Chapter 8-Andromeda Tonks

When Harry and the others arrived back at Grimmauld Place, Professor McGonagall was already there with Tonks and a woman Harry didn't recognize. The woman had black hair, with blonde streaks throughout it, but her face resembled Tonks'. Professor McGonagall was sitting on a sofa, while Tonks and the woman was sitting right beside her, in armchairs.

McGonagall had gotten up when Harry and the others walked in the door.

McGonagall looked anxiously at everyone, and she said, "How was the trip?"

Lupin said, "It was heart-touching for Harry. Don't you think so, Harry?"

Harry nodded and said, "Yes, thank you, Professor, for the trip."

McGonagall smiled and said, "It's my pleasure, Potter."

Tonks came up and said, "I would have gone, Harry, but I had other things to do." She looked back at the other lady, who was looking curiously at what was going on.

The lady came up to Harry and exclaimed, "Harry Potter! I have heard so much about you, and I always have wanted to meet you. My daughter, Nymphadora, always gushes on how grown up you have been since my cousin Sirius died." Her eyes were sad, when she said this. Harry realized this lady must be Andromeda Tonks, Tonks' Mum, and Sirius's favorite cousin.

Lupin said, "Andromeda! It's a pleasure to see you, as always. It has been forever since I saw you last time, has it?"

Andromeda turned away from Harry and said, "Remus! Yes, it has been too long." She ran to hug Lupin, and then Mrs. Weasley, then Moody, and so on.

McGonagall said, "Yes, the Minister just pardoned her from Azkaban this morning. That's why Nymphadora couldn't go with you. She and her father went to get Andromeda, then came to see me."

Harry said, "You were in Azkaban, why?"

Andromeda sighed and said, "Yes, but it's a long story. Anyway, Nymphadora wanted to bring me here to help celebrate your birthday."

Ron said, "Mrs. Tonks, are you a Metamorphmagus?"

Andromeda laughed and said, "I would rather you call me Andromeda, instead of Mrs. Tonks. Yes, I'm a Metamorphmagus, just like my daughter."

Harry and the others found out later that McGonagall had set a meeting of all Order Members (except Snape) that afternoon at Grimmauld Place, and Andromeda was going to be inducted into the Order.

Mr. Weasley had gotten off work early, and Charlie, Fred and George were on their way to the meeting. Bill and Fleur Weasley were returning from their honeymoon in Spain that night. Percy Weasley was already at Grimmauld Place, helping Mrs. Weasley get the house ready for the meeting. Harry was in his room, talking with Ron, Hermione, and Ginny.

Hermione said, "Are you sure you are okay, Harry? It must have been hard on you to see your parents' house like that."

Ginny said, "Hermione, I'm sure Harry is fine. He already told us several times that he's okay."

Ron got off the bed, and took Hermione's hand and led her to a chair so she could calm down.

Harry said, "I just can't believe I finally got to see the house, and I was able to talk to Dumbledore."

Ginny replied, "It must have been a special time for you to talk to Dumbledore by yourself."

Ron noticed an album book, bound with two leather straps around the book. Ron said, "Harry, what is that?"

Harry said, "Oh, Lupin gave that to me for my birthday. It's an album book of my family. It even has Aunt Petunia in it." He opened the book, and Ron, Hermione, and Ginny were looking over Harry's shoulder looking at the pictures.

Ginny pointed to a picture of a pair of elderly couples sitting in a chair, "Is that your grandparents, Harry?"

Harry nodded, then Hermione burst into tears when she saw the picture of Lily and James holding baby Harry.

The door opened, and Percy entered the room.

Ron said, "What do you want, Percy?"

Percy said, "Mum wanted me to inform you the meeting is over, so you can come down if you want to." Harry was about to follow Ron and the others when Percy stopped him.

Percy said, "Harry, I would like to talk to you." Harry nodded to Ron in the hall that it was okay, and Ron left.

Harry said, "Percy, what do you want to talk to me about?"

Percy sighed, "I just wanted to apologize about my behavior for the last couple of years. I have been a jerk to you, Harry, and especially to Professor Dumbledore. When Dumbledore died, I was so upset, I felt bad that I didn't have the chance to ask Professor Dumbledore for forgiveness, and I don't want to make the same mistake with you, Harry."

Harry said, "I'm sure Dumbledore would have forgiven you already, but you wouldn't know it. He would have also wanted me to forgive you. It's just hard to believe that Dumbledore's gone, and that Snape was the one who killed him."

Percy said, "Snape killed Dumbledore? Is that why Snape is not working at Hogwarts anymore?"

Harry nodded, and explained about the night that Dumbledore died.

Percy said, " It must be hard on you, Harry." Harry nodded, and he and Percy went down to dinner.

Later, that evening, McGonagall had summoned Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Andromeda to the drawing room, where she was using it as her office at Grimmauld Place.

McGonagall said, "I would like to speak to you three about Andromeda, and why she was in Azkaban. Now, Potter, it may be a little emotional for you, because Andromeda probably will talk about Sirius some."

Harry was about to reply, when a head appeared in the fireplace, and they turned around. It was Snape. McGonagall was furious!

McGonagall said, "SEVERUS! What do you think you're doing, trying to contact us, after you murdered Dumbledore?"

Snape said, "Minerva, you have to believe me, I had no choice in killing Dumbledore."
Andromeda spoke up, "Yeah, and are you implying my sister Narcissa is guilty? I know Narcissa very well, and she is not as evil as Bellatrix is. By the way, why do you have my nephew? You better be sure to flee soon, because Narcissa and I will find you, and shred you to pieces!"

Harry was surprised at how angry Andromeda was. He could understand why Andromeda was defending her sister.

Snape sighed and said, "Andromeda, I'm sorry, but it's to protect Narcissa. If I left Draco with Narcissa, the Dark Lord would kill your sister. Would you want to risk that?"
Andromeda looked guilty, and she closed her eyes, and said softly, "No, I wouldn't want to risk Narcissa's life."

McGonagall shrieked angrily, "Severus, you better be sure you still are alive by the time the Aurors find you and Young Malfoy. I have already sent some Aurors looking out for you two."
Snape said, "Minerva, why did you do that? You just put me and Draco in more danger. The Dark Lord is angry at us both, and you just put us in more danger by sending Aurors after us. We're trying to flee the Dark Lord. "