AN: This story takes place starting in July 1981, Harry is almost one year old, and James and Lilly are 21, and have been married for 2 years. They are holding a party to celebrate their two-year anniversary. It moves off the common theory that Sirius was somewhat of a "player" before he went to Azkaban. And explores the possibilities of what might have come of the daughter of one of the many women of his past, his daughter, although he doesn't know it. It starts out in the early 80's but will soon move forwards to the late 90s. Make sure to note if there are any signs of changing dates, so that it will make sense. This is my first fic, the beginning is a little slow but after the first two pages it really picks up. The beginning is slower because it is a little more explanatory, than it is action, so that everything makes sense. I will only continue this if I get reviews :). I certainly hope that you all like this, I worked very hard on it, so I hope I don't get too many flames, but just in case I'll be wearing my flame retardant pajamas :). Please don't review this without reading the whole thing, because I know that Sirius starts out a little OOC but that's because being in Azkaban changed him a lot. So, once he is out of Azkaban he will be more in character. Constructive criticism is ALWAYS welcome, because I would love to make this series the best it can possibly be!
Looking in on Godric's hollow one would have never guessed that the world could be so dark. These people, standing together, inside all seemed to be having a wondrous time, and all thoughts of the difficulties of a life in fear seemed rather far removed. Yet, they could never truly be removed, for they lived in a place that they could not be evicted from, their hearts. All happiness was a façade, and the world lost some of its greatest actors in those days, the people who could pretend to feel nothing, could shield themselves from the horror, from the utter chaos.
Inside this house, the music played upbeat songs, and the tables were lined with drinks, yet it took a true hostess to make the difference. It took a true hostess to be able to convince everyone that for one night they deserved the chance to rest their minds from the pure fear, and this hostess was Lilly. Few people could turn down the chance to escape for a few hours and enter the peaceful domain of the Potters, and tonight was no exception.
People stood in huddles, making small talk and being polite, the conversation seemed rather forced. It was hard, when you could not talk about the thing that plagued your every step, the one thing that you couldn't help but think of. Yet Voldemort was a strictly off topic area, one of the unwritten rules of society.
Yet one member of this group seemed almost as though he had been living in a box, for his actions betrayed not the slightest hint of realization of the hard times all around. He stood in a corner, surrounded by women, yet certainly not bothered by it in the least.
"Hey girl, you must be tired, cause you been running through my mind all night," Sirius slyly told one of the women, with a devilish grin.
The entire group collapsed into giggles except for one woman who stood tall with a look of total abhorrence. She was dressed beautifully in a green dress, which was strapless, and down to the floor. Her eyes seemed to hold the light of the world, but when she looked at him it quickly turned to ice. Her hair, long, straight, and a beautiful shade of brown, flowed over her shoulders and it almost seemed as if magic was holding it in its place. She was obviously not wearing makeup, yet she glowed from the inside out.
"Very witty," she said curtly "I can see that must have taken ages to think of, I'm impressed," but her tone clearly told another story.
"Thanks," he said in a mocking voice "I wrote it just for you," and his lips curled into a charming grin.
"Ah, well in that case, I can die in peace," She remarked airily, throwing a hand theatrically over her forehead.
She then realized that they were alone, the entire group of ladies had dispersed itself, annoyed with no longer being the center of attention. The closest group of people was halfway across the room, and she wasn't sure if this fact thrilled her, or frightened her.
"So sorry, I seem to have caused the revolt of your group of charming friends, and I'm sure they were all set to become nuclear physicists."
"You can make up for it by having a drink with me, after you first tell me your name," he added quickly.
"My name is Andromeda, and I would not have a drink with you even if you promised to poison yours."
"Charmed, I'm sure, my name is Sirius, and I am unfortunately not about to make promises that I cannot keep, for I fear it would break the hearts of too many women if I were to die tonight."
"Sirius?" she mused "As in the Dog Star? Well that's certainly fitting, almost uncanny," she added with contempt.
"Ah, let us not forget that yours is the chained maiden, and you certainly don't seem to be very outgoing. "
She winced, as though she had been struck, but quickly composed herself in time to say "What the hell is that supposed to mean? Not outgoing, my ass!"
"Ah yes, and what a beautiful one it is. But honestly you come here as though you have never seen a social gathering in your life. You have no disposition to be friendly, or even pretend to be friendly. The way you present yourself shows that you have obviously been studying for a long time, for something extremely important, so forgive me for saying this, but you DON'T have a life."
"Oh yes I do!" She announced, not ready to be the loser of any verbal battle, "Grab your coat, you're taking me out for that drink."
She turned on her heel and stormed from the room in a passion of utter rage at falling into the so obvious trap, but she figured oh well, at least I can be a damn nuisance by drinking so much that it costs a fortune.
"Well," she started the impatience obvious in her voice, " Where is your car."
"Right here," he explained motioning to the enchanted motorbike.
He handed her a helmet, which after checking it for some sort of tricks, she placed over her head. He sat down on the leather seat, and she mused once again that if she didn't detest him so much she would have found him damn sexy.
She swung her leg over the seat of the bike, and lowered herself down behind him.
"Hold on tight!" He exclaimed as he kicked the bike into gear.
At first the idea of even touching him turned her stomach, but as the car whipped through the air, shaking with every turn, she gave up and threw her arms around him for dear life. She could have sworn she heard him chuckle, but she didn't dare ask, for fear of learning the answer.
Meanwhile Sirius was pondering the situation at hand. Pretty girl, smart, refreshing, I can bring her around. She'd make for a nice change of pace compared to the normal idiots I usually see. But hmmm, should I really do that to her? Oh well, whatever she gets herself into she asks for, she's a free agent, and I'm certainly not her father.
The bike pulled into the parking lot outside the local pub, and after lowering himself to the ground he offered her a hand down, which to his surprise she accepted, though it may simply have been because of her lightheadedness, she was obviously not familiar with that form of transportation. They walked into the pub together and sat down at the stools near the counter.
After ordering some drinks they began conversation, she simply skipped over all the small talk and broached the subject which had been on her mind during the flight, and among other things how tight his abs were, "What do you do for a living?"
"Well," he began, "I'm training to be an Auror."
"What happened, did they have a shortage at the brain factory, or was it simply national "Feel Bad for the Idiots Day" because I always forget to mark that one down on my calendar."
"Well, I can see that you have never heard of grace," he paused to smile slyly, "which makes you all the more interesting."
"I have heard of grace, the question is have you heard of manners."
"I usually reserve them for people who I feel deserve it," he answered not the slightest bit abashed.
"Well, your reserves must be over flowing, might I suggest making a donation to the "People Who Give a Damn Society."
"I've tried, they always send back my checks, something about morals."
"What the fact that they want them, or the fact that you lack them?" She asked with contempt.
"Fine, then what do you do?"
"I am studying to be legal wizard." She replied with a sense of dignity and pride.
"Ah, so that's where you get your big words from." He smiled at her waiting for her remark.
"I'm sorry, how rude of me, if I confuse you just tell me, I'm sure we can think of a layman's word which will do quite fine." Her lips curled downward, but her eyes were shinning, unable to hide the fun she was having at this battle of words.
Several drinks later they were both rather tipsy. She mentioned something about being tired, her eyes fluttered, it was hard to keep the ceiling and the floor from becoming one image in her head, which was spinning so rapidly, and suddenly leaned in to passionately kiss him. He hesitated, but only for a second, before bending his head to meet her lips.
She was having hallucinations of reality and fantasy, but none of this mattered for she was living her fantasy and the last thing she could remember was entering a strange apartment, which she had never seen before. She could feel him kissing her, and she was aware faintly of the fact that she was kissing him back. Her heart was racing, threatening to explode, and she could feel the tremors that he sent racing through her body. It was like being on fire, and yet she loved it, she felt so alive, and the brandy gave her a feeling of false warmth and strength. She ran he fingers through his hair, all the while aware of the fact that he was picking her up in his arms, arms that were so heavy, arms that were just right for holding her. He was leading her through the flat, and if she had been even half as drunk she would have known where he was taking her.
*~*
The next morning she woke to feel the pounding in her head, it was like no other feeling she had ever experienced. She lie there for a long time not wanting to open her eyes, because she knew the pain in her head would just increase with the light. Thoughts of the night before flooded back to her but the last thing she could remember was being at a bar, a bar with some man, some man named, oh what was he named? Oh well, it didn't matter, keeping her eyes shut, she leaned over the side of her bed to find her slippers. Where did those damn slippers get to? She ran her hands along the wooden floor searching for them. Wait a second, her bedroom floor was certainly not wooden, it was a push green carpet!
Her eyes immediately flew open to survey her surroundings. She was in a small room, with a high ceiling, and a wooden floor. The walls were covered with Wizard Photos, who were all asleep in their frames. In the corner a small desk stood, made of oak, with a matching chair. She could see papers stacked tall on the desk, and as she approached it she could read the heading on the first one. In bold, big letters, were the words:
Mr. Sirius Black
She didn't even bother to read any further, for she couldn't care less about where she was. At the moment all she wanted to do was figure out why the hell she was there in the first place, naked from head to toe. She sat down on the bed and willed herself to remember the night before, and it came back, in small pieces.
She began to remember, first she remembered being extremely drunk, she could recall kissing him, and she vividly remembered the wild ride to his apartment. She remembered his hands on her body, the hands of the man she would rather have killed than laid eyes on. She recalled the soft words in her ears, and her own acceptance of him doing so. If she hadn't been resolved on discovering the truth, she might have stopped to be disgusted at the fact that she had spent the night with some man that she had met the night before, and had allowed him to know her in the most intimate of ways.
When she was satisfied that she had dug up as much as her memory would reveal, she wondered aloud. "And where the heck is Sirius, anyway!"
She walked around the room picking up her scattered belongings and dressed into her clothes from the night before. She proceeded to open the door of the bedroom into the halls outside. Even though she had been there the night before it was as if she was seeing it for the first time ever.
Passing the dinning room with a crystal chandelier she noted that he was not inside, and continued. He was not to be found in the kitchen, which was in desperate need of a good scrubbing, with pots and pans flowing from the sink, and garbage pilled high above the rim. When she couldn't locate him in the living room, complete with a huge television and two comfortable leather couches, she sighed with dismay. He was obviously not there.
Never having been in this situation before she was slightly at a loss as of what do. Should she wait until he returned, so that she could talk about the previous night? Should she leave? If she left should she leave her phone number incase he wanted to call her?
She thought about staying and quickly ruled it out. If he had wanted to see her he would have stayed, left a note, or atleast woken her up to say "good-bye" before his untimely departure. She was trying to deny in her mind the one thing that she knew that she could never truly rule out, that this was no more than a "one night fling." At first she felt so used, and dirty, until the thought crossed her mind that she had used him too.
She covered her mouth with her hand, as if to stop the thoughts but it was too late. She was no longer a quiet, reserved, bookworm. She now had a life, unfortunately, not one to her liking.
Resolved upon leaving she wondered if she should simply go, or leave he number incase her cared to contact her. She decided better safe than sorry. Removing her wand she muttered, "Accio, parchment. Accio quill." The two items flew from The small desk in the bedroom, and levitated in mid air in front of her, waiting for her to take them.
She hesitated a few seconds, wondering if this was a good idea, and finally getting the gall to take the parchment and place it on the table, and put the pen into her shaking hand. She managed to write a short note.
Sirius,
I am not entirely sure where the events of last night leave us. I was hoping you might clear that up. If you wish, call me at this number: 656-7236
~Andromeda (finally released from her chains, and wondering if it was worth it)
She read the note in her head a few times to make sure that it was what she wanted to say. Pleased with the way it turned out, or as pleased as she could be giving the circumstances, she placed it on the living room table, where he was sure to notice it. Standing up, she took one last look at her surroundings as if trying to make a mental image in her head, and with out another backward look she exited the apartment, hearing the lock click into place.
*~*~
When Sirius returned from his training that day he was utterly exhausted. "Alohomora." He told the door, and turning the handle he entered the room.
"Home sweet home," he said in a fake, cheery voice. He crossed the room to the refrigerator and swung open the door, "Damn!" He exclaimed in an exasperated voice upon seeing the refrigerator was empty, "I forgot, again."
He walked over to the Floo Book by the stove and located the number of the closest take out restaurant. Throwing some floo powder onto the stove it served as a sort of telephone, he made his order, and after checking to see that he had the money read he hung up the phone.
Five seconds later there was a knock on the door. The deliveryman had obviously apparated. Opening the door to a nice young witch, which he probably would have flirted with, had he had the energy, he gave her the money and sat down at the table to eat.
He sorted his way through the owl post. There were tons of bills, a few magazines, and a letter. He tore the letter open. He sighed. It was that witch, Delphinus, when would she get a hint? He had ignored her letters, sent back her owls, and even though it was against his normal procedure, had written a short letter in response telling her in no uncertain terms that it was over.
Entering the living room he collapsed onto one of his favorite couches, and proceeded to lift his feet, to rest them on the table. When he looked down he noticed a piece of paper below his left foot. Removing his foot to pick it up, he raised it to his eyes. In a matter of seconds he had read the letter and desolved into chuckles, "Still got it," he told himself as he crumpled up the paper and threw it into the garbage, "Still got it"...
*~*
Two months later, in September Andromeda sat in a coffee shop sitting across from her best friend Hydra. They were chatting lightly about work, the latest fashions and the most recent news about Lord Voldemort. Although it was extremely bad taste to discuss the Dark Lord in public, they skipped over those formalities because they had known each other for so long, and there was simply nothing to be gained from denying the truth to your own best friend.
Hydra looked up from her own coffee to notice that Andromeda's cup seemed just as full as it had been nearly twenty minutes ago when it had first been brought by the stunningly handsome wizard, which Hydra had pointed out his nice butt. Although she had thought it odd that her friend didn't comment or laugh at her remarks about the wizard, she had brushed it off thinking that maybe her joke wasn't very funny.
Feeling as though the conversation had hit an uncomfortable lull, considering the fact that when those two got together they could simply chat up a storm to top any hurricane, Hydra proceeded to tell Andromeda about her day. "First," she began, "Mr. Normand told me that my article on The rising stupidity of the masses who allow Voldemort to thrive, while living in pretend oblivion, was too controversial, then that cute wizard that I had been telling you about decided to ask out Jannett, my secretary, and then I proceeded to take off all of my clothes and make a little extra holiday money," she added noting that Andromeda was not paying attention in the slightest, her eyes beginning to look glossed over, and her mouth open wide with a bit of saliva dangling from her lip.
"Huh?" Andromeda questioned, seeming to come back to earth, and wiping her face with her hands while stammering her apologies towards a rather confused looking Hydra.
"An, what's up with you?" Hydra questioned, "You've been acting very oddly today, and it's not just today, but recently, like last time I saw you. You can't fool me. I've known you since we both started at Hogwarts, and you were never any good at lying. Well except maybe that time that you told Lucius Malfoy that you had seen him and Narcissa out on the Quidditch field, that shut him up for days."
"Hydra, I've been feeling so ill lately, I've thrown up nearly everyday this week, and I'm getting the worst headaches."
"Well, An, there's only one thing I can think of."
"Please, Hydra, don't say it." Andromeda pleaded with a look in her eyes that was so painful for Hydra to endure.
"I have to say it, An, because if I don't, you might to something stupid, and you need to keep your head on straight, now tell me have you been with anyone as of late?"
Andromeda was silent, it was as though the weight of the world was coming down on her, and with it her dreams, hopes, and plans were being ruined, ruined by the man, whom she had help such contempt, by the man who had never called her back.
"Yes," she said in a voice that hardly sounded like her own, "One guy, Sirius Black."
"SIRIUS BLACK! WHAT THE BLOODY HELL IS THE MATTER WITH YOU, HE'S BEEN AROUND MORE TIMES THAN THE MERRY-GO-ROUND AT THE CARNIVAL!"
"I was drunk, we met at a party, he never called me back, and I was being extremely stupid."
"THAT, goes with out saying," Hydra said in such a wintry note that she never could have imagined those words being directed at her.
The wall that had been closing off the emotions from the past two months suddenly came tumbling down. And with it came all the pain, the anger, and the bitter frustration. The tears could no longer be held at bay, and she felt as though she had no desire to hold them in anymore. Her head slumped down to rest on the table, resting in her arms, and she sobbed brokenly, sobbed for the "what ifs", and the "what thens."
Hydra laid a comforting hand on her head and said in a soothing voice "Come on An, its not the end of the world. And for all we know maybe you do just have a stomach virus, the only way to know is to go to the doctor, have you gone yet?"
"No," said Andromeda pushing back her hair, and using the table napkins to wipe her tears.
"Well why not?"
"Because until I know for sure, I can just pretend, I can just keep living my life the way it was supposed to be, before he came along, before it got so complicated."
"And what will happen, if you are pregnant, you know that you'll start showing, and you'll have to tell him. You can't hide from this An, you need to see this through. You need to muster up all the courage that I know that you have, but I doesn't matter if I know it, you need to know it."
"Well, if I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times, you're right, but will you come with me, I can't do this all alone, not yet."
"You aren't alone An, I can promise you that.
*~*
The time she spent in that room seemed like the longest minutes of her entire life. It was early October, and Andromeda had finally conjured up the determination to see a doctor. She was now sitting in the doctor's room, in one of those little blue nightgown things. Her feet touched the cold floor tiling and she recoiled, it was a chilling as the whole situation, and now she had to wait.
Hydra was outside in the waiting for her, and her thoughts kept drifting back to Sirius, an unworthy person at the least. If the results were positive how could she tell him. She couldn't honestly even try to convince herself that he would be happy or anything even close to it. He would probably make up some excuse and vanish from London all together, not that it would be a bad thing.
Her thoughts were temporarily disturbed when she heard the knock on the door. "Can I come in?" Came the voice of her doctor outside, Andromeda mused about what would happen if she said "no," but knew that this was not an option, and replied in a shaky voice
"Come in."
"I have the results." Came Dr. Grady's voice, a voice that said all to clearly how concerned she was, which was not in the least bit comforting.
"Beautiful weather," Andromeda commented, wondering if she could do anything to delay her knowledge of the results, it seemed so unfair that the world should be so happy looking while she was filled with such despair.
"Don't think that you can fool me, Andromeda," came the stern voice, but it was obviously just a joke, as the eyes of the doctor danced.
"I'm sure I have no idea what you mean," she replied in a mock confused voice. Had the situation not been so grave, she would have enjoyed this conversation, but it was too much for her to bear and in the end her need to know, got the better of her, "What does it say?" She asked, her face pale, and her eyes shinning behind a cloud of worry.
"It's positive, you are pregnant."
She no longer felt the floor beneath her feet, and the light slowly crept into the shadows before the dizzying feeling in her head took control and there was no more.
*~*
Her eyes fluttered open and she could feel herself in the plush armchair of her flat. The noises told her that someone was in the kitchen, but she was content to sit there with her eyes closed breathing deeply. The memories of earlier were as fresh as if they had only been a few minutes ago, and for all she knew, maybe they had been. She had no idea how long she had been unconscious.
She wanted to just sit there until she had memorized every fiber of the chair, but she knew that her attempts were futile. None the less every part of her body ached, and her mind was echoing the thoughts that she couldn't shut up. What would people say about her, she was so disgraced.
They would talk about her, at dinners, and on the super market check out lines, at Magicoware parties, over the phone, and when they went shopping. How did she know? Because she had done it all herself, in the past. Ironic, she thought, that these things would happen to her, she would have never suspected it, I mean, who would have?
"Hey sleepy head," Hydra whispered I Andromeda's ear, "time to rise and shine."
Andromeda opened her eyes and found herself face to face with Hydra, who was tucking a blanket all around her. "You gave us all quite a fright."
"Oh, I'm sorry, was my fainting inconvenient? How careless of me!"
"Same old Andromeda I see."
"Oh yes, exactly the same, in everyway."
"Come on, you knew what I meant. So are you gonna tell him?"
"I will, when the time is right."
"And when will that be?" Questioned Hydra a smile dancing on the corners of her mouth.
"How bout never?" Asked Andromeda turning her head into the chair, to hide her flowing tears.
*~*
NOVEMBER 1 1982
Looking at the Newspaper Andromeda lost all appetite for her cresant, which was rather unusual, considering the way she was eating nowadays.
The headline in big bold letters read :
SIRIUS BLACK SENT TO AZKABAN FOR THE MURDER OF PETER PETTIGREW AND 12 MUGGLES
Her head was spinning, and she felt as thought the world must be playing tricks on her. She read it again, and then once more, but it was obvious upon her fourth read that it must be real. How could she tell him now? She would never even have a chance to see him again. She didn't even know if she could mail him a letter. She doubted very much that any letter sent to him would actually get to him because of the seriousness of the crime, not to mention the fact that Dementors are blind. He deserves to know, her mind echoed you'll regret it if you don't tell him. Regret it? Regret it! Who gives a damn about that no good, scum! At that point even if she had, which she didn't, believed that he was innocent, she would have said, "Lock him up with man eating hippogriffs " anyway, because of the pain he had caused her.
She didn't need to read anymore, throwing the paper down on the table she ran into her bedroom, a few simple spells packed her entire belongings into one case. She worked quickly, afraid of losing her motivation. She called the airport and reserved a one way ticket to New York. She jotted a note to Hydra posting it on her door and another note to the super intendant leaving her payment until the lease ran out. Her note to Hydra
read:
Hydra
I don't know where I'm going, but I wont be back. I am getting a ticket to New York. I need to start again. Sirius Black is in Azkaban and I simply can not put this child through the pain of being shunned for the wrong choices that I made. You have been the best friend I ever could have asked for, I will never forget you. But I must do this, there is nothing you can do to stop me. Please come see me sometime when I get to wherever it is that I'm headed.
Yours Always
~Andromeda (the lady chained by what could have been, and forever by what wasn't)
*~*
SIXTEEN YEARS LATER
If anyone could have told Andromeda on that fateful day 16 years ago, that today she would be living with her daughter, in a quaint little cottage in North Eastern New Jersey, she would have told you that you were crazy. And what's more, she would have given you a whole list of lawyers who could help you out.
Yet none the less, there she was working for the United States Magic Regulation Department, and her daughter Gemini was a straight A student at the American Academy for Witches and Wizards.
It was on a warm day in late July, just after Gemini's recent birthday when she heard the knock on the window. Opening the glass to allow a beautiful brown barn owl with a letter attached to its leg, they received the worst news ever.
Andromeda, now 36 years old, opened the letter to reveal its contents, in a hurried scrawl she could make out the words:
Andromeda,
It has been so long since I have last heard from you or Gemini for that matter. The doctors say that my Liver Cancer is spreading, and no one knows when I will go. It could be tomorrow, it could be in two years. This is why I am writing to you. You have lived in the United States ever since Gemini was born, and I am asking a huge favor of you. Please move back here and spend the last time in my life with me, so that I might meet the Granddaughter that I have heard so much about. She could attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry while she was here, and you and I could do some catching up. Please respond soon.
Love Your Mother,
Cassiopeia
"Gemini darling," Andromeda began, noting the concerned look in her daughter's face, "Do you want to move back?"
"MOM! I live here! I belong here! NOT THERE! With their...their...their flats, and lifts, and trousers! Can't grandma move here! I've never even met her! Why do I have to sacrifice everything, my friends, my school, my memories, everything that feels so natural for someone I regard as a stranger?"
Andromeda was about to strongly unbraid her child for talking so poorly of her own Grandmother, and had it not been for the tears which she could see forming in Gemini's eyes, she just might have.
"Gemini," she began in a sweet tone, which was met by a look of loathing from her daughter, "do you remember last three years ago when you wanted that Firebolt?" Gemini nodded her acknowledgement. "Do you remember what you said? You said you would never ask for anything else. But then a year later you just had to have that complete collection of signed Chocolate Frog Cards. That was the last thing too. And yet let's not forget when it became essential to have those Teeny Witch Shoes that glowed and left a trail of stardust wherever you walked. What I'm trying to say is that what applies one minute may not apply the next. I always knew that those things wouldn't be the last things you ever wanted, but I went along because the look on your face was all I needed to know that I was doing the right thing. Now I'm asking you for something, and I can't promise it will be the last thing, and I cant promise it won't be hard, because it will, but can't you do it, knowing how happy it would make me?" She turned to her daughter inquiringly to see whether or not this request would be allowed.
"Argh!" replied Gemini, "you had to use the guilt factor, fine I'll do it, but not just for you, but because I intend to discover who my real father is with or without you. Unless of course you would like to save me the trouble, and simply tell me his name," Gemini prompted.
"Gemini, his name is just as unimportant as he is, don't spend anther minute pondering about him, because it'll be one more minute than he deserves."
"Fine! You aren't the only one who would know about this, maybe it is a good thing that we're going to see Grandma, maybe she'll have a heart." Her face looked annoyed, which was slightly odd considering they had this conversation atleast once every two weeks, and the result was always the same, so she had no idea why today should be different.
Gemini walked up the stairs to her room. Upon entering her room her heart filled with happiness at the familiar things and the pictures that covered the walls. She slowly picked up each item, as if she had never seen it before, and tossed it inside of her trunk.
Why, she wondered, why won't mom tell me who my dad is. Don't I have right to know? Shouldn't it be my decision, if I want him in my life? That's it, in London my one job is to find my father, and I won't rest until I do. Mom always gets this far away look when she thinks of him. She thinks I don't notice but my goodness it's clear as day.
*~*
In London Three weeks later, in mid August Gemini and her mother were walking down the streets of Diagon Alley. In and out of shops they walked looking for new textbooks for the next year.
She would be beginning school at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Although she was technically supposed to be in 6th year because of her age, she had been put in 7th grade to go along with her extensive knowledge from her former school, where they started at an earlier age.
She was browsing the book shelves for a copy of Your Inner Eye, and What's truly 'Inside' it, a guide to Divination when she saw her mom halfway across the store chatting with some man. Yet she had no idea what they were saying. Her mother looked so happy that she almost seemed as though her face was having a flashlight shown on it. Gemini desperately wanted to know what they were saying, yet she knew better than to ask.
"Well you see, its all in the wrist, simply twist and pull. See?" And the man stuck his hand into his cap and pulled out a bunny.
Andromeda laughed at his mockery of muggle magicians and replied "How do I know you don't have something 'up your sleeve'?"
"Well would it convince you, if I were to take off my shirt?" The man asked a devilish grin on his face.
When she finally composed herself Andromeda said, "I'm sorry but my daughter is waiting, and we don't have much time I'm going to have to leave. Nice meeting you."
"We should get together sometime for lunch." He suggested.
"That would be nice, we could meet here on September the 2nd after school starts."
"I'll be counting the minutes." He said in a joking voice.
"Don't try too hard, you don't look nearly as sexy when you're confused." And she smiled sweetly.
Turning away she went towards Gemini, who was looking at her knowingly. Normally she would have taken the time to throw some sort of sarcastic comment Gemini's way, but for some odd reason she couldn't wipe the huge grin off her face. Andromeda knew that Gemini must have put two and two together, but she was so overjoyed at the prospect of a date, something that she hadn't had in way too long that she didn't care.
They paid for the books and moved on to their next stop, for potions materials, when suddenly it occurred to Andromeda that she hadn't even asked this man what his name was. She had out of the blue gone up to a man, chatted him up, and agreed to go on a date him without even waiting to realize that she had no idea who he was. For all she knew he was an escaped Azkaban freak.
*~*
Sirius was humming to himself as he walked down Diagon alley. What a great month, first he had been cleared of all the charges against him when Petter Pettigrew was found dead, after having betrayed Voldemort. The silver hand attached to his arm had been enough on its own to convince everyone that he had obviously not died on the day when his finger was cut off.
After, he had been publicly apologized to, his adoption of Harry had finally been legalized, which meant that Harry had been able to move in with him. And now he was going to be meeting with a charming woman sometime soon to have lunch. The funniest thing was that it had seemed as though he knew her from somewhere, as though this wasn't the first time they had met. But he quickly shook the feeling saying that it had been 16 years ago that he was originally sent to Azkaban, there was no way he could have met her before then. Besides he would have recognized her name. Wait, a minute, what was her name? He racked his brain to try to remember if and when she had told him, and finally reached the realization that she hadn't told him what it was.
He was going to meet someone who he had never met before. Some one who could be some weird freak. And who he didn't know the first thing about. And the worst part was that he kept feeling that he did know her, but where from?
*~*
Okay, that was part one, what do you think? I apologize for any typos, after a while you get so used to reading your fic, over and over and over that you stop picking up on the typos. So now that you've read it, go on! AND REVIEW :) :) :)
If you review I will write another part in which we meet Cassiopeia, Gemini explores the house and thinks about who her father is, Andromeda and Sirius ponder if they should really go on the date, maybe they do maybe they don't! you'll have to review if you want to find out!
Looking in on Godric's hollow one would have never guessed that the world could be so dark. These people, standing together, inside all seemed to be having a wondrous time, and all thoughts of the difficulties of a life in fear seemed rather far removed. Yet, they could never truly be removed, for they lived in a place that they could not be evicted from, their hearts. All happiness was a façade, and the world lost some of its greatest actors in those days, the people who could pretend to feel nothing, could shield themselves from the horror, from the utter chaos.
Inside this house, the music played upbeat songs, and the tables were lined with drinks, yet it took a true hostess to make the difference. It took a true hostess to be able to convince everyone that for one night they deserved the chance to rest their minds from the pure fear, and this hostess was Lilly. Few people could turn down the chance to escape for a few hours and enter the peaceful domain of the Potters, and tonight was no exception.
People stood in huddles, making small talk and being polite, the conversation seemed rather forced. It was hard, when you could not talk about the thing that plagued your every step, the one thing that you couldn't help but think of. Yet Voldemort was a strictly off topic area, one of the unwritten rules of society.
Yet one member of this group seemed almost as though he had been living in a box, for his actions betrayed not the slightest hint of realization of the hard times all around. He stood in a corner, surrounded by women, yet certainly not bothered by it in the least.
"Hey girl, you must be tired, cause you been running through my mind all night," Sirius slyly told one of the women, with a devilish grin.
The entire group collapsed into giggles except for one woman who stood tall with a look of total abhorrence. She was dressed beautifully in a green dress, which was strapless, and down to the floor. Her eyes seemed to hold the light of the world, but when she looked at him it quickly turned to ice. Her hair, long, straight, and a beautiful shade of brown, flowed over her shoulders and it almost seemed as if magic was holding it in its place. She was obviously not wearing makeup, yet she glowed from the inside out.
"Very witty," she said curtly "I can see that must have taken ages to think of, I'm impressed," but her tone clearly told another story.
"Thanks," he said in a mocking voice "I wrote it just for you," and his lips curled into a charming grin.
"Ah, well in that case, I can die in peace," She remarked airily, throwing a hand theatrically over her forehead.
She then realized that they were alone, the entire group of ladies had dispersed itself, annoyed with no longer being the center of attention. The closest group of people was halfway across the room, and she wasn't sure if this fact thrilled her, or frightened her.
"So sorry, I seem to have caused the revolt of your group of charming friends, and I'm sure they were all set to become nuclear physicists."
"You can make up for it by having a drink with me, after you first tell me your name," he added quickly.
"My name is Andromeda, and I would not have a drink with you even if you promised to poison yours."
"Charmed, I'm sure, my name is Sirius, and I am unfortunately not about to make promises that I cannot keep, for I fear it would break the hearts of too many women if I were to die tonight."
"Sirius?" she mused "As in the Dog Star? Well that's certainly fitting, almost uncanny," she added with contempt.
"Ah, let us not forget that yours is the chained maiden, and you certainly don't seem to be very outgoing. "
She winced, as though she had been struck, but quickly composed herself in time to say "What the hell is that supposed to mean? Not outgoing, my ass!"
"Ah yes, and what a beautiful one it is. But honestly you come here as though you have never seen a social gathering in your life. You have no disposition to be friendly, or even pretend to be friendly. The way you present yourself shows that you have obviously been studying for a long time, for something extremely important, so forgive me for saying this, but you DON'T have a life."
"Oh yes I do!" She announced, not ready to be the loser of any verbal battle, "Grab your coat, you're taking me out for that drink."
She turned on her heel and stormed from the room in a passion of utter rage at falling into the so obvious trap, but she figured oh well, at least I can be a damn nuisance by drinking so much that it costs a fortune.
"Well," she started the impatience obvious in her voice, " Where is your car."
"Right here," he explained motioning to the enchanted motorbike.
He handed her a helmet, which after checking it for some sort of tricks, she placed over her head. He sat down on the leather seat, and she mused once again that if she didn't detest him so much she would have found him damn sexy.
She swung her leg over the seat of the bike, and lowered herself down behind him.
"Hold on tight!" He exclaimed as he kicked the bike into gear.
At first the idea of even touching him turned her stomach, but as the car whipped through the air, shaking with every turn, she gave up and threw her arms around him for dear life. She could have sworn she heard him chuckle, but she didn't dare ask, for fear of learning the answer.
Meanwhile Sirius was pondering the situation at hand. Pretty girl, smart, refreshing, I can bring her around. She'd make for a nice change of pace compared to the normal idiots I usually see. But hmmm, should I really do that to her? Oh well, whatever she gets herself into she asks for, she's a free agent, and I'm certainly not her father.
The bike pulled into the parking lot outside the local pub, and after lowering himself to the ground he offered her a hand down, which to his surprise she accepted, though it may simply have been because of her lightheadedness, she was obviously not familiar with that form of transportation. They walked into the pub together and sat down at the stools near the counter.
After ordering some drinks they began conversation, she simply skipped over all the small talk and broached the subject which had been on her mind during the flight, and among other things how tight his abs were, "What do you do for a living?"
"Well," he began, "I'm training to be an Auror."
"What happened, did they have a shortage at the brain factory, or was it simply national "Feel Bad for the Idiots Day" because I always forget to mark that one down on my calendar."
"Well, I can see that you have never heard of grace," he paused to smile slyly, "which makes you all the more interesting."
"I have heard of grace, the question is have you heard of manners."
"I usually reserve them for people who I feel deserve it," he answered not the slightest bit abashed.
"Well, your reserves must be over flowing, might I suggest making a donation to the "People Who Give a Damn Society."
"I've tried, they always send back my checks, something about morals."
"What the fact that they want them, or the fact that you lack them?" She asked with contempt.
"Fine, then what do you do?"
"I am studying to be legal wizard." She replied with a sense of dignity and pride.
"Ah, so that's where you get your big words from." He smiled at her waiting for her remark.
"I'm sorry, how rude of me, if I confuse you just tell me, I'm sure we can think of a layman's word which will do quite fine." Her lips curled downward, but her eyes were shinning, unable to hide the fun she was having at this battle of words.
Several drinks later they were both rather tipsy. She mentioned something about being tired, her eyes fluttered, it was hard to keep the ceiling and the floor from becoming one image in her head, which was spinning so rapidly, and suddenly leaned in to passionately kiss him. He hesitated, but only for a second, before bending his head to meet her lips.
She was having hallucinations of reality and fantasy, but none of this mattered for she was living her fantasy and the last thing she could remember was entering a strange apartment, which she had never seen before. She could feel him kissing her, and she was aware faintly of the fact that she was kissing him back. Her heart was racing, threatening to explode, and she could feel the tremors that he sent racing through her body. It was like being on fire, and yet she loved it, she felt so alive, and the brandy gave her a feeling of false warmth and strength. She ran he fingers through his hair, all the while aware of the fact that he was picking her up in his arms, arms that were so heavy, arms that were just right for holding her. He was leading her through the flat, and if she had been even half as drunk she would have known where he was taking her.
*~*
The next morning she woke to feel the pounding in her head, it was like no other feeling she had ever experienced. She lie there for a long time not wanting to open her eyes, because she knew the pain in her head would just increase with the light. Thoughts of the night before flooded back to her but the last thing she could remember was being at a bar, a bar with some man, some man named, oh what was he named? Oh well, it didn't matter, keeping her eyes shut, she leaned over the side of her bed to find her slippers. Where did those damn slippers get to? She ran her hands along the wooden floor searching for them. Wait a second, her bedroom floor was certainly not wooden, it was a push green carpet!
Her eyes immediately flew open to survey her surroundings. She was in a small room, with a high ceiling, and a wooden floor. The walls were covered with Wizard Photos, who were all asleep in their frames. In the corner a small desk stood, made of oak, with a matching chair. She could see papers stacked tall on the desk, and as she approached it she could read the heading on the first one. In bold, big letters, were the words:
Mr. Sirius Black
She didn't even bother to read any further, for she couldn't care less about where she was. At the moment all she wanted to do was figure out why the hell she was there in the first place, naked from head to toe. She sat down on the bed and willed herself to remember the night before, and it came back, in small pieces.
She began to remember, first she remembered being extremely drunk, she could recall kissing him, and she vividly remembered the wild ride to his apartment. She remembered his hands on her body, the hands of the man she would rather have killed than laid eyes on. She recalled the soft words in her ears, and her own acceptance of him doing so. If she hadn't been resolved on discovering the truth, she might have stopped to be disgusted at the fact that she had spent the night with some man that she had met the night before, and had allowed him to know her in the most intimate of ways.
When she was satisfied that she had dug up as much as her memory would reveal, she wondered aloud. "And where the heck is Sirius, anyway!"
She walked around the room picking up her scattered belongings and dressed into her clothes from the night before. She proceeded to open the door of the bedroom into the halls outside. Even though she had been there the night before it was as if she was seeing it for the first time ever.
Passing the dinning room with a crystal chandelier she noted that he was not inside, and continued. He was not to be found in the kitchen, which was in desperate need of a good scrubbing, with pots and pans flowing from the sink, and garbage pilled high above the rim. When she couldn't locate him in the living room, complete with a huge television and two comfortable leather couches, she sighed with dismay. He was obviously not there.
Never having been in this situation before she was slightly at a loss as of what do. Should she wait until he returned, so that she could talk about the previous night? Should she leave? If she left should she leave her phone number incase he wanted to call her?
She thought about staying and quickly ruled it out. If he had wanted to see her he would have stayed, left a note, or atleast woken her up to say "good-bye" before his untimely departure. She was trying to deny in her mind the one thing that she knew that she could never truly rule out, that this was no more than a "one night fling." At first she felt so used, and dirty, until the thought crossed her mind that she had used him too.
She covered her mouth with her hand, as if to stop the thoughts but it was too late. She was no longer a quiet, reserved, bookworm. She now had a life, unfortunately, not one to her liking.
Resolved upon leaving she wondered if she should simply go, or leave he number incase her cared to contact her. She decided better safe than sorry. Removing her wand she muttered, "Accio, parchment. Accio quill." The two items flew from The small desk in the bedroom, and levitated in mid air in front of her, waiting for her to take them.
She hesitated a few seconds, wondering if this was a good idea, and finally getting the gall to take the parchment and place it on the table, and put the pen into her shaking hand. She managed to write a short note.
Sirius,
I am not entirely sure where the events of last night leave us. I was hoping you might clear that up. If you wish, call me at this number: 656-7236
~Andromeda (finally released from her chains, and wondering if it was worth it)
She read the note in her head a few times to make sure that it was what she wanted to say. Pleased with the way it turned out, or as pleased as she could be giving the circumstances, she placed it on the living room table, where he was sure to notice it. Standing up, she took one last look at her surroundings as if trying to make a mental image in her head, and with out another backward look she exited the apartment, hearing the lock click into place.
*~*~
When Sirius returned from his training that day he was utterly exhausted. "Alohomora." He told the door, and turning the handle he entered the room.
"Home sweet home," he said in a fake, cheery voice. He crossed the room to the refrigerator and swung open the door, "Damn!" He exclaimed in an exasperated voice upon seeing the refrigerator was empty, "I forgot, again."
He walked over to the Floo Book by the stove and located the number of the closest take out restaurant. Throwing some floo powder onto the stove it served as a sort of telephone, he made his order, and after checking to see that he had the money read he hung up the phone.
Five seconds later there was a knock on the door. The deliveryman had obviously apparated. Opening the door to a nice young witch, which he probably would have flirted with, had he had the energy, he gave her the money and sat down at the table to eat.
He sorted his way through the owl post. There were tons of bills, a few magazines, and a letter. He tore the letter open. He sighed. It was that witch, Delphinus, when would she get a hint? He had ignored her letters, sent back her owls, and even though it was against his normal procedure, had written a short letter in response telling her in no uncertain terms that it was over.
Entering the living room he collapsed onto one of his favorite couches, and proceeded to lift his feet, to rest them on the table. When he looked down he noticed a piece of paper below his left foot. Removing his foot to pick it up, he raised it to his eyes. In a matter of seconds he had read the letter and desolved into chuckles, "Still got it," he told himself as he crumpled up the paper and threw it into the garbage, "Still got it"...
*~*
Two months later, in September Andromeda sat in a coffee shop sitting across from her best friend Hydra. They were chatting lightly about work, the latest fashions and the most recent news about Lord Voldemort. Although it was extremely bad taste to discuss the Dark Lord in public, they skipped over those formalities because they had known each other for so long, and there was simply nothing to be gained from denying the truth to your own best friend.
Hydra looked up from her own coffee to notice that Andromeda's cup seemed just as full as it had been nearly twenty minutes ago when it had first been brought by the stunningly handsome wizard, which Hydra had pointed out his nice butt. Although she had thought it odd that her friend didn't comment or laugh at her remarks about the wizard, she had brushed it off thinking that maybe her joke wasn't very funny.
Feeling as though the conversation had hit an uncomfortable lull, considering the fact that when those two got together they could simply chat up a storm to top any hurricane, Hydra proceeded to tell Andromeda about her day. "First," she began, "Mr. Normand told me that my article on The rising stupidity of the masses who allow Voldemort to thrive, while living in pretend oblivion, was too controversial, then that cute wizard that I had been telling you about decided to ask out Jannett, my secretary, and then I proceeded to take off all of my clothes and make a little extra holiday money," she added noting that Andromeda was not paying attention in the slightest, her eyes beginning to look glossed over, and her mouth open wide with a bit of saliva dangling from her lip.
"Huh?" Andromeda questioned, seeming to come back to earth, and wiping her face with her hands while stammering her apologies towards a rather confused looking Hydra.
"An, what's up with you?" Hydra questioned, "You've been acting very oddly today, and it's not just today, but recently, like last time I saw you. You can't fool me. I've known you since we both started at Hogwarts, and you were never any good at lying. Well except maybe that time that you told Lucius Malfoy that you had seen him and Narcissa out on the Quidditch field, that shut him up for days."
"Hydra, I've been feeling so ill lately, I've thrown up nearly everyday this week, and I'm getting the worst headaches."
"Well, An, there's only one thing I can think of."
"Please, Hydra, don't say it." Andromeda pleaded with a look in her eyes that was so painful for Hydra to endure.
"I have to say it, An, because if I don't, you might to something stupid, and you need to keep your head on straight, now tell me have you been with anyone as of late?"
Andromeda was silent, it was as though the weight of the world was coming down on her, and with it her dreams, hopes, and plans were being ruined, ruined by the man, whom she had help such contempt, by the man who had never called her back.
"Yes," she said in a voice that hardly sounded like her own, "One guy, Sirius Black."
"SIRIUS BLACK! WHAT THE BLOODY HELL IS THE MATTER WITH YOU, HE'S BEEN AROUND MORE TIMES THAN THE MERRY-GO-ROUND AT THE CARNIVAL!"
"I was drunk, we met at a party, he never called me back, and I was being extremely stupid."
"THAT, goes with out saying," Hydra said in such a wintry note that she never could have imagined those words being directed at her.
The wall that had been closing off the emotions from the past two months suddenly came tumbling down. And with it came all the pain, the anger, and the bitter frustration. The tears could no longer be held at bay, and she felt as though she had no desire to hold them in anymore. Her head slumped down to rest on the table, resting in her arms, and she sobbed brokenly, sobbed for the "what ifs", and the "what thens."
Hydra laid a comforting hand on her head and said in a soothing voice "Come on An, its not the end of the world. And for all we know maybe you do just have a stomach virus, the only way to know is to go to the doctor, have you gone yet?"
"No," said Andromeda pushing back her hair, and using the table napkins to wipe her tears.
"Well why not?"
"Because until I know for sure, I can just pretend, I can just keep living my life the way it was supposed to be, before he came along, before it got so complicated."
"And what will happen, if you are pregnant, you know that you'll start showing, and you'll have to tell him. You can't hide from this An, you need to see this through. You need to muster up all the courage that I know that you have, but I doesn't matter if I know it, you need to know it."
"Well, if I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times, you're right, but will you come with me, I can't do this all alone, not yet."
"You aren't alone An, I can promise you that.
*~*
The time she spent in that room seemed like the longest minutes of her entire life. It was early October, and Andromeda had finally conjured up the determination to see a doctor. She was now sitting in the doctor's room, in one of those little blue nightgown things. Her feet touched the cold floor tiling and she recoiled, it was a chilling as the whole situation, and now she had to wait.
Hydra was outside in the waiting for her, and her thoughts kept drifting back to Sirius, an unworthy person at the least. If the results were positive how could she tell him. She couldn't honestly even try to convince herself that he would be happy or anything even close to it. He would probably make up some excuse and vanish from London all together, not that it would be a bad thing.
Her thoughts were temporarily disturbed when she heard the knock on the door. "Can I come in?" Came the voice of her doctor outside, Andromeda mused about what would happen if she said "no," but knew that this was not an option, and replied in a shaky voice
"Come in."
"I have the results." Came Dr. Grady's voice, a voice that said all to clearly how concerned she was, which was not in the least bit comforting.
"Beautiful weather," Andromeda commented, wondering if she could do anything to delay her knowledge of the results, it seemed so unfair that the world should be so happy looking while she was filled with such despair.
"Don't think that you can fool me, Andromeda," came the stern voice, but it was obviously just a joke, as the eyes of the doctor danced.
"I'm sure I have no idea what you mean," she replied in a mock confused voice. Had the situation not been so grave, she would have enjoyed this conversation, but it was too much for her to bear and in the end her need to know, got the better of her, "What does it say?" She asked, her face pale, and her eyes shinning behind a cloud of worry.
"It's positive, you are pregnant."
She no longer felt the floor beneath her feet, and the light slowly crept into the shadows before the dizzying feeling in her head took control and there was no more.
*~*
Her eyes fluttered open and she could feel herself in the plush armchair of her flat. The noises told her that someone was in the kitchen, but she was content to sit there with her eyes closed breathing deeply. The memories of earlier were as fresh as if they had only been a few minutes ago, and for all she knew, maybe they had been. She had no idea how long she had been unconscious.
She wanted to just sit there until she had memorized every fiber of the chair, but she knew that her attempts were futile. None the less every part of her body ached, and her mind was echoing the thoughts that she couldn't shut up. What would people say about her, she was so disgraced.
They would talk about her, at dinners, and on the super market check out lines, at Magicoware parties, over the phone, and when they went shopping. How did she know? Because she had done it all herself, in the past. Ironic, she thought, that these things would happen to her, she would have never suspected it, I mean, who would have?
"Hey sleepy head," Hydra whispered I Andromeda's ear, "time to rise and shine."
Andromeda opened her eyes and found herself face to face with Hydra, who was tucking a blanket all around her. "You gave us all quite a fright."
"Oh, I'm sorry, was my fainting inconvenient? How careless of me!"
"Same old Andromeda I see."
"Oh yes, exactly the same, in everyway."
"Come on, you knew what I meant. So are you gonna tell him?"
"I will, when the time is right."
"And when will that be?" Questioned Hydra a smile dancing on the corners of her mouth.
"How bout never?" Asked Andromeda turning her head into the chair, to hide her flowing tears.
*~*
NOVEMBER 1 1982
Looking at the Newspaper Andromeda lost all appetite for her cresant, which was rather unusual, considering the way she was eating nowadays.
The headline in big bold letters read :
SIRIUS BLACK SENT TO AZKABAN FOR THE MURDER OF PETER PETTIGREW AND 12 MUGGLES
Her head was spinning, and she felt as thought the world must be playing tricks on her. She read it again, and then once more, but it was obvious upon her fourth read that it must be real. How could she tell him now? She would never even have a chance to see him again. She didn't even know if she could mail him a letter. She doubted very much that any letter sent to him would actually get to him because of the seriousness of the crime, not to mention the fact that Dementors are blind. He deserves to know, her mind echoed you'll regret it if you don't tell him. Regret it? Regret it! Who gives a damn about that no good, scum! At that point even if she had, which she didn't, believed that he was innocent, she would have said, "Lock him up with man eating hippogriffs " anyway, because of the pain he had caused her.
She didn't need to read anymore, throwing the paper down on the table she ran into her bedroom, a few simple spells packed her entire belongings into one case. She worked quickly, afraid of losing her motivation. She called the airport and reserved a one way ticket to New York. She jotted a note to Hydra posting it on her door and another note to the super intendant leaving her payment until the lease ran out. Her note to Hydra
read:
Hydra
I don't know where I'm going, but I wont be back. I am getting a ticket to New York. I need to start again. Sirius Black is in Azkaban and I simply can not put this child through the pain of being shunned for the wrong choices that I made. You have been the best friend I ever could have asked for, I will never forget you. But I must do this, there is nothing you can do to stop me. Please come see me sometime when I get to wherever it is that I'm headed.
Yours Always
~Andromeda (the lady chained by what could have been, and forever by what wasn't)
*~*
SIXTEEN YEARS LATER
If anyone could have told Andromeda on that fateful day 16 years ago, that today she would be living with her daughter, in a quaint little cottage in North Eastern New Jersey, she would have told you that you were crazy. And what's more, she would have given you a whole list of lawyers who could help you out.
Yet none the less, there she was working for the United States Magic Regulation Department, and her daughter Gemini was a straight A student at the American Academy for Witches and Wizards.
It was on a warm day in late July, just after Gemini's recent birthday when she heard the knock on the window. Opening the glass to allow a beautiful brown barn owl with a letter attached to its leg, they received the worst news ever.
Andromeda, now 36 years old, opened the letter to reveal its contents, in a hurried scrawl she could make out the words:
Andromeda,
It has been so long since I have last heard from you or Gemini for that matter. The doctors say that my Liver Cancer is spreading, and no one knows when I will go. It could be tomorrow, it could be in two years. This is why I am writing to you. You have lived in the United States ever since Gemini was born, and I am asking a huge favor of you. Please move back here and spend the last time in my life with me, so that I might meet the Granddaughter that I have heard so much about. She could attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry while she was here, and you and I could do some catching up. Please respond soon.
Love Your Mother,
Cassiopeia
"Gemini darling," Andromeda began, noting the concerned look in her daughter's face, "Do you want to move back?"
"MOM! I live here! I belong here! NOT THERE! With their...their...their flats, and lifts, and trousers! Can't grandma move here! I've never even met her! Why do I have to sacrifice everything, my friends, my school, my memories, everything that feels so natural for someone I regard as a stranger?"
Andromeda was about to strongly unbraid her child for talking so poorly of her own Grandmother, and had it not been for the tears which she could see forming in Gemini's eyes, she just might have.
"Gemini," she began in a sweet tone, which was met by a look of loathing from her daughter, "do you remember last three years ago when you wanted that Firebolt?" Gemini nodded her acknowledgement. "Do you remember what you said? You said you would never ask for anything else. But then a year later you just had to have that complete collection of signed Chocolate Frog Cards. That was the last thing too. And yet let's not forget when it became essential to have those Teeny Witch Shoes that glowed and left a trail of stardust wherever you walked. What I'm trying to say is that what applies one minute may not apply the next. I always knew that those things wouldn't be the last things you ever wanted, but I went along because the look on your face was all I needed to know that I was doing the right thing. Now I'm asking you for something, and I can't promise it will be the last thing, and I cant promise it won't be hard, because it will, but can't you do it, knowing how happy it would make me?" She turned to her daughter inquiringly to see whether or not this request would be allowed.
"Argh!" replied Gemini, "you had to use the guilt factor, fine I'll do it, but not just for you, but because I intend to discover who my real father is with or without you. Unless of course you would like to save me the trouble, and simply tell me his name," Gemini prompted.
"Gemini, his name is just as unimportant as he is, don't spend anther minute pondering about him, because it'll be one more minute than he deserves."
"Fine! You aren't the only one who would know about this, maybe it is a good thing that we're going to see Grandma, maybe she'll have a heart." Her face looked annoyed, which was slightly odd considering they had this conversation atleast once every two weeks, and the result was always the same, so she had no idea why today should be different.
Gemini walked up the stairs to her room. Upon entering her room her heart filled with happiness at the familiar things and the pictures that covered the walls. She slowly picked up each item, as if she had never seen it before, and tossed it inside of her trunk.
Why, she wondered, why won't mom tell me who my dad is. Don't I have right to know? Shouldn't it be my decision, if I want him in my life? That's it, in London my one job is to find my father, and I won't rest until I do. Mom always gets this far away look when she thinks of him. She thinks I don't notice but my goodness it's clear as day.
*~*
In London Three weeks later, in mid August Gemini and her mother were walking down the streets of Diagon Alley. In and out of shops they walked looking for new textbooks for the next year.
She would be beginning school at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Although she was technically supposed to be in 6th year because of her age, she had been put in 7th grade to go along with her extensive knowledge from her former school, where they started at an earlier age.
She was browsing the book shelves for a copy of Your Inner Eye, and What's truly 'Inside' it, a guide to Divination when she saw her mom halfway across the store chatting with some man. Yet she had no idea what they were saying. Her mother looked so happy that she almost seemed as though her face was having a flashlight shown on it. Gemini desperately wanted to know what they were saying, yet she knew better than to ask.
"Well you see, its all in the wrist, simply twist and pull. See?" And the man stuck his hand into his cap and pulled out a bunny.
Andromeda laughed at his mockery of muggle magicians and replied "How do I know you don't have something 'up your sleeve'?"
"Well would it convince you, if I were to take off my shirt?" The man asked a devilish grin on his face.
When she finally composed herself Andromeda said, "I'm sorry but my daughter is waiting, and we don't have much time I'm going to have to leave. Nice meeting you."
"We should get together sometime for lunch." He suggested.
"That would be nice, we could meet here on September the 2nd after school starts."
"I'll be counting the minutes." He said in a joking voice.
"Don't try too hard, you don't look nearly as sexy when you're confused." And she smiled sweetly.
Turning away she went towards Gemini, who was looking at her knowingly. Normally she would have taken the time to throw some sort of sarcastic comment Gemini's way, but for some odd reason she couldn't wipe the huge grin off her face. Andromeda knew that Gemini must have put two and two together, but she was so overjoyed at the prospect of a date, something that she hadn't had in way too long that she didn't care.
They paid for the books and moved on to their next stop, for potions materials, when suddenly it occurred to Andromeda that she hadn't even asked this man what his name was. She had out of the blue gone up to a man, chatted him up, and agreed to go on a date him without even waiting to realize that she had no idea who he was. For all she knew he was an escaped Azkaban freak.
*~*
Sirius was humming to himself as he walked down Diagon alley. What a great month, first he had been cleared of all the charges against him when Petter Pettigrew was found dead, after having betrayed Voldemort. The silver hand attached to his arm had been enough on its own to convince everyone that he had obviously not died on the day when his finger was cut off.
After, he had been publicly apologized to, his adoption of Harry had finally been legalized, which meant that Harry had been able to move in with him. And now he was going to be meeting with a charming woman sometime soon to have lunch. The funniest thing was that it had seemed as though he knew her from somewhere, as though this wasn't the first time they had met. But he quickly shook the feeling saying that it had been 16 years ago that he was originally sent to Azkaban, there was no way he could have met her before then. Besides he would have recognized her name. Wait, a minute, what was her name? He racked his brain to try to remember if and when she had told him, and finally reached the realization that she hadn't told him what it was.
He was going to meet someone who he had never met before. Some one who could be some weird freak. And who he didn't know the first thing about. And the worst part was that he kept feeling that he did know her, but where from?
*~*
Okay, that was part one, what do you think? I apologize for any typos, after a while you get so used to reading your fic, over and over and over that you stop picking up on the typos. So now that you've read it, go on! AND REVIEW :) :) :)
If you review I will write another part in which we meet Cassiopeia, Gemini explores the house and thinks about who her father is, Andromeda and Sirius ponder if they should really go on the date, maybe they do maybe they don't! you'll have to review if you want to find out!