Okay, so firstly . . . I did not intend to make this chapter 7,000+ words . . . but shit happens. I got carried away.
This is the last chapter of this story before the epilogue I already have planned, so I really hope you do enjoy it.
As always please read, enjoy and please do leave a review as I love them. If you have any questions for me about anything or comments you want to make you can also feel free to go to my Tumblr, which has the same username as this site.
Again, I hope you enjoy, let me know.
The Purple Black
The grass glistened with the early morning dew of the cool May morning, the first rays of the day's sunlight creeping to penetrate the net curtains of the kitchen window and cast a faint light on the solid wood table. The wand light that illuminated the crisp pages of that morning's Prophet was turned off silently, the wood placed gently on the table though the sound echoed throughout the empty room.
The page bore only three pictures. One, a distant glimpse of a line of Death Eaters against the outer walls of Hogwarts castle bound in chains, some slumped against the wall struggling to stand due to their injuries or pure exhaustion, others sat on the grass with their heads hung as it was unclear if they remained conscious or even alive, whilst a small few stood with no apparent fear for their fate. The second photograph held the Lestrange brothers, battle worn and not hardly as pristine and well-kept as they usually presented their selves. Rabastan glared towards the camera as if he were in the midst of making a threat to the poor soul behind it, though Rodolphus merely stood there. Blood stained the man's robes as, although he held his head high, his eyes wandered to his side as if disinterested of his surroundings, too lost in thought to care of his fate. The final picture was that of Nymphadora Tonks. The woman's gaze was locked in a steely glare, the only movement in her body the small tug on the chains tightly binding her wrists as she tried to release some of the pressure of her bonds. Though there was something about the look in her eyes, the mousey brown limp hair that hung past her shoulders, the way her teeth remained gritted and determined not to let her mouth open. It was small things that showed it, things that those who did not know her well would perhaps not pick up on, but the sorrow underlying the hatred and anger was clearly there to reveal itself unwillingly only to those that knew her.
The large print at the top of the page simply read "Death Eater Trials Begin", the article itself had been read in that particular kitchen at least twice by this point, but still eyes trailed down the words for a third time . . .
Two days after what is sure to go down as the most famous wizarding battle in history at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft of Wizardry, with the Ministry returning from it's tyrannical hold of you-know-who's regime his servants are beginning to be brought to justice. The list of those of his followers captured, or even killed, is thankfully long with Bellatrix Lestrange being the most notable death. Though those who managed to evade capture are still being brought in to justice it is important to focus not on those still to be captured, but instead focus on the success of the capture of those whose tirade of evil has been brought to an abrupt end.
Rabastan and Rodolphus Lestrange (pictured left) and Nymphadora Tonks (pictured right), are amongst a few—though perhaps the most notable—of those captured. Both Lestrange brother's have previously been captured and set to be sent to Azkaban prison, Rabastan originally sent in 1981 for the torture of Aurors Frank and Alice Longbottom (a crime that was more recently revealed to also be the responsibility of Bellatrix and Rodolphus Lestrange) only to escape in 1995 for a short period of time until 1996 when both brothers were sent to Azkaban for their part in the break in at the Ministry of Magic. Though there will be no escape this time, the Ministry has assured the Wizarding public.
Nymphadora Tonks however has not yet been to Azkaban prison, a fact that is sure to change after the trials of tomorrow. The witch is most famed for the trail of dead bodies she has left over the years, having been outed as the Witch whose signature was to leave her victims with purple hair after their brutal murder. This fact alone leads the Ministry to be able to connect her to countless murders. However, she was not a silent partner in the war having been seen causing havoc on many occasions even when the witch was noticeably pregnant with her first and only child. Tonks will leave behind her child with deceased Death Eater Barty Crouch Jr, having only registered the birth of Cassiopeia Crouch mere weeks before the battle that saw her downfall. It is arguably a fate deserving of the woman who helped tear apart so many families. Though some argue there is no punishment harsh enough for both these and the many other prisoners now awaiting their fate.
The Ministry has given statement in regards to the trials and the battle itself—
There was a knock at the door. A single knock. An almost hesitant knock, as if the person trying to intrude on the homeowner was half hoping that they weren't in. The paper was laid back on the table, the wand picked back up again as the sound of the occupied chair being pushed back echoed through the room. As they approached the front door the silhouette of a woman through the frosted glass could be seen. There was hesitation for a moment, pausing on the carpeted hallway as they considered who they knew could possibly disturb the silence of the home. But the moment was short lived, taking in a deep breath she took the few short strides towards the door and opened it.
Narcissa Malfoy turned her head as the door opened on her, an awkward smile flickering on her lips for the briefest of moments.
"Andromeda," Narcissa breathed, "you look . . . nice."
Andromeda Tonks couldn't help but let out a huff of amusement. She was stood at her door with her hair pulled up into a messy bun, her silk dressing gown hanging loosely on her to reveal her nightdress.
"It's early," Andromeda said, pulling her dressing gown more tightly around herself.
"Well," Narcissa forced a slight smile, "you've always been an early riser . . . I assumed that hadn't changed."
"What do you want?" Andromeda asked impatiently.
"Can I come in?" Narcissa asked.
"Embarrassed to be seen on a blood traitors doorstep?" Andromeda raised an eyebrow, "You could do as Bellatrix seemed fit and blast the door down, it gets you in a lot quicker."
"I never—" Narcissa cringed, "I was never part—I didn't agree—"
"Come in, Narcissa," Andromeda sighed, rolling her eyes as she stepped aside to let her younger sister enter her home.
Narcissa didn't hesitate to cross the threshold, making to tuck a stray strand of hair that wasn't there behind her ear in a way of hiding the blush on her pale face. Andromeda pointed to the living room, watching her sister enter the room before with a deep breath she closed the front door and made to follow her. Narcissa was stood awkwardly in the middle of the room, turning from her inspection of the photographs on the mantle to turn to her sister. With a quick notion from Andromeda she took a seat on the sofa, watching Andromeda summon a pot of tea and two tea cups.
"Tea?" Andromeda asked flatly.
"I—" Narcissa seemed surprised for a moment before she nodded, "thank you."
"What?" Andromeda raised an eyebrow as she poured the two cups, enchanting one to float to her sister before she took her own and took a seat on the armchair opposite the blonde witch, "Did you think I'd have forgotten my manners? I'm not Bellatrix."
Narcissa flinched at the sound of their older sister's name, "No, of course not," Narcissa said hurriedly before she took a sip of her tea. She could feel her older sister's eyes boring into her, looking up to see the woman staring at her with an emotionless mask placed upon her features. "I—I take it you heard about Bella . . ."
"I did," Andromeda said, "it was only a matter of time before she got herself killed."
"I-I suppose so . . ." Narcissa said quietly, nodding a little as she looked down at the carpet.
"But you didn't come here to talk about Bellatrix," Andromeda said simply, leaning forward and placing her tea on the coffee table, "surely you would know I wouldn't care for such talk."
"She—" Narcissa took a deep breath, straightening up slightly as she looked to the woman, "Regardless of what she's done she was our sister, we all cared for each other once, Dromeda."
Andromeda narrowed her eyes slightly at the younger witch, unable to help the slight anger that seeped into her voice as she spoke, "She is also the woman who put the Cruciatus on me when I left the family home, the woman who lost her senses and killed, tortured—destroyed people—for a madman," Narcissa flinched slightly at the mention of Lord Voldemort, "she took my daughter, turned her against me and then made it so that they both came back—not too long ago, in case you've forgotten—and murdered my husband in front of me. So, forgive me, Cissa, if I feel little emotion for the woman."
Silence fell on the two witches, Narcissa closing her eyes for a moment as she tried to convince herself she wasn't insane for going to the woman. Andromeda watched her curiously for a moment, almost enjoying watching her sister squirm as she beat around the bush as to the true reason she had decided to visit her home.
"I—I'm sorry," Narcissa breathed, looking up to her sister with a rare but true look of remorse, "I had nothing to do with that. I never agreed with it from the moment that I found out. I tried to talk sense into Bellatrix but—" Narcissa sighed, there was no excuse, she had never been more firm with Bellatrix because deep down she had feared upsetting her—feared what she would do. "Andromeda," Narcissa swallowed, "if I could go back and change it I would."
"But you can't," Andromeda let out a short huff of laughter, "you wouldn't. You can't tell me that you're at least a little satisfied that I've been left with nothing? No Black fortune, no family, on my own just as you swore I would be left as when I left the family."
"I—That was a long time ago, a different time," Narcissa shook her head, placing her tea down on the coffee table as she tried to explain herself, "I am sorry. I obviously can't say I ever approved of the mu—of Ted, but I'm sorry that you're alone. I'm sorry about what Bellatrix did to you . . . and I'm sorry I didn't do anything about it . . . I really am."
Andromeda watched the woman in front of her. She looked more worn down than usual, the last few days events—or perhaps even the events of the last few years—had clearly gotten to her, even the glimmer of a slight tear could be seen in her blue eyes. Andromeda couldn't help but be annoyed at herself for feeling even ever so slightly sorry for her. She put her wand on the arm of her chair, relaxing her posture ever so slightly as she looked to her sister.
"You're not here to talk about Bellatrix though," Andromeda said matter of factly, "you're here about Nymphadora . . . aren't you?"
Narcissa hesitated for a moment before she nodded slightly, "She . . . well, you've seen the news surely. She's due to be put on trial tomorrow."
"I won't be going," Andromeda said, "I considered it . . . but she's not my daughter anymore—she hasn't been for a long time. I think it is best for me to stay away from it all."
"I'm not saying you should," Narcissa shook her head, "though she won't have anyone else for her there—Lucius and I can't attend, not that we would and the boys are being put on trial separately. Something about singling them out for their individual crimes rather than 'bulking it all together' . . ."
"She was busy during the war," Andromeda scoffed, "I should know."
"Yes . . ." Narcissa said, "but she wasn't just fighting or doing The Dark Lord's bidding . . . she had a life . . . she had a child, your grandchild."
Andromeda let out a short cold laugh, "I highly doubt she would be thrilled if I started claiming Cassiopeia as my grandchild."
"Cassie . . ." Narcissa hummed, "she's a beautiful baby. A metamorphmagus, like her mother. She's only little still, barely a month old, but you can tell she'll be a little heartbreaker when she grows up."
"You'll have your hands full then," Andromeda remarked, taking her cup back up and sipping at her tea.
"I—" Narcissa shook her head, "I won't be keeping her."
"Did Nymphadora not leave her to you?" Andromeda raised an eyebrow, playing naïve to what she knew her sister was trying to get at, "I assumed she would leave her to Bellatrix first, then should she not be able to have her she would go to you and Lucius. Or has she left her to some distant Crouch relation?"
"No," Narcissa said, "I mean no there's no Crouch involved and yes, that was how Nymphadora wanted it, but . . . I can't. Lucius and I . . . we're too close to everything still and we have so much to rebuild and we need to get back to normality . . ."
"Lucius doesn't like the idea of a child of two Death Eater's growing up in the Malfoy home?" Andromeda scoffed, "Seems a little . . . well, it seems like Lucius."
"Yes . . . well . . . it's not—"
"I'm not taking her," Andromeda said, "surely you knew that before you came here."
". . . Why?" Narcissa asked, furrowing her brows slightly, "She's your granddaughter, one of the little family you have left."
"I thought I didn't have any family?" Andromeda asked, raising an eyebrow as she drained the last dregs of her tea and put the cup back down.
"You have me . . ." Narcissa's voice was so quiet that if the room had not been completely silent Andromeda Tonks would have struggled to hear her as the blonde witch stared down at the floor, kneading her hands in her lap.
"I have no time for babies," Andromeda said, pretending that she hadn't heard her sister's last comment, "I'm getting old and I haven't the time nor the funds that would grant the life I'm sure her parents intended for her."
"She has the Crouch fortune—though I know that money isn't the true objection here Dromeda, you got away with enough heirlooms to live comfortably for two lifetimes when you left us and I know Ted worked."
"Accusing me of being a thief?" Andromeda laughed, "A great way to convince me." Andromeda rose to her feet, pocketing her wand and gesturing towards the living room door, "I think it's time you left."
"Andromeda," Narcissa pleaded, standing to face her sister "if you don't take her . . . I don't want to think of what will happen. She could end up in some muggle orphanage—"
"She's a metamorphmagus Narcissa," Andromeda rolled her eyes, "you couldn't send her there if you wanted to."
"Well then she'll end up with some random family," Narcissa insisted, "perhaps not knowing who she truly is whilst they secretly despise her for being the child of two famed Death Eaters. She'll have a terrible childhood, we both know what such little love in a child's life can do to a person—and she won't have the kindness of sisters to protect her. You wouldn't let that happen to her. I know you."
"You used to know me," Andromeda hissed, "if you were that concerned you would take her yourself rather than coming to me with your tail between your legs like some immature child!"
"I can't keep her," Narcissa insisted, "she deserves a good home. A loving home. Despite what her parents would think I know you would give that to her! She's your granddaughter, your flesh and blood, perhaps your second chance—both of your second chances to be part of a loving family, to start again!"
"Get out," Andromeda said calmly, pointing towards the door again.
"Andromeda, please—"
"I said get out!"
Narcissa stood her ground, holding her head high and giving her sister as firm a look as she could muster as she spoke again, "I know you, Andromeda, I know this isn't you. I'll give you some to think about it—I'll bring her over in a couple of days . . . you can atleast meet the girl . . . don't let another child slip away from you."
Andromeda went to yell at the woman again but she found herself speechless, unsure if she was too furious or filled with a thousand other emotions as she drew her wand and opened the front door for her to leave. She didn't look at Narcissa as she walked from the house, though she let out the breath she did not know she was holding as she heard the front door close behind her. She tried to ignore the conversation, to pretend the little visit had never happened as she took the tea set and went to the kitchen. She set the set to wash itself up then walked over to her chair and slumped into it. She buried her head in her hands and closed her eyes as she felt tears threatening to flow down her cheeks. She took a few deep breaths before she opened her eyes again. Her gaze found itself wondering, however, to the open copy of that day's Prophet, settling on the face of her once daughter staring back up at her. She couldn't do this again, she couldn't open up the wounds that still haunted her from the loss of her child and husband.
She pulled on the chains binding her wrists together. It was a feeble attempt, merely done out of instinct now as she sat on the floor of her small cell. It had seemed to her that she had been in there for weeks, months even, though the Auror that had seen her that morning had assured her that this was only her third day locked in the small space. It was a fact that he used to taunt her, asking her how it would feel to be locked away for life in comparrison to the mere days she had already served. She'd briefly thought in fear about the possibility of the Dementors kiss, though the more that she thought of it the more she'd thought that the creatures would not be so easily reigned back under the Ministry's control after obeying The Dark Lord's command for so long. Perhaps the Ministry would not trust them for their duties anymore? She could only hope. Though she had other things pressing on her mind with far more importance than the small fact of if she be doomed to have her soul ripped from her. It had been three days since she had seen her daughter. Little Cassie would surely be missing her? And her father. She winced slightly at the thought, not wanting to think of the fate she had left her daughter to. Narcissa would see she was well looked after. She was sure of it.
"Tonks!" A voice snarled as the bars to her cell rattled open, "It's your turn."
"For what?" Nymphadora asked, coughing slightly at her attempt to use her voice for the first time in so long.
"Your trial," the man rolled his eyes as he walked into the cell, another man walking in behind him, "Rodolphus has already been, now it's you, then the other Lestrange."
Dora couldn't help but let out a slight huff of laughter. She had not thought of the prospect of a trial, merely assuming that her long wait in the holding cells of the Ministry had been down to the fact that the Ministry was surely trying to empty Azkaban of all the Mudbloods and other prisoners of The Dark Lord.
"My trial?" Nymphadora asked, raising an eyebrow as the man reached down and pulled her to her feet, holding back a wince as she was forced to stand.
"Yes, your bloody trial, are you deaf?" He growled, pushing her forward into the grip of one of his fellow Aurors "Don't see why they bother, they should just give you the kiss."
"They would if they could," another man scoffed, "I heard they're giving up on the Dementors."
Dora couldn't help but let out a short laugh, she had been right in that regard then, the dementors were gone. She hissed as the man gave her a quick harsh push.
"Think this is funny, do you?" the man holding onto her asked, "You won't be laughing soon enough. Fucking scum, the lot of you."
"If you say so," Dora sighed, deciding now was not the time to ask for information, to demand what fate was awaiting her. She was sure she would find out soon enough.
They dragged her down the narrow corridors, uncaring as they walked too fast for her tired body. She looked around her as they pulled her, the corridor twisted and turned at peculiar angles, leading her to believe that they were going along some sort of secret passage towards the courtrooms. Obviously they did not want their prisoners on show to the Wizarding public before they got to their trials. She rolled her eyes at the thought. Death Eaters would parade their prisoners through the atrium if necessary, show the world what they had caught as a show of power. The world had clearly changed again, in more ways than one. She didn't even realise they had reached their destination as they took an abrupt halt at the large doors in front of her, almost tripping over her own two feet as she had to be pulled to stand again.
"Careful, Tonks," the man sneered.
Dora couldn't help but roll her eyes, she had not been called by her surname so much since she was at school, it was strange hearing it used so freely again. Though it didn't quite have the effect of annoyance that they were surely hoping to receive, it simply made the witch wonder at the differences between the Aurors and the Death Eaters. Her mind was too full of worry and thought to care anymore, it seemed easier to put on a display of uncaring. It was a show her Aunt had used for many years, surely it would serve her well in these circumstances.
As the doors opened the light hit her eyes like a shard of glass, causing her to wince and screw up her features at the pain of it. She had not realised how dark it was back in the holding cells, having grown so accustomed to the minimal light. She blinked as the men dragged her forward, trying to keep her pace with them as best as possible though they were purposely making the simple task as difficult as possible. She didn't even realise she had reached the centre of the room until she was pushed down into an uncomfortable wooden chair, her arms held down until the cold metal of chains slithered around her arms and held her firmly in place.
"Nymphadora Tonks?" a voice called out.
"That's what they call me," Nymphadora said, blinking as she became more accustomed to the light.
She had seen these rooms before, though truth be told she never truly thought she would find herself in the position that she was currently in. She looked up at the man who had addressed her, sat up high looking down on her.
"Nymphadora Tonks of Malfoy Manor, previous official residence of Lestrange Manor?" He asked.
"Last I checked," Nymphadora sighed, she knew where this was going to go and saw no reason as to why she should give the man the courtesy of her full attention.
She let her eyes wander around the room, seeing the rows upon rows of seats. She was almost surprised at the number of people glaring down at her, ready to see her 'pay for her crimes'. She even recognised a few, some from the battle at the school, some previous foes unlucky enough to get in the way of the Death Eaters rampage. But as her gaze fell on the one set of eyes not glaring down at her she froze. Andromeda Tonks was dressed smartly, her hands folded on her lap as she stared down at her daughter. Though her features were perhaps neutral to the average onlooker Nymphadora knew better, she could see the disappointment hiding in the witches eyes.
"Nymphadora," the man called, Dora pulling her gaze away from her mother to look up at him, "you stand accused of many, many crimes, some far too terrible to imagine though they must be stated in this court. Do you wish to say anything before we hear them?"
"No . . ." Nymphadora shook her head, gripping the arms of the chair as the chains pinched at her skin.
"Very well," the man cleared his throat as he pulled out the long piece of parchment, "Kidnap of multiple wizards and witches, both aiding in and leading, the use of all three unforgivable curses on countless occasions, breaking into The Ministry of Magic with intent to steal and aiding in the torture of children and murder of Sirius Black, the murder of Emmeline Vance, using magic in front of muggles to both torment and kill them on several occasions though most noticeably . . ."
The list was too long, Nymphadora's attention was failing and she passed her gaze back over the room. She could not see her Aunt Narcissa, she looked over the entirety of the room more than once and she was sure she was not there. She was sure she would be though, she would be looking after Cassie now, surely she would come to see her one last time, to tell her how her daughter was—to at least assure her she was okay. Surely Narcissa had not been arrested too? She had barely had a part in the war apart from the use of her manor and that was hardly willing, she had helped ensure The Dark Lord lost for Merlin's sake.
She found herself looking at her mother again, she could feel her gaze burning into her more than anyone else's no matter where she looked in the room. Why was she there? She had not seen her since she had broken into her childhood home and killed her father. She had blamed Bellatrix then, but surely she also hated her for it. Surely she had not come to see her daughter in the hopes that she would be okay? The idea was laughable.
". . . the murder of your father, Ted Tonks," Nymphadora pulled her eyes away from her mother as she looked at the man again at the sound of her father's name, "the kidnap of Luna Lovegood, the torture of Hermione Granger, the murder of Molly Weasley and the capture, torture or murder of countless others. Do you have anything to say in regards to these accusations?"
Nymphadora considered the man for a moment, tilting her head as she thought for a moment.
"You missed out a few," Dora smirked slightly, she knew she was going down for life regardless of what she said and the gasps and cries of outrage of some of the room amused her a little.
"Silence!" The man commanded, glaring at Nymphadora as she snickered at the reaction she had caused, "It is the belief of this court that you spend the rest of your days in Azkaban prison," some of the crowd cheered, though Nymphadora merely looked up at the man with little interest, "and that your child Cassiopeia Crouch will be deemed a ward of the court should a suitable guardian not be found for her within seven days. Miss Tonks, despite your wishes we have also come to the conclusion that the Malfoy's do not fall into the category of suitable guardians due to their part in the war."
"What?" Nymphadora barely breathed, her face growing paler. They couldn't dictate where Cassie would go. They could not put her where they pleased, that was her daughter.
"Court dismissed," the man said finally, motioning for the Aurors to come and take her away again.
"You can't do this . . ." Dora mumbled, shaking her head as she saw her mousey brown strands begin to tinge red slightly, "You can't do this!"
Though, except for the few cheers as the woman was dragged to her fate they all ignored her yells as she protested the fate of her child.
Andromeda walked down the narrow corridors, watching the Auror in front of her as he glanced back towards her every few steps. He must have thought she was insane. Why would she want to come here? Trapesing down the dim narrow corridors of the Ministry to see the woman who had murdered her husband, regardless of the fact that woman was her own flesh and blood; her daughter. She even thought herself insane for it. She had not even planned to go to the trial, she did not want to see her own daughter sentenced for her crimes, for so many terrible crimes. But something had drawn her to it, whether she was a sucker for the emotional pain of it all or if her visit from her estranged sister had gotten to her, she did not know. She winced as they approached her daughter's cell, ignoring the stares of the few eyes she recognised as they sat chained in their own torment. She could hear her daughter already.
"Let me see her!" Nymphadora's scream echoed down the halls, "I need to see my child! I need Cassie! I need Narcissa to bring her! I need to talk to her!"
As they rounded the corner Andromeda could see another Auror stood at her cell door, laughing to himself as her daughter screamed at him.
"You fucking scum!" Nymphadora screeched, "You soulless piece of shit! You—Ah!"
Andromeda watched as the Auror threw a hex into the cell, hearing the thud of Nymphadora falling back into a wall. She flinched slightly, unable to help but glare at the Auror leading her to the woman as he turned back to look at her.
"Oi!" The man called out to his fellow Auror, "She's got a visitor."
The man glared at him for a moment, looking around him to Andromeda he scoffed at the sight of her before shaking his head and walking off in the opposite direction muttering underneath his breath. The Auror led her forward, walking past the cell and nodding towards the door.
"I'll be waiting down the end," he murmured, his eyes flickering towards the cell door for a moment before he shook his head and walked off, "yell if you need me."
Andromeda rolled her eyes as the man turned away from her before she looked towards the cell. She could not see into the small space but she watched as her daughter's hands rushed forward with the clatter of chains to grip onto the bars.
"Aunt Cissa?" Dora whispered hopefully.
Andromeda took a deep breath, composing herself before she walked over to the cell. The slight look of hope quickly faded from her daughter's features, the woman freezing for a moment before her stare narrowed into a cold glare. She stood back from the bars as Andromeda looked the woman up and down, she was still in her battle-worn robes, her hair back to a mousey brown laying limply on her shoulders. She rubbed her arm slightly, clearly stung from the hex that had been thrown at her.
"Not quite," Andromeda responded, "I don't think you'll be seeing her."
Nymphadora curled her lip in distaste at the woman, "What do you want?" she hissed, "Here to gloat? To tell me I told you so? How you told me Auntie Bella was a horrible person and that I would end up here?" she spat, "Save it."
"I didn't come here to say that," Andromeda sighed, "though you make a valid point."
Nymphadora continued to glare at the woman, twisting the chains in her hands, "Then tell me what you did come here for and get out of here."
"Dora," Andromeda sighed, shaking her head slightly, " . . . I wish it never came to this."
"I don't need your pity party," Dora scoffed.
"No . . ." Andromeda nodded, "I heard about your daughter, Cassiopeia? It's a pretty name, a star name . . . From the Andromeda constellation, I believe?"
"I liked the name," Nymphadora said, averting her gaze from her mother, "it means nothing."
"Of course not," Andromeda smiled slightly, shaking her head in amusement at the stubbornness of her daughter, "it's pretty."
"What did you come here for?" Nymphadora asked again.
". . . Narcissa came to see me yesterday," Andromeda said, her features as calm and unreadable as possible as she tried to push down her own emotions at the sight of her daughter and the awfulness of the situation, "she wanted to talk about Cassiopeia. She told me she couldn't have her, asked—"
"You aren't having her!" Nymphadora yelled, "There's more than just the Malfoys that could take her."
"Is there?" Andromeda raised an eyebrow, "Do you not think if there was they would have come forward by now?"
"She isn't some do-over!" Dora hissed after a few moments, "She's not there for another of your failed attempts at trying to raise a girl again, she's my daughter. You'll just end up fucking it up, just like you did with me."
"I never did anything wrong with you, Nymphadora," Andromeda sighed, "It was all in your head, everything twisted and warped by my sister to turn you against me. I know you couldn't see that when you were a child but surely you realise that now? Surely you aren't still so naïve to it all?"
"She cared about me," Nymphadora spoke through gritted teeth, unable to deny what her mother was saying.
"I'm sure she did," Andromeda nodded, "in the end. Bellatrix always had a way of becoming overly fond of her little projects, one way or another. I'm sure she became attached to you eventually."
"You don't know what you're talking about."
"I do," Andromeda said simply, "You know I do. Perhaps I shouldn't have reacted in the way that I did to your . . . association with her . . . but what is done is done. I'm sure we've both done things we regret."
"Is that what you want to hear?" Nymphadora scoffed, "That I regret joining The Dark Lord? That I wish I never hurt all of those people? Killed all those people?" Nymphadora paused for a moment, averting her gaze a the thought of her father flashed across her mind. She looked away from her mother, straightening herself up again before looking back at her with a determined look set on her features, "Well I don't."
"Of course . . ." Andromeda practically whispered, hesitating for a moment before she sighed, "Well I told Narcissa I wouldn't take Cassiopeia, so you'll be pleased to hear that. I'm sure she'll do just fine in some orphanage or perhaps with a family who holds some grudge against her parents. She'll grow up to be just as strong-willed and stubborn as you are, I'm sure."
Nymphadora remained silent, gritting her teeth as she tried not to think of the future her daughter faced. A small cough sounded to the left of the cell and Andromeda looked to see the Auror that had brought her there standing a few feet from the cell, clearly he had had enough of waiting for her.
"Well," Andromeda looked to her daughter, "I'm sure you'll both be fine. Be grateful for the fact that they've said they will no longer be using dementors for Azkaban—though I'm sure it will still be rather unpleasant. I'll let Narcissa know that my decision stands." Andromeda waited for the girl to respond, unsure what she was hoping she would say, though she merely gave a curt nod. The woman sighed as she nodded back at the girl, "Goodbye, Dora."
The older witch turned, taking one last look at her daughter before she walked towards the Auror.
"Mum!" the yell came as Andromeda was mere feet from the view of her cell, she stopped in her tracks to listen, though she did not turn back or respond.
"I—Don't let her forget me!" Nymphadora yelled, her tears evident in the crack of her voice, "A-And it's Cassie! She's Cassie . . . she's mine . . . don't let her forget that . . ."
Andromeda closed her eyes, cursing herself for the hot sting of tears threatening to spill over onto her cheeks. She didn't respond, she didn't turn back and run to her only child. After taking a deep breath she opened her eyes and nodded to the Auror, continuing to walk away from the girl knowing that she would not see her again.
There was a knock on the door. Though this time Andromeda Tonks was not in her dressing gown, disturbed from the silence of her own home. She was prepared for her sister's arrival, dressed in one of her better casual dresses with her hair brushed and falling in her perfect natural curls down past her shoulders. As she reached the front door she took a deep breath, catching herself in the mirror on the wall for a moment before opening the door to greet her sister.
Though Narcissa still looked worn compared to her usual standards she seemed to be doing a lot better than when she last visited. She nodded with a small smile to her sister as she stood aside to let her into her home, letting her close the door behind her before she spoke.
"Andromeda," Narcissa said in greeting, adjusting the small bundle in her arms as she noted her sister glancing down, "how are you?"
Andromeda shook her head in slight amusement, no matter the circumstances her sister was always proper, making with the niceties before she got to the matter at hand.
"I take it this is Cassie?" Andromeda asked, nodding to the girl.
"Yes," Narcissa nodded.
The younger witch looked to her sister for a moment before she pulled back the blanket wrapped around the child slightly. Narcissa was right, Andromeda thought, she was beautiful. With her small tuft of lilac hair, her heart-shaped face and her cupid's bow lips, she was perfect . . . and nearly identical to her mother. The little girl whimpered slightly at the movement of Narcissa, stretching her arms slightly and lolling her head to the side as she looked to her grandmother with her dark, twinkling eyes.
". . . I said I wouldn't take her," Andromeda murmured, unable to break her gaze from the child as she spoke to her sister.
"I know . . ." Narcissa swallowed, "but I thought . . . well, I thought you would at least like to meet her. Do you want to hold her?"
Andromeda hesitated for a moment before she nodded, holding her arms out for the girl. She could feel her sister staring at her, waiting for any sort of a reaction as she placed the girls carefully on her arms. She brought the little girl to her shoulder, gently stroking her back as she began to fuss slightly though she quickly settled in her arms, placing her head on her grandmother's shoulder as she looked up into her face as best she could.
"She's a perfect baby, really," Narcissa said after a few moments, "She barely cries, she'll be sleeping through the night soon at this rate, she's barely any trouble, she—"
"Narcissa," Andromeda shook her head as she sighed, looking to her sister for a moment before she nodded towards the stairs.
Narcissa followed the woman obediently, biting her lip as she watched the pair walk up the stairs. She couldn't help but notice the few photographs on the walls, ones of Nymphadora along with the girl's father still hanging on the wall happily—it was almost as if the tragedies that had torn the Tonks family apart had never happened. She noted the open door she passed, the single bed with sheets slightly ruffled in the room covered in posters, clearly Nymphadora's old room. Though they didn't stop until Andromeda reached the last door before what was clearly Andromeda's room. The older witch looked to her sister for a moment as she stopped before with a flick of her hand she opened the door wandlessly and disappeared inside.
As Narcissa entered the room she immediately felt a weight lift from her shoulders, relief flooding over her along with a barrage of other emotions.
The room was not the largest she had seen, though in her opinion for what it represented it was perfect. The walls were a pale pink, an old-fashioned white crib stood to the side, a mobile above it turning slowly from the breeze coming through the window, a matching rocking chair sat in the corner beside a wardrobe that already homed a few items of little girls clothing and on the windowsill sat a photograph of Nymphadora, barely nine years old as she giggled up at the camera, her two blonde plats turning a bubble-gum pink.
"It's mostly Nymphadora's old things," Andromeda said casually, turning her gaze away from the room as she looked to her sister, nodding towards the small bag on her sister's shoulder, "though I'm assuming you have the most of Cassie's things in that bag of yours?"
Narcissa couldn't help but smile at the woman as she gave a small nod, "I thought you weren't taking her?"
"Well, it's like you said . . ." Andromeda murmured as she looked down at her granddaughter now resting happily against her chest, gently stroking the hair from her face "Everyone deserves a second chance, don't they?"
Firstly, you have no idea how much this chapter drained from me haha secondly, thank you so so much for reading so far and I really hope you enjoyed this story. Like I said, there's still a short epilogue to come so look out for that. Head on over to my Tumblr if you have questions and please please do leave a review and let me know what you thought!
Thanks for reading!
The Purple Black