"Lily, we have one shot at getting the bulk of them at once. For that to happen, Umbridge has to have the auction." Sirius advised her, and waited for the explosion he knew would come. It was only an hour ago when she and Harry brought Emma to Grimmauld Place. They all looked totally strung-out. It wasn't hard to figure out why. Lily's sister must have died, because her eyes were bloodshot from crying and void of their usual spark. Harry was stone-faced as he carried his sleeping cousin in his arms. Narcissa was at her best friend's side in an instant.
Not a word was spoken as Cissy led them upstairs to an empty bedroom. A few minutes later she returned, followed closely by Harry. He looked pale, and the light red wounds on his recently healed hands told Sirius his godson had used Blood Magic.
Lily returned once she was sure Emma would sleep for hours. She wasn't a Potions Master for nothing. Lily took the empty chair between Cissy and her son. She silently handed Harry a vial filled with a blue liquid, He shot it down without hesitation.
Everyone else had already had arrived. In attendance were Ted, Andromeda, Nymphadora, Fleur, Remus, Sirius, Narcissa, Lily, Harry, plus - oddly - 4 Weasley's. Arthur, Fred, and George were the newest members. Sirius suspected that Charlie would soon be one if Cissy had anything to say about it. More than once he caught them stealing glances when the other wasn't looking, something that seemed to annoy Tonks to no end.
"THAT BITCH DOESN'T COME WITHIN A HUNDRED YARDS OF EMMA! HOW COULD YOU SUGEST SUCH A THING?" Lily yelled at Sirius as she jumped up and slammed her hands down on the table. Every man in the room scooted back in their chairs, save Sirius and Harry. The Calming Drought Lily given her son seemed to have taken effect.
"Lily he never said that we we're going to put her in harm's way, just that the auction must continue. We can hold it at Carrow's Estate. Unfortunately, I am familiar with that lot so I'll have to pretend to be her under a Glamour Charm." Narcissa explained to everyone. Charlie mumbled something about 'not without backup'. Lily raised a questioning brow when Cissy's curved her lips for a briefest of moment.
"I guess that means that I will be play the role of Emma, and don't you start Remus. Pregnant or not, I'm a fully trained Auror and the only Metamorphmagus in the group. And yes, it's very personal. Those are my people that they are victimizing, and I want blood!" Tonks declared, just itching for someone to argue with her. Remus gave Harry a pointed look. Tomorrow night would be a full moon, and he would be forced to run Ops. The room had no windows so he could function normally. Harry gave him the slightest of nod to let him know it was a given.
"Don't worry Mr. Lupin, by morning we will have this all sorted out." All heads turned at the unexpected voice coming from behind them. They saw Madame Bones shrinking her Invisibility Cloak and stuffing it in her purse. "What? You think I got this job on my looks alone?"
The room was full of speechless Marauders. She chuckled to herself and took an empty seat. If it weren't for her position, she would have joined this group long ago. She believed in Law, Order, and Justice. Her life's work had been in the pursuit of it. She also knew that in times of war, that was a luxury she couldn't afford. Muggle governments had their Black Ops, why not the MLE?
"The situation has become more dangerous. It's only a matter of time before Dumbledore openly makes a move against you. I sacked Alastor Moody tonight, so be on guard. The man thinks he's a noble Freedom Fighter and you lot are Vigilantes."
"Another reason we need to do this. We bring down the slavery ring and we we'll have public creditability that even Dumbledore couldn't contradict." Sirius spoke out and everyone nodded their head in agreement.
"A joint Op. with the Auror Corp. would be best. It would make our alliance real to both the Dumbledore and Voldemort fronts. It would also form bonds of trust between our own groups. We will need that for what will most likely come next." Amelia amended in a way that left no room for dispute.
"What do you see coming Amelia?" Lily asked.
"The Intel you illegally obtained from that Death Eater you have in the Sub Level 2 Dungeon. It will be shared, analyzed, and when the time comes we will act as a Unit. All targets must be hit simultaneously if we wish to cripple his Operation. I couldn't care less what you do with her after she has served her usefulness. She would have been conversantly killed long before I would have gotten anything useful out of her." Amelia said point blankly to them all. Sirius was quite impressed with the woman. She knew a lot more about them than he thought.
"Told you she was head of the MLE for a reason," Harry said with a grin, and gave Madame Bones a wink. Then his face turned dark. "I'll abide by whatever course of action we decide to take, but the fate of Delores Umbridge rest solely in the hands of the House of Potter."
"Lord Potter," Arthur started a bit unsure how to proceed with him, but felt he had to say something. "I understand you need for vengeance, but if you kill her, you'll be proving Mad Eye's point." Arthur understood the man's rage. Narcissa and Lily helped him see what was what just a few hours ago. It has been a constant battle to keep his emotions in check ever since.
", I have no intention of killing her." Harry told him in a completely calm voice. That would suggest benevolence. He had no intention of giving her a merciful end. "Unless Emma demands it." He added with a pointed finger, just daring someone to dispute his point. None ascended to the challenge for they all agreed that it was Emma's right.
"Don't worry dad." Fred started.
"That would show…"
"Total lack of..."
"Imagination."
"One thing our mate…"
"Harry has, is imagination."
"Just ask Ginny." They finished together with mischievous grins. Arthur closed his eyes and started to rub his temples. Harry had a distinct feeling that would be have a very long chat before the night was over.
Once the Meeting was over and everyone headed home to get some well earned rest. Sirius would handle things on the Hogwarts front. Lily crawled into bed with Emma, because she needed to be close to her. She was Lily's last living link to her sister. Emma's eyes fluttered open. She felt Lily pressed up to her back and she smiled. She felt her aunt's arm crossover her and find her hand. Lily gave her hand a reassuring squeeze as their fingers intertwined. Shadow hopped onto the bed and curled up to her other side. Emma reached out and draped her arm over him. She lazily ran her fingers through his fur, as his purr played her a lullaby.
Harry stayed until they were both asleep before leaving to check on how the house elves were doing on preparing Potter Manor. It was decided that Emma and Adam would be taken there until it was over. Arthur insisted that Charlie stay in the house as long as they had a Death Eater there as well - a point that Lupin was quick to second even if it had earned him a glare from his wife. Normally Narcissa would have been offended in the lack of trust in her abilities, but she was too tired to argue the point.
"Are they going to be okay?" Charlie asked her as he followed Narcissa up to the third floor. She had stopped briefly at Lily's bedroom door to check on her and Emma.
"She's the strongest woman you'll ever meet. She'll guide them through this, she always does." Narcissa told him with utmost certainty. Charlie nodded in agreement, that was the vibe he got from her.
"And you? Are you going to be okay? You haven't exactly had an easy night either." He probed in hopes that she would open up to him. Narcissa stopped on the last step. She slowly turned around and looked at him. She seemed to be weighing something in her mind.
"No…care to help me remedy that?" Narcissa asked Charlie straightforwardly. He was a little surprised by the question, even though it felt like it was more of a challenge. He took one step up so that with his height they were both at eye level. There were so many conflicting emotions swelling in her crystal blue irises. They drew him in a way that Tonks' never did.
"Yeah, I think it's about time someone took care of your needs for a change." He answered with his lips just centimeters from hers. He moved to kiss her, but she step up completely on to the third floor. She smiled down at him playfully.
"Good, you can start by cleaning up this mess." She ordered as she took off her robe and threw it in his face. By the time he had pulled it off his head she was half way down the hall. The hallway was dark so he could only make out her movements as she passed from shadow to shadow. Charlie saw at the top of the stairs her blouse laid on the floor. Twenty feet away was her skirt. His eyes followed the trail of discarded clothing down the hall.
Narcissa opened her bedchamber door and her enchanting naked silhouette stood bathed in the light from the room. She gave him a smile before disappearing inside the room. Charlie summoned the clothing to him as he raced down the hall after her.
Things couldn't have gone better than if she had planned it herself. On her way to Gringotts to fetch the document the named her as the girl's Magical Guardian, Dolores Umbridge picked up a Muggle newspaper and read about a house burning to its foundation with a satisfying smile. She didn't need to read the whole article. It was obviously Fiendfyre, and nobody survives that. She would have preferred Carrow to be more discreet, but she should have expected as much from a Death Eater. She discarded the paper without a second thought. If she hadn't, she would have read that no body was found in the burned down house.
While passing through The Leakey Cauldron, she overheard three witches gossiping about Lucius Malfoy being killed by Muggle police at a destroyed Orphanage. They seemed to find it very amusing the arrogant blood supremacy spouting wanker was killed by those he claimed were beneath him. Dolores hummed her favorite tune secure in the knowledge that another lose end was taken care of. As for poor old Lucius, well that was irony at its best.
Getting the document from the Magical Contract Records Department in Gringotts was much quicker than she expected. A Goblin by the name of Griphook or something of that sort was very helpful for such a foul little beast. Now all that was left was to collect the girl. She didn't want a run in with Lily Potter if she could help it. Dolores thought it would be more prudent to acquire the girl when Potter was teaching her class. If luck was smiling on her, and it felt like today it was. Potter wouldn't know she was ever at Hogwarts at all.
Again lady luck smiled down on her, it turned out that Potter and her son weren't even at Hogwarts at all. Dumbledore told her that the woman's sister died the night before and they left to grieve and make arrangements for her funeral. Could things have not worked out any better? She soon found out that they indeed could.
It turned out that the girl was in McGonagall's House, and Dolores took great pleasure in one upping the intrusive woman. Minerva had made it her personal mission to protect as many students as she could from Umbridge's guidance when she was Headmistress. Spouting lies and half-truths to anyone at the Ministry that would listen, she also encouraged parents to file formal complaints with the Ministry. She was the reason Dolores was put under investigation and lost her position of respect.
"Albus we can't let this woman take Emma Walker from the grounds. I don't care what that document says. She is unfit to govern over any child. You of all people should know that. She should be locked away in Azkaban for the atrocities she has committed against our students. It's you job as Headmaster to protect those that have been put in your charge." Minerva all but begged Dumbledore, the aged Headmaster shook his head side to side with a sad look on his face. He was well aware of Umbridge's views on the Metamorphmagi. He was fairly certain that once the girl was taken from the grounds she would most likely never be seen again. It was regrettable, but he had more pressing matters to concern himself with at the moment.
"I fear the law is on her side in this matter Minerva. She is Ms. Walkers Magical Guardian. She has the right to pull her from the school if that is her wish." Albus told his old friend and colleague. Dolores smiled triumphantly, as the Transfiguration Processor look as if she was on the verge of tears.
"Oh hang the Law! Since when did you start blindly start following that! Where's all that codswallop you preach about what's right, and what's easy. This isn't right and you know it!" McGonagall yelled as she rounded on Albus. In the past she had backed her longtime friend, even when her better judgment screamed otherwise. Most of the time he was right, but recently she was starting to have great misgivings about his reasoning.
"It is out of my hands Minerva."
"You said the same thing about Ginny Weasley after she was captured by Lestrange. Remember how that ended?" McGonagall countered with venom in her voice.
"SILENCE!" Dumbledore yelled as he stood up. Both women were shocked by wave of magic that shot out of him. Once his point had settled in, Albus continued. First he pointed to Dolores and said sternly. "You have one hour to collect Ms. Walker and leave school grounds. You will be monitored so behave yourself Dolores, or the consequences will be severe." Albus then pointed his finger at Minerva. "It is done! You have other students in need of your guidance, and a class to teach. Now, both of you get out of my office."
Umbridge wasted no time in leaving, she had gotten what she came for. Minerva lingered for a moment. She walked up to Albus, and for the briefest of seconds he thought she had seen the reason behind his actions. Minerva McGonagall slapped Albus Dumbledore across his face with all her might. She ignored the pain throbbing in her hand and glared bitterly at him.
"We're done." Was all she said to him before she spun on her heels and stormed out of his office and slammed the door behind her.
Umbridge found Emma Walker waiting for her at the Great Door, with Ginny Weasley. The red haired girl gave the child a hug good bye and shot Umbridge a hateful glare. Professor McGonagall was coming up behind Dolores much faster than a woman of her age should be able to move. She pulled out her wand, but hesitated when she smelled that something off, once a prankster, always a prankster.
Minerva could feel it in the air around her. The small hairs on her arms, and the back of her neck were on end. That tantalizing moments of anticipation just before imagination, tenacity, finesse, and nerve intertwined to make something truly brilliant happen. It was like art, and only another artist could truly understand the high that came with it. She transformed into her Animagus form and hid in the shadows. She sensed that the show was about to begin.
"I assume they have told you why I'm here?"
"Yes."
"Then move it girl. I haven't got all day." Dolores snapped as she grabbed Emma by the wrist and pulled her out of the school. At first she didn't resist, but as soon as they were halfway to the Main Gate Emma started to pull back.
"Noooo! I don't want to go with you. I like it here. You're going to hurt me again. I remember who you are now." Emma begged as she fought with all of her might to break free of the toad faced Witch's grip. Dolores slapped Emma across her face and put the tip of her wand under her throat.
"That's just a taste of what I'll do to you if you disobey me," Umbridge threatened Emma, and after looking around casted a Privacy Charm around them. She drove the end of her wand into the back of Emma's neck where the Rune was branded. "Or have you forgotten I was the one who branded you with the DeKy Slavori Rune girl. What were you five? Cried like a baby as I recall. Get this straight you little bitch. Your kind were put on this earth for one purpose and one purpose only…servitude! You should be grateful that I'm selling you off to the highest bidder; otherwise I would be putting you under the brand again. Now, shut your mouth and move your feet before I change my mind!" Dolores finished with another slap across her young face for good measure.
This time Emma did what she was told, not that Umbridge loosened her grip on Emma's wrist any. Dolores was so confident that she had put the fear in the girl that she never looked back at her. That was her first mistake. If she had, she would have seen Emma pull a memory out of her head and drop it into her shadow. A shadow that oddly enough had a tail. That was mistake number two. Then she would have also seen a Lynx jump out of the shadow with a vial in its mouth. The vial contained a fresh memory of Umbridge's confession. Hellcat was racing back to the castle, and that was mistake number three. Number four was when she Apparated away with Emma and her Shadow.
Daphne stepped out of the shadows with a vial and handed it off to Ginny as they passed each other. The only indication that they were working together was a slight curve of the Slytherin's lips when she thought no one was looking. The Transfiguration Professor followed Ginny in the shadows. She saw her slip behind a tapestry and followed. Minerva saw Ginny give one of the house elves the vial. The next moment the house elf popped away. She followed Weasley as she made her way to an unused classroom. A minute later Greengrass came around the corner and entered the same classroom. Now wasn't that interesting. Minerva transformed back to her human form and walked in behind her. Both girls were talking in hushed voices, and clueless of her presence. It seemed she hadn't lost her touch.
"You two, my office now!" McGonagall ordered. Ginny and Daphne both jumped in surprise, but followed her without saying a word. Once the three of them were secure in her office did Minerva's facial features softened. Then she did something that neither girl ever expected her to do. She started to clap with an approving smirk replacing she grimace she was sporting just few seconds ago.
"Bravo Ladies…Bravo! That was some of the best teamwork I have seen in all my years here." Minerva told them with such admiration that both of them though she had gone mental. She laughed to herself at her student's confusion. "You know, I was about to take the law into my own hands, thus ending my career just a few minutes ago. That of course was before I caught Nymphadora Lupin's scent where Emma Walkers should have been, and oddly enough Harry Potter's as well. Color me curious, I was told he wouldn't be back until Monday. Fancy shedding some light on that Ms. Weasley?" Minerva asked not really expecting to get an answer. She wasn't disappointed; Ginny looked to Daphne for help, and got a shrug in response. Both girls seemed to be at a loss.
"I see," McGonagall said a bit disappointed. She took a piece of parchment off her desk and tore it in two. She then took a quill and wrote something down on both pieced of paper. When she was finished, she looked up at them with a slight glint in her eyes.
"For the time being, I believe that verbal communication would be unwise. Take your forms ladies." Minerva ordered and changed into her form. Daphne followed next, and after some intense concentration Ginny did as well. Dumbledore never learned to become an Animagus, so even if he probed her mind he wouldn't understand anything.
After congratulating Ginny on finally mastering her form, Minerva got down to business. Ginny and Daphne didn't reveal everything to her, but McGonagall had a very good picture as to what was going on at Hogwarts. The rest she could probably figure out for herself. Half an hour later both girls walked out of Minerva's Office with Permission slips granting them unlimited access to the Restricted Section, as well as Prefect badges. Her title of Deputy Headmistress allowed her to reassign Prefect's that weren't dutifully with their duties. Ginny was resistant to resume her duties as a Prefect, that was until Daphne convinced her that it would leave the illusion that Dumbledore had regained some control over her. That alone would buy her some breathing room, plus it would be free pass to be out after hours. There wasn't any rule that said she couldn't patrol in her Jaguar form. That last part was the clincher for her.
"One more question before you go girls." Minerva asked as Ginny and Daphne opened her door. "Just where is Emma Walker?"
"I'm sorry Professor, but Emma Walker is dead." Daphne said over her shoulder as she made her way out of the office. All the color left McGonagall's face as she had to hold onto her desk to keep from falling.
"However, Emma Potter will be back on Monday." Ginny added as she also left.
Narcissa pulled out of Adam's mind, satisfied that all traces of the personality that was implanted into him was gone. The young man was once again the master of his own mind, but that was only a half victory at best. He was still just a six year old stuck in a twelve year old's body. On the verge of becoming a teenager, but still just a child. Should she use magical means to advance him to where he should naturally be, or let him hold on to his childhood for a little bit longer? Both decisions had pro's and con's. Should she make that decision for him, or let him make his own choice. Was he even capable of making that kind of decision? Was she?
She had never been allowed to make any decisions in regards to Draco's upbringing. This was unfamiliar ground she was stepping into. Lily would know what to do, she was all aces when it came to this kind of thing, and always seemed to know just what to do.
Narcissa brushed some loose hairs out of Adam's face with a contented smile. He had drifted back to sleep. It seemed that her mind probe had taken its toll on him. He had the look of the innocent when he slept and it warmed her heart. Narcissa gave him a soft kiss on his temple and quietly made her way out of the room.
Lily was waiting for her out in the hallway. With a simple head jerk from the redhead Narcissa followed her friend away from Adam's room to her sitting room. Narcissa smiled when she saw a tea set was already waiting for them. Lily knew just what she needed. After the night they just had, and the one they were about to have. This was just what the Healer ordered.
"That question you asked me yesterday about being a good mum is making a lot more sense by the second." Lily teased playfully and Narcissa's eyes widened to biblical proportion.
"Am I that obvious?" She asked as she fought to keep her blush at bay. "I'm a Slytherin for Merlin's sake. We're not supposed to be so transparent that a Gryffindor could see through us. I'll be tarred and feathered for sure. No offence." She ranted in mock disgust.
"None taken." Lily laughed out. "It's funny how they can sneak past all your defenses and capture your heart with just a smile."
"Crafty little buggers, aren't they?"
"Wouldn't have it any other way."
"Me neither. How's Emma going?"
"Only time will tell. It's a lot to take in even for an adult, but she took it better than I would have."
"Strong women run in her family."
"Perhaps…but I would have preferred her not be put to the test quite so soon. She deserves better than what she got."
"Don't we all."
"She really appreciates everything you did for her, as do I. When I think how close I came to…" Lily stopped herself from continuing as her hand covered her mouth in a vain attempt to stop the overwhelming wave of raw emotions from pouring out of her. Narcissa was at Lily's side on the spot giving her a shoulder to cry on. After Lily regained some control over herself, she felt that they needed something more cheerful to talk about.
"Am I to assume the shite eating grin that Mr. Weasley can't seem to get off his face means that you have reclaimed your sea legs?" Lily teased Cissy.
"Did I ever." Narcissa admitted without pause, and with a dreamy smile. Realization struck her and she quickly covered her mouth with her hands. "Did I just say that out loud?" Narcissa asked Lily in horror.
"Did you ever." Lily giggled out. "Classic." She continued as she bent over holding her stomach as she laughed. "You face…red…as my…hair." Lily finished and was hit in the head by a couch pillow. Narcissa scowled at her friend for all of ten seconds before she joined her in a much needed laugh even if it was at her own expense.
"Sooo…how was he?" Lily inquired once they had regained some embrace of self control.
"Imaginative, dexterous, passionate, and vigorous, very, very," Cissy said with a nostalgic smile that lit up her face. "Very vigorous."
"It's nice to know my work is appreciated." Came a voice from the doorway. The form of Charlie Weasley was leaning against the door from with a youthful smirk. His eyes trained on Narcissa. Both of the women in the room snapped their heads at the sound, dropped their jaws, and quickly looked at the floor. "You're blushing Ms. Black." He added because he just couldn't resist.
"Yeah, she's been doing that a lot lately," Lily said as she stood up, and made her way to the door. "I think I'll go check on Emma." She added as she passed Charlie. Lily stopped behind him, and gave him the once over. She shot Cissy the thumbs up before disappearing down the hall.
"I forgot to mention cocky!" Narcissa yelled at where Lily was just moments ago. She then looked at Charlie with a scowl. His grin was getting bigger as he walked into the room. She stood up and marched over to him, with a finger pointing, and a lecture on her lips. Charlie put them to better use before she had a chance too. He planted a toe curling kiss on her.
"Would you like to know what I thought about your performance last night?" Charlie whispered in her ear after they broke for air. She pulled back her head and looked at him suspiciously.
"Trying to feed my ego so you can get me back into my bedchamber Mr. Weasley?" She inquired with a raised brow. The desire in his eyes told her that she had hit the mark.
"Not that I'm opposed to that conclusion, but I just like spending time with you." He answered her honestly.
"But the sex helps?" She countered playfully. Narcissa knew he was being truthful, and she found that she was rather fond of his company as well.
"Is that a trick question?"
"Carrow! Carrow! Where the hell is that woman?" Dolores snapped as she led Tonks in Emma form into the atrium of Carrow's Estate. She took the time to take a proper look around the place. Large Cathedral ceilings, elegant furniture, priceless works of art and tapestries covered the walls, the lap of luxury all around her. When this day was through she would have the means to have this and more. Then she remembered why she was there.
"In my rush to leave Hogwarts, I forgot to something. Give me your wand girl. You will never use it again." Dolores ordered. Tonks pulled her arm viciously free of Umbridge's tight grip, and took a few steps back. She crossed her arms over her chest and glared daggers.
"Now, why would I give my wand to a toad-faced, fat arsed, foul smelling, child torturing skank like you?" Tonks challenged with one hand on her hip and the other twirling her wand through the fingers of her other. That and the smirk displayed on her face enraged Umbridge.
"Why you foul little twit! I'll show you some proper Ahhhhh!" Dolores ranted as she aimed her wand at Tonks. That was until a midnight black Shadow Panther jumped out of the girls shadow and pounced on her. It's paws pinning her arms, and it's fangs at her throat. Its claws dug into the flesh of her wand arm and drew blood. Dolores screamed out, but refused to drop her wand. She knew it was her only hope of surviving. She looked into one malicious emerald eye, and it bore into her very soul. She was judged, and was found wanting. The beast roared with such intensity that she lost control of her bladder and bowels at once. The panther leapt off her and snatched her wand in its mouth. She heard her wand snap, and then the beast started to circle her. Dolores whimpered as she curled up into the fetal position. Tonks strolled up while she turned back into her normal form.
"Honestly Shadow, did you literally have to scare her shiteless?" She scolded as she waved the smell away from her face. Harry roared in response. "That was a rhetorical question!"
She sent a Cleaning Charm to take care of the mess, and a Refreshing Charm to take care of the smell. She looked down at Umbridge in disgust. Oh if the students that she tortured at Hogwarts could see her now. Ginny had given Harry the rundown on Dolores Umbridge activities when she was at Hogwarts. He would have to show all the Marauders the memory when he got back.
Umbridge was covering her face with her hands. She chanced a peek when she realized the panther had moved away from her. She saw the same Auror that had thrown her against the wall of the Ministry the other day looking smugly down at her. She filled with rage at the indignity of having a lesser witch mocking her. She made to lunge at Tonks, but a low, threatening growl from Shadow made her think twice.
"Smart move bitch, he wants to kill you. Not that I can blame him. You defiantly have that coming, after what you've done to Emma and her mother." Tonks all but snarled at Umbridge.
"I-Is that b-beast going to k-kill me?" Dolores asked in a heightened voice.
"That will depend on your honesty and cooperation. You have a lot to answer for, and you will answer my questions Dolores Umbridge. Any disrespect will be met with harsh consequences. The only thing keeping him at bay is me. Make no mistake; I would like nothing better than watching him maul you to death. For your sins, that would be a merciful end to your horrid existence. However, the benevolence of Lady Lily Potter is the only thing keeping you alive at the moment."
"That slut's no Lady! She's just some Mudblood whore that tricked a Noble Lord into marrying her!" Dolores spat at her. The thought that she now owed her life to that woman was the final insult. She would not tolerate anymore. She moved to attack Tonks in hopes of getting her wand and killing that beast. Panther claws ripping open her left shoulder thus crushed her hopes of that. It also obliterated any fight she had left. Shadow towered over her with his fangs reared and ready to strike.
"Carrow! They're going to kill me! Call your friends for Merlin sake!" Umbridge screamed out and curled back into a ball. Her only hope that Alecto was somewhere in the house and would call her fellow Death Eaters to her aid. Tonks couldn't help but laugh at the stupidity of the woman.
"Putting all your hopes in Death Eaters? Just when I think you couldn't be more pathetic, you go and lower the bar." Nymphadora mocked was she shook her head side to side. "How do you think we knew you were coming for Emma today? She was going to kill you the moment you produced Emma. You were just a tool to her. You've chosen your allies foolishly, but your enemies. Well, that another dragon egg all together."
"You can't fool my Metawhore! Carrow's a high ranking Death Eater. They can't be broken."
"Again you show how subpar you are. I am a daughter of the House of Black you twit. Even you should know what we're famous for."
"Mind Arts."
"Amongst other things, but we're getting off topic."
"I'm bleeding," Dolores said in hopes that she would get some medical assistance. The woman was a Auror, that has rules to follow. Didn't they?
"Good, let it be a lesson to never insult Lady Potter again, as you can see and feel he's quite fond of her. For the record, she is ten times the witch and woman you could ever hope to be." Tonks told her as she pulled a chair over and straddled it. She eyed Umbridge with pure loathing. "Shadow I think she gets the point, stand down." He didn't budge from his spot, and added a mighty roar that made Umbridge curl up tighter.
"SHADOW STAND DOWN!" Tonks yelled, but the fear in her voice was evident. She remembered what he did to the last person that insulted his mum. It took her, Remus, and Sirius all together to pull him off of the poor bloke, and all he did was grab Lily's bum. This woman's offences against his family were much graver. "Please." She begged as she took his tail in her hand and slid it down its length. That always worked in the past. He gave a small purr before looking back and nodding. Tonks let out a long breath when he moved away, but circled Umbridge in a predatory manner.
"I repeat, I'm the only thing keeping you alive right now. Don't make me regret it." She warned with a pointed finger. "I strongly suggest you answer my questions truthfully. He can sense it if you're lying."
"I-I'll tell you anything you want to know. J-just keep that away from me." Dolores begged. Tonks grinned at how easily she had crumbled. If she didn't know just how despicable the woman truly was, she might have felt a sliver of sympathy for her. Thankfully, that wasn't the case.
The small confession that she had tricked out to Umbridge earlier, was by now in Madame Bones' possession. She would view it, and summit it to the Minister Scrimgeour, along with the Declaration of Intent with the seal of the House of Potter on it. Once they had the approval of the Ministry, not even Dumbledore could discredit their claims as an act of vigilantism.
Tonks still needed to get Harry out of the area while she collected the rest of Umbridge's confession. With that there was no way anyone could appose Lily becoming Emma's both Muggle and Magical Guardian.
"Shadow, why don't you run the perimeter and see what's what?" The young Auror suggested, which was code for take down Carrow's wards and replace them with your own. They needed to have the trap set for when the patrons of the Auction arrived.
Shadow wasn't happy about it, but he did what was asked of him, but not before giving a warning growl as he left. Once she was sure Harry was far enough away Tonks turned her attention back to Umbridge.
"Let's start from the beginning, shall we?"
Lily found Emma's room empty and immediately started to worry. Thankfully, Emma didn't know that the woman that killed her mum was under the same roof as her. Carrow was being held in the dungeon far down in the bowels of the house. The cell she was bound in was heavily warded.
Lily and Harry had agreed that Carrow was hers to deal with, and Umbridge Harry had the honor of punishing. The final decision however still rested with Emma. Lily still thought she was too young to be burdened with such a decision, but would help her through it none the less.
Narcissa had sat down with the two and explained everything that led them to where they were now. Cissy gave her the full story, and treated Emma like she was an adult. Something that Lily and Emma both appreciated greatly. She had also given Emma the picture that Adam had drawn for her. She stared at the drawing for the longest time with an unreadable expression on her face. Realization dawned on her, and Lily raced to Adam's room.
When Lily got there the door was opened. Looking inside Lily saw Emma standing over Adam with wand in hand. She stood there looking down on the sleeping form of the boy that tormented her for the last six years of her life. Lily could feel the rage radiating off of Emma from the doorway. She thought that Emma had every right to be angry. You can't just wash away six years of cruelty. With everything she had lost, and with the grief of losing her mum last night it was bound to affect her.
Lily for a split second considered intervening, but knew this was one of those pivotal moments that would stick with Emma for the rest of her life. Lily would have to let make her own decision. For good or bad, she would support her niece and help her deal with the outcome either way.
Emma slowly raised her wand in a shaky hand. Tears ran down her cheeks as memory after memory of fear, and humiliation that she suffered at his hands washed over her. So what if he wasn't in control. It doesn't wash away what she had to go through because of him. She never did anything to deserve that. How was that fair?
A curse that Daphne taught her was on her lips just begging to be released. Righteous anger and justification urged her on, while a sliver of logic held her at bay. How she wished it would just shut the hell up. Every fiber of her being wanted to curse him.
He was her first friend when she got to the Orphanage. He held her hand until she fell asleep the first night when she was too scared to sleep. She thought they would be best friends forever, but he changed. He turned into her worst enemy over night, and she never knew what she had done that was so wrong to make him do that. So many nights she cried herself to sleep asking that very question.
It would be nice to not be on the receiving end for a change. Let him know what it's like to feel alone and helpless. But wouldn't that make her just like him? She shook the thought out of her head. No, he deserved this.
"Emmy" Adam mumbled in his sleep and Emma froze. He used to call her that, before he changed. His voice sounded so innocent…so child like. Why did he have to go and do that?
"Dammit" Emma huffed out as she lowered her wand. She shook her head and hunched her shoulders. Emma turned to leave the room and saw her aunt standing in the doorway with pride shining through her eyes. Emma stopped at her and dropped her head. Lily pulled her into a hug, as Emma silently wept into her chest. Lily without a word led her down the hall and away from Adam's room.
"Would you have let me do it?" Emma asked in a weak nervous sounding voice.
"It was your decision to make; no matter the outcome I would still love you." Lily reassured her, not that she wouldn't have thrown a Shielding Charm to protect Adam.
"Even if it was the wrong one?"
"Even if it was the wrong one." Lily agreed then added. "Then I would have helped you deal with it." Emma gave her aunt a questioning look. Lily gave a soft laugh and bumped Emma's hip with her own. "What, you think I agreed with every one of Harry's decisions?"
"I suppose not." Emma giggled out.
"I'm proud of you. The fact that you didn't curse him says a lot about you character Emma."
"But I wanted too. I wanted too so much it hurt, even though I knew it was wrong."
"That makes you human, not evil. You're a good person sweetie, and we all have darkness in us. The first step is acceptance, and you've just done that. The second is to learn how to control it. You have just faced it and won. I wish I could tell you that it will get easier, and that you'll win every battle. No one does, we all fall sooner or later. Harry and I will always be here to help you stand again, because that is what a family does. I would very much like you to be part of ours." Lily told her after she lifted her chin up so she could look in her eyes.
"I would like that too." Emma sobbed out. This was more that she could have ever hoped for, and she felt completely overwhelmed. Lily pulled her tighter and directed her towards the kitchen.
"Now, there are a few more things we have to discuss over, I'm thinking…Hot Chocolate?" Lily suggested with a grin that already knew the answer to her question.
"Aunt Lily you're the coolest."
"Well of course I am, but it is a curse that I'm willing to bear." Lily laughed out as she swung her foot behind her back and bumped Emma in her bum with it. Giggling she returned the favor to her aunt.
A/N: First I would like to thank all of you for the love you showed for Caymon in your reviews. I'm just amazed that what I wrote touched you in the way it did. I kept thinking if I had two minutes to say goodbye, what would I say? Then used it in the context of the story. I may have been listening to Nickleback's If today was your last day, when I wrote it. It was very hard, but also very therapeutic too.
I know I'm going to catch hell for the Cissy/Charlie pairing, but the age thing is no diferent than that of Tonks/Moony. They both felt a instant attraction and conection to each other. Cissy is reclaiming her life so she went for it. Life is short and shit happens. It might just be recreational, or something more lasting. Only time will tell. Please review and let me know what you think.
