A panic attack was something that Clara had never experienced before. As one might hope of an 11-year-old, her life was a sheltered one, and she had little cause for terror or alarm. But the un-moving body of her supposed aunt, along with the arrival at an unknown location, was enough to send her over the edge. So rather than being a cool, can't-be-beaten hero, she crawled into an empty kitchen cupboard and began to hyper-ventilate.

She wanted it to be this morning again. Before anything unusual had happened. She would be at ballet right now, with her friends, and a long future of not much in particular. She couldn't face the still body of her aunt. She couldn't shake flashes of Andy crashing against her, as they were pulled away in a vortex of green. Tonks had hurt her mother, for her? They had only just met! Thoughts such as these plagued her for an hour or so, until eventually her crying stopped and blissful nothingness came over her. She was not happy, but she was incapable of sadness, for the time being. Instead she decided that only little girls hid in cupboards, and she certainly wasn't little anymore. She tentatively opened the door, and stared into the eyes of another woman. She slammed the door shut again.

"Child, may I ask you to get out from my kitchen cupboard?" Narcissa asked. She had been alerted by their (rather useless) house elf that two-people had flooed into her home. Dobby didn't think to mention one was her sister. A sister that was unconscious. "I will not hurt you. You shouldn't be afraid." There was no change from the shaking sobs. She rang her jewelled hand through her pale golden hair. She had left Draco alone, and if she didn't return to him soon, there wouldn't just be one upset child.

"I can wake up Andy, would you like that?" The sobs stopped immediately. Slowly, the door sung open, and it felt like Narcissa has used a time-turner. She was the perfect likeness to an 11-year-old Bellatrix.

"I would like it if you woke her, but I don't know why she collapsed." Quivered the girl. Narcissa held out her hand, and the girl took it, although it was very tentative. They approached the body, and Narcissa put her near Andromeda's mouth.

"Why are you doing that?"

"To see if she is breathing." Clara felt at least another dozen questions threatening to escape, but she steeled herself. If this woman could help her aunt, then it would be worth it. She couldn't afford it distract her.

It turned out it was actually very simple to wake her. Narcissa chuckled when a simple spell made the girl exclaim in awe. She hoisted up her estranged sister, and let her explain the events of today. Eventually it drew to a close, and a young, blond boy walked into the room.

"Mother, you didn't say people were coming over?" Andromeda frowned. If Tonks had ever called her mother she knew something was wrong. Such formal language shouldn't be used, in her opinion. Of course, her dear daddy Cygnus had expected the same from her. But as her sister explained that they were family, she detected a lot more love between the two than she ever shared with her parents. She smiled when the boy offered to play with Clara. Although he did look dejected when she said she didn't know how to fly.

"He seems like a good lad." She admitted, once the adults were left alone. His sister smiled, but put her glass down, and Andy knew the real talk was about to begin.

"Lucius will not risk his reputation by harbouring the child. You haven't talked to be since you married that-" Narcissa stopped herself at her sister's glare. "Why are you even protecting this child. Surely, she is dark to you?" Andy sighed as she gazed around the elegant kitchen. A tiny thought remembered that this fortune could've been hers if she had chosen a different side.

"Even if your lord didn't see it that way, I was neutral in the war. I put my family before anything, and Clara is my family. As she was innocent, I couldn't let the ministry take her." There was an awkward silence as they both sipped their drinks.

"If we hand her in, they'll have to give her a trial. Then it can be over, and we could give her a permanent, legal home." Andromeda stiffened at the idea of the Malfoys taking her child.

"No offence, little sister, but I'm not comfortable with Lucius taking care of her. Clara is a trusting as a house elf, and I wouldn't have her believe anything your husband says." Again, they paused, both now recalling exactly why they hated each other to start with. "But, I need to hand myself in. Clara can hide until I give testimony. I wouldn't put it past Fudge to chuck the girl in Azkaban whilst awaiting trial."

"But they'll use veritaserum on you to find out her location. Then you'll drag me into this."

"Can't you see that you're already involved!" Andy yelled, finding losing her limited patience. "Clara is an innocent child, your niece! But because your death-eater husband might lose face you'll abandon your own blood!" But Narcissa didn't respond to the outcry. How much the light side had changed her. She was almost Gryffindor-like now.

"I'll oblivate where you put her from your mind. I can guarantee the child's protection but only until Lucius comes home. He's the head of this family and there is little I can do to disobey him. It was in the marriage contract. Of course, you wouldn't know much about those, would you?" She said coldly, and a brief look of hurt came across the elder's face. But soon a glassy expression replaced it, as the conversation was wiped from her mind.

Clara and Draco walked in as green flames filled the fireplace. "Where did Andy go?" The former asked, bewildered by the disappearance.

"She just had something to do at work. You'll be staying with us for a little while. Hopefully all of this will be straightened out. Then you can go to Hogwarts with Draco. Dobby's prepared tea, would you like some?" The disappointment was replaced with a small smile. In fact, they all smiled throughout the meal. It was delicious after all.

It was a short chapter today, but I felt that I'd been depriving you long enough. Exams are the worst, and so are my grades. But they'll be over in a couple of weeks, which will be a relief. Thanks to everyone who reviewed last time! Having people who bother to review this time makes me so happy.

Disclaimer: I have not made poly-juice potion and transformed into J K Rowling. Nor do I own her stuff

Also Happy (very belated) New year and Hanukkah, or whatever you celebrate!