Letters and Contracts

"Are you sure we need him there?"

I glanced up from the letter I had been reading, frowning as Tommy huffed out in annoyance, his fingers pressing down lightly on the bridge of his nose.

"What?"

"Alfie. Does he have to be at the wedding?"

"He's handing me over to you, Tommy. Of course he has to be there," I muttered, annoyed at him as this was the tenth time I'd explained it to him. It had to be Alfie handing me over to Tommy as Alfie was the eldest of my brothers.

"Have you seen this?" he said, lifting the papers he'd been reading. I glanced over, recognising Alfie's writing on the paper. I could only assume it was the marriage contract he wanted to give to Tommy with his terms before our wedding.

"No, but I assume you're not happy with his terms," I muttered, glancing back down to the letter I was reading.

"Have you seen what he's required for me to give in exchange for your hand?"

"I already said no, Tommy. I haven't read the contract," I mumbled, shuffling the letter under some other documents and opening the one from Albus. I knew it was from him, his handwriting was rememberable - and he'd left a return address. Not sure why. I would only be replying to him through Owl mail.

"He's fucking insane," Tommy mumbled, more to himself that time rather than myself.

It seemed strange, the pair of us sitting in his office at the betting den, getting on with some work and reading through the post before we needed to go see a man about a horse. It was nice and it was peaceful. I was glad I let Lizzie talk me into dropping the kids off at the Home a couple of days a week to get them interacting with others.

Andromeda,

It has come to my attention, through Newt, that you have decided to open an orphanage for children in Birmingham.

While I think is a admirable feat, I do question as to whether you understand what you're doing,

I am unsure whether you are aware that several of the children you have in your care are witches and wizards and will one day express their magical essence in the presence of Muggles.

I already understand from Phineas that you have had some trouble with the Ministry in regards to Muggles finding out about magic and whether you would be willing to visit me at Hogwarts in regards to discussing an idea I had about those magical orphans.

I will be awaiting your owl.

Albus Dumbledore.

"How does he know?" I muttered to myself, frowning at the letter, confused by the fact that Albus knew about some of the magical children at the Home.

I knew which children he was talking about. My magic sparked when they were around and I could feel their magic bubble but I wasn't sure how he knew. The only way to know would be either the Book of Admittance which was hidden somewhere within Hogwarts - no student knew where it was located - and was only able to be seen by either the Headmaster or the deputy when acceptance letters were due to be sent out.

From what I understood, Albus didn't have access to that.

Plus, he mentioned more than one of the children here and at this moment, I had no children in the Home that would be turning eleven and receiving their acceptance letter. I had four children over that age, Eva at twelve, Mary and Harris at thirteen, and Jacob at fourteen. The next lot of children to receive their acceptance letters if they had a magical core would be Leonora who had not long turned ten and then Rachel, Mabel, Rowland, Angus, Russell, and Allen who were all nine.

And that didn't even matter, because not all of them even had magic within them.

From what I could tell, the only children I had an inkling that would be magical were Bessie, Charlotte, Rosina, Iva, Miriam, Lillian, Rowland, James, Sidney, and Nathaniel, because they had all made my magic hum the same way the Shelby children did.

It was how I knew they were all magical.

"Everything alright?" Tommy asked, nudging me with his foot under the table.

"Hmm?" I asked, looking up at him and noting the concern on his face. "Yes. I'm fine. Just thinking."

"Anything I can help with?"

"Actually, no, but I've got an idea to help you with your gun problem," I told him, thinking about the idea that had been forming in my head the night before.

"Yeah?" I didn't miss the slight smirk on his face. He was no doubt waiting for me to give my opinion on his business deals, considering I couldn't help but stick my nose in his business.

Was it my fault I was so good at seeing the holes in his plans and thinking of better ways to solve all his problems?

No.

I couldn't help but be the modern woman around him. It was often my mother, Nanna Gin, Mamie Fleur and Aunt Hermione solved all the problems in our family. I guess it had to do with the fact that we didn't have to fight for our rights in the future.

"Your plan is to take the tracks from Billy Kimber, right?" At his nod, I tapped my fingers on his desk, thinking over my plan before sharing my thoughts. "You've also got Campbell breathing down your neck over these guns." Tommy nodded again, fiddling with his cigarette before running it over his lips and lighting it. "I'm suggesting that you go with your original plan to take everything from Kimber, his tracks and all that and then, we can plant the guns on him and lead Campbell to him and have him deal with him."

He tilted his head to the side slightly and I had to wonder what he was thinking.

"We give the guns to Kimber?"

I snorted and shook my head. Did he take me for a fool?

"No, of course not. What I will do is duplicate the guns and we'll plant them at a warehouse we forge in Kimber's name. I'll plant some evidence in his house and the warehouse that leads to him. Don't worry the duplicated guns won't actually be worth anything but it'll get Campbell off our backs because they'll be real … for a while."

"Has anyone told you that you're devious?" Tommy asked, rising from his seat and dropping his cigarette into the ashtray. I shook my head as he came over, pushing my chair away from the desk and leaning down over me. "Very sly and cunning of you, my dear."

I couldn't help but smirk as he pressed his lips to mine.

"The traits of a Slytherin, Thomas. And ambitious." I pulled away and I could tell he knew I was going to add something. Something that would change the game for us. "When Campbell thinks he has it all, well, let's just say that I've always liked to play with fire."

"You intend to blow it up?"

"No, not blowing it up, Tommy. Playing with fire. Making it burn. Showing him who runs this city. Telling him who's King around here."

And when we watched Campbell be destroyed by the fire - figuratively, of course - we'd be hailed as the King and Queen of Birmingham.

A rumble of thunder woke me from my dream and for a moment, I had to fight to figure out whether I was still dreaming or was actually awake. It had been thundering in my dream too.

Glancing over at Tommy as he slept beside me, I hesitated for a moment forgetting what had woken me.

Something felt off, like I was alert and waiting for something.

My ears picked up every sound, from Tommy's soft breathing to the raging storm outside, even to the slight buzzing of the magic in the house.

Letting out a soft sigh, I climbed out of the bed and padded over to the window, looking out to the dark street. The rain was falling heavily and the splashing of the water hitting the puddles was drowned out as a deep rumble of thunder vibrated through the darkness.

A tingling down my spine told me that I'd been here before.

The frightening flash of lightening reminded me why I was having the sickening sense of Deja Vu.

"Tommy!" I called, rushing out of the room and down the stairs. I could hear him fumbling behind me, but my mind was on one thing.

Flinging the front door open, I cried out as I glanced down at the bundle on the doorsteps, a sharp cry entering my ears as I scooped her up and shut the door. I spun, turning to face my dishevelled husband, who had run after me in his sleep shorts, gun in his hand.

Glancing down at her in my arms, I noticed a folded letter gently tucked in the blanket with her. Handing her over to Tommy, who was already reaching for her, I took the letter and unfolded it with shaky hands.

Andromeda,

I don't want you to judge me.

When we spoke briefly over a month ago, you said something that stuck with me.

I knew I was never going to be strong enough to care for my child. With the loss of my Victor, I knew I would not be able to supply my child with the love they deserved from me.

I think some part of me always knew I wouldn't be her mother.

It was a dream I had two weeks after meeting you that settled it for me. I had a dream of my daughter, but she wasn't mine.

She was yours.

A beautiful bonny bouncing baby girl that was the spitting image of her mother. Gorgeous red hair and green eyes.

She was older, about five or six and she was loved by you and Thomas. She was a Shelby. She had her adoring parents, her protective older brother, and younger siblings to spoil.

She was happy.

I knew then that she was never mine.

She was always yours.

It doesn't pain me knowing she's not mine. It brings me happiness because I know she's loved and she's not alone.

After you've read this letter, I want you to know that I went peacefully and full of gratitude and love for you.

I'm with my Victor now and our daughter is safe with you.

I went to Gringotts and they have the Blood Contract set up and ready for you. When you sign the contract - and I know you will - know that I will be forever grateful to you and Thomas for taking her into your family.

I know you will love her the same way you love Thomas-J. She may not be born to you but she is your blood.

You would walk into a burning building for her. Walk over glass for her. Give your life in return for hers, because you are her mother.

I am thankful you came into my life Andromeda, for you have given me the peace I had lost since Victor left me.

There is no way I can thank you but know I will be eternally grateful.

Thank you for bringing me my peace.

Bessie.

P.s . I haven't named her as it is not my right to do so. As her mother, any name you choose will be perfect.

I knew I was crying before I felt the tears rolling down my cheeks.

I knew I was sobbing before Tommy brushed his thumb over my cheekbone and pulled me gently into his side.

I knew I wouldn't find Bessie if I turned up at her house.

I knew that this little girl in Tommy's arms was ours. I knew she was ours without the contract being completed.

I knew our world was about to change.