(no subject)

[clumsy_auror]

It's quiet, for once, as the early evening sun slants through the curtains. Bernard and Sunny are outside, taking advantage of the warmth to read companionably on the porch.

Nymphadora has her work spread out on the dining room table, and Anthony's fast asleep in his playpen in the corner.

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[iopenthings]

There is a tentative knock on the door from an old friend. Door wants to call out, but she's not sure if she should. She doesn't want to wake the baby, and it's been so long.

Maybe she just ought to go back to the House of Arch.

[clumsy_auror]

The flat's so quiet, in fact, that 'Dora has no trouble hearing the knock. Glad for the break, the witch puts her quill down and walks over to the door, stretching her arms and yawning.

She opens the door, and finds-- "Door!"

'Dora beams.

[iopenthings]

"Hello, 'Dora. Are you busy?"

Door bites her lip. It's been far too long.

[clumsy_auror]

"No, please! Come on in." Tonks leans in to peck her friend on the cheek, and then ushers her inside. "Here, have a seat -- can I get you a cuppa?"

[iopenthings]

"Alright, yes, please," she says, with a relieved smile. "I'm sorry I haven't- I've been a terrible friend, I think."

[clumsy_auror]

A light shrug. "I know you've been busy, in London Below. And we've been busy here, too." Walking into the kitchen, Nymphadora puts on the kettle and readies two teacups. "Have you met the baby yet?"

[iopenthings]

She follows 'Dora, shaking her head no. "I'd wanted to. The time just gets away from me." This is a lame excuse. But she's here now.

[clumsy_auror]

"Well, he's in the dining room -- asleep in the playpen -- if you'd like to have a look. Should be up in a little bit, so you can meet him properly."

The water boils, with a little magical encouragement, and Nymphadora pours the tea. "Cream or sugar?"

[iopenthings]

"Both, please." She quietly steps into the dining room and watches the sleeping baby a few moments. Then she returns to the kitchen.

"...Oh, 'Dora. He's beautiful. Tom's told me about him. He's quite the proud uncle."

[clumsy_auror]

'Dora hands Door a mug, and smiles softly. "He is, rather. Getting pretty good with him too, now that he's stopped thinking he'll drop him."

She takes a sip, and gives Door a considering look.

"C'mon. Let's get comfy, and then you can tell me what's new."

[iopenthings]

"That sounds like a very good idea." She settles beside 'Dora on the sofa, sipping her tea. "I don't think I've sat down to chat with a girlfriend like this in..." She stops, thinking about it. "In a terribly long time. Tom nearly forced me bodily through the painting when I told him I wanted to come visit you."

[clumsy_auror]

"Well, we have missed you," 'Dora replies frankly. "It was nice to see you at Ingress' party on Saturday."

[iopenthings]

"I've missed you, as well. Watching Ingress princess about, I remembered how I was at that age. I wasn't nearly as greagrious as she is. She's a lot like my mum, I think, and I'm more like my father."

[clumsy_auror]

She takes a long sip of tea. "And she wouldn't be anything like as happy as she is if you and Tom weren't so good for her and Gavroche." As 'Dora grins, there's a bit of a teasing spark in her eye. "In all of my infinite wisdom of motherhood, I can tell you that you're both doing an excellent job with them."

[iopenthings]

"I try. When Mary Poppins gave notice, I thought I was going to have a nervous breakdown. Things are turning out alright though. Thank heavens both of them are well liked, and there are so many at Milliways who need to earn a wage for their tabs."

[clumsy_auror]

"I know -- you lot seem to've found a rather crack team to help out. Kitty Pryde -- dunno if you know her, she's very nice -- she comes in to look after the kids sometimes. Otherwise Bernard has them during the day, except for when Sunny's at daycare."

A slightly rueful smile.

"I think it's been a bit of an adjustment for Bernard, but he's been brilliant about it. He knows I need to be at work now more than ever."

[iopenthings]

"I met her a few times - she lived in the House for a while. I understand she and Edmund Pevensie had a falling out, though, and she moved out. She seems quite nice, and Tom, of course, knows her."

She grins. "I won't tell Tom she's got the babysitting detail. Any chance he can get to care for Sunny, he'll take. That's another thing I botched horribly."

The grin fades.

"You know, I really thought the year my family was murdered was the worst year I'd lived through, but I think last year takes those honors."

[clumsy_auror]

Nymphadora looks closely at Door over the rim of her mug, but not too closely. She doesn't want Door to think she's being judged; 'Dora heard things from Tom, of course, but Door is still her friend, too.

"Wanna tell me about it?"

[iopenthings]

"I was- I think I was trying to be someone I'm not. I'm not my father. I can't fill his shoes, but I can stand in my own. That was the basis of everything. I was insecure and frightened. When Tom brought Sunny in, all I could think was this was one more responsibility on my shoulders. When he told me he was going to help destroy that Academy, I knew- I knew he wouldn't come back. I knew it as well as I knew the sun would rise. Then he did come back, and it was me who nearly died. That week I still don't like to think about."

She glances away. "I was jealous, too. Tom chose to come here more, and he became better friends with you than I'd been. It just became easier to stay in the House, and keep to myself."

[clumsy_auror]

"I think..." 'Dora pauses, and takes a long breath. "I think you haven't had the easiest life, and you put a lot of pressure on yourself for a long time to, as you say, be someone you're not. It's easily done." A wry smile. "I've been guilty of it a time or two, I'm sure. But all that's water under the bridge, and I'm glad to see you here."

[iopenthings]

"I'm glad to be here. Tom is wonderful - I love him more than I ever thought I could love someone, but he's not the best person to discuss girl things with. Although he has been very good about providing ice cream at the very best of moments."

[clumsy_auror]

That prompts a laugh from 'Dora. "Isn't he, though? Once when I had a misunderstanding with Bernard, he made a really game attempt at comfort, and then we ate our weight in ice cream."

[iopenthings]

Door laughs, as well. "He told me about that. I thought it was adorable. He really is surprising sometimes."

Her smile turns wistful. "We're thinking about thinking about maybe next year trying for a baby of our own."

[clumsy_auror]

Nymphadora raises her eyebrows, but smiles. "Really? Blimey, wouldn't that be something. Think you'd be ready for that?"

As if on cue, there's a quiet sort of "Ah!" from Anthony's playpen, and Nymphadora walks over to lift him out, pressing a soft kiss to the baby's cheek. The witch cradles the still-sleepy baby close, and settles herself back on the couch beside Door.

[iopenthings]

She reaches out to softly touch Anthony's cheek. "That's why we're only in the thinking about thinking about it stage. I'm not sure if I'll ever be ready, but I don't run off screaming in panic at the thought anymore."

[clumsy_auror]

Anthony gurgles softly, and his tiny mouth briefly curls into a smile, crinkling his eyes at the corners like Bernard's. "I know I'd never have deliberately had a family so soon, but... sometimes things can't be helped. And I wouldn't trade either Anthony or Sunny for anything, now. They're..." She shakes her head, unable to verbalise it. "They're amazing."

[iopenthings]

She pats his little hand, slipping a finger in between his. Anthony grips it, and Door smiles.

"In the Underside families tend to start pretty early, as you're never sure how much time you've got. That being said, I never imagined at nineteen that I'd be the mother figure for an eleven-year-old wizard and a seven-year-old Herald-to-be, but yeah, it's amazing. Tiring, but amazing.

[clumsy_auror]

"Hm." 'Dora smiles down at her son as he yawns widely and leans his head against her chest. "How've things been in the Underside lately? Quiet?"

[iopenthings]

She snorts. "The Underside is anything but quiet. However, it is more manageable now. People listen to me. They listen to us. When they don't, Tom manages to maneuver them against one another till they do what we wanted in the first place. I'm taking notes - he's frighteningly good at that."

She hugs herself. "Since last summer, I think we've showed them that we're a force to be reckned with. I've heard talk of Velvets slinking back into the corners of the Underside, but I doubt they'll be a problem now." Her eyes go hard, the colors dulling. "If they are a problem, we'll deal with them again."

[clumsy_auror]

"'Course you will." 'Dora's voice is quiet, but serious. "And if you need help, you come to me straight away, yeah?"

[iopenthings]

She reaches out for Dora's hand, covering it where it lies against Anthony's back. "I shall, 'Dora. Although you've rather got your hands full yourself. Why don't we make this a reciprocal deal?"

[clumsy_auror]

And the witch squeezes Door's hand. "Deal. I'll take all the help I can get, out there."

[iopenthings]

"I know. Tom's terribly worried. I'm sorry things are so bad right now."

[clumsy_auror]

Her grateful smile fades. "Yeah, well. Me too. But it is what it is. The war can't last forever."

Well. It could.

But Nymphadora won't let it.

[iopenthings]

"No, it can't," Door says, quietly.

She sips her tea. Feuds, clashes, violence, murder... She's grown up surrounded by such things in the Underside. This fact doesn't make it easier.

"I was wondering if perhaps we might all have a picnic sometime soon, out by the lake. The children get along so well, and it would be- it would be lovely to spend some time altogether. Tom considers you his family, and I do as well, even if I've not been around much. If you aren't busy, that is."

[clumsy_auror]

And at that, she smiles. "That'd be lovely, really. And when aren't we all busy? We'll make the time."

[iopenthings]

"We shall. I'll make certain of it. Would I be in the way if I stayed a bit longer? Just to, well, to hang out? Catch up on gossip?"

[clumsy_auror]

'Dora cuffs Door's arm lightly. "Don't be stupid, you're not in the way. C'mon, you can come along for the wonderful spectacle that is nappy-changing."

Chattering merrily, the two women walk down the hall to Anthony's room, the baby snug in Nymphadora's arms.