Andromeda Tonks

Andromeda Tonks (Née Black)

[black-tonks]

Veritaserum Prompt;

[[ Your character has just ingested a major doze of Veritaserum, and has no option but to answer the following honestly. ]]

- What is a secret that you thought you would take to your grave until now? Something that nobody knows.

A secret? Me? Merlin, Teddy would have to be out of the country in order for me to keep anything from him...even then I’d probably send an owl. Oh...well, I suppose he doesn’t know who that friendly stray dog is....bit too late to tell him now, isn’t it?

- What is something that would surprise those close to you?

I’m quite a fair flyer! Though, I suppose everyone close to me now knows that, don’t they? I love to remind Cresswell about the time I beat him in a race. He reckons that Teddy was a bit of a biased time-keeper, but...

- What is your greatest fear? I don’t mean what form does your boggart take, I mean what frightens you so much even a boggart could not take that form.  (For example, Dirks’ boggart is watching his mother die over and over, but at his core he is absolutely terrified of never succeeding in life.)  

Pretty straight-forward but, well, there is a war going on and I do have a family. I don’t think I’d ever recover if something happened to them.

- What are you most self conscious about?

You know...people tend not to forgive you when you run away with the exact sort you’re not supposed to. I don’t regret anything but I definitely feel the most vulnerable when I’m around anyone from my...old life. Particularly Narcissa; I know she wishes I could somehow just magically come home. 

- Okay, lets get personal, Who are you in love with?  Do they know?

Finally a decent question! Hold on, I carry a few photos with me. They’re muggle shots, but you can still see how dreamy he is even without enchantments. Ugh. Look at him. Doesn’t he have the loveliest smile in the entire world? And those eyes! Merlin, as if anyone else had a shot. 

-Who do you most like to spend time with?

Here is a photo of Teddy, Nym, and her favorite cousin. Now if only I could get Sirius to see some sense and just move in with us already...

-Wha-   oh, it looks like your potion is wearing off, damn!

Wait--what potion? 

[tedtnx]

black-tonks​:

“Bit intrusive,” Andromeda amended, wrinkling her nose at the Northerner. Could he tell just how used she was to getting what she wanted? “And you’re a bit cheeky.” She blurted out, her mouth temporarily disconnecting from her brain. Another second and Tonks was sure to torture her with another slow blink, his long lashes brushing the tops of his cheekbones and smiling like it cost him nothing at all. The myth that he spoke of was so odd and faraway that she nearly had to stop herself from pressing her palm to the boy’s forehead, checking for a fever. 

“Marriage isn’t about love,” She said primly, affixing her eyes to the Ravenclaw’s dimple so as not to be distracted by the obscene artistry that was the rest of his face. “That’s what affairs are for.” Andi chanced a glance at him, half-expecting those bright green eyes to still be shining with some sort of secretive mirth. Every time he spoke, she felt momentarily startled by the overt differences in their accents–hers, very ‘posh’, very stark and proper. Yet watching his mouth curve around familiar words and making them all sound new again….  well, at once, she felt her cheeks go pink. Why on earth was she still here and spouting off her mother’s dowdy adages? Certainly she was only cementing herself in the lad’s notions of purebloods and their antiquated snobbery?

She sunk a bit deeper into the wobbly chair, suddenly aware of just how uncomfortable the wood was. “No one would believe you if you did ‘go tellin’,” Andromeda grumbled, fighting hard against a blush and losing miserably. It wasn’t exactly fair, though, what with Teddy Tonks looking radiant and beautiful and winking directly at her. No, you ridiculous pinup, you’re more than mischief enough. 

Part of him wanted to point out that he wasn’t the one in a hospital wing, seemingly uninjured, though he wasn’t so sure how that would go over.  Alot of people didn’t always get his humour, or didn’t see he was being sarky about ninety percent of the time. 

Tilting his head as she spoke, he had never thought about marriage in that way, it made him feel enormously sad that anyone would be raised to view it like that. His own parents were hardly owners to a romantic tale, but they did love eachother.  It probably didn’t seem that way to others, certainly not to his maternal grandparents, but Ted knew neither one of the Tonks would ever so much as look at another.  The smile that had been twitching on his mouth throughout their conversation faltered ever so slightly for the first time since he awoke.  “If ye think yer gonna love some other bloke, why would’ya bother in the first place? ..” He did know that purebloods married for other reasons, it was all bollocks to him.  Just parents living vicariously through their kids, forcing a loveless marriage onto their kin just so they feel more powerful for an hour.  “Ah don’t mean t’ sound like a tosser, but thats a pretty depressin’ way to look at marriage. Ah mean why bother?”

Sighing for a moment, was it relief that she seemed to be staying? Nah don’t be daft.  His smirk seemed to return as the Slytherin mimicked his accent momentarily.  A warm chuckle left his lips and he shook his head, proceeding to draw a cross on his own chest with his index finger.  “Cross ma heart.  So go on, what have ye been up to?”

[black-tonks]

Oh. Of course in one instant that it had all gone from coy banter to the inevitable doom that was her marriage. And of course Ted Tonks, even in the unsightly hospital rags, looking like he’d been carved directly from marble had the nerve to feel sorry for her. Merlin, self-immolation was becoming more and more appealing. At least then there would be an excuse for her presence in the infirmary. 

Andromeda had half a mind to turn around and flee back down the stairs to the safety of the dungeons, but found herself powerless to do so, propelled mindlessly forward by some force she didn’t care to name. Brain damage, likely. “Are you asking because you actually don’t know?” She said finally, feeling suddenly very small. “Or are you asking because you want to hear someone tell you that, in this regard, you’re better off?” The thing was, that Andi had never particularly given herself a moment to think of it--love. At least, not in that giddy almost restless way he and every other witch in their year described it. She’d known for years that she was more or less a bartering piece for her family and, after an early wedding and the production of an heir, there would be time for dalliances. But it was one thing to know and another thing entirely to accept. Though, as Tonks’ dimples--his sodding dimples!--reemerged, Andi realized she didn’t have any actual interest in the latter. 

“I’ve been hexing the mirrors in the prefect’s bathroom.” She confessed, having the gall to look apologetic. Really, she’d been after every mirror that Malfoy put his arrogant face to, each one spewing a different insult. Wash your hair, you loathsome git! Merlin’s Beard! I didn’t realize Hogwarts admitted trolls now. Not the most mature way to deal with an issue, but, well, neither was kicking a bloke when he was down. Andromeda chewed on the inside of her cheek, willing herself to reel...whatever this was back in. “And I don’t know what that thing you just did with your hand was, but if you tell anyone I will absolutely deny it.” 

[black-tonks]

A Howler

@siriusbx

Sirius Black!

There’d better be a damn good reason I haven’t seen your face in Mungo’s yet. And I mean you’d better be out slaying dragons or bringing Reg home because  Lupin’s holed up on a stretcher that still has his bony arse imprints from his last stay here and Mckinnon (you know, the girl you claim to fancy?) is unconscious. The idiot dog of yours splinched himself trying to drag Mckinnon in even though they both look worse than death.  Lupin’s lucky it was just his arm he left behind. If he was up for it, I’d rip him limb from limb myself for the audacity of trying to fight without a wand. 

Don’t you half-wits have some sort of alarm system that goes off for when one of you is daft enough to play chicken with a Death Eater? Merlin, and you dare to call yourselves brothers. Get the hell over here or I swear on Uncle Alphard’s grave that I will find you in whatever busty barmaid’s bed you're in and drag you back kicking and screaming. Better yet, when Mckinnon comes to, I’ll cheer her up with every embarrassing thing you’ve ever done. And trust me, Black, that list is long and comes with pictures. 

Get over here. Now! 

[tedtnx]

black-tonks​:

She lifted an eyebrow at the Ravenclaw. sensing the bite of another line caught on his tongue. Though Andi supposed that the long running animosity between Purebloods and Mud–muggleborns–was far from ending anytime soon, Ted Tonks’ preception was the first to truly get under her skin. Fucker. “Are you unhappy?” She said suddenly, then flushed at the familiarity plaguing her tone. Merlin, why not ask him when he lost his virginity too, you nosy tart? 

An apology hung in the air, though the pride of her upbringing would hardly condone it. Wherever she was, Andromeda suspected her mother’s hair would stand on end the moment one of her belongings stooped to not only speak to someone as lovely common as Tonks but to beg forgiveness as well. “I should go.” She murmured, not rising from her chair. In fact, the only thing that might’ve drawn her attention away from the unearthly symphony that was Teddy Tonks’ laughter would’ve been Lord Voldemort himself dragging her kicking and screaming. 

“You never will, you know.” Andromeda boasted, already reaching for the strap of her leather bag. “A good mischief maker doesn’t herself caught.” The witch hesitated slightly, questioning both her nerve and her healing hand. After a moment, she withdrew a small tin and tossed it to Tonks. Under Andi’s four poster, rested a large stack of books on herbal remedies—only occasionally herself the true daydream of leaving her parent’s home to become a mediwitch. Her little cousins had promised that the balms and tinctures she’d made for them were promising—but then, they adored her: they had to say so. “It’s camphor and peppermint. It ought to help with the aches you’re pretending not to notice.”

A boyish smirk grew on his lips, it was familiar on his features, though not quite as deep usual.  “Bit forward.”  He said, though he was obviously joking.  If you looked up the word forward in a dictionary, you’d probably find a picture of the Tonks family next to it.    Offering a small shrug, his smile never faltering.  “Ah’m no unhappy, just meant it would be nice to ‘ave parents who loved eachother.  Ah mean, me mam loves me da, it’s just not the sorta marriage ah want for m’self.”  Laughing softly, he tilted his head as if to say why am I telling you this?  Choosing not to embarras himself further by saying he wanted the sorta marriage where it wasn’t frowned upon to show love to eachother, like Dirks parents did and like his own grandparents did. 

“Don’t leave on ma account.”  Turning his head towards the clock, he knew that Dirk was unlikely to drop by again until after supper.  He pushed away the thought that he didn’t particularly want her to leave, because he knew exactly where that thought would go next.  Not that Ted was the sort of bloke who just became infatuated with someone easily, but the air around the Slytherin was different…. As he slowly became more alert in his hospital bed, it was slightly worrying how interested he was becoming.  

“Well, Ah’m not the sorta bloke to go tellin’”  Laughing softly again, he couldn’t stop himself from throwing out a wink in her direction.  Eyeing the tin that landed in his lap.  “Tough as nails me.”  He said cheekily, but gave a nod to say that he appreciated it.  “Shoulda known a Slytherin would be a dab hand at potions though…”  Lowering his voice slightly as he continued, “Is the mischief that ye’ve been sneaking into Slughorns supplies, because ah won’t tell.”

[black-tonks]

“Bit intrusive,” Andromeda amended, wrinkling her nose at the Northerner. Could he tell just how used she was to getting what she wanted? “And you’re a bit cheeky.” She blurted out, her mouth temporarily disconnecting from her brain. Another second and Tonks was sure to torture her with another slow blink, his long lashes brushing the tops of his cheekbones and smiling like it cost him nothing at all. The myth that he spoke of was so odd and faraway that she nearly had to stop herself from pressing her palm to the boy’s forehead, checking for a fever. 

“Marriage isn’t about love,” She said primly, affixing her eyes to the Ravenclaw’s dimple so as not to be distracted by the obscene artistry that was the rest of his face. “That’s what affairs are for.” Andi chanced a glance at him, half-expecting those bright green eyes to still be shining with some sort of secretive mirth. Every time he spoke, she felt momentarily startled by the overt differences in their accents--hers, very ‘posh’, very stark and proper. Yet watching his mouth curve around familiar words and making them all sound new again....  well, at once, she felt her cheeks go pink. Why on earth was she still here and spouting off her mother’s dowdy adages? Certainly she was only cementing herself in the lad’s notions of purebloods and their antiquated snobbery?

She sunk a bit deeper into the wobbly chair, suddenly aware of just how uncomfortable the wood was. “No one would believe you if you did ‘go tellin’,” Andromeda grumbled, fighting hard against a blush and losing miserably. It wasn’t exactly fair, though, what with Teddy Tonks looking radiant and beautiful and winking directly at her. No, you ridiculous pinup, you’re more than mischief enough. 

[tedtnx]

black-tonks​:

“I’ve tried, but it never seems to catch my humor. And–” Why do it yourself when throwing money at a problem was simpler? Somehow, she could guess that such a quip might go over as well with present company as it would her housemates. Andromeda flushed, feeling for the first time out of place with her family’s stature, though why a muggleborn Ravenclaw seemed to hold such sway over her was yet to be determined. An enchantment? Certainly she found the Northerner…intriguing if not…bewitching in an unrefined sort of way. Until he’d dared to open his bleary eyes, Andi had managed to chalk up her nightly visits to nothing more than teenage rebellion-another way to take the piss out of Malfoy. But she’d always known, somehow, that thinking too about it all would force her to confront something else entirely. Force her to think about the way the dim light of the moon caressed Tonk’s cheek as he slept. The way he seemed to bask in its soft glow, lovelier than anything even Michelangelo could dream. Even now, as his messy fringe fell into his eyes, glinting with boyish delight, he was utterly radiant. The git. 

“Cresswell, posh?” She balked. That paltry little flyer was no more posh than Sirius, housebroken only at Potter’s say so. Still, her timid chuckle met his, the witch surprised at how easily the sounds seemed to harmonize. “What does that make you then?” 

It’s actually really beautiful. Was Tonks…trying to pull her? Merlin, the idiot must’ve taken a worse beating than she’d thought. Andi tilted her head, her features aiming for a look of scrutiny and landing somewhere closer to coy. It was hardly her fault, she inwardly argued–no one could confront the boy’s dimples and still maintain any shred of dignity. “We’re all named after stars, yes. Save Narcissa, the golden child.” She closed her hefty book, vowing to finish the last few inches in the morning though it meant waking up before the sun. At least it gave an easy excuse to escape the gossiping musings of her roommates. Your bed was empty last night, Black, who were you getting off with? “My namesake’s allegedly known for its halo.” Before she could stop herself, a wicked grin upturned her lips. “A bit of a misnomer.” 

Ted had to laugh, and when he did the heartiness of it, brought his attention the still healing pain in his ribs. Sucking in his teeth for a moment, the pain was reminiscent of many a rugby injury.  Slytherin fucker must have managed to kick in there at some point. Kicking a man when he was down, seemed like a very Slytherin thing to do.  

Shaking his head, he offered a small shrug as his laughter tapered off. “Ah mean, to a muggle, Dirk’s pretty posh.  Compared to me anyway.”   He bit his tongue from making a further joke, which was on the brink of tumbling out of his mouth.  Said it so you didn’t have to.   “Rich…. happy, parents… fucker.”   Though he smiled slightly, it was something he had always been jealous of, the happy part.  

Tilting his head slightly as she spoke, he couldn’t help but ask himself why she was still talking to him.  Not that he had anything to complain about, the company was a damn sight better than Dirk wittering on about Winter, or if he was really lucky, Marcus coming down to poke fun, sometimes literally, at his healing wounds.    If it wasn’t for the fact that he had just woken up after god knows how long, he might have said something about being named after stars appropriate because her eyes glistened in a way that reminded Ted of the galaxies he would stare at from his parents farm.  It was probably just as well though, because the way she was looking at him was making it hard for Ted to process his inner thoughts, nevermind saying something clever outloud. 

Ted wasn’t really the sort to look away from things or people that he ought to, maybe it was because he had been raised as a muggle.  Despite the many beatings he had received over the years the term pureblood didn’t really mean anything to him.  Mostly, it just reminded him of muggles who came from rich families and acted entitled because of it.  Holding his gaze with Andromeda’s face, his smile grew slightly. “A misnomer?”  Chuckling, softer this time, he narrowed his green hues playfully.  “Ye abit of a mischief maker or something? Never seen ye in detention.”  

[black-tonks]

She lifted an eyebrow at the Ravenclaw. sensing the bite of another line caught on his tongue. Though Andi supposed that the long running animosity between Purebloods and Mud--muggleborns--was far from ending anytime soon, Ted Tonks’ preception was the first to truly get under her skin. Fucker. “Are you unhappy?” She said suddenly, then flushed at the familiarity plaguing her tone. Merlin, why not ask him when he lost his virginity too, you nosy tart? 

An apology hung in the air, though the pride of her upbringing would hardly condone it. Wherever she was, Andromeda suspected her mother’s hair would stand on end the moment one of her belongings stooped to not only speak to someone as lovely common as Tonks but to beg forgiveness as well. “I should go.” She murmured, not rising from her chair. In fact, the only thing that might’ve drawn her attention away from the unearthly symphony that was Teddy Tonks’ laughter would’ve been Lord Voldemort himself dragging her kicking and screaming. 

“You never will, you know.” Andromeda boasted, already reaching for the strap of her leather bag. “A good mischief maker doesn’t herself caught.” The witch hesitated slightly, questioning both her nerve and her healing hand. After a moment, she withdrew a small tin and tossed it to Tonks. Under Andi’s four poster, rested a large stack of books on herbal remedies—only occasionally herself the true daydream of leaving her parent’s home to become a mediwitch. Her little cousins had promised that the balms and tinctures she’d made for them were promising—but then, they adored her: they had to say so. “It’s camphor and peppermint. It ought to help with the aches you’re pretending not to notice.”

[black-tonks]

@misspurkiss​

“You’re early!” Andromeda groaned, frowning at the red-headed witch through the open door of their cottage. Behind her, a green-haired toddler was cackling with glee from inside the kitchen, holding the extendable nozzle of the kitchen sink like a cowboy’s pistol. “We’ve, er,” Andi ran a hand through her curls, a few droplets of water shaking onto the welcome mat. “well, someone doesn’t take too kindly to baths.” 

Luckily, she thought, or perhaps otherwise–Purkiss was rather unshakeable. Any notion of embarrassment that wanted to flood the young mother’s features was quelled by the sudden appearance of her old friend. It was the veela, she thought, that seemed to act like a tranquilizer on anyone that crossed the witch’s path. Even as Andi beckoned the visitor inside, she heard her daughter’s laughter morph into a delighted squeal. Dory’s here! Dory’s here! Dory! Pick me up!

[misspurkiss]

The chance of the half Veela being on time was slimmer than that of seeing a niffler chasing a dragon on the streets of muggle London. Her being early happened once in a blue moon, however, and often simply because she’d gotten her times mixed up. “Am I?” She asked in a dazed curiosity, but shook it off along with the confusion on her face, replacing it with a bright smile. “It was bound to happen sometime, I guess.” Only when she stepped inside did the redhead take in her friend’s sopping appearance. “That’s too bad, I thought she’d be all squeaky clean for me to do her hair with my grandmother’s brush. It was made especially for Veelas, you know, as not to pull out their hair.” 

Still, as the little girl called out her name and asked to be lifted, Doris couldn’t help but comply. “Hello my little Nymph,” Her words came out in a sing-song manner as she scooped the child up, resting her on her hip. “It looks like you gave Mum a bath instead of taking one.” She chuckled, kissing the girl’s cheek. It was quite endearing to her how the little girl behaved. Wild and free, just as Doris had once been. Except the redhead used her beauty, where Nymphadora seemed to use her metamorphmagus talents to get into trouble. What a wonderous thing it was to be so young, but sometimes Doris forgot that she wasn’t. Probably why she got on so well with Andy’s daughter.

[black-tonks]

Andi reached for a tea towel hanging from the handle of the oven door and patted it through her damp tresses. The witch widened her eyes, quickly flitting into the over-dramatics saved specifically for her daughter. “Especially for veelas?” She tapped a finger to her jaw, feigning thought. “Unfortunately, I think there are only little monsters in this house. What do you think, Nym, do you know anyone that might like to use a magical brush?” 

It was difficult, growing up as she had, not to similarly drench the girl in constant shows of affection. Perhaps, Andi guessed, all parents aimed to give their children what they all felt was lacking in their lives. Certainly the youngest Tonks was hardly lacking in terms of adoring fans, but her mother did worry about sheer discipline. Save for Teddy, hardly one adult in their life was willing to put their foot down--and even he could be bought off with a newly perfected modification. “If you give me a moment, I can put the kettle on. How are you, love? How’s Arkie? ”

[evxnrxier]

black-tonks​:

Andromeda hesitated outside the blonde’s door as if almost expecting a crowd of veiled assailants to spring from the bedroom. She cleared her throat, suddenly more unsure of herself than just a few moments prior. Even with the thin reed twisting between her sweaty palms, she was hardly a fighter. At least, not like Teddy. The witch flinched slightly at the sudden, shrill sound of the curtain rings scraping against their rod. For the brief moment before her eyes adjusted to the dim little cave, the room plunged into darkness. 

“Why?” She tutted, crossing her arms with a boldness she didn’t quite feel. Evan was quieter than most of their brood, somehow always able to maintain some sense of mystery. Though, more likely, it was the sheer arrogance of the other family members that seemed to stifle any confession he’d hoped to make over the years. Andi followed his gaze to the newspaper and furrowed a brow. What was him? The attack on that nosy reporter? ...must have word from elsewhere. Surely, he didn’t mean– “You’re the whistleblower.”

She pursed her lips slightly almost unable to hold in some semblance of disappointment. “I’d hoped it was Regulus.” She said softly, tapping her nails along the page–photograph Minchum batting at her hand. Andi ran a hand through her curls, tugging lightly at the ends. “Or wished it was, I guess. Just to know he’s still out there. I guess I thought you were…” She swallowed thickly, glancing at the haggard features of her cousin. Too fargone.

Evan felt as though a weight had been lifted from his chest and he could breathe freely once again.  Up until now, the only person who knew was Moody and it was driving him insane.  He was afraid to raise his gaze back to his cousin, unsure of what she would now think of him.  Less? More? At the very least, he knew in his heart that he could trust Andromeda.  It was all making him feel quite restless, which was an unusual feeling to the young man, normally he could exude a certain of level of confidence even if it wasn’t truly in his heart.  Raising a hand to run through his hair, as he thought over the many reasons as to why.  Pulling up his sleeve to show his faint mark, his gaze flickered from his arm to Andromeda.  “I never wanted this, I did it so Elsa wouldn’t have to…”   He trailed off and got to his feet slowly, the fabric of his jacket slowly covering the mark once again.  “You know what my father is like….”

Sighing heavily as he poured another drink.  “I thought it would be easier, to just do what they wanted me to do….”  Trailing off again, he shook his head.  “I couldn’t do it anymore… And Avery…she’s the purest thing to come into my life… I don’t think I can tell her everything..”  Stopping himself, he took a deep breath again before taking a swig of his glass.  Looking at his cousin again when she mentioned Regulus, he hadn’t heard anything about him from either side.  He knew exactly what Andromeda had thought about him, and going by the look Sirius had given him at the ministry afew days earlier, he thought the same.  “I’m just trying to do the right thing, thats all I ever tried to do…”  Sounding slightly more defeated he sunk back into his armchair. “I’m sorry.”

[black-tonks]

She gripped Evan’s wand so tightly she thought it might’ve snapped between her fingers. So that was it. They may not have been the closest growing up, but he’d assumed a kinship because of her supposed betrayal. This secret could only really go to her or Sirius and...well, no one would be wrong to assume that anything to pass his ears went straight to his pack of brothers. “It’s rather ugly, isn’t it?” Andi said ruefully, her dark eyes lingering on his arm. Though she suspected several family members and old classmate’s wore it with pride now, the snake and skull had long eluded her gaze. As his sleeve came to obscure the Dark Mark, she breathed out a little easier--surprised at the tightness in her chest. “Your father is cut from the same cloth as mine and Sirius’. Yet somehow we don’t have matching tattoos.” 

Avery? The coy thing from Ollivander’s? Merlin, of course this was about a girl. Because, as she knew well, no one in their family could make a decision without the support of some flimsy love interest.  Well, the small margin of pride she’d had in her cowardly cousin might’ve melted had his wand not brushed lightly over the gold band on her finger. Right. At the the very least, he’d the witch had managed to snog some sense into his peabrain. “I’m just...not really sure what you want from me, Ev. You can’t just...shun me for five years with the rest of our family and then expect a pat on the back when you decide that you’re sick of the Killing Curse.” 

[nar-cissablack]

black-tonks·:

“It feels strange when you say my name like that,” She murmured, wrinkling her nose. The glass containers clinked lightly against the ring on her finger as they were stacked into an open curio. “Like I’m in trouble.” Andi added, turning to properly look at her sister. Narcissa, wrapped in a swath of deep burgundy, dressed like a princess ascending her throne as opposed to a council member sitting in a folding chair. In the darkness of another midnight meeting, she might’ve gushed about the blonde’s loveliness or the intricacy of today’s braid. In so public a setting, however, the witch couldn’t seem to find a proper foothold. 

She raised and lowered one shoulder, idly breaking down the cardboard box between her palms. “My supervisor redistributed a few of the senior healers to the Janus Thickey ward following the attacks.” Andi chanced a glance around the now empty floor, save for a few snoozing patients.  “Actually, I’m a little relieved. It turns out I don’t quite have the stomach for seeing my classmates on a gurney.” She sighed. Then, nodding toward the elaborate robes, she fell into a near conspiratorial grin.  “Did mother send you a howler or a dung bomb for this one?” 

♕

It was clear her sister was taken off guard. As much as she still cared for her, she had to be formal. There was no familiarity in public. Even with a now empty hallway. She managed to keep her face calm at her off handed comment about their classmates. The elephant was in the room enough. Narcissa didn’t need to point it out. “I’m glad you’re able to be in a place that’s comfortable for you. I can imagine things could be very tense.” She was about to take her leave when their mother was mentioned. There was little else she would have stayed for. A smirk crossed her face before she spoke once more. 

“Neither. The last thing she wanted was to upset the social co-chair of the committee. They needed someone younger to make sure the correct people are invited. Lucius is working on some sort of gathering for fellow board members and a few others as a celebration of my appointment.” It was devious, almost cruel with how she was acting about her new position. However, present company would understand better than most. “We both know how my husband would not stay quiet if asked why she was not there. Mother knows it, too. So, there has only been silence. Plus, my mother-in-law wrote her a lovely letter of congratulations saying how proud she must be.” She took another look around before leaning closer. “I would have emptied our bank vault to see her face when she got that owl.” 

[black-tonks]

She tapped the box lightly against her hip, trying to maintain the level of neutrality that her sister had long perfected. Something no one had pointed out in her medicinal studies was that a healer was hardly given the luxury of choosing a side. If Alecto Carrow was next to come through the hospital doors, there was no space to stand back and let karma take the wheel. “They are and they aren’t. For the most part, the cases I see are benign. Some are even funny--one of the patients I see now is here because he hasn’t stopped hiccuping in forty years. Although...I suppose that’s less funny and more peculiar, come to it. I shouldn’t make fun, he has terrible heartburn.” 

Andi perked up slightly, delightedly if only to be given a reason to stop rambling. Narcissa never used to hold this strange sense of power over her, but now with the blonde swathed in posh robes and floating out of a board members meeting--well, something great had shifted. She laughed lightly, joining in more for her sister’s mirth than the strangeness of the Malfoys orbiting in and around her old family’s life. “I can already picture her setting fire to the parchment,” She hummed, catching the familiar scent of Narcissa’s perfume. “And she wonders where your penchant for arson came from.”

[nar-cissablack]

black-tonks·:

@nar-cissablack·

Over the years, Andromeda had caught herself staring a second too long at any fair-haired stranger. Would that day be the day she’d have an undue run-in with her sister and have to mumble incoherently through the exchange? Even after the few visits, the exchange of letters, the middle-of-the-night abduction on the part of her new brother, she had trouble quite reconciling the notion that Narcissa really was back in her life….at least in bits and pieces. Though…Evan’s more recent confession had been all the more shocking. Merlin, each member of their family seemed to be rebelling in the most unlikely ways. 

Still, as she caught the faraway whispers of the Mungo’s Board members reciting their congratulations to the newest attendee, Andi couldn’t quite believe it. Narcissa? Here? The office doors creaked open and she quickly busied herself with unpacking a case of dittany. Keeping on eye on the crowd of dispersing members, each one more wizened than the last, her glance stuck on the unmistakable features of the youngest Black daughter. Merlin, Andi thought, she really was leveraging that rock on her finger. When their gazes locked, she nearly dropped the box in her hands, the vials clattering loudly clattering together. It was one thing to have a clandestine run-in, but Narcissa Malfoy was a new being entirely. And one, she suspected, that wouldn’t take lightly to be accosted by her blood-traitor sister while the sun was still out. 

Narcissa knew her crusade was petty. Maybe even childish. But she had won. She had won and there was nothing her mother could do about it. It turns out Malfoy has much more weight than Black when it came to the board of St. Mungo’s. Not to mention the pureblood witches who just loved how she and Lucius were so in love they eloped. True, that had been the case. She did love her husband very much. He most of all would understand her using their story to her advantage. And here she was, one of the youngest board members in history. There was nothing her mother could say about her now. Not if she wanted to be invited to the fundraising events. She was leaving the meeting, dressed to the nines. Lucius had been kind and sent her to Paris for new robes. She had chosen a set that was deep garnet accentuated by the necklace Batty had given her. Not a hair was out of place, the blond locks falling softly around her face. She looked every bit the lady of a noble house. 

She had been speaking to another member when she heard a clattering just down the hall. She saw Andi, that familiar pain running through her. It was easy to excuse herself, noting how she would prefer to explore the wards a bit. “To truly grasp the good work being done here and what we can do to make the lives of both those in and those who work here.” She could tell it was the right move, the members still about nodding and sending her off with another congratulations. She waited until they had turned the corner to make her way down to her sister. “Andromeda,” she said, her tone light. It was hard for her to be upset about much of anything right now. “I had no idea you worked on this floor.”

[black-tonks]

“It feels strange when you say my name like that,” She murmured, wrinkling her nose. The glass containers clinked lightly against the ring on her finger as they were stacked into an open curio. “Like I’m in trouble.” Andi added, turning to properly look at her sister. Narcissa, wrapped in a swath of deep burgundy, dressed like a princess ascending her throne as opposed to a council member sitting in a folding chair. In the darkness of another midnight meeting, she might’ve gushed about the blonde’s loveliness or the intricacy of today’s braid. In so public a setting, however, the witch couldn’t seem to find a proper foothold. 

She raised and lowered one shoulder, idly breaking down the cardboard box between her palms. “My supervisor redistributed a few of the senior healers to the Janus Thickey ward following the attacks.” Andi chanced a glance around the now empty floor, save for a few snoozing patients.  “Actually, I’m a little relieved. It turns out I don’t quite have the stomach for seeing my classmates on a gurney.” She sighed. Then, nodding toward the elaborate robes, she fell into a near conspiratorial grin.  “Did mother send you a howler or a dung bomb for this one?” 

[black-tonks]

@nar-cissablack​

Over the years, Andromeda had caught herself staring a second too long at any fair-haired stranger. Would that day be the day she’d have an undue run-in with her sister and have to mumble incoherently through the exchange? Even after the few visits, the exchange of letters, the middle-of-the-night abduction on the part of her new brother, she had trouble quite reconciling the notion that Narcissa really was back in her life....at least in bits and pieces. Though...Evan’s more recent confession had been all the more shocking. Merlin, each member of their family seemed to be rebelling in the most unlikely ways. 

Still, as she caught the faraway whispers of the Mungo’s Board members reciting their congratulations to the newest attendee, Andi couldn’t quite believe it. Narcissa? Here? The office doors creaked open and she quickly busied herself with unpacking a case of dittany. Keeping on eye on the crowd of dispersing members, each one more wizened than the last, her glance stuck on the unmistakable features of the youngest Black daughter. Merlin, Andi thought, she really was leveraging that rock on her finger. When their gazes locked, she nearly dropped the box in her hands, the vials clattering loudly clattering together. It was one thing to have a clandestine run-in, but Narcissa Malfoy was a new being entirely. And one, she suspected, that wouldn’t take lightly to be accosted by her blood-traitor sister while the sun was still out. 

[black-tonks]

@misspurkiss​

“You’re early!” Andromeda groaned, frowning at the red-headed witch through the open door of their cottage. Behind her, a green-haired toddler was cackling with glee from inside the kitchen, holding the extendable nozzle of the kitchen sink like a cowboy’s pistol. “We’ve, er,” Andi ran a hand through her curls, a few droplets of water shaking onto the welcome mat. “well, someone doesn’t take too kindly to baths.” 

Luckily, she thought, or perhaps otherwise--Purkiss was rather unshakeable. Any notion of embarrassment that wanted to flood the young mother’s features was quelled by the sudden appearance of her old friend. It was the veela, she thought, that seemed to act like a tranquilizer on anyone that crossed the witch’s path. Even as Andi beckoned the visitor inside, she heard her daughter’s laughter morph into a delighted squeal. Dory’s here! Dory’s here! Dory! Pick me up!

[evxnrxier]

black-tonks​:

Even from a young age, Andromeda had never quite mastered the tactful art of saying ‘no.’ Black daughters, and likely all Pureblood girls, were raised predominantly to be decorative yet charming wives and mothers only. Anything outside of coquettish affirmations still hung heavy on her tongue. Though she gave her long lost cousin a hearty look of skepticism, there was barely a second’s worth of hesitation before her mouth quirked into a matching grin. 

“I don’t suppose you’re here to explain why you’ve all suddenly come stampeding back into my life?” She prodded, reaching for the blonde’s wand. It felt heavy in her hand, a clear indication of the wood’s loyalty and want for its owner’s grasp. More than once since fleeing her family, Andi had flirted with the more romantic idea of retreating into the Muggle world and forgoing her magical birthright, but such notions were dropped once Nymphadora demonstrated her skills as a metamorphagi. Still, it was daunting–this swift barrage of estranged family rushing toward her. Even if Evan came in peace, as he’d suggested, just the act of knowing exactly where to find her at any given time was cause for alarm bells to ring. 

It was the ‘please’, however, that caught her–a word she wasn’t certain she’d ever heard her family utter, save for barbed snipes at one another. Andromeda twirled the wood idly at her side, a few blue and green sparks glinting from its end. The stirring of unfettered curiosity, at the very least, moved her head into permitting nod. “Fine. Would whatever you’re hoping to confess be better said in private?” 

Evan wasn’t sure what to expect when he had purposely waited within sight of his cousin.  Had it been one of the others, perhaps the one with whom he had never shared any semblance of friendship let alone any sort of familial connection, it certainly would not have got even this far.  

The weight in Evan’s heart was almost tangible as his eyes searched Andromeda’s for a moment.  He wondered what she must think of him, if she had any assumptions, what her husband would think if he saw her talking to an estranged cousin. He sighed heavily and looked over his shoulder at her question.  Although it was getting late, it never seemed as though wizarding streets ever really slept, there always seemed to be someone lurking around. Nodding, he jerked his head to the side in the direction out of diagon alley.  Not entirely sure where he was going as he started to walk.  Ever since the night of the attacks, paranoia had really been setting in. 

Lowering his voice to an near whisper as he walked “My flat should be fine…” Weeks before he had charmed the walls and covered the place with protective magic.  Possibly a slight overreaction, but then again…. maybe it wasn’t.  His little flat wasn’t far from where their exchange, though it seemed to be miles as they walked in silence through the Winter night.  His door opened as it recognised his touch, and closed quietly behind them both.  It wasn’t much, for someone from a family such as his it was fairly modest, though barely lived in.  Making his way straight for the curtains he pulled them closed and took a breath.  He definitely must have looked horrendous to someone who didn’t yet know what was plaguing him.   “I can’t say it out loud….” He said finally breaking the silence.   Scratching his head as he tried to figure how to tell his cousin without saying it aloud.  

There was a copy of the daily prophet on his coffee table, just under the window. ‘Failed attempt by Death Eaters on New years eve, sources believe the Ministry must have got word from elsewhere, nothing has been confirmed.’   Looking down at the paper as the front cover showed an enchanted picture of old Minchum before he resigned outside the untouched Ministry on new years day.   Nodding at the paper, Evan simply said “It was me.”   As he waited for his cousin to connect the dots, he poured himself and Andromeda a firewhisky and collapsed into one of the two armchairs.

[black-tonks]

Andromeda hesitated outside the blonde’s door as if almost expecting a crowd of veiled assailants to spring from the bedroom. She cleared her throat, suddenly more unsure of herself than just a few moments prior. Even with the thin reed twisting between her sweaty palms, she was hardly a fighter. At least, not like Teddy. The witch flinched slightly at the sudden, shrill sound of the curtain rings scraping against their rod. For the brief moment before her eyes adjusted to the dim little cave, the room plunged into darkness. 

“Why?” She tutted, crossing her arms with a boldness she didn’t quite feel. Evan was quieter than most of their brood, somehow always able to maintain some sense of mystery. Though, more likely, it was the sheer arrogance of the other family members that seemed to stifle any confession he’d hoped to make over the years. Andi followed his gaze to the newspaper and furrowed a brow. What was him? The attack on that nosy reporter? ...must have word from elsewhere. Surely, he didn’t mean-- “You’re the whistleblower.”

She pursed her lips slightly almost unable to hold in some semblance of disappointment. “I’d hoped it was Regulus.” She said softly, tapping her nails along the page--photograph Minchum batting at her hand. Andi ran a hand through her curls, tugging lightly at the ends. “Or wished it was, I guess. Just to know he’s still out there. I guess I thought you were...” She swallowed thickly, glancing at the haggard features of her cousin. Too fargone.

[black-tonks]

@ravenclawspride​

The soft chime of a bell rang overhead as Andromeda crowded into the wand shop. Though it had been weeks since the last onslaught of attacks, Diagon Alley still hadn't returned to its usual crowds. Even some of her collegues had been anxiously flitting to and from the sickbeds, worrying if their calling appeared somehow as a sort of alliance. What menial action was enough to warrant the vengeful spirit of the witches in wizards calling themselves His army? "Hello?" She murmured, combing through the mess of snowflakes matting her curls.

"Avery? Mr. Ollivander?" Somehow just being in the shop tended to make her feel like an adolescent once again, despite being poor than peers with the young wandmaker. One false move and her own trademark inelegance might topple a display the wizard had no doubt spent the better part of the morning pouring over. "I got an owl yesterday that said my order might be finished? I apologize for coming so close to closing, I'm afraid my daughter had a bit of a tantrum. Hard to keep a time table with a toddl--oh! There you are!"

[indulgcnt]

black-tonks​:

There were so many wonderful musings about how the world seemed to alter for Nymphadora. The few winters since her coming had been warmer, the summers longer and even the most frigid members of the Black family had started to unclench their brittle jaws. None of these revelations, however, could be offered to Amycus Carrow, seemingly more miserable now than he had been every day of their courting. Andromeda had hoped, consoled herself even, that the man was more frustrated with the obligation of betrothal rather than his parent’s choice in matchmaking. But now as her eyes lingered over his tight lips she could remember just how mechanically they’d acted–guessing at a mixture of business and affection. The few performative gestures they’d made toward one another had felt as emotive as metal pieces sliding into place. “I’m sure you’ll find out for yourself soon enough.” 

Despite his typically taciturn leanings and the perfected callousness he’d no doubt perfected for every witch or wizard beneath his station, Andi still a sharp pang shoot through her chest at his words–somehow she’d managed to keep the strange soft spot reserved for him  even after such a tumultuous separation. “Your–?” Her cheeks reddened, embarrassed at just how far from the social strata she’d fallen. “I hadn’t heard. Congratulations, Am.” I’m sure you make a lovely husband, she wanted to say, or you would if you weren’t sitting on the wrong side of history.

Amycus tiptoed around her in an attempt to avoid putting her off, not that he’d want anyone to know that. He’d imagined that she had a life that she’d imagined for herself that did not involve him. At the time, the young wizard wanted nothing more than to be able to find a place in that life that didn’t derail her. His entire upbringing had lead to this arrangement, and despite all of the preparation, he’d blown it. It wasn’t as though he’d been the best of company at the time. Keeping so close to his sister that the assumption had been he had little worth saying. Not that in the throws of his current misery, he was any better. “One can only hope.”

Over time he’d learned to speak fondly of the woman he despised. Where Andromeda had at least feigned interest in him, there was no need for pleasantries between the two. The younger Carrow’s slept apart and hardly spoke to each other. Nights, when they did, were spent shouting at each other until the early hours of the morning. His face lit up with practiced affection. “Thank you. Our wedding was small, so it’s not the most common of knowledge.”

[black-tonks]

Andromeda’s eyes raked swiftly yet skeptically over the man--taller than he used to be and more gaunt now. Amycus Carrow had grown out of his lanky reticence as a student and schooled his features into something more refined, almost statuesque. She could half picture his sharp jaw along the hardcover of Narcissa’s Greek myths. Though, nearly every heir to a Pureblood name seemed to wear the same masks (visible or otherwise, though likely he’d mastered both.) Her mouth tipped upward, matching his insincere expression--more grimace than grin. “I guess I’m honored to be in on the secret then.” She said finally, struggling to string enough cheerful words together to force a conversation that so clearly disinterested her companion.Nearly any other ghost from her house and Andi would’ve lobbied for photos though she suspected Amycus would read it as a slight--if he bothered to think of her as anything at all. 

“Well? Are you going to keep me on these pins and needles or are you going to tell me who--” She shifted her weight slightly. before feeling the slush beneath her boots break into slick sheets of ice. “Oh, careful!” She yelped, bracing her fall on the wizard’s crossed arms, barreling into his bony frame with all the grace of a startled bull. If possible, her skin blotched even further into burgundy. Merlin, where was that nosy reporter when you needed him? This was certainly photo op for the ages--Andromeda Tonks, JILTER! BLOOD-TRAITOR! PERVERT?

[crexswell]

black-tonks​:

Andromeda grabbed at her friend’s arm just as they’d crashed, her grip loosening as she recovered a foothold. “Thought a few years on the Quidditch team might’ve given you reflexes than that.” She grumbled, tilting her head. “No wonder my house always won.” Cresswell was another figure in her life that her adolescent self never would’ve spared a second glance. Since her alleged mutiny, a great unlearning of many prejudices had commenced due mostly to Ted’s influence. Though she suspected that when her ridiculous questions became a little too grating, he invited his best mate over to act as a buffer. Cresswell, did you know that firelegs only do one thing? The Prophet called them a metal wand, but that’s not quite right, is it? And a tv remote is also not a Muggle wand–learnt that one today! And no one is actually sitting around in the telly waiting for you to turn it on–it’s not like a moving portrait! Hey–how does a microwave work? I read that it has to do with that American and the lightning rod but I don’t really understand how–what, Teddy, why are you laughing? She offered the ex-Ravenclaw a warm but dubious look. “Something on your mind? You look a little peaky.”

Dirk had spent more than his fair share of time over at the Tonks household, though admittedly not recently.  He gave Andy a friendly smile, and tilted his head slightly.  “If i remember correctly, when I was keeper, Slytherin only beat us twice, both times I was on the bench….”  He paused and proceeded to laugh softly.  It had been a while since he played, but there was still competitive streak in there somewhere. He had tried to get Ted to join the house team as a beater, but he was just so accident prone, he fell off his broom more often than not, and couldn’t seem to fly in a straight line, which wasn’t for Dirks lack of trying to train him.  “No sorry, I’m just fine, just needed to clear my head, guess i was more lost in my thoughts than I realised.  How are you getting on anyway? Hows the little one?”

[black-tonks]

Andromeda rolled her eyes before she could fully stop herself. Over the years, she’d learned that some Muggle teams tended to draft decent players right out of college--perhaps the Sorting Hat held a similar agenda, neither her spouse or Cresswell were what one might call a typical Claw. “Still swept the cup more times though. I’d say that’s what really matters.” She nodded slowly, though the skeptical expression hardly budged. For one supposedly so clever, Dirk had as easy a time masking his inner turmoil as Nymphadora did her pink hair. “Driving Ted up the walls, I expect. She got a broom last month. Any chance you’ve a free weekend to give her a proper lesson? Might tug you out of whatever funk you’ve wandered into.” 

[black-heiress]

black-tonks​:

Andromeda’s shoulders sagged. Was it a relief to know that the reason Narcissa hadn’t responded to her letters was that she simply hadn’t seen them? No, Lucius’ deceit rattled her. Though their sister was stubborn enough to believe she understood the complications of her betrothal, it seemed the other Blacks were less convinced. “I’d wondered if writing had been unwelcome.” She said softly, running a hand through her curls. A girlish gesture, though in Bella’s presence Andi felt as though she reverted to her adolescence–a teenager squirming under her elder sibling’s gaze. 

Her glance shot to her sister’s, almost fearing the scrutiny. Metamorphagi were rare and, in some historical cases, known for being hunted or studied–a cruel fate for anyone. Though with Nymphadora’s inability to fully control when or how her appearance altered, the secret would’ve been hard to keep without quarantine. “She is,” Andromeda nodded. “Bit of a shock the first time it happened. She was born with a mop of bright pink hair.” 

With the sudden circling of estranged relations, it was difficult not to think something must be brewing. Did Bella or Narcissa know of another attack–worse than the last–and come to bid her a last farewell? Was every second passing a countdown to the doom of her remarkable family? “He and I used to be close.” The witch offered ruefully. “Or as close as one can be to a gremlin. Don’t judge me too harshly for it–our house was small that year. But…I’d imagine he said whatever he thought would harm you worst.” The constant tears of the Nott girl flickered briefly in her mind. She, too, had been as taken with the the lecherous cur as Narcissa seemed to be. “His fault for forgetting your impenetrability.” 

“No, I do not believe for a moment that it was unwelcome.” It had been risky, though, and she wondered if Andromeda realised that, or if she knew and simply didn’t care. It couldn’t be the latter, surely… not with her daughter to look out for now. There was more than ever at stake for the young woman, and Bellatrix could not imagine she would be so reckless as to knowingly do something that would put her child at risk. “She actually showed me the photo. We all look so young.” They had been so young. Young and innocent, before life had pulled them in different directions. It seemed like a lifetime ago, and she supposed in a way it was. 

She couldn’t help but laugh at the image her sister’s words painted in her mind. “I can certainly imagine that being a shock!” Most people seemed surprised enough when their child was born with any hair, let alone that hair being bright pink. In the back of her mind, a little voice reminded her that if circumstances had been different, she could have been there with her sister when the discovery was made. She could have been at her side, marvelling at the unexpected gift possessed by the newborn and delighting as they watched her grow and discover more of her ability. Life had not dealt them that hand though, and instead it had taken her this long to even be able to see her niece. Would she ever get the chance to see her again? She hoped so, but she also knew that she couldn’t put herself or them at risk. 

Her nose scrunched up slightly as she pulled a face, shaking her head. “Small house or not, I have no idea how you tolerated him so much,” she chuckled. Personally she had never cared much for him; his attachment to her youngest sister and recent behaviour towards her only fuelled her distaste. “I don’t doubt that you’re right. Unfortunately for him, his words were little more than scratches to me. He’ll have to do a lot better if he really wants to get under my skin.”

[black-tonks]

Andromeda squinted slightly; an athlete waiting for the next assault to fly. Narcissa, golden child she was, had always been the easiest to read. Perhaps the unwavering protection of two elder witches allowed a safe space for vulnerability, but every second of Bella’s movements, every upward cadence felt like a difficult query that even the brightest mind might struggle to solve. “It’s kind of you to say, given...” A sudden ringing of her daughter’s laughter momentarily drew her gaze upward, thankful for a reason not to delve into the reason behind the scorch-mark where her name once lived on the family tapestry. “I confess, I stole that photo album back in seventh year.” 

She nodded slowly, still perplexed at the very sight of her sister. When they were younger, the darker haired pair were so alike many assumed them to be twins. Bella’s fealty and grace were intimidating enough to want to emulate, certainly. But the more time spent away from the Manor only allowed Andromeda to see just how much of her childhood had been spent trying and failing to fit herself into her sister’s shadow. “She’s a menace,” The mother said fondly. “The more stunned you are, the more delighted she is.” The image of Nymphadora diving into Narcissa’s arms, curling her clumsy thumbs into her aunt’s yellow hair. Andromeda’s gaze flitted upward one more. “Did you want to meet her? I think I have a spare broom in the shed, if you want...I mean, if you have the time.” 

Though the sentence of betrothal was a heavy burden for nearly every young Pureblood, it was difficult to actually confront the verdict of one’s future spouse. For years, Andromeda had held her tongue against Malfoy’s cruelty, his sour moods, his impish insults all in the off chance that some horrible twist of fate would intertwine their hands. Bullheaded as she was, Bella might comprehend the plight but true understanding was difficult to achieve without having endured the trauma of it. “We were just reading the fable of the boiled frog. Do you know it?” She arched a brow at her near reflection. “According to the myth, if you put a frog suddenly into boiling water, it will jump out. But if you put it in cold water and bring it slowly to a boil, it won't perceive the danger and will allow itself cooked to death. Forgive the rambling, my interactions with adults are typically limited to invalids. But what I mean to say it that...well, it turns out you can tolerate quite a lot if you spend your whole life denying what’s happening.” 

[black-tonks]

Mirror of Erised

If your character looked into the mirror of Erised at this point in their life, what would they see?

Absolutely nothing out of the ordinary. Perhaps the twinge of fear that sits on Andromeda’s chest would be just a little lighter, but, for the most part--the life she has is better than anything she ever could’ve allowed herself to hope for. 

Would what the mirror shows them, be a surprise even to them?  And if not, why not?  Would they be accepting and know what they would see?

The surprise might be in the absence of her estranged family members. While her sisters still feel like missing limbs, Andromeda knows that their return to her life comes with many, many strings attached. 

Are your character’s desires attainable?  And if not, why not?

The anxiety that festers in both body and mind likely won’t go anywhere until the end of the war, but no one knows better than Andromeda Tonks that the long battle for equal rights in the Wizarding World will far outlast them all. 

Do you think they would be likely to waste away infront of the mirror, or do you think your character wouldn’t accept the mirrors image?

It’s possible Andi might not even notice a difference between that and any other reflection. Were she to really stop and gaze into the gilded vanity, her musings would only get so far before the happy chirp of her daughter or the ridiculousness of her partner’s Northern tongue stole her attention rightfully away.