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Tonks House, Somewhere in Southern England,
"No, Mum… I don't want to sleep. I want to stay there—I want to listen too," Nymphadora protested, shaking her head as she refused to go to sleep.
"Dora, love, try to understand… You haven't slept in two days. You need rest," Andromeda said gently, trying to reason with her.
But Nymphadora wouldn't have it. "You haven't slept either! And I want to know who that boy is—what he wants. Why can't I talk to him?"
"It's not that you can't, and I promise to tell you everything once I figure things out, but…" Andromeda replied, already feeling the exhaustion tug at her. "But for now… just get some sleep, alright?"
"Mum, no—I'm not tired!" Nymphadora insisted stubbornly.
Andromeda let out a tired sigh. "Seems I've got no other choice, then…" She pulled out her wand.
"No… mum… not the wand… You wouldn't…" Before Nymphadora could protest further, the spell had already hit, and she slumped gently onto her bed.
Andromeda didn't stop there, she quietly levitated her daughter, tucked her in properly, and pulled the blanket over her before putting down her wand. Stroking a few stray strands of hair from the girl's face, she murmured, "It's alright, love… just a sleeping hex. You need the rest. We will talk about things tomorrow."
…
Entering the guest room, Andromeda let out a tired sigh. "Had to use a Sleeping Hex to put her to sleep… Poor thing's exhausted both physically and emotionally, but she just wouldn't settle."
"Well, I'm not surprised," Rigel replied calmly. "She wants to stay close to you. She's lost her father the same way you've lost your husband. Now, all she has is you left… naturally, she wants to stick with you no matter what…"
"Yes… Yes, of course," Andromeda murmured, nodding as she made her way to the sofa and sank into it. After a brief pause, she looked at him and asked, "So… I'd like to know why you've come here. And more importantly—how did you find me, Rigel Black?"
"Well, truth be told, you were never really hidden from us, Aunty," Rigel said with a casual shrug. "We always knew your general whereabouts. It's just… with the war and everything else going on involving you-know-who and other things… no one really had the time or reason to bother with your affairs."
At that, Andromeda had a scowl on her face as her fingers tightened around her wand, not raised, but held firm, and she asked cautiously, "And now that the war's over, and things have settled… the Blacks have come for me?" She paused, her eyes narrowing. "Though I must say, I'm a bit surprised. Aunt Walburga sent a child? Was there no one else left… or do they think I'm that easy to deal with?"
Rigel gave a quiet chuckle and shook his head. "No one's underestimating you, Auntie," he said plainly. "It's just… the situation's changed."
"How so…?" asked Andromeda, a bit confused…
"Firstly, indeed, there is no one left, as you might have already guessed… Dad's dead, and so are grandfather and grandmother…" answered Rigel plainly as he got up from the sofa and approached the window of the house as Andomeda's eyes followed him while he added, "Secondly, the new head of the House of Black doesn't wish to see you dead," Rigel said plainly. "Quite the opposite, actually—he wants you back in the family. And truth be told, the timing couldn't be better."
He paused, then added, "Now, I might sound a bit callous saying this, but… you haven't really got much reason to stay here anymore, do you? The Mudbl—" he caught himself and gave a quick nod, "—forgive me, Auntie, force of habit… the Muggle-born you chose to run off with… he's passed on rather suddenly, hasn't he?"
He turned back to look at her for a moment, then asked, "How did he die, anyway?"
Andromeda glanced down, her voice quiet. "Cardiac arrest… in his sleep."
"I see… sorry to hear that," said Rigel in a sympathetic tone, as if this were the first he'd heard of it—and as if he'd had nothing to do with it. Then, without missing a beat, he shifted the subject.
"Well… regardless, there's not much point in you staying here anymore, is there? You'd be better off coming back to Black Manor with me—start fresh, yeah?"
Andromeda, clearly conflicted, hesitated. "I… I'm not so sure…"
"Why not?" Rigel pressed, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"Well… I was ousted. Disowned. Stripped of the Black name," she explained, voice low. "I can't just go back there… It's not that simple."
"Rubbish," Rigel scoffed as he turned back and approached her, adding, "Of course you can. The decision to disown you was made by the Patriarch two generations ago—he's long dead, and so is the one after him. The current Patriarch wants you back."
"That's not how it works… You can't just disown someone, then have them back in the family…" Andromeda said, shaking her head. Then, with a furrowed brow, she asked, "And who exactly is the new Patriarch?"
"He's standing right in front of you," Rigel replied, puffing his chest out ever so slightly.
"You?" Andromeda blinked, taken aback. "You're the Patriarch? But… you're just a child. How could you be the Patriarch? How old are you, anyway?"
"I'll be turning seven this December," Rigel replied matter-of-factly. "And as for being Patriarch—why not? My father was the last one. I'm his heir. And quite obviously, I am the only suitable candidate at this point. Before he passed away, Grandpa made it official, you know?" he raised his hand to show her the signet ring he was wearing on his index finger as he added, "On his deathbed, he named me the head of the household, making me inherit the entire fortune of the House of Black."
He then leaned in closer to her face, holding her gaze firmly, and said, "And I want you back with the Blacks, Auntie. Won't you come with me?"
Andromeda hesitated, clearly torn as he glanced down. "I…"
But Rigel didn't give her the chance to finish.
"If not for yourself, then think about Nymphadora," he said sharply as he whispered in her ears in a hypnotic voice. "Can you really raise her on your own? Have you got enough galleons in your vault to keep sending her to Hogwarts for the next five years? Did Edward Tonks leave behind enough for her to have a proper future?"
Edward Tonks had been the breadwinner of the family, but judging by the modest state of the Tonks household, it was clear he hadn't earned much, which wasn't all that surprising, considering his Muggle-born background.
Witches and wizards born to Muggles rarely land high-paying jobs in the Magic World. No, the place is packed with Pure-bloods who make sure the Muggle-born never rise too far up the ladder. They might let them in the door and handle some lower departments that they have no interest in handling themselves, but they'll never hand over the keys.
Unless a Muggle-born wizard is exceptionally talented, say, invents something groundbreaking and can start a business of their own and make a fortune, they're usually stuck with low incomes. That's one of the reasons many end up drifting back to the Muggle world, where the pay and opportunities are often better. It's why you sometimes see half blood children with one magical parent and one Muggle parent.
Edward Tonks, to his credit, stayed in the wizarding world and worked for the Ministry, but only in the Muggle Liaison Office, a department not exactly known for its generous wages. As a result, the Tonks family led a frugal life.
It was clear Edward's earnings had only just kept them afloat. And now he was gone, and so was the income with him.
With Edward gone, there was no breadwinner left. It was all on Andromeda now to look after herself and her only daughter…
As for Andromeda—yes, she was a talented witch, no doubt about that. But she'd never worked a day in her life. Never earned a single Knut. And being disowned by the House of Black as a Blood Traitor didn't help matters; finding a decent job in the wizarding world would be bloody difficult. Even if she did manage to get one, it wouldn't be well-paid, not to mention the exploitation and scorn she would face for being a blood-traitor.
Just look at Arthur Weaseley's situation… he worked in the ministry, yet struggled to give his family a good life where they didn't have to struggle, feel embarrassed, or grow insecure because of their poor financial situations and she would be no different… rather, her situation would be worse because she also wouldn't have the support of her family.
And unlike Sirius, who was handed a pile of Galleons by his uncle, Andromeda hadn't been that lucky.
If he wasn't in the Azkaban at the moment, he would have certainly come forward to help his favorite cousin with the galleons he had in his vault, unfortunately for her, he was locked up in Azkaban, and wouldn't be breaking out for the next six to seven years, so that door was also closed for her.
And yet, the bills wouldn't stop coming. No, they'd only get worse. As Nymphadora moves up through Hogwarts, the costs would pile up. While Hogwarts itself had no tuition, that didn't mean there would be no expenses for someone studying there.
"Robes, course materials for each year, potions ingredients—just the basics for studying at Hogwarts cost a small fortune. And potion brewing alone eats through Galleons like nobody's business. With this kind of frugal life… she would never be able to become a potion master if she wanted…
Or if she's hoping to land a job at the Ministry after she graduates, well… she'll need connections, and a fair bit of galleons to grease the right palms. You know how it is with corrupt individuals… without that, she doesn't stand a chance at getting a half-decent position."
With corruption rife in the Ministry, having the right contacts and the Galleons to back them up makes all the difference. Without either, things'll be slow, very slow… and bloody difficult.
"Or she could become an Auror… if she's got the talent and the skill, she might just manage it without needing bribes or connections if she gets lucky enough to get the right mentor. But you know as well as I do… being an Auror might be a respectable profession, but it's a bloody dangerous one too. One mistake or carelessness, one spell from the wrong sort, and she could end up a corpse."
He paused, then looked Andromeda straight in the eye. "Do you really wish to see the corpse of your beloved daughter being delivered to you one day, Auntie?"
Andromeda's face went pale at the very thought of her daughter's lifeless body. Seeing the dead body of her husband had already broken her, she dared not imagine the day she would be forced to see the body of her daughter, and shook her head vigorously. "No…"
Her husband was already gone, and if she were to lose her daughter as well… she couldn't even begin to imagine what she'd do.
For a single parent with an only child, the worst fear is the loss of their beloved child.
"Of course you don't… what loving parent would ever want to see their own child in a coffin?" Rigel sighed. "That's exactly why you've got a choice to make."
He paused for a moment, then added bluntly, "You lived your youth like a proper princess. Are you really going to let your daughter grow up like some poor lass from the countryside—scraping by, just like your late husband did?"
As much as Andromeda wanted to deny it, deep down she knew the boy wasn't wrong. Not one bit.
She could still look past these things when Edward was with her, when he was alive… at that time, all the love he gave her and all the effort he put into them was enough not to care much about the lack of galleon, but he is no longer there… It's just her now, and she has to take responsibility for her only daughter…
Feeling defeated, she sighed, "You are right… It's going to be very difficult if I try to raise Dora on my own…"
"Not if you agree to come with me," Rigel said, stretching out his hand toward her. He repeated softly, "Come with me… and you and your daughter will never have to worry about Galleons in this life. The treasuries of the House of Black is more than enough to cover our expenses for several lifetimes. She'll live comfortably, never needing to go without or give things up just because there's no money."
Andromeda hesitated, her eyes fixed on Rigel's outstretched hand. She was clearly tempted, but there were still too many thoughts swirling in her head. After a long pause, she voiced one of them.
"Even if I do agree and return with you… Would I even be accepted back? Would she?" she asked quietly. "My father and mother would never… even if, by some miracle, they found it in their hearts to forgive me for my foolishness, they'd never accept Dora."
Her voice trembled slightly. "She's a half-blood—a filthy creature in their eyes. They'd torment her… they'd torture her to death."
"Well… yes, things will be tough," Rigel admitted with a nod. "I'm not denying that. But there is a way around it."
"What way?" Andromeda asked, raising an eyebrow.
Rigel leaned forward slightly, a small smile playing on his lips. "You wouldn't be returning as an independent adult witch… Rather, you'd be coming back as my servant."
He paused for a moment, then added, "Bound to me by an Unbreakable Vow… you'd have nothing to worry about."
"Un… Unbreakable Vow? And as your servant?" Andromeda murmured, her eyes widening in shock. She hadn't expected Rigel to bring up a piece of magic that serious, let alone ask her to make a vow of servitude.
"You've got to understand, my dear Aunt," Rigel said calmly. "There's no such thing as a free lunch in this world, or is there? There's always a price to pay. And if you can't see the price up front, chances are, you are the price."
He gave her a pointed look as he held her cheek, and peering into her eyes, said, "In this case, it's you, a servant, bound to me by an Unbreakable Vow of loyalty and obedience with everything you got, including your flesh and blood."
"This…" murmured Andromeda, feeling a bit creeped out.
But Rigel didn't pay her any mind, and continued, "The Unbreakable Vow guarantees neither of us betrays the other," Rigel explained calmly. "Of course, there'd be a few extra terms, personal favours and such for the sake of comfort, all within reason, considering your role as my servant. But I'm sure you wouldn't mind… now that you are a widow in need of securing a proper life and future for your daughter."
He gave a slight nod, then continued, "As for Nymphadora, fortunately, she's only a Half-blood, and she'll be away at Hogwarts most of the year for the next few. I believe we can manage just fine until she's of age. And once she's a proper adult, well… there's no reason to worry, she won't even have to live in the same house if she doesn't fancy it."
Hearing Rigel's words, and the implications behind personal favours, Andromeda fell silent, clearly torn. But deep down, she knew this might be her best chance. If she refused now, she might never be able to give Nymphadora the life her daughter truly deserved.
"You've got to decide, Aunty…" Rigel said as he retracted his hand from her cheek, then stretched it out once again before her, "All you have to do is take my hand and make the Vow… and everything will be set for you and your daughter… Please decide, my dear aunt."
Yes, she did have to decide, her dignity and independence, or a better future for her daughter at the cost of a life of servitude.
If she'd been in her right mind, she might've thought twice… no, perhaps thrice or more before even thinking of making that decision… but the truth is, she wasn't. She was grieving, vulnerable… mourning the loss of her beloved husband, who was no longer there to look after her and their daughter, and terrified of the bleak future looming ahead without him around.
And Rigel's voice, calm and deliberate, seemed almost hypnotic, each word cutting deep, reaching into the corners of her heart, prodding at her fears and clouding her judgment that was already desperate and collapsing out of grief…
Given all that, it's no wonder she was desperate to do something, anything, to give them a chance at a better life… one free from hardship and struggle that was only waiting to knock on their door if she didn't let this opportunity inside…
Thus, there wasn't much room left for dilly-dallying.
Slowly, though her expression was still full of hesitation, Andromeda reached out with a trembling hand, intending to accept the proposal.
'All I need to do is accept a life of servitude and everything will be alright…'
But at the same time, memories flooded her mind: the day she first met Ted, their quiet little wedding, building a home together, the birth of their sweet Dora… and then, losing him.
As those moments played through her heart, something stirred deep within, a flicker of courage from some hidden place. And just like that, the darkness and cloudiness that had been there seemed to vanish for a moment as the hand she'd been about to accept was slapped away with a sharp cha that echoed all the way to heaven.
A heavy silence fell over the room. Rigel stood frozen, clearly taken aback, and looked at his hand that had been slapped away. That hand, the one he thought would be accepted without question, considering everything he had laid out before her, now hung in the air.
Before he could even make sense of it, Andromeda spoke, her voice shaking but firm. "Get… get out."
"Excuse me?" Rigel asked, still struggling to process what had just happened, let alone what she'd said.
"A-asking me to sell myself to you…" Andromeda stammered, her voice trembling. "I… I won't do it. Just because you came to offer condolences for my husband's death, I won't hex you on the spot… but I don't want you here a moment longer. So… just go. Leave."
A scowl crept across Rigel's face. For a moment, his hand twitched toward the wand tucked inside his robes, his dead mother's wand, he was tempted to cast Cruciatus on her for the sheer audacity of slapping his hand and bruising his pride.
But… he held himself back. 'Now isn't the time for something like that…'
Forcing a smile, he withdrew his hand and, straightening up, he said calmly, "Aunty… you're not in your right mind at the moment. I'll come back another time—maybe you'll see things differently by then, yeah? My offer still stands, so… have a think."
Andromeda didn't respond. She just sat there with her head bowed, her brown curls falling forward, hiding her face.
Rigel didn't push it. He simply turned and walked out of the Tonks' house, shutting the main gate of the house behind him with a soft click.
Now left alone, Andromeda sat with her head bowed, tears slipping down her cheeks as she wept quietly. "Ted… why… just why…" she whispered, grief tightening in her chest as she mourned her late husband.
…
12, Grimmauld Place, London,
Returning home with Kreacher in tow, Rigel waved the elf off. "Don't bother with dinner." He headed straight for the bath—he needed to wash off the stench of that filthy Mudblood's funeral and that nasty house he had set foot in.
Standing under the magically heated stream of hot water running down his back, Rigel gazed at his reflection in the fogged-up mirror. Through the rising steam, the memory of that filthy blood traitor slapping away his hand kept playing in his mind, again and again.
She hadn't just slapped away his hand. She'd slapped away his so-called kindness. And with it—his pride.
A man's ego is no small thing. It's the sort of thing wars are fought over. And today, he had taken a hit.
But strangely… Rigel wasn't angry. Not in the slightest. The wide psychopathic grin spreading across his face as he stared into the mirror said it all—he wasn't angry; rather, he was amused. Pleased, even.
"After all," he muttered to himself, voice low, "if she'd agreed so easily to make the unbreakable vow of servitude, where'd be the fun in that? No… she needs to be broken first. Only then will it be worth it."
A laugh bubbled up from deep in his chest. "Haha… Hahahaha… Fun… this is going to be fun…"
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