Chapter 16:

Dearest Andromeda Black,

I adore you. Honestly. I could not have started out my summer any better. Thank you so much for coming to find me before leaving for the summer. That was the best hug and kiss of my life. I am not even being dramatic. I love you. I am sorry for ignoring you, I was just upset. Forgive me? Also, if I accidentally kill Rabastan Lestrange for trying to get back together with you, will you forgive me for that too?

Well, my summer has been fantastic. Ish. My family has moved closer to the magical side of London, which means Arthur and Molly visit constantly and I still get to see my parents almost all the time. It is a great place to live. My little sister, Georgia, is incredibly happy. She is so sweet, you'd love her, Ana. Besides you deserve to have a normal little sister. She's seen a picture of you and she's decided she loves you already. I hope someday you get to meet her. Oh by the way, Georgia says hi. :-) Arthur and Molly do so also. And my parents... haha.

Arthur apologizes for not visiting, calling, writing, and other forms of communication to you. He says his parents won't let him anywhere near you because they fear your safety. I would also apologize, but I'm writing you, so I'm not being as careful. I am sorry, my dear. If it gets too dangerous, don't write me back. Burn my letter. Something. That or go live with Molly. Then I could see you all the time!

Well, I should wrap up my letter. I love you, Andromeda Black. I love you hopelessly and entirely. I am sorry for not replying to your letter from when you broke up with me, but my feelings and affections for you have not changed. Take care.

Lots of love,
Ted Tonks

The first thing Andromeda did was to hide the letter. She knew she could burn it, but she loved every inch of it too much.

They were three weeks into summer; Bellatrix had married Rodolphus in the second week, and Narcissa had gone to visit her best friend, Charma, in France. Her parents had gone to Italy for the week, so Andromeda was alone. Her cousin, Sirius, often visited.

Andromeda suddenly reached a crazy conclusion.

After hiding the letter, she burst downstairs, pulling a cloak around her to disguise herself, and racing out of the grounds so she could apparate. She clutched a purse against her side. She knew exactly where she was going, but she could not believe she was actually going.

She ran quickly up to the man at the gates. "Sir, how much does it cost to go from here to there?"

"None at all, my dear, if you walk," the man replied mildly. "I can convert your money from galleons to pounds if you would so desire."

Andromeda gave him half her money and he gave her pounds in return. She thanked him, and for the first time in her life, Andromeda walked into muggle London.

With a slight shock, she realized she had no idea at all where she was going. At all. Andromeda realized she was surrounded by people, and kept her hidden wand close. She covered herself well with her cloak.

A familiar sounding voice touched her ears. "Look, she has a cloak like yours, Miss Mandy!"

Andromeda turned to the voice, but dismissed it when she realized it was just a little girl. She continued walking, and suddenly the little girl squealed and hugged her. Andromeda cried out in shock and fear.

"Miss Andromeda! Mandy, it's Andromeda!" cried the little girl. "Andromeda, I'm so happy to meet you! Teddy talks about you all the time!"

Andromeda took a few steps back and hit a building's wall behind her. The little girl was smiling happily. She looked up to see an unbelievably familiar face. "Molly."

Molly grinned and hugged her. "Ana, it is you!"

"What...what are you doing?" Andromeda asked, shocked and surprised. She rubbed the back of her head anxiously.

Molly laughed. "I'm babysitting for Mr. and Mrs. Tonks while Ted is out with Arthur." She placed an arm around Georgia. "Georgia, this is Andromeda. Andromeda, this is Ted's little sister, Georgia."

Andromeda laughed shyly. "Yes, I gathered. Ted told me a lot about you, Georgia."

The little girl squealed excitedly and hugged her again. "Come on, we must take you home! We can have a tea party until Teddy gets back."

To Andromeda's surprise, Ted's house was not far away. Georgia held hands with Andromeda and Molly and swung their arms happily as she talked. They walked inside and Georgia began preparing the tea party, which included some warm mint tea, sugar, cookies, and three of Georgia's favorite dolls.

"This is Annie," Georgia introduced each of the frayed dolls. "This is Kaylie. And this is Theodora. I named her after Teddy! Teddy is gone a lot for school, so I miss him." She frowned a little, but then started pouring tea.

Andromeda found she had never enjoyed tea so much. Georgia and Molly both displayed a shocking amount of etiquette, but they were kind, cheerful, and fun. Georgia was ever the gracious hostess, and retrieved anything they wanted.

Molly cast glances at Andromeda every once in a while, and Andromeda looked around the room. She found it quite strange. There was a box thing in the main room, and their pictures did not move, and their table was still a mess from that morning. There were no owls. She knew muggles lived differently, but this was almost near the culture shock she received in Italy.

"Perhaps we should call Lydia and invite her over too!" Georgia declared, rushing to a rather funny looking object hanging on the wall. She picked part of it off and held it to her ear.

"Not now, Georgia. Andromeda isn't from around here and I don't think she's used to this yet," Molly told her kindly. "Besides, your mum and papa are going to be home soon."

The door swung open and Molly said, "Oh, here they are now."

Georgia ran from the tea table, shouting happily. She stopped at the foyer, and snapped, "I thought you were mum." She frowned.

"I'm sorry, Georgia. I brought you some candy though!"

"Yay! TEDDY!" she squealed.

Andromeda felt hope gathering in her chest, and she stood up, accidentally knocking her chair over backwards. Molly stood next to her quietly.

"Teddy, Andromeda is here!" Georgia declared. "She came to see me!"

She heard Arthur's voice, and then the two boys walked in, both smiling. Ted froze upon seeing Andromeda, his eyes growing wide with shock. Arthur chuckled upon seeing her. "Well, Ana is here," Arthur said, grinning.

Andromeda said shyly, "Hi, Ted."