Author's note: Sorry this chapter has taken longer than usual. I haven't been able to wrangle very much computer time lately. There's something about a rambunctious toddler that prevents me from writing much during the day, and makes me awfully tired at night.
Thank you all for reading, and special thanks go out to everyone who has left a review
It would be remiss of me not to mention that several reviewers have given me ideas that have already influenced this story. I'd list you all, but I'd hate to leave someone out, and you know who you are anyway. I may not use ideas offered, but I do appreciate reading them. Even if I don't use your idea, it may spark inspiration for something else, so don't be shy about leaving a review.
-o-o-
Chapter 9
Revelations and consequences.
-o-o-
Remus sat with his head in his hands. The pain of the transformation was slowly fading, but the events of last night were going to stay with him forever. From the other room he could hear the toddler giggling, and shuddered. On the one hand, the wolf was completely unable to hurt anyone. On the other hand, he had to deal with the memory of being a child's plaything. Thankfully it wasn't until the next full moon that he'd have to decide whether or not it was worth it.
"That was a lot of fun." Harry said as he set a cup of tea in front of Remus. "Pubert can be a handful, I don't know how you kept up with him last night. We were exhausted by the time we finally caught up with you two."
Remus gave a grunt of thanks as he took the offered drink.
Harry sat next to Remus with a cup of his own. "We weren't sure what you wanted in your tea, so we didn't add anything. Mine has some powdered belladonna if you'd prefer. It's great for helping you relax."
That woke Remus up. He looked at the tea he was about to sip, and decided not to risk it. "That's alright, I'm fine. Happy birthday by the way."
"Thanks." He said as he yawned, then took a long drink of his tainted tea.
Deciding for his own sanity to ignore how Harry was casually drinking poison, Remus changed the topic. "I had a discussion with Mister Longbottom and his grandmother the other day. Between what Neville and I know, we painted a picture that infuriated Madam Longbottom."
Harry looked at Remus in interest. "From what Neville has said over the years, that sounds like a wonderfully terrifying prospect. Is that fury directed at me?"
"At Dumbledore actually." Remus corrected, which elicited a smile from Harry. "Like myself, Madam Longbottom believes what he did to be reprehensible. She's especially upset at the thought that Dumbledore likely wants to erase her grandson's memories in regards to you."
"It's too early to say for certain, but modifying the memories of a wizard is a very serious crime. Never mind that he was trying to modify your mind as well." Remus explained. "Dumbledore is going to get into quite a bit of trouble over this."
-o-o-
"This is a joke right?" Tonks asked her mother as she held up her copy of the letter Harry had sent them both. "It's obviously not written by Harry. He knows better than to use my first name, and Harry Sirius Black isn't even his name."
Andromeda sighed. "I wouldn't be so sure about that Nymphadora. I thought the name was curious myself, so I checked. Harry Sirius Black is the head of the Black family. Out of curiosity I checked who the head of the Potter family was, and according to the records in the ministry, the Potter line is extinct."
Tonks looked at her mother in horror. "Extinct? That means they killed Harry!"
"Or it means that he changed his name, and allowed the Potter line to die in favor of restoring the Black one." Andromeda pointed out. "I love you Nymphadora, but sometimes I really wish you had been a Slytherin, or at least a Ravenclaw. You have a bright mind, but you don't use it."
Tonks just glared at her mother.
Rolling her eyes, Andromeda continued. "I intend to see what Harry has to say. I don't regret marrying your father for one moment, but I miss my family. There isn't much of it left, but I was once proud to be a Black. If at all possible, I would like to be a Black once more."
"Mom, there are dark wizards living in that house now, real dark." She looked at her mother in disbelief. "It's a miracle that most of us made it out of there alive!" At that reminder, her eyes filled with unshed tears. It had been days, and there had been no word from Remus. Moody was certain that he had been killed.
"I spoke with Arthur, and a few others who went with you on your 'rescue' mission. From what I can tell, they only defended themselves from your unprovoked attack." Andromeda tactfully ignored her daughters grief. While she had no issue with the werewolf as a wizard, he was a terrible match for Nymphadora. A dark little portion of her mind was grateful that he was no longer an option for her daughter.
"Unprovoked! Mother, they kidnapped Harry!" Tonks shouted in outrage.
Andromeda's eyes hardened, and her voice grew icy. "Do not take that tone with me Nymphadora, and for once use that mind that I know you have."
Before her daughter could continue arguing like a petulant child, Andromeda went on. "I have asked around, and learned what I could. There is no sign that Harry has been taken against his will. As a matter of fact, the only ones attempting to force Harry to do anything, is Professor Dumbledore and by extension, you and the rest of his vigilante group."
Tonks was stunned. She had been arguing with her mother ever since she was a little girl, but never like this. There was iron in her mother's voice, an unyielding authority that would allow no counterpoint. She was so shocked, that couldn't bring herself to respond.
"As I said, I intend to see what Harry has in mind. As much as you do not act it, you are an adult, and can decide for yourself whether or not you will join me." Andromeda allowed her gaze to soften, and she placed her hand gently on her daughter's shoulder. "If you are truly worried, then get Professor Dumbledore to make us a pair of those portkeys that you used."
-o-o-
Harry had spent several years playing chess against Ron. As a result, his game was actually pretty good, even though he never once beat the redhead. One day he might even learn how good he'd become, but this was not that day.
Harry stared at the board carefully, and nudged his queen forward to take his opponent's knight. He'd lose the queen, but in two more turns he'd win the game regardless.
"Checkmate!" Gomez said in triumph as he moved his bishop clear across the board. "Well done Harry, but not good enough."
A tawney owl swooped down, landing in front of Harry, and stopped only long enough for him to remove the parchment tied to its leg before taking flight once more. Harry chuckled lightly as he read the message.
"Message from a friend, or is it a death threat?" Gomez asked with mild curiosity.
Harry set the message down. "Voldemort got so absorbed with what he learned when he was here, that he forgot to talk about his soul fragments with me. He's inviting me to visit him this time, so we can discuss this little guy." Harry pointed to his scar with a grin.
Scanning the parchment quickly, Gomez laughed. "He does seem anxious about it, doesn't want to give you the chance to say no. I'll let Lurch know to expect your scarred friend and let him in."
"I think I'll go anyway. Maybe Pettigrew will be there, and I can take care of that business at the same time." Harry said thoughtfully. "How long do you think I can manage to keep him alive?"
"Who can say?" Gomez said with a shrug as he leaned back and lit up a cigar. "You should take Wednesday with you. She's getting to the age when a young woman yearns to seek out the darkness, and truly unleash the hellish desires she holds in her heart. Your friend Voldmort seems to be a decent sort, maybe he'll be willing to let her take part in an obscene ritual or two."
-o-o-
Snape walked with purpose through the halls, his Dark Mark burning with the Dark Lord's summons. He had almost never felt it burn with such intensity. Whatever the Dark Lord needed, it must be of enormous importance. Perhaps he will finally be privy to whatever the new plans for Potter were. As much as he hated the arrogant little snot, he needed to ensure that Potter would survive.
As he approached the holding cell where portkey arrivals were temporarily held, he heard the telltale sound of one such arrival. His curiosity got the better of him, and he glanced through the bars of to see who had appeared. He noticed the door was ajar, meaning that either someone wasn't doing their job right, or whoever was expected was not a prisoner.
"No..." Snape whispered in disbelief. There stood Potter between Asclepius and the dark girl that Moody had described.
This was it, the moment had finally arrived when he would give up his charade and clearly define his true loyalties. Ignoring the searing pain in his left arm, he pressed himself against the wall and waited for the door to open.
"Levicorpus." Snape all but whispered, and Harry was pulled up into the air by his ankle. Out of his line of fire, Snape followed up with a cutting curse, sweeping across the hall. He finished his casting by disarming Potter.
Harry felt his wand fly from his hand before he could curse Snape. Wasting no time, he drew his dagger and slashed at the greasy-haired traitor who was attempting to grab him.
Snape cried out in pain and disbelief as he saw four of his fingers separate from his hand. Then he gasped for air as he felt slender fingers wrap around his throat.
"Put him down." Wednesday ordered calmly. "Now!" She added with force, and emphasized by tightening her grip.
Knowing he was dead anyway, and literally had nothing left to lose, Snape dug deep into the dark arts that he loved. Before he could cast the dark curse that would immolate both himself and the girl, he felt another blinding pain, and he lost his grip on his wand as Asclepius' bone shattering curse struck his hand.
A wave of his wand, and a simple "Finite incantatem." allowed Harry to fall to the floor with a painful crash. Asclepius grinned sadistically, and stared into Snape's eyes. "A cutting curse, against me? You may as well have used a cheering charm. Mistress Bella and I will have so much fun with you later, but now we have an audience with the Dark Lord."
-o-o-
Voldemort narrowed his eyes in anger. Severus was nearly always prompt when summoned, but it had been too long. He was just about to send Bella to fetch the traitor, when the door opened, and he was treated to an interesting scene.
Black's girlfriend, Thurday? No, Wednesday was in the lead, her front was soaked with blood. The fabric of her dress was slashed opened, exposing the contrast of her crimson blood on her alabaster stomach, but by the placid look on her face, she clearly wasn't concerned. She was dragging Severus behind her with one hand gripping the potion master's hair.
Asclepius and Black walked behind, and his loyal servant was injured as well. Much like the girl, he didn't acknowledge his cut robes or the bleeding wound he had running across his torso. Black was unharmed, but carried Severus' wand in one hand, and something unknown in the other.
The girl casually tossed Severus before him, and Black threw a few of the man's fingers on top of his prone form. Asclepius approached, knelt, and kissed the hem of his robes.
"The traitor has shown his true colors master." Asclepius said with his head bowed. "He attacked us as I was leading Black and his guest to you. I hope that you are not displeased that he is less than whole."
Bellatrix giggled maniacally from her place at her master's side. One way or another, she was going to enjoy the results of this encounter.
A swirl of his wand, and Voldemort sealing the bleeding wound of his lieutenant. "Would you like me to close your wound as well child?" He asked Wednesday politely.
"I'll be fine." She said without expression. Inwardly she smiled, she could feel Harry's eyes on her, and knew that the sight of her bleeding and exposed flesh was exciting her boyfriend. She was even more pleased that he wasn't blushing like he once would have.
Voldemort stopped Snape's bleeding, then levitated the traitor to hang helpless in the air before him. "I am disappointed in you Severus. You were my most trusted, the one servant who had almost never failed me." Snape jerked and writhed mid-air as Voldemort held him under the cruciatus. "I find out from Mister Black of all people, that you have been working against me. How long Severus? When did you abandon me for that foolish old man?"
Hate contorted Snape's features as he stared at the man who would kill him. "Since you killed her. You swore you'd spare her, but she died by your wand anyway."
Voldemort glanced at Harry for a moment before returning his attention to Snape. "Lily Potter? You throw away everything for the memory of a woman who spurned you? You are more of a fool than Dumbledore." Having no more use for the traitor, Voldemort threw the full force of his mind at Severus to ferret out any secrets.
Snape screamed as he felt the Dark Lord sift through his mind with abandon. He desperately tried to eject Voldemort, or barring that, keep him from learning any Order secrets. Chagrined, he realized that he was only able to fool Voldemort before because the Dark lord was holding back. Tears formed as his mind was raped, and he truly knew how completely he had failed.
Voldemort allowed Snape to fall limp to the floor. "Bella, Asclepius, his betrayal runs deep. He thinks himself broken now, but I want you both to show him that he has not even begun to understand pain. Enjoy yourselves, but do not let him die. I want to kill him myself once he has truly suffered."
The two insane death eaters left with Snape in tow. Both had a wild look of perverse glee etched into their faces, eager to have fun with their new playmate.
Voldemort was expressionless for a moment before he turned to his two teenage visitors. "I'm afraid I have some business that needs attention right now. If you would be so kind as to indulge me, I'll return shortly."
Shrugging, Harry responded. "We're in no real hurry."
-o-o-
Dumbledore was frustrated. With the war going badly, and Harry a near complete loss, he had no time to deal with distractions. Yet here he was, summoned by the Wizengamot for Merlin knows what reason. If it wasn't something of great importance, he was just going to walk right out.
"Rufus, What is this about anyway?" Dumbledore asked the minister outside the courtroom.
"You had best get in there and find out." The grizzled former auror said as he finished adjusting his official robes. He hated how much the bloody frippery would impede him if he needed to defend himself. He wondered if he could institute a more utilitarian uniform for the Wizengamot. Barring that, maybe they'd let just him get away with wearing some.
No respect anymore. Dumbledore thought, maybe it had something to do with the loss of his beard. He had thought it might be fun to grow it back naturally, but maybe he would use magic if the long grey beard helped his image so much.
Grumbling internally, but with a warm smile and twinkling eyes, he walked onto the courtroom floor. A pair of aurors escorted him to a lone chair, and requested he hand over his wand for the duration.
"Am I to understand that I am on trial?" Dumbledore asked incredulously.
"No sir." Said the senior auror. "As far as I know they just want to ask a few questions. This is just a standard precaution."
"Yes, of course." Dumbledore agreed. "But first indulge an old man."
Dumbledore carefully drew his wand, and conjured a large soft-cushioned chair. Then he handed it over to the senior auror, and sat in his own chair. Putting on his most gentle and grandfather-like face, he waited serenely.
His replacement had not yet been elected, so the minister presided in his stead. Perhaps this was about reinstating him as chief warlock, that would help him tremendously in his efforts to stop Voldemort.
-o-o-
When Voldemort returned, he was surprised to find Wednesday backed up against the wall, with Harry pressed up against her. The boy had one hand firmly against her wound, and the other pinned one of her hands to the wall. He was passionately kissing her neck as she gripped his hair with her free hand. She was moaning loudly with unrestrained pleasure. If he were fifty years younger he might find the scene provocative. As it was, he was just confused.
Noticing that they were no longer alone, Wednesday reluctantly pushed Harry away. "Later Harry, we're being rude."
Harry almost regretfully wiped her blood of his hand and onto his robes. As he turned and saw Voldemort watching them with one hairless brow raised, he remembered what Gomez had told him, and refused to let himself be embarrassed. "I take it you'd like to chat about your soul fragments?"
"Yes, I would. How did you find out about them, and what do you know?" Voldemort asked as he led his guests to a small table where they could talk.
"Grandmama Frump knows a lot about what we call the dark arts." Harry explained. "She recognized my scar for what it was, and let me know that I had a portion of your soul trapped in there. I figured that your diary must have held one too."
Voldemort's eyes darkened as he remembered Lucius begging forgiveness for allowing his precious horcrux to be destroyed. "Yes, Lucius has been punished for using my diary in such a foolish manner."
"What about Dumbledore, has he discovered how I have managed my immortality?" Voldemort asked as he contemplated what to do with his unintended horcrux. Now that he was on friendly terms with Black, he had some interesting options.
Harry shrugged. "No idea, I doubt he's ever told me the truth about anything. He doesn't see me as anything but a means to your end."
Pressing his palms together, and resting them against his thin lips, Voldemort closed his eyes in thought. "Soul magic is considered one of the darkest arts. As such only the most powerful and knowledgeable, like myself, have ever studied it. Our connection does indeed make sense, now that I know you are one of my horcruxes."
Voldemort's eyes flashed open, and he stared deep into Harry's emerald eyes. "Each horcrux I have made has been given protections more potent than the last. You are vulnerable, and if Dumbledore does know what your scar truly is, then he no doubt intends that you die. I cannot allow that to happen. There are several rituals I will prepare, that will make you nearly as untouchable as I am."
"No thank you. What fun would life be if I couldn't die? In fact, I was wondering... If this connection we share does make me share your immortality, can you remove your soul fragment?" Harry grasped Wednesday's hand and squeezed. "Some day I would like to die. Not today, but someday."
Voldemort was speechless at first. It had never occurred to him that anyone would willingly choose mortality. Eventually, he spoke softly as he worked through the problem in his mind. "Ordinarily I would say no, but as you are a living horcrux, and a wizard as well... There may be a way. Yes, yes I think it can be done. I will need time to gather what I need, and to design the ritual... Yes, perhaps this is best."
"Will it be painful?" Wednesday asked, but oddly, without concern.
"I don't know yet, but most likely yes." Voldemort replied, wondering if the girl would object.
Instead of objecting, Wednesday gave the slightest hint of a smile. "Can I help?"
-o-o-
"Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, in light of your many years of service to the Wizengamot, we are maintaining that this is a simple inquisition, and not a full trial." Scrimgeour said as he began the proceedings.
"Trial?" Dumbledore asked confused and offended. "What am I being accused of?"
Augusta Longbottom stood. "It has come to my attention that you have been tampering with the minds of the former Harry Potter, and those who would be close to him."
Frantic whispers and hushed arguing erupted among the Wizengamot.
Scrimgeour called for silence. "As I said, out of respect, this is not a trial. Merely an inquisition to discover the truth of Madam Longbottom's accusation." Addressing Dumbledore directly, he asked the first question. "Have you used magic to alter the mind of one Harry Black, formerly known as Harry Potter?"
Dumbledore knew he should have insisted on seeing what the Longbottom boy knew, but the damage had already been done, and there was no sense dwelling on that. Shutting his eyes wearily, he decided there was no course left to him but the truth. "I am ashamed to admit that I have; however, I would not have done so, had I any other choice. Unfortunately my reasons must remain secret."
Holding up his hand, and casting a stern glare about the courtroom to maintain silence, Scrimgeour spoke. "That is unacceptable, respect only goes so far. If you do not reveal you reasons, or if your reasoning is found lacking, this will quickly become a full trial. If that occurs, you are looking at spending time in our temporary DMLE holding cells while we resolve Azkaban's security issues.
"Rufus, a man with your background can appreciate sensitive information. Perhaps I can reveal my reasoning to you, and you alone." Dumbledore said with his head held high.
Pursing his lips, Scrimgeour frowned as he mulled over the suggestion. "A vote then, raise your wand if you believe I should be allowed to decide the validity of Dumbledore's reasoning."
Roughly half of the Wizengamot raised their wands. Percy Weasley quickly counted up the votes and recorded the result. When Scrimgeour looked to him, he nodded, and the minister continued.
"Raise your wand if you believe the entire Wizengamot is needed for this decision." Scrimgeour said, and noted that it was an extremely close vote.
Percy finished recording the result of the vote, and looked up at the minister, who nodded firmly. "By five wands, the Wizengamot has decided that the minister is to be entrusted with deciding the validity of Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore's reasoning." Percy said, as formally as he could manage.
"Very well." Minister Scrimgeour said. "We will adjourn for one hour. Upon returning to this courtroom, head of the department of magical law enforcement, Pius Thicknesse, will take over these proceedings in my stead."
-o-o-
On their way out, Harry and Wednesday stopped to see if Bellatrix would be visiting, and if her sister and nephew would join them as well. Bellatrix stepped back from the whimpering Snape, and faced Harry.
"Oh we'll be there." She said in an oddly sane tone. "Even if I have to drag Draco along with us." Her tone went from sane to childish as she continued. "My widdle nephew is sad that he isn't in charge now ." Her tone changed again, this time madness colored her speech. "But Cissa and I can't wait to see what you have in mind."
As Harry and Bellatrix talked, Wednesday walked over to Asclepius, who was digging his finger into a fresh cut on Snape's arm. The tortured man was gritting his teeth, and grimacing in pain.
"Here, you do it like this." Wednesday said as she took the scarred Death Eater's finger and shifted where he was applying pressure.
Snape immediately screamed in agony, which in turn made Asclepius grin widely. "What was I doing wrong?"
"You were just pushing on his muscle, now your finger is separating it from the bone." She looked at Snape with a clinical eye. "Make sure you let him rest, and play around with how you hurt him. If he's constantly in pain, he might start to like it."
Remembering his own torture at the end of Harry's knife, he nodded in agreement. Removing his finger, he pried back Snape's eyelids with his thumb and forefinger. "We wouldn't want that now would we?" Asclepius said as he chuckled maniacally while staring into Snape's pain filled eyes.
-o-o-
Once the Wizengamot had settled back in, and Thicknesse had called everyone to order, the DMLE head turned to Scrimgeour. "What is your decision Minister? Does Professor Dumbledore's reasoning excuse his actions?"
Scowling, Scrimgeour looked at Dumbledore as he spoke. "It is my belief that while valid, Dumbledore's reasons are not enough to completely exonerate him. I suggest that he be shown leniency in the form of no jail time; however, I also suggest that his position as headmaster of Hogwarts be stripped from him. He should have let the DMLE know what he was doing, and why. This lack of sound judgment makes me believe he should not be allowed a position of authority over our children."
Thicknesse looked around the courtroom. "Is there any here who objects to the minister's suggestion?"
Madam Longbottom stood once more. "I want further assurance that he will not tamper with the minds of our children again."
A clamor rang out across the courtroom as wizards and witches voiced their agreement.
Calling for silence, Thicknesse modified the punishment. "Very well, in addition to being stripped of your position, you will no longer be permitted to be alone with any witch or wizard under the age of majority. Should you ever be found disobeying this decision, you will be tried, and face time in Azkaban. If you ever are found guilty of altering the mind of any witch or wizard in the future, you will face up to fifty years in Azkaban. Those in favor, please raise you wand."
Well over half of the Wizengamot raised their wand.
"Wait one moment!" Dumbledore called out. "Can I not say anything further in my defense?"
"Can you?" Scrimgeour asked almost smugly. "You wanted your excuses kept private. If there is anything you can use in your defense publicly, then by all means."
Taking in Dumbledore's silence, and the vote results, Thicknesse finished up. "Your punishment passes by a clear majority. I now return control to you Minister Scrimgeour."
-o-o-
Shucking off his Wizengamot robes as fast as he could, Scrimgeour raced to catch up with Dumbledore before he could leave.
"If half of what you told me is true, then I can't afford to stop your little vigilante group like I want." Scrimgeour said as he fell in step with the former Headmaster. "But you will work with the ministry, not outside of its control. I don't want you blowing your nose without informing Thicknesse, do you understand?"
Dumbledore frowned. "I must reign in Harry, you know that, you agreed with me."
"Do not lose sight of the real enemy here." Scrimgeour said forcefully. "He-who-must-not-be-named must be stopped, at all costs. I sincerely believe that the prophecy's are a load of shite. The boy is just that, a boy."
Scrimgeour continued as his frown deepened. "I made my decision in there, because as much as I don't like you, we need your wand. Stop fooling around, and help us take down that madman." He pointed an accusatory finger at Dumbledore. "The amount of political rubbish I had to go through to hush up your little stunt at Grimmauld Place is staggering. If the pure-blood factions caught wind of you illegally storming the house of Black, there would be nothing I could do to keep you out of a jail cell. Do not make me regret letting you keep your freedom."
-o-o-
Tonks walked along side her mother, nervously fingering her wand. Unfortunately, professor Dumbledore had refused to make portkeys for her mother and herself. The professor said something about having to be careful about upsetting the ministry at this point. She had decided to come along anyway, so that she could protect her mother if things went as poorly as she imagined they would.
"Calm down Nymphadora." Andromeda said, picking up on her daughter's mood. "Don't forget to think before you act. Remember, use that mind of yours."
Sighing, Tonks reluctantly took her hand off her wand, and tried to calm herself as they walked up the steps to 12 Grimmauld Place.
The door opened at the first knock, revealing the imposing form of Lurch. The Addams butler moaned and motioned for the two witches to enter. After they entered the foyer, Lurch closed the door and moaned, "Faaaalow meeeee."
Andromeda did not hesitate to follow the tall man further into the house, and after a quick look around for an ambush, Tonks carefully followed. Hearing Harry's voice coming from the room ahead, she was both relieved to know that he was still alive, and worried that the rumors about him were true. If he truly had gone dark, then where did that leave the Order? She didn't know the details, but she did know that Dumbledore insisted that Harry was a key player needed to combat he-who-must-not-be-named.
Upon entering the parlor, Tonks drew her wand lightning fast, and aimed it at the witch who was talking with Harry. "What is she doing here?"
"Did you honestly expect there to be a Black family meeting without us?" Draco said from off to the side where he abandoned his sulking to make fun of his cousin.
"Sister." Narcissa said with a nod of acknowledgment. "I trust you've been well."
"Despite our differences, I've missed you and Bella." Andromeda said with a smile.
"Bellatrix? Mother are you mental? She's an insane murderer!" Tonks objected. "These two are bad enough, but... What are you laughing for?"
Harry stopped laughing, and pointed toward the door with a smirk. There stood Bellatrix with a smirk of her own, waving by wiggling her fingers.
Tonks immediately drew her wand, and sent curse after curse toward her deranged aunt.
Laughing, Bellatrix batted away the jets of light with ease. "Awww. What's the matter Nymphy? Aren't you happy to see Auntie Bella?"
"As entertaining as it would be to watch, do you think we could all talk before we kill each other?" Harry said calmly as he stood, and slowly walked between the two witches.
"C'mon mother, we've got to get out of here." Tonks said with a strained voice.
Instead, Andromeda sat down next to Narcissa. "Put your wand away Nymphadora. If you must, consider this a temporary truce."
"Light or dark, good or evil, insane or otherwise, none of that matters right now." Harry said as he gently pushed Tonks back to flop into a cushioned chair next to Draco. "This is about family."
"Family!?" Tonks spluttered, and pointed an accusing finger at Bellatrix. "She murdered Sirius! Hows that for family!"
"Yes, she did, and once we're finished talking, you two can kill each other if you want." Harry said with a smile, but she could tell he was completely serious.
Completely confused and out of her depth, Tonks turned to her mother with a pleading look. "How can you just sit there mother? These are the people that threw you away like so much trash for being a decent human being, for not being dark like them."
Andromeda sighed as her older sister sat on her other side. "It's almost sad really, how everyone assumes I'm a light witch."
With that statement Narcissa smiled, Bellatrix gave a sharp laugh, and Tonks just sat there stunned. Draco had gone back to quietly sulking.
Harry clapped his hands and walked to the center of the room. "Narcissa was kind enough to explain the situation while we waited for the rest of you." Though he was speaking to everyone, it was clear he was mainly talking for Tonks' benefit. "Andromeda, like nearly all of the Black family, is politically dark. The falling out happened because of her choice of husband."
"Normally I wouldn't have given a muggleborn a second glance, but there was just something about your father." Andromeda said to her daughter. "The heart wants what it wants. Fortunately Ted isn't a political man at all, otherwise we might have disagreed quite a bit over the years."
"This is heartwarming and all, but can we just get on with this?" Draco grumbled.
-o-o-
Edit: I changed how Snape was disarmed so that the end scene of chapter 11 can occur as written.
Author's note: Considering that Snape is going to be a little preoccupied to be the DADA teacher, does anyone have a suggestion for the new DADA teacher? I've had a few thoughts, but nothing that stands out as a really good/fun idea.
To Guest reviewing chapter 8: I hadn't even thought of that. Maybe their blood would overpower the lycanthropy, making a werewolf bite rather mundane. I doubt they would actually want to become werewolves anyway. To an Addams, a werewolf has one major flaw: They don't know what they're doing while in wolf form. It's just not the same if you aren't the one in control.
Eventually just being around the Addams family will slowly infect Luna with their old magic. Either she'll practically become an Addams, or she'll be driven insane. With Luna, I'm not sure anyone will be able to tell the difference. For now, the family knows that she isn't there yet. They like her, so they kept her safe from Moony.
Thing doesn't have a body at all. He's just a hand, wrist, and a few inches of forearm. In the old TV show, there are other disembodied hands in addition to Thing. Who knows where they come from.
To Mizu reviewing chapter 8: I imagine Wednesday is going to terrorize many people, some of them on purpose.