Authors Notes – This is one of two chapters that were going to be part of a Seventh Year fic. I had written six chapters before deciding I wanted to write a Severitus instead. While I managed to use most of the material there was this chapter by Andromeda and another by Gabrielle Delacour that I decided to post as one shots because I liked them so much.

Sisters Blood

Andromeda arrived exactly seven minutes early to her engagement. She settled herself cautiously at the table in the corner like requested.

Andromeda hadn't spoken to either of her sisters for near twenty years. Even her parents hadn't visited since she married. At one time, before Bellatrix was disgraced, they had written. Mainly her mother, each letter she served to remind Andromeda how she had let them down. The letters generally went like this;

"Bella and Roph have just purchased a new house…and of course Narcissa's doing well for herself…we now have a beautiful grandson, Lucius has called him Draco…The prophet reported another pureblood marriage this year between a few notable couples...Isn't that wonderful?"

It's not that Andromeda disliked her life, she loved her husband and daughter fiercely and was eternally grateful that she hadn't inherited her families madness and end up like her other sister Bellatrix, who was by all accounts one of the worst Death Eaters in Voldemort's army. But, sometimes she wondered if it wouldn't have been easier to have avoided being the Black Sheep of the Black Sisters and married a pure blood wizard. They wouldn't have been Voldemort radicals but they could have lived a safe life without the repercussions of a prejudiced society.

It was easy to spot Narcissa as she walked into the room. The blonde haired witch moved quickly to the back of the bar as if being chased and sat at the table throwing one last look over her shoulder.

"Thank god you came," she said, when she turned around to face her sister.

"Cissy, you look awful," Andromeda said, before she could stop herself. Her sister was the ultimate reminder of "pure breeding". As a child Andromeda was constantly listening to praises about Narcissa's good looks, Narcissa's good marks and Narcissa's natural elegance. However, today she looked drawn, her trademark blonde locks hanging limply around a too thin face.

"How would you look in this situation," Narcissa snapped, still catching her breath.

"Sorry." The sisters apologised at the same time.

The nervous chuckle that escaped them both eased some of the tension at the table.

"You're in trouble," Andromeda stated, prompting the conversation to begin.

"I know," Narcissa agreed. "Lucius is still locked up and now Draco is a wanted man. I have no one to turn to and no idea who to trust. The goblins are trying to claim the Malfoy fortune as there is no "legal heir", not only that but the Dark Lord is hunting Draco as he failed in his impossible mission. And Snape won't help him anymore, he threw him out with nothing, I have nowhere to go and there is noone who can protect us….Andromeda, you have to help me."

"My daughter is an Auror, I can hardly hide a wanted criminal from her as well as the Dark Lord," Andromeda rebutted.

"Draco hasn't done anything, he is still a child, he was afraid for Lucius and I. You don't know…the things he was threatened…"

"Why don't you hand him into the Aurors then, Nympadora will be able to help. If he really is innocent, they will clear his name."

"Right," scoffed Narcissa, "if the Dark Lord's ministry worms don't kill Draco first, I doubt the Ministry would be quick to let off the boy pin pointed by the 'Chosen One'."

Narcissa looked more nervous than before. She was wondering whether she had made the right choice coming to her sister.

"He's marked then?" Andromeda clarified, cutting to the core of the issue.

"We're ruined. Lucius said that he wouldn't that thing mark Draco…but…he's not here and Draco is just a child, he didn't understand the implications. The family is in so much trouble. Bellatrix is dangerous, she left us a message…more a threat than a warning…but she proved the manor had been breached. We are as good as dead if we keep running much longer. We need to hide. Oh god, please Andy…"

Then Narcissa did something that Andromeda had not seen her do since she was six. She cried. Not just sobbed but bawled.

"Please, I was wrong, you were right. Please, I'll do anything. I'll owe you my life."

Andromeda didn't think twice before answering and hugging her sister's frail shoulders, "Of course. Of course, we'll help."

XXXXXXX

The next day Andromeda met with Narcissa and her son. Draco looked remarkably like his mother. He too had the same blonde hair and pale delicate features. Andromeda had regretted her decision every minute since leaving the bar until now. Looking at the desperate pair she couldn't possibly have left them alone.

For fear of being questioned either by the Ministry or Voldemort's followers she had kept her plans a secret from Ted and Nympadora. The one person she got to help her was her father in law, David Tonks. He had made all the preparations and she would take them to him but from there it was safer if she didn't know. She explained this to the Malfoys quickly.

"Come on then," Andromeda beckoned and the pair moved cautiously toward her and the portkey.

"Untraceable," she said. "I made it myself."

The three held onto the portkey and soon appeared in the small living room of a well kept house.

"Oh!" the man said loudly, "Still gets me whenever you guys do that."

He chuckled, moved over and hugged Andromeda.

"Hi Andy," David said. In the years that she and Ted had been married Andromeda and her father in law had become quite close. Ted's mother had died when he was quite young and with Nympadora having her mothers' family shun them he was their only family. David had moved closer to look at Narcissa and Draco.

"Please sit, would you like some drinks?" David offered his nervous guests as they arranged themselves on the sofa.

"I'll get them," Andromeda volunteered. "You can discuss some of the details, I'm better off not knowing."

When Andromeda left the room David ushered them to the chairs. The dining room was simple yet quite comfortable. David lounged at the head of the table while the Malfoys sat perched on the edges of their seats, Draco still clutching his bag to his chest.

"I have organized for you to stay with a friend from Rotary. Told them you were French. Totally unrelated to Ted and I, and untraceable to Andromeda. They often have foreign guests, real friendly and a nice room for you at the back of the house, very private."

Draco was silent, looking around the contents of the small room. His small hands twisting atop the bag.

"Barry and his wife live in Cornwall but I'll drive you there after lunch. Pardon the phrase but they are 'as muggle as you can get'. And, from what Andy's told me the last place anyone will be looking for you."

After telling the Malfoys about the finer details Andromeda walked in with refreshments and simple sandwiches for lunch. She and David chatted happily, Narcissa joining in when she could and Draco quietly asking polite questions about muggle things with his eyes downcast and face haggard.

David gave the Malfoys a tour of the muggle home, explaining the simple things that Narcissa and Draco should know. Later that afternoon David and the Malfoys left by car. Andromeda said goodbye quietly watching after them for a full minute before she left.

The car trip was silent. Draco stared out the window the whole time, eyes drifting along the curves of the road. His mother in the front seat sat with her handbag clasped tightly between her thin fingers, anxiously fearful the entire journey.

When they pulled up to the country home near Newquay a friendly couple were waving from the stoop greeting their new houseguests.

David smiled at his friends, giving a gentle wave.

"Remember, I'm only a phone call away if you need anything," David instructed, hoping they would remember how to use the phone.

Draco moved to get out of the car, dragging the bag he had brought beside him and opening his mothers door.

"I don't know how I can ever thankyou," Narcissa whispered as she moved to get out of the car, struggling with the seat belt.

"Here love," David showed her and he pressed pound bills into her hand. Narcissa withdrew breath as if about to cry but quickly steadying herself as the Rotary family walked closer to the car.

"Thank you," she whispered, as she looked back at her son's savior. "I wish I could have met you sooner."

David Tonks watched his friends greet his new family as he reversed the car down the drive and felt emotion choke up his throat.

"Good luck," he whispered to the empty car as it pulled onto the freeway. "It was great to finally meet you too."