The clear white hallways of St Mungos carried so many memories Andromeda would rather forget. Some had been amazing at the time. Some not so much. She could still see her daughter in the birthing ward every time she walked past. After that, she’d end up crying in the bathroom for thirty minutes until she calmed down. During the wars, there were many people with wounds and injuries that Andromeda knew for a fact were from her sister. It was a hard life to live, with everyone knowing who her sisters were, and despite what anyone said to her, they were still her sisters.
That will never change.
After the war, and the months she spent mourning for Tonks, Lupin, and her own husband, she eventually reconciled with her sister.
But the most miraculous thing to come from the war was in the form of the wonderful brunette who worked under her at the hospital. Somehow Hermione had managed to worm her way into her heart and make a place filled with suffering and death, have so much light and cheer.
It didn’t mean that Andromeda didn’t know about the girl’s injuries from her sister, nor how her other sister stood by and watched it. The scar still hadn’t healed, but the girl kept on moving forward. The determination she held was simply astounding.
Andromeda opened her locker, having finished her shift for the night. As she turned the key and pulled, she noticed a small envelope tucked neatly away in between her shoes. She picked it up and read the address.
'To Andromeda Tonks'
Her heart skipped a beat for a second before the memories of Ted and her daughter returned with a sudden gloom. She threw the letter in her bag, grabbing her stuff, before walking out of the staff area to go home.
‘Bye Andy! Say hi to Teddy for me.’
She turned around to see Hermione standing there, all smiles and cheer. If anyone else looked at the girl that’s all they’d see. But Andromeda could see the hint of sleeplessness and exhaustion that didn’t come from overworking.
‘I will Hermione, He’d love to see you again sometime. Look after yourself alright?’
‘I’ll try’ Hermione tried to brush it off jokingly.
‘Please, for me.’
Andromeda froze, unsure why she felt so strongly and fawningly over the girl. Maybe it was how similar she related to Hermione. Maybe not.
But Hermione stood there sheepishly, before smiling, a small blush painting her cheeks. She nodded and walked off. Andromeda stared at her as she walked away.
She heard a soft ‘They’re so adorably awesome.’
Andromeda agreed. Teddy was indeed cute as anything. Although she knew from experience that it wouldn’t last forever. She sighed before heading to the floos.
Upon returning home she hung her bag on the chair, while she took her shoes off. A faint pitter pattering of footsteps grew louder and soon a loud joyful scream echoed through the otherwise empty house.
‘He’s been waiting for you to come home since about lunchtime. He slept off the food, before constantly asking me “Grandma Cissa, where’s Gran?” until I told him that if he asked me one more time I’d not give him a Christmas present.’
Andromeda feigned outrage, holding her hand clutched to her chest.
‘Oh Cissa, you wouldn’t.’
Narcissa smirked, before turning to Teddy and rustling his hair. Her mouth morphed into a true genuine smile seeing the little boy’s hair become long and blond, with black highlights just like hers.
‘He’s not so bad, are you now?’
‘I’m good! I’m good!’
‘Yes, yes. Now how about we go play with that toy dragon Uncle Ron gave you?
Teddy seemed to glow with excitement before turning on his heels and running up the stairs to his playroom.
‘That should get him out of your hair for a little bit.’
‘Thank you, Cissa, it means a lot.’
‘Anytime, really. If you need some time or you find someone to date, please floo me.’
Andromeda grew quiet at Narcissa’s comment. She didn’t think anyone could compare to the ones who’d come and gone. Shaking her head she looked at Narcissa in the eyes, seeing the blonde shiver a little.
‘I… I don’t know if I can, Cissa. At work, I can’t stop seeing them. They’re with me while I sleep. Even while I eat. I can never get away Cissa. I still love them. So, so much.’
She collapsed into the hug Narcissa quickly pulled her into. Andromeda felt the touch of light kisses pressing into the crown of her forehead as her sister held her.
‘I’m sorry Meda, I didn’t mean to bring up anything. You don’t have to replace them. In fact, I’d say never replace them.’
Between the sniffles and sobs, Andy calmed down a little, still enjoying her hair being caressed gently by her sister.
‘How was work, Meda?’
‘It was okay.’
‘Just okay? What about this brunette you still won't tell me the name of?’
Andromeda broke out of her sadness, feeling her cheeks flare a little with heat. She didn’t know what it was about her co-worker that made her day just that little bit better. Even when they weren’t together, the thought of her laughing at one of Andy’s jokes made her chest warm.
‘Now what does that look mean?’
Andy broke out of her reverie and blinked at Narcissa several times. She felt confused. Did she have a look?
‘What do you mean?’
‘What I’m getting at is that when I asked you instantly lit up, and became way happier than you’d been just moments ago.’
‘I… it’s not what it looks like… I just… gahh… she’s so nice and friendly. Why is she such an angel at work, Narcissa? She honestly makes the place enjoyable.’
Narcissa shuffled along the couch to create some room for the conversation. Andromeda blushed with fervour at how she’d just sounded like some schoolgirl with a crush.
‘No need to be embarrassed. Who is it, if you don’t mind me asking?’
Andromeda didn’t want to answer but she’d whispered her name before she knew it.
‘Hermione.’
Narcissa nodded calmly.
‘She’s certainly something. Even Bella… Even she thought the girl was good.’
Her rage grew when her sister mentioned the torturer of the poor sweet girl.
‘She carved that slur into her arm Cissa! That’s not the mark of someone who admires you.’
‘I didn’t mean it like that Meda. I was simply stating that Bella saw her as a threat. Not Potter, not Weasley, Her. The muggleborn know it all.’
Andromeda calmed slightly, taking deep breaths to calm her raging heart. Internally she swore that no more harm would come to Hermione, otherwise, there’d be hell to pay. She got up, dusting her pants, more for the performance than anything, before hugging her sister.
‘I need to get out of my work clothes, and one of us should check on Teddy.’
‘He’ll be fine, but I’ll let you change while I go check on him.’
They broke apart, both heading up the stairs, but went into separate rooms. Once Andromeda made it into her room, she crouched down, holding her rosy warm cheeks. She couldn’t believe how she’d pretty much admitted to pining after Hermione. Not that Hermione had shown any reciprocation of it. And she truly didn’t think that her feelings were ones of love, more just friendship or solidarity. She quickly got changed and splashed her face with water, hoping to calm herself down. Andromeda had only felt so flustered a few times, and she didn’t expect to again after all that had happened.
When she returned downstairs, she noted Narcissa and Teddy by the dining table chair where her bag from work was hung. Andromeda thought nothing of it until she saw the letter from her locker in Narcissa’s hands. Before she could reach them to take it away from her, Narcissa broke the seal and pulled the paper within out. She unfolded it with her delicately pale hands, while Andy stood there watching her sister’s face as she reacted to what she read.
Seeing the shock on her sister's face, Andy hurried over and plucked the letter out without any trouble. Her eyes glanced over the letter, finding the writing style somewhat familiar.
“Dear Andromeda,
I don’t know how to put this in words, let alone any real actions. If you knew how ironic that is I’m sure you’d be rolling on the floor by now.
What I have been meaning to tell you for a while now, with everything that makes me who I am, is that I find you amazing. I find my eyes settling upon you when I don’t mean to, how my heart tends to beat that little bit quicker when we speak. And how at home I can’t do anything but think about what you and your grandson are doing.
I know this is a bit awkward, and I don’t want to tell you who I am just yet in fear our friendship becomes ruined because of it.
But I couldn’t let my feelings go away. No matter how hard I try. You make me smile, you make me feel alive. Without you, St. Mungo’s would feel empty and hollow. Merlin knows what dark spiral I’d be down if we hadn’t met.
But if you are willing, I’d like to meet up for lunch sometime.
Before you answer I just want you to know that I don’t mind if you prefer to stay friends. I know how much your husband and daughter meant to you. How much they still mean to you. I don’t want to replace them at all, just help you get through life.
If after all of this, you’re still interested then I’ll see you tomorrow morning at 9 in the park outside St. Mungos.
Your kind but careful admirer.”
‘Well, they certainly have a lot to say.’
Narcissa broke the silence. Meanwhile, Andromeda grew slightly upset that whoever it was had fallen for her. And even though they said they’d be fine being friends, she had an inkling that they’d slowly drift apart. She’d seen it so many times.
‘Meda?’
‘Sorry, I just… I’m not sure what to do.’
Narcissa pulled her in for a hug, with Teddy clinging to them both adorably not long after. He looked up at them with small tears in his eyes. Andromeda found he could understand their emotions. She reached down and brushed some loose, fine strands of hair from his eyes and kissed him on the forehead.
‘Don’t worry little man, I’ll be fine.’
His eyes dried and the smile that grew was infectious.
‘Gran’s so strong!’
Andromeda chuckled at the boy’s comment. Without Teddy, she didn’t want to think what life would be like.
Her thoughts drifted back to the letter and understanding how lonely she got sometimes decided to indulge in this person, if only for a little while.
‘I think I’ll go.’
Narcissa failed to mask her surprise. Her blue eyes widened and she forgot to keep her mouth closed.
‘Really?’
Andromeda nodded, hoping that the person might be a certain brunette. But she wasn’t sure why Hermione wouldn’t have the courage to tell her.
‘Really.’
‘I’ll look after Teddy, Go find something to wear for tomorrow.’
Andy laughed at Narcissa’s codling but smiled effortlessly as she reminisced about how much she missed her sisters.
‘Go, before I let Teddy pick for you.’
Andromeda didn’t need any further motivation as she hurtled herself up the stairs.
~~~
The morning was chilly. The grass had frozen overnight, allowing the park to glisten as the sun hit the white frost. The browns of the bare trees blended beautifully with the evergreens. Andromeda spelled a bench free of its winter embrace before sitting down. She was nervous about who her admirer could be.
She heard the familiar crunch of feet walking on frost. The snap and crackle grew closer. Andy closed her eyes in fear. Her stomach was knotting itself into ribbons. Her breathing quickened, as she felt the presence of someone standing in front of her. Oh, she hoped it wasn’t Greg from work. He had chased after her when she started, but her marriage to Ted had quickly forced him to back down. Not that he still didn’t make a comment every now and then.
‘Andy.’
The kind and feminine voice was unexpected. But it made her heart pulse. Andromeda opened her eyes to see a bashful Hermione standing in front of her, twisting her foot on the footpath. Her cheeks were red, and she suspected it wasn’t just the cold.
‘Uhhh… Hi?’
Andromeda shook out of her thoughts and smiled warmly at the woman in front of her.
‘Hi, Hermione. I’m sorry.’
Hermione went pale, but she rushed to continue. Andy’s heart wouldn’t be able to see her upset.
‘That came out wrong. I just wasn’t expecting anyone to be interested in me, let alone you. Come, sit down.’
Hermione acquiesced and sat next to her. She found the way her breath fogged up with the cool air hypnotising, and by the blush on her cheeks, Andy had been caught staring.
‘Sorry.’
Hermione giggled.
‘It’s endearing to see you, Andy, you don’t have to apologise. I’ve been meaning to ask you out for the last year or so but never found the time, nor words. And after you talked to me about Ted and Nymphadora, and how much they still play a part in your life, I couldn’t interfere with that.’
Andromeda looked at Hermione as she spoke. It was all said with such anguish but she could hear the love that she felt for her.
‘That’s alright. I find myself thinking about you a bit too, Ms. Granger.’
‘Really?! And please call me Hermione. Ms. Granger seems far too formal.’
‘Well Hermione, I must say that you never cease to surprise me.’
Hermione blushed and began to hide under the scarf that was wrapped around her neck.
‘Oh no you don’t.’
Andromeda reached out and cupped her face to stop her from obscuring her face. The two had unwittingly moved closer to each other during their conversation. Their breaths mixed into one giant vapour cloud. She looked down at Hermione’s pale red lips, licking her own subconsciously. Andy moved slowly, allowing Hermione to move away, and pressed her lips gently to Hermione’s. It was chaste, it was short.
But it was everything, Andy, until recently realised she’d ever needed in her life. There was something special about her bond with Hermione. She made Andy feel so young and invigorated while helping her through anything without doing much. They blended so beautifully, it made her heart ache.
Before she could get wrapped up in her thoughts a set of arms pulled her closer to the warm body with a rapidly rising chest. Once again their lips met, but this time they continued on. Soon Andy pushed her tongue into Hermione’s mouth, exploring this new and budding romance with all the belief she had that it’d last forever.
She felt warm and for the first time in years…
Seen
They finally broke apart, both getting up. Hermione grabbed her hand and pulled her along the pathway out of the park. Her admirer’s cheeks remained flushed but her smile glowed in the morning sun, teeth shining brightly. Hermione’s happiness was infectious and soon Andromeda was chuckling alongside her.
‘Come on. We’ll get some breakfast, then go see Teddy and Narcissa.’
Andromeda smiled. Her heart felt full and alive, not once wanting to let go of the hand that so perfectly matched her own.
‘I think I could live with that.’