8. Andromeda

"What's this?" Daphne looked up from the shard of glass Harry had handed her.

Hermione sat down beside them in the library. "It's a communicating mirror. What's left of one."

"My father and my godfather made a set so they could talk to one another during detentions," explained Harry. "My idea is that we could replicate them and offer them for sale."

"Yes! Everybody would want one of these." Daphne was fascinated.

"I have notes from Sirius, and you and Hermione are the best in runes. I've been studying them too. We can do this," Harry insisted. He figured the mirrors could be offered for sale at Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, where Harry remained a silent partner.

"I'm in," she said happily. She would have to work with Granger, but didn't foresee a problem.

"Right, we'll each own a third of this project," Harry schemed.

"Magic Mirrors!" announced Hermione happily.

"I can't wait to send one of these to Millie Bulstrode," Daphne remarked. "I've written but this is better. She's depressed, and the fact that the Wizengamot postponed her trial until the summer doesn't help."

"That could be an advantage," Hermione pointed out. "They want to deal with the worst cases first. That might give tempers time to cool."

"But meanwhile, poor Millie is living in that awful place," Daphne sighed.

"Yeah, it's even worse than Grimmauld," commented Harry.

"Your Georgian townhouse?" Daphne's eyes lit with interest. "But that has possibilities, Harry. Could I visit, over the Easter break? I might be able to help."

"Of course!" Harry exclaimed. "If what you did for the wedding venue is any indication, you'll definitely be a tremendous help!"

They strode towards the Tonks house, each with their own agenda. Susan wanted to ensure that the House of potter remembered this, and looked favorably on the House of Bones in the future.

Hannah wanted to help Harry…and make certain he recalled that it was she who had helped!

Harry simply wished to honor Tonks and Remus; little though he'd respected either, he wished to make certain their orphaned son had a happier childhood than he himself had suffered.

Susan frowned as they neared the house. "The wards are basic; wouldn't be difficult to break through those."

"They're only intended to keep out people with hostile intent." Harry passed through them easily, followed by the two girls.

No one answered the door.

"Guess they're out," Hannah shrugged.

"We can come back later," Susan began.

"Wait!" Harry stopped abruptly.

Flashback…

"Le Salle de Balle." Daphne waved at the huge empty space.

"The Ballroom. Even I know that much French."

Daphne shrugged. "So? Doesn't it sound better in French?"

"I suppose," Harry admitted.

When next he saw the place, it had been transformed.

"Michael Corner and Lisa Turpin plan to hold their wedding here, and that is just the start," Daphne told him proudly.

"if this is what you've accomplished in a run-down shop in Diagon Alley, I can't wait to see what you'll do with Grimmauld Place."

"Why did Professor Lupin make you his son's godfather, Harry?" Hannah asked, as they strolled toward the Tonks' residence.

"He was one of my father's closest friends," Harry explained, "and he fought…and was killed…in the Battle of Hogwarts, along with his wife. So I'm determined to look out for their orphaned son."

"His wife? That was Nymphadora Tonks? I knew her," said Susan. "Were you two close?"

"No," admitted Harry. "I didn't know her well." In truth, he hadn't wanted to. He had rather disliked her, knowing that her time patrolling for the Order ensured that she knew about the abusive Dursleys, and hadn't raised a finger to help. Nor had Remus Lupin, caught up in a morass of self-pity. Worse yet, neither had attempted to help Sirius, even after they'd learned the truth of his innocence.

Harry had no warm feelings for either of Teddy's parents, but that only made him more determined to care for the innocent child. "Do you hear something?"

It came again, a small whimpering cry.

"I'm going in!" Harry pointed his wand at the lock.

"Wait!" Susan urged. "We ought to call the aurors…you shouldn't just break in."

"There's no time for that!" Harry argued. He hurried inside and raced up the stairs.

"What could be keeping Harry?" Daphne was anxious. "Think something is wrong?"

Hermione bit her lip. "It probably took some time for Susan to persuade Andromeda."

"You didn't go with them."

Hermione heard the question in that sentence. "Susan didn't want me to go. Too many people. She didn't even want Hannah to go, and they've been friends forever."

The two girls were sitting in the back garden of Grimmauld Place. Dinner had already been pushed back once, and they were contemplating doing so again when they heard the sound of apparition.

Harry stood there, clutching a tiny bundle, flanked by Hannah and Susan.

"What's wrong?" Hermione's wand flashed into her hand.

"It's okay," Harry reassured her. "Andromeda's ill, so I brought Teddy here."

"We went to St. Mungo's," Susan added. "Teddy's fine, but …they can't seem to pinpoint what the matter is with Andromeda."

"Her organs are damaged; they suspect some sort of delayed reaction to a withering curse." Hannah reached for the baby, who Harry surrendered reluctantly.

"It was bad," Harry told them. "Andromeda was in bed when we found her, barely conscious. Her hands and feet were shrivelled, and her long dark hair fell out all over the pillow."

"Luckily," broke in Hannah, "Teddy is just fine! A little hungry and dirty, but not harmed at all."

"What if we hadn't forced our way in?" Harry paled at the thought.

Susan put a soothing hand on his shoulder. "But we did, and he's okay."

Just then someone haled them.

"Neville?" Hannah looked up in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

"Hermione invited me to tea," he responded, leaning over to kiss her.

"Mind the baby!" Hannah exclaimed.

"Is that your godson?" Neville leaned over to smile at the tiny boy.

"Yes. His grandmother's in St. Mungo's. She seems quite ill."

Kreacher popped in with a bottle.

"I'll feed him, Kreacher." Harry forestalled the elf. He sat down beside Hannah, and she handed him the child.

"Huh," Neville laughed. "You almost look like a cozy family unit!"

"You do, Harry." Hermione's eyes widened as the baby's hair turned raven black. "He could almost be your son, and not Remus's."

"It might come to that," said Harry soberly.

His words were prophetic. Andromeda Tonks died at midnight.