Disclaimer: See Prologue.

The Chosen Eight

Chapter Thirteen

Lost and Found

Word quickly spread about the attack on Number 12 Grimmauld Place. With it was the widely-believed rumor that this was also the headquarters of the secret organization against Voldemort, the Order of the Phoenix. Needless to say, Rufus Scrimgeour was not happy.

What's worse, word had somehow leaked out that the same piece of property had been very recently handled by his office. How that had gotten out, he wasn't sure, but if he ever found out, suffice to say that someone would not have a job— ever again. Now, he had to suffer through a press conference to clear his office of any responsibility! But what was considerably worse was that he also had to endure a visit from that infernal, interfering Dumbledore.

"Minister Scrimgeour, Headmaster Dumbledore to see you," his secretary announced.

Scrimgeour forced a smile, no use in making this interview any more unpleasant than was necessary. "Send him in."

Dumbledore walked in and pleasantries were exchanged. Finally, the subject at hand was introduced.

"I understand you recently made an arrangement involving the Black estate," Dumbledore simply said.

The minister was immediately on the defense. "I did nothing wrong, Albus. It was perfectly legal."

The headmaster leaned in closer and peered into the other man's eyes. "What was perfectly legal, Rufus?"

"Narcissa Malfoy came in early this morning to discuss her family's estate. She said that the house at Number 12 Grimmauld Place and all that was in it rightfully belonged to her. I agreed with her, seeing as she is the closest in kin that is neither dead, incarcerated, or on the run. She said that she couldn't claim it though unless the Ministry used its power to override the blood-magic that kept it from recognizing her as its owner. Said that once that was done, the protections her family had put on it to keep it hidden wouldn't apply anymore," he explained.

Dumbledore looked skeptical. "And you approved? That power is only to be used in extreme circumstances."

"Dumbledore, what was I suppose to do?" Scrimgeour asked. "Here was a perfectly respectable woman with a legitimate claim. The Blacks always thought that the law was beneath them, which is why that magic would have recognized Sirius Black as its rightful owner. His rights may have been stripped in the eyes of the law, but not the laws of his family. This office overrode that simply to allow a woman what was rightfully hers."

"You do realize that Mrs. Malfoy was obviously involved in this attack?"

"Yes, yes, of course," he replied dismissively. "I ordered her arrest as soon as I heard. She was taken in, but she died in her holding cell. She had poisoned herself."

Dumbledore went quiet at that statement. Why would she have done that? There was no need for it. True, she probably would have been taken to Azkaban, but that would only be until she was broken out and given a place of honor in Voldemort's forces. It didn't make sense to do such a thing for the "cause" and not reap its benefits. Unless, she didn't do it for the cause. Then what did she do it for?

OoooOoooOoooO

Harry, Hermione, Ginny, Ron, Fred, and George were all gathered in the Gryffindor common room. Dumbledore was having every member of the Order check in at Hogwarts. Tonks and Shacklebolt had gone to sort through what was left of Grimmauld Place.

Harry was starting to get a little worried. Where were Sirius and Remus? They would have surely have come to check in on them if they had come to Hogwarts already. And the Weasleys were also missing. As far as Harry knew, they were the only ones at Headquarters when it was attacked. However, he really hoped that he was wrong.

Tonks and Kingsley suddenly walked through the portrait hole. Kingsley took a deep breath and then said in his low voice, "We have some good news, and some bad news."

"What's the good news?" Ginny asked.

"Pettigrew and two other Death Eaters were found in the rubble. They were all stunned. With Pettigrew in custody, Sirius will be exonerated."

"And the bad news?" Harry said with a sinking feeling in his stomach.

"Snape was at Headquarters when it was attacked. He confirmed that Sirius, Remus, Molly, Arthur, Bill, and Charlie were all captured by the Death Eaters."

OoooOoooOoooO

My dear Draco,

I am sorry for so many things in my life. I am sorry I joined the Dark Lord's ranks, I am sorry that I disowned my own sister merely because of the heritage of the man she married, and I am sorry about how I've treated you. I do love you, and I am sorry I never showed it. I never really knew how. I hope that in doing this, I am demonstrating my love for you.

This is your chance to break free! Don't make my mistakes! I know that I could probably have took my own life without involving others. I didn't want to hurt anyone. But this was the only way that would keep them from seeing my death as an out, for both me and you. They won't come after you, at least, not right away. I know you've been contacting someone, and I know you don't want the life I had. I urge you, seek them out and allow them to help you! Do not wait until it is too late!

Remember, I love you always,

-Your Mother

Tbc…