5 CHP 5

Here's chapter 5. Had to rewrite this one a lot to get it to a point where I'm happy with it. I think it was mostly because of the Andromeda POV. Enjoy.

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I needed information once more. Who knew exactly how much missing knowledge could come to bite me in the ass? How did the Ministry treat Half-Bloods? Were they a deeply puritanical, bigoted institution or just a very incompetent one? How much power did the Purebloods really hold in the government? Were marriage contracts a thing? Admittedly, the last one was because I was daydreaming about all those Harry/Harem fics where I end up with all the Hogwarts girls as a part of my harem. I am definitely not interested in anything even close to that size, it's difficult for me to even feel sexual attraction right now due to my developing body, but I would be lying if I said the topic didn't interest me. Still, even if doubtful, I would like some confirmation.

Hogwarts definitely had a lot of knowledge hidden away in their humongous library but most of the juicy stuff was probably in the restricted section. Not a dealbreaker, with my newly acquired invisibility cloak, but risky nonetheless. I needed to know if Cursed Energy was a known quantity in Harry Potter. Seems like something that would be classified as 'dark' magic so maybe the Black library has it? Something to work on when available.

I'll need good solicitors regardless if I want any chance of him standing and winning a trial. I know in a lot of fanfics that the Tonks family, or rather Ted Tonks was a solicitor. Don't know how much of that is reliable knowledge, but Nymphadora Tonks was always a crush of mine, so it didn't hurt to try. Shapeshifting waifu, yes please. I didn't have much in the way of charm with my young babyface, but it doesn't hurt to try right? *sigh* I'm definitely going to get my heart broken. I might even be related to them if my grandparents are Charlus Potter and Dorea Black instead of the canonical Fleamont and Euphemia Potter. Andromeda probably doesn't have access to the Black library, but she is definitely born and brought up a witch so I could probably leech off of her knowledge. I could get a good deal of information from them.

The real profit would be if I could piggyback from Nymphadora and learn Metamorphmagus magic with the help of Merlin Reincarnated even with how powered down it is right now.

Many good reasons, no real drawbacks. I'll have to find a way to contact them.

Andromeda Tonks POV

She really didn't know what to do with her newest 'family member.'

She lost most of her family through death or crime; the Blacks were unlucky like that. But she learnt to enjoy the pleasures of the Muggle world. She had left a lot behind for love and freedom with Ted and she would do it again if she could. Her daughter was the loveliest thing she could have had and she wouldn't trade her away for all the Pureblood luxuries of the world. She had made peace with her family being reduced from the numerous elitists to the loving husband and daughter she had now. She was content with where she was right now. Her medical practice was going well, Ted's law firm was supporting their needs and then some and Nymphadora had decided to become an Auror. A bit too dangerous for her liking but well-paying and in the end, it was her life to live.

So, imagine her surprise when her husband brings home Harry Potter, the saviour of the Wizarding World and technically her first cousin once removed. She loved her Aunt Dorea but with her being disowned and tensions between the Potter and Black families being tense, they drifted apart and she couldn't find it in herself to gather the courage and talk to her. They would have supported her, of this she had no doubt, but Andromeda didn't feel comfortable adding to the burden she and Uncle Charlus had. Regardless, she shed many tears and regretted not speaking to them more after hearing of their death in the War.

Harry Potter was not like she expected him to be. He didn't have the excited energy that children his age should have, he didn't show much outward emotion and he seemed far too mature for his age. His guardians were absent from the picture and from the circumstances Ted suspected, that seemed to be a good thing. Children should not have to deal with that kind of treatment ever, and she could sympathize with him because her childhood definitely wasn't happy either. But this was Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived, it was a travesty that he was treated this way. Harry seemed cagey talking about his childhood, and pushing him would not be good, but the silence spoke words. Shouldn't there have been someone to check in on him at the very least? As it was, it seemed he had gotten little in the way of love and care and parenting.

That's not to say that he behaved as if he had a bad upbringing, not at all. He was courteous, soft-spoken, well-mannered; but it wasn't difficult to notice the hesitation with physical contact, his inexperience with touch from another person, how accustomed he was with doing chores too strenuous for someone his age. For goodness sake, he cooked better than her!

She thought he would at least have an idea on what the Wizarding World would be like, but it turned out he had essentially none, aside from what little he picked up on in Hogwarts. He was seemingly isolated from all things magical. Essential things like medical check-ups, make-up charms, letter etiquette and other small things you pick up. His base knowledge was worse than the average Muggleborns, considering how he didn't even get the basic introductory pamphlet they get as per Ministry guidelines.

So, she picked up the slack and taught him what she thought would be necessary, basic etiquette, common knowledge, simple spells that get taught from parent to child, even if he couldn't practice them outside school, just the incantations and wandwork would do for now. She was glad to know she was helping this unfortunate boy and enjoyed teaching him.

Ted enjoyed his company as well, seeming to think his precociousness charming. Harry came to him wondering if he could build a case around all the fantasy children's books that used his name without permission. Either demanding an exorbitant royalty fee or stopping them from publishing outright. It didn't end up panning out for the ones who had already published but they put a stop to any further misuse of his name. Ted invited him over for lunch once and that's when she first met him.

Nymphadora wasn't around much, she had Auror training and she came back visibly exhausted each evening, tired from her physically and mentally exhausting training. Moody was one of the best Aurors in recent times and he definitely didn't get there by sitting on his ass, the same mentality was being drilled into my daughter. She came home that afternoon tired, sweaty and undignified and was not expecting Harry to be there. Her hair shifted colours in embarrassment at being caught in her state, but all weariness was forgotten when Harry's hair shifted identically as if mimicking her daughter.

From there they were basically inseparable, walking around the house like a pair of Christmas lights. Nymphadora loved having a 'pupil' to teach and Harry seemed to enjoy learning from her. She loved watching them together, her daughter enjoying her newfound sibling, and making her feel regret at not giving her daughter some siblings to play with. It wasn't too late though, she was only in her fifties, and while that may have been too long if she was a Muggle, she was a Witch and she wouldn't stop being fertile until her 90's and living well into her 150's. She would enjoy rectifying the situation with Ted that was for sure.

He was definitely a part of their family now, even with how short their time together was. She didn't need to worry about him living on his own in Hogwarts, but come summer and she would ensure he spent his vacations with them. She would try her best to take care of her nephew, she would make sure of it.

And that brought them to now. She had brought Harry with her via Floo to the Train Station. She offered to take him and say her goodbyes. Ted couldn't make it due to work and Nymphadora regretfully had her training.

"Have you made sure to bring everything with you? Quills, parchment and wand? Don't forget to write to us once you get there. I know Dora and my husband aren't here but they definitely would've wanted to see you off. As it is, you'll have to make do with me." She said.

"Yes, Auntie. I have everything I need with me and I won't forget to write. Tell Dora and Uncle my goodbyes and thank you for coming to drop me off. I will…, I will miss you a lot," he replied. She would miss him too. Her eyes were a bit wet thinking of her daughter's school days and now her nephew. She didn't think she would've had to do this routine once again and the nostalgia from her daughter's childhood hit her hard.

"I'll tell them on your behalf, don't worry. You will be visiting us during Christmas as well. I want to get to know you better and celebrate together, we consider you family now. Get onto the train now, I'll start bawling otherwise and I can't have that. I have an image to maintain you know," she replied.

Harry surprised her by going for a hug, his experiences leading to his lack of comfort with social contact. It was short but heartfelt and she sniffed once before pushing him towards the train.

He entered without looking back and was lost to the crowds inside. She waited until the train started to leave the station before heading back, noting with interest the supposedly blocked portal to the muggle side of King's Cross. She didn't pay it much mind before heading to the Floo.

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We cover the waiting period before Hogwarts in this chapter. Tried building up relationships with other characters. We get on the Hogwarts train next chapter and finally meet Hermione. Sorry if the story seems a little slow, this just feels comfortable pacing-wise for me to write at.