Part V
Part V
"Who are you?"
Sirius Black paused at the blunt question and looked down at the small figure in the doorway.
Standing there, with her hands on her hips and a small frown gracing her delicate features, was a little girl with bright pink hair. Her stance screamed defensiveness and it was obvious that she was trying to be intimidating but it was failing; mostly because the girl was only about seven or eight years old, and she was wearing a long-sleeved top with a blue cartoon unicorn on it. Instead of menacing, she just looked innocent and adorable, with her colourful appearance and cute frown and narrowed eyes.
Sirius was unsure how to react. He was perplexed by the child and amused by her demeanor and he wondered if he had the right house. There was something familiar about the child, as well – her grey eyes and straight nose reminded him of...
"Nym?"
Sirius froze. He recognised that voice. It was unmistakable: soft and uncompromising and still holding the aristocratic lilt that he himself had.
"Nym?" the voice called again. "What are you doing? Who is it?"
And then it wasn't just a voice.
Suddenly there she was, Andromeda Black, standing in the doorway of the house behind the child and looking at him. No, not looking. Staring. She was staring at him, and he was staring at her.
He couldn't believe it. She looked the same as he remembered: tall and elegant, refined but warm, with grey eyes and high cheekbones and mousy brown hair. The only difference now was the grey mallen streak in her hair and the laughter lines around her mouth. Life had been good to her since her departure from the House of Black, that much he could tell.
For a second she looked uncertain. Sirius held his breath, careful not to move or speak, worried that she might turn him away. Then she turned to the child – hers, he assumed – and said:
"Nymphadora, love, could you go back inside, please?"
The child, Nymphadora, frowned up at Andromeda, clearly curious, but obeyed and disappeared back into the house after sparing them all one final glance. Andromeda cleared her throat and then turned to face the men on her walkway. She moved down the steps slowly – it was like she was floating; Sirius envied her sophistication – and stopped in front of them.
Sirius stepped forward, because she hadn't shouted or pretended not to know them, so he was more than a little hopeful, and he offered a tentative smile. His entire being flooded with relief when her face melted into a small smile and she threw herself at him, crowding him in a bone-crushingly tight hug. He released a breath that he hadn't been aware he was holding and relaxed, wrapping his arms around the thin frame of his cousin.
"Is it really you?" Andromeda asked, after a long minute, pulling back and framing his face with her delicate hands.
Sirius couldn't speak, so he just nodded.
Her hands were gentle on his face as her grey eyes flew over him with care, as if she was memorizing him and cataloguing all of the things that had changed in their time apart.
"I can't believe you are here," she muttered.
"Me neither," he replied absently.
Andromeda smiled and her hands moved to rest on his biceps as she sized him up. They were almost the same height now and when her eyes met his again, she laughed, "Dear Nimue, I can't believe how tall you are now!"
Sirius almost snorted (because amongst his friendship group, he was one of the shortest, only beating Peter), but he didn't. Instead, he shrugged and offered a sheepish grin. Andromeda let her eyes fly over him again before she released him and stepped back, her gaze moving over Sirius's shoulder to Remus. Sirius stepped back and motioned for his boyfriend to join them. Remus complied and moved forward to stand by his side.
"Uh, this is Remus," he introduced, then he added, "He's my... p-partner. We're together."
He watched her carefully, unsure how she might react to the fact that her cousin was a poof. He hadn't seen her in years, after all. The world wasn't the most accepting place and, although she had been open-minded when he was younger, he didn't know her all that well now. For all he knew, her morals and views could have changed since they last met. The other members of the Black clan hadn't taken the news of where his interests lay well, and he wondered how many – if any – of their bigoted lessons remained in her. He doubted many did, but being who he was, he had learned to be cautious.
A look of shock and uncertainty flitted over Andromeda's face for a millisecond, but then she nodded, her mouth curved into a supportive smile, and Sirius felt his shoulders un-tense. Andromeda turned to Remus, studied him for a moment, then held out her hand.
"Andromeda Tonks," she introduced herself.
Remus shook her hand and politely replied, "Remus Lupin. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Likewise," Andromeda said, releasing him and stepping back. She gave them one last measuring look before she turned and made her way back up the steps and into her home, shouting behind her: "You had better come inside."
Sirius grinned and followed behind, Remus after him.
They moved through the large house, down a long hallway and passing rooms of all sorts as they went. Large paintings hung on the walls, the artwork broken up by collages of photographs and memories. The home, with its beautiful paintings and white furniture, was lavish and rich, but it was light and warm, and it was so Andromeda that Sirius couldn't imagine her living anywhere else.
Andromeda pushed a set of large wooden doors open and the trio entered a massive kitchen with tall worktops, a big double oven, and floor-to-ceiling windows. They paused for Andromeda ask to a plump middle-aged woman to make a pot of tea, then they made their way through a set of glass doors which opened to reveal a large patio and a lush garden, though Sirius wasn't sure it could be called a garden. It was more of a large field that was surrounded by forestry and flowers.
"Please, take a seat."
Sirius was so busy admiring the land and the view that he missed his cousin moving to sit down at a large glass table on the veranda. Remus dutifully took the seat across from her and Sirius took the one nested between his partner and his cousin. There was a moment of silence, ephemeral but peaceful. Sirius took in his surroundings: the beautiful sights, the bright sun, the sounds of nature and trees rustling, the scent of clean air and serene living, and the gentle breeze drifting past them.
Before anyone could say anything, there was a loud shout from inside the house, then the pink-haired child came running out, her arms holding a big box. The girl paused on the step and glanced between the three of them before she moved past them and sat on the grass, ignoring the adults as she emptied the box to reveal a whole symphony of toys.
"Nym, could you come here, please?" Andromeda spoke. The girl stood up and rushed to the older woman's side. Andromeda turned back to the men and said, "This is my daughter, Nymphadora. Nym, this is my cousin, Sirius, and his friend, Remus."
The child studied them for a second before she offered a bright smile and stuck her hand out forcefully. "Nymphadora Tonks," she introduced herself. "But you can call me Dora or Tonks."
"She's not overly fond of her name," Andromeda said quietly.
Sirius chuckled and shook the child's hand as he stated, "I'm not awfully fond of my name either, Dora. Sirius Black, but you can call me Sirius."
Nymphadora giggled, "You do have a funny name." She released his hand and turned to Remus, sticking out her hand again. "And you are?"
"Remus Lupin," Remus replied, and gave her hand a brief shake.
Nymphadora giggled again and muttered, "You have a funny name, too."
"Nym," Andromeda reprimanded.
"Ah, it's fine," Remus replied. "I do have a funny name."
Nymphadora tilted her head and inspected Sirius with curious eyes. "So, are you my uncle?" she asked.
"Uh... not really," he replied. "We'd be second cousins, I think?"
The child hummed thoughtfully before she asked, "Do you want to play with me?"
"Maybe later, Nym," Andromeda answered. "Sirius and I haven't seen each other in a very long time; we have a lot to discuss."
Nymphadora nodded at her mother then turned to Remus. "What about you?" she asked. "Would you like to play with me? I have Legos."
Remus glanced at Sirius before he nodded at the girl and said, "Sure; I love Lego."
Nymphadora grinned and grabbed his hand, pulling him out of his chair and onto the grass where she had lain out all of her toys. Sirius watched his partner and his cousin's child, marvelling at how simple and easy Remus made it look. Sirius had not been around many children in his life, but Remus seemed like a natural at interacting with them. (Sirius sincerely hoped that he became good at interacting with kids soon, with the little Potter soon to join them.) Sirius and Andromeda observed the two for a moment before they turned to each other.
"Your daughter is certainly..."
He trailed off and searched his brain for a way to describe the child, quite literally at a loss for words because Nymphadora had pink hair and was small but confident with an attitude, and he wasn't sure how to put all of that into words to form a compliment.
Andromeda laughed and said, "Yes, I know. Unique is the word we like to use."
"Her hair... Did you let her do that?" Sirius asked, because he was certain that his parents would never have let him dye his hair.
"Ah, Nym is a Metamorphmagus," Andromeda explained. "She saw a picture of a girl in a book with bright pink hair and decided she liked it. It has been like this for three weeks now."
"I like it," Sirius replied. "It suits her."
Andromeda hummed and said, "I would introduce you to Ted, my husband, but he went to the shops not so long ago. He should be back soon." She paused and hesitated for a second, then asked: "Sirius, please don't think me rude, because I am incredibly happy to see you, but I have to ask: why are you here? How did you find me?"
Sirius hesitated, irrationally worried that his cousin had only invited them in to be courteous until he absorbed her words and realised that she would not have invited them into her home had she not wanted him to be there. He glanced at Remus who offered a supportive smile, then turned to answer. But before he could say anything, the housekeeper stepped out of the house with a large silver tray in her hands, four stylish cups and a matching teapot balancing on top.
"Tea," the woman announced, setting the tray on the patio table and placing two of the cups in front of them. "Sugar? Milk?"
"Ah, no, thank you," Sirius answered.
The woman nodded and poured some strong tea into the delicate cups. She left two of the cups empty – presumably for Remus and for Andromeda's husband – then said: "Is there anything else I can get you, madam? Sir?"
"No, thank you," Sirius answered with a smile.
Andromeda shook her head in response and the woman disappeared back into the house. Sirius took a sip of his tea before he turned to his cousin and answered:
"I missed you, that's why I'm here. I, uh... I tried searching for you a while ago, just after you left, but I didn't really have much help, since the family pretended not to know your name."
"Typical," Andromeda muttered. "I assume I am no longer on the Family Tree?"
"You would assume correctly," Sirius replied.
"So, how did you find me now?"
"Ah, well, you didn't make it easy," he said, fingers fiddling with the handle of his cup. "I'm an Auror for the Ministry of Magic now. It's my job to find people, in a way. But I had some help; Remus works in Research at the Ministry."
Andromeda regarded him thoughtfully before she said, "I am glad you are here, Sirius. I've missed you too. I didn't realise how much until I saw you. I didn't think I would ever see you again."
"Ditto," he replied. "I've been trying to find you for years. It was difficult. My parents, the entire family, it seemed, wouldn't acknowledge you after you left. I could only really look for you after I left, but I always came up empty-handed. Remus is the only reason I'm here today."
Andromeda smiled in Remus's direction before a small frown graced her featured and she turned her attention back to Sirius. "Sorry, when you left?" she asked.
Sirius smiled grimly and said, "Ah, you're not the only Black to be scorched off the Tree at this table. I was sixteen when I packed my bags and left Grimmauld Place."
Andromeda looked shocked, but happy. "What... what happened?"
"I got sorted into Gryffindor," he answered simply. "At least, that's what started it. It all went downhill from there. The punishments got worse, the barbs became a constant, the abuse... And between fifth year and sixth year, I just..." He paused to think of the right words. "...I don't know. I just snapped, I guess. I realised that I didn't deserve it; that it wasn't normal for me to hate myself so much. And I left, before they could kick me out – before they could break me. They disowned me shortly after I came out. But it didn't matter. I left, and it was my decision, you know?"
Andromeda smiled and took a sip of tea before she replied, "I didn't know if you would. I had hoped but... I am sorry you could not find me, Sirius. I didn't want to be found, if I'm being honest. I didn't want to bring trouble on Ted's family. They were Muggles, you see. I couldn't bring the dysfunctionality of our family to them. Us being here, in a Muggle town full of tourists, I knew my parents wouldn't come here and bother us."
"I get it," Sirius replied, because he understood the need to keep all good things away from their mad family. "Have you been living here long?"
"Yes," she answered, glancing at the house. "This is Ted's family's house. We've been living here since Ted and I got married. His parents passed away a few years ago and they left it to us. We've had no trouble, so we decided to stay."
"It's nice," he commented. "Big and spacious, but homey."
"Thank you," she smiled and turned back to him. "I still cannot believe you are here. Or that you are..." Her grey eyes wandered over to Remus and she gestured purposefully. "Well, you know."
Sirius laughed. "What, no signs?"
Andromeda giggled but said nothing. Instead, she sipped her tea and Sirius took the moment of silence to think about all of the things he wanted to discuss. He had so many questions. He wanted to know everything that had happened in the past decade. He wanted to know how she and Ted met, and what happened when Nymphadora was born, and if she still liked Pumpkin Pasties. He wanted to know all of the important stuff and all of the not-so-important stuff.
"Andy, I have so many things I want to talk to you about. So much time has passed, and I feel like I need to know everything that has happened in that time. I want to know your likes and dislikes. I want to learn about your family and your life here and..."
Andromeda hummed and replied, "I understand. I feel the same. You have changed so much, Sirius. I imagine there is a whole new person sitting before me, and I want to get to know this new you. How long are you here for?"
"I'm only here for the weekend," Sirius answered. "Remus and I have to be back in London by midday on Monday."
Andromeda sighed and bit her lip, her face thoughtful. "Well, how about you stay for dinner tonight? I would love to learn about your life, and I want to introduce you to Ted, and I am sure that Nym would love to spend more time with both you and Remus. And if you have no plans tomorrow, you could come over again?"
"Uh... s-sure," Sirius stuttered. "Only if we're not intruding. I know we showed up unexpectedly."
"Oh, Sirius," Andromeda laughed and reached across the table to pat his hand. "We had no plans, and I would love to spend this weekend with you."
Sirius grinned and agreed, "Alright, then. Yes, we'd love to."
"Brilliant," Andromeda laughed and sat back. "And you won't have to pretend to be just friends with Remus here. I know that some people aren't exactly accepting of relationships like yours."
"You're okay with me and Remus... holding hands, or whatever."
"It is not my relationship; therefore, I have no opinions on it," Andromeda replied. "You should be free to be who you are without worry. You don't need to worry here."
Sirius didn't say anything, but he did give his cousin a grateful smile. A loud giggle drew his attention to the yard where Nymphadora was openly laughing at Remus's abysmal Lego tower that had fallen.
"Here," Nymphadora said, picking up a few blocks and handing them to Remus. "If you want the tower to be big, you need to make the bottom better."
"Ah," Remus nodded, taking the blocks, "That's where I was going wrong."
Nymphadora grinned and they began building their towers again. Sirius smiled and watched the pair for a moment, then he turned to his cousin when Andromeda commented:
"Nym seems quite taken with your Remus."
"Yes," he replied. "He has a way with children, and animals, and people in general. Always has."
Sirius did not explain that Remus was so good with children and animals because he was a werewolf and some of the more friendly books said that his pheromones calmed small things. He didn't mention this because he didn't think it was the right time to tell his cousin that he had shacked up with a kind werewolf. While he had concluded that Andromeda was open-minded, he didn't know just how accepting she was. Although people were more tolerant, he didn't know how she would react upon learning of Remus's affliction. He wanted to make sure that she knew him first.
"He seems like a good man," Andromeda noted aloud.
"He is," Sirius stated immediately and with confidence.
Andromeda smiled and took a sip of her tea. "So, we have a lot of catching up to do, dear cousin," she said. "Tell me about yourself. I want to know all about your life now; about your friends, your job, your hobbies. Tell me everything."
Sirius took a sip of his own tea and then began talking.
He told her about his life after he was sorted into Gryffindor and after she left the family. He told her about James and Lily and the bump, about Peter and Dyanola, about Marlene and Dorcas. He told her about his time at Hogwarts, about the pranks and detentions and underage antics. He told her about his relationship with Remus and about his job as an Auror.
He answered all of her questions, then he asked about her and she told him about herself.
She told him about her life after Hogwarts and leaving the House of Black. She told him about moving in with the Tonks family and assimilating to the Muggle culture and the Muggle lifestyle. She told him about marrying Ted and falling pregnant. She told him about the house and her new friends. She told him about discovering Nymphadora's abilities and about their life since.
They talked comfortably and openly – as if nothing had changed – as if they hadn't spent years apart – as if they hadn't lived completely separate lives for the last near-decade. As they conversed, Sirius realised he no longer felt the urge to throw up or cry. He was glad that his anxiety had simmered down to its usual amount. The nerves and worrisome thoughts disappeared, eased away by Andromeda's honest smile and calming pitch.
"Dromeda?"
The occupants of the garden paused in their respective activities and looked over to the doorway to find a short man with black hair and blue eyes and a kind but curious smile. His eyes moved from Remus to Sirius to Andromeda and he tilted his head in question. After a second:
"Ted!" Andromeda exclaimed happily.
"Dad!" Nymphadora squealed, jumping up and charging at the man to wrap him in a hug.
"Hi, Mouse," Ted greeted, returning the hug with a soft smile. "You been good?"
Nymphadora nodded, "Yup."
"Good, good," he replied.
Nymphadora grinned brightly and returned to her space on the grass next to Remus.
Ted stepped onto the patio and moved toward Andromeda who stood up and greeted him with a soft smile and a softer kiss. Sirius stood up carefully and waited patiently to be introduced. He noticed that Andromeda was taller than her husband; it was oddly cute, he thought. Andromeda and Ted seemed to fit together and there was no doubt in his mind – absolutely no question about it – that they were in love and meant to be together. He absently wondered what his and Andromeda's lives might have been like if their family had just accepted them and who they loved.
"Ted, my love, this is Sirius, my fellow disgraced and disowned cousin," Andromeda said, one hand on her husband's arm, the other gesturing to Sirius. "Sirius, this is Ted, my wonderful husband."
Sirius offered a bright smile and thrust his hand out to the man his cousin loved, determined to make a good first impression. "Sirius Black," he reintroduced himself.
"Pleasure to meet you, Sirius," Ted replied, giving Sirius's hand a brief but firm shake. "Edward Tonks – but please, call me Ted."
Sirius nodded and they released hands. Ted immediately wrapped his arm around Andromeda's waist, the action seemingly common and affectionate.
"It's wonderful to finally meet you, Sirius," Ted added. "Dromeda has spoken about you before. Always good things, I promise." He laughed and then glanced over at his child. He turned to his wife and asked, "And the man building Lego with our daughter is...?"
"That is Remus," Andromeda answered. "He is Sirius's... partner."
Remus stood and joined the adults, taking his eternal spot at Sirius's side. He held out his hand for Ted and they shook briefly. Ted stared at them for a long moment, his blue eyes flicking between them as he processed his wife's words and their meaning. After another minute, he nodded slowly and said:
"Ah. Right. Okay. Well, then. It's a pleasure to meet you as well, Remus."
Remus nodded and smiled politely as he stuffed his hands into his pockets and said, "Likewise."
"Sirius and Remus are staying for dinner tonight," Andromeda informed her husband. "Sirius and I still have much to talk about, and I want you and Nym to get to know him some more. Also, Nym seems to have taken quite a shine to Remus."
"Wonderful," Ted said, his smile genuine, and Sirius felt himself relax.
A few hours later and the food had been laid out. No one sat at the head of the table. On one side sat Sirius and Remus, on the other sat Ted, Andromeda and Nymphadora. It was comfortable.
Sirius glanced around the large dining room, at the collage of family photographs on the brown walls and at the interesting tree-like lightshades and at the large wooden table. There was a forest theme for the room that he had not failed to pick up.
He absently thought about the table: it was oversized, long enough to fit eight or more people around. It seemed unnecessarily big for a family of three, he thought. Then he thought that maybe it wasn't that big. Maybe it just looked large because his and Remus's table was only big enough for two people – four at a push – and their knees always knocked under it. Then he wondered if maybe the table was actually big and maybe it was because Andromeda and Ted held group dinners often.
"So, Remus, tell us about yourself," Andromeda spoke, pulling Sirius from his fruitless thoughts about the table. "My cousin told me you're a Researcher?"
"Ah, yes," Remus answered with a polite smile. "I work for the Ministry with Sirius. In different sectors, of course."
"What type of research do you do?" Ted asked, interest piqued.
"Ah, well, it depends. All sorts, really. Sometimes, I have to..."
As Remus talked about his job, Sirius's mind wandered back to the last time he had seen his cousin: the day she left. Andromeda had come to say goodbye to him. Back then, he hadn't realised that when she said she was leaving that she meant she wouldn't be coming back...
:: … ::
One seemingly never-ending winter's day at 12 Grimmauld Place found young Sirius Black lying on his bed, wholly and stupendously bored.
He couldn't help but think of how utterly unfair everything was. He had been forced by his parents (who had threatened to go and collect him personally, should he disobey) to leave Hogwarts School of Warmth and Happiness in order spend his second year Christmas at home, only to be punished. It was so totally and unbelievably unfair because he didn't even know what he was being punished for! He had barely stepped through the front door before his mother had dragged him up the stairs and locked him away in his bedroom with no explanation.
He had spent the days and hours since then trying to think of what he had done wrong. He supposed, to his parents, there were many feasible reasons for his entrapment.
Perhaps it was because he had refused to return to the cold family home until his mother and father had threatened him. Maybe it was all his talk about his Gryffindor friends and House Pride. Most likely it was the numerous pranks and detentions and exceedingly defiant behaviour which had no doubt embarrassed his parents – his parents who valued social status and public image above all else.
Whatever their reasons for his confinement, he knew that it didn't matter much anymore. He had known it for a while. It didn't matter if he got top grades or kept silent about his friends or complied with his mother's demands. He was a disappointment. He was an unfortunate heir who questioned too much. He was the white sheep of the Black family. His mother would punish him because she could, and his father would do nothing because he didn't want to.
It was that realisation that had started it, he supposed. He had gone into his second year with the intention of rebelling; with the sole purpose of getting into trouble and embarrassing his family. He figured that if his parents were going to punish him regardless, then he may as well be himself.
That, he mused, was probably why he had been locked away.
Sirius frowned up at the dark ceiling above. He wondered what time it was; what day it was; what year it was. He wondered how long he had spent staring at the same four walls. He wondered when he could see his friends again. He wondered—
A sudden crackle made him jolt out of his thoughts.
Sirius sat up and blinked at the figure suddenly standing in the centre of his bedroom. It took him a second to understand what had just happened.
"Andromeda!" he exclaimed with a huge grin when he realised that his favourite cousin had just Apparated into his bedroom. He hopped off his bed and lunged at the young woman, wrapping his arms around her thin waist and hugging her tightly.
Like many of the old families, the Black Family had never been the most affectionate of people. Love was not important. Image was important. Warm actions, such as hugs and kisses, were few and far between. Andromeda and Sirius were not like the others. Andromeda frequently hugged her sisters and cousins, even when if they protested, and Sirius tried to show his appreciation but only Andromeda and Regulus returned his embraces.
Andromeda wrapped her arms around him and returned the tight hug for a second before she seized him gently by the arms and pushed him away. She then sat on the floor and began rummaging around her cloak pockets. Sirius sat down beside her and asked:
"What are you doing here?"
"I heard that they had you locked away up here," she whispered, her hand deep in her pocket. "I heard that they weren't feeding you, either."
"Where did you – How did you hear that?" he asked, then he explained, "They are feeding me. Just... well, it's mainly the basics. If I promise not to speak or ruin things, Mother lets me sit with them at mealtimes. But she makes me eat this greyish gruel stuff that tastes like nothing. I think it's the food that the House Elves eat."
Andromeda frowned at him sadly. "That is not right," she said, then she answered, "Regulus wrote to me a few days ago. He said that your mother had locked your door and he couldn't get in."
Sirius hummed but said nothing else. He glanced at the door and inwardly sent any and all praises to the Gods, glad that his brother still had his back – even if Regulus was in Slytherin and seemed to share the family's interest in public image.
"Here," Andromeda whispered, calling his attention and pulling a box from her pocket.
Sirius watched as his cousin enlarged the box, then opened it up to reveal a colourful assortment of food and sweets. His stomach rumbled without permission, but he did not move to take any of the snacks. Andromeda pushed the box toward him with a soft smile.
"Here, have them. I brought them for you, silly," she explained, her voice gentle.
Sirius did not have to be told twice. He took the box and began eating the contents with a ravenous hunger that he hadn't realised he had. He had spent the winter holiday so far locked in his bedroom – cut off from all civilisation with only the walls and Kreacher to converse with, not that he had but he was so desperate for conversation that he had considered it – and he had only been served three times a day with basic food rations. The delicious snacks were a welcome thing indeed.
Andromeda rummaged around her other pocket and produced a small silver flask. (It reminded him of his father's – long and silver and burdened with the family crest. He suspected that hers was his uncle Cygnus's.) She then removed two small thimbles from her pocket and enlarged them before she poured some purple liquid from the flask into them.
"Here, you should try this," she said, handing him one of the cups. "My friend made it. It is, perhaps, the greatest drink on this planet."
Sirius grinned at the bold claim and took a sip. Then another. Then he gulped and gulped and gulped the deliciously sweet juice, happy when the cup seemed to never run out. When his thirst was finally quenched, he lowered the still-full cup and returned to his small banquet. He quickly finished the food and passed the empty tub back to his cousin who shrank the container and put it in her pocket.
Then they talked.
They talked about Hogwarts – about his second year at the school and what she was doing now that she had graduated. They talked about Annual New Year's Ball for those of the higher-class society – about who would be there and what the theme would be. They talked about other things as well, mostly unimportant things but it was good conversation all the same.
After what felt like hours, Andromeda turned the cups back into thimbles and returned them to her pocket along with the flask. Then she offered a weak smile and stood up.
"I am sorry, Sirius, but I have to go now," she said, her voice not holding its usual happy tone. She sounded sad, guilty, a little sorrowful.
"Oh," he said, disappointed because his cousin – the only human interaction he had had for days – was leaving him to his own thoughts again. "Right."
Sirius sighed but stood up and gave his cousin another hug. Andromeda returned the embrace, her arms tight around him. After a moment, she pulled back to stare down at him.
"I really am sorry," she said.
Sirius shrugged and replied, "It's fine. I'll see you at the Ball next week."
Andromeda stared at him for a second, as if she was debating something, then she shook her head and gripped him by the shoulders, her grasp hard but not painful. Her soft grey eyes met his and she said:
"Do not change, Sirius." Her voice was strong – serious and honest, unlike anything he'd heard from her before. "Promise me. Promise me that you will not become like them; that you will not follow their words blindly; that you will question everything; that you will think for yourself. Promise me that you will trust your gut and you will not listen to everything they say."
"Andy..."
"Whatever they say about me, Sirius, know that none of it is not true. This family – our parents... They are wrong. They are so wrong about so many things. They are poisonous and manipulative and they don't care about... You just have to make sure you question everything, okay? Because most of what they say is false, do you understand?"
Sirius nodded dumbly.
Andromeda sighed and her grip on him relaxed. "Just know that this family and their opinions, they do not have to be yours," she said, grey eyes earnest. "Trust yourself, Sirius. Trust yourself to keep making your own decisions and promise me that you will not judge people based on what they are or where they come from or how much money they have. Promise me that you will stick to your morals. Do not let our family change you or beat you down. Please, promise me that you will not turn into them."
Sirius nodded again, his head feeling full and heavy with questions. "I promise," he said, because he couldn't not. He already trusted his own gut. He already made his own decisions and opinions about things. He already questioned everything. That was why he was stuck in his bedroom, wasn't it?
In his short time at Hogwarts, Sirius had learned that his parents cared about Public Image above all else. He had learned that their teachings were wrong and prejudiced, stated with a biased purpose and intent on preaching bitter hatred.
He knew that working class people were not less-than; Peter Pettigrew was one of the most brilliant wizards he knew, always helping people and making sure their plans went off without a hitch. Peter was worth ten of his family.
He knew that Muggle-born people were not abnormal scourges: Lily Evans was one of the smartest witches he knew, always besting him lessons and proving that she was sharper. Lily was going to change the world one day.
He knew that not all Pure-blooded people felt they were above everyone else; James Potter was one of the most caring wizards he knew, always making people laugh and making sure no one felt left out or alone. James was an unstoppable force that made everyone feel welcome.
He knew that Dark Creatures and Others like that were not dangerous or vile; Remus Lupin was one of the kindest wizards he knew, always forgiving and being courteous to those who did not deserve it. Remus would put himself in harm's way before letting someone else be treated unfairly.
Sirius believed in Equal Rights, for everyone, but his parents vehemently disagreed, and they didn't like it when he said what he thought. On more than one occasion, he had literally had to bite his tongue whenever his mother complained about a new Lenience Law passing for the 'repulsive' Dark Creatures or when his father asserted that women should be seen and not heard.
Sirius had met so many brilliant people outside of Grimmauld Place and he couldn't imagine judging someone based on their social class or status or personal decisions or lifestyles now.
"I promise," he repeated with conviction.
Andromeda studied him for a long second before she smiled and nodded, "Good. You are important, Sirius. Do not forget that. Do not forget that people do care about you. The right people care about you. And know that someone in this family does love you."
Sirius smiled awkwardly and said, "I know."
Andromeda smiled again before she stepped back and said, "I am sorry, Sirius, but I really do have to go now."
Sirius nodded and watched as she disappeared with a CRACK!
:: … ::
Sirius hadn't realised at the time that she was saying goodbye, not because she had to get home, but because she was leaving him and the family for good. Andromeda had Disapparated from his life with a smile and he had spent ten years wondering if he had done something wrong and if he would ever see her again.
As he took a sip of his wine, he looked at his cousin: beautifully aged and elegant as ever. When he thought about it, he realised that Andromeda Tonks (née Black) may have been the only biological family member to have ever told him that he was loved. He decidedly did not want to lose her again. He didn't want her to disappear from his life again.
"Sirius, are you alright?"
Sirius started and realised that the woman he had been looking at was now watching him with concern colouring her lovely features. He panicked for a second, wondering how long he had been silent for and if it was a weird amount of time, then he felt a masculine hand take his under the table and he felt himself calm down.
"Yes," he answered. "I'm fine. Brilliant, actually. Wine's going to my head, I think."
Andromeda giggled and said, "Yes, it is rather strong, isn't it? Would you rather something else?"
"Oh, I think I'll finish this and then go for water for the rest of the night," he replied.
"I think I'll do the same," she smiled.
Sirius returned the smile, then Nymphadora said, "Sirius, would you rather have hands for feet or feet for hands?" And he became involved in trading a series of Would You Rathers.
The evening passed pleasantly from there.
Nymphadora talked nonstop, asking question after question, telling story after story, offering game after game. Sirius enjoyed spending time with the Tonks family and conversing with the child. She seemed delighted whenever he answered her questions or agreed to play games; it gave him a bit of hope that he might be an okay Godfather when the little Potter arrived.
When Nymphadora was put to bed, Andromeda asked him and Remus to stay a little longer. Sirius and Andromeda reconnected and found that they had more in common as adults than they had when they were younger. Ted and Remus also discovered they had a fair bit in common, the most important thing being that they were both massive fans of Star Trek.
"It's getting late. We should probably..."
Remus trailed off but nodded directionally which Sirius understood to mean that they should not take up any more of the Tonks' time and leave. He glanced at the clock on the opposite wall: 10:23PM, it read. He hummed in agreement and stood up.
As much as he wanted to spend more time with his family, he knew that he and Remus had to leave. He was beginning to feel tired (with the stress and events of the day, not to mention their early start) and he reckoned that they had taken up enough of Andromeda and her husband's time.
"Oh, but you'll come back tomorrow?" Andromeda asked as she stood up.
"Of course," Sirius replied immediately. "You're not getting rid of me that easily."
"Good," she laughed before the four of them made their way to the door.
Sirius and Remus put their coats on, then Remus asked, "Do you happen to have a telephone? Just so I can call a taxi for us?"
"Oh, taxis can be a hassle to get around here. I can give you a lift instead?" Ted asked kindly. "I can pick you two up tomorrow as well, if you'd like?"
Sirius tried to object with: "Oh, you don't have to—"
But Ted cut in politely and said, "I insist."
"That would be brilliant," Remus said. "Thank you, Ted."
As the group stepped out of the massive house, Sirius and Andromeda paused on the doorstep. In silent acknowledgment, Ted and Remus left the fallen heirs to say their goodbyes in private and made their way to the car, in deep discussion about their favourite Star Trek episodes.
Sirius and Andromeda turned to each other on the step.
Silence fell over them and Sirius wondered what to say. Even after spending hours getting to know his cousin and enjoying the time spent in her company, he still had so many things he wanted to know. He knew he could ask tomorrow, that he had the foreseeable future to get to know his cousin, but he had the somewhat irrational fear that if he left, she would disappear from his life again.
"This is so odd," Andromeda remarked. "I don't know what to say to you, which is ridiculous because I have so many more things that I want to ask you."
"I was thinking the same thing," he laughed, and he felt a little less self-conscious now that he wasn't alone.
Andromeda smiled, then flung her arms around him, pulling him into a tight embrace. He wrapped his arms around her and held on just as firmly.
"I am so sorry I left, Sirius," she muttered into his shoulder. "I didn't want to leave you alone, but I had to go."
"I know," he replied.
"They were going to marry me off and I couldn't stay there and let that happen," she explained, pulling back to look at him. "I couldn't. Not when I had someone who loved me."
"I know, Andy," he replied sincerely. "You don't have to explain yourself to me. I understand. I left as well, remember? It doesn't matter now. We found each other; that's all that matters."
"You know that I love you, right?" she asked, grey eyes clear with her thoughts.
"I never forgot," he answered.
Andromeda smiled before she released him and said, "I'll see you tomorrow, then?"
"Definitely," he grinned. "And hopefully a lot more in the future."
"Definitely," she promised and gave him another quick hug.
Sirius pulled back and grinned, "I should go before Remus starts talking about the greatest Star Trek fight scenes. If that happens, Ted won't be coming home tonight."
Andromeda laughed and agreed, "Go on, then. We'll talk more tomorrow."
Sirius nodded and stood at the bottom of the steps, taking another second to observe his cousin and committing her face to memory – just in case his irrational fears of losing her came true – then he turned and made his way to the car. He paused at the door and turned back.
"Tomorrow," she called.
"Tomorrow," he confirmed before he climbed into the backseat.
"...I see where you're coming from, Ted, I'm just saying that the Gorn scene— Sirius, hi, ready to go?" Remus asked, glancing at him over his shoulder.
Sirius nodded and offered a smile, which seemed to placate his boyfriend who returned the smile and turned back to the front. Sirius then half-listened as Ted and Remus argued about the Kirk vs. Gorn fight scene and if it was masterful (Remus) or awful (Ted).
He watched the dark scenery pass by as they made their way to the Hotel and his thoughts wandered to the next day's possibilities. He had found his cousin and he was determined to never lose his family again.
The End.