Unexpectedly Expecting

19: Trouble In Paradise

Andromeda

The Prince Manor stood like a dark brooding castle creeping on to the edge of its cliffside, and her husband Ted Tonks stood beside Andra as she preferred to be called. Harry and Remus Lupin were already at the Manor with Ginny and Nymphadora, and what an odd family that was. But of course, it was no more odd than the current owners of this gothic mansion, being that of Headmaster Snape and his young bride Hermione.

"Are you sure he's not a vampire, Andra? He certainly lives like he's one," Ted commented as they made their way up the beach stairs to the stone circular driveway and to the front door. "I've never known Severus Snape to not live as if he had one foot in a Poe or Lovecraft novel in school."

Andra laughed, "I think we can rule out the vampire thing since his wife is pregnant, though not by either of their choice."

He rolled his eyes. "They still weren't taking precautions. I'm just surprised I'm even allowed to darken their doorstep since I'm a muggleborn."

"His wife is like you, Ted."
"I didn't know that."
"Now you do."

Andromeda knocked on the door with the imposing dragon door knocker, and an intense looking house elf wearing a butler uniform looked up at them. "Names?"

"Mr and Mrs Tonks."

The elf looked at his clipboard and nodded. "Ah yes, Lark has you listed here. Go right along inside if you please."

"Where might we find our hosts?" Ted asked.

Lark scowled in a very Snape-like way. "Lark wasn't aware that Master had to report his actions to you. But unlike you, Lark can just bar you from darkening Master and Mistress Prince's doorstep further."

Andromeda sighed heavily, summoning all of her patience, "Fine, fine. Where is my daughter Nymphadora located?"

"In the gardens, last Lark knew with either of her....wizards," The house elf butler said with distaste.

"Thank you. Ted, let's go."

"Alright, dear. Do you know where the gardens are?" He asked when they were alone.

Andra nodded. "Of course. You forget that my family and the Princes were allies for years. It's just as much of a maze there as in the rest of the house, though."

"I'll follow your lead then..."

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The Prince gardens were just as peaceful and orderly as she remembered them as a girl, although they weren't as restored as they were in the process of being as they were currently, which was surely an influence of the lady of the house.

She heard the sounds of water being splashed in one of the water fountains up ahead, and she went to the sound of that. Ted got out his wand, and put it away when he saw that the Weasley girl, and Dora was in a splash fight with Harry Potter and Remus Lupin. Mr Potter didn't bother to wear his glasses any more, because he didn't need them, but wore plastic ones in public to maintain that trademark Potter look. Dora was clearly sporting her pregnant belly, but Ginny was helping her to gain up on the two wizards.

Lupin put up his hands in mock defeat, clearly choosing to shave off that horrid 70's pornstar mustache for the holiday. "Alright, alright! You ladies win! What say you, Harry?"

Harry kissed Lupin's lips lightly. "I think a rematch should be in order, but I won't risk Teddy any more than necessary, so it's a draw."

Ginny frowned at the kiss, but brightened up when Harry kissed her. Remus kissed his wife, and then Ginny. "Are you ready to confront her?"