Prologue
The warm spring sunshine was glistening on the surface of the lake as five-year-old Dora Tonks raced Charlie Weasley to the water. Her hair was short and bright orange, a look she often adopted when spending time with the Weasley clan. A pregnant Mrs. Weasley was under the shade of a large tree reading to Percy as the older kids played.
Bill was already in the water as the younger two splashed along the shore. Dora always loved her visits here to the lake, and it was more fun with kids her age to play with. Every once in a while Mrs. Weasley would peek over the book to make sure everything was alright, but Bill was always good at keeping the younger two in line.
After a while, Dora stopped splashing around and waded into neck-deep water. She closed her eyes, taking a moment to soak in the sun on her face and listen to the sounds of the distant birds and soft breeze. It was always so peaceful out here and one of the few places Dora could truly focus.
Suddenly that focus was broken, as she felt herself being pulled under the water. She came up gasping for air, and her eyes met Charlie’s, who was laughing mischievously a few feet away. She glared at him, lunging through the water and using both hands to send a wave of water in his direction, before turning to swim back to shore. She could hear Bill scolding his little brother about picking on her, but she was done swimming anyway.
She made her way over to Mrs. Wesley under the tree, who smiled softly at her. Percy had fallen asleep, his head on his mother’s lap as she stroked his hair.
“Nymphadora,” she said gently. “Is everything alright?”
Dora’s nose crinkled at her first name, but before she could respond she heard footsteps. She turned to see who it was and her eyes lit up.
“Daddy!” She raced over to her father, who scooped to pick her up with a large smile on his face.
Dora hugged his neck tightly. “Is Mummy okay?”
“More than okay.” He nodded once to Molly. “Thanks for watching her.”
Molly smiled back at him. “Anytime, Ted.”
And with a wave, Ted turned away to take Dora home.
By the time they arrived, Dora had morphed her hair again. It now fell to her shoulders and was a pale lavender, her mother’s favorite color. Ted carried her into their house and up the stairs to her parent’s bedroom.
Andromeda was sitting up in the bed, her face flushed and her long hair falling out of a messy bun. In her arms was a bundle of blankets that Dora recognized as Mrs. Weasley’s quilting. Carefully, Dora approached the side of the bed, looking up at her mother with curious eyes.
“Nymphadora.” Androma said in a tired, calm voice. Dora bit back the urge to correct her. “Meet your little sister.”
Dora stood on her tiptoes as the bundle of blankets was adjusted to face her. Dora couldn’t recall having ever seen a baby before, but then again how much life experience does a five-year-old have. The baby was asleep and the blankets were wrapped tightly around her, so Dora couldn’t see much besides a tiny face and a peek of blonde hair. She frowned.
“WIll her hair stay that color?”
Ted laughed. “Most likely.” He ruffled Dora’s own hair. “Yours had changed three times by now when you were this small, so it’s unlikely that she has the same abilities as you.”
“That’s sad.” Dora said matter of factly, before turning her attention back to the sleeping baby.
“Her name is Anastasia.” Andromeda said.
Dora’s jaw dropped open. Had she heard that correctly? She turned wide eyes to her father, who was holding back yet another laugh. “W- why does she get a normal name?”
Andromeda sighed, adjusting in the bed to cuddle Anastasia closer while Dora stood by the bed with her arms crossed, fuming.
“Nymphadora, I’ve told you several times, your name is beautiful…”
Dora shook her head but had no response. Ted dropped to one knee in front of his daughter.
“Dora…:”
She looked at him, and he could see the annoyance in her five-year-old eyes, but she wasn’t as upset as she seemed. He pulled her into a hug, and after a few moments felt her body relax and hug him back. Ted pulled away with a smile.
“Your mother chose your name, so I got to choose your sister’s. Anastasia is an old family name and in fact, was suggested by Granny Tonks. You love Granny Tonks don’t you?”
Dora nodded her head in agreement.
“Good. Now come on, meet your sister properly.” Ted scooped Dora up and settled her into the bed beside Andromeda. Dora leaned over her mother to take another look at the infant.
“She’s so small.” Was her only comment after a few moments.
Andromeda nodded. “Yes. But don’t worry, she’ll grow. And soon she’ll be big enough to play with you.”
Dora’s face lit up at that comment. She enjoyed playing with Charlie, but after that stunt he pulled in the water she was upset with him. Bill was alright enough, she guessed, but the thought of having a girl to play with was exciting. Not to mention a sister.
Ted helped Dora settle back against the headboard and Andromeda very carefully placed the baby into Dora’s arms. She looked down into the sleeping face, the bundle heavier than she expected.
Anastasia.
Dora didn’t want to admit that she liked the name, was jealous even. Anastasia was truly beautiful, not long and complicated like Nymphadora. Where had her mother even come up with that name?
After a few moments, Anastasia began to cry. Dora’s eyes widened in fear, afraid she’d hurt her sister or made her upset in any way. Andromeda gently reached over to take the infant back.
“Don’t worry, she’s just hungry.”
Ted picked Dora up again. “Let’s give your mother and sister some rest.” he said, turning to carry Dora to her bedroom.
Over her dad’s shoulder, she caught one last glance of her baby sister before the door closed behind them.