Chapter Six

Scarlette was sitting in the Dungeons, messing around with Ginny and a funny Ravenclaw girl called Luna Lovegood, who everyone called Loony. No idea why(!) They hadn't stopped messing around when Professor Snape flounced in, his black hair bouncing on his shoulders and came to a stop in front of his desk, glaring at the three pupils.

"Tonks, Lovegood and Weasley, you will report for detention at eight o'clock this evening, don't be late. I do not take kindly to tardiness."

"Yes, sir."

"Yes, sir."

"Sorry, sir."

"Speaking of which, Miss Tonks?"

"Yes, sir?"

"The Headmaster would like to see you in his office immediately."

"But, sir..."

"Now!"

Scarlette gathered up her things and headed out the door, whispering to Ginny and Luna that she'd see them later. She continued walking until she reached a large stone gargoyle. She paused in confusion, before noticing a letter attached to it's wing. It read;

Miss Tonks, good to see you. Don't worry, you aren't in trouble, I just want to talk.
P.S. I hope you enjoy sugar cubes, I do!

'How is that supposed to help me?' thought Scarlette. 'Hold on, sugar cubes, why would that help me?'

"Hmm, sugar cubes." thought Scarlette, this time out loud, which, to her surprise, caused the stone gargoyle to begin to twist and ascend, bringing with it a set of spiralling stone steps. Scarlette caught on rather quickly and jumping onto one of the swiftly moving steps.

At the top, she found a large wooden door. As there were no other paths to take, other than the gargoyle which would take her back down again, Scarlette saw no choice but to knock.

Seconds later, upon hearing the Headmaster's summons, Scarlette entered the room and closed the door behind her. Dumbledore stepped out from behind his desk and approached her.

"Good afternoon, Miss Tonks."

"Good afternoon, Professor."

"Would you like a sugar cube?"

"Erm, no, thank you, Professor." she blushed, not really used to the headmaster's eccentric ways. "Erm, Professor, I don't want to be rude, but what am I doing here?"

"Ah, yes, you wouldn't know. A boy in the second year has claimed to be your cousin. Now, I want to wait for a couple of people before I continue this conversation."

"Yes, sir."

"Just as a matter of interest, Miss Tonks, do you know who this cousin is?"

"Yes, sir. Draco Malfoy, sir. He's a Slytherin second year."

"Indeed. Now, your Head of House shall be attending, as well as your cousin, your mother and your aunt."

As if they had been waiting for these words, Minerva McGonagall, Andromeda Tonks and Draco and Narcissa Malfoy entered the room and sat on Dumbledore's instruction.

"Now, I think we all know why we are here. It is concerning Miss Tonks here and her living arrangements outside of term time. Now, Mrs Tonks, Scarlette has been living with you for eleven years, correct?"

"Yes." Andromeda's voice was trembling, much like the hands she had clasped in her lap. Scarlette watched the woman carefully, trying to suppress the urge to run over and embrace her. She had never liked to see her mother upset.

"But now, Mrs Malfoy, you think that Scarlette should come and live with you during school holidays, correct?" Dumbledore turned from one sister to the other.

"Yes." Unlike Andromeda, Narcissa's voice was firm, almost statuesque.

"Hold on, I'm sorry to interupt here, Professor, but why should I go to live with my aunt if I live happily with my parents?"

Narcissa Malfoy gasped at the girl's comment and looked at her elder sister in shock. Andromeda did not meet her.

"You never told her?" Narcissa breathed, her mouth remaining a little open once the comment was made.

"Told me what?" Scarlette asked, her own confusion mounting.

"I thought it was for the best, we don't even know who it was." Andromeda answered. Her voice was laced with tears.

"Who?" The two of them clearly knew something the girl did not and it was infinitely frustrating.

"She is as much my responsibility as she is yours."

"Can someone please tell me what's going on?!"

Everyone in the room turned to the shaking first year, whose tie was darkening as the tears streamed down her face. Andromeda reached out and attempted to pull her into her arms, but the Gryffindor stepped straight out of her grasp. For some reason, she could not stand to be near her mother at that moment.

"Lettie, I'm so sorry." the woman breathed.

"Why? What for?"

"You know I've always told you that you're my baby girl."

"Yes?"

"Well, it's not quite true. I've always loved you and I always will, but you're not."

"Not what?"

"That's the thing. You're not my baby girl. You're someone else's." Scarlette took a step backwards, her lower lip trembling. "Lettie, you're not my daughter."

A/N: I split this chapter into two to raise the tension. Please review!