- chapter twenty nine -
A DAY WITH FAMILY

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NYMPHADORA WAS ADORABLE. Remelda had known that since the beginning of summer, when she had first met the precious toddler. When Andromeda showed up at the train station holding the girl with pink hair and Remelda had approached them nervously, half expecting the same welcome she always got from her own parents, which was still, calculating, and cold. There was no warmth with them, quick words and harsh grabs of the arm as they sought to leave as quick as possible, only ever conversing lightly with the Malfoys or Notts. But not Andromeda - she had quickly welcomed Remelda with a hug and a cheer about how excited she was to have the girl.

Nymphadora had babbled as well, grabbing Remelda's hair before changing her own to match the teenage girl, causing her to laugh. She was absolutely precious, a glimmer in her eyes showing that she had yet to know the true darkness of the world. It was a foolish wish, but Remelda hoped that the toddler would never know. She didn't want the sparkle to ever disappear.

Mid-July and she was back at the Tonks household. The two weeks with her brother, helping them ready their place was fun. She loved every moment, but she still wanted to see Nymphadora and Andromeda. She would always have time to spend with her brother, already had enough time, and she wanted to spend her time with other family members she didn't quite know as well.

Cartoons played on the TV and Nymphie watched intently, gaping at it in awe. Remelda softly smiled, glad to spend this time with the little girl who awed at the world, eyes lighting up. The toddler's hair was long and Remelda braided it, occasionally looking up to catch what was happening on the screen.

It was weird, braiding bubblegum pink hair, something Remelda never expected to happen, but she wouldn't have it any other way at the moment. Andromeda and Ted were at work, leaving her with the child that had grown to care so much about.

"Mellie, look!" Nymphadora pointed at the TV, Scooby-Doo landing into the cotton candy machine.

"I see," Remelda smiled and nodded, reaching the end of her hair, "Alright, I'm about done."

"Already?" the young girl pouted, growing up her hair even longer for Remelda to keep braiding, "There you go!"

Remelda chuckled quietly to herself but continued braiding, wanting to keep the child happy. Nymphadora watched the screen intently and the teenager couldn't think of a better day. Her shoulders weren't tense and she didn't find herself worrying over anything. For once during summer, she didn't have to think through everything, worry about the consequences, she could just enjoy herself freely. Freely, open, and without her heart beating so quick in her chest.

It was quiet between them for minutes, the episode ending as another began right after it. Remelda hummed every now and again, a tune from the music that Sirius had become obsessed with and played every waking moment at the flat. Then, she heard tapping. Remelda didn't think anything of it, letting it continue for so long until she heard a noise from an animal as the tapping became more consistent and much louder.

Remelda delicately let go of Nympadora's hair and muttered, "I'll be right back," before leaving. She went into the kitchen and found a barn owl at the window, and unlatching the window, stepped onto the counter and placed down the letter it held and looked at Remelda.

Confused, since she knew this was the owl that James owned and Sirius, along with Remus, used, Remelda picked up the letter to see quite fancy print with her name on the letter.

Her heart skipped a beat as she thought that it could, quite possibly, be Regulus. She opened the letter in a hurry and brought out the letter, a short little note with not many words.

Tea on Friday at Hog's Head.

- Ginger

A wide smile spread across Remelda's face as she found a notepad and wrote her quick response of yes, feeding the bird, and sending it back to Regulus. Carrying the letter, she continued to smile as she walked back into the living room.

Nymphadora looked up and saw the letter, asking, "Who wrote?"

"Oh, you've never met them," Remelda shook it off, but the child only pouted.

"But I wanna know! Is it Remy?" the small child always called Remus by that, finding it easier to remember.

Again, Remelda shook her head, "No, Nymphie, not this time. Though, he says he would love to meet you."

"Then who is it?"

A little glint showed in her eyes as she leaned down to whisper to the girl. "Someone very special," she said. It was probably foolish to tell this to a child, but no one would believe her. This would only be a fairy tale, "But you have to promise never to tell anyone what I'm going to say right now."

"Never!" Nymphadora promised, eyes wide as she looked at her cousin.

"There's a boy who is believed to be dead. No one knows he's alive expect for me, and now you too, so you can't tell anyone, alright?" the small girl nodded again, "It's very important this is never repeated, it could be very dangerous if you do. But he wants to meet me."

"Does he like you?" the toddler leaned in.

"Not like that, no," Remelda chuckled, "He does love me very much, and I the same."

"But how does he hide?"

"You're a very curious child, aren't you?" the Black girl leaned back, "Alright, you'll find him hiding in the form of a cat."

Nymphadora gasped, "So he's like me?"

Remelda nodded, "Something like that. A ginger one, specifically. But remember; you can't tell anyone."

"I won't, but who is he?" Remelda pulled Nymphadora onto her lap and whispered in her ear:

"My brother."

―

Remelda embraced Regulus tightly, probably crushing him but she couldn't find herself caring at the moment. He chuckled, pushing her back slightly to say, "I couldn't breathe."

Her cheeks turned pink slightly, "Sorry, but I couldn't help it! I haven't seen you in so long and I've missed you!"

"I missed you, too," his eyes were sparkling, skin a bit tanner, and hair looked freshly cut. Still, he looked at her and smiled, "You look good. Happier."

"I am," Remelda beamed, "I've been staying with Andromeda all summer, and she's wonderful, nothing like what anyone says, of course. And she has a daughter, Regulus! Her name is Nymphadora and she is absolutely precious. And I even got to spend two weeks with Sirius in his new flat, it's also wonderful."

"I'm so glad that you're finally happy," Regulus sat down with her following, "I would've come sooner but Italy was just so beautiful."

"The beaches must be great, too," the waiter brought their drinks and Remelda offered a smile before taking a sip.

Regulus nodded, "Definitely a plus. But school's starting up again, what are you going to do?"

"Suck it up?" Remelda shrugged, "I can't exactly not go, I need the education, but it definitely won't be too friendly. It's alright, though, I'll be fine. But tell me more about Italy."

"Oh, Remelda, it's just so beautiful. And the language sound so beautiful, but so do the people. I have to tell you, they look like Greek gods, really."

Remelda laughed, "Okay, okay, let's not continue with that. I don't want to know what you did with people like that."

"Well, that's all I did. And go the beach. Oh, the water felt so nice and it made me not mind the sand as much and I actually tanned! Never got one sunburn!" Regulus exclaimed. "But really, how have things been for you?"

"Wonderful, like I said. Nadia's great, like you said, and is great with Sirius. Always putting him in line," she didn't miss the sad look at the mention of his old friend, "But she seems happy, don't worry. And Remus is pretty great, too."

Regulus could see the blush on her cheeks from mentioning the boy, so he gave a knowing smirk. "Is that your way of saying the two of you are dating?"

"Maybe?" she squeaked out, "I was waiting to tell you when we met again, it just didn't seem like the kinda thing you write someone about."

"I understand, Remelda," Regulus chuckled, "And I approve, he seems like a gentleman. I mean, even Nadia liked him at one point!"

That, again, caused Remelda to laugh, thinking about how lucky she was. At the end of the day, she had everything she needed. Remelda had a family, a true family, surrounding her. A mother figure, little sister, the brothers and boyfriend and friends...everything she could ever want. It wasn't perfect, but as she looked at Regulus and thought of herself, how happy they were now...she couldn't be happier.

Maybe he was running, maybe everyone thought he was dead, but she still had him. Remelda knew he was safe from the darkness she always sought to protect him against as a child. He was there right now, he was there and he was full of happiness. The sparkle she saw in Nymphadora's eyes were now in her brother's again. That was all she could ask for.