The Leader

Chapter 59

"Do either Shacklebolt or Tonks have families?" Harry asked, from where he sat drinking his blood, surrounded by dozens of letters and bits of paperwork. Severus had been up since the crack of dawn brewing freshly made potions to give to his godson if he took the option to save his life. Severus knew he would, having no arm was better than being dead…even for a wizard.

"Tonks has parents that are still alive, at least I assume so, I've not heard anything regarding the Tonks' at any rate." Severus informed him as he added the potions into the bag, he had absolutely everything he would be required to have in order to do this. He'd even read books on amputations, which he had also put aside for Draco to read. "Why have you heard something? Andromeda is a fierce witch, she's a Black so that's hardly surprising." What was surprising was the fact Harry didn't know this, but from what he'd seen, he only had information on the Order members themselves, not the families of those participating in the Order.

"I wouldn't put it past Dumbledore to try something in order to draw Tonks and Shacklebolt out as soon as he realizes his plans had gone south." Harry explained, eyes gleaming darkly. "The last thing I need is Tonks and Shacklebolt going and messing up my carefully laid plans." Not that it would truly mess with them, but he'd rather not take any chances or surprises coming his way.

"As far as I am aware Shacklebolt is the last of his line here in Britain, he has a brother in America, who is married, they have two children, a boy and girl, he doesn't mention them often. Just the once when they were reminiscing, during one of their victories against the Dark Lord a while back." Severus gave everything he had on Shacklebolt. The brothers hadn't been close, no surprise since there were eleven years between them. When the war was at its worst, Shacklebolt's wife fled to America, but Kingsley, the eldest son refused to leave, ever the Gryffindor. Remaining here to help with the war efforts as an Auror.

"Do you know where the Tonks' stay?" Harry asked, finishing off his goblet of blood, licking his lips of the remnants.

"You truly believe Dumbledore will go after them?" Severus said, blinking in surprise. He probably shouldn't doubt Harry, but Dumbledore was always so careful. Going after innocents just seemed a step too far…if he did that then how had he managed to stay one step ahead for so long? "They live in England, that's as much as I know," Severus' brow furrowed trying to remember if he had ever heard any mention of Tonks' living residence. Nothing, at least they were smart enough to learn from the last time. The Order had a spy within it's ranks for years. And it hadn't been him he was talking about. Okay, so two spies, one loyal the other not.

"I'll see if I have the information," Harry decided, standing up, he kissed Severus passionately, "Don't worry about it, it won't change the outcome," he said, giving his own version of comfort, he didn't lie so this was the best he could do. He wasn't used to giving comfort, for years all his life had been about was gaining control, scaring the shit out of people to get them to fall in line and making a better world for every 'creature' out there.

"I'm going to head over, unless you need my help?" Severus asked, Harry's back, or rather the empty room, Harry was already in their bedroom gathering the information he required.

"They are allies of the Order are they not?" Harry asked from the stairs.

"Yes," Severus drawled out arching an eyebrow.

"Have you met them?" Harry asked, reappearing in the room with yet another load of folders.

"Not for Order business, but yes, once or twice," Severus informed him.

"Then perhaps I may need you to convince them to come," Harry said thoughtfully, as he approached his desk and put everything down, before flipping through them until he found Nymphadora's file and began to read through it. "Ah, so there is an address," tapping it thoughtfully, that's if they still stayed here, this was a copy from the acceptance letter she received upon going to Hogwarts, right at the back of the folder, which meant it wasn't confirmed as her address.

"They care very much for their daughter, they'll come," Severus said wryly, sliding the last of the books into place, he shrunk the bag down and put it in his cloak pocket. "I'll head to Draco's after we've got them convinced." Not able to say no to Harry, it was obvious he didn't want to deal with emotional parents, especially not on his own. Harry didn't need him often so it was actually a good feeling to be needed, even if it was something he'd rather not do himself.

He was just about as comforting as Harry was in these kinds of situations – which meant not at all – but if Harry was right, they did need to get them to safety.

"I only have one address, it might be useless now though," Harry said, "Ready to go?" knowing he was, but asking nonetheless.

One glance at the time, Severus nodded grimly, he was anxious to know what Draco had decided. Suspecting that he would agree to the procedure wasn't the same as knowing for sure. He honestly wasn't sure if he could continue seeing his godson decline if he decided against it.

Moments later Harry was Apparating them as close to the building as possible without revealing magic. since he didn't know where they were going, he followed Harry out of the abandoned delipidating building he'd been apparated to. The roof had caved in the door was hanging off its hinges.

"Is there anywhere in England you don't know?" Severus asked, wiping his feet as they stepped out into the field. Unobtrusively casting a spell turning his cloak into a jacket, making sure the bag was still there before joining Harry again.

"Josh knows it better than me," Harry said simply, and it was the truth, cutting through the field, jumping over fences as they ran, making sure not to go too fast just in case anyone was observing them from outside their range of scent and sight – which was quite far and probably not visible though human eyes anyway – but they were always cautious. If there was one thing everyone can agree on, was that Muggles couldn't know about magic.

"Just up the street ahead," Harry added after three minutes of running through fields without pause. "I take it you've never investigated your surroundings?"

"Why would I want to do that?" Severus asked, as they finally found a walkway, homes were up ahead, it was a decent place, four bedroom properties by the looks of it.

"Better than being at the house," Harry said icily, "Not that I got to investigate much, perhaps that's why I like knowing my surroundings now." Knowing your environment was important, especially for a vampire, best ways to feed without being caught. It wasn't being caught that was the concern, he'd rather not have to obliviate people. Muggles' didn't deal well with their brains being scrambled, at least from what he'd observed.

"True," Severus murmured quietly, "The area I grew up in, Spinners End was all boarded up, stank to high heavens too, due to the river and its constant perchance of overflowing. I had to go blocks away to get to a decent park, where I met your mother."

"That's actually ten minutes that way," Harry said, pointing in the direction he knew Spinners End was located. "Well ten minutes by our definition, probably forty minutes for a fast human,"

Severus made a non-committal noise, truthfully he didn't care how close he was to Spinners End. He hated that bloody place, hence why he never lived there. Not if he could help it at any rate. He'd been there maybe four or five times in total since his parents died and he returned to Hogwarts within a year of leaving as a graduate.

"Ever thought about selling it?" Harry asked, as house after house passed them by. Ignoring the Muggles on the street, as if they weren't even there.

Although Severus did notice him keeping an eye on the younger kids, but Severus suspected they reminded him of himself. He knew Kai (which was the name he knew Harry's guardian and creator best as, despite the fact he had a few names – Malachi (self-made) Kai (nickname) and of course Kaidon Burke was his birth name) had taken Harry in when he needed it most, and Harry would always be grateful to him for it. He did wonder whether Harry ended up with three names as well. He only knew of two, but Harry was very secretive he might for all he knew.

"Truthfully? No, it kept me from being homeless when I graduated Hogwarts. Other times it gave me peace and quiet from Hogwarts when I wanted to get away from Dumbledore during the summer holidays." Severus admitted, as they slowed down further. "I didn't need anything better, and I only used it a few times that I felt no need to bother with a new property, which I'd only be in very rarely due to my previous position at Hogwarts."

"Hmm, I can understand that," Harry said looking at the door where the Tonks' had lived many years ago. Someone obviously lived there, with a little luck it would be them. Otherwise he would need to get Brecon to do some more research for him. He was already digging up everything about his latest prisoners and their potential connections to Dumbledore, being shadowed – knowingly – by two of his best to keep him safe. "But you have more money than you could spend in one lifetime now and probably plenty of properties strewn all over the world from the Prince estate."

"I know," Severus admitted slightly subdued as Harry knocked on the door. "I just need to come to terms with that." Which he most definitely hadn't. He had gone hungry, cold while gaining his mastery, the whole time he could have been living a life of comfort, of luxury.

Harry blinked at the woman who answered, she was most definitely Andromeda. She looked strikingly like her sister, Bellatrix. Brown hair and brown eyes, pale and quite tall like many of the Black's. Her face was pinched in worry, tiredness creeping into her features.

"Dromeda, who's at the door?" called someone from inside, obviously concerned.

A fair haired wizard came around the corner, his hand behind his back, which blatantly held his wand. He was rather tall, but his wife was definitely taller than him. His hair was in disarray, his clothes looked very rumpled and dirty. He had bags under his eyes, and he looked as though he hadn't slept in days.

"Andromeda and Edward Tonks?" Harry asked, gazing at both of them without a hint of emotion.

"Er…yes, that's us…come in, come in," Edward said, his blue eyes filled with growing despair, assuming the worst about his missing daughter. Believing he was about to be given bad news, although if he hadn't been so far into despair, he would have realized that neither of them were Auror's but as panic riddled as they were they didn't.

Harry fought to keep the scowl off his face, they hadn't even asked for ID, how had they survived the war thus far? He supposed he should just be grateful they weren't making this difficult, or better yet that Dumbledore hadn't gotten his hands into them yet.

The house was very well maintained and kept, noticing that Edward hadn't sheathed his wand gave him a sense of pride. He wasn't completely stupid then, that was very good. They were bid to sit down, which they both did feeling extremely awkward.

"Can I get you anything? Tea? Coffee?" Andromeda asked, wringing her hands, the only show of anxiety she had displayed. Except of course, the tiredness surrounding both the parents.

"No thank you, ma'am," Harry said, "Do you know who I am?" he asked out of sheer curiosity.

Both of them stared blankly, although Edward exuded more curiosity than his wife.

"I'll take that as a no, then. My name is Harry Potter, this is Severus Snape," Harry explained, "I have brought you news of your daughter."

"Dora…you know where she is? Is she in St. Mungo's?" Edward almost collapsed in relief.

"There is much you don't know about what is happening, people you trust that you shouldn't," Harry explained patiently, "Your daughter is in grave danger, and it's not because of her job or because she is an Order member ironically enough."

Edward and Andromeda glanced at each other, clearly not sure what to think.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Andromeda stated, standing up, clearly finishing with the conversation.

"Andromeda, trust him, you know I would not give praise where it is not true," Severus said, causing Andromeda to startle, he definitely sounded like Severus Snape, but the wizard she knew was much older.

"What is going on?" Edward demanded, "Where is our daughter?"

"I'll take you to her, let her explain everything so you hear it from someone you trust, if memories are required then I will be more than happy to let you see for yourself." Harry stated, standing himself now, "Your daughter is not the only one in danger, and this isn't one you'd see coming. I have more to do today than convince you to come. So, it's entirely up to you." It was obvious Harry was getting impatient, he didn't do well with being doubted.

Severus stood up, giving both of them a sombre nod, silently urging them to make haste, to come with them.

"Grab the essentials," Edward stated to his wife, if there was even a smidgen of truth behind those dark eyes of Severus' then he wasn't taking any risks. Not with he and his wife's lives, the war was always dangerous and they knew they were a big target. Especially by the likes of Andromeda's relatives, Bellatrix mostly and her married family, ilk like the Lestranges. Dromeda had risked her life by marrying him, but he'd rather only have one day with her than live his life alone. She was his everything, and had given him the most precious gift, a daughter they loved more than life itself.

A daughter who had gone missing but was clearly somewhere under protection of Harry Potter. Which by the way was mind-blowing, they knew of Harry's return. It had been in the newspaper along with some serious speculation as to where he had gained his skills in defence, due to the duel in the Ministry that was no secret. The only reason they were going was due to the duel and the fact Severus was signing his praises, and those words were definitely singing praises from Severus.

Andromeda looked as though she was about to protest for half a second, before she snapped her mouth closed and stood gracefully from her seat. Flicking her wand, a multitude of items began to pack into a small case that flew into the room along with all other items that packed neatly into it without pause. There was a renewed urgency about her, as if she had decided her daughter came before all else, even her own stubbornness. And if she was a Black then she was more than likely stubborn to the core.

"Go to Draco, I know your mind isn't really here," Harry said, his tone soft and sympathetic. He couldn't care less about the boy, he'd insulted him and his people many times in the space of a few minutes. He did understand the fondness Severus felt for him, for he held the same kind of fondness for all his people, some were a different kind of fondness, like Rick, it was more of a fatherly affection he felt. Rick had stuck with him through thick and thin, even when his ideas sounded like an unsurmountable task. He would die for any of them, his life wasn't greater than any of his people, they would survive, they would thrive and the cause would continue on. He had ensured that Rick had understood that if anything happened he would continue on.

Severus was startled to hear the words, they weren't finished with the Tonks' yet, and he knew the second they saw their daughter…it would become even more hectic. "Are you sure?" he inquired.

Harry gave a firm nod, "I'll see you later this evening," he'd ensured worse than worried parents, he'd never admit it though that it hurt to see such concern sent children's ways from their parents. He had never truly experienced his parents love, they'd died too young. If it was anything like father…Kai…he knew that it would have been a fearsome kind of connection and love.

"You will," Severus agreed, he wasn't going to stay the night, but he would be late, but he'd need to make sure he wasn't needed after he left. In case there was any complications, but he had all that sorted out, there was so many projects Harry's teams were capable of, stuff that hadn't even hit the market yet, and might not for a good few years. He had something from them so that if Narcissa needed him he could be there quickly without giving away his location.

Giving both Tonks' another reassuring nod, both solemn and sad at the state they're about to find their daughter in before he apparated out of their home.

"This Portkey will take you right to her, more or less," Harry said, a portkey out on his outstretched hand. What they didn't know was the second they touched it, Harry's security spells would activate on both of them, preventing them from ever discussing their whereabouts, the warehouse, him or his people. He never took any chances when it came to protection, and he damn well refused to start now.

Harry never allowed any satisfaction to show on his face when his spells successfully activated upon their touch. Instead he simply muttered the password to his newest Portkey, and the three of them were gone from the home, the Portkey taking them to the inside of the warehouse.

"Where are we?" Edward asked, his tone filled with curiosity as he looked around, it looked like a massive hallway, all that was missing was the alcohol to turn it into a pub with all the pool tables and such.

"London," Harry said, "Follow me," he added, before staring to go up the stairs towards the 'hospital ward' as many of his people called it. "The exact location will remain a secret, after all what's the point of a secret hide-out if it becomes known?"

Once they were outside the room, Harry paused, "Your daughter…has been life altering injured, she survived, she's alive, but it's going to take time for her to come to terms with it. If we hadn't gotten there in time she would have died." Personally he didn't want to deal with the depression she was going through. She'd lost a bit of her leg, it wasn't the end of the world especially considering she could have died.

They gasped in sync, as tears caused their eyes sheen, "What happened to our daughter? I want to see her!" Andromeda demanded.

"Of course," Harry said, opening the door and letting them enter the room.

"Mum! Dad! What are you doing here?" Tonks croaked tiredly, pale faced, sweat coating her forehead. For once her normal features were bared to the world. She was in too much pain to even contemplate changing her looks. She looked very much like her mother, like a Black, except with her father's blue eyes.

The normally stoic eyes of Shacklebolt showed shame and pain as he observed Tonks' parents, guilt at not protecting her obvious on his face. Just as much as the shame for not being able to and the pain at being confronted with them – and also not telling them – was clear as day. Glancing at the bedsheets, unable to look at their horrified faces any longer.

"What on earth has happened?" Andromeda choked out, shook to the core at the sight of her daughter minus her leg, the stump that was left was heavily bandaged.

"Do you wish for some privacy?" Harry asked, clearly looking for an escape. "I'll bring Sirius and Remus here, I know that he wants to check on you." He added, making his way out, looking back he added, "I meant what I said about the pensive, just as one of the others they'll get me for you," with that he closed the door, and silence prevailed, a lot of the rooms had silencing spells on them, although that only helped down out the noise, they could still hear if they focused of concentrated.

Harry made a beeline for Sirius and Remus' cabin, he wasn't sure whether they had actually visited Tonks or not. As far as he was aware though, Sirius only had a few family members left, Tonks was one, and Andromeda was another, a cousin if he remembered reading the file correctly. There was too many damn Black's to remember, or were as a matter of fact.

Severus apparated to the property that Narcissa was using to remain hidden. He felt extremely anxious, his heart would have been pounding like a drum if he'd been capable of it. His face was a blank mask, he stood patiently waiting for Narcissa, seeing that she was in neither the conservatory or the living room. She was either out shopping, having a nap or with Draco. It wasn't as though she had much else she could do, while here. She most certainly had no friends she could communicate with.

After all her 'friends' were the wives of Death Eaters, who would betray her in an instant and she knew that.

"Narcissa?" Severus called when there was no sound in the house, had she pulled a runner? Taking Draco back to the Dark Lord? In an effort to save her son and his arm? Oh, Merlin, he prayed that wasn't the case, parents could do crazy things without thinking it through. No, Narcissa wouldn't risk her son's life by returning to the Dark Lord.

Sighing resignedly, electing to wait, he sat himself down on the couch. It was very uncomfortable, no wonder Narcissa perfected the patio chairs on the conservatory.

Greyback, Josh and Linus had left to go and hunt for Lockhart, just this morning. He'd heard the little girl – Edith if he recalled correctly – was abused, and by Merlin, he dreaded to think what the idiot had done. He knew all those books were complete poppycock. The fool could barely do magic, his grades were abysmal. If she was a werewolf…Severus honestly feared Lockhart had taken his daughter into some risky situations. Brecon had gotten all possible details for the werewolf with a feral look of his own, telling Greyback to make him suffer. It was the first time he'd seen Brecon truly angry. He was normally quite laidback, like Wyatt, actually.

For all they knew, Lockhart wasn't even in the country, didn't he just bring out another absurd book? He lost track of them all to be frank, if it wasn't publications or Defence and Potions he didn't care for it. He rarely read biographies, he found them to be utter codswallop, with only a sprinkle of truth thrown in. If he had, then there was a chance Brecon's information was very accurate and within a mile radius of where his potential location could be. He hadn't asked, Greyback had just looked at it before leaving with a blood thirsty grin.

Evidently happy with the information.

Harry hadn't said anything but judging by the fact he had let Greyback go, knowing his reputation said that he was quite happy to see Lockhart strung up and punished. Harry probably knew more about Greyback's reputation than the general public, maybe even him, admittedly not all of it may be accurate.

A sudden pop brought Severus out of his thoughts, to see Narcissa standing there with two paper bags filled with food. She didn't seem surprised to see him, but he knew what wards were on the property he had set them up for her. Giving her maximum safety and protection from the outside world.

"My apologies, Severus, I didn't mean to keep you waiting, I'm afraid the queue was rather long today," Narcissa admitted, bedraggled as she finally used magic – other than Apparation of course – to send the two bags through to the small kitchen.

"Has Draco made a decision?" Severus asked, keeping a close eye on Narcissa, knowing he'd have an answer by her mannerisms. The body language gave away more than most people really thought about, and he was very good at reading others, and it had nothing to do with Legillimency.

"He has agreed to the procedure, but he wishes to talk to you about it in more detail first," Narcissa admitted, taking a seat as she spoke to him. "I had nothing in the way of books to help him process everything,"

"Then it's a good job I brought a few," Severus stated, wondering if Narcissa would even care that her own niece was going through something similar. "They are merely copies, Nymphadora has the original's," he had given them to her, he wasn't sure whether she had read it or not.

"Andi's child?" Narcissa blurted in surprise, eyes wide with shock, "What happened? What's going on?" she did not receive the newspaper so she had no idea what was going on in the magical world except what Severus told her. Despite Bellatrix's words, that Andromeda wasn't family nor was her niece, Narcissa didn't feel quite the same way.

"She was kidnapped, found at the last minute almost dead, with her leg severed with a dark curse," Severus revealed, surprised by the fact she did seem to care. He said nothing more, giving her the basics, information that wasn't even in the newspaper. Severus could have sworn he saw sympathy in those eyes, but it was gone just as quickly as it appeared leaving him almost wondering if he'd actually seen it. "She will pull through."

"I see," Narcissa said blankly, showing none of her real feelings, feelings she'd been taught were a weakness, unbecoming of a Black, or Lady Malfoy. "Would you like something to drink? Or will we head straight up to see Draco?" focusing her attention where it truly was needed. The only one who was able to elicit genuine emotions from her impenetrable masks she wore day and night unless she was alone.

"I have everything ready," Severus stated, "Let's get this over with shall we? I cannot remain all night," he kept his promises, and so he would return to Potter manor tonight. Plus he was curious to know how it was going with the Tonks' family as well as Greyback's mission, would he honestly bring the blasting fake to the warehouse? Then there was the fact Harry had a meeting with Bill too, that he also wished to be there for.

Here we go! Another chapter for you all! Not sure what's next on the list for me to update but hopefully something will be out again soon! RL is just overwhelming right now that I sometimes' don't even get on my laptop for days at a time! I know, the procedure wasn't done yet! but there's just so much going on that I didn't even get a chance to write in anything about Dumbledore either LOL! but next chapter will contain all that I promise! So what would you like to see Greyback do to Lockhart? :D apart from eat him...as twisted as that would be to write :P heh! Read and Review please!