An Unusual Circumstance Ⅱ

Far over the hills, the town of Northwick resides among snow-covered hills. The town of Northwick is full of festive glittering, flashing muggle-lights set up in celebration of the festivities. Jolly Santa Clauses are flashing in the windows or large glowing setups on the lawns including a nativity scene. Green tinsel wreaths are hanging on the doors, bows, and wreaths winding around posts and gates galore. It was just an all-around merry spirit going about the town of Northwick.

The sidewalks and driveways of the residences are clean of snow having already been shoveled. On the front yards, there are scores of happy snowmen with crisp carrot noses and jolly expressions made from stones. Although one yard, in particular, depicts the snowmen in gory positions with one side as the triumphant victors with a missing nose, arm, or even face. It was the proud product of a rather creative and imaginative child, to say the least.

Yet across other lawns, there are dozens of snow angels and snow forts depicting epic snow battles. The children had long since retired to the depths of their warm home to enjoy a cup of hot cocoa. After watching a bit of telly, the children now all lay in warm beds dreaming of what tomorrow might bring and the possible gifts they might receive on Christmas day.

Past the golden windows that are covered in frost and further until the edge of town, there is a large cottage with a smoking fire chimney. The sidewalk and driveway are clear of snow, while at the edge of the house there is a workshop along with stacks of cut logs neatly stacked against the wall. There is a tan Austin Maxi parked in the driveway still in pristine condition considering it was only a few years old. Then again, the husband of this household enjoyed taking care of his car and waxed his car every weekend.

A faint pop is heard despite the late hour only to reveal a tall, thin hooded figure striding up the path towards the cottage. Inside the large cottage is a beautiful witch with dark brown hair and gentle, but firm gray-colored eyes. Andromeda Tonks was less beautiful than her deceased sister, Bellatrix, but still was a beauty in her own right. (Edward) Ted Tonks was a lucky man and envied by many of the local town's men.

Andromeda's head jerked up at hearing the approaching footsteps up the concrete path. She frowns and glances at the clock on the mantelpiece to see the late hour. Her husband, Ted had just finished putting their daughter, Nymphadora (Dora) to sleep. She was a very energetic toddler, so, it was incredibly important to maintain a routine with her.

Andromeda makes her way past the telley that is presently shut off and out into the chilly front hallway. She shivers at the faint breeze felt from the front hall. Turning her head to the staircase, she lightly raises her voice and says, "Ted is Dora asleep yet?"

A soft shush is heard from upstairs as Ted finishes tucking his little girl into bed. He'd just put his daughter to sleep and he did not want to deal with a cranky toddler! He tucks Dora's unicorn into bed with her, before pulling the covers around her, and closing the door to their daughter's bedroom.

Emerging into the hallway, Ted stops at the top of the stairs and sees his wife standing in the hallway peering at the door. He begins to quietly walk down the stairs. "Dromeda-," in his mellow voice, he is unable to finish his sentence as a loud knock is heard at the door.

Andromeda frowns at her fair-haired husband and asks, "Was any of your family set to come up this evening?"

Ted shakes his head in reply. "Mum and Dad are off on a holiday in Venice, and none of my brothers and sisters are free to come up until the holidays. Why did anyone call on the phone?" He gestured in the direction of the green, corded dial phone that hung against the kitchen wall.

"No, the phone did not ring even once today," Andromeda replied staring at the door and reaching for her wand. "And Molly nor Cissa nor my mother would stop by at this late hour unless it was an emergency. Besides the point, they would floo and not walk up to our front door."

"I suppose it could always be one of the neighbors," Ted murmured, but he also reached for his wand as he opened the door.

A blast of cold air sweeps into the warm home causing the couple to shiver, before freezing at seeing the tall, hooded figure standing in the doorway. Before Ted can cast a spell, the tall, thin hooded figure pushes the cowl back to reveal a dark-haired man with gaunt cheeks and ice-cold eyes that were devoid of any warmth. Before Ted can reach for his wand, Andromeda pulls her husband gently back.

"Ted, please allow me to present my other brother-in-law, Rodolphus Lestrange," Andromeda carefully explained. "The husband and widow of my deceased elder sister, Bellatrix."

"Right," Ted muttered under his breath not trusting the pureblood wizard before him the least bit.

"What brings you here this evening, Lestrange?" Andromeda pointedly asked as her gray eyes hardened far too much like that of Bellatrix.

For a moment, Rodolphus is unable to reply as he can almost see Bellatrix standing before him. A pang of agony flashes through his eyes like a shooting star. "It is of a grave, but personal matter. Might I be permitted to enter your home?" He briskly asked.

"Do you swear upon your magic that you will bring no harm to his household on this day or the next?" Andromeda steadfastly declared.

"You have my word," Rodolphus sincerely replied.

"Then you may enter," Andromeda said motioning for Ted to step aside.

Disgruntled Ted does as he is asked to and step aside for Rodolphus to enter their home. "Please take a seat," Andromeda gestured to the living room.

Ted closes the door after Rodolphus and sends his wife a questioning look. Andromeda's gray eyes remain calm and motion for him to follow. The couple sits together on the couch across from the seated figure of Rodolphus in an armchair.

Rodolphus studies the house for a moment. There was a strange muggle metal box-like contraction intended for Merlin knows what. The furnishings within the home are in dark, earth tone colors, but intended more for comfort than elegance. There were no enchanted portraits on the walls for the portraits were dead and stiff. He truly did not know how the muggles and muggleborn were able to live in such manner.

After a moment, Rodolphus attempts to be pleasant and says, "It is a rather cozy home." His compliment sounded more like an insult than the accolade it was supposed to be.

"Thank you," Ted drily murmured glancing between his wife and that of his previously unknown brother-in-law, Rodolphus Lestrange. Because if Ted knew one thing, it was that Bellatrix had tried to have him and his Dromeda killed after they eloped. The attack failed, but how could one trust the husband of such a fiendish witch capable of murdering her own kin in cold blood!