Disclaimer: The same as the previous chapter.

Chapter 1

The Gryffindor deputy headmistress's quarters were similar to her previous head of the house rooms. At least as far as her preference for vibrant red and gold shades went, Narcissa Malfoy noticed. Beside her, Andromeda Tonks and Molly Weasley were looking quite worried.

Ever since Severus Snape, Draco Malfoy, and Harry Potter had left for the Ministry, McGonagall felt quite restless. Thus when Andromeda floo called from the Malfoy Manor, she had readily invited the two sisters over.

"Unbelievable! To leave something as atrocious as a Playwitch in place of the Gryffindor's journal'" This is utterly uncalled for. I wish I could find Miss Pansy Parkinson!" the old witch seethed.

The two sisters shared a confused look and then from within her robes, Narcissa Malfoy brought out a piece of parchment and handed it over to the Gryffindor witch.

McGonagall read it and looked rather shocked," I don't understand, I don't remember hearing about this book, 'Buir Na Mere- the magical army by Nathair Méchant Foi Griffey Duir Peverell'. I will have to look into the previous years' ledgers. Do you think the writer of this book was a Hogwarts student?"

"That we will have to figure out, but this much is clear, she was a Malfoy as well as a Gryffindor as well as a Peverell. And Nathair is…" Andromeda halted when Minerva piped in, "I know, in Scottish it means Snake."

"I think the name is too obvious." Narcissa shared.

"Why do you think so, Mrs. Malfoy?"

"Well, back in those days, the Malfoy women were not allowed to pursue their vocation, their roles were restricted to bearing children and tending to the family. Though Draco has taken the periodical and the book cover with him, we both have seen it. It was cataloged and added to the library during my father-in-law's time. It was previously a part of his private collection but after his death, all his books were added to the main library. A standard practice maintained by most pureblood families. I can see why Abraxas nicked the book from Hogwarts. I think his interest was piqued by the two words 'Mechant' and 'Foi'. Whosoever was this writer, she happened to be directly connected to the Malfoy family." Narcissa paused.

McGonagall was fast to catch up," Quite an intelligent ploy. Mechant Foi translated roughly would mean Bad Faith, down the many generations it would simply get modified in MALFOY."

"Yes, that made me ask Cissa to look into the family genealogical history. The first Malfoy who happened to establish the family here in England was Armand Malfoy. But then, I consulted Fluer's mother. And she informed that Armand Malfoy was a new name the banished 'Mechant Foi' Lance Raimond Archambault had adopted. She said she had some old books about old French family tapestries. She promised to find them and lend us." Ted Lupin's grandmother mentioned.

"I wonder what Snape might have thought. The last time, I saw him, he forgot to mention it. Unlikely for him, but not so unexpected under the circumstances. But then, why would Tom Riddle want to know about the Army of the Undead?" Minerva wondered aloud.

"You would want an army only if you are secretly planning to invade. I did think about it and the only conclusion I could come upon, he wanted a backup, in case Red Lilac managed to eliminate most of his death eaters. The Dark Lord was blindly ambitious." Narcissa visibly shuddered.

"That he was, coming back to this puzzling name, it is quite a mouthful and carries a false sense of importance. Perhaps the reason why it got printed…" Narcissa corrected McGonagall halfway through her speech," Forgive me, Professor, I am more of the opinion, it was handwritten."

"Uhm, perhaps you are right, but to think we were this close to discovering such a relic. It only makes me want to hunt down that silly witch." The old woman glowered.

Tonks informed," I have placed a request for information on Miss Pansy Parkinson present whereabouts at the Auror's department. One of your former students, Mr. Thomas owled back, even the Magical Creatures department was looking for her and so has Finnigan put up a red flag on the witch. I don't quite know what 'Red Flag' means, but I am guessing that Aurors believes Parkinson is playing a crucial role behind this mess. We will probably hear something about her soon enough. These young Aurors happened to be working round the clock."

"I don't really remember Filius talking greatly about her. But I wonder…" Minerva huffed and sighed.

"She really wasn't good at Charms, rather she was more into Dark Arts, but her interest lay in the Wizard's fashion world," Narcissa curled her lips.

Staring out of the bay window, watching the evening set in, the redeemed widow mused, "I am sure, Severus too will come to the same conclusion, she was not too smart and would rely on a more vicious accomplice. Crabbe and Goyle, I am not considering those two, but then in the later years, Crabbe junior would often loiter about in the library. We, as parents, have failed our children. Gregory shouldn't have…" she trailed off.

When her sister patted her back, Narcissa looked at McGonagall and shared," Not one day goes by, when I regret being a mute spectator. Miss Granger is an exceptional witch. Professor, I truly wish she recovers, not just for Draco or Severus, but…she is the most wonderful witch I have had the honour to meet."

McGonagall sighed," We still don't know where the parents have gone? Seamus and Harry clarified, their identities were wiped out of both Muggle and Minister records. I feel Hermione had guessed they were coming after her parents. Mrs. Malfoy, apart from Severus, can you think of anyone else who would wish to inform her?"

"I really can't say much about it. Honestly, I really can't remember much. The house no longer felt like mine." The Slytherin witch softly replied.

Stirring the conversation back to the glaring topic at hand Minerva asked," Who else can you think of? Who else could have taken the book away? I mean, I am certain Draco didn't hear of the book until this incident. So he wouldn't have shared that information with any of his fellow housemates. Who else had access to the libraries?"

" Professor Lucius made several changes in the Manor, after the Dark Lord showed interest in staying there. Among many other things, he was most insistent about making the library thoroughly accessible. It could have been anyone. Dark Lord, Severus, Lucius, Bella, Nott Sr, Malciber, Dolohov...I would often walk into one of them, reading a book. Though, the Dark Lord didn't allow anyone to enter the room when he was using it," The witch replied tensely.

When the others just waited for her to continue, Narcissa thought a bit, then added, "Zabini always had a penchant for books and Theodore was one unhappy child. I often found him tucked behind bookshelves and lost in a book. I remember appointing a house-elf to keep tabs on him. Motherless, and practically left to fend for himself. I often wondered why Vidal would act so erratically."

"Yet, you did what you could do. And so did Draco, now that we know, he was trying to save you. And Vidal Nott Sr. was always a man with a fickle mind." Minerva tried to offer the woman some comfort. Those trying times were painful for everyone.

"I checked with the family catalog, Professor McGonagall, I even tried to work around the name of the title, but I don't think our library has the Founder's journal or if it ever had that thing." Narcissa apologized.

"Minerva, we have gone through nearly everything that had to do with the founders and magical warfare and medieval artifact. But neither the book nor the journal is in here." Andromeda added.

Minerva frowned," But Amelia Bones was so certain...anyways… I think, we better look into the library, Irma is still up and reading through the books, the boys happened to gather. I had to send away Longbottom and Miss Lovegood. Those two were hunting for answers and pouring through books, I am sure they would never touch. Madam Pince didn't have the heart to throw them out. Irma can be harsh. But she confessed, she was bending the rules just for Hermione. She also warned,' I am not going to make this practice, ever'."

Later, after a quiet dinner, Mrs. Malfoy and Mrs. Tonks were at the Hogwarts library along with Madam Pince. Longbottom and Lovegood had gone down to help Hagrid with the Magical creatures. Nearly an hour had passed since Remus Lupin had sent his Patronus to his mother in law. "Inform the Order, imposter intercepted at Archives, Circle suspected to be compromised." As his misty wolf disintegrated into the thick air of the quiet library, McGonagall had sprung on her feet and briskly ordered the rest," Follow me."

By the time they had gathered around the fireplace, with the deputy headmistress ready to throw a fist full of floo powder, Shacklebolt's Patronus, a fully formed, lynx materialized and the Head Auror's voice boomed," Circle compromised. Baby's Breath and order members went 'HOME'." Shortly after that, Molly had arrived, informing, she couldn't quite stay back worrying. Apparently Bill was yet to return from Gringotts. She knew it had to be something to do with Hermione.

McGonagall was busy pacing in front of the fireplace, huffing and cursing under her breath when finally a brilliantly white misty doe dashed through the walls and stood right in front of her. Bowing slightly, it delivered the message in a deep baritone voice, " We are safe, at home. Get Norman and Shacklebolt and rest of the pledged members of the Orders, once they are able to contact you. Come at once with William."

Behind the stunned Deputy Headmistress, Molly finally broke down in sobs, " Oh! Dear, safe, he did say safe, didn't he? Oh, Merlin!"

A/N: All that about the Malfoy Ancestry, was my invention. I hope, so far, the story is making sense to you all.