Chapter 27: Family
The afternoon flew by extremely fast for Harry. It always did in Hermione's presence. Before he knew it, he was standing at the exit to Potter Manor, lacing up his shoes. It was time to meet Teddy.
"Nervous?" Hermione asked him, hiding a grin.
"I'm about to meet my godson…" Harry answered, his face turning paler by the second.
Hermione smiled and took Harry's head in her hands, "Harry, you're going to be fine! He's just a little baby, I'm sure he'll love you."
Her words calmed Harry a little. "You're right." He said and extended his arm to her.
They appeared in front of the familiar house which Harry got to see very briefly last time he was here. It was a checkpoint to which he and Hagrid flew during the escape from Privet Drive. A slight tug from Hermione shook him out of his thoughts.
"Harry, where are we? Where's the house?" She asked.
Her words were very confusing at first, but then Harry realised that Hermione has never been to Andromeda's house before. There was an invisibility charm surrounding the area. Only those who've been inside can actually see it.
"It's right in front of us. It still has protective charms." Harry explained.
Hermione nodded and stepped back, "You're gonna have to lead me inside."
Harry wrapped his fingers around her hand and started to walk forward towards the house. Soon enough, he heard Hermione's quiet gasp which meant that the house must've appeared to her.
"Before we knock, I think I should warn you…" Harry began.
"What is it?" Hermione asked.
"Andromeda looks very familiar to her sisters… just try not to get spooked. I know I did."
Hermione nodded, "Okay."
They approached the door, and Harry knocked. It opened the moment Harry's fist left the wood.
"Hello, Harry… Hermione." Came Andromeda's voice. "I heard you apparate."
Harry was trying to answer, but his eyes wouldn't stop focusing on her face. He quickly reverted to the smile which was softly planted there; it was the only thing that made her look different right now. Harry never saw Bellatrix smile. This was definitely not her.
"Good evening, Mrs Tonks," Hermione answered, giving a weak smile.
"Hey" Harry added.
Andromeda answered with a weak laugh, "I'm really happy you didn't pull your wands out"
Okay, this is NOT Bellatrix! You can calm down! Harry's mind protested as he smiled back, "Sorry about that."
Andromeda opened the door wider and invited them inside, "I've got used to it over the years, believe me." She answered.
The house was still the same as Harry remembered. He didn't pay much attention last time, but it was really cosy. It was also incredibly clean. It reminded Harry of Aunt Petunia. But it wasn't the same type of clean. With Aunt Petunia, it was an almost empty feeling. It would feel like stepping into a brand new house which the owners were still decorating. Andromeda's house was different. There were paintings and pictures on the walls which gave it a warm feeling.
"You have a lovely home," Hermione commented, looking around as Andromeda led them to the living room.
"Thank you, dear. You are one of the only people who ever said that to me." Andromeda answered. She invited them to the couch and sat on a puffy chair right opposite them.
"I remember Remus saying the same when he visited for the first time. He would constantly try to throw compliments at me and Ted, probably wanted to make the best first impression." She chuckled.
Hermione laughed along with her. Harry just gave a weak smile; the memory of Remus Lupin and Ted Tonks still stung.
"How have you been, Mrs Tonks?" Hermione asked. She was trying her best to keep the atmosphere alive. She was doing the same thing Harry did when they first met her parents in Australia. Now that Harry thought about it, Andromeda is probably the closest family he has. The grandmother of his Godson, the sister of his Godfather. Yeah, she was the only real family he had left.
"I'm doing well. Teddy and I are taking it slowly day after day. He's such a wonderful little thing. He decided to take a nap about an hour ago so he should wake up soon enough." Andromeda answered, "How have you two been?"
"After the battle, we stayed at Hogwarts for a few days and helped the headmistress repair the castle. Then Harry and I left to Australia to get my parents." Hermione told her.
"Oh yes… Arthur told me about them. It's an incredible thing you did, erasing their memories to protect them. How are they?"
Hermione smiled, "They're fine now. I was able to reverse the spell, they don't remember anything that happened between last year and now. I think dad is still trying to fully forgive me, but they'll come around eventually."
"I'm glad to hear they're okay… Harry, I heard that you managed to finally recover the Potter Manor. What do you think of it?" Andromeda asked.
Harry turned his gaze to Andromeda, "It's great. I never really thought that a Manor would be under my name."
"All great wizard names have at least one." She chuckled.
"Uhm… I've wanted to ask you something, Mrs Tonks—"
"Please, call me Andromeda, or even Andi for short if you like. I hate being called a Mrs. It makes me feel old."
"Andromeda, I was at Gringotts today… and my accountant, Ragnaff, told me that If you were to go back to your original name, I would be able to share the Black's treasury with you."
Andromeda's smile faded as she gave Harry a serious look, "Harry… it's very kind of you to propose something like that, but I must say no. I do not wish for the wealth of the Blacks. You see my mother and I never had a very similar view on things"
"I don't understand," Harry answered.
Andromeda chuckled, "I'm guessing that my dear cousin Sirius never fully told you how much we had in common. You see Harry… My house consisted of my parents and three siblings. Narcissa, Bellatrix and me. One of those siblings was considered the black sheep of the family."
"You." Harry finished with a small grin on his face.
"Indeed. My mother, Druella and my aunt Walburga would always talk about how her son, Sirius and I have so much in common. The only thing that made my mother proud was that I was sorted into Slytherin. Unfortunately for her, that was probably the one thing that I was ashamed of the most once I realised what kind of people my peers were. I spent my free time with my sisters but they would usually hang out with Lucius Malfoy and his goons."
Harry and Hermione both laughed at her words, "the apple really doesn't fall far from the tree." Harry answered.
Andromeda chuckled with them once she realised what Harry's joke meant, "Either way, the only real friend I had was a girl from Ravenclaw called Pandora. She married that editor called Xenophilius Lovegood. I didn't speak to her much after we left Hogwarts. Then I heard of her death…"
"Luna's mum," Hermione muttered.
"After Hogwarts, I moved out and started working part-time at a muggle shop. That's where I met Ted… Once my mother found out that I married a muggleborn, she disowned me and burned my name off the family tree. And I guess the rest is history…" she smiled weakly.
Harry and Hermione both nodded to her words.
"That is why I don't want anything to do with that treasury. But I can't explain how happy I am that it landed in your possession. Merlin knows you're more deserving than anyone from the Black family."
"In that case, I would like for it to cover Teddy. The money for his education, clothes, food and anything else… I want you to spend it from my treasury."
"Harry… I must assure you that I have enough money when it comes to financing—"
"It's not about money… I just want to make sure that it's spent well. Please, Andromeda… do it for me. Once Teddy finishes Hogwarts, I will transfer the treasury into his possession, until then, I want you to use it… for both of you."
Andromeda smiled, "Okay."
"Thank you," Harry answered.
Suddenly, a quiet ruffle was heard from next door, followed by a baby's crying.
"Speak of the little devil." Andromeda chuckled and hurried towards the bedroom.
"That was very nice of you, Harry," Hermione whispered.
"That's what Sirius would have done… if he could."
Soon after, Andromeda was back in the living room, her arms were wrapped around the tiny baby who was now smiling up at her.
"Harry… I would like you to meet your Godson, Edward Lupin." Andromeda sat down on the couch next to him and drew her hands out.
Harry reached for the baby awkwardly, "I don't think I should—" before he could finish, Teddy was already lying in his hands, gazing up at him. His hair was dark blue.
"He has Nymphadora's abilities. He's a Metamorphmagus" Andromeda explained. "His favourite colour seems to be blue. It means he's in a good mood. Orange means he's angry, and green means that he's sad."
"Hey little guy" Harry mumbled at Teddy, smiling.
His hair started to turn darker until it was completely jet black.
"What does black mean?" Harry asked, concerned.
Andromeda smiled, "He's copying your hair colour… he does that whenever he meets someone new. I think he likes you."
Harry chuckled, "Well, of course, you would. We're going to be best friends, little guy." Harry turned the baby towards Hermione, "I would like you to meet someone very dear to me. Her name is Hermione and she will be the coolest auntie you could ask for."
"Hi, Teddy!" Hermione beamed at the baby.
Teddy's hair instantly changed from jet black to Hermione's light brown as he laughed at Hermione and pointed his hand at her.
Hermione shook his little hand gently, "I'm happy to meet you, too."
Hours flew by when Andromeda finally announced it was time for Teddy's bedtime. Teddy was absolutely devasted when he had to give Harry his glasses back. They were his new favourite toy.
"I'll see you later, little guy." Harry hugged Teddy and placed him back in Andromeda's arms.
"He falls asleep really quickly. I'll be right back." She told them and left with Teddy to his bedroom.
"You did great, Harry!" Hermione smiled at him and kissed him on the cheek.
"I didn't think it would be this easy…" Harry answered, smiling back at her.
"I really think he loves you already."
"Hey, he loves you too, when his eyes landed on you, his hair changed instantly!"
After a couple minutes, Andromeda was back in the living room, "You did great Harry, I've never seen him adapt to a stranger so quickly. Same goes for you, Hermione!"
"When do you think we could visit again?" Harry asked. It was hard to admit it, but he missed Teddy already.
Andromeda laughed at his eagerness, "You can visit anytime you like, honestly. If you get really good with him, maybe you could have him round the Manor some time."
"That would be really nice. You could come too!" Harry answered.
Andromeda's cheeks brightened at his words, "Really? You'd invite me round too?"
"Of course! You're family too! Besides, I don't think Hermione and I are baby experts just yet." Harry and Hermione both laughed.
"How about next week?" Hermione asked.
"That sounds great." Andromeda smiled and wiped at her eyes, "Family… I never thought I'd experience that again…"
Hermione stood up and hugged Andromeda, "All of us lost people we care about… you and Harry lost more than anyone else... this is how we fight the pain… together."
"Together" Harry repeated and hugged them both, "we're a family, Andromeda. I don't care about who we're related with or what houses we came from… we're family and that's all that matters."
FAMILY.
I'm still here… expect more soon ; )
