This chapter picks up at the end of the GOF where Snape and Sirius are forced by Dumbledore to shake hands

This chapter picks up at the end of the GOF where Snape and Sirius are forced by Dumbledore to shake hands. It explains events that were cut from GOF but will become important in Harry Potter and the Black Curse and is so entitled 'The Missing Chapter'. The rest of the book will progress from the summer between Harry's fourth and fifth year.

Snape and Sirius shook hands stiffly. If it had been in any other circumstances Harry might have thought it comical – given that they looked like two irate schoolboys who Dumbledore had caught fighting - but in the aftermath of the events that had just taken place he couldn't even raise a smile. Dumbledore looked slightly abated.

'Now that we have at best an uneasy truce between you there is one more matter that I wish to discuss with you both before Severus leaves us.'

'Grace …' said Sirius, his eyes suddenly bright. Dumbledore held his hand up warningly.

'Who?' said Harry confused.

'Harry, Dumbledore said, kindly, 'I would appreciate it greatly if you would leave us for just a few moments.' Harry was reluctant to comply, he felt that he had earned the right to share in whatever it was they were about to discuss, but Sirius persuaded him.

'Please Harry, I will speak to you again before I leave – but we have something of great importance to discuss before the night is over.' His tone was even, but Harry could tell that there was urgency behind his words.

'Ok,' Harry said, rising to leave, 'But I don't see …' he trailed off.

'Harry I promise you that as soon as the time is right you will be told.' Snape gave a little snort. 'He has that right, Severus,' Dumbledore went on firmly. Snape rolled his eyes but did not comment.

When Harry had left the room Dumbledore turned back to the two men before him. Animosity still lay heavy in the air and neither Snape nor Sirius allowed themselves to look at the other. Dumbledore sighed.

'Perhaps you could lay your differences aside to discuss the welfare of Grace Black.'

'Headmaster,' Snape said in an impatient tone. 'You have ordered me to …' he checked himself seeing that Sirius was eyeing him carefully, 'I have business to attend to.'

'I am well aware of that, Severus; however, since you are no more anxious to complete that particular task than I am for you to do it, I suggest that it can wait - at least for the few moments it will take to make Sirius aware of the fate of his young cousin.' Snape opened his mouth to speak but closed it almost immediately. After a few moments pause he inclined his head slightly.

'Very well headmaster.'

'Now,' said Dumbledore more brightly. 'Grace is of course safe – at least for the moment.'

'But where is she?' Sirius interrupted. Dumbledore hesitated for a fraction of a second before continuing in a measured tone.

'She is with the Malfoy family.' Sirius was outraged.

'The Malfoys! How? Why?'

'Please remain calm Sirius. Everything will be explained to you. Severus, perhaps you could take up the explanation here as it was you that took the young Grace to Narcissa.'

'You!', the rage Sirius felt suddenly erupting, 'You took Grace to those … those … Death Eaters,' Sirius was on his feet in seconds, his face inches from Snape and his fist balled around his wand.'

'Please Sirius,' said Dumbledore calmly, 'It was on my orders that Severus took Grace to the Malfoys on the night of your arrest.' Sirius looked back at Dumbledore. 'Think about is Sirius. What other family did Grace have at that time?' Sirius stepped slightly from Snape, who was watching his movements with a look of pure hatred. 'Bellatrix?' Dumbledore said, his eyebrow raised, 'Would you rather that Grace had gone to your other cousin?'

'She could have stayed with one of the order.' Sirius sat back down, Snape, however, remained on his feet.

'You know that that is impractical - please, be seated Severus,' he added distractedly. Snape complied slowly, his eyes glinting dangerously in the dark blue light that radiated from the small turret window in Dumbledore's office. Dumbledore pressed his fingertips together before continuing.

'Voldemort believed that Grace was killed the night that his death eaters obliterated your cousin's manor. He did not know that I had given orders for Grace to be removed as soon as Severus brought me word that he had discovered her parent's betrayal. Algernon and his wife Lila, as you know, turned spy for our side not long after they had been enrolled as death eaters at the wishes of Algernon's father. When I realised that their lives were in danger I removed Grace and hid her parents somewhere I thought Voldemort would never find them; they gave up their daughter into your care so that she might live a normal life. Unfortunately my plan was vexed by a death eater who was at that time in our employment, and they were tracked down and killed.

'I know this already Albus - remember?' Sirus said impatiently, 'Grace came to me.' Dumbledore held up his hand.

'Let me continue. What Voldemort did not realise was that another child, the child of Victoria Malfoy, Lucius's younger sister, did die that same night from a rare illness of the blood passed down by the child's father. Victoria, as you may know, in her state of grief went mad and attempted to breach the ministry several days later where she took out several of our number before Moody was able to disarm her. She turned her wand on herself before the aurors could prevent it. Vital for us, Victoria was killed before any of the death eaters, with the exception of Lucius, had heard about the death of her illegitimate daughter.'

When you were arrested and taken, rumours that there was a child reached Voldemort's ears. He demanded that Severus investigate the wreckage of the Black's home for evidence – and Snape had to report that there was no sign of Grace. Voldemort, after taking out his fury on the death eaters who had failed him, ordered an immediate search for the child: What better cover for Grace, then, than to be taken to the Malfoy's as though she was Victoria's child?'

'But how did you know that Victoria's child had died?' said Sirius, unable to see how the pieces of the story fit together. Dumbledore looked swiftly towards Snape, whose face was unreadable.

'Very few people knew where Victoria was staying. Severus was one of those who did. Lucius and Narcissa were the others. You have to remember that Victoria, though she was a Malfoy, was in trouble. Lucius had all but disowned her, and the father had no contact with her or with the child during her brief life. When Victoria attacked the ministry the rest of the death eaters thought that it was an attempt to ingratiate herself with those who followed Voldemort – those who had frowned upon her when she found herself unmarried and pregnant. After her death few bothered to ask the simple questions that would have led to the uncovering of her true motives – they simply did not care enough to be curious. Only Severus visited the small London bedsit that she called home and it was then that he discovered that the child had sadly died. A house elf called Glumly, that Lucius had in a weak moment granted Victoria from his manor, was also present but her memory was modified by Severus so that now none knew of the her fate. When you were taken to Azkaban Severus was then able to take Grace to the Malfoys. When he arrived he discovered through Narcissa that the house elf had sent an owl to Lucius informing him of the death of the baby and asking for orders so that it would not be possible to conceal from him her true identity, even if it was desirable.

Sirius tired to absorb the information he had just been given. It was with bitter regret that he recounted in his mind the image of Grace as a baby being spirited away by Snape as he was taken to Azkaban. Suddenly a thought occurred to him.

'And Lucius simply accepted the daughter of a traitor?' he could not believe that it had been that simple, 'You expect me to believe that he agreed to go against the Dark Lord's wishes, and that he didn't suspect Snape of treachery?' Snape raised his eyebrow, simply allowing Sirius's questions to hang in the air unanswered. Dumbledore frowned slightly.

'Severus …' he prompted.

'I see no reason to answer such questions since the subsequent evidence points to the fact that this is indeed what happened,' he said curtly. When Dumbledore spoke again his words, as ever, were polite, but there was a dangerous edge to his tone.

'I will answer. I think that Sirius should be in possession of all the facts before we can decide on the course of action that must be taken.' He turned his attention to Sirius. 'I think it is fair to say that Lucius did not simply 'accept' the daughter of a traitor. Lucius was still reeling from news that his wife's brother was traitor to Voldemort - as, naturally, he was concerned that it would place his own family under suspicion. It is fair to surmise that he was furious when he found out that his wife had taken in the daughter as well. I believe Narcissa saw it differently – she was herself devastated by the death of her older brother. She, I believe, saw Grace as the perfect way to remain close to Algernon even while she was separated from him forever. When Severus brought her the child she was more than willing to raise her as Victoria's.'

'But she must have questioned your motives,' Sirius interrupted, turning to look Snape directly in the eye, 'And what about Lucius: Why would he agree?'

'Narcissa, at the time, was not a death eater,' said Snape at last. 'She had been married only long enough to have borne a son little more than a year old. Her loyalties were not as strong as Lucius's and she was young. She would never have consented to handing the child to Voldemort.' Snape began to pace the room, his dark robes billowing in the breeze from Dumbledore's unlit fireplace.

'But what about you?' Sirius pressed.

'It was easy to persuade a young Narcissa that I had saved the child out of affection for her,' Snape coloured slightly. 'She never told Lucius who brought Grace to her, he did not wish to know. He does not suspect that it was me. She told him that Algernon had made her take the unbreakable vow to protect Grace several weeks before his death – meaning of course that she would have died had she not taken Grace in.'

'I know what an unbreakable vow is,' Sirius said irritably. Snape looked like he was going to retort for a moment but pursed his lips and continued.

'Lucius was furious that Narcissa had placed them in such jeopardy but he had no choice but to agree to take Grace in; even Lucius did not wish his wife's death, neither would he turn her over to the Dark Lord.' Sirius gave a snort of disbelief and Snape narrowed his eyes.

'You share, Sirius, my own scepticism,' said Dumbledore evenly, 'However, I believe that what Severus means it that it would not be fitting for a death eater to have a wife so easily led by a traitor. In fact, in Voldemort's eyes Lucius may himself have been held responsible – he may have argued that Lucius should have a better hold over his wife's actions. However, the events that followed resolved the conflict. Voldemort, as we know, fell a few short weeks after Narcissa and Lucius took Grace into their home: I believe that Lucius breathed more easily after that – though after the events of tonight this might change.

Perhaps suspecting that one day Voldemort would return he has never disclosed Grace's true heritage to anyone, not even Grace.'

'So Grace thinks that she's a Malfoy?'

'Severus?' said Dumbledore, his tone firm.

'Yes,' said Severus shortly. 'I have visited the Malfoy Manor on several occasions and on the few where Grace was present she spoke of herself as Draco's cousin and Lucius's niece by blood. She believes that Victoria was her mother.' Snape paused, as though deciding whether to continue; eventually he did, every word sounding measured. 'I don't believe, however, that Lucius has ever been able to forget the manner in which Grace was thrust upon his family. He has tried. For example, he has renamed her Adrianna after his own late mother; but from what I have witnessed he treats her with a cold indifference. He sent her away to France to Beaubaxtons and he has never spoken of her the same way to me as he has Draco.'

'I thought that Grace was to attend Hogwarts …' said Sirius, his eyes flying towards Dumbledore. Dumbledore smiled.

'Perhaps we should henceforth refer to Grace as Adrianna, as this is the name under which she now thinks of herself.

Yes, she is to return to Hogwarts,' he went on. 'Lucius approached Severus several weeks ago and spoke to him about the matter. It is clear that Adrianna has proved somewhat … troublesome,' his eyes gleamed slightly. 'Lucius was under the impression that she would be asked to leave Beaubaxtons if he did not remove her. Naturally he is furious about the matter, and will be particularly vexed tonight now that Voldemort has once again risen: when Grace was away so was the reminder of his wife's disloyalty, but at Hogwarts she will be very much present. He will naturally live in fear that this indiscretion will be disclosed.

He has only himself to blame. In distancing Grace from the family and treating her not as his own, he has allowed her will to grow against him. I have spoken to Madame Maxine at length about Adrianna and she has assured me that though she is both difficult and stubborn she has a courageous and noble heart. She has shown none of her father's ambitions towards the dark arts, and from what I can gather she is deeply ashamed of the fact that her mother, or the women she believes to be her mother, made her name as a notorious follower of Voldemort. Naturally we have a very insecure and troubled child, and it is this, I believe, that has led to her affinity for trouble.'

Sirius's face grew darker with every word. He couldn't bare to think of the child that he had lovingly cared for a few short weeks as growing up in such a miserable way.

'Albus … perhaps if I went to Malfoy and told him that I'd be willing to take Grace in …' Sirius trailed off. Snape gave him a contemptuous look.

'That would be rather difficult don't you think, Black, given that Lucius works for the Ministry and you are on their most wanted list of criminals.' A sneer curled on Snape's lips and Sirius square up once again to the shorter man.

'Please Severus, that is most unhelpful,' said Dumbledore stepping between them, 'And, if you don't mind me saying, a little heartless.' Snape coloured.

'I am merely pointing out, headmaster, the impracticalities of such a plan.'

'Yes thank you, Severus, I think that Sirius is aware of such complications.'

Sirius was too agitated to even look triumphant at Dumbledore's reproach.

'So what do you suggest, Albus.' Sirius said, turning his eyes towards the ceiling.

'For the moment? That we allow Adrianna to come to Hogwarts. What happens when she does may give us more insight into how we should proceed.'

'And Harry? Are we going to tell him about Adrianna.'

'I see no reason, headmaster, why Potter should be made aware of things that are not his concern' said Snape immediately.

'He is my Godson, and I think that we have kept enough secrets from him 'Dumbledore thought for a few moments.

'I agree, in this instance, with Severus. We cannot, with clean conscience, tell anyone of Adrianna's circumstances before she has that information herself.'

'But if she's a Malfoy then Harry and the others aren't even going to bother getting to know her. She was away from the Malfoy's influence at Beaubaxtons, but at Hogwarts she will be right in the middle of it. She could end up … on the wrong side.' Dumbledore smiled.

'I think you underestimate her Sirius.'

'But Lucius's son – Draco - Harry's told me all about how he is. I don't want that for Grace – er - Adrianna.'

'Perhaps Potter has embellished the facts,' said Snape with contempt. 'His grudge against Draco is most childish, and appears to me to centre around performance in Quidditch.'

'The fault of the adult is often to underestimate the power of the child to surprise,' said Dumbledore who chose to ignore Snape's last comment, 'If you placed a truly honest young heart amongst dishonesty I do not believe that that heart would be corrupted. Can we say the same for the elder amongst us?' he went on rhetorically. Sirius and Snape looked bewildered, but Dumbledore merely smiled.

'Till we meet again gentlemen I must ask you to say nothing of this to another soul. Promise me Sirius.'

'I promise,' Sirius said slowly.

'Very well,' he turned to Snape, 'Severus you know what you must do.' Sirius thought he saw Snape shudder slightly.

'Yes Headmaster. I will go and – prepare.' Dumbledore nodded.

'Do not wait too long Severus, courage won't wait in us forever: What's that phrase that muggles are so fond of? – 'Once more into the breach, dear friend,' Snape looked blank and Dumbledore omitted a little chuckle, though it sounded forced, as though it was covering his true feelings. 'If you need assistance when you return …'

'If I return then I shall not need any, headmaster.' With a last glare at Sirius and a small bow to Dumbledore Snape turned on his heel and swiftly left the room.