"Yes," Andromeda said. The fireplace crackled. It gave off a warm dim light in her living room.
Tam had primly settled himself in an armchair directly to Miranda's right. Albus Dumbledore sat in the other armchair, while Miranda and Andromeda took the couch. Steam rose from cups of tea and a laid on the table between them. Andromeda had light brown hair and hooded eyes. She twirled a large ring in her fingers. It represented a snake that curled and climbed, making two full rotations across the wearer's finger. The silver was blackened and aged.
"Yes. It most certainly did belong to him." Andromeda said.
"But what in Merlin's green pair of gloves was Anubius Malfoy's ring doing in an abandoned hospital on the outskirts of Norway?" Miranda asked.
"I... don't know much. My cousin, Narcisa, probably knows a lot more, but they kept it all quiet. The malady that claimed Mr. Anubius at the end was an awful one." She shivered visibly, even though the room was warm.
"He couldn't tell friend from family. He started forgetting, he grew paranoid. I believe this began while he was still in You-Know-Who's service. He never liked what he was doing, but he was afraid of leaving. All his family and friends were on His side. One too many duels. One too many fights. Or perhaps he suffered too many injuries. Mr. Malfoy's mind started to unravel. I think You-Know-Who freed him of service, finally. He did not kill him as he had proved a useful servant up until then, but was not reliable any longer. His mind degraded at such a pace that they didn't even think it necesary to erase his memory of all their plans."
Andromeda took a sip of tea, then continued.
"They took him to Norway once, in hopes they could restore some of his sanity. They've always had the lead on healing magic, you know. Why his ring was forgotten there, I do not know. And as many misdeeds my extended family has made, I can vouch for one thing. Mr. Malfoy's service of You-Know-Who truly drove him mad. His illness was not a scheme."
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled sadly. "I had heard rumors. But I did not know it was as severe as you say, Mrs. Tonks."
"I did not keep it hidden out of malintent, Headmaster." Andromeda Tonks said very quickly. "I only kept in quiet out of respect for the man, Professor. Many of us did the same. It was easier to remember him as he should have been. His illness was real. I promise it was not a ploy, I saw him myself."
"Peace, Andromeda. I believe you." Said Dumbledore calmly. And yet! Yet, there's something still missing.
"Sure does feel like we fought the wrong duel again." Tam said happily.
"Again?" The Headmaster asked. He even seemed curious.
"Er, Headmaster. You might receive an owl in the future." Miranda explained. "Regarding a job."
"That's it then? Months of searching and we find a clue related to something completely different?" Tam asked.
"There must be a connection, Tam. Things like this aren't just happenstance."
"What connection would there be between Mr. Malfoy and an orphan?" asked Andromeda.
"Well, first of all, we searched all of Britain for her parents," Miranda said.
"You...checked all of Britain?" Andromeda asked.
"She's thorough," Tam said.
"I like to be thorough."
"Usually that means if you ask her to kill a fly, she'll burn down the house just to be extra sure it gets done."
"Tam," Miranda said, "you're needlessly making the lady concerned. But, regardless, yes, I have checked every birth record from 1979. If at least one of her parents is of magical descent, then the birth happened at a Muggle hospital or worse. They must have abandoned her almost immediately. I have checked every record from Europe as well. Then Tam and I personally researched cases where something seemed to be wrong. Names missing, details not adding up, cover-ups, hushed-over accidents."
