Chapter Six: Narcissa's Confession
"Andromeda Tonk's House!" shouted Harry as he dropped the Floo powder around him. With a burst of green flames, he found himself in Andromeda's living room fireplace.
"Hi Harry!"
"Hey, Teddy," Harry said, beaming at the sight of his godson.
"Hi, Uncle Harry," said Victoire, walking into the room and into Teddy's arms, "Hi, Aunt Ginny, Albus, James."
"Hi, Victoire. You here to help Teddy babysit?" Victoire and Ginny went into their own conversation, leaving Harry to deal with James.
"Dad, please let me go!"
"James—" Harry started, but then was knocked down by an incoming Floo rider.
"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry, Uncle Harry!" Rose said, dusting off the soot from her skirt, "I still can't get the landing right."
"It's alright, Rosie," Harry said, using the favorite nickname, "Say, is your dad coming here?"
His question was answered as Ron appeared in the fireplace. "Rose, why did you go?" he said, "I told you to wait!" He was apparently in a bad mood because he rarely ever chastised his kids, especially Rose.
"I did wait, Dad," Rose said, annoyed, "but then you finished tying your shoe and you were just standing there, so I assumed I could go."
"Ron, don't take your anger out on Rose," said Hermione, who appeared moments ago, "She didn't do anything wrong."
Ron scowled and turned to Harry, "Hey, mate."
"Having a good day Ron?"
Instead of responding, Ron started sniffing the air around him and ceased when Andromeda entered the room with a tray of cookies. She was followed by Narcissa Malfoy, who had a depressed look about her. It then occurred to Harry that she had lost her only grandchild; if she was as close as she was to Scorpius as she was to Draco, then she must be going through a really hard time.
Ron said hello, then immediately reached out for a cookie.
"Oh, why thank you, Ronald," Andromeda said, cheerfully and she handed the tray to Ron. He accepted it with a confused look on his face.
Ginny chuckled at this and said, "Hello, Andromeda. Thank you so much for letting the boys stay here. I hope they don't cause you too much trouble.
"Oh, come now," replied Andromeda, "It's no trouble at all. I mean, I know what you're going through. To lose a child… When my Dora left me…" Andromeda looked thoughtful, then took out a handkerchief and dabbed her eyes.
"Excuse me," Narcissa said in a weak voice. Andromeda looked at Narcissa with concern. When their eyes met, Andromeda nodded and Narcissa slipped out of the room.
"Poor Cissy. She is a nervous wreck. She's been like this ever since Scorpius went missing."
"Does she know…?" Harry began, and then hesitated. He was debating telling her about Bellatrix.
"What?" Andromeda asked, "What is it?" There was much concern in her voice.
"Harry," Hermione appeared next to him, "She deserves to know."
"What happened?" Andromeda said, beginning to sound frantic.
"Harry," Ginny cautioned.
Harry sighed, "Maybe we should go in another room," and he, Hermione, Andromeda, and Ginny went into the study.
"Okay, now what's this about?" Andromeda demanded as she took a seat.
Hermione sat down next to her and said, "Your sister, Bellatrix, is still alive." Andromeda gasped.
"How is that possible?"
"We're not so sure ourselves," Ginny replied, "The only proof we have is a note she left when she…"
"When she kidnapped my Scorpius…" Everyone turned to see Narcissa at the door. She had tears in her eyes and a look of understanding on her face, "Oh my goodness, this is all my fault!" The tears spilled over and Hermione didn't hesitate to Help Narcissa into a chair. She hid her face in her hands, crying and repeating, "What have I done!" over and over again for a few moments, Hermione, Ginny, and Andromeda shhh-ing and patting her shoulder the whole time. Harry began to feel uncomfortable and was about to head out of the study when he got a glare from Ginny and knew to remain seated.
Finally, Narcissa calmed down and said, "I am the reason Bella is still alive," then muttered, "I should've seen this coming."
"Mrs. Malfoy, what are you talking about?" Harry said, but knew he said the wrong thing when he received glares from all four women. "Sorry," he said quickly, "Please continue."
"Let me start from the beginning," Narcissa began, "This all starts with Nicolas Flamel."
"Nicolas Flamel? Wasn't he the bloke with the sorcerer's stone or something?" Ron piped up. He had just entered the study.
"Yes," Narcissa continued, "27 years ago, after you three saved it and the stone was destroyed, my ex-husband, Lucius, killed Flamel and his wife and took all of their Elixir of Life. No one suspected murder because they were going to die anyway. Lucius kept the Elixir at the Manor. Four years later, when he was arrested, the ministry was going to search our house. If they found the Elixir, they would know what he did. I didn't want him to be in more trouble, so I…I…" Narcissa couldn't continue, she was so ashamed and new tears formed in her eyes.
"You gave the Elixir to Bellatrix," Harry finished, now understanding.
"So, she's been alive this whole time?" Ron said, "How did she do it then? Don't you think the ministry would've noticed if one of the dead bodies were missing?"
"Think about it, Ron," Hermione put in, "Many people died that day, including death eaters. Some of the bodies were blown up in the battle. No one knew exactly how many death eaters died. She could've easily slipped away when no one was looking."
"Well, we still have a huge problem," Ginny added, "Bellatrix is immortal. How are we going to get rid of her for good?" The two men looked to Hermione for the answer.
"Oh, honestly, you two," Hermione said, rolling her eyes, annoyed, "It's a simple solution; destroy the Elixir of Life, take her wand away, and lock her up until she dies."
"How will we get the wand from her?" Harry wondered aloud.
"Er, haven't you ever heard of expelliarmus?" Ron said, looking smug.
Ginny, on the other hand, remained skeptical, "I doubt Bellatrix will make it as easy as saying a simple spell. Remember what she's capable of? Remember Neville's parents?"
Everyone sat in silence and pondered Ginny's words. Just then, the grandfather clock sounded, indicating that 7 o' clock had arrived.
"We should go," Ginny said quietly.
Harry nodded and slowly everyone got up from where they were sitting, everyone except Narcissa.
She looked at everyone and said, sadly, "I hope you will all forgive me. I made a terrible mistake that day and I am truly sorry."
Hermione went forth and held out her hand, "It's alright, Mrs. Malfoy. You had no idea this would happen. Also, you were a different woman back then. That's all behind you." Hermione smiled as Narcissa took her hand and heaved herself up.
"Oh and Dear," she added, "Please call me Narcissa for I am no longer a Malfoy."
Hermione nodded and the six adults went back into the living room.
"Well, kids, it's time for us to go," Ginny said, and she went forward to hug her sons. Hermione and Ron went to say goodbye to their kids. Harry looked at the four children and hoped dearly that the next time they were together, there would be five.
Harry went forward as Albus and James left Ginny. Harry looked down at his two sons. They both had a blank face, but Harry still saw the fear and anxiety deep in their eyes. "I promise," he said, firmly, "that when your mother and I come back, Lily will be with us again. Don't you worry." The boys nodded, and as Harry straightened up, he added, "Make sure you do exactly as Teddy says, and don't give Aunt Andromeda any trouble," and to James he said, "Please, just be good. I'm sorry, but you aren't coming with us. Now that we know who we're after, I really don't want you anywhere near her. I won't let you go through what I've been through."
"Oh, don't worry, Dad. I'll be a good little boy and watch over the young ones." James said in an innocent voice, although there was a sly look in his eyes.
Harry leaned over to Teddy and muttered, "Be sure to keep a close eye on James."
"I always do." Teddy smiled at Harry who smiled back.
"Bye", "Goodbye", and "Be careful" followed that and the four were about to disapperate when Narcissa stepped towards Harry and said quietly, "Good luck. I hope you find your daughter and my grandson and give my sister the punishment she deserves."
Harry smiled at her. "I will," he said and with a loud pop, he disapperated with Ron, Hermione, and Ginny.
As soon as they left, James turned to his brother and cousins and said, "Okay, I have a plan…"
Sorry this chapter was pretty much all talk and no action, but now you know about Bellatrix!
Okay, some things I need to clear up: -Victoire and Teddy AREN'T married, just dating. -Narcissa and Lucius are divorced because she "saw the light" and doesn't realize what she ever saw in him.-I find it odd that people call their enemies by their last name except for Bellatrix. I don't remember anyone ever calling her "Lestrange" in the books, so "Bellatrix" it is.
Guess what: I'm not gonna waste my time begging for reviews anymore. If you like my story enough, you would review, if you don't like it and decide not to review, I won't be mad. :)