Cordelia sat in the library alone doing her reading assignment for History of Magic. She was content to be there by herself, proving to have fewer distractions when Ron and Hermione weren't bickering. But, as Cordelia was enjoying the silence, almost on cue, Pansy Parkinson walked up to her table.
"Hi Cordelia," She smiled at her, "What's the topic of the night?"
"History of magic." Cordelia said with little emotion.
"Oh I love history, it's my best subject. If you ever need help with anything, just come to me, I've got books on everything." Pansy smiled as she took a seat across from Cordelia, "What did Professor Binns start with?"
"Ancient Egypt." Cordelia quickly answered.
"Oh, that stuff was rather boring."
"I find it very fascinating." Cordelia said with a snap.
"My favorite discussion was the rise of the werewolves." Pansy said. Cordelia sparked an interest in what Pansy was saying at this point, "But, then again, I like studying about all sorts of creatures and animals, Dragons being my favorite."
"When did the werewolves rise?" Cordelia asked.
"Legend has is that in 1591 Europe was under the dark shadow of ignorance and superstitions." Pansy started in, "The fear of wolves in little villages was like a nightmare. Their attacks happened so often that people even feared to leave their homes. Every morning, villagers would find half-eaten human limbs in their fields. They tried their best to kill those bloodthirsty creatures. But one day the inhabitants of Bedburg, Germany made a horrible discovery."
"What did they find?" Cordelia asked, now very intrigued in Pansy's story.
"Well, A few people cornered a wolf and set their dogs upon it." Pansy began speaking in a low voice, "They attacked it with muggle weapons, but it did nothing. What scared the people more, was when the wolf stood up and turned into a man, a man from their own villiage."
"No way." Cordelia
said with a smirk, "That's so creepy.
What happened to him?"
"The towns people killed him to save the lives of their children, because he had admitted to killing 14 people, including 2 pregnant woman and 6 children."
"How awful." Cordelia said, "None exist around here do they?"
"Not that I know of." Pansy lied with a smirk.
"I'm sorry I snapped at you yesterday." Cordelia apologized out of no where, "You're alright. It's Draco I don't like."
"Give him some time, he'll grow on you." Pansy smiled at Cordelia, "So will everyone in Slytherin house, it's a good place to network for future jobs." Cordelia began gathering her books, "Most of the students in our house come from prominent wizarding families, like the Malfoy's. You know you do too."
"I know." Cordelia said as she and Pansy began walking out of the library, "Don't remind me."
"You should be proud of where you come from." Pansy said.
"Why did Draco's mom tell me that tainted the blood line?"
"Well," Pansy had to think of a lie on the spot, "Maybe your father is half blood, or muggle born."
"I don't know?" Cordelia said, "I guess I'll have to ask." Cordelia was so deep in conversation with Pansy that she didn't even see Hermione and Harry as they walked back to their common room. Hermione stood with her mouth gaping wide open at the site, and Harry gave a look of worry as he watched them go by.
"I'm writing Lupin when we get back to the common room." Hermione said, "He needs to know what's happening?"
"Well," Harry hesitantly started, "she is bound to make friends in her own house."
"Not with Pansy, I don't trust her." Hermione shook her head.
"Still," Harry reluctantly said, "wait on contacting Lupin. She may actually like Slytherin, it is where a good majority of her family belonged."
"But she's not Slytherin." Hermione said as the two began walking towards their own tower.
The next afternoon, Tonks and Bellanne were approaching Hogwarts on their brooms. The sky was gray and had the looks of a threatening rain. Tonks had a large, excitable grin on her face, thrilled to be returning to Hogwarts even if it was only for a short while. Tonks began flying faster to reach the castle sooner.
"TONKS!" Bellanne called to her, "Remember, I can't land, so wait for me." Tonks laughed and nodded as she began to make her descent. Bellanne slowed down her flying as she watched Tonks touch ground. Bellanne began to make her own descent. She made it closer to the ground than usual before she lost control. Her broom took a nose dive into the ground, which once it made contact, Bellanne was sent hurling through the air. She landed on the ground just laughing at herself.
"Auntie, are you ok?" Tonks asked in worry. The worry faded when she saw Bellanne laughing, "I guess so."
"I was so close to landing." Bellanne laughed as she stood up, "Come on, Dumbledore is expecting us." The two woman began walking towards the castle.
Cordelia was sitting with Harry, Ron and Hermione in between classes in the courtyard. Cordelia had several questions about Beginning Transfigurations that Hermione was answering. Just then, Harry caught sight of Tonks and Bellanne walking into the castle.
"Cordelia," Harry started, "I think I just saw your mom and Tonks."
"Here?" Cordelia asked in disbelief.
"Come on, let's go find out." Harry said grabbing Cordelia by the arm. They walked into the castle and headed towards the Northeast tower which held Dumbledore's office.
"It is my mother; I haven't even been here a week." Cordelia said as she caught eye of her. She quickly took off her robes and looked at Ron, "Give me your robes."
"What?" Ron asked in disbelief, "My robes?"
"Just do it." Cordelia demanded. Ron took off his robes and gave them to Cordelia who threw on his robes as she ran to her mother. Hermione picked up the Slytherin robes that Cordelia threw to the ground.
"You think she likes her house now?" Hermione asked Harry.
"What's going on?" Ginny Weasley said walking up to them.
"Bellanne is here, and it's obvious that Cordelia doesn't want her to know what house she's in." Ron said pointed to Cordelia to show is sister where his robes where.
"I'm so excited you made Gryffindor, sweetie. Your dad is going to be so proud." Bellanne said as she gave her daughter a hug, "Your robes look a bit big, I though they were the right size."
"They're fine, I'm borrowing Hermione's because I spilled my breakfast on myself this morning." Cordelia lied.
"I've been there, cousin." Tonks smiled at her.
"Look, we've got to go meet Professor Dumbledore, so you get on to class and mail your father." Bellanne said, "He should be in the North."
"I will mom." Cordelia said heading back over to her friends, "Love you."
"Love you too, angel." Bellanne said as her and Tonks headed towards the Headmasters office. Cordelia walked back to her friends and handed Ron his robe.
"Thank you Ron." Cordelia said as she put her own robe back on.
"Why didn't you tell your mom you're in Slytherin?" Harry asked post haste.
"I didn't want to disappoint her." Cordelia said, "I wasn't expecting to see her so soon."
"Well now she thinks you're in Gryffindor," Ginny said, "You're going to have to keep up with that aren't you?"
"I'll think of something." Cordelia said getting her books, "We have to get to class. I'll see you guys later." With that Cordelia ran off in the direction of her potions class.
"Maybe she belongs in Slytherin." Hermione said with a disheartened look on her face.
Tonks and Bellanne rose up the long winding staircase into Dumbledore's office. Once they reached the top of the stair case the two slowly walked into the dark office. Tonks smiled as she remembered the number of times she was in here as a student, Bellanne smiled remembering the number of times she was in here to try and talk her cousin out of trouble. The two took a seat in front of Dumbledore's desk.
"Where do you think he is?" Tonks asked.
"I don't know." Bellanne asked.
"He'll be here shortly, Ladies." Alastor Moody grumbled as he walked out of a door way to their left, scaring the two, "Glad you two could make it, if you two can pull this off, we'll have one less thing to worry about."
"What's this about, Alastor?" Bellanne asked, "I was worried when I first got the letter that something had happened to Cordelia. Why didn't he just come to the house?"
"When the school term is in session, he can't just up and leave the grounds, and doesn't. So, we have to come to him." Alastor replied. Just then Albus Dumbledore walked into the room. Bellanne rose to greet him.
"Bellanne, it's good to see your smile brightening these halls once more." Dumbledore said as he gave her a hug, "I'm so terribly sorry for your loss."
"I don't want to talk about it." Bellanne said, cutting him sort before anything else was said, "I'm having a hard enough time dealing with it." She sat back down.
"Well then the time to move forward is now," Dumbledore started, "There is something I need you to do. But, I can't allow you to do this alone."
"Is that why Tonks is here?" Bellanne asked.
"She will be an asset to this mission."
"Oh, a mission," Tonks smirked deviously, "if my mother knew what I was doing…"
"She'd have my head." Bellanne cut her off.
"Bellanne, this isn't going to be easy for you, because you're going to have go to the one place you hate the most." Bellanne looked at Dumbledore with concern.
"You're not suggesting I…"
"We need to know what the Malfoy's keep in their home." Dumbledore said.
"The Order needs to know." Alastor cut in, "It's become known to us that Lucius has kept for many years several illegal weapons in his manor."
"Why don't you just walk up to it and have a look?" Bellanne said spitefully pointing to her eye.
"You think I haven't tried." Moody growled back, "Lucius was smart enough to put every protection spell possible on his home."
"Which is why we need you to get inside," Dumbledore cut in before the subject was lost, "Once we know, the more prepared we can be."
"Why don't I just nic them?" Bellanne asked.
"You think you can just waltz in there, steal the weapons, and leave?" Moody growled again, "You might as well knock on the door."
"Knocking on the door was my master plan." Bellanne growled back.
"Taking them would place you in a state of danger I'm not willing to do." Dumbledore shook his head.
"But you'll send me in there to have a look?" Bellanne asked with a bit of spite. Dumbledore nodded to her. Nothing was said for a few moments as Dumbledore and Bellanne stared each other down, "I've been in that house once, right after my sister's marriage. I stood in the entrance hall for less than 15 minutes and I can tell you that there is more to than house than what is visible."
"I never said that
this would be an easy task for you, Bellanne," Dumbledore said, "but I know you
can do it."
"With their snotty son here," Tonks cut in, "Narcissa will be the only one there, other than the house elfs."
"I can't rush into something like this, I have to plan." Bellanne said, "It's going to take us some time."
"Of course, I want you to take all precautionary measures to ensure your safety and Tonks' safety." Dumbledore said.
"With Malfoy in Azkaban, we're not worried about these weapons being used." Alastor said to her, "But should he escape, then we'll be pressed for time."
"Ok, then." Tonks said, looking at her aunt, "Looks we got some work to do." The two women stood up to leave. They were almost to the door when Bellanne turned back.
"Is anyone looking for my other sister?" Bellanne somberly asked, "Is there any word of where she is?"
"As far as we know she's still keeping close quarters with Voldemort." Dumbledore said, "But this is uncertain."
"But she may even be staying with Narcissa, for all we know." Alastor said looking at Bellanne, "Girl, you'd have to be mental to go after her."
"I never said that." Bellanne said.
"But you've thought about it." Alastor said to her, "Forget about it, we're not losing another to her."
"Bellanne," Dumbledore called to her, "do not let your anger and hatred of your siblings blind you like it did so many years ago."
"I've had it under control for a long time, Albus," Bellanne said, "Old grudges die hard." With that the two women walked out of Dumbledore's office.
Thank you to my Reviewers!!!
LuckyStar – Thank you so much for agreeing about Remus needing some love. I feel so bad for the guy in the books. I just want to give him a hug.
Lovely Lily – Thank you for the complement. It get so down on myself about my works, that I become almost anal retentive about it. Re-reading, double, triple checking things 1000s of times. When I get so few reviews, I get really bad. So thank you.
PowerofSlytherin – Thank you, keep reading and I'll keep writing.
Bell – An answer to a few of your questions: The Wolfsbane potion – they do have it, but after a few mishaps (later to be explained) he doesn't trust himself. Remus' attitude- Bellanne loves him, with all her heart, that's why she married him. She couldn't care one way or another about him being a werewolf. She just gets really frustrated when he doesn't understand that.