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[clumsy_auror]

The days that Nymphadora's been back have sped by far more quickly than she'd like. There've been near-daily visits to the Healers, for tests and exams and ultrasounds, and Durkin's been scratching his head trying to re-calculate Charlotte's exact due date. Then there's Allbright, who hugged her, told her off, and dumped a foot-high stack of

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[young_tmriddle]

As soon as he gets the owl, which brings a note simply stating "I'm finally home", Tom drops everything and hurries to the Tonks-Wrangle flat.

He knows nothing of what has transpired over the past few months. All he knows it that his dearest friend and her family have been absent from his life, presumably on holiday, since no hue and cry was raised about their absence in the general bar.

Tom's not been in the bar nearly as much as he once was accustomed. This and the usual fast flowing waters of life have all led to this incorrect assumption.

The wards aren't locked against him, so he comes right into the flat and upon seeing 'Dora, he sweeps her into a huge hug. "Bloody hell, I missed you. How was France? Next time you might answer my frantically worried owls, you sneak." He's laughing and smiling the whole time, so the upbraiding is not meant harshly.

[clumsy_auror]

The initial beam on her face has morphed into wide-eyed shock by the time Tom pulls back to look at her. 'Dora blinks, her hands tight on his forearms, and then she shakes her head as though to clear it. "France?" she replies stupidly. "I-- I mean, I was a lot of places, but France wasn't one of them."

[young_tmriddle]

He frowns, still smiling.

"You all went on holiday, yes? I mean, I would have known if something bad happened, but since no one mentioned anything, I figured you all slipped away for a very well-deserved, extended holiday."

[clumsy_auror]

Bugger, she thinks, and rubs one eye as she collects her thoughts. Then she takes a deep breath and chooses her words carefully.

"It wasn't a holiday. I was... away, though, because I was accidentally taken back to Elizabeth Swann's world with her. I've been on a pirate ship. Well, several pirate ships, to be exact."

[young_tmriddle]

"What?"

He looks her over, baffled. Has she had the baby? Why didn't anyone tell him?

"But- I came one afternoon to check in, and no one was home. I haven't seen Bernard tending, but then I haven't been up here nearly as much as- Pirates? Are you alright? Is the baby-?"

He's gone from gleeful to frantically confused in a very short time.

[clumsy_auror]

"She's all right," she reassures him, pulling her loose cardigan taut over her belly to show him its curvature. "She's still in there. It wasn't as long for me as it was for you."

The witch gives him a helpless shrug, because Milliways. This sort of thing is hardly unheard of.

"I don't-- I'm not sure why Bernard didn't tell you. I'm sorry, Tom. All I know is that it was a very hard time for him."

[young_tmriddle]

"He was here the whole time? When we have child minders and rooms in the House, and I didn't see Sunny and Anthony for all that time-"

He breaks off. There's a reason why he stoop with her at her wedding. 'Dora was his friend before Bernard had even found the bar. He feels the wind has been knocked out of him by a particularly nasty curse, but the anger and hurt at this revelation is not her fault.

"You're sure you're alright? And who the hell is Elizabeth Swann? What pirates? Captain Jack and his crew? I spoke to Henry Wellard recently who was swept away with Jack and his ship. Are you certain you're alright?"

[clumsy_auror]

"Yes, with Jack Sparrow and that lot. Elizabeth's-- she's from there too, and she's a friend. And I'm fine, I promise you, I'm fine, Tom. I've been to the Healer's most every day since I came back."

Nymphadora bites her lip, her expression anguished. There's not much she can say to make this better.

[young_tmriddle]

His only response is to embrace her again.

After a few moments, he says quietly, "That's why I stay away from that bloody front door. The time passed more quickly for you there, you said?"

[clumsy_auror]

The witch presses her forehead into Tom's shoulder, trying to put her thoughts in order. "Um," she says distractedly. "More slowly. I've got a month or so left until she comes."

[young_tmriddle]

"That's- I'm not sure it's good, the time went more quickly but- I never mentioned my time in Paravia, did I? I was gone, Temple and Arch, it must have been six or seven months. Only a few hours had passed here, so at least Door didn't go mad with worry, but it was- it was awful. There was war there, too, and my magic didn't work right. I tried to forget it as well as I could once I got home."

He squeezes her hand. "I certainly wish you'd been on holiday in France, instead."

[clumsy_auror]

"You and me both," she says ruefully. "And I wish it'd been the other way around. I was going out of my mind with worry, but Bernard was--"

Nymphadora cuts herself off and breathes out slowly.

"It's gonna be okay. It really will."

[young_tmriddle]

"You're back, and the baby's fine. Of course it's going to be okay. Good Lord, I'm still just reeling. I don't suppose we could have some tea?"

Tea makes most things better. Even things like this.

[clumsy_auror]

"No, of course, I've got a kettle on already--"

'Dora heads for the kitchen, beckoning Tom to follow. She busies herself with getting down cups and saucers, tea, biscuits. Anything to make this seem normal.

[young_tmriddle]

It is normal. If nothing else, Tom's time at Milliways has taught him to crave and savor when things go back to normal.

"It's been a pretty quiet summer. I only had one harrowing experience - I caught amnesia along with several others from tainted god apples. Thought I was a barrister with a penchant for conducting orchestras who was married to Lilly and the father of her child. That was madness, let me tell you."

If he can get her to smile, it will be even more normal. If it's even more normal then- it will be okay.

[clumsy_auror]

Blink blink. She pours the hot water into the pot.

"It sounds it, rather. What is it with us and tainted food? Took me ages to want chocolate again after the adolescent candy incident. And-- orchestras? Really?"