Soon All the Suns Will Rise

Wait for the Dark of Night

Chapter title from "Peacekeeper" by Fleetwood Mac.
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Andromeda's house was a quaint and cozy red brick structure with a bright blue door and thatched roof. Boxwoods lined the brick pathway and pink roses climbed the exterior walls. With Ted having been a Hufflepuff, his natural affinity for Herbology was evident. Apparently his daughter had been able to maintain it in his memory, as the late April foliage and blooms were in top form.

"Sirius Black," Andromeda greeted him at the door, her lips forming a wry smile. "It's been what, sixteen years? And you still make one wonder whether you're a cheeky scamp or a storybook prince."

"I'm his wife and I still wonder," Colleen responded with a light laugh, shaking the witch's hand.

"Well, congratulations on catching him, either way," Andromeda joked. She was a lovely witch— generally serious even when dryly delivering humorous jabs. She was strong and capable looking, with dark eyes as sharp as her intellect. Her resemblance to Bellatrix was undeniable but for those unique traits, those which gave her an unwavering air of stability in contrast to her sister's unhinged mania.

"Yes, Dromeda, this is my beautiful wife, Colleen, and of course you know Benji. And this is our dear friend, Rhiannon." Sirius shrugged out of his traveling cloak and assisted the women with theirs after Andromeda ushered them into the foyer.

Rhiannon waved nervously, her other hand grasping her wand within her pocket. Andromeda's hand tensed and flew to hers instinctively as well.

"The one who married Snape," Tonks's mother said with derision.

"I haven't explained anything to her yet about that situation," Remus said, joining them with a newfound spring in his step.

"Dromeda, the Snapes can be trusted," Sirius assured her. "But I say that to you in utmost confidence. We had been hesitant to say anything to you before, to protect their unique position, but Rhiannon was desperate to see the baby. I'm sure Remus can fill you in more later on."

Andromeda pursed her lips as if she were wanting to unleash a deluge of questions, but Remus's enthusiasm eclipsed all other conversation as he led them into a friendly, well-appointed sitting room. Perched on a sofa next to a bountiful flowering apidistra was Tonks, already much smaller, but noticeably more exhausted. She held a feisty baby boy wrapped in a simple blue blanket, and her mouth spread into a proud grin. Rhiannon, Colleen, and Ben descended upon her and the baby immediately, while Sirius moved to pull Remus into a hug.

"Congrats, Dad," Sirius said with a grin, and Remus beamed.

"He's as healthy as can be, Pads. And his hair changes."

"Dora's began changing immediately after birth as well," Andromeda chimed in. "Almost every hour on the hour."

"His name's Teddy Remus Lupin," Tonks announced over the chorus of murmurs emanating from Baby Teddy's admirers. "I think Dad would have been proud."

"He would have been grinning from ear to ear and pulling tricks out of his Weasleys' Wheezes bag to keep him endlessly entertained," Andromeda agreed.

"What do you say we celebrate with a drink?" Remus suggested pointedly to Sirius, his head angling toward the kitchen. Sirius followed curiously.

"Pads, I just wanted to tell you...I went to one of the Order's current hideouts, and I saw Harry."

Sirius felt himself tense involuntarily, but he nodded. "How is he?"

Rhiannon had told him about the narrow escape at Malfoy Manor. Sirius had been a bit miffed that the witch hadn't intervened more, but he understood it came with the territory of being a Snape.