Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter and if I did there would be some mild changes to the plot line but since it is fanfiction, I do have a sense of control.

Author's Note: This is my second Harry Potter fanfic, I don't recommend reading my first one Nocte Venatores. It's just a mess to be completely honest with you all. I'm considering taking it down revamping it and then publishing it again or just getting rid of it all together. I did considerable amounts of research for that piece but I just am not quite satisfied with it yet. I will get there eventually. Anyways, carry on my wayward children. This piece takes place just after the fall of Grindelwald; the timeline is not canon to the books. I do apologize for the very long delay, 2018 has been a very rough year for me and I'm processing. I thank you kindly for your patience.

Characters: Helena Katharine (OC), Narcissa and Lucius Malfoy, Minerva McGonagall, Gregorovitch Rosston Reddingwall (OC), Amelia Bones, Albus Dumbledore, Gellert Grindelwald (only mentions), Saoirse Rosier (OC) and possibly others as the story progresses along.

Summary: An innocent child born from powerful wizards has no idea how she's changed the course of the recent, developing wizarding war. Will she be able to defeat the newest threat to the wizarding world? Or will she fall along with others? Or will she fall into her father's footsteps?

Rating: T for language and mild depiction of violence for this chapter (Rating may change throughout the course of this story.)

Trigger warning: Mention of rape, torture, violence and WWII.


When she finally came to, she felt the cobblestone pressed against her temple. She slowly stood up and took in her surroundings. Fire burned in the streets, buildings reduced to rubble, there were people screaming in the distance and glass shattered. She put her hands out in front of her. These hands did not belong to her, she thought. They're calloused, older; they were charred and caked with blood. She looked up to the skies; no longer blue but red with thick blackened clouds slowly consuming the sky. The smell of flesh burning stained her nose and she could feel the bile rising. Everything moved slowly around her as war raged on.

Streams of multi-color lights flew by her, striking down everyone in their paths. A woman ran passed her screaming in a thick German accent, "Run, zey are coming." Before she could ask who, the woman before her was reduced to ashes. What was happening? She turned around to see the true horror.

Gellert Grindelwald was storming the streets, destroying anything and everything that stood in his way. There was somebody who followed behind him, the shadow man, was younger than Grindelwald but resembled his appearance. This man had a sinister grin as he watched Grindelwald raise his wand. She saw her mothers, her uncle and a tall blond woman she didn't recognize, standing face to face with Grindelwald, wands raised, prepared for sacrifice. Out of instinct she screamed at them to run but they wouldn't budge, they just stood there. She ran up and grabbed their hands, but they wouldn't move.

Without hesitation, Grindelwald raised his wand and struck them down. She let out a piercing scream as she fell to her knees. The shadow man disappeared in a cloud of thick black smoke which began to swallow Helena. She could feel her skin burning, then suddenly stop.

"Helena! Wake up!" She felt Minerva's hands shake her shoulder, but she wouldn't wake.

"Kala, please wake up. It's just a dream." Amelia tried.

"HELENA!" Helena leapt forward, avoiding both of her mothers and went straight for the bathroom. The sound of retching could be heard followed by hurried footsteps. "Helena, please unlock the door." No response.

"Alohomora" Amelia whispered.

Helena gripped both sides of the toilet and breathed heavily. In through the nose, out through the mouth. She couldn't get the images of fire and the smell of burning flesh out of her mind.

"What did you see, lass?" Minerva stalked towards her daughter.

"I tried to scream for you guys, but you guys wouldn't move."

"My wee lass, what did you see?"

Helena choked out a sob, "I saw Grindelwald killing all those people in Germany. He killed you both and uncle Albus and a blond lady that I hadn't seen before."

"Shh, we're okay lass. Grindelwald is dead. There's nothing to worry about now. Come on, back to bed with ya."

"Somebody else was with him. I didn't recognize him."

"What did he look like?" Minerva put a comforting hand on Helena's cheek.

"Grindelwald, only younger."

"Oh lass, it's okay. Let's get back to bed, hmm?"

"It's actually time to get up, it's almost seven. Breakfast will be served in an hour." The trio got ready for the day and made their way down to the Great Hall for breakfast.

Narcissa Malfoy was poised, elegant, intelligent and rarely showed her anger to anyone; even her own husband. She was the ideal pureblood wife. Today, though, was different.

Narcissa had been up all night crying and she couldn't quite place why she'd been crying. Last night, she felt empty and hollow; she'd thought about Helena but in her mind, she knew she shouldn't have been this upset about this whole ordeal. Narcissa had entrusted Helena to Minerva nearly five years ago and knew it would be the best decision but she couldn't help but wonder what her life would have been like with Helena in it. She imagined hearing her cry in the middle of the night when she needed to be changed and her or Lucius would fight over who's turn it was to change her. Wondered what it would have been like to take her to Ollivander's for her wand, seeing her attempt to fly on a broom, and watch her board the train to Hogwarts for the first time. She felt her stomach twinge at it all, she would talk to Minerva one day. Find out how Helena was doing and apologize.

Lucius had done his best to comfort her, but he didn't really know how. He hadn't seen Narcissa act like this but maybe a handful of times. Today would be a bad day for her and he knew that. Lucius had decided to let her sleep in this morning. He'd never had to comfort anyone before, but he wasn't going to let that stop him from being there for his wife, bound or not.

"Dobby!" Lucius hissed.

"Dobby is here to serve Master Malfoy!" Dobby was unusually chipper in the mornings must to Lucius' distaste.

"I need you to send find Narcissa's calendar and clear her schedule. Send letters saying that Narcissa is under the weather and cannot make it." Lucius casually sipped his tea.

"But sir, Mistress Malfoy has a meeting with the Minister of Magic." Dobby cautioned.

"I don't care Dobby, she needs to rest."

It was half past seven in the morning when she made her way down to the dining hall and sat down for her morning cup of tea with Lucius. Her normal routine consisted of waking up around six in the morning with Lucius, grabbing a shower with her husband, brushing her teeth and dressing; today was different. "As much as I appreciate the sentiment, Lucius. I must meet with the Minister and cannot reschedule. The matter is of great importance." Narcissa came downstairs and Lucius nearly spat out his tea. Narcissa was only wearing her silk robe; her hair was a mess; yesterday's makeup stained her face. Lucius rushed to her side.

"Narcissa, you only fell asleep an hour ago. I'm sure the Minister would understand." Lucius grabbed her hands and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.

"Please, don't argue with me this morning. I simply do not have the energy right now." Narcissa sounded out of breath.

"Go back to bed, now. This is not up for debate I will talk with Cornelius. He will reschedule, even if I have to threaten him. I have a meeting around 9 at the Ministry and I will speak with Cornelius beforehand, then you and I are going to spend the day together. Just relaxing in the garden." Narcissa started to blush and was about to retort when their owl arrived with the morning paper and other correspondences. Dobby handed the Daily Prophet to Lucius and handed Narcissa a cup of tea.

"What's today's headline darling? Gellert isn't dead, rather hiding in the catacombs of the Ministry of Magic?" Narcissa's voice was thick with sarcasm.

"It's actually quite cute. Five-Year-Old Becomes the Youngest Registered Animagus In the History of Magic" Lucius read the front page.

"You're lying." Narcissa's tone changed. She felt her heart stop momentarily.

"Helena Katharine McGonagall has become the youngest person in recorded history to become a registered Animagus. Her Animagus is a black panther; this discovery came about when she and her mother, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Amelia Bones, were chasing each other yesterday afternoon at their home in Scotland. Ms. Bones had changed into her Animagus form when she was chasing her young lass and then suddenly Helena had begun to chase her in the form of a black panther.

Then she was brought to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry where she exposed herself as an Animagus to some first year students and her other mother, Transfigurations Professor and Deputy Headmistress, Minerva McGonagall, felt it necessary to have her registered for safety concerns."

Narcissa tuned out the rest, how could Minerva do that to her? She warned her, I swear that bint can't remember anything! She needed to meet with her. "Lucius, I need to go, I'll be back soon."

"Narcissa are you sure you're alright?" Narcissa turned and gave her husband a hungry kiss.

"I'm fine dear. Just need to visit an old friend is all." Narcissa took a deep breath and composed herself, she wouldn't lash out at him for this. She couldn't expose herself.

"Alright. Do you want me to apparate you anywhere?"

"No, I'll take Dobby with me. Have a good day, darling. I shall be back within the hour and then I will rest for the remainder of the day, with you."

"I love you Narcissa, please be careful today I have an odd feeling about today." Lucius gently placed a kiss on her temple. "When you get back and we head into the garden, I want to start doing our Saturday morning traditions again. I know it's only Tuesday, but I miss doing that with you. What book would you like me to read to you this morning?"

Narcissa thought for a moment, he wasn't the only one that missed their traditions. When they were first engaged, every Saturday morning they'd sleep in until nine and, still wearing their pajamas, sit in the garden for their morning tea and breakfast. Once they finished their meal, they would conjure a king size bed that slightly swayed back and forth, and Lucius read from a text of her choosing, with the rare exception of his choosing. While Lucius would read, he would play with her hair and listen to the rhythm of her breathing while still reading aloud. Narcissa simply smiled and stated, "I know this is rather childish, but could you read Tales of Beedle the Bard?"

"Anything for you love." He placed a light kiss on her forehead and headed to his study to write to the Minister.

Once Lucius was out of sight, Narcissa called for Dobby. "Dobby!"

"How can Dobby help Mistress Malfoy?" Dobby entered with a piercing crack.

"I need you to keep this between you and me, I need you to apparate me into Hogwarts."

"Mistress Malfoy, might I ask why?"

"The element of surprise is rather frightening to the other party, and I need to send a very clear message to Professor McGonagall." Anger was thick and evident in her voice. She headed back upstairs to look presentable for the professor.

It was half past eight in the morning and Minerva was sitting at her desk waiting to enter her classroom for the first year's Transfiguration lesson, whilst Helena was reading a rather advanced text for a five year old when Narcissa popped in.

"MINERVA KATHARINE MCGONAGALL ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?!" Narcissa screamed not noticing the five year old nearly ten feet away from her.

Helena took this as a hint that she shouldn't be here for this conversation. She took her book into the classroom and sat in one of the desks.

"It's nice to see you too, Narcissa." Minerva stated calmly. "What seems to be the issue?"

"Your daughter is a registered Animagus at the age of five. Do you realize how much danger she's in now? Gregorovitch is probably leaping for joy right now and plotting to get her back!" Narcissa could feel the tears threatening to fall.

"Gregorovitch? Who is Gregorovitch?" Minerva dropped her glasses on her desk.

Narcissa cursed under her breath and swallowed the bile that threatened to rise. "Do you realize what you've done?" Her voice sunk, and the tone of the room changed.

Minerva stared at the woman before her for a moment. Narcissa's body language changed, she knew better than to push her.

"Narcissa come here." Minerva motioned her towards her desk.

"I'm very busy today Minerva, whatever it is please make it quick." Narcissa started pushing her away but Minerva wouldn't let her. Narcissa made her way to Minerva.

"Come here, dear." Minerva pulled her into her lap and held onto her tightly. "I'm so sorry, love. Please know that I am here for you whenever you need, okay? Don't shut me out again. It breaks my heart seeing you suffer." Minerva kissed her temple. Narcissa let out a heartfelt sob and squeezed as if her life depended on it.

"I still haven't told Lucius. I don't know how, he won't love me anymore." Minerva ran her finger through Narcissa's hair and she leaned into her touch.

"If he really loved you, he wouldn't leave." She whispered softly.

"What if he sees me differently, surely he wouldn't trust me anymore or what if tells the wrong person then they tell Gregorovitch? Despite my actions during my school years, I've always considered you like a mother to me and I don't think I could live with myself if something happened to her, Amelia or you." Narcissa knew deep down that she needed to tell him eventually.

"Well, you could always bind him." Minerva's voice peaked with excitement.

Narcissa chuckled as she wiped her tears away, "Did the famous Minerva McGonagall just tell a joke?"

"I'm serious. You know how I am about binding people to secrecy, but I would be willing to make an exception. There is a book on the second shelf called Nigrum Pythian Oraculum Magia, it's next to Hogwarts: A History."

Narcissa got up and searched tirelessly for it. "I found Hogwarts: A History but I didn't find that one." Narcissa thought for a moment, "I noticed Helena was reading a text when I stormed in here."

Minerva cast a quiet Wingardium Leviosa, "Helena, could you come here please?" A few moments of silence and then little footsteps could be heard. "Hi my darling."

"Hi, màthair." She ran into her mother's lap. "Who's that?" She pointed to Narcissa.

"That's Narcissa. She's one of the best students to ever walk the halls of Hogwarts."

"You must be Helena, I've heard a lot about you. Quite the little famous five year old, you are." Narcissa winked. "Becoming an Animagus takes tremendous skill, how did you manage that?"

"Well… I tricked Uncle Albus into helping me." Helena blushed. "I snuck into the library and asked uncle about it and then I changed without problems."

Narcissa looked her with wide eyes, "Oh please tell me you laid into him for that one" Narcissa laughed.

"I should have but I didn't. He also taught her some spells too." Minerva's tone because more stern, then her voice returned to her calm eloquence. "Helena, would you please bring me the book you're reading? I may need to borrow it."

Helena kissed Minerva's cheek and leapt from her lap. "I'll be right back."

Narcissa watched the scene unfold and felt her heart swell with pride and guilt. Maybe one day she would be able to tell Helena the truth and maybe Minerva would allow her to be a part of her life. "She's incredible, you've done an amazing job with her." She felt the tears again.

"You know you can visit her any time. I've told you that."

"Maybe I can once this whole animagus thing dies down." Narcissa pondered.

A pregnant silence filled the room for a brief moment before little footsteps entered the room again. "Here."

"Helena what have I told you about reading books on dark magic?" Minerva cocked her eyebrow at her.

"I must ask your permission before reading anything of advanced or dark magic because of what happened with Uncle Albus last summer." Helena huffed.

"Do I even want to know about that one?" Narcissa quipped.

"That's when she turned into her Animagus." Minerva looked over at Helena who started giggling.

"Oh, dear Merlin." Narcissa chuckled. Narcissa turned to face Helena. Helena recognized her from the dream.

"You're the blond woman from the dream. Mum, it's her. I don't know why I didn't notice it earlier. We have to protect her too."

"Helena what are you talking about? Gellert's dead, we have nothing to worry about." Minerva pipped up.

"But the other man isn't. The one who looks like him." Narcissa's eyes went wide, she needed to leave quickly.

"As much as I've enjoyed this visit, I must be going. I have a meeting with the Minister shortly. Thank you for the text Minerva. I'll return it when the binding is complete." Narcissa gave Minerva a quick hug before having Dobby apparate them back to her home.

"Something's off with her mum, she got all weird when I mentioned the other man."

"I know. I'll have to talk with her again."

As soon as Narcissa came back she dropped to her knees and took deep breaths. Helena knows about Gregorovitch, this could be really bad. If she knows, she's no longer safe. She began to hyperventilate.

Lucius popped in with Tigard and was immediately at Narcissa's side. "Narcissa what's wrong? What's happened?"

"She's not safe, he's going to find her and kill her. I can't lose her, I can't lose them." Narcissa forced out, not realizing.

"Who's not safe?"

"Helena, Gregorovitch is going to find her and kill her. Please Lucius we can't let him get to her, or Minerva, Amelia or Albus."

"Why would he go after a five-year old?"

"Because he's her father. He will stop at nothing to get her. Everyone thought Gellert was bad but Gregorovitch will be unstoppable once he finds her."

Narcissa's breathing started to slow. "I need to lie down."

"Come on love I know just the place." Lucius helped her onto her feet and transfigured her clothes into her favourite pajamas. They made their way out to the garden where there was already a bed in place with a side table that had their book that he would read along with tea and snacks. Lucius drew her side of the sheets back for her and tucked her in nicely and then got into his side and pulled her to him. "Merlin I've missed this." He grabbed the book from the bedside table.

Lucius intertwined his fingers into Narcissa's hair and Narcissa stated, "Me too." There was a moment of silence between the pair and Narcissa seized the opportunity. "I need to tell you something, but you can't repeat it to anyone, not to your crones, your parents, absolutely nobody."

Lucius set the book back down and wrapped his free hand around her figure. "You can tell me anything love, you know that."

"This could change the entirety of the impending war, drastically change it."

"Narcissa you're scaring me." He gave her a squeeze of reassurance before continuing. "Is this about Helena?"

Narcissa took a deep breath. "Yes." She didn't want to tell him now, she wanted to tell him when things were calm, when she wasn't vulnerable. "Six years ago, during our seventh year I was held hostage in my home during the Christmas holiday. I was tortured, beaten… raped," she paused to swallow the bile she felt in her throat. "and I was forced to watch my family being murdered by Gregorovitch. He tortured me for weeks until I got pregnant, but I placed a spell on my body that would read a false negative if the diagnostic spells were placed on it. He gave up, told me I was a worthless whore who was a disappointment to the pureblood society because I couldn't bare children." She choked back a sob.

"Helena's your daughter." He said out loud.

"Lucius, I'm so sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I didn't know how." She broke out in heart wrenching sobs. "Please forgive me."

"Narcissa, you did what was best for you and the safety of your child. Don't ever apologize for something like that. Torture is a very hard subject to talk about but I'm proud of you for allowing me in." He kissed her temple and his eyes widen a little. "I want to help protect her in any way that I can."

"You're not mad?" Narcissa could hear her heart beating in her ears.

"Of course not love." Lucius kissed her temple again. He opened their book and began to read.


It's slow but it's getting there ;)