Disclaimer: The world of Harry Potter belongs to the one and only J.K. Rowling

A/N: The latest reviews have been great! I really appreciate the comments and the critiques. Right now the Poll is at 60% in favor of Ginny being in it with Molly and 40% that she is innocent. I will close the Poll this Sunday so get your vote in soon. On when the next chapter!

Chapter 11

A distraught Hermione Granger lay curled up in a ball on her bed. It had been almost a week since she had heard the news of her best friend's death. She had cried non-stop for three days and now she felt nothing but emptiness and loss. Harry had been her first real friend and she had cherished the relationship they had built.

She had known that Harry was being abused in some form or another, He had never spoken openly about it, but he gave many non-verbal clues that lead her to believe that he was being abused. The flinching away when someone went to shake his hand or pat him on the back and the withdrawn and hollow eyes that he had at the beginning of every school year.

She had wanted to comfort him and let him know that she cared for him and that he could come to her with any problem. But in true Harry fashion he always seemed to brush off her concern and tell her that he was fine.

Hermione felt more for Harry than just casual friendship, she saw him as the brother she always wanted and she loved him as such. She rejoiced in his triumphs and wept over him when injured. Harry meant more to her than anyone else in her life save her mother and father.

Hermione had asked Dumbledore about Harry's funeral and sobbed when he stated that there was nothing left of Harry to bury and that a memorial was not yet arranged. Hermione had taken to wearing the charmed Galleon that she had made for the members of the D.A. as a necklace. She kept it over her heart as a reminder and a symbol of everything Harry and meant to her.

Her other so called friend Ronald Weasley had betrayed Harry in her eyes. Harry had been barely pronounced dead and Ron was claiming that he was the real hero behind the myth of the boy-who-lived and that Harry's accomplishments were a result of his aid.

Then he had the gall to inform her by owl post that he was allowing her to be his standby girlfriend until prettier girls started wanting his attention. After all he explained a hero can not be tied to one girl, he must always have his options open. He also informed her that she should not get her hopes up on marrying him, because of her inferior birth she was not marriage material for a heroic pureblood like himself.

Hermione had been beyond furious and sent the youngest Weasley male a Howler that made it quite clear that she had no interest in him whatsoever and that if this was the real Ronald Weasley she wanted nothing to do with him ever again.

He had responded that she would change her mind once his family had inherited a large fortune that would be left to them. He continued by stating that when she changed her mind he might consider taking her back as a mistress. After all, a Rich Heroic Pureblood was allowed certain privileges.

Hermione sent no reply back she felt to do so would only encourage him more, and she wanted nothing more to do with the arrogant git!

Hermione lay on her bed contemplating how different things would be at Hogwarts without Harry. She had finally realized that it had only been with Harry's presence that she had tolerated the existence of the insensitive jealous jerk that was Ronald Weasley.

Harry had been a shield to many of the more distasteful personalities that walked the halls of the ancient school of magic. Since their first year Harry and her had been the best of friends and had felt a kindred spirit in the other at least she thought so.

Hermione placed her hand over the medallion pressing it firmly against her chest and softly whispered 'Oh Harry I miss you so much, I wish you could hold me in your arms and tell me everything will be alright.'

Several miles away hidden in the shadows of conference room number four, Harry Potter felt an odd sensation of sadness. It went through his mind and body causing a shiver to run down his spine. He knew that there was someone suffering alone in grief somewhere, someone that meant the world to him. It was the overwhelming emotional breakdown of his sister in all but blood: Hermione Granger.

Harry did not know how he knew, but he knew his best friend was suffering. He could feel the sadness and loss she felt and the overwhelming affection she carried for him. He had not thought about how the news of his demise would affect those he loved, but he resolved to go to her or contact her somehow as soon as he was able.

He brought up warm feelings for his bushy haired friend and hoped that she would be fine until he had a chance to contact her. Back in her darkened room Hermione Granger felt a gentle peace come over her. It calmed her aching heart and spoke peace to her soul; she felt warmth that quickly enveloped her as if she was being hugged tightly. Her eyes glazed over and a small smile came to her face, her soft voice then whispered the name… 'Harry.'

oooOOOooo

Andromeda Tonks couldn't believe she had allowed herself to be fooled by her sister Narcissa into coming to Gringotts. Now the most wanted not to mention the most dangerous woman in all of Britain was standing mere feet in front of her. She quickly tried to asses the situation and find away to escape but Bellatrix LeStrange was between her and the only door.

Gathering up all the courage she could muster she glared at the youngest Black sister. "What now, Bellatrix? Come to kill me? Come to try and make me reveal where my family is so you can kill them?" The tall brunette yelled.

"No Andi, I would never harm you or any of your family." Bella softly spoke trying to calm her terrified older sister.

"Lies!" Andromeda spat. "You are nothing more than a murdering Death Eater bitch!" Harry still hidden in the shadows tensed up and was about to retort when Bella touched his mind and told him not to interfere. Reluctantly he listened to his wife and remained silent.

"Andi please…please listen to me. I know that everyone thinks I'm this murdering psychotic but please hear me out. Let me show…"

"Listen to you! What… are you going to say whoops my bad…I didn't really mean to kill and torture all those people!" Andromeda was about to continue to rant at her sister when she noticed something that she had not seen in her sisters eyes in many years. Regret.

Bella slumped down into the nearest chair. Her eyes began to fill with tears, and Andromeda heard what she thought was a shuddered sob. Bella had never shown any weakness before, she had always been strong willed and stubborn. This scene perplexed Andromeda. Could this be an act? Could this be a ploy to lull her into a false sense of security? This was so out of character for Bella that she was unsure how to proceed.

Narcissa slowly approached the now weeping Bella. She sat down on the arm of the chair and pulled Bella into a one-armed hug. She looked toward her older sister with emotion filled eyes.

"Andi…" Narcissa began. "There is much that is not what it seems and there is much to apologize and perhaps atone for." Narcissa sighed deeply before continuing.

"We, that is, Bella and I are no longer servants of the Dark Lord. And in Bella's case she was never willingly one to begin with. We only ask that you hear us out, once we have finished our story if you still do not want to help us then we will never seek you out again." Narcissa finished, as silent tears were now flowing down her cheeks.

Andromeda stared at her two younger sisters. She was having a difficult time processing all this bizarre new information. 'Could they be serious? They look like they're genuinely remorseful. But can I trust them? I want to trust them, I want my sisters back.' Andromeda played the questions over and over again in her mind.

Slowly Andromeda took the seat facing her two sisters. She rubbed her face with both hands, giving herself a minute to collect her racing thoughts. "Okay. I…I'll listen to what you have to say. I guess it's the least I could do for my sisters, but I make no promises."

"That's all we ask Andi." stated a hopeful Narcissa. Bella looked up with a tear streaked face and gave a watery half smile at her childhood hero.

Narcissa rose from the chair and walked towards a small circular table. A stone basin sat prominently on the table; Andromeda immediately recognized it as a Pensieve. The Pensieve had beautifully etched runes that surrounded the outer lip of the basin. A glowing silvery liquid swirled in a counter clockwise motion and illuminated the air directly above it.

As if on cue the goblin that Andromeda had met when she entered Gringotts appeared. He carried three similar cases with him. Andromeda recognized one as the case she had placed her wand into. The goblin then preceded to hand the cases to each witch and then touched his finger on three different runes on each case which unlocked the lid.

The smirking goblin then bowed out of the room and left the three sisters to their business. Each witch let out a small sigh of relief as their wands rejoined their respective mistress. Bella approached the Pensieve and placed her wand to her temple and a few seconds later pulled out a silvery strand of memory.

She shook her wand over the basin and the memory floated down into the swirling liquid. She looked at Andromeda and spoke. "Andi, the memory I placed in there starts from the signing of the marriage contract and then I will place others that will show how I was controlled by my 'husband'." Bella spat out this last word.

Over the course of about three hours Bella had shown her oldest sister how she had been controlled by the magic's within the marriage contract and by means of compulsion potions and spells. Her memories proved that she had not willing participated in any Death Eater activities.

Andromeda wept as she saw the memories of her dear cousin Sirius and Bella while in Azkaban. She saw how they helped each other and gave each other the will to survive and ultimately escape the awful wizard prison.

Andromeda was speechless as she exited from the last memory that Bella had shown her. Her baby sister had been controlled the whole time, she had never willingly become a Death Eater! Andromeda shed tears of joy as she realized that her sister wasn't the crazed murderer that she had always believed she was.

"I have something else to show you Andi." Bella slowly rolled up the left sleeve of her robes and showed a perfectly tattoo free arm. Andi reached out and felt the smooth skin of her sister's left forearm.

"I thought that the Dark Mark was permanent and nothing could get rid of it short of cutting your arm off?" Andi asked as she continued rubbing at her sister's arm.

"You're right Andi it is impossible to remove the mark at least it was until something wonderful happened to me." Bella smiled as she thought of Harry.

"Tell me…tell me how you got rid of it." Andi asked with a certain bit of excitement.

Bella again placed her wand to her temple and pulled out a long memory strand and placed it into the Pensieve. "What your about to see may shock you a bit…well I'm sure it will shock you a lot but I ask that when you have seen the entirety of the memories that you take time to think it over before you say anything."

Andromeda raised a questioning eyebrow at her baby sister but nodded in acquiescence. She approached the basin and touched the surface with her forehead and was immediately sucked into the memories. Narcissa, who hadn't seen the memories either, joined Andromeda in the basin.

Harry stepped out of the shadows and quickly made his way into the arms of the woman he loved. He knew that she was worried about Andromeda's reaction to the memories that involved his rescue by her, to the core bonding ritual, the magical bonding of Bella to Harry and including today's meeting with Slingblade. She hoped if Andromeda saw the whole story she would be more accepting of her relationship with Harry.

The surface of the basin began to glow brighter signaling that Andromeda and Narcissa were coming back. Harry made to move back to the shadows but Bella clutched his hand and silently asked him to stay. He moved to her side and lovingly wrapped an arm around her waist. Bella felt courage assert itself within her chest as she awaited her sister's return.

With a swirling flash of color Andromeda and Narcissa emerged from the ancient basin. Both women's eyes were red and wet with tears their hands clasped together. Andromeda gasped in surprise as she saw the tall green eyed young man who was standing next to Bella with his arm wrapped protectively around her waist.

"Hello Mrs. Tonks" Harry spoke in his soft baritone voice. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you."

Andromeda stared in amazement at the young man that she thought was dead until her trip in to the pensieve. Although she knew he was alive through Bella's memories it was another thing altogether to see him standing in the flesh. She recovered some of her faculties and offered a small curtsey.

"L…Lord P…Potter, it a great pleasure to make your acquaintance."

Harry gave a small chuckle. "Please Mrs. Tonks call me Harry all this Lord stuff is a little too formal for family don't you think." Harry's green eyes twinkled merrily.

Andromeda offered a congenial smile. "Of course Harry and please call me Andromeda or Andi."

Bella was watching the dialog between her sister and her love with no small amount of anxiety. She hadn't realized just how much her sister's approbation meant to her and she wanted Andi to accept the unconventional pair.

Andromeda suddenly stood up straight and gave Harry an appraising stare. "Well young man, seeing as how I am the oldest living Black it falls to me to judge your worthiness to marry a daughter of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Black."

Bella stood aghast at her sister's declaration and began to protest but was cut off by a stern look and a surreptitious wink from Andromeda. Bella hid a small smile and allowed Andromeda to continue. Harry looked a little puzzled and became nervous as Andromeda stepped closer to him.

"Harry Potter, I will ask you one question and one question only, depending on your answer I will give or with hold my blessing."

stated an imposing Andromeda who was glaring deeply into his eyes. 'Wow gorgeous eyes. Whoops…get a hold of yourself Andromeda, remember imposing'. Andromeda chided herself.

Harry composed himself and gave Andromeda his undivided attention. He knew that Andromeda's acceptance of their relationship was important to Bella.

"I will answer whatever question you have with complete honesty Andi." Harry assured the eldest Black daughter.

"Harry…do you love my sister do you promise to never hurt her and to always be faithful to her and hold her every night and kiss her every morning and tell her she's the most beautiful woman you have ever seen each day?" Narcissa finished smirking at the young man in front of her.

"Er…uhm…well that was more than one question. But the answer …" He turned and stared deeply into Bella's eyes. "…is a definite and resounding yes!" Bella launched herself into Harry's arms and crushed her lips to his in an impassioned display of emotion.

"Well…okay then…I approve." Andromeda smiled.

Bella released her hold on Harry and stared at her big sister, her sister that was her hero and idol when she was little. The two estranged sisters looked at each other, neither knew who moved first and in the grand scheme of things it really didn't matter, but the two sisters crashed into each other and began to sob into each others shoulder.

Narcissa, who wasn't about to miss out on the hugs of reconciliation, moved toward her sisters and joined the three way hug that soon became a four way when Andi reached out and pulled Harry into the mix.

oooOOOooo

In the main drawing room at the old Riddle Mansion Voldemort was in a particularly good mood. He would soon have his revenge on the remaining members of the 'Ministry Six.' He could not in good conscious let go the insult that these teenage brats caused by defeating twelve of his top Death Eaters.

Snape and Wormtail were able to provide the address of the final member of Potter's little group. Most of the members of Potter's pitiful band had been purebloods and they would pay the price for being the blood traitors that they were.

But the one he was most interested in was the mudblood, who according to Snape was his closest friend apart from the youngest male Weasley. The Granger girl would know what it truly meant to beg for death. The wonderful tortures he planned for her caused a most sinister smile to cross his face.

After he had broken the girl mentally and physically, he would allow the men in his inner circle to have there way with her. Then being the merciful Lord that he is he will grant her request for death. The final bit of revenge will be to hang all the remaining five's bodies on the gates of Hogwarts with the mudblood in the middle slightly above the rest in the position of honor.

This will be a warning to all those who would oppose him. No longer will the 'Ministry Six' be spoken of as heroes but they will be spoken of in quiet whispers of horror as their grizzly deaths serve as a warning to all mudbloods and blood traitors alike.

"Severus you will take three of the newer recruits and attack the Granger house. Being muggles they will be easy targets. Kill the mudblood's parents but bring her to me alive." Voldemort sneered.

"Yes my Lord, it will be done as you command." Snape bowed

"Yaxley, you will take the Carrows, and five of our best men and attack the Longbottom's make sure that you have some experienced ward breakers with you. Longbottom Hall will most likely have strong wards that will need to be breached quickly."

"I live to obey my Lord." Yaxley bowed deeply.

"Wormtail!"

"Y…y…yes my Lord." Peter Pettigrew stuttered.

"I'm giving you an assignment that even you can't screw up!"

"Th…thank you my Lord." The rat like man groveled.

"You will attack that moron Lovegood and his idiot daughter. The Lovegoods have published their last paper, I want their home and printing press completely destroyed! Do I make myself clear Wormtail! Take young Theodore Knott with you; if he performs well allow him to have some fun with the girl as a reward."

"Y…yes master I will not fail you." Wormtail whined.

"See that you don't. See that none of you fail your assignments for you will not like the consequences!" The Dark Lord glared at the assembled members of what was left of his inner circle.

"I myself will pay a visit to the blood traitor Weasley family. They will regret the day they ever heard the name of Dumbledore as I destroy his biggest supporters. Let us remind the mindless fools of the wizarding world why they fear the name of Lord Voldemort! The assembled group cheered for their dark master and chanted 'death to enemies of our Lord'.

"Now go and prepare yourselves for the night to come. At midnight tomorrow we shall have our revenge!"

A/N2: Things are going to heat up soon. Voldemort is on the move and unfortunately some untimely deaths may occur in the next few chapters.

I'm looking for a love interest for Narcissa, I have a soft spot for the middle Black sister and think she needs a special someone in her life. One of my readers has suggested Remus Lupin. I have to admit I find that coupling intriguing but I'm stuck on finding a good story line to make that happen.

If any of you have any good ideas or ideas for another love interest let me know. This will not be a Harem story so Harry is off limits.

Thanks again to everyone who has taken an interest in my story. If you like the story then show some love and leave a review : )