally refused to ask … just observe.
"Of course, I forget sometimes dear, I do apologise" She offered Hermione a weak smile, she really did feel bad.
"Don't, Andy it's fine. I really should thank you over and over again … but then you would have my guts for garters so I shall not. Anyway what is going on with you and Severus?" It was Andromeda's time to blush in response.
"This cannot leave the room" Andromeda threatened with her spatula pointed at the two witches.
"Severus and I have been enjoying each other's company for the last couple of months now"
"I knew it" Hermione cried joyously as she reached over the counter to cuddle the witch.
"You … You're not upset?" This rather did confuse Andy, they had put off telling Hermione for a while.
"No, should it?" Hermione seemed just as confused, sure herself and Severus were close but she could live with him having women.
"I, we just didn't tell you sooner with your relationship with Severus growing we didn't want to endanger it" Hermione burst out laughing at the over sensitivity.
"Honestly Andromeda I am just glad that you both have found happiness with each other, you should have left me out of the equation"
"You need to find somebody that makes you happy Hermione, after …" The temperature in the room fell below the minuses as Hermione passed the vegetables over to the cook.
"I think I will be fine by myself, honestly I have been alone for such a long time you get used to it"
"You forget who you're talking to Hermione; it gets lonely and terribly frightening. If you have found happiness with my dear nephew grab him by the horns and hold on tightly because merlin knows the harlot in my parlour is not going to let go of him easily"
Hermione glanced over to the ever so quiet Narcissa whom was browning the steak like a pro.
"I agree, I welcome you to be my daughter with open arms Hermione" she wiped the tears from her eyes –from the onion of course- and grabbed the bottle of wine which she had hidden in her bag.
"Oooo I could always count on you for the good stuff, oh dear me. Cissy do you remember at one of Mother's balls, I was around 17 so that would make you 15?. We had to be there of course to be paraded around like a bunch of circus folk talking and dancing to the right people, anyway Mother stupidly left some of the expensive wine in our reach and downed the whole bottle between ourselves?"
Hermione watched this significant moment in silence as she poured the wine into glasses.
"And do you know who gave us the hangover potion to keep us from being in trouble?"
"I just presumed you had them" Andy put the casserole dish into the oven and led the girls back into the parlour.
"Oh no, I have never been good at the art that is potion making. No it was Lucius that had an elf go out and buy us some before Mother or Father found us in the state we were in" They entered the room with smiles on their faces much to the relief of the gentleman who honestly did think a war would break out between the trio.