The sun shone brightly over Diagon Alley on the afternoon of Nymphadora's twelfth birthday party. Andromeda welcomed four of her daughter's friends at Florean Fortescue's, all Hufflepuffs, and beamed when she saw Nymphadora's face light up upon seeing her friends. Andromeda was particularly glad to welcome Maisie, Nymphadora's only Muggleborn friend; in a happy coincidence, the Hogwarts booklists had arrived two days before the party, and Mrs. Macmillan offered the grateful Walshes the opportunity to Apparate with Iris and Maisie from northern Scotland to London for the party and to get her new schoolbooks.
Eunice and her only friend, Felicity, Mr. Fortescue's niece, were there, as was Elodia Macmillan, who stayed with her daughter and Maisie at the Walshes' request.
It was the happiest setting Andromeda could think of, and it was just barely keeping her mind away from the other event taking place at the same time: Ted Tonks was marrying his fiancée that afternoon. Andromeda had invited him to 'pop by' Nymphadora's party, but he had to decline (while promising that he would send a gift to Nymphadora, to be given to her by 'Andromeda'). Though his regrets had been communicated to her in a letter, she could almost imagine his disappointment at missing his daughter's birthday party(or perhaps it was her own imagination playing tricks on her).
Florean Fortescue's arrival forced Andromeda to be present. He was all smiles upon seeing his guests and had a stack of pink papers in his hands.
"Hello, hello!" he greeted warmly. "Many happy returns to Miss Nymph—"
"It's Dora!" Nymphadora shouted. "I'm Dora!"
Florean looked to Andromeda, and she nodded, rolling her eyes, and he finished his birthday greeting to her.
"I've got twelve new flavors for you girls today," he said, "it's your job to guess which flavor you've got!" He waved his wand and several sheets of pink parchment flew through the air, with one landing in front of each guest. "If you get all twelve, each one of you will be sent home with a tub of your favorite!"
Nymphadora and her friends bent their heads together, nodding furiously to encourage each other to guess correctly. Andromeda glanced down at the flavor list, impressed by Mr. Fortescue's creativity. The girls would be sampling a mixture of flavors, ranging from expected combinations like pumpkin praline to exotic new flavors such as earl grey blueberry, chocolate butterbeer chip, and raspberry black sesame.
The first samples came out and Andromeda took a delicious bite of something that had hints of banana, caramel, and butterscotch. The girls debated between two flavors on the list Mr. Fortescue had given them, and decided to wait until they tried more flavors to make a final decision.
"Eunice and Felicity, I can't thank you enough for your help," said Andromeda, seeing Nymphadora's hair change to a vivid pink. "This is exactly what I wanted for Nymphadora."
They were halfway through the flavors, with Eunice and Felicity helping the girls narrow them down, when Florean tapped Andromeda on the shoulder.
"Mrs. Travers, there's someone here to see you," he said quietly. "Said it couldn't wait."
"Did you get his—her?—name?" Andromeda asked in return.
Florean shook his head. "He's through the window there—if you can see?"
Andromeda's heart jumped into her throat when she saw Ted in a powder blue Muggle suit, one hand in his pocket, the other holding a wrapped parcel, leaning against the doorway to the front of the ice cream parlour.
"Is everything all right, Andromeda?" asked Elodia.
"Oh . . . yes, yes I am." Andromeda thought quickly and added, "I ordered an additional gift for Nymphadora. I didn't expect it to arrive so soon—you won't mind watching over them? I don't think I'll be more than a few minutes. It's a custom order—I want to make sure everything is as it should be."
Elodia agreed, and Andromeda smiled encouragingly at Nymphadora before slipping into the parlor.
Her eyes met Ted's. They were especially blue today, she noticed, and his suit brought their hue out brilliantly. His hair was freshly cut and he was clean shaven; a white carnation was pinned to his lapel. As Andromeda approached him, she was transported back to her late teenage years, and the foolish daydreams she had of walking down an aisle and finding Ted in a suit like this, his broad shoulders filling it out handsomely and he would be grinning at her, his bride.
There was no smile or eagerness in Ted's expression upon seeing Andromeda. He bit his lower lip and his throat bobbed, and he nodded toward the stairs. Andromeda followed him up to the rooftop terrace, relieved when she found it was empty.
Ted cast a charm at the stairs that would distract others from joining them up on the rooftop, and then cast a bubble around them, obscuring them from anyone watching.
"I thought you were getting married today," Andromeda blurted, noticing that his left hand was without a ring.
"I was—" Ted swallowed hard and cleared his throat. "I am."
"What are you—"
"I wanted to see her," Ted interrupted, glancing over the railing to look down on a giggling Nymphadora. "I had a few minutes between one thing and another . . . I had to get away. I couldn't miss my first chance to celebrate my daughter's birthday."
Warmth pooled between Andromeda's legs and her heart hammered against her ribcage. Byron couldn't be bothered to come to the event, but Ted—who would be marrying another woman in minutes—had shown up.
"Did you find out who hurt her?"
"My younger stepson, Claudius," Andromeda replied. Ted lips contorted into a scowl.
"You took care of it?"
Andromeda nodded. "I came to understand he was too humiliated to visit a hospital for his injuries and had his friends patch him up. He walks with a slight limp now."
"Good," Ted replied, nodding. "If you ever need me—" He stopped and gazed at her for several seconds.
"'Dromeda . . ." Ted took a step toward her and she felt her head grow hot and fuzzy. His free hand twitched at his side and he closed his eyes briefly, breathing hard. "There's been something I've been meaning to tell you . . . I never . . . I still. . ." He got even closer, his mouth close enough to Andromeda's that she was tempted to 'slip' and crash into it with hers.
But his speech, and her daydreams, were cut off when they heard Nymphadora.
"Father!" she shouted. "You came!" Andromeda and Ted peered below. Byron had indeed arrived, and to Andromeda's utter shock, he hugged her from the side and sat down to join the girls.
"Andromeda had to step away to receive a special parcel," said Elodia. "One more gift is coming for you, Dora!"
Nymphadora whooped and returned to her place, digging into her next ice cream sample with a joyful smile.
Ted's expression had darkened and he turned away, trembling.
"What was it you were saying?" Andromeda asked breathlessly, but he wouldn't meet her gaze. "You still—"
"I still want to be an option for Dora, should she need another adult in her life," he said quickly, shoving the parcel in Andromeda's hand. "It opens to the rhythm of her common room, and only she'll be able to open it. If she ever tells it that she needs help, it will show her what to do."
"Pardon—"
"I'll send you a letter to explain it," said Ted, lifting the charm on the stairs. "I've got to go."
"Wait, Ted—"
"I shouldn't have come—your husband—Millie's waiting for me."
He thundered down the stairs and Andromeda followed him, lost for words.
"Ted, what are you—"
"Mrs. Travers," said Ted, his eyes hard now as they reentered the busy parlor, "thank you again for your business. I hope Miss Travers enjoys this item. Wish her our best and have a pleasant day." He nodded at her and then stepped out of the parlor, with the tell-tale crack of Apparition taking place only seconds later.
Andromeda stood with the prettily-wrapped parcel in her hands. Hearing her daughter's laugh through the open door, she was reminded she needed to return to the party. She came outside and plastered a smile to her face. She came to her husband first to ensure he knew his gesture was appreciated.
"Byron, I'm so pleased you came," said Andromeda, kissing his cheek.
"Eww," said Nymphadora, turning her nose up at them. She spotted the parcel in Andromeda's hands and looked up, her dark, twinkling eyes filled with youthful joy. "Is that for me, Mama?"
"It is, darling." Andromeda gave her the wrapped gift and held her breath as Nymphadora opened it.
An ornate and pink wooden box looked up at Nymphadora. It was engraved with her initials—N.A.T. (which, Andromeda realized would have been her initials had she been raised a Tonks)—and surrounding the scripted letters were delicate butterflies and blooms.
"How does it open?" asked Nymphadora, turning the box over. There was a seam at the top where it should open, but brute force didn't work.
Hesitating, Andromeda remembered what Ted said.
"It opens to the rhythm of your common room," Andromeda repeated.
All the girls gasped and when Nymphadora took out her wand, she tapped the top of the box to a rhythm Andromeda vaguely recognized. The top of the box opened and a tune began to play. Andromeda swallowed all the emotions that threatened to undo her; the music box played the tune of "The Wonder of You," a Muggle song she often danced to with Ted. Inside, another message was inscribed in a delicate script.
"To my daughter on her birthday, with all my love," read Nymphadora, grinning up at Andromeda.
Andromeda stuck her tongue to the roof of her mouth, trying her best not to cry. Nymphadora got up out of her chair and hugged her tightly while the tune continued to play.
"Thank you, Mama! It's beautiful!"
"Is it just a box that plays music?" asked Iris, eyeing the gift. The tune had stopped, thankfully, giving Andromeda a chance to catch her breath.
"It's a jewelry box," replied Andromeda, inspecting the velvet-lined interior. "Or a place where Nymphadora can store things that she treasures."
Nymphadora closed the box and tried to open it with her hands. She took out her wand to tap it, but instead handed it to her friend Amelia.
"You try it!"
Amelia tapped her wand on the top of the box to the rhythm, but it wouldn't open for her. Andromeda was impressed by whatever magic Ted had employed for the jewelry box to open only for Nymphadora.
"It only opens for you, Nymphadora," Andromeda said softly. "It's just for you."
"Everyone try it!" Nymphadora demanded. Each of the girls took their turn, but the box refused to open for any of them. It was only when Nymphadora tapped the rhythm on the box that the lid sprung open for her and played the tune.
"Impressive charm work," Byron noted. "Who crafted it?"
"It was great-great-grandmother's," Andromeda lied. "It was quite neglected, actually. I found it in my parents' attic and thought it was time for Nymphadora to have something like this for herself. I redesigned it and did the charm work myself. I had it sent to a shop in America to add the music—that's why it was delayed."
"Brilliant!" Nymphadora held the jewelry box up in admiration.
"We've got four more flavors, ladies!" Florean boomed from the door. "Your tasting isn't over just yet!"
Andromeda took the jewelry box from Nymphadora and re-wrapped it in the pink paper Ted had chosen for her. At that very moment, it was possible he was in some church, waiting for his bride-to-be, wearing that powder blue suit that brought out his eyes, while Andromeda sat down next to her husband and tried another flavor of ice cream.
Sweet as it was on her tongue, she couldn't appreciate the chocolatey concoction. Her mind drifted to the brief conversation they had on the rooftop. What had he really wanted to say, and why hadn't he said it?
She smiled back at Nymphadora when the next flavor was presented to them. If it was important enough, Ted would've said something. What he did say—and what mattered most—was that he would always be there for his daughter.
Malcolm and Eunice's wedding was three days away, and Andromeda was at Travers Lodge, the long-vacant tertiary dwelling for Travers family members. It was one of the places where Travers widows were sent to live out the rest of their days once their sons had inherited the grandest property, Travers Court, or where a newlywed eldest son might live until Travers House, the London residence, was available. When Byron married his first wife, they lived in Travers Lodge until Claudius was a few years old. The elder Mr. and Mrs. Travers gave up Travers Court and moved into Travers House, leaving the lodge unoccupied until a new generation needed it.
Travers Lodge was where Malcolm and Eunice would spend their early years of marriage until Byron's parents died or decided to leave London. It would give the young couple more space, as the lodge only had five bedrooms, while the London house had seven. Travers Court, the family seat, held eleven bedrooms.
Andromeda was unsurprised to find that Eunice and Malcolm would occupy the second floor, which had two bedrooms and one bathroom between them, rather than the largest bedroom on the first floor which had its own en-suite bathroom.
When they had finished guiding the elves to place the final furnishings and decorations in the bedrooms, Andromeda went down to the ground floor with Eunice to inspect the small parlor that would be Eunice's, and the study that would be Malcolm's. Andromeda, thinking of what lay ahead for Eunice (and trying to take advantage of the time they had), made a suggestion when they were in the cozy parlor.
"Eunice, what do you think if we had Tiggy make us some tea?" she asked. "It will give him a chance to get to know the kitchen here."
Tiggy, the house elf that would be joining Eunice from her childhood home to her married home, was called. Minutes later, tea trays laden with steaming cups of jasmine pearl tea, freshly baked scones, and petite sandwiches were artfully arranged on either side of the witches.
Andromeda settled into a pale green armchair. The furnishings that the almost-Mrs. Travers had chosen were simple but comfortable. They reflected the style Eunice felt most at ease with: Andromeda had come to know it well as she helped her almost-daughter-in-law expand her wardrobe.
"I hope this isn't too forward of me to ask," said Andromeda, carefully observing the way Eunice withdrew on instinct, "and forgive me if you already know—but has your mother given you any helpful advice for your wedding night?"
Eunice flushed a deep pink. "She did."
"Allow me one more question—did your mother tell you how you can make the experience more enjoyable for yourself, and how to avoid pain associated with it?"
Eunice turned as red as a beet but she didn't answer the question.
"I don't want to intrude where I'm not wanted, of course, but if you would like help, I'm happy to provide it. I was just barely older than you when I got married, and I had the good luck of having an older sister to tell me what my mother wouldn't—or couldn't—for my wedding night. I was told to expect pain at worst and a tolerable duty at best . . . as you are going to be part of the family, I don't mind sharing with you that my marital activities are mutually pleasant, and they can be for you as well."
Tiggy came by with tea and freshly baked scones. Andromeda could picture many a peaceful afternoon in this parlor, with Eunice quietly reading or writing letters, and having her mother or other guests visit from time to time. While Eunice nibbled on a scone, Andromeda sipped on her tea and waited.
"What, er," mumbled Eunice, her eyes set on the renovated Persian rug, "what did your sister tell you?"
Andromeda took out a narrow black book from her pocket and handed it to Eunice. "This book is full of helpful tips. They don't teach these things at Hogwarts, and unfortunately, too few witches know of the many charms and potions that exist to our benefit. I marked the most important ones for you, though I'd like to tell you about them so you know what to expect. You can ask me anything you like, Eunice—I was terribly embarrassed when my sister discussed this, and I wish I had asked more questions, so please, don't be shy."
Eunice nodded and flipped through the pages, her face returning to a beet red when she saw the first of the illustrations. Andromeda jumped right in.
"Go to page six first," she said, relieved when Eunice stopped turning the pages and went to the right one. "That's the most important charm, the Lubrication Charm. Try it for yourself tonight, tomorrow, and the next night, if you can. Even if you don't think you need it, because your body feels ready for his, it can't hurt. I was rather nervous on my wedding night, and this made the biggest difference."
Andromeda recalled her wedding night; she foolishly assumed she hadn't needed the charm. Whenever she had been with Ted, her body was always wet and ready for his, but when Byron touched her for the first time, she surreptitiously cast the charm on herself. She almost shuddered, thinking of how much more painful it would have been had she not been prepared for Byron's entry.
Eunice read through the instructions for the charm, her face still red, but she seemed receptive to Andromeda's suggestion.
She cleared her throat and continued. "Go to page 10 next, where you'll see the instructions for a helpful potion. It increases your libido, or interest in intercourse.I found it most helpful after I had Nymphadora. Byron and I waited a full twelve weeks to return to our activities, but it was difficult for me to re-engage with him. It was the same for my sister after she had both her sons."
Andromeda had edited the potion's instructions herself to improve its taste; she'd needed it for over four years after Nymphadora was born, while Walburga only needed it for a few months after each child.
"Page 12 has another helpful potion," Andromeda continued. "It's like a Calming Draught, but gentler, and when combined with the Lubrication Charm, it relaxes you physically, making it easier for you to engage in intercourse. It isn't uncommon for newlywed witches to experience anxiety, fear, or stress, and that makes pain much more likely. The potion is easy to brew. You can make it in 20 minutes, provided you have the ingredients, and when you use it with the right charm, you'll feel at ease—physically at least, if you understand what I'm trying to say."
"I do," Eunice whispered, reading through the ingredients. Andromeda hadn't used that potion the first night she was with Byron. When she tried it a week into her marriage, she felt instantly more comfortable, even if it did little to dampen the disgust for the man thrusting inside her.
"The second half of the book is focused on your pleasure in particular." Eunice flipped the pages while Andromeda continued speaking. "There is nothing wrong with pursuing your own pleasure before or after your husband is with you. If you are so inspired, you can teach him how to bring you pleasure, but you needn't see him as necessary for you to enjoy yourself. It's your decision, and you may be lucky—some witches can experience the height of pleasure with penetration alone."
"I won't tell him how to—" Eunice spoke in a small voice and closed the book. "I know Malcolm thinks I'm ugly. He won't want to make me—"
"Eunice, don't assume anything," interrupted Andromeda. "I can't speak for Malcolm, and I certainly don't want to, but marriage is not a one-night spectacle. You will be sharing your lives together. If it doesn't happen right away, that doesn't mean it won't happen ever. Use the charm, take the potions, and give yourself pleasure before, after, or even during your time with him. There's no reason to go through marriage without enjoying this aspect of your life."
Andromeda felt like a hypocrite, offering Eunice that particular piece of advice; it had taken years for Andromeda to even think of working up the courage to ask Byron if he was interested in pleasuring her. She had missed that kind of touch on her body, of a man's hand between her legs (or his face and tongue, as it was often the case with Ted). She never did ask for her pleasure, but she began to touch herself when Byron was inside her, and when she closed her eyes and pretended Ted was between her legs, she could reach her climax in seconds.
She never bothered telling Byron that her pleasured cries had nothing to do with his body, abilities, or feelings for him.
"Let me share one more piece of wisdom with you, Eunice." The young witch looked up and Andromeda sighed, knowing this would be the hardest to hear. "Visit your Healer at St. Teilo's on a regular basis, and should you feel anything out of the ordinary—go to the hospital immediately. As much as it pains me to tell you this, while we witches are expected to remain pure until we marry, no such expectation is set upon wizards. I don't know if my stepson has engaged himself with others, but if he has, he may not know if he has contracted a disease. Many an unsuspecting witch has suffered because of a wizard's carelessness."
Eunice hung her head. Andromeda suspected that Malcolm had at least one long-term connection, and after seeing Claudius in his element, she feared the number could be bigger. Eunice took out her journal and wrote down a reminder to visit St. Teilo's in a month. Andromeda exhaled sadly at the state of their world, but at least she had prevented Eunice from physical pain in her future marital bed.