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The Purple Black
Nymphadora threw open the doors to Malfoy Manor, pulling off her mask and staggering over to her Aunt Narcissa who had run to meet her.
"What happened?" Narcissa asked, worry in her voice as Nymphadora rested her hand on her shoulder for support as she tried to regain her breath, "Did you succeed? Where are the others?"
"Still . . . Still at the Ministry," Nymphadora panted.
Narcissa's eyes widened as she looked down to the girl's hand, the small glass orb still tightly grasped between her fingers, "Is that it?"
The younger witch looked down to the orb in her hand, taking a breath she nodded slightly before she righted herself and let go of her Aunt. "Is he here yet?"
"He was, but he left to join you," Narcissa said, "I—Nymphadora wait!"
She had stormed away from her Aunt, striding to the dining hall of Malfoy Manor; the agreed meeting point for when they had returned from their mission.
"Nymphadora he's not back yet," Narcissa sighed as she followed the girl, watching as she pulled one of the chairs out and slumped into it.
"I know . . ." Nymphadora sighed, putting her elbows on the table as she brought the prophecy to her eye line, "but he's coming . . ."
Narcissa slowly approached the girl, standing behind her and peering over her shoulder at the mysterious object. "Nymphadora?" she waited for the young woman's hum of acknowledgement before she carried on, "Lucius . . . Is he . . .?"
"He was duelling when I left . . ." Nymphadora murmured, "Barty told me to run . . . The Order were rounding on me."
"The Order?" Narcissa's eyes widened slightly, though she didn't have a chance to carry on her line of questioning as at that moment the crack of apparation echoed around the room.
Nymphadora quickly stood to her feet and bowed her head, though her heart began to pound in anticipation and worry again as she noticed only her Lord and her Aunt Bellatrix had returned. She frowned slightly, Bellatrix was on the floor as Voldemort raised himself, releasing his grip from her. From the looks of things, Voldemort had had to pull Bellatrix out of the fray himself (either that or they had gotten into something after the Ministry). She didn't have time to question it as Bellatrix scrambled to her feet, as she caught sight of her niece a broad grin split across her lips.
"Leave us, Narcissa," The Dark Lord drawled.
The blonde woman gave a small nod, bowing her head slightly before backing away and leaving the room. No-one moved until the click of the door closing behind her sounded and Bellatrix walked over to her niece.
"Bellatrix tells me you have the prophecy?" Voldemort looked to the still white-haired witch, his eyes gleaming with contained excitement.
"Yes, My Lord." Nymphadora held the orb out to her Master, the man sweeping over to her and snatching the thing from her grasp. She felt slightly more relaxed as the responsibility of protecting the thing was taken from her and though she felt the white drain from her hair she knew it had only gone to black, still far too agitated to go back to the previous pink of earlier in the evening.
"My Lord?" Nymphadora swallowed as her Aunt reached up and squeezed her shoulder proudly, stifling her giggles at the excitement of the night. The Dark Lord did not answer her, but she continued regardless, "My Lord, what happened . . . ?"
Voldemort looked to Bellatrix for a split second before he returned his gaze to the orb. "I killed Sirius Black, for starters," Bellatrix laughed, but the amusement slipped from her voice ever so slightly to be tinged with a mixture of annoyance as she continued "we were the only ones to get out, Dora."
"W-What?" Nymphadora could feel her heart drop, to her surprise immediately thinking of Barty. She looked to her Aunt as if hoping that her Aunt was joking with her, though her curled upper lip showed distaste that let her know that she was not playing with her. "Are they . . . ? What happened to them?"
"Yes, tell me what happened, Bellatrix," Voldemort hissed, his elation at the object in his grasp temporarily marred.
"I—" Bellatrix shrunk back slightly, all amusement gone from her features, "My Lord, we were surrounded. You saw Dumbledore—It wasn't just him, there were others. They surrounded us whilst we were trying to get the prophecy. I had Potter, he was useless when I had his little friend captive. If only Malfoy had let me do that to start with!" Bellatrix hissed in anger before shaking her head and composing herself again, "The Order came, we fought. If it wasn't for Nymphadora's quick thinking we would not have gotten the prophecy. We had to surround her to get her out, she ran as I killed Black," Bellatrix allowed herself a smirk for a moment, "but then Dumbledore came. I was lucky to get out—but I saw the opportunity to lure the boy and—"
"I know the rest," Voldemort said. His eyes gazed over Bellatrix for a moment before he settled on her niece, walking up to her as she looked up to him not knowing what to expect. "It seems . . . that you have done very well, Nymphadora."
"Thank you, My Lord," Nymphadora spoke quietly, though she was unable to fully enjoy the compliment as she couldn't stop thinking about the others still at the Ministry. She looked up at her master for a moment, though the cold smirk on his thin lips made her fear she was showing him too much and she quickly looked away.
"And Bellatrix," she looked eagerly to her master as he spoke her name, "you have also done well. Tonight . . . and clearly with Nymphadora also . . . It is a shame the same can't be said for the rest of my servants."
"What will happen to them?" Nymphadora blurted, blushing slightly as Voldemort looked to her before shaking his head in disappointment.
"They will be sent to Azkaban," Voldemort mused, "they won't be sentencing any of them to the kiss, if that is what you are wondering, Nymphadora. I am sure the Ministry will want to attempt to prove that they still have the ability to hold their prisoners."
"But they don't," Bellatrix gave a throaty laugh.
"No, Bella, they do not," Voldemort smirked, "though I believe those that have failed tonight shall need to learn a lesson . . . I will free them when the time seems right."
Nymphadora couldn't help but notice the twitch of a well-disguised frown from her Aunt at those words, she had almost forgotten that the woman's husband was one of those currently on their way to Azkaban prison.
"What does it say, My Lord?" Bellatrix breathed as she returned her focus to the prophecy, perhaps looking for a change of topic herself.
"I will listen to it alone, Bella." Voldemort hissed suddenly, making the witch jump. He considered the pair for a moment before he continued "I may share my findings if I deem it necessary . . . lay low. Bellatrix, you were not masked when I got to the Ministry and Nymphadora . . . whether you kept yourself disguised or not tonight I do not believe that it will be hard for the Ministry to connect you to the events of the evening. I highly doubt you began the evening with the white hair you wore when I arrived here," Nymphadora blushed slightly, cursing herself for not thinking of such things, "You can both stay with Narcissa, you can be concealed well enough here . . . I will no doubt call for you soon . . ."
Both witches bowed their heads and murmured their acknowledgements, staying perfectly still until they heard their master leave. It was Nymphadora that moved first, lifting her head and letting out a small breath.
"Are we wanted now?" Nymphadora asked hesitantly.
"Yes," Bellatrix laughed, "I believe we are."
Both witches turned as the doors to the dining room opened, Nymphadora nearly reaching for her wand as if she was expecting to see the Aurors coming after them already. But it was just Narcissa. She looked paler than she had done minutes previously, striding over to the pair and grabbing Bellatrix by the arm. Nymphadora couldn't help but think not many people could get away with such a thing, though she sometimes forgot that the witches were sisters, dissimilar as they could be at times.
"Where is Lucius, Bellatrix?" Narcissa spoke firmly, "Where is my husband?"
Bellatrix sighed deeply, looking almost bored before she feigned some compassion for the blonde witch. She took her hand and pulled it from her arm, taking her hand in both of her own as she attempted some form of comfort for her. "Azkaban," Bellatrix said simply.
"A—" Narcissa's lip quivered, her eyes wide as she shook her head, "Azkaban?" Bellatrix nodded, Narcissa turning her gaze to her niece as if hoping for her to say she was lying, though she merely nodded again. "No!"
"Yes," Bellatrix said, "He got captured."
"He got captured?" Narcissa breathed, "B-But you two are here, you have the prophecy! The mission was a success, no?"
"Only thanks to myself and Nymphadora," Bellatrix rolled her eyes, giving up on her attempt of comforting her sister as she let go of her hands, "Lucius almost made the mission a complete and utter failure, the whole thing was very nearly far worse. Though Nymphadora got the prophecy as Potter tried to get away and I killed Sirius."
"You killed Sirius?" Narcissa asked, taken aback at the sudden revelation.
"Yes," Bellatrix grinned, jumping back and sitting on the table, "oh it was wonderful."
"You killed the bloodline!" Narcissa yelled.
"He killed the bloodline years ago," Bellatrix wrinkled her nose, "scum."
"I—You—He—Argh!" Narcissa let out a yell of fury, causing Nymphadora to jump back in shock at her behaviour as the blonde witch stormed from the room.
"I don't think she's okay . . ." it was all Nymphadora could think to say as she shook her head, her Aunt scoffing in amusement.
"She'll be okay," Bellatrix shrugged, grabbing her niece's arm from her seat and turning her so she could look down at her. She brushed the hair from her face, smiling proudly down at her, "you did well tonight . . ."
"Thanks . . ." Dora said, forcing a slight smile.
"Why are you sad then?" Bellatrix mused, "You should be elated."
"I—Well, we're wanted now, that's nothing to be happy about," Nymphadora quickly lied, she knew that wasn't the reason her heart had settled in her stomach.
"It's exciting," Bellatrix grinned, "they won't catch us, pet."
"No, I suppose not . . ." Dora said, "Aren't you a little sad though?" Bellatrix furrowed her brow in confusion, "Well, Uncle Rod is . . . With Uncle Lucius."
"He is . . ." Bellatrix nodded solemnly, "but he'll be back. Soon."
"But he said when the time seems right," Dora shook her head, "that could be—"
"Soon," Bellatrix said, her grip tightening on the witch for a moment before she seemed to calm again, "come on, Dora, Narcissa has a hidden wing similar to my own. I believe some rest is in order."
Nymphadora nodded following her Aunt out of the dining room. She didn't say much else, letting her Aunt kiss her cheek as she said goodnight to her at the door of her new room. She had to admit it was better than the set up at Lestrange Manor for the 'Wanted Criminals', the room was just as big as her own at Lestrange Manor and just as well decorated and furnished. She kicked off her boots, flicking her wand to make her corset fall from her and collapsed onto the sheets. She should have been ecstatic. She should have been jumping for joy and be bursting with pride in the knowledge that it was her that had made sure The Dark Lord had received what he had desired for so long. But Nymphadora Tonks felt numb. She curled her fingers around the sheets, squeezing her eyes shut and willing the tears behind her eyelids to stay put. She didn't care about Barty, not all that much. The bastard had lied to her, he told her that he would see her soon and then the idiot had gotten caught, that was why she was upset—no, angry. Or that was what she kept telling herself as she struggled to sleep.
Andromeda Tonks was laid in bed, her head rested on her husband's shoulder as she trailed small circles on his sleeping chest. She had been up for hours, though had not had the heart to wake poor Ted, despite her boredom. The clock now showed that it was eight 'o' clock, however, and she sighed as she pulled herself up with the intention of making breakfast for the two of them.
"'Dromeda . . ." Ted mumbled sleepily.
"Shh," Andromeda smiled slightly as she pulled on her dressing gown, "I'll let you know when breakfast is ready."
"I'll help," Ted sighed, rubbing the sleep from his eyes and forcing himself to sit up.
"You're more of a hindrance than a help, love." Andromeda rolled her eyes in amusement as she took her wand from her bedside table, "You're better off sleeping a little longer."
"I—Good point," Ted nodded as he fell back into the pillows.
Andromeda left the room, walking down the corridor and making her way to the stairs. She couldn't help but stop for a moment as she caught sight of the open door to her daughter's room. She looked back to her own room as if worried her husband would walk out and catch her staring, before she walked over to the open door. The room had barely changed an inch since the day the girl had left. The cupboards were still bare, the posters of the then sixteen-year-old girl's still adorning the wall, the only main difference was the quickly emptied draws were now closed and the bed now made (Though this had only been a result of Ted finding her laid in it shortly after Nymphadora left, it didn't seem necessary to keep it the girl's usual mess after that). She took a deep breath, fighting the chill that the room always gave her as she took hold of the handle and closed the door.
It was as she was halfway down the stairs that she felt it; a disturbance in her wards. She drew her wand quickly, thoughts of Death Eaters storming her home as she called out "Ted! Get down here!"
But it was too late, the front door burst open and multiple witches and wizards crossed the fresh hold. But it wasn't Death Eaters and the shock of this froze her, barely moving as her wand was summoned from her hand and multiple wands were pointed at her.
"What!? Who is—?" Ted froze behind his wife as he noted the Aurors stood at the foot of the stairs, not fighting the sensation of his wand being summoned from him.
"Have I broken a law I don't know about?" Andromeda asked calmly.
"Search the house," the wizard clearly in charge said, a few others breaking off to begin their search of the house before he stepped forward, "Mr and Mrs Tonks, I am Kingsley Shacklebolt, from the Auror office. Could you please come and sit with me in the sitting room?"
Andromeda forced herself not to sneer at the man, the idea of being invited into her own living room absolutely ludicrous to her. She felt her husband place his hand on her shoulder and she gave a small nod in agreement. "Do you think you could perhaps not point your wands at us as if we have committed murder in front of you?" Andromeda said as she passed the man and walked into the living room.
"What the hell is going on?" Ted asked, though Andromeda took his hand and squeezed it as they sat on the settee and he quietened.
"Decided we're not a threat?" Andromeda remarked as the man entered the room alone.
"I apologise for the inconvenience," Shacklebolt said as he went and sat opposite the couple.
"Why are you here?" Ted asked.
"Last night, there was an attack at the Ministry," Kingsley said simply.
"We didn't go anywhere last night." Ted said, "What the hell have we got to do with this?"
The reality of the situation suddenly hit Andromeda like a ton of bricks, swallowing hard and looking to the floor she forced herself to speak, "She isn't here."
"We have to check, Mrs Tonks," Kingsley said.
"Who?" Ted frowned, not quite realising what was going on yet, "It's just us who live here, I mean, Nymphadora used to, but that was years ago. She lives with—Wait. You think Dora was involved?"
"A witch was reported to be in attendance that could change her hair colour without the aid of potions or spells," Kingsley said, "your daughter is the only witch we have registered at the Ministry that matches her description."
"Well she can look however she wants to look," Ted said, slightly affronted, "that doesn't mean anything."
"Who else was there?" Andromeda asked, ignoring her husband's denial as she looked up to the Auror, "I know you may not be able to say . . . perhaps there were other relatives of mine?"
Kingsley gave a nod, "We have arrested Lucius Malfoy and the Lestrange brothers, Bellatrix Lestrange was identified to be there as well, though she escaped along with who we believe to be your daughter."
"Then it was Nymphadora there," Andromeda said quietly, attempting to ignore the look of denial and hurt on her husband's features. "What did she do?"
"There was a robbery . . . and Sirius Black was murdered."
"Dora isn't a murderer," Ted shook his head.
"Sirius Black was murdered by Bellatrix Lestrange," Kingsley watched the pair, Andromeda wincing slightly at the news.
"I thought you Ministry lot were adamant my cousin was Death Eater and a murderer himself?" Andromeda said with spite, she had never believed her younger cousin to be guilty and was glad at any excuse to get one over the Auror at the moment, "I assume you've now finally decided my dear sister is a Death Eater, so why would a Death Eater murder a Death Eater?"
"I- . . ." Kingsley sighed slightly, looking to the door for a moment before looking back to the steely glare of Andromeda Tonks, unable to help but notice the similarity in appearance to her sister, "Sirius Black is to be cleared of all charges later today. The Ministry made a mistake."
"Well then maybe they made a mistake about Dora . . ." Ted said, though he didn't sound too sure of himself.
"When was the last time you saw your daughter?" Kingsley asked.
"She left this home when she was sixteen, Mr Shacklebolt, I very briefly spoke to her in Diagon Alley over a year ago but that is it." Andromeda showed no emotion to the Auror, knowing that her husband was now staring at her (she had never told Ted about her encounter with their daughter), "She lives with Bellatrix and Rodolphus."
"And why is that?" Kingsley asked.
"Though the Ministry have been either willing to take bribes, I assume, or succumb to pure idiocy for the last Merlin knows how many years. I have always known of Bellatrix's true allegiance," Andromeda paused for a moment before she carried on, "Bellatrix can be a very persuasive . . . manipulative person, I suppose she used this on our daughter and by the time she was sixteen she didn't want to live with us anymore. Bellatrix turned our own daughter against us."
"I am sorry to hear that," Kingsley said, though Andromeda did not acknowledge his words.
"Are you done?" Andromeda said, standing up and pulling her dressing gown closer to herself as one of the Aurors walked back into the room.
"It's clear," the Auror said, "the rest are waiting outside."
"Thank you, Williamson." Kingsley turned to the couple again and tipped his hat, "I am sorry for any inconvenience caused to yourselves this morning," he ignored Andromeda's huff, "if you should hear or see anything—"
"We know how to get in contact," Andromeda said sternly.
Kingsley gave a small smile at the pair before he turned and left the room and the home. Neither Tonks moved or spoke a word until they both knew that all of the Ministry presence had left their home.
"Right," Andromeda said, "breakfast."
Ted frowned slightly as Andromeda walked out of the room, "Dromeda?" he followed her to the kitchen, watching her summoning the saucepan and eggs and lighting the stove. "Andromeda?"
"Are fried eggs okay?" Andromeda asked, placing the saucepan on the stove and summoning the bread and butter to the side. "You like eggs, I could do some bacon too."
"Andromeda," Ted said more firmly, the witch finally stopping what she was doing and turning to face him.
"What?" the smile on Andromeda's face was undeniably forced.
"Speak to me," Ted spoke carefully, reaching out and touching his wife's elbow, "we need to talk about this."
"I—"
"You always do this," Ted shook his head, "tell me what you're thinking."
"I'm fine, Ted," Andromeda said, though her smile became more forced and her voice cracked slightly.
". . . you said this would happen," Ted sighed, shaking his head, "I know it doesn't make it any better but . . ."
"Nothing would make this better . . ." Andromeda furrowed her brow and closed her eyes, willing herself not to break.
"Andromeda," Ted sighed, reaching and pulling his wife into his arms. He wrapped his arms around her and brought his hand to rest her head on his shoulder as he stroked her hair, "you never have to hide your true feelings with me, you know that."
Andromeda Tonks sniffed, wrapping her arms around her husband and screwing her eyes shut as she couldn't help but will back her tears, "I—I knew this was coming . . . But that doesn't make it any easier . . ."
"I know . . ." Ted sighed, kissing his wife's head, determined to remain strong for her sake.
"I—Maybe part of me thought . . ." Andromeda shook her head, "She's marked, Ted. She's his now. She's not our daughter anymore—she hasn't been for years."
"She'll always be our daughter, Dromeda," Ted said, squeezing his wife, "No matter how far she gets wrapped up in that world, she'll always be our daughter . . . At least it sounds like she's well, I mean, he didn't say she was injured or anything and even if she is running around with that lot she's still okay. That's something, right? And—Well, if she's doing well with his lot—which it sounds like she is—we don't have to worry about her getting hurt by them. The worst that will happen is she'll end up in Azkaban, I suppose. She could use a time out by the sounds of things."
Andromeda couldn't help a scoff of laughter as she lifted her head to look at her husband, "Even if she turns into some insane mass murderer?"
"Don't think about it, Dromeda . . ." Ted sighed, sweeping the woman's hair from her face, "She's too much like you; she can fight for herself well enough."
Andromeda nodded slightly and sighed, resting her head back on her husband's shoulder, " . . . Are you hungry?"
"No . . ." Ted said.
Andromeda flicked her wand behind her, turning off the stove, "Then let's go back to bed," she smiled slightly as the man nodded in agreement, reaching up and kissing him gently before they made their way back to the bedroom. Andromeda struggled not to think of where Nymphadora was right now, though she had to admit it was not unusual for her to be thinking of her daughter even years after she had left them.
So, I hope you enjoyed that latest chapter! Please do leave a review if you have a moment or feel free to go over to my tumblr (my user is the same as it is here) and ask me anything or have a browse!
The Purple Black