You Can Take the Girl Out of Slytherin
Andromeda was indulging herself in some retail therapy while Teddy was with his godfather for the day. She rarely shopped for herself anymore, and it was even more rare for her to be looking in the high end of Diagon Alley. She was quite minding her own business until the conversation of two of the salesgirls reached her. Apparently Blaise Zabini was in the establishment. They were making lewd comments. Andromeda gave them a very reproachful look before stalking up to the young man.
“Blaise Zabini, those salesgirls are gossipping about your underpants or likely lack thereof. Don’t worry, I gave them a good glaring.”
Andromeda turned then and gave them the full blast of her Black glare. They all ran. They scattered like rats in the light. Andromeda could not help her chuckle when one of the girls got tangled in her own legs and fell down.
He was taken completely off guard by Draco’s aunt walking up to him in the middle of shopping and talking about how he was probably not wearing underpants. After blinking and looking between the flailing workers and Draco’s aunt, he was even more caught off guard.
“I don’t know whether to thank you for defending my honor or saying ‘don’t bother’, but I shall stick to thank you nonetheless, Madame Tonks.”
“You’re my favorite nephew’s best mate, I do think you can call me Andromeda. And while I do admit to not knowing you very well, is there any honor left to defend?”
She raised her brow at him slowly.
From what he had been told of Draco’s aunt, she was nowhere close to being as stuck up as Narcissa or insane as Bellatrix. With that in mind, he smirked. “Would you like the honest answer or the one reserved for those I traditionally call ‘Madame’?”
“I always like an honest answer, Blaise. May I call you Blaise? That is always how Draco refers to you, so it’s always how I have referred to you in my own mind.”
He saw a salesgirl peek her head over a rack of clothing and he raised his eyebrow at her. There was a crash and a squeal, but he turned his eyes back to Andromeda. “You may. Draco refers to me as many things but I believe that is the most...tame. Out for a spot of shopping?”
“I am. Teddy is with his godfather today, and Ru- er... others have jobs and such. I so rarely get some time just to myself. Not that I mind Teddy. He’s all I have left of my Nymphadora. I was hoping Draco would settle down and make Narcissa a grandmother, but he’s too wild for that, wouldn’t you say?”
She had just rambled in the hopes that he had not picked up on the specific name she had very nearly said.
Blaise snorted. “He’s too oblivious, you mean. He went on a date with a woman and didn’t even realize it was a date. It took three of us to convince him otherwise.”
Andromeda started laughing. “How delightfully ‘Draco’ of him. I am frightfully glad he’s turned out much like Cousin Sirius, though his mother would hex me for saying so. She despised Sirius. and though he too would hex me for saying so, I do suspect that had circumstances been different, Harry and Draco might have been great friends and terrible troublemakers. Perhaps even worse than you and he. Though your particular brand of trouble is quite different.”
She started browsing, sneaking a look at him to see what he’d do with that. Everything with a Slytherin was a test, and while she was an outcast Black who’d married a Muggleborn, she was still a Slytherin and a Black. There were certain things you put people through whilst getting to know them when you were a Slytherin. It was all about tests.
Blaise made a face. “You didn’t live with Draco for seven years listening to him whinge about ‘Harry bloody Potter’. There is no universe where they are friends.”
“I’m certain there’s at least one. Somewhere. After all, there is a world without shrimp and one with a vampire Willow. There’s likely even one where you lived with Alessandro instead of Calanthe.”
He shook his head firmly to dispell the notions that brought up--he couldn’t imagine living with his father instead of his mother. Not because he thought the image repulsive but because had no idea what kind of a person he would be if he had not been so heavily influenced by his mother.
Although he did want to explore the vampire Willow aspect with said witch.
“I’m not sure any of those sound satisfactory but I’m not one to dwell on all the what ifs when it comes to the universe.”
“You know no one would have you any other way, don’t you? Not Draco, not your blonde, and Willow’s certainly never one to want anyone except exactly how they are. It’s the beauty of her. I’ll admit again to not knowing you at all, but without you as you are, I suspect Draco would not be as he is, and I do happen to like Draco exactly as he is.”
For the second time that day, Andromeda Tonks took him completely off guard by mentioned Hannah. The last thing he needed was Draco blabbing his mouth and word getting to his mother, prompting her to get involved. “What the hell?” he asked, screwing his manners. She was Draco’s aunt, after all. “Did he give a list of all my past relationships as well?”
Andromeda raised a brow before she got right in his face. Sometimes she liked it when people forgot who she really was. It gave her a chance to remind them that she wasn’t just sweet Andy Tonks grandmother to Teddy Lupin - she was still Andromeda Iolanthe Black sister to Bellatrix and Narcissa daughter of Cygnus and Druella.
“Don’t take that tone with me. You won’t like the results, darling,” she replied, knowing she was sounding exactly like Narcissa. “Draco didn’t have to tell me about Miss Abbott. My coven works closely with the Council. I know everything about all the watchers and potential watchers there. Do you think Stone Circle would allow anything else? We’ve some of the most powerful witches in the world in our... what does Draco call it, ah yes, evil tea circle. I’m also a Black. Stalking is second nature to us. First nature being escaping or breaking and entering.”
If Blaise hadn’t grown up under Calanthe Fabiana’s thumb, he would have been like the salesgirls and run away tripping, but fuck she was quite terrifying. “Apologies,” he said after a moment, still injecting a bit of rebellion into his tone, skirting the line just like he had with his mother. “I’m very secretive and I take you understand why I would not like for my personal information to leave close circles.”
“All Slytherins have secrets. Tell me something I don’t know,” she snapped before turning away from him to allow herself to smile.
This was almost as much fun as the first time she’d really met Draco. Because she knew it was messing with his mind how much alike she and Narcissa could be when irritated.
Andromeda schooled her features before turning back. “Draco cares for you, and I care for Draco. Knowing Draco as you do, what do you suspect that means in regards to yourself?”
She did want him to know she wouldn’t hurt him for the world. It would hurt Draco, and Andromeda would never hurt Draco, and she’d seriously damage anyone who did.
Blaise allowed himself to breathe a small sigh of relief, but tried not to let it show. “That you’ve collected me and that if anything should happen, you would add yourself to the line of crazy Blacks who would do something about it. I’m honored.” And he meant it, but she still scared the shite out of him. There was no need to guess where Narcissa learned her scary face.
“Well, I am very relieved that you’re smarter than you look,” she replied with a grin.
She could tell he was affronted but too full of self-preservation to say much about it. She did like a proper amount of fear in a lad.
It spoke like Draco, had the attitude like Draco, looked at him like Draco, but was definitely not Draco. His mind was working overtime to keep his mouth shut, because the urge to tell Andromeda Black to fuck off would end very, very badly.
“I’ve seen your nephew light enough things on fire to understand that Blacks are very picky about their people.”
She started laughing. Her laugh was not, nor had it ever been, very comforting or ladylike. She had been told, and often, that her laugh made people think she was plotting to destroy the world.
“You would like nothing more than to say a few choice words to me. You are gnawing on the inside of your cheek. It’s delightful really. You’re nearly as amusing as Draco. Though he oftentimes get fed up, forgets himself, and then I hex him. Self control not being the boy’s strongest suit, as you well know.”
The fact that she knew she was pushing him made the urge even stronger, but he curbed it. As soon as they were done, he was going home and cursing the heavens as loud as he could. Then he would find Draco and hex him, because this was somehow his fault.
“I grew up with three half sisters, seven female cousins, two aunts, a step-mother, the woman who gave birth to me, and my grandmother. I’ve had much more practice holding my tongue around women.”
“You forgot Narcissa,” she said. “And Merlin’s beard don’t ever tell her you forgot her. She likes to think she’s scary.”
Blaise snorted. “I once lost my temper around her. She snatched my wand and banished a portkey at me. It took me to Siberia. She’s scary.”
Andromeda started laughing. “Ask her about Miss Gardenia Fancypants.”
Blaise had the oddest look on his face.
“It was her doll when we were young. It’s the reason she doesn’t like dolls. I also believe it was the only time Bellatrix looked at me like I was the crazy one.”
He decided for his physical safety, he would have Draco ask and then watch from a safe distance. Like he said, he had much more practice around females than Draco did. “I think not. Self-preservation is a high trait of mine and something tells me that way lies pain and death.”
“She’ll come after me,” Andromeda said. “The only people who know the true story are myself, Bella, and Cissa. She wouldn’t even tell our mother what happened. Only that she wanted all her dolls removed and never wanted another doll ever again.”
The next time Draco pissed him off, which he was sure would be next week, he would send Narcissa a doll and sign it from Draco. Then sit back and wait. He was good at doing that. “I do believe that Narcissa isn’t one who easily forgives the messenger. I’ll pass, thank you.”
A salesgirl nervously approached while one of the older workers just shook her head. Bad move.
“Can I get you anything else?”
“I’m sorry; did I give off the impression that I was done talking?” he snapped, his eyebrow going up. When she tripped--did they only hire the ungraceful?--Blaise sighed. “I miss Paris.”
Andromeda chuckled. She needed to get back to the boarding house and start lunch for her guests.
“I regret that I must take leave now. Meals to prepare, but I would love it if yourself and Draco would join me and Teddy for dinner some night. Draco speaks of you so often that teddy is quite curious. Though I shall warn you as I warned Draco - teach him any of your bad habits, and I’ll shrivel your manly bits like raisins. My Teddy is going to grow up to be a proper gentleman.”
Blaise tried to hide his smirk. He was surprised Draco hadn’t complained of raisin-like bits lately. “I mentioned all the females, yes? Zabinis like to breed. I’ve managed to keep my nephew, niece, and all the children of my cousins bad habit free. I’d be happy to join you.”
“I know all too well about the Zabinis, thank you. You did happen to notice how I referred to your father by his given name, yes? I do hope you’ll be planning some spawn of your own. Draco would make a delightful godfather.”
She waited for his eyes to bug or for there to be a choking sound.
“Fuck, no,” Blaise chuckled out before his eyes widened. His control slipped. Shite.
“I do hope that negative response was in reference to your having children, and not Draco’s abilities as a godfather. You do know that Slytherins who didn’t have the right kind of love growing up are mostly fierce parents. Look at Cissa, what wouldn’t she do for Draco? Still. I can see you are uncomfortable, and as much as I delight in that fact, I shall drop the matter. For now.”
Honestly, the negative response was aimed towards his having children but now that he thought about it, Draco as a godfather terrified him. The only way the situation would be worse was if he and Draco were the actual parents. Thank Salazar one of them wasn’t a girl who could get knocked up by the other. The world wouldn’t survive their spawn. He didn’t see how the world would survive their spawn with other people, either.
“Thank you,” he said, clearing his throat. “And as you said you had matters to attend to, I shall take my leave.”
Andromeda watched him leave with a smirk on her face.
“Blaise Zabini, those salesgirls are gossipping about your underpants or likely lack thereof. Don’t worry, I gave them a good glaring.”
Andromeda turned then and gave them the full blast of her Black glare. They all ran. They scattered like rats in the light. Andromeda could not help her chuckle when one of the girls got tangled in her own legs and fell down.
He was taken completely off guard by Draco’s aunt walking up to him in the middle of shopping and talking about how he was probably not wearing underpants. After blinking and looking between the flailing workers and Draco’s aunt, he was even more caught off guard.
“I don’t know whether to thank you for defending my honor or saying ‘don’t bother’, but I shall stick to thank you nonetheless, Madame Tonks.”
“You’re my favorite nephew’s best mate, I do think you can call me Andromeda. And while I do admit to not knowing you very well, is there any honor left to defend?”
She raised her brow at him slowly.
From what he had been told of Draco’s aunt, she was nowhere close to being as stuck up as Narcissa or insane as Bellatrix. With that in mind, he smirked. “Would you like the honest answer or the one reserved for those I traditionally call ‘Madame’?”
“I always like an honest answer, Blaise. May I call you Blaise? That is always how Draco refers to you, so it’s always how I have referred to you in my own mind.”
He saw a salesgirl peek her head over a rack of clothing and he raised his eyebrow at her. There was a crash and a squeal, but he turned his eyes back to Andromeda. “You may. Draco refers to me as many things but I believe that is the most...tame. Out for a spot of shopping?”
“I am. Teddy is with his godfather today, and Ru- er... others have jobs and such. I so rarely get some time just to myself. Not that I mind Teddy. He’s all I have left of my Nymphadora. I was hoping Draco would settle down and make Narcissa a grandmother, but he’s too wild for that, wouldn’t you say?”
She had just rambled in the hopes that he had not picked up on the specific name she had very nearly said.
Blaise snorted. “He’s too oblivious, you mean. He went on a date with a woman and didn’t even realize it was a date. It took three of us to convince him otherwise.”
Andromeda started laughing. “How delightfully ‘Draco’ of him. I am frightfully glad he’s turned out much like Cousin Sirius, though his mother would hex me for saying so. She despised Sirius. and though he too would hex me for saying so, I do suspect that had circumstances been different, Harry and Draco might have been great friends and terrible troublemakers. Perhaps even worse than you and he. Though your particular brand of trouble is quite different.”
She started browsing, sneaking a look at him to see what he’d do with that. Everything with a Slytherin was a test, and while she was an outcast Black who’d married a Muggleborn, she was still a Slytherin and a Black. There were certain things you put people through whilst getting to know them when you were a Slytherin. It was all about tests.
Blaise made a face. “You didn’t live with Draco for seven years listening to him whinge about ‘Harry bloody Potter’. There is no universe where they are friends.”
“I’m certain there’s at least one. Somewhere. After all, there is a world without shrimp and one with a vampire Willow. There’s likely even one where you lived with Alessandro instead of Calanthe.”
He shook his head firmly to dispell the notions that brought up--he couldn’t imagine living with his father instead of his mother. Not because he thought the image repulsive but because had no idea what kind of a person he would be if he had not been so heavily influenced by his mother.
Although he did want to explore the vampire Willow aspect with said witch.
“I’m not sure any of those sound satisfactory but I’m not one to dwell on all the what ifs when it comes to the universe.”
“You know no one would have you any other way, don’t you? Not Draco, not your blonde, and Willow’s certainly never one to want anyone except exactly how they are. It’s the beauty of her. I’ll admit again to not knowing you at all, but without you as you are, I suspect Draco would not be as he is, and I do happen to like Draco exactly as he is.”
For the second time that day, Andromeda Tonks took him completely off guard by mentioned Hannah. The last thing he needed was Draco blabbing his mouth and word getting to his mother, prompting her to get involved. “What the hell?” he asked, screwing his manners. She was Draco’s aunt, after all. “Did he give a list of all my past relationships as well?”
Andromeda raised a brow before she got right in his face. Sometimes she liked it when people forgot who she really was. It gave her a chance to remind them that she wasn’t just sweet Andy Tonks grandmother to Teddy Lupin - she was still Andromeda Iolanthe Black sister to Bellatrix and Narcissa daughter of Cygnus and Druella.
“Don’t take that tone with me. You won’t like the results, darling,” she replied, knowing she was sounding exactly like Narcissa. “Draco didn’t have to tell me about Miss Abbott. My coven works closely with the Council. I know everything about all the watchers and potential watchers there. Do you think Stone Circle would allow anything else? We’ve some of the most powerful witches in the world in our... what does Draco call it, ah yes, evil tea circle. I’m also a Black. Stalking is second nature to us. First nature being escaping or breaking and entering.”
If Blaise hadn’t grown up under Calanthe Fabiana’s thumb, he would have been like the salesgirls and run away tripping, but fuck she was quite terrifying. “Apologies,” he said after a moment, still injecting a bit of rebellion into his tone, skirting the line just like he had with his mother. “I’m very secretive and I take you understand why I would not like for my personal information to leave close circles.”
“All Slytherins have secrets. Tell me something I don’t know,” she snapped before turning away from him to allow herself to smile.
This was almost as much fun as the first time she’d really met Draco. Because she knew it was messing with his mind how much alike she and Narcissa could be when irritated.
Andromeda schooled her features before turning back. “Draco cares for you, and I care for Draco. Knowing Draco as you do, what do you suspect that means in regards to yourself?”
She did want him to know she wouldn’t hurt him for the world. It would hurt Draco, and Andromeda would never hurt Draco, and she’d seriously damage anyone who did.
Blaise allowed himself to breathe a small sigh of relief, but tried not to let it show. “That you’ve collected me and that if anything should happen, you would add yourself to the line of crazy Blacks who would do something about it. I’m honored.” And he meant it, but she still scared the shite out of him. There was no need to guess where Narcissa learned her scary face.
“Well, I am very relieved that you’re smarter than you look,” she replied with a grin.
She could tell he was affronted but too full of self-preservation to say much about it. She did like a proper amount of fear in a lad.
It spoke like Draco, had the attitude like Draco, looked at him like Draco, but was definitely not Draco. His mind was working overtime to keep his mouth shut, because the urge to tell Andromeda Black to fuck off would end very, very badly.
“I’ve seen your nephew light enough things on fire to understand that Blacks are very picky about their people.”
She started laughing. Her laugh was not, nor had it ever been, very comforting or ladylike. She had been told, and often, that her laugh made people think she was plotting to destroy the world.
“You would like nothing more than to say a few choice words to me. You are gnawing on the inside of your cheek. It’s delightful really. You’re nearly as amusing as Draco. Though he oftentimes get fed up, forgets himself, and then I hex him. Self control not being the boy’s strongest suit, as you well know.”
The fact that she knew she was pushing him made the urge even stronger, but he curbed it. As soon as they were done, he was going home and cursing the heavens as loud as he could. Then he would find Draco and hex him, because this was somehow his fault.
“I grew up with three half sisters, seven female cousins, two aunts, a step-mother, the woman who gave birth to me, and my grandmother. I’ve had much more practice holding my tongue around women.”
“You forgot Narcissa,” she said. “And Merlin’s beard don’t ever tell her you forgot her. She likes to think she’s scary.”
Blaise snorted. “I once lost my temper around her. She snatched my wand and banished a portkey at me. It took me to Siberia. She’s scary.”
Andromeda started laughing. “Ask her about Miss Gardenia Fancypants.”
Blaise had the oddest look on his face.
“It was her doll when we were young. It’s the reason she doesn’t like dolls. I also believe it was the only time Bellatrix looked at me like I was the crazy one.”
He decided for his physical safety, he would have Draco ask and then watch from a safe distance. Like he said, he had much more practice around females than Draco did. “I think not. Self-preservation is a high trait of mine and something tells me that way lies pain and death.”
“She’ll come after me,” Andromeda said. “The only people who know the true story are myself, Bella, and Cissa. She wouldn’t even tell our mother what happened. Only that she wanted all her dolls removed and never wanted another doll ever again.”
The next time Draco pissed him off, which he was sure would be next week, he would send Narcissa a doll and sign it from Draco. Then sit back and wait. He was good at doing that. “I do believe that Narcissa isn’t one who easily forgives the messenger. I’ll pass, thank you.”
A salesgirl nervously approached while one of the older workers just shook her head. Bad move.
“Can I get you anything else?”
“I’m sorry; did I give off the impression that I was done talking?” he snapped, his eyebrow going up. When she tripped--did they only hire the ungraceful?--Blaise sighed. “I miss Paris.”
Andromeda chuckled. She needed to get back to the boarding house and start lunch for her guests.
“I regret that I must take leave now. Meals to prepare, but I would love it if yourself and Draco would join me and Teddy for dinner some night. Draco speaks of you so often that teddy is quite curious. Though I shall warn you as I warned Draco - teach him any of your bad habits, and I’ll shrivel your manly bits like raisins. My Teddy is going to grow up to be a proper gentleman.”
Blaise tried to hide his smirk. He was surprised Draco hadn’t complained of raisin-like bits lately. “I mentioned all the females, yes? Zabinis like to breed. I’ve managed to keep my nephew, niece, and all the children of my cousins bad habit free. I’d be happy to join you.”
“I know all too well about the Zabinis, thank you. You did happen to notice how I referred to your father by his given name, yes? I do hope you’ll be planning some spawn of your own. Draco would make a delightful godfather.”
She waited for his eyes to bug or for there to be a choking sound.
“Fuck, no,” Blaise chuckled out before his eyes widened. His control slipped. Shite.
“I do hope that negative response was in reference to your having children, and not Draco’s abilities as a godfather. You do know that Slytherins who didn’t have the right kind of love growing up are mostly fierce parents. Look at Cissa, what wouldn’t she do for Draco? Still. I can see you are uncomfortable, and as much as I delight in that fact, I shall drop the matter. For now.”
Honestly, the negative response was aimed towards his having children but now that he thought about it, Draco as a godfather terrified him. The only way the situation would be worse was if he and Draco were the actual parents. Thank Salazar one of them wasn’t a girl who could get knocked up by the other. The world wouldn’t survive their spawn. He didn’t see how the world would survive their spawn with other people, either.
“Thank you,” he said, clearing his throat. “And as you said you had matters to attend to, I shall take my leave.”
Andromeda watched him leave with a smirk on her face.