Andromeda sat at the kitchen table in her and Ted’s house, holding a cup of tea in a mug decorated with flowers. She had painted almost all of their dishes herself; some had flowers, others small animals, some had muggle items, like planes and cars. Her parents had disliked her painting as a child, (“Honestly Andromeda, there are so many more useful things that you could fill your time with. Your socializing, perhaps?” so she took advantage of the new opportunity every chance she got. She looked over to the far side of the kitchen, where Ted was attempting to feed Nymphadora breakfast. She was a wonderful baby, born a metamorphagas, she could change her appearance at will. It wasn’t uncommon for her wisps of baby curls to turn purple, then blue, then pink in a span of a few minutes. Andromeda and Ted absolutely adored her. As soon as she was born, Andromeda made a promise to herself and her daughter that she would be the complete opposite of her parents. She would support Nymphadora in all her choices, even if she didn’t agree, and above all, do everything in her power to fill her daughter’s childhood with happiness, and give her hopes and dreams for the future.
She still thought of Sirius almost every day. They wrote very often, and she sent him records for his birthday and Christmas. David Bowie was his favorite, and Andromeda always made sure to send Sirius his newest albums. Even though she was still in contact with him, she felt badly that she wasn’t able to see him in person. She hadn’t wanted to risk meeting him in Hogsmeade, even though he was a third year now. All it would take would be one pure-blooded brat seeing them and alerting Sirius’ parents, and he would be in even bigger trouble with them than usual. As if on cue, an owl flew through the open kitchen window.
“Who’s it from?” Ted asked, wiping baby food off his face after Nymphadora flung it on him, giggling.
“I think this is the Potters’ owl!” Andromeda replied,excited.
The Potters had been extremely supportive of her ever since she married Ted. They had written immediately, sending a bouquet of flowers in congratulations, and telling them not to hesitate to ask if there was anything they needed. Andromeda and Ted were extremely touched by the gesture, and had been exchanging letters with them for a few months.
Hello Andromeda,
I apologize that I haven’t been in touch these last few weeks! It’s been so busy around here preparing for Christmas! Your cousin Sirius is coming here this year as well, along with another boy called Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew; you may know his sister. As you might have heard, Monty and I have a holiday gathering every year, and I think it would be wonderful if you could come! I’m sure Sirius would love to see you, and I’ve been longing to see Nyphadora in person! Her pictures are just precious. Let us know if you can make it dear. Happy Christmas!
Sincerely,
Effie
Andromeda clutched the letter tightly in her hand, and turned to Ted.
“They’ve invited us for Christmas!” She cried, practically glowing.
“You sure seem excited, “ he replied, a smile on his face. He loved to see her happy.
“Sirius will be there too! I can’t believe I’ll be able to see him again!”
“I’m so happy for you!” Ted cried back, sharing her excitement, “and I can’t wait to meet him as well!”
They grinned at each other and shared a kiss of excitement.
Andromeda’s excitement did not fade throughout the two weeks to Christmas, and by December twenty-third, she was just about to explode. “For the love of Merlin, I don’t think I can even wait for two more days!” She groaned, as she picked up her daughter, and Ted chuckled at her.
“I’m sure you can wait, just think how Sirius feels!”
“It’s a surprise for him, he doesn’t know I’ll be there!” She said back, and suddenly apprehension flooded through her.
What if Sirius wouldn’t be as happy to see her as she thought? What if he had no interest in communication with her beyond letters? Her uncertainty must have shown on her face, because Ted suddenly looked worried.
“What’s wrong?, he asked, concerned. “You were so happy and now you look miserable.”
“Nothing, I’m just being silly.” She said to Ted, putting Nymphadora down and pacing the room.
“He adores you, ‘Drom! He’ll be properly thrilled to see you!” Ted moved closer, settling his hands on her shoulders and stopping her pacing.
Andromeda smiled at her husband. He could read her mind, then say the simplest, most obvious things and make her feel better.
“Thank you, I know he’ll be glad to see me, it’s just hard not to be nervous when I haven’t seen him in so long.” Andromedalooked back at Ted, a small, sad smile on her face. She looked back at the fireplace.
“He knows that wasn’t your decision.” Ted insisted. “He would never blame you for that!”
Andromeda kissed him, and he let the matter drop. She felt a bit better, and she was incredibly excited to see Sirius, but she could still feel the doubt in the pit of her stomach. Narcissa blamed her for leaving, and she couldn’t bear for Sirius to see her and decide the same.
Christmas Eve came, and Andromeda and Ted had a quiet day at home together, just them and their daughter. Andromeda thought of the Christmases she’d had as a child. Boring banquets that went on for hours, parties with lots of socializing, her mother’s critiques constantly ringing in her ears, about how she should behave as a young lady in the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black. Her father and mother, aunt and uncle getting drunker throughout the night, as she grew more panicked about what they might say or do, which always seemed worse than the year before. Andromeda shuddered, slightly, pushing the image from her mind. She was a mother herself now. She had a beautiful daughter, with a man she considered her soulmate, and she had finally found happiness despite her childhood. Suddenly, she couldn’t wait to see Sirius. All her doubts seemed to wash away as she thought of Christmas at the Potters’. It would be such a different environment. She could speak freely with him, no horrible blood supremacists or deranged family members would be there. And it was Sirius. He’d been rebellious since he could talk, he loved Bowie, for Merlin’s sake. He would never be one to judge her for leaving, and she felt silly for doubting it.
Christmas morning came, and Andromeda woke up and shook Ted awake.
“It’s Christmas love!” She whispered, a wide smile on her face. She jumped out of bed and ran to Nymphadora’s room, dragging a groggy Ted by the hand.
“Merry Christmas, my darling girl!” She cried, approaching the baby’s crib. Nymphadora gave a happy little squeal as Ted picked her up, and the three of them spent the morning opening presents, and enjoying the time together.
That afternoon, Andromeda wrapped her cloak around her shoulders and turned to Ted. “Ready?” He asked, and she nodded, smiling. They apparated to the Potters’ and arrived at the doorstep. When the door was opened, Andromeda looked up the stairs and saw Sirius standing on the stairs, with James Potter and the another boy, who must have been Remus Lupin, standing behind him, a hand gripping his shoulder. Sirius was much taller than when she had last seen him. His hair was a bit longer, his face more mature, but he was still undoubtedly the same boy she knew.
“No!” He cried, a smile splitting across his face. Andromeda could hardly contain herself.
“Sirius!” She cried back, smiling wider than she had in ages. She turned to Ted, giving him Nymphadora, so she could hug Sirius properly. He ran forward, and she hugged him fiercely. All Andromeda wanted was to close the moment away in a box and keep it forever.
Behind Sirius, she could see the two boys on the staircase more closely. A boy with dark, messy hair was beaming, ecstatic at Sirius’ joy. Andromeda knew at once he was James. The other boy had sandy hair, and a few light lines of scars tracing across his face. He was the one who had his hand on Sirius’ shoulder moments before. Remus?
“A good surprise, then?” Euphemia asked, as she came into the hallway. She shook Ted’s hand, her warm smile melting away the cold drifting in from the open door. She leaned down to Dora, smiling and cooing to her.
“You did this?” Sirius asked her, and Andromeda felt a welt in her throat at the way he looked at her. So much trust, so much love. She’d never seen him look at anyone like that, not since Uncle Alphard.
“Effie was kind enough to invite us,” Ted said, smiling at Sirius, “Pleased to meet you Sirius. Nice to meet someone in ‘Dromeda’s family.”
Andromeda caught Sirius’ eye, both of them withholding more jabs at their family.
“Come in, come in!” Effie urged them, extending her arm towards the dining room. Andromeda slung her arm around Sirius’ shoulder, and they joined the party together.
The two of them laughed and joked, and Andromeda couldn’t remember attending a more pleasant party. All around, there was laughter, joy, smiling faces. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. It was completely out of the ordinary from past parties, but she’d expected no less than limitless joy from the Potters’.
“A toast,” Fleamont stood, a bit wobbly, clearly a bit drunk, “To friends, old and new!”
Andromeda was elated, and raised her glass as well.
“To the Potters!” Andromeda said, a bit loudly, (was she tipsy too?) “Protectors of outcasts and defenders of black sheep everywhere!”
The room filled with good natured laughter, the clinking of glasses.
“I think I must be the most outcast,” Sirius declared, as Mr. Potter chuckled, “I’m a Gryffindor, after all.”
“To Gryffindor!” Fleamont cheered, as nearly everyone at the table clinked their glasses and cheered again.
Andromeda thought of her disownment, the pointless drama over who she would marry. She narrowed her eyes at Sirius, raising an eyebrow.
“Think so, little cousin? Try marrying a non-relative.”
“I’ll have to,” Sirius retorted, as plates were cleared, and Effie went to fetch the Christmas pudding. “After Cissy’s wedding there aren’t any Black women left.”
Andromeda’s chest tightened at the mention of Cissy, but she pushed it down. She grinned, “There’s Dora.”
“Excuse me!” Ted exclaimed, covering their daughter’s ears. “Can we please get her through her first Christmas without arranging a betrothral?”
Andromeda laughing, kissing her husband and baby on the cheek. The mere thought of a betrothal for Dora absolutely disgusted her. She only wanted a retort for Sirius.
“I’m teasing. Dora can marry anyone she likes when she’s older, and I can say with absolute certainty that it won’t be anyone at this table.”
There was more laughing, as some of the older women came over to fuss over Dora again, Effie affectionately patting her purple hair.
The evening continued, and more partygoers arrived. Andromeda and Effie, along with several other women, went to put on their party dresses, and Ted came too, as Dora needed her nap.
“Are you enjoying yourself, dear?” Effie asked, her hazel eyes earnest.
“It’s been amazing, thank you much for inviting us.”
“Of course! I’m thrilled you and Sirius could reconnect,”
Effie pulled Andromeda in for a hug, and Andromeda couldn’t remember the last time someone had hugged her like that.
The house was soon bustling with music, laughter, smiles, and joy. Andromeda never wanted to leave, and she could tell Sirius felt the same. They were by the record player, and Andromeda was delighted at how much Sirius loved it. She’d send him records forever, if he wanted.
Sirius had decided to explain the music to everyone, taking it upon himself to educate the party guests on the music they were listening to. As I wish it could be Christmas Everyday by Wizzard played, Sirius could hardly contain himself.
“They’re actually called wizard, though, and just listen to it…”
Andromeda clutched her stomach, gasping for air as she continued to laugh. Watching Sirius be so passionate about the music was hilarious to her. He was already a music snob at thirteen.
Sirius joined in on her laughter as James Potter began to dance with Philomeana Pettigrew a feet away. The poor boy was tripping over his own feet, but looked delighted nonetheless. After a bit, he and Philomena joined them at the record player, and they all sung the chorus at the tops of their voices.
“Weeeell I wish it could be Christmas every daaa-aaay!
When the kids start singing and the band begins to plaa-aay
Oooooh I wish it could be Christmas every day
So let the BELLS ring OUT for CHRISTmaaaaaas!”
Sirius was looking around the room, James’ arm slung around his shoulder. Andromeda leaned down, speaking into his ear.
“Who are you looking for?”
Sirius jumped, and she laughed and ruffled his hair.
“No one,” He said, passing her Changes to put on next. “Just Moony.”
“Ah, your quiet friend? He seems nice.”
Sirius snorted, smiling, “He’s not.” Andromeda laughed again.
Philomena and James left to dance again, leaving Andromeda and Sirius alone again.
Andromeda smiled at Sirius as he watched James leave. She was overjoyed that he seemed happy, that his friends were so kind. (Or not, but in a good way apparently.)
He looked back up at her. “What?”
She shook her head, not shaking the smile from her face. “Nothing! Just– I’m glad you have good friends. You seem happy.”
Sirius looked away again, and shrugged. She knew he didn’t like to talk about feelings, she’d tried in letters, but never to much success. Andromeda just worried that if he never spoke about them, shoved them down like she had, he would go insane. That he would feel like he had no one to talk about them with if he wanted to, like she had, after Uncle Alphard died. He was the only person that Andromeda had to talk things through with besides Cissy, and after he died, she’d felt herself slowling becoming more and more untethered, like she was losing her mind. Then, she’d lost Cissy too.Ted was the only one who’d made her feel like herself again.
“Yeah,” he replied, “They’re good mates.”
“Great, yeah that’s good…”
Andromeda steeled herself for the question. The one she didn’t want to ask, and Sirius didn’t want to hear. She would regret it if she didn’t, though. There was no one else to ask.
“Do you…ever see Cissy? Around at school?”
She had attempted to keep her voice nonchalant, casual, like it was a simple question. But the desperation had slipped through, and Sirius could tell.
“Sometimes,” he shrugged, “Not much. She hasn’t really been speaking to me since the… since this summer.”
The betrothal. Andromeda had heard about it in the letters, and felt so helpless she hadn’t been able to sleep. The whole situation was horrible, though at least Sirius and Cissy weren’t going to be married. The fact that her sister had stopped it with a promise to marry Lucius Malfoy made her skin crawl, but there was nothing she could do now.
She kept the smile on her face for Sirius, “Yeah, I s’pose she wouldn’t. Stubborn one, that Cissy.”
Andromeda thought of the countless letters she’d written to Cissy. The baby shower she hadn’t attended. The fact that her little sisters may never speak to her again. She hadn’t been surprised when Bella cast her away, but Cissy?
“Does she… seem happy? Or is she doing okay, at least?”
Sirius looked like he had no idea how to respond. And Andromeda knew she must be putting pressure on him with her desperation.
“Er, yeah I think so,” he said, staring at the ground, “I dunno, I mean, she’s going to marry that Malfoy bloke, now. So, I think she’s happy about that.”
“Okay,” Andromeda said flatly, nodding. “Yeah, thanks Sirius,” she settled her hand on his shoulder, squeezing lightly. “I mean it.”
They smiled again, their dynamic returning to normal. Angry siblings and cousins could wait, for now.
“Come on, we’ve got to pick what to put on next!” She winked, and the remaining uncomfortable air was gone. “No more family talk tonight, I promise.”
“Alright,” he grinned, “Where’d that Slade record go?”
They laughed and sung for the rest of the night. The holiday atmosphere at the Potters’ cheered Andromeda up immensely. It was Christmas, after all. A time for joy, celebrating the family you had, not mourning those who were angry.
Andromeda found herself waving her hands, conducting everyone as the lines flowed from the record player.
“So here it iiiiiiis, Merry Christmas,
Everybody’s having fuuuuuun!
Loo-ook to the future now,
It’s only just begun!”