"I think you might have confused my sister with someone else, Miss Summers," Andromeda said slowly. "My sister Bellatrix is a Death Eater, she wouldn't help someone she doesn't know unless it's for that Dark Lord of hers."
"Does she have long, thick curly black hair, pale, thin but lean? Wears heavy velvet dresses, dark purple eyes that always seem empty?" Buffy asked innocently though she already knew.
"That sounds like her but since joining the Death Eaters she hasn't been kind to anyone really," Andromeda said softly, sadly. Looking at Buffy curiously she asked, "Why did she help you find whatever you were looking for? What did she get in return?"
Smirking Buffy said, "I don't really know but I assume it was for helping to get rid of the two guys that were looking for her. One was a pale guy with white blonde hair and the other was a dark guy with black, curly hair. Blondie looked like a pompous jerk and the dark guy had a cruel look about him. And she didn't get anything in return, just a short blonde asking questions."
Chuckling at the description of Lucius Malfoy and likely Rodolphus Lestrange, Andromeda nodded slightly, "Lucius is a git and Rodolphus is a cruel man."
"Can we get back to the matter at hand, ladies?" Dumbledore asked, his voice bordering on polite and impatient.
"What exactly do you wish to know, Headmaster?" Buffy asked, feigning innocence.
"Why are you and Miss Prentiss here? And how does the war concern you?" Dumbledore asked, trying not to let his anger out. "Also, how is it you knew that Andromeda was Miss Black's sister?"
"I have already explained why we are here, Headmaster; to help," Buffy said losing her patience. "As for the war, that shall remain between me and who I choose to tell. As for knowing about Bellatrix's and Andromeda's familial relationship, its quite obvious just by looking at the two. They are very much alike." Holding a hand up when Dumbledore went to speak again, Buffy said, "I will not share anything more with you unless I deem it important to share, Headmaster. Now, can we move this some place else? There are sirens in the distance coming this way. Apparently, we made quite the noise and someone called the police."
Nodding sharply, Dumbledore said, "Let's meet in Hogsmeade at The Three Broomsticks. We shall conduct the Order meeting there."
Buffy watched as the others started disaparating, but grabbed onto the Tonks' arms to stop them. When it was just her, the Tonks', Emily and Minerva, Buffy pulled her hands back. Before she could open her mouth, Tonks spoke up.
"That was the biggest load of bull I've ever heard someone give to Dumbledore," Tonks said, looking at Buffy and Emily curiously.
"It wasn't all a lie," Buffy said defensively, pouting. "Just the really big parts. But I didn't lie about why we're here or about meeting Bella."
"Oh? Then what did you lie about, Miss Summers?" Tonks asked sarcastically, earning a glare from her mom.
"Lets see, how I met Bella, my connection to the war, how I got here, how I knew your mom was Bella's sister," Buffy started, ticking them off her fingers. "Oh, and where I met Bella."
Shaking her head, Minerva said sternly, "Buffy, that's enough. Now explain why you kept them behind."
Looking at her mom, Buffy saw the amusement in her eyes but also the seriousness. "Okay, okay. I wanted to let them in on the truth, the complete truth. They deserve to know since it involves Bella and Narcissa."
"What are you talking about? How does anything involve my sisters and how do you know them?" Andromeda asked, confused.
"I met Bella a few days ago, when she kidnapped me after being bitten and nearly drained by a vampire. She said it was because the vampire had started feeding me his blood and she wanted to make sure I didn't suffer any side-effects." Buffy explained quickly. "During that time, she told me about my heritage, that I had been adopted and was a pureblood witch. But I was also the first of my kind, a Slayer-Witch. I had been kidnapped from my mother's home when I was like two or three by the Watcher's Council, an organization that is supposed to help support slayers. They used wand-less dark magic to make it look like I had been killed and put me into an American orphanage in L.A. where I was adopted by the Summers."
Stopping, Buffy took a deep breath before continuing her story. "One of my friends back in Sunnydale is a hacker and she hacked into the Council's files on me. There, I learned that my mother was a pureblood witch on the side of Light and that my father is a Dark wizard that raped her to create a child of both Light and Dark. My mom hid her pregnancy from everyone so nobody knew about me and then the kidnapping happened. So, the actual reason I came to Scotland was to find my mom and tell her the truth. Along the way, Bella and Emily helped me to find her and I met Narcissa. And I got dragged into this war because my father is the cause of it."
"But…that would make…the Dark Lord your father," Andromeda whispered, shocked.
Nodding, Buffy said, "Yes, that does. I know this is a lot to process but I need you to keep this to yourselves. Nobody but us five know the truth and I'd like to keep it that way for as long as possible. If Dumbledore finds out, he will most likely try to kill me."
"We need to leave, we've been here long enough and the Order will be suspicious if we stay longer," Minerva said before Andromeda or Tonks could say anything else. Grabbing her daughter and Emily's arms, she aparated them to Hogsmeade. Arriving with a soft pop, Minerva let go and led them into the pub with Andromeda and Tonks close behind. Taking a seat near the end of the table away from Dumbledore, they waited for the old wizard to speak.
Placing a silencing spell around their table, Dumbledore started the meeting. "Do we know why Voldemort attacked that specific town tonight?"
"He didn't give any details about why," a silky voice sneered, the owner a greasy-haired wizard with a crooked nose. "He just ordered us to attack and when the Order showed up, to engage them."
"Do you know any of Voldemort's current plans, Severus? Has he told you anything?" Dumbledore pressed, leaning forward.
"No, he hasn't," Severus said coldly, glaring around the table. "He doesn't trust me enough to share important information with me, the only ones who would know are Lucius, Rodolphus, Rabastan, Narcissa and Bellatrix. And even Lucius is keeping the Dark Lord's plans to himself."
"I'm afraid there is nothing else we can do, then," Dumbledore said somberly. "We will have to wait until Severus gets more news. But first, Severus, what do you know about Bellatrix and Sirius Black's escape from Azkaban?"
"The Dark Lord didn't have anything to do with it, Sirius Black managed to trick the dementors and he took Bellatrix with him when he ran. Unfortunately, Rodolphus somehow followed them out." Severus said emotionlessly, flicking his hair away from his face.
"Why would Sirius help a Death Eater like Bellatrix? They never got along in school since he was considered a blood traitor," Remus asked confusedly, looking down the table at Dumbledore.
"For now, we can only assume that he has embraced his heritage, Remus," Dumbledore said sadly, hiding his uncertainty.
"Then you are a fool," Minerva spoke up, startling the others. "Sirius would never join the Dark Lord, that boy had too much to live for. He would never have betrayed Lily and James, and especially his godson. I know that we were told he was their Secret Keeper but do we know that for sure? Can you be certain that it was Sirius that became Secret Keeper?"
"Minerva, we have no proof that he wasn't their Secret Keeper," Dumbledore countered, holding Minerva's emerald gaze. "We will never know for sure if he was or was not."
"I don't believe that," Minerva said stubbornly. "Lily was too smart not to think of something like collateral. Something to confirm who their Secret Keeper was."
"And where would we find such evidence? Godric's Hollow isn't standing and they left nothing in their vaults," Severus sneered disdainfully, glaring at Minerva.
Before Minerva could retort, Buffy grabbed her arm under the table, squeezing tight enough make her mom aware of the discomfort but not hurt her. Leaning closer she hissed low enough Remus couldn't hear, "Don't let him bait you. When we visit Godric's Hollow with Bella, we will find out the truth. Until then, ignore him the best you can."
Minerva nodded sharply, pursing her lips together tightly to stay quiet. Everyone else stared at the two in shock, nobody had ever been able to talk Minerva McGonnogal out of an argument or calm her so quickly. Getting over his shock, Dumbledore dismissed the Order members. Buffy, Emily, Minerva, Andromeda, and Tonks stayed behind after everyone had left, only getting up to move to a booth in the corner. After ordering some Butterbeers, Buffy started the conversation. "If you two have any more questions, best to ask them now."
"Earlier, why did you say that if Dumbledore finds out he would try to kill you?" Tonks asked curiously.
"Earlier today when Emily and I were in his office, I asked him what he would do if Voldemort were to have an heir," Buffy said coolly. "His response was that the child would have to be killed, because of its power. He basically said that an innocent baby's life was worth it to stop my father. Now I don't know about you, but to me that implies that if he found out that I am Voldemort's daughter he would kill me. No matter that I'm the Slayer, which inherently makes me a warrior for the Light."
"If Voldemort is your father, who is your mother? The woman he raped?" Andromeda asked sympathetically.
Cocking her head to the side, Buffy gazed at her mom questioningly. When she nodded imperceptibly the slayer turned her gaze back the Andromeda. "You already know the answer to your question, Andromeda, you just don't know you know. The woman is currently sitting at this table with us."
It didn't take a genius to realize who Buffy was talking about. Only one woman at the table was the most likely to have had a child; Minerva McGonnogal. Looking at the older witch with sorrow, Andromeda said softly, "I'm sorry you had to go through that, Minerva."
Smiling sadly Minerva said, "I would go through it every time if it meant I would always end up with Elizabeth as my daughter. Nothing will ever make me regret what happened simply because she is the result."
Buffy was about to say something when she felt a sharp pain rip through her body, faintly hearing what sounded like Bella screaming in her head. Gasping sharply, she clutched at her head, anxiously calling out to Bella, "Bella, what's happening? Bella, can you hear me?"
Faintly she heard, "Buffy…help…Rodolphus is here…I can't get away."
"Bella, where are you, honey? I need to know where you are," Buffy asked desperately.
"Godric's…Hollow. I aparated but…he followed." Bella answered, her voice getting distant.
Looking up at her mom quickly she pleaded, "I need to get to Godric's Hollow, now. She's in trouble."
Minerva's eyes widened, immediately reaching over to her daughter's arm and aparating them to the Potter's old home. As soon as the landed, they could hear cruel laughter and a woman's screams. Running around the side of the destroyed house, they saw Bella surrounded by three men, Death Eaters. She was tied to the ground, her cloak gone and dressed pushed up to her thighs. Rodolphus was crouched over her, one of his hands running over her unwilling body while he struck her with the other. Buffy's control over the slayer snapped when she saw him strike her mate. Eyes glowing a bright orange, the slayer flew towards Rodolphus, her wand already out and shooting stunners at the gathered Death Eaters. Throwing herself at the male Death Eater, Buffy rolled them off of Bella, landing a punch to his jaw. Feeling a fist strike her jaw, she rolled with it, ending up in a crouch as she watched Rodolphus stand angrily.
The slayer watched her prey closely, nearly purring in pleasure when she smelt the pure fear roll off of him in waves when he noticed her fiery orange glare. Stalking closer, she smiled feraly with each step he took back, trying to get away from her. Fighting to take control back, Buffy pushed the slayer to the back, standing and raising her wand again, stunning the Death Eater. Hearing a quiet whimper, Buffy immediately turned towards Bella, running over to her. Bella's face was streaked with a few tears, she had bruising along her jaw and a split lip. The top part of her dress was ripped open and she had a bite mark on her chest. Growling deeply, Buffy hurriedly untied the Death Eater and pulled her onto her lap, holding her protectively as she cried softly.
"Shh, I've got you now, baby," Buffy cooed soothingly in Bella's ear, tightening her hold on the woman. "I'll always protect you, baby, I promise."
Burying her face deeper in Buffy's neck, Bella felt her heart soar at Buffy's promise, knowing it was true. When her tears finally stopped, she pulled back to look at Buffy. "How did you know I was in trouble?"
"I felt a sharp pain run through my body and I could hear you calling out for me in my head," Buffy said, slightly confused. "It was like I knew you were in trouble and my heart was pulling me towards you."
Nodding slightly, Bella buried her head back into the slayer's neck, holding her tightly. She didn't glance up when she heard footsteps approach, just listened.
"As soon as you two leave, I'll alert the Aurors so they can be arrested," Minerva said softly, smiling at the sight of her daughter holding Bellatrix. Looking up at the destroyed house, she asked, "Do you want to go ahead and get what Lily left in Harry's old room for you, Bella?"
Looking up at the older witch, Bella nodded softly. "Yes, I don't think I will be coming back here anytime soon. It'll take a while for me to be comfortable here again." Standing, she helped Buffy to her feet before turning to the house and walking inside. Taking the stairs carefully, she turned to where she knew Harry's room was. When Harry had been born, she had spent a lot of time here, talking with Lily and James while her daughter and Harry slept in the crib together, before she had decided to send her daughter where she would be safe. Stepping into the room, she glanced at the crib that still stood, smiling sadly when she saw Harry J. Potter and Lillian R. Potter-Black carved into the wood of the headboard. Turning to the only window in the room, she took her wand out and said softly, "Finite Incantium, open sesame."
A bright light flooded the room so bright, the occupants had to shield there eyes. When the light dimmed somewhat, they opened their eyes and gasped in surprise. Before them stood Lily and James Potter and Frank and Alice Longbottom.
"Hello Bellatrix, Professor McGonnogal," Lily's soft voice lilted, her eyes looking at Buffy and Emily curiously. As if sensing the glamour covering Buffy, the redheaded witch waved her hand towards the slayer, dissolving the glamour. It was the four newcomers turn to gasp in surprise when they saw the striking resemblance between Buffy and Minerva.
"Lily, James, Alice, Frank," Bella said softly, tears filling her eyes. "What's going on? How are you all here?"
"We wanted to be here when you found the trunk," James said as he smiled at Bella. "We had to distract the big guy but we wouldn't miss this for anything."
Laughing through her tears, Bella asked teasingly, "Even in the afterlife, you're still up to your pranks?"
"But of course," James said, mock bowing. "I'll have you know it is my good sense of humor that brightens up that place."
Smiling softly, Bella said, "I'm sure it does, Prongs."
"Okay, lets get back to why we're here," Alice said, smiling at Bella as she stepped forward. Walking over to the trunk with the initials H.J.P and L.R.P-B inscribed on it, she opened it, pulling out a photo album and handing it to Bella. On the cover was inscribed 'The Honorary Potter Family'. On the first page of the album was a photo the Christmas following Harry's birth. They had had a small party, inviting the Longbottom's, Sirius, Remus, Peter, and Bella and Lillian. In the photo Remus, James, and Sirius were sitting off to the side in a deep discussion, Frank was on the floor in front of the couch playing with Harry, Lillian, and Neville, and Bella, Lily, and Alice were gathered in front of the fireplace, laughing and talking with each other. Peter was the one to take the photograph so he wasn't in it.
Bella felt her tears stream down her face as she looked at the photo, the last time everyone had been together and happy. Turning the page she saw a photo of herself and Lily, smiling happily as they cuddled up together in Hogwarts library, talking. The rest of the album was the same, showing times when they were happy, either all together or in pairs. On the very last page, it again said 'The Honorary Potter Family'. Below it, it had the names of their small family they had forged over the years, including her own and Lillian's. Looking up from the album, Bella said, "I didn't know that you considered me apart of your family. Though sometimes I wished I was a Potter."
Regarding her friend with affection, Lily said, "Bella, you will always be apart of the Potter family. Bloodlines don't matter, being a Potter means having good in your heart no matter how you were raised."
Nodding softly, Bella asked, "What else is in the trunk?"
Digging through the trunk again, Alice pulled out two envelopes, one addressed to Bella and the other to Harry. Grabbing them from Alice, Bella handed the one for Harry to Minerva and stared at her own. She was pulled from her musings by Alice.
"It would be much easier if we had a table to put this stuff on," Alice mumbled softly as she shifted through the trunk.
Hearing the softly muttered words as if they were shouted, Buffy waved her hand towards the area next the Alice, making a table appear out of nowhere. The slayer smirked when Alice let out a surprised yelp. "Ye said ye were a needin' a table, lass."
"Yes, well, thank you, Miss McGonnogal," Alice muttered, glancing back at the slayer. Looking back at the trunk she pulled out a small box and opened it. Inside was a tape recorder, a piece of parchment and a copy of the spell used. Going back to the trunk she pulled out another thick envelope with Bella's name written on it and another photo album with Harry's across it. Handing the envelope to Bella, Alice went back to the small box, grabbing the tape recorder and pushing play. The gathered group listened as Lily and James' voice came from the small device, followed by Peter Pettigrew's.
"This proves it wasn't my cousin that betrayed Lily and James," Bella said softly, feeling a sense of relief flow through her. Her cousin could finally be free again. "When I get my hands on that rat, I'm going to make him wish he was dead."
Lily, James, Frank and Alice smiled at the Death Eater before Lily said, "We don't have much more time, Bella. Inside the first envelope is an explanation and something from Frank and Alice. Inside the second is everything on your daughter, who she was adopted by, her address, and the counter to the glamour I put on her. She will only be almost a year old because of the potion I gave her. If anything were to happen to you, I didn't want you to miss out on so much of her life. Her adopted parents know that you will be looking for her and promised to look after her until you came for her." Cocking her head to the side, Lily let a small, sad smile settle on her lips. "It's time for us to go. Stay safe, Bella. Promise to look after Harry for me?"
"I promise, Lils," Bella whispered, tears trailing down her cheeks. "I miss you all, so much. Goodbye Lily, James, Frank, Alice."
"Bye, Bella, Professor," they said in unison, smiling at their friend and old professor as they faded.
Looking down at the envelopes in her hands after her friends disappeared, Bella shakily opened the letter first. Setting her other package on the table next to the small box, Bella read the letter.
Dear Bella,
October 30, 1981
If you are reading this, chances are James and I didn't make it through the war. It has been nearly a month since we've last seen you and little Lillian is missing you crazy. I've found a family that will take Lillian in until you can take over and I'll be sending her tonight. I've got a bad feeling and if something does happen, I don't want anything to happen to my goddaughter.
You and Alice have been the best friends I've ever had and I want you to know that no matter what's happened, I don't blame you for anything. You grew up in a Dark family but you are better than them by turning your back on their ludicrous beliefs. James and I are so proud at how far you've come, Bella, we know how hard you've worked to become a better person. And you have. I need to go soon so I can meet with the muggle family that will be taking care of Lillian but know this; James and I love you, Bella. You were the sister we both wish we had and if we don't make it, we'll be watching over you and Lillian along with little Harry. When you see him, tell him we love and are proud of him.
Sincerely,Lily and James Potter
P.S. The information regarding Lillian is in the larger package with your name on it. Also, James and I set up an account for you with half the Potter fortune and the other half for Harry, inside are heirlooms of Godric Gryffindor.
Bella wiped the tears from her face after she finished reading the letter from Lily and James. Folding it back up, she pulled out a second letter, this one from Frank and Alice.
Dear Bella,
October 30, 1981
If you're reading this, then that means Frank and I didn't survive the war. Don't mourn for us for too long, Bella, we never blamed you for anything that happened and we won't for anything that will happen. We loved you like you were family, which you were in every way except blood but blood doesn't matter to us. If it wasn't for your and Lily's friendship, I never would have gotten the courage to snog Frank senseless in Fourth Year. You two helped me to gain confidence in myself and for that, I was always grateful.
If Neville survives the war but we don't, he will most likely be given to Frank's mom. Because of this, Frank asks a favor of you to not let her brainwash him into being a shy, timid wizard. Knowing Arabella, she will diminish his self-confidence and make him half of who he should be. If there is no other way, Frank and James made records of every time you passed on information to us and stuff like that. That information is in with the papers of your daughter's whereabouts along with our wills granting you full custody of Neville for when you are cleared. I know this is a lot to ask of you but there is no one else we trust besides James and Lily to take care of our baby boy and we don't think James and Lily will make it through this war. Don't think you have to do this, just do what you feel is right. Remember, Bella, that we love you and will be watching over you.
Sincerely,Alice and Frank Longbottom
P.S. If you decide to take custody of Neville, Frank and I would feel honored if you would perform a Blood Adoption to make him as much your son as ours. And tell him that we love him and are proud of him, no matter what.
Smiling through her tears, Bella folded the letter and placed both of them back in the envelope, tucking them into her cloak pocket securely. She felt as if a burden had been lifted from her shoulders after reading that her friends don't blame her for what's happened. Putting everything from the small box back into it, she shrunk both the trunk and small box, tucking them into her pocket. Turning the Minerva and Buffy, she asked, "Can we leave now? I want to wait to open the package."
"Of course, Bella," Minerva said, leading them back down the stairs and out of the house. Seeing the cemetery off to the side, she led them over to it, stopping in front of Lily and James' grave. Turning back to Bella and Buffy she said quietly, "You two go on and aparate back to Hogsmeade, I'll stay and wait for the Aurors after I call them. Be safe."
Grabbing Buffy's arm, Bella aparated them to Buffy's room at the Inn with a soft pop. Looking around the room, Buffy said, "I need to find Emily. When you called for me, we were with Dromeda and Tonks at The Three Broomsticks and I left her there with them."
Nodding, Bella asked, "Did you want to go alone or want me to come with?"
"Won't you be seen if you come with me?" Buffy asked worriedly.
Shaking her head, Bella said, "No, not if I go in my Animagi form. Of course I'm kinda a big Animagi."
"What's an Animagi?" Buffy asked, confusion coloring her tone.
"It means you can change into an animal," Bella explained softly. "Everyone has an inner animal that reflects that person's personality. Mine is a black saber tooth tiger, which basically means that I'm a predator, move stealthily, and kill lethally."
"That actually sounds really cool," Buffy said excitedly, motioning for Bella to change into her animal. She watched, awed, as Bella's body morphed into a large black feline. "That is totally awesome, Bells."
Snorting at Buffy, Bella knocked her head against Buffy's legs, trying to get her to move. Growling lightly at the large feline, Buffy moved towards the door and walked out into the hall with Bella following. Stepping out of the Inn, Buffy held the door open for Bella before she led the way to the pub where Emily and the Tonks' were waiting. Turning before she entered the pub, Buffy pointed a finger at Bella. "You behave in there and stay close."
Bella swished her tail haughtily, growling lightly at the slayer as if to say 'I always behave'. She followed Buffy into the pub, staying by her side until they reached the booth in the corner that still held Emily, Tonks, and Andromeda. She waited until Buffy sat before climbing up onto the slayer's lap, facing her sister and niece.
"Oh God, you weigh a ton," Buffy huffed, wrapping her arms around the feline to move her to a more comfortable spot on her lap. Looking up she realized she couldn't see anything except the back of Bella's feline head. "Okay, big kitty, move your big head so I can see."
Huffing at Buffy, Bella concentrated on her form, phasing to become slightly smaller so Buffy could see over her head. Opening her purple eyes, she turned her head to look back at Buffy, cocking her head to the side questioningly.
"That's better, thanks," Buffy said, smiling into the dark purple gaze. Glancing up at the others she asked, "So what happened while I was gone?"
Snorting, Emily countered, "Want to tell us where you went and what you meant by 'she's in trouble?'"
"Our friend that helped us here was in trouble, that's who," Buffy answered, emphasizing the word friend. "As for where, she had aparated to Godric's Hollow."
"Is she okay? What happened?" Emily asked worriedly, turning to give Buffy her full attention.
"She was attacked by her ex-husband after leaving a meeting," Buffy said, growling softly in anger. "She's fine now but it's not something she'll be able to get over anytime soon."
"My poor sister and niece look so lost," Bella's voice floated through Buffy's head amusedly.
Looking down at the saber tooth on her lap she asked, "Do you want them to know it's really you or wait?"
"I want to wait until I have my daughter by my side," Bella said, her voice soft and sad. "Tonight, will you open the package with me?"
"You know I will, Bells," Buffy said, scratching Bella behind her ears, making the big feline purr. Chuckling, Buffy looked across the table at Andromeda and Tonks. "I know you're confused but now is not the time to tell. Too many ears to let certain information pass."