Ultimatums

Chapter 37

Hermione arrived at the Tonks Residence an hour later than they had originally planned.

Euphemia had heard, from James no doubt, that Regulus was tangled up in the Death Eaters web indefinitely, and had tried to kidnap her. Kidnap being a strong word, but suitable nonetheless.

As soon as Hermione stepped over the threshold, a blur of mint green came hurling at her leg.

"Nia!" Dora squealed, and Hermione picked her up and sat her on her hip.

"You've gotten big haven't you love? It's been years since I've seen you"

Dora frowned "no it hasn't. I saw you before. Last time you weren't at school"

"All I meant,love, is that it feels very long." Hermione smiled, setting her down next to her in the armchair. "How old are you now?"

"I'm five" Tonks smiled toothily, before turning and shouting "Mummy! I'm hungry"

Andromeda's voice drifted from the kitchen "well you'll have to wait, Nymphadora. Tell Nita about your hair"

"Tonks!" Dora shouted back petulantly, before smiling again. "I can make my hair whatever colour I want now. That's why it's green. Mummy's favourite. I had yellow for Daddy yesterday"

Hermione's eyes widened "that's surely advanced for a five year old? You can focus on one colour? Amazing, Dora."

Tonks smirked as Andromeda walked in with trays. Hermione recognised the pattern as one from Grimmauld Place, but said nothing.

The rest of the day was filled with Muggle TV, board games (Hermione and Tonks had to be on the same team) and ice cream, before it was finally Tonks's bedtime.

Andromeda let Hermione get her ready for bed, so she picked the child up and carried her up the stairs. They brushed their teeth together while Hermione ran a bath for her.

"Nia?"

It was rather funny, Hermione thought, how many variations of her name there were. Mia was reserved for the Potters, Mione for friends, Nita for the Blacks and Persephone and now Nia from little Dora, who could never pronounce the t and had now just grown accustomed to it.

"Yes my love?"

"When is Reggie coming? I want to see him before I go to sleep"

Hermione sighed. "Reg can't come over this time. He's very very busy."

Dora pouted "What about Uncle Sirius or Auntie Cissy?"

She turned off the tap "I will write to Cissa and see if she can. I'll have to ask Mummy about Uncle Sirius. Now come on. I put in extra bubbles"

Tonks's frown turned into a grin almost immediately and she rushed to get in. When the bubbles surrounded her completely she asked "Nia show me the purple magick"

Hermione nodded and created a ball in her palm. She put the ball in the water, and slowly it started to change colour. First red, then blue, then purple, then yellow, all pulsing from her hand. Smells started to fill the bathroom, sweet ones like lavender or lemon.

Eyes wide, Dora clapped her hands gleefully "Another trick, another!"

"Nita's tired now, Nymphadora, let her rest." Andromeda said from the door, the smells having intrigued her up the stairs. 

"I'll do another one for you when you get in bed" Hermione said standing up, letting Andy wash her daughter in peace.

She wandered up to Tonks's bedroom, and not so long after the girls followed.