Sidepiece

Regret was one of the worst feelings in the world because it always made one ponder their past decisions and prompt them to enter their imagination to come up with the possible scenarios that one could have faced if they had made another choice, usually the opposite of what they had previously chosen.

Andromeda was familiar with regret because while she had escaped the cruelty and constant conflict that was prominent in the Black household, she had lost her sisters and the rest of her family. Andromeda had believed that the bond that she shared with her sisters was unbreakable, that despite her decision to leave home and rebel against everything that that they had been taught from a young age, her sisters would never truly leave her side and provide her with the comforting support that she needed.

However, it seemed that even though blood was supposed to be thicker than water, her sisters casted her out of her lives just as their parents did, not wanting anything to do with an apparent blood traitor.

To the second daughter of the prestigious noble house of Black, one of the purest magical bloodlines throughout the entire wizarding society, the pain of losing her parents was minimal in comparison to the pain she felt when she had lost her sisters. The three of them were so close growing up, Bellatrix being the most protective between the three of them as she shielded Andromeda and Narcissa from any form of harm implemented by their father, the eldest sister taking the brunt of most of the punishments in order to protect her younger sisters. Andromeda always tended to her injuries afterwards, using magic and at time physical means to tend to her sister while Narcissa tried her best to keep Bellatrix’s mind off the pain.

The three of them made a promise to never abandon one another, to never allow themselves to become as fragmented as their parents had desired them to be. Their father constantly belittled Bellatrix and Andromeda, emphasizing on his disappointment on his two eldest daughters, neither of them keeping up with the high expectations that they have of them. Narcissa was mostly spared from their father’s cruel words, mainly due to the protection that they mother had provided for the youngest Black.

It was hardly a secret within the household that Narcissa was the favorite, something that Bellatrix and Andromeda were neither envious nor angry about since their mother’s favoritism of their youngest sister meant that she was no longer in harms way of their father’s temper; however, being the apple of their mother’s eye meant that that her talons were more than likely to sink further into the skin surface then desired. Even though Bellatrix and Andromeda tried their best to protect their younger sister, it was difficult to watch her slowly become the carbon copy of their mother, becoming colder and more verbally vicious towards others, even to her older sisters. But despite the young girl’s actions, they still remained close, albeit things began to change as they started attending Hogwarts together.

When Andromeda had eventually come-of-age to attend Hogwarts, her first year was pleasant enough with Bellatrix serving as her protective guardian since she had two years’ experience of already being a Hogwarts student, but it was when Narcisa eventually attended Hogwarts two years later did change in their sisterly dynamics begin to occur.

Out of all three of the sisters, despite their refusal to acknowledge it, Bellatrix was the most like their father in terms of her obsession with blood purity. As she was the oldest, she had the familial pressure to maintain the blood purity of their noble house. There was never an option for Bellatrix to become romantically involved with someone who was not a pureblood, for the sake of her safety within the household, as well as in the pureblood community. Therefore, it was of no surprise for her to become involved with Rodolphus Lestrange and his multiple Slytherin lackeys that held the blood purity of others in the highest regard. Bellatrix perfectly fitted in with their social group, to the extent that she had voluntary became one of its prime leaders alongside Rodolphus. Andromeda and Narcissa were instantly accepted into the group due to their blood relation to Bellatrix, but unfortunately during that time, Andromeda start to pull herself away from the ideals that were instilled in her since birth.

Andromeda understood the importance of blood purity, especially since she was a descendant of the Black house, but she eventually found all of the ideals to become suffocating. The constant reminder of blood purity by her mother and father nearly drove Andromeda mad, her parents ideals dictating the interactions that she could have with others. Her parents always emphasized on their superiority over others; magical or unmagical, the blood in their veins immediately meant that they were destined to rule over others.

Bellatrix and Narcissa took the lessons to heart and always advertised their superiority over others, especially over the half-blood and muggleborn students in Hogwarts. Bellatrix became a ruthless bully among the students, cackling with glee as she stunned unsuspecting students with nasty hexes and particularly making the lives of muggleborn students a living hell. Narcissa was not as direct as Bellatrix; however, her words were sharp and cold, instantly cutting down anybody who dared to oppose her beliefs regarding her superiority over others. Before her very eyes, Andromeda watched as her sisters became the carbon copies of their parents despite their promise to never become like them.

It broke her heart…but not as much as it did when Bellatrix and Narcissa eventually found out that Andromeda had fallen in love with a muggleborn.

While Andromeda did not advertise her apparent superiority over others, she did nothing to stop her sisters during their actions against the non-pureblood students in Hogwarts, rather becoming a bystander to their antics. She did not truly believe that her blood defined her standing in the magical community, but she was young and was unable to oppose her parents due to the control that they had over her and her sisters. It was only natural for a child to not want to deny their parents, especially since their parents was the only thing that they knew.

Everything else was unknown for Andromeda and her sisters, hence why they allowed themselves to be controlled by their parents to the extent that they started to lose their identities. But Andromeda became somewhat spared from losing herself to the ideals of blood purity due to the role of Ted Tonks, a muggleborn wizard that entirely flipped her world upside down.

Andromeda wouldn’t say it was an accident that she fell in love with Ted, but then again, she never really anticipated falling in love with Ted during the stage in her life where she was starting to get prepared by her parents for her future in the pureblood community. Bellatrix had already been married to Rodolphus for a year while Narcissa had more or less been promised to Lucius Malfoy, Andromeda being the only one not yet promised to a pureblood wizard yet. It was not like Andromeda had not been given any offers of marriage, especially since she was an heiress of the Black house, but the second daughter couldn’t help but reject every offer that she had received all because of the influence of Ted.

Ted showed her that love was not some minor possibility that was implicated in an arranged marriage. It was something that could naturally blossom between two people and Andromeda did not have to rely on the approval of her parents to live a happy life. Ted could see that Andromeda was different from her parents and her sisters, and even though Andromeda at first tried to resist his advances, she eventually fell for him. He gave her a sincere love with no attachments, something which was so rare in the pureblood community. He loved her for her, good and bad traits, and so in return, Andromeda gave him her heart which he responded with giving her his own.

Andromeda broken the most ironclad rule in the pureblood community…becoming involved with a muggleborn. Not even her association to the House of Black was able to protect her from the wrath that she had received from her parents, and most heartbreakingly, by her sisters.

She lost her family the second she fell in love with Ted, even when she had hoped that her sisters would be able to look past their ideals to support Andromeda’s decision to be with the wizard. The day she decided to run away with Ted was the day when she no longer had a family. Bellatrix and Narcissa turned their backs on her…leaving her to deal with the unknown that was promised to being with Ted.

Although despite of her family rejection, Andromeda did not regret falling in love with Ted because he had promised her a happy life and since being with him, that is all that Andromeda has come to know. It took a while for Andromeda to adjust to the lifestyle that Ted and his family had adopted, the witch having been surrounded by wealth and luxury her whole life to suddenly be left with nothing. Andromeda completely relied on Ted and his family to survive as she received no support from her family, nor did she have the means to support herself.

But the Tonks had accepted Andromeda with open arms. Andromeda became a part of their family and soon after they had graduated from Hogwarts, Ted and Andromeda married in a muggle church, surrounded by Ted’s family and friends that Andromeda eventually managed to befriend after being casted out from the pureblood community. The wedding was simple, but Andromeda loved it. She had married the man of her dreams and she was finally free to do whatever she wished. She finally had the freedom of choice in her life, something that her sisters were denied.

Even though she had left two seats open on her side of the church, hoping for them to be filled by two witches, she tried her best not to let it get her down. While she lost her blood family, she had made a new one, and soon enough her family grew when she became pregnant with Dora. She believed motherhood had suited her despite her own upbringing, Andromeda opting to use warmth instead of coldness when raising Dora with Ted by her side.

Despite everything that had happened to Andromeda, she truly believed that she had everything in life. A loving husband, a rambunctious daughter, and a home to call her own. She gained more than what she had lost and there was nothing that Andromeda could feel but bliss as she was able to control her own destiny. While she did at times reminisce her times with her sisters, she did not desire to return to her previous life as the second daughter of the House of Black. She was now Andromeda Tonks, a woman of her own right.

She was happy, and she no reason to feel any regret because she had everything that she could ever want and grant her happiness.

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And yet she did all because of the one and only Hermione Granger.

Hermione was not that much younger than her own daughter, both women working in the ministry albeit Dora opted to be more involved in the action-packed aspect of the ministry in the form of being an auror. She was achieving so much already, and Andromeda was proud of her, but it was a mother’s instinct to worry about their child and Andromeda was no exception as she did worry about Dora, especially when she assigned to missions that were led by Alastor Moody, one of the most experienced but most reckless aurors that existed in the magical community.

When Andromeda had first met Hermione, it was when she was attending a work function with Ted, her husband being involved in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. It was the annual end-of-year party that the department enjoyed throwing in order to congratulate their employees for all their hard work. The department had a particularly successful year that year due to the development and implementation of a few legislative acts that strived for the protection of the rights of underprivileged non-humans, particularly of house elves. While S.P.E.W act was oddly named, it strived for the social rights of house elves, a creature usually so terribly undermined in the magical community, and Andromeda could help but feel some sense of glee at the concept of the creatures earning the rights that were so basic to people like Andromeda and Ted.

Ted had particularly worked hard for the act to be implemented as he was part of the main team that worked towards its development. He spent long hours at the ministry, working together with his colleagues to try get petitions to be signed and to gather enough support for the cause to be recognized. The poor wizard nearly worked himself to death, but fortunately Andromeda was there to provide him with whatever support her needed during the time. Andromeda never exactly got to meet any of Ted’s colleagues due to their long hours of work and spread-out dynamics to try cover as much ground as possible, so the end-of-year function was the first opportunity that Andromeda had received to meet the colleagues that Ted had been working with for nearly the whole year.

And that was the time when she had met Hermione, dressed in a stunning black dress with some light makeup and half done-up hair, sipping a champagne glass as she conversed with her colleagues before turning to face Ted and Andromeda as the wizard had led his wife to meet the witch that was the whole pushing force behind the S.P.E.W legislative act.

The young brunette immediately greeted Ted with warm familiarity, hugging him in greeting, only to turn to Andromeda once Ted had turned to introduce her to everyone. The young brunette’s eyes were fixed on her, her lip parting slightly as she gazed at the older woman before slowly smiling, offering her hand to the witch for a handshake. Andromeda had accepted it and couldn’t help but notice the softness of Hermione’s hand as she curled her fingers around the older witch’s hand as she shook it.

“A pleasure to meet you.” Hermione had said, her eyes locked with Andromeda’s as she shook her hand. Andromeda smiled politely at the brunette.

“Likewise.”

Hermione did not immediately let go of her hand, her grip lingering before she had no choice but to release it as Ted had started introducing Andromeda to his other colleagues that Hermione had previously been talking to before their arrival. While Andromeda had turned to greet the rest of Ted’s colleagues, she couldn’t help but feel Hermione’s gaze on her the entire time, the young brunette almost burning a hole into the side of her head as the older witch had started conversing with Ted’s colleagues, wishing to know the brilliant minds that had helped implement the legislative acts.

When she had eventually found out that it was actually Hermione who was in charge of the whole development and implementation of the S.P.E.W act, Andromeda couldn’t help but turn to the young brunette in shock. She was significantly younger than her husband and the others, and yet she was the leading force behind the whole act. Andromeda was shocked at the young witch’s brilliance and Hermione couldn’t help but chuckle at Andromeda’s shocked look.

“Don’t worry, I may be young, but I have experience working with difficult people.”

“In what way?”

“In a way that includes me being the reason that my friends are alive after all the antics that they pulled when we were in Hogwarts.”

Andromeda had become acquainted with Hermione that night, the brunette conversing with her the entire time despite many other of her colleagues and people in her department wishing for a moment of her time. But the younger witch had politely brushed them off to instead remain by Andromeda’s side, offering the older witch all her attention as she learned more about Ted’s wife, Andromeda not quite used to be the object of fascination, particularly at a work event which primarily focused on the department’s achievements.

Following the event, Andromeda found herself meeting the brunette more, mainly due to Ted and the group retreating to their home to carry one with their meetings and work discussions. Andromeda did not mind at first since it was a welcome change from being left at home while Ted worked, and through the meetings, Andromeda found herself befriending Hermione. The young witch was so passionate about her goals and ideals and had a brilliant mind that aided her in achieving the said goals and ideals. It was not often Andromeda was able to discuss topics that interested her with another woman, since most of the people she interacted with were some of the older colleagues of Ted’s or the odd school friend that would visit her.

Hermione was passionate during their discussions and seemed to bring out a more passionate side out of Andromeda, one that had been almost concealed for a while as she settled herself in being a loving wife and mother for Ted and Dora. After she had left her family, she was tempted to become involved in the ministry in some kind, wanting to do some kind of work; however, her father played a role in preventing her from ever getting a job in the ministry. One of the many advantages of being a pureblood was the many social connections that they had, which her father and used to completely cut Andromeda off more than in a financial form.

Andromeda was completely reliant on Ted for survival, something which became more obvious after her father’s involvement in her possible job-seeking. But Ted did not mind, he worked hard for the both of them and for Dora, becoming the breadwinner of the family which was not very odd from a muggle perspective. He cared for them like a man should, and so Andromeda resided herself to adopt the role of being the caretaker of the family, something which she grew into loving since she was able to create the household she had yearned to have during her childhood.

But Hermione reawakened the passionate side of Andromeda which had become buried during the years, and Andromeda found herself becoming excited at the prospect of seeing Hermione again as they would enter yet another debate or discussion that intellectually stimulated both of them.

Ted did not mind the newfound friendship between his wife and Hermione. In fact, he had encouraged it as he knew that it was rare for Andromeda to become close with someone that was not a part of his family, the older witch having experienced various forms of social rejection after she had decided to choose him over her pureblood family. For a while, Andromeda and Hermione maintained a strong friendship, at times the woman being individually invited to their home to share meals with Ted and Andromeda, slowly becoming a more fixed aspect of their life that the married couple adored.

Andromeda grew to adore the younger brunette and found a great sense of female companionship with the younger witch. She had believed that the two of them had formed a great friendship despite their age gap and Andromeda believed that she was content with only that with the younger witch.

That is until Hermione kissed her.

It had happened to one evening when Hermione had been invited over to their home for dinner, the three of them laughing and drinking wine while they dined on the meal that Andromeda had prepared that evening. Hermione was complimentary as always, her eyes shining brightly as she gazed at Andromeda, making the older witch smile and blush slightly at the attention before continuing with the meal. The three of them had continued to chat after dinner, discussing a multitude of topics until Ted had finally excused himself for the evening, having worked late the previous night and wanted to have an early night.

Ted had bid farewell to Hermione and kissed Andromeda a goodnight before leaving for their bedroom, leaving Andromeda and Hermione behind to continue their discussion. It was hardly something new for the two women to be left alone together as Ted would often excuse himself to either work on a personal project or to entertain himself with the muggle TV he was determined to own despite their magical house. Most of the time Andromeda and Hermione wouldn’t even notice his absence as they were wrapped up in their conversations with one another, another reason of why Ted excused himself to do something else because he never was able to get a word in when his wife and colleague got passionate over a certain topic.

Once her husband had retreated for the night, both women moved to the same couch to sit next to one another, both refilling the glasses of wine that they had been sipping from the entire evening, sharing a laugh as they continued their previous discussion. Andromeda didn’t know how much time had passed since Ted had went to bed but she felt herself becoming engrossed with her conversation with Hermione to the extent that she didn’t realize that Hermione had been closing the distance between them until it was too late for her to pull away.

Andromeda had paused when she felt a warm hand press itself to her cheek, not understanding its presence on her face until she suddenly felt warm lips being pressed against her own. The older witch could taste the wine that they had been drinking on Hermione’s lips, the brunette cradling Andromeda’s face gently as she moved her lips over Andromeda’s, not deepening it in order to not startle the older woman. Andromeda was completely frozen, not quite realizing what was happening until she felt Hermione’s other hand gently place itself on her knee, the action prompting her to snap her head back and away from Hermione. Her mouth was gaping and her eyes wide as she stared at the younger witch in shock.

“Hermione…what in Merlin’s name are you doing?!”

Hermione had stared at Andromeda with a passionate look, her eyes filled with fiery sincerity as she licked her lips before answering.

“Kissing the woman of my dreams.”

Andromeda had learnt that night that Hermione had fallen in love with her at first sight, becoming entranced by the older witch the night they had meant. While Andromeda had thought that the brunette was simply interested in her due to her connection to Ted, who was a generally well-respected employee in the department, she discovered that she couldn’t be further from the truth. Hermione was interested in her simply because it was her. She fell in love with Andromeda herself, not with anything else, and her love for the older witch only deepened as their relationship had progressed.

And she eventually could not contain herself any longer. She wanted the older witch, even though Andromeda was much older than her, married, and had a child a long time ago. She was in love with her mind, body, and heart, and there was nothing that Andromeda could say to change her feelings. Even if the older witch no longer wanted to see the brunette any longer, her feelings would not change. Her heart was offered to the older witch on a silver platter, and it was up to Andromeda to decide its fate: break it or keep it.

Andromeda knew she had to break it. She has a life with Ted, a happy one at that, which resulted in her beautiful daughter Dora and a family life filled with nothing but happy memories. Andromeda had left everything that she knew to be with Ted, gave up her family and sisters in order to live a life which was not dictated by the ideals of blood status. She had a life, one which did not include an infatuated brunette, and so the only choice she had was to stop on the witch’s offered heart and be done with her entirely. It was the only kindness that she could offer with the given context. Even though it would result in the lost friendship between the two of them, it was a necessary evil which needed to be conducted.

Andromeda had a life which did not need Hermione in it; therefore, the only right thing for her to do was to outright reject the brunette and banish her from her life entirely.

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Only she wasn’t able to do that.

“This way gentlemen and lady! This way, this way!”

Ted’s voice snapped Andromeda out of her thoughts as she stood inside the house while Ted greeted his colleagues at the door, giving all of them friendly handshakes and pats on the back as he welcomed them in their home. Andromeda smiled as the male colleagues greeted her with friendly smiles, all carrying something in their hand for the evening that they had prepped for themselves. Some were carrying a bottle of wine that they would no doubt share amongst each other while some were carrying some bags that were no doubt filled with documents that they were going to be working with.

While Andromeda greeted her husband’s colleagues with a friendly tone and demeanor, her eyes couldn’t help but travel to the only female companion that was joining in on the meeting, tanned arms wrapping around Ted’s abdomen in a hug as her husband offered a friendly hug to his youngest colleague. Hermione’s face was fixed with a smile as she rested her chin on Ted’s shoulder for a moment before pulling back from the hug, smiling widely at Ted.

“It’s great to see you, Ted.” She said jokingly, earning herself a laugh from her husband before he stepped aside to let Hermione in.

“Yes, yes, its not like you were here for dinner last night!”

Hermione flashed Ted a teasing look before turning to look at Andromeda, honey-colored eyes locking with Andromeda’s dark ones, a softer smile crawling along Hermione’s smile as she stepped forward and wrapped the older witch into a hug, her arms squeezing around her waist while she rested her chin on Andromeda’s shoulder.

“It’s wonderful to see you again Andy.” Hermione said, her breath tickling the older witch’s ear as she spoke into it, lips lightly grazing her jaw as she eventually pulled away from the embrace. Andromeda was almost ashamed when a spark of excitement travelled through her body when the brunette spoke so tenderly to her, but she showed no signs of it as she smiled at Hermione while gently squeezing the brunette’s bicep before releasing her completely.

“It’s wonderful to see you too Hermione.”

Hermione smiled serenely at Andromeda before turning her attention to Ted as he guided the brunette and the rest of his colleagues through their home in the direction of the living room, it being the designated place when they all decide to meet up at their home to continue their work. Ted had collected the wine bottles that some of his colleagues had brought and took them to the kitchen to pour into glass, Andromeda assisting him in pouring the wine and then serving them to their guests. Although Hermione did not bring any wine herself, she was poured a glass and she flashed Andromeda an appreciative smile as she took a glass from her, their fingertips brushing.

“Thank you, Andy.” She said, smiling at her before taking a sip and deliberately keeping her eyes locked with Andromeda’s, purposefully licking her lip to catch the stray droplets that lingered on her lip. “Delicious.”

Andromeda couldn’t help but flush at the use of word and the slightly smoldering look that Hermione gave her before suddenly turning away to avoid being caught by the others. Fortunately the men had not paid much mind to the two women’s interaction as they had shifted their attention to the documents which one of them had started unpacking. Andromeda excused herself from the room, needing to be in the kitchen in order to keep an eye on the food as it cooked for dinner, her absence hardly being noticed as the guests shifted their attention to something more important.

The older witch had felt Hermione’s eyes on her as she retreated from the room, an almost burning sensation forming on her back as she left the guests to their own devices. When she had finally left the room did she hear Hermione’s voice begin to tune in with the others, adopting a more serious and logical tone that unconsciously made a stone of heat form in Andromeda’s belly as she walked towards the kitchen. Andromeda bit down on her bottom lip, closing her eyes for a moment to clear her head of any possible scenarios of her and Hermione in her home as they had company.

Now was not the time to think about such things, especially since Ted was awake and would barely be a room away.

Deciding to distract herself, Andromeda resumed in her duties of preparing dinner for the entire household. While Andromeda had been born in a pureblood family, she had learnt that she had an affinity for cooking, mostly likely due to its similarity to potion-making. A dish required ingredients that needed to be prepared in a certain way and added accordingly, and with all the time that she had spent with Ted’s mother before she and Ted had decided to move into their own place, Andromeda had developed a natural talent for cooking, something which both Ted and Dora took advantage of.

The older witch found herself naturally relaxing as she prepared dinner, humming to herself as she washed, cut, and prepared all the necessary ingredients for the dishes she was going to serve. She had poured herself her own glass of wine, periodically sipping at it during her cooking process. Once all the dishes were in the oven and on the stove, Andromeda then moved to clean the dishes, rhythmically using a sponge to clean the boards and cutlery she had used in her dinner preparation.

Andromeda was so lost in her mind and actions that she was unaware of the past time and her surroundings that she did not realize that somebody had entered the kitchen until their arms had suddenly wrapped around her midriff, startling her out of her thoughts. The arms tightened around her and pressed a kiss getting pressed to her neck before being nuzzled with a smooth face. From the position of the hug and the sensation of the nuzzle, Andromeda immediately knew that it was not Ted that was embracing, but in fact Hermione.

“Hermione…” Andromeda uttered, placing the dish she was washing back in the sink to grasp at one of Hermione’s arms with a sudsy hand, squeezing it, unsure to either hold it place or pull it away. The older witch felt another kiss getting pressed to her neck.

“I miss you.” The brunette whispered, moving her lips to Andromeda’s ear to take her earlobe into her month, softly nibbling on it.

Heat flushed through Andromeda’s body and she couldn’t help but slump onto the sink with both hands, releasing Hermione’s arm in order to support herself while the younger witch began to suckle at the older witch’s earlobe. Hermione squeezed her arms around the older witch’s waist but then moved one in order for her hand to grope Andromeda’s clothed breast, fingers experimentally digging into her chest. She tugged at the older witch’s earlobe with her teeth before releasing it to instead pepper a few kisses down her neck.

“Do you have any idea how hard it is to discuss work when I hear you not too far away from there?”

“Hermione…”

The younger witch gently squeezed at Andromeda’s clothed breast, the older witch internally wishing for the brunette to forgo her shirt and to duck her hand under the material to touch her properly. The brunette had the softest of hands and yet the firmest of touches. The times that she applied her firmness over the older witch…she has lost count.

“Making dinner for us, caring for us, doing everything that you need to do in order to make us comfortable, it just wants me to appreciate you.”

Hermione removed her hand from Andromeda’s chest, prompting a disappointed whimper from the older witch, to instead tug at her shirt to reveal more skin to the brunette to worship in kisses. Hermione managed to slip Andromeda’s shirt down until her shoulder was exposed, her lips immediately moving to kiss and suckle at the skin, loving grazing her teeth against it.

Andromeda felt her knees tremble at the attention she was receiving from the younger witch, her fingers digging into the kitchen sink so hard that she would not be surprised to find any finger dents in them. Hermione was pressed entirely against her body, her chest against Andromeda’s back while her mouth was attached to her skin. She couldn’t help but shiver as Hermione traced her tongue along the surface of her shoulder, lightly blowing on it before moving her lips back to Andromeda’s ear.

“You deserve to be appreciated Andy…I know that better than anyone. You know that.”

A whimper escaped Andromeda’s throat without her realizing it, her head ducking down as she shivered on the spot as Hermione pressed a kiss behind her ear before turning the older witch around so that she could face her. With one arm still around her waist, Hermione tugged Andromeda closer to her, her other hand moving to cup the older witch’s cheek before she closed the distance between them. Andromeda readily accepted the kiss that Hermione gifted her, her own hands moving the gasp the back of Hermione’s neck as the younger witch kissed her.

While Andromeda hated to admit it, Hermione was a far better kisser than Ted. While Ted was very loving in his kisses, he was also a bit clumsy and slightly roguish. Even though the two of them have been together for so many years, Andromeda couldn’t help but feel that Ted never really bothered to train in with his kissing as he already had Andromeda as his partner. He could be a bit sloppy with his kisses, never quite laying a kiss in its proper position in the first time. At was if he would general a location before landing a kiss on it, always needing to correct himself before trying again.

But Hermione was different.

Hermione knew where she wanted to kiss the older witch and she did not hesitate in her kisses. The desire that she had for the older witch was obvious in her kiss, them being soft and firm, similar to the brunette’s touch as she held her. Hermione craved the older witch despite everything, and her actions displayed the sincerity of her feelings towards Andromeda, trying to create as little space as possible between the two of them.

While Ted attempted to dominate the kisses at times, Andromeda felt very equal in her kissing with Hermione, both women alternatively tilting their heads to the side to deepen the kiss, their tongues meeting one another for the first time that evening. Andromeda shifted the position of her hands on Hermione’s neck to instead delve them into those chocolate locks that Andromeda had grown to love. Her fingers immediately became tangled in Hermione’s wavy hair, not that either woman minded as Andromeda then tugged at the strands, prompting a moan to escape Hermione that was immediately swallowed by Andromeda as the two of them kissed.

The arm around Andromeda’s waist slowly started to move until Hermione’s hand had finally found purchase of the older witch’s rear, giving it a squeeze that prompted a moan to escape from Andromeda this time, which was swallowed by the younger witch in turn. The hand on Andromeda’s cheek gently traced the jawline of the older witch, tenderly tracing her skin while the younger witch’s lips lapped over and over Andromeda’s until they both became breathless.

When Hermione removed herself entirely from Andromeda, the older witch couldn’t help but let out another whimper of dismay, having become addicted to the warmth of the younger witch that was being provided during their passionate embrace. Even Hermione looked dismayed as she stepped away from the older witch, a look of regret flashing in her eyes as she took a few steps backwards until she met the edge of the kitchen counter on the opposite end of the room. Both women were panting from the kiss, lips slightly swollen, and Hermione’s hair slightly mussed from Andromeda’s hands.

Hermione took a deep, shaky breath before smoothing over her hair with her hands, holding her hands on her head for a few moments as she tried to steady herself before looking back at the older witch, flashing her an apologetic smile.

“Sorry my love, but I better go back with the wine. Otherwise, we will have company.”

Andromeda was confused to what Hermione was referring to until she noticed the empty glasses that were resting on the counter on Hermione’s side of the kitchen, all empty and in need of a refill. Hermione had clearly come in to fill the wine glasses for the group, although clearly with a motive as she stole a moment of intimacy with Andromeda. The older witch swallowed thickly, wiping at her mouth with the back of her hand as she nodded.

“Of course, I understand.”

“You always do.”

Hermione spared Andromeda a loving smile before refilling all of the glasses with wine and then using the levitating charm to carry the glasses back to the living room for Ted and the others, leaving Andromeda behind to try deal with the pool of desire which had formed during the whole ordeal. Andromeda took a deep steadying breath to center herself again.

She is certain that Hermione will be the death of her one day, and that belief became more cemented when dinner was ready to be served.

Once Andromeda had eventually announced that dinner was ready to be served, Ted ushered everyone to the dining room which Andromeda had already prepared with the food ready to be served. Everyone automatically complimented her on the delicious appearances of the food, making her smile in appreciation as everyone started to take their seats. Ted had pulled out Andromeda’s seat for her with a smile, pressing a kiss to her cheek before taking a seat at the head of the table.

Hermione had opted to sit beside Andromeda, flashing her a secretive smile before dishing herself some of the food that Andromeda had prepared. Dinner chatter emerged between everyone, mainly Ted conversing with the others while Andromeda silently ate beside him, not really able to contribute much to the conversation since it was all related to work or topics that only men would understand and enjoy. As Andromeda had been eating, she all but froze when she felt a foot rub against hers, twirling around her ankle and tugging it closer to the side that Hermione was sitting.

“This baked beef is delicious Andy. You really need to give me the recipe.” Hermione said, feigning innocence as she smiled at the older witch while rubbing her foot seductively along Andromeda’s. The older witch cleared her throat, attempting to appear unaffected by the brunette’s actions before flashing Hermione a polite smile.

“Perhaps I will after dinner.”

Hermione’s eyes flashed excitedly, the gleam making Andromeda both cautious and excited as Hermione’s smile widened.

“I am going to hold you to that.” She promised, flashing her a wink before turning back to continue her meal, emerging herself back into the conversation with Ted and the others while rhythmically rubbing her foot against Andromeda’s.

Hermione did not let up with her footsie session with Andromeda throughout the entire dinner, no one taking notice of it, not even Ted when he had dropped his fork and picked it up without looking away from one of his colleagues as he was speaking to them. Andromeda did not know if she should be disappointed or angry at her clueless husband to what was happening under the very table that they were eating at, but she did nothing to gain his attention as she instead focused on her meal, as well as providing her own footsie actions to Hermione.

When they had finally finished dinner, Ted had offered for all of them to have a drink outside in their back garden, apparently need the breath of fresh air, as well as a good conversation amongst men that was not related to work. His colleagues immediately agreed, some of them even stating that they needed a smoking break with the muggle cigars that were rather popular in the magical community. Andromeda knew that she was not exactly extended the invitation and instead started gathering up the dishes to take to the kitchen to wash, only to pause when she heard Hermione’s voice.

“You guys go on ahead and enjoy. I’ll help Andy clean up and have some wine with her. I need a break from you old men.”

Andromeda glanced at Hermione, the brunette laughing good naturedly as she was met with some huffs from Ted and the others as she had taken a jab at their ages but all in good fun. She waved off their offer to join them and instead grabbed some of the plates and dishes before taking them into the kitchen, not sparing a look at Andromeda as the older witch gazed at her with slight caution. Deciding not to be seen as suspicious, Andromeda cleared her throat and resumed carrying the dishes to the kitchen before running a sink of water as she heard the men retreat through the back exit of the house to the backyard, their voices soon becoming muffled and eventually non-existent as the doors closed behind them.

Silence filled the house, the only sound being the dipping and dripping of water as Andromeda began to wash the dishes, scrubbing them rhythmical with the sponge. Unlike before, Andromeda heard the soft footsteps of Hermione entering the kitchen, as well as the sound of her placing dirty dishes on the counter for cleaning. Andromeda didn’t say anything, but she instead tensed as the silenced longed on to the extent that Andromeda almost wondered if Hermione had left the room. Although that theory had proven to be wrong as Andromeda felt herself suddenly get spun around against and pressed into the kitchen sink as lips connected with hers.

While their previous kissing session had been soft and tender, mainly due to the fact that Ted and the others were within hearing distance with them being in the living room, the kisses that began to be shared between Andromeda and Hermione was fiery and passionate.  Hermione was cradling Andromeda’s face in her hands while she covered the older witch’s lips with her own, tongue immediately meeting and entwined with Andromeda’s as the older witch clung onto the brunette’s shoulders.

Both women clung onto one another desperately, both heads tilted to the side to deep their kiss while they wrapped themselves around each other. Hermione clung tightly to Andromeda’s face, almost as if she was afraid the older woman would disappear the second she let her go, but there was nowhere for the older witch to disappear to. Despite everything that was wrong with the situation and the guilt that Andromeda felt to betray Ted like this, someone who literally took care of her after her fallout with her family, the desire that she felt for the younger woman took sole control over the older witch.

Andromeda has never craved for someone as much as she craved for Hermione, not even Ted, someone who had been with her through thick and thin, seeing her at the highest and lowest parts of her life. The older witch willingly submitted to the younger witch, arching her head back to provide the brunette more access to her neck as she began trail kisses down the column, open mouthed and nibbling as she tended to the available skin. Hermione’s hands slipped down from her neck to instead trail along her body until she was cupping the older witch’s backside, giving her firm squeezes while she sucked at Andromeda’s collarbone.

“So perfect...” Hermione whispered against the elegant column, tracing her tongue along its fine edging before sliding her hands under Andromeda’s thighs to hoist her up on the sink, one of Andromeda’s hands slipping from Hermione’s shoulder to support herself on the edge. “You are perfection Andy.”

Andromeda couldn’t help but flush as the appreciative and complimentary words that Hermione was cooing to her, desire obvious in the younger witch’s eyes as she knelt before the older witch and slid her hands under Andromeda’s dress to tug her underwear down. Andromeda was almost ashamed of the way her underwear had stuck to her core before being fully removed, the cool air of the kitchen teasingly grazing over her wet core as Hermione slid her underwear off her legs and tossed them to the kitchen floor.

Hermione immediately moved her hands to grab Andromeda’s knees and part them, shuffling closer on her knees so delve her head past the milky thighs that were exposed for her attention, Hermione moving her hands to flip Andromeda’s skirt over until her head was breaths away from her core. Hermione turned her head and began to pepper kisses along Andromeda’s inner thighs, giving teasing bites to them every few seconds, each one making Andromeda jump at the sudden sharp spark of pain which quickly turned to pleasure as Hermione apologized for the bite through giving the spot a small suckle.

“Hermione…” Andromeda uttered, unable to say anything else but the brunette’s name until she felt air getting blown on her core, making her let out an undignified squeak. Hermione looked up from in between her legs and gave her an almost apologetic smile.

“I’m sorry Andy, I don’t think I can wait any longer.”

Andromeda did not have chance to answer the brunette as suddenly the younger witch’s mouth was on her. Andromeda all but nearly yelled out the brunette’s name before stopping herself at the last moment by covering her own mouth with her hand. She instead gasped and whined into her palm while Hermione lapped at her core, picking up a steady rhythm that all but shot pleasure through Andromeda’s body as she balanced herself precariously on the edge of the sink.

Hermione dug her fingertips into the soft flesh of Andromeda’s thighs, slightly bumping her nose against the older witch’s bud and mound as she moved her mouth steadily against Andromeda. There was no hesitance in Hermione’s actions, her hands squeezing Andromeda’s thighs while trying to part them further apart, wanting to gain as much access that she could to the older witch. Andromeda found herself rocking her hips against Hermione’s head, wanting to make as much friction that she could in the position, chasing after the pleasure that only the brunette could provide her.

Her desire for the younger witch was becoming more obvious by each passing second, her desire coating Hermione’s lips as she lapped at her, to the extent that erotic noises began to come for Hermione’s lips as she lapped at Andromeda. The older witch flushed at the sound and suddenly became overwhelmingly compelled to wrap her legs arounds the brunette’s head, which she eventually managed to do. Hermione had restricted the movement at first, but then loosened her grip when she felt Andromeda cover her hands with her own, tugging them away from her thighs to allow her the opportunity to hang her legs over her shoulders and tug her closer to her core.

Hermione in turn wrapped her arms around Andromeda’s backside and waist, fixing her in a firm grip on order to keep her as close as possible without a possibility of escape. Hermione was resilient and continuous in her effort of making the older woman see stars that Andromeda eventually had to bite down on her hand to stop herself from making noises so loud that it would attract the attention of Ted and the others. Her other hand was tangled in Hermione’s chocolate locks, tugging harshly at their strands in an effort to try control herself but failing miserably. Hermione was not phased by the older witch’s death grip of her at all, she instead saw it as a sign of her good efforts of bringing pleasure to her person of affection, and so she shifted her mouth to instead focus on Andromeda’s glistening little bud, bringing it into her mouth and gently suckling it.

The action made Andromeda bite down hard on her hand, almost to the extent that she was certain that she broke skin. Her hips were moving erratically against Hermione’s head as the pool of desire in her belly began to boil up higher and higher until it was close to completely topple over. High whines started escaping Andromeda’s mouth, muffled due to her hand but still loud enough to let Hermione know that she was close. Deciding to take to up a notch, Hermione removed one of her arms away from Andromeda’s waist to instead quickly insert two fingers into the older witch, making a sharp squeal leave Andromeda as she immediately started thrusting, having enough desire to coat her fingers and cause no harm to Andromeda with the entry.

Hermione pistoned her fingers in and out of Andromeda at a rapidly building pace while sucking hard at Andromeda’s bud, determined to finish off the witch before the others decided to return to the house and to possibly walk in on the two of them. Hermione felt obvious excitement at the pleasured image of Andromeda, her own pool of excitement burning within herself, but she kept it at bay as she was more focused on finishing Andromeda off. Hermione passionately thrusted into Andromeda until eventually the older witch was hitching on squeals and tugging so hard on Hermione’s hair that she was certain that the older witch has probably ripped out a few strands.

“Her…mi…one….” Andromeda breathless mumbled before all but suddenly arching into the younger woman’s mouth, her back collapsing against the wall in front of the sink as her body tensed and tremored as her climax was brought to life.

Andromeda’s inner walls tightened themselves suffocatingly around Hermione’s fingers, the brunette almost unable to move them as the older witch’s body clutched at them in a death grip, not wanting to let her go as white, hot pleasure shot through her body. The intensity of Hermione’s suckles on Andromeda’s bud decreased significantly, along with her thrusts, but Hermione continued to languidly thrust and lap at Andromeda as she helped her ride out her climax.

When Andromeda eventually stopped trembling and got some sort of control over her breathing again, Hermione stood up from her kneeling position and leaned forward to gather Andromeda up in her arms, wiping her mouth with the back of her hands before leaning in to press a kiss to the older witch’s lips.

“You’re okay my love, you’re okay.” She cooed against her lips, pressing another kiss to them before travelling her lips along Andromeda’s cheek and temple until she pressed a kiss to her forehead. Andromeda dug her fingers in the fabric of Hermione’s shirt at her waist, letting out a trembling breath as she leaned into the brunette’s supportive hold.

It amazed and terrified her on how alive Hermione made her feel, especially after such a short time together. They have not been carrying on this affair for long, but each time Hermione left her breathless like this, Andromeda couldn’t help but hold onto the idea of their arrangement to continue indefinitely. It was almost shameful how much Andromeda craved the brunette, needed her in her presence in order to gain some semblance of sanity.

Andromeda slipped one hand underneath Hermione’s shirt to trace at the skin at the bottom of the brunette’s back, feeling goosebumps develop under her fingertips as she heard Hermione’s breath hitch in her ear. Andromeda licked her lips before ducking her fingers past the waistline of the brunette’s jeans, only to freeze in shock when Hermione reached behind her and tugged her hand out from her jeans before she could venture further.

“Why-“

“We don’t have the time love.” Hermione said, flashing her an apologetic look before lifting her removed hand to her lips to press a kiss to her knuckles, tenderly stroking them with her thumb. “But tomorrow I want you all to myself. Girls’ night at my home, just me and you. Please.”

Andromeda bit her lip in contemplation, unsure if she will be able to convince Ted to allow her to have a girls night with Hermione. While it was hardly a new occurrence for the two women to spend time with one another outside of her home, it was most likely due to her cautious nature associated with their whole affair which was making her hesitate, which Hermione immediately noticed. Hermione let go of her hand in order to cup her cheek, closing the distance between them to press a pleading kiss to the older witch’ lips.

“Please Andy, I need you to touch me. I need to feel you against me. You deserve to be treated like a queen in a bed, not some quickie on a kitchen counter.”

While Andromeda hardly felt like she was been used like that by Hermione, she couldn’t help but flush at the promise of tender appreciation that the younger witch had in mind for her bodily worship the next time they were alone without the threat of interruption. And even though she had just come from a climatic high, she was not ashamed to admit she wanted more of the brunette. So she nodded against Hermione’s lips before kissing them again, her hands moving up to cup the brunette’s neck.

“Alright.” She answered, earning herself a passionate kiss from Hermione as she slammed their lips together again.

The two of them kissed against the counter for a few minutes more before finally separating to fix their appearances before the men entered the house again. Both of them smoothed over their hair and outfits, Andromeda flushing at Hermione’s coy smile as she handed back the older witch’s underwear, its dampness still very obvious. Deciding not to waste anymore time, Hermione had used a quick charm for the dishes, all of them becoming clean instantly before they magically packed themselves away.

Hermione poured them each a glass of wine to keep up appearances before pressing Andromeda against the kitchen counter again to initiate another kissing session, the older witch becoming a victim to her own desire as she readily responded to the kisses that Hermione was giving her, taking the initiative to deepen it between them. It was only when they heard male voices enter the house after the loud opening of the back door did the two women separate, both grabbing their glass of wine and take a few large sips before pretending to be discussing something, Hermione putting on a laugh just as Ted and the others entered the kitchen.

None of the men suspected anything was amiss, the male colleagues teasing Hermione for missing out on their bonding session while Ted walked up to Andromeda to press a kiss to her cheek in greeting, smiling widely at her before offering the others to pour another drink for them. Neither Hermione or Andromeda gave a hint of anything that had just happened in the kitchen, not that they would, and when the time eventually came for everyone to leave, Hermione hugged Andromeda tightly before moving her lips to her ear.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Andy.”

She pressed a friendly kiss to Andromeda’s cheek before pulling away to hug Ted, thanking him for the evening before leaving with the rest of her colleagues out of the house. Ted smiled as he closed the door behind him and turned to look at Andromeda.

“That Hermione is so young but so brilliant. She really is a gift to this world.” He stated, making a subconscious smile crawl along Andromeda’s face as she nodded in agreement.

“Yes, she truly is a special woman.”

And Andromeda was the only one who knew how special Hermione exactly was, especially from a very intimate perspective where the only topic of interest to the brunette was Andromeda herself. Although Ted didn’t need to know that, nor was he ever going to learn about it.