A/N: First of many chapters that take place alongside the main story. This is all important, and hopefully entertaining.

Chapter 15: The Malfoy Legacy

'Well, shit.' were Nymphadora Tonks's first words upon entering the in-Ministry morgue. The disfigured remains of a woman with strawberry blonde hair lay crumpled on the table. Kingsley Shacklebolt looked up and nodded at Tonks's presence, but otherwise remained obtuse.

The other figure in the room was that of her mentor, Alastor Moody. Magical eye whirring about in its socket, running up and down the form of Bertha Jorkins.

'You know, King, I really don't know why you continue to summon me here. I'm supposed to be enjoying my retirement.' Moody said in his gruff voice.

Kingsley sighed and beckoned Tonks over. 'She was found lying right outside Lucius Malfoy's high-security vault nearly two months ago. Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes was holding on to it. I mean… honestly, of all departments...' Kingsley trailed off before continuing.

'She'd fallen only a few minutes before she was found.' he ran a hand down his face in frustration or exhaustion, Tonks couldn't tell. 'Scrimgeour assigned me to the case. Now, initially I'd thought Lucius was the obvious culprit.'

'Right, except poor old Lucius hasn't got a wand, and Potter saw to it that the ferret was locked up tight.' Moody was grinning maniacally at the memory of Harry Potter summoning Malfoy to trial.

'Yes, exactly. Now, first scans of the body brought up an overwhelming reading of dark magic.'

Tonks eyed the body carefully. 'If I didn't know any better, I'd say she'd been turned into an inferius prior to… well, whatever the fuck happened to her.' she wrinkled her nose and looked back up to Moody and Kingsley, both appeared rather grim.

'Tell me, Nymphadora, have you ever heard of an inferius carrying a message?'

Tonks bristled at the use of her first name. If this wasn't Mad-Eye Moody, she'd hex his bits off. Not like there was much left to remove. 'No, I've never heard of such a thing.'

'Aye, neither have I. But I reckon it'd be possible. Dark magic is always changing, ever evolving. Do you think we could get anyone with a little more expertise to come in and analyze the situation?'

Tonks frowned, ignoring the second statement for now. 'What makes you think she was carrying a message?'

'You should have seen the crime scene,' Kingsley handed a single wizarding photograph that took in the entire scene from all angles. It was as though the strings had been cut on a marionet. 'Lucius was too stunned to speak. Not like that means anything.'

Moody grunted while Tonks looked pensive. 'So, you think her corpse was being used to send a message? This seems like Department of Mysteries, not auror corps.'

'That is specifically why we haven't sent it to the DoM. Augustus Rookwood is still a part of that department. I don't know about you, but once a death eater, forever a death eater.' Moody shifted his weight and cocked his head to the side, eyeing Tonks carefully. 'Do you know anyone who is well-versed enough in dark magic, who isn't a death eater, that may be able to help us? Come on, Nymphadora, your whole family is in with this lot.'

Tonks frowned. Snape was the only person she could think of, though he wasn't family, and he'd been a death eater.

Her family was incredibly dark. But her mother was the Blood Traitor. Even more so than Dorea or Sirius. Frankly, the fact that Moody expected her to know anyone close to her mother's side who'd actually talk to her was laughable. Then, a sudden thought hit her.

'Oh fuck!' she slapped her palm to her forehead and groaned. 'Yeah, I think I know someone who fits the bill.'

'Something's wrong with Bella.'

Narcissa Black frowned. 'What is it now, Andi.'

'She's…' Andromeda paused. 'I just feel like she's changed somehow.'

Narcissa rolled her eyes. Changed. Bella hadn't changed, she'd revealed her true colours. 'She's still our sister.'

Andromeda scowled. 'As if I don't know that. You know that family comes first. Sisters, come first, Cissy.'

Narcissa turned around to face her sister. They were in the basement kitchen of Number 12 Grimmauld place, and although they knew that their Christmases here were short lived, they'd always been a happy moment. Everyone could come together, no matter their differences, and enjoy the festivities.

Well, everyone except for Sirius, who seemed intent on corrupting poor Regulus as well.

'Bella has made her choice. She's been very clear. The world is changing, Andi, we both know it.'

Andromeda bit her lip. Voldemort was gaining strength. He had many spies in the Ministry, and though Andromeda's relationship with Ted was still a closely guarded secret, she feared for what would happen if her family found out. Only she knew of her unborn child. She was only a few weeks along, but the secret would have to come out eventually. And with it, the reveal of who the father was. She was committed to her relationship with Ted Tonks, but she loved Bellatrix and Narcissa with all her heart. 'I get that… I just thought we'd have more time.'

'More time for what? To lay about and watch the world fall apart? Watch it split it two?' Narcissa snapped. 'The time will, and has, come to pick a side.'

Andromeda began picking at the impeccably clean countertop; curtesy of Kreacher. 'I have something to tell you, Cissy.'

Narcissa's interest was piqued. She cocked her head to the side and awaited a continuation.

'But I have to ask you… have you chosen a side?' Andromeda's eyes bored into Narcissa's. She flinched at the passion behind the question.

'You know full well that I am betrothed to Lucius. You know that Andi.'

Andromeda looked away for a moment, drawing her wand and pointing it at the door. She muttered a few silencing charms, Narcissa smiled. Even after all these years, her sister still hadn't mastered non-verbal magic.

'And do you love him?' Andromeda asked. Her voice sounded strained. 'Do you feel like your life depends on him? Do you look into his eyes and feel safe? Can you say that you'd be proud to bear a child for that man?'

Narcissa's eyes narrowed. 'What are you getting at?'

Andromeda sighed. 'Just answer the question, Cissy. Please.'

Narcissa thought long and hard. So long in fact, that you could hear the distant creaking of footsteps from three floors above. The sound of rain splattering the windows in December. The odd sound of magic breathing within the walls.

Did she love Lucius? She'd been told since she was a child that she'd grow to marry him, to carry his children, to love him. But did she love Lucius? He was a respected, wealthy and politically intelligent pureblood. He was magically talented and would make for a great gene pool. But that wasn't what Andi had asked.

Did her life depend on him? Perhaps not, but surely, she would grow to depend on him. At the moment she barely knew him, but that was the nature of a betrothal. Did she feel safe around him? Well, he could most certainly protect himself. Although, she'd heard of the things he'd done to the girls at school… But that was in the past. Would she be proud to bear his child? Of course she would. The Malfoy line was ancient and noble.

'Yes. I do. I love him.' she herself had recognized the falter in her own voice. Her older sister smiled sadly at her. Narcissa sighed and sank into a chair at the kitchen table. 'And if I don't right now, I'll grow to love him. I'm sure of it.'

Andromeda was silent for a moment before she sat in the chair next to her younger sister. 'He's a death eater, Cissy.'

Narcissa didn't even look up, she just nodded and stared down at her hands, her long blonde hair falling at her sides, hiding her face from view. 'I know. I heard what he and Bella were found doing to those mudbloods near the Thames.'

'And does that bother you?' Andromeda asked.

'Don't get me wrong, Andi, I believe in what The Dark Lord wishes, I do… It's just…'

'Do you believe in purebloods being respected? Or do you believe in the torture and murder of those lesser than us.' Andromeda asked softly.

Narcissa groaned and leaned back in her chair. It brought a quiet chuckle out of Andromeda. The youngest of the three sisters was always the most dramatic. 'Obviously it's the first one. I just don't understand why he'd want to do that. And Bella, well, she's amazing when she isn't… with him.'

Andromeda hummed her agreement. Although it was clear that Bellatrix had fallen a long time ago, her bizarre relationship with Redolphus seemed to accentuate her worst attributes. There were times where the girl they'd grown up with shined through the cracks. Or maybe, the girl they'd looked up to their whole life was the lie. The person they now faced being the true Bellatrix. Andromeda privately disagreed with the fact that Bella was, in any way, amazing. Though there was no need revealing such things yet.

Narcissa leaned forward in her seat and stared into Andromeda's eyes. 'I will love him. I promise you I will.'

Andromeda bit her lip and turned away. Choosing to face the window instead of her sister. 'Then I'm afraid we've chosen different sides.' she said quietly.

'What?' Narcissa's voice was laced with emotion, her eyes were staring at the side of Andromeda's face in disbelief.

'This will be my last Christmas here, Cissy.'

'Why?' There was no more that needed to be said. Why would Andi leave?

'I'm pregnant.' Narcissa would have exclaimed that this was wonderful. But Andromeda had never been betrothed, and if she had chosen a side that wasn't the same as her family's…

'I'm pregnant, and there's no way in hell I'll be on that tapestry once Auntie Walburga finds out.'

'Andi…' Narcissa pleaded. She didn't know whether or not she wanted to hear the rest.

'You're the only one who knows. I haven't told anyone, and I don't plan on it. I'm engaged, Cissy.'

'Who is it?' she asked, softly.

'Ted Tonks.' Narcissa didn't have to think long to understand that this man was not a pureblood. In fact, it was highly likely that he wasn't a half-blood either. The name was most certainly not on the sacred twenty-eight. A list all respectable pureblood children memorized from birth.

'Oh.' was all she said.

Andromeda sniffled and dabbed at her eye with her left hand. Andromeda was always the most emotional. 'I hate to make you chose, Cissy. I know how much you… I know how much you look up to Bella, and…' she wiped her nose with a handkerchief from her pocket. 'I understand why you'd chose… that side.'

Narcissa remained silent. It was as though a reductor curse had backfired and the whole world had exploded around here. Her sister was engaged and bearing the child of a mudblood, and this same sister was asking for her to choose a side.

And surprisingly, she was considering her choices.

'You know how much I care about this family, about us. The Sisters Black.' Andromeda let out a humourless chuckle. 'But it's my baby… And… I love Ted. I really do. But I love you Cissy. I need my family. I need you.' Andromeda was pleading now. It was truly a difficult thing to watch.

'So, it's you or Bella.' Narcissa said, quietly. The weight of the question was heavy on her shoulders. Bella had done horrible things, but she had always been the most supportive, she'd always understood her. Bella had always been there when she needed her. Then, like a cauldron had been dropped, she remembered Lucius. What choice did she have? One of her sisters? Or a sister and her future husband. Tears began to well up in her eyes as she too, turned away from Andromeda. 'How can you make me choose Andi? I have a husband; I have a future. And Bella… she's… She's'

Andromeda pressed her lips together and breathed a long nasally breath. 'I understand. I'd do the same.' she stood from the table and began to walk to the kitchen door. She turned back to Narcissa, surprised to see tears running down her cheeks. 'I love you, Cissy. I don't hold this against you.'

Narcissa nodded. She hesitated but plowed on anyway. 'I don't hold… that,' she indicated Andromeda's stomach. 'Against you either. I want you to be happy. And if he makes you happy, then… well… I'll miss you, Andi, I really will.'

Andromeda couldn't hold back the sob that escaped her. 'What was it you said was the most beautiful name? Back when we talked about baby names?' she said shakily.

Narcissa shook her head, tears streaming down her face. 'I- Don't. Don't do that.'

Andromeda nodded and turned back to the door, hesitated for a moment, before opening the door to leave Grimmauld place, one last time.

Narcissa Malfoy sat bolt upright off the guest bed, breathing hard. It had been like this ever since the trial. Her nightmares, fueled by past regrets. She'd relived this specific memory more times than she could count in the past twenty years.

Since Sirius had been freed, and Lucius's incarceration, the weight on Narcissa's shoulders had increased tenfold. Draco was now entirely her responsibility. Lucius had never been a good influence, she'd known that, however much she'd buried the sentiment. With any luck at all, she could curb the damage the man had begun to enact on their son.

Her son.

She'd never admit it, but she'd been given a week's notice of Potter's plan to go after Lucius, from the boy himself. She'd thought long and hard on whether or not to tell her husband of what the boy was planning, but she hadn't. All because of that Christmas, all those years ago. So, when Harry Potter had presented a way out, she'd taken it.

Because family comes first. Because sisters came first.

And Lucius wasn't family. Not for a long time.

But here she lay, in a guest bed at Malfoy manor, for she could never sleep comfortably in the bed of a man like Lucius for long, thinking about how best to reach out to Andromeda Tonks. It had been decades since they'd last made contact. She'd seen her sister at the trial, but other than that, Andromeda might as well have dropped off the face of the earth.

Narcissa knew that she had to grow up and swallow her pride. She'd made a mistake, and times were changing. The attack at the World Cup, though she and Draco had not been there, was worrying. The last thing she wanted was for the Dark Lord to come and take up residence at the Manor once again.

She knew he would come.

What was perhaps even more difficult, was the fact that due to Lucius's dark mark, all Malfoy's were easily traceable by the Dark Lord himself. She'd have to find a way around that.

Although, the Dark Lord was believed to be dead, and though Narcissa had believed as such for a long while, she'd noticed the darkening of the mark on her husband's arm. Lucius himself had not noticed. At least, he hadn't said anything to her about it, but it was an itch at the back of her mind that there was a chance that the Dark Lord was not dead.

It all came down to reconnecting with Andromeda. Her choice of which sister to follow had led her down a path she'd never forgiven herself for. The life of her son is what mattered now, and if the Dark Lord's followers were once again active… who knew what could happen to their family.

Then there was the matter of what Lucius would do once he was released from Azkaban. Surely, he'd realize that Narcissa had done absolutely nothing to fight for him. Her life was at stake, and though Lucius would never kill Draco, he could destroy him.

There was still time.

But how to find Andromeda?

A bell chimed through the manor. Narcissa narrowed her eyes and grabbed for her wand. Sliding out of bed and dawning her nightgown, she padded out of the room and began the descent to the entrance hall. The great oak doors stood ominously before her as she contemplated her options. Few decent people knew of the location of their home. Other than Ministry officials, of course. Though, they were not considered decent people by Narcissa Malfoy.

Steeling herself, she reached forward and pulled the door open a crack, peering out to see who stood there. A woman with a heart-shaped face and mousy brown hair stood on the front step. Her knee was bouncing between flexed and bent as she stood there, clearly quite nervous. Her eyes were familiar to Narcissa, but she couldn't pin them down.

The woman was likely in her early twenties. She was wearing fine dress robes, though there were some clear mistakes around the collar and the cuffs. Clearly, this was someone who had attempted to dress the part of someone visiting the Malfoy estate but didn't quite know how to do it. She hadn't yet noticed that Narcissa had opened the door a crack, so she made her presence known.

'Can I help you?' Narcissa asked calmly. The woman let out a small squeak and jumped at the sound of her voice. Narcissa opened the door wider so as to show her face to the newcomer. Making sure to keep her body and lack of proper dress hidden.

'Oh, erm, I'm sorry to bother you Mrs. Malfoy, but see… My name is Nymphadora Tonks, and well… I've got a case at the Ministry, and I think I could use your help.' never had Narcissa seen someone so blatantly nervous and almost… terrified at the sight of her.

Narcissa's eyes widened at the name. This was Andromeda's daughter. The daughter of the very woman she so desperately wished to talk to. Narcissa, ever the Slytherin, saw the personal gain in the situation and opened the door wide enough for Nymphadora to see that Narcissa was not this terrifying figure of propriety, but a normal woman, who had woken up in the middle of the night. Assuming this would calm Nymphadora was exactly the trick. The woman's auror skills clearly took this as a display of peace.

'Nymphadora? Andi's daughter?' she spoke softly, deliberately choosing to use the childhood nickname. Tonks nodded and Narcissa beckoned her in with a hand, wrapping her nightgown around her snuggly. She silently led the woman, no, girl was a better description of Nymphadora, through to one of the many sitting rooms. The manor was cold and dark. It reeked of past misdeeds, but Narcissa had nowhere else to go and maintain. 'Please, sit.' Tonks sat on one of the highbacked armchairs that gave off a wealthy appearance but were otherwise uncomfortable. 'Tell me, what might I do to help.'

Nymphadora seemed to hesitate for a moment before explaining the situation. How Bertha Jorkins had been found dead and mangled at the foot of Lucius's cell. How the Ministry was keeping a firm hold over the information, and how they knew Lucius had no part. Then came the question that Narcissa knew was coming. The reason the daughter of her wayward sister had come to her. 'It's just… you're the only person I could think of. We needed someone who wasn't, or had never been a Death Eater, who had some knowledge of the dark arts, and we wanted someone that I knew. And, though I don't… know you… It's better than Snape.'

Narcissa nodded and raised her eyebrows, privately agreeing that Snape would not have been a good choice. 'I understand… I'd need to see the body.' she paused before realizing that she was setting an expectation that she was hardly guaranteed to meet. 'But let me make myself clear; my knowledge of the dark arts stems from what I've seen in this horrid house. What I've witnessed and heard of from my… Husband.' she spat the word out as though it was poison on the tip of her tongue.

Tonks's eyes widened. 'The way you speak of Lucius… It's almost as though…'

Narcissa bit her lip, the first sign of weakness she'd naturally displayed. 'Can I tell you something Nymphadora?'

'Tonks, please call me Tonks.'

Narcissa could have smiled at the fact that both Andromeda and her daughter hated the name. Narcissa thought it was beautiful, but she knew better than to argue. 'I made a mistake, many years ago. I chose my side… And for twenty years I have dreamt of what I may have done differently. I have relived that conversation with your mother more times than I can count. I…'

She trailed off and stared imploringly into the shocked expression of Nymphadora Tonks. 'Since Sirius got off… I've been meaning to get into contact with Andi. It's just…'

'You've made a mistake, and you regret it, but you don't want to admit to yourself that it may be too late.' Tonks supplied, softly. Narcissa looked up from her hands and was surprised to see a familiar smile on Tonks' lips. 'Believe me, she'd be overjoyed to see you… well… once you've explained yourself, that is.' Tonks chuckled softly but Narcissa only let out a quiet groan.

'I'll help you with this case, Tonks, but I don't want you to help with me and your mother. I want to sort that out myself. Is that agreeable?'

Tonks actually laughed. 'You Slytherins are all the same. Always wanting to do everything all independent like,' she paused and seemed to fully grasp Narcissa's previous statement, 'Wait, you'll help?'

Narcissa waved her wand around the room and Tonks watched in fascination as chandeliers came to life and many braziers roared awake with red flame. 'Give me some basic information. What are your theories so far?'

Tonks brought out a notebook from a small satchel that hung off her shoulder. The hour forgotten; Tonks began to recite what the Aurors had deduced. 'Her body had been found in a heap at the foot of Lucius's cell. Scrimgeour described it as a marionette with its strings cut loose.' Narcissa frowned at that. 'What spurred on the decision to meet with you was actually a theory on Alastor Moody's part.' 'That old fool is still involved in this sort of thing?' Narcissa thought incredulously. 'He wanted to know if it is possible to puppeteer an inferius. We think the corpse was there to deliver a message. Typically, the corpse would be reanimated by the castor, but after the spell is performed, the corpse acts on its own motives.'

Narcissa shook her head. 'No, it is not possible to puppeteer an inferius. They are immune to the imperius curse due to the lack of soul and mind. You could likely force its movements if the castor was nearby, but you didn't mention anything about a second presence.'

Tonks scowled. 'Your ever-helpful husband was tight-lipped on the event. Though Rabastian Lestrange, who is in a cell opposite Lucius, said it was only the corpse. Though he claims he heard nothing of the conversation.' Tonks rolled her eyes. 'I'd believe that if the bloke wasn't in there for deceiving the Wizengamot in the 70s.'

Narcissa nodded absently. Rabastian was the smart one, Redolphus was the powerful one. They made for a truly terrifying combination. She remained quiet for a long while before a sudden thought occurred to her. Something that had made her feel rather queasy ever since the trial, and the revelation that her husband had raped the mind of an eleven-year-old girl. 'What about possession?' she said in a hushed whisper.

Tonks's eyes widened. 'Fuck. I hadn't even… oh shit.'

Narcissa would have scolded her on her language, but she too was thinking along the same lines. At least, she thought she was. 'Lucius was caught using a dark artifact to possess the Weasley girl a few years ago… You don't think.'

Tonks's eyes were still grave as she shook her head. 'Lucius Malfoy is the one who slipped the diary into her cauldron, he's the reason for the events and he knew what would happen to Ginny, but the artifact in question was not of Lucius's design.' Tonks gasped and clapped a hand to her mouth as she realized what she'd said.

Narcissa narrowed her eyes. 'What do you mean. Who created the diary?'

Tonks chewed the inside of her mouth and seemed to be coming to a quick decision. 'It all comes down to trust.'

'Voldemort created the diary. He left it for Lucius to protect. We couldn't tell that story to the court, so we settled for an abbreviated form of events. Lucius is still guilty, it's just that it was Voldemort who was the one to possess Ginny.'

Narcissa blanched, flinching at each mention of the Dark Lord's name. 'How is this possible?'

'No fucking idea.' 'I can't tell you that, I'm sorry.'

Narcissa nodded but remained pale. Which was saying something, as she was naturally incredibly white. 'So, then who could possess Jorkins for long enough to get her to Azkaban… Those wards are said to be impenetrable.'

Tonks let out a shaky laugh, never blinking as her mind whirled behind those brown eyes of hers. 'Yet Sirius got out by being skinny enough. Yes, Lucius described the sound of apparition, I had thought he was mad, but now…'

Narcissa was growing frustrated with the riddles. 'Whatever do you mean?'

Tonks stood up and began pacing, speaking to no one in particular. 'If Voldemort chose to use Bertha as a messenger, there's a damn good chance that he got information out of her. How long he'd had her for… I mean... fuck I need to talk to Sirius.' It was all said very quickly and under her breath, but Narcissa caught every word.

'The Dark Lord is alive?' she asked, horror lacing her calm demeanor. She had suspected, but to have it confirmed...

Tonks nodded, as though this news did not spell certain doom for Narcissa and Draco. 'Tonks. Tonks. NYMPHADORA!'

Tonks stopped her pacing and muttering and stared, shocked by the outburst. Narcissa was on her feet, her face somehow even paler. She looked like a ghost. 'Are you telling me, that the Dark Lord is still alive, and that he is growing stronger?'

Tonks opened her mouth to speak, stumbled over her own words, and began again. 'We... well, I don't know how, but Voldemort didn't die that night. He's been living a sort of half-life. A cursed life. He tried to steal the Philosopher's Stone in 1992. Then he nearly returned by draining Ginny Weasley, thanks to Lucius. I don't know much, I'm sort of new to the group,' she spoke incredibly fast, her tone; panicked, as though she herself was stressing over the fact that she couldn't supply Narcissa with much information.

Narcissa had many questions, but the concerns weighed heavier. 'I need to speak with Sirius. If the Dark Lord returns…' a plan began to form within her mind. It was a shot in the dark, but it was the only thing she could see as a possible solution. 'If he returns, if what you tell me is true, my son and I are as good as dead.' she left out the fact that her son would likely be turned into a pawn, and not killed.

Tonks furrowed her brow and let concern wash over her face. 'Do you think he can find you? If he returns, that is. I mean, we can hide you. There's the fidelius.'

Narcissa shook her head. 'The mark is emblazoned on Lucius. Any Malfoy is connected to it.'

Tonks ran a hand over her face. 'I really hate your husband, you know.'

Narcissa remained expressionless. The only evidence of a reaction stood out in her eyes and the slight crease between her brows. 'Do you have any idea how to fix that issue?' Tonks asked, tentatively.

Narcissa pressed her lips together into a thin line, a determined sort of glint in her eyes. 'I've got an idea but… it's mad.'

Tonks couldn't help herself, she grinned. 'The best kind of ideas,' she paused for a moment. 'Sirius is definitely awake. It's Sunday night, and Remus won't be there because the Champion's names are being drawn so he has to be at Hogwarts tonight. It'll just be us and Sirius.'

Narcissa seemed skeptical, 'Do you really think he'd be up at this hour?'

Tonks rolled her eyes, already far too comfortable with her supposed dark aunt. 'What did I just say? Remus isn't over. He's probably drowning in his own sorrows. Oh, don't worry, it's too early for him to be really pissed.'

Narcissa nodded, she had heard of Sirius's tendency to party. It was Halloween after all, though perhaps he was drinking less out of celebration and more out of sorrow.

'Maybe you should get dressed…' Tonks said, trailing off. Narcissa went slightly pink and nodded curtly before walking up the stairs.

She returned not ten minutes later, her hair was tied up in a very messy updo, extremely uncharacteristic of her. She would never stoop so low as to wear muggle clothing, she didn't own any, but her robes were plain. Tonks nodded and smiled at her appearance before grabbing Narcissa firmly by the arm and twisting on the spot.

They slammed into the floor of a beautiful entrance hall. It wasn't like that of Malfoy Manor, which was dark and foreboding. This hall was grand, artistically lit with many chandeliers and what seemed to be muggle light fixtures. It was eerily quiet, then the sound of smashing glass was heard. Tonks quickly drew her wand and motioned for Narcissa to follow.

Tonks and Narcissa, wands drawn, slowly crept towards the kitchen. Tonks made a number three with her fingers and counted down non-verbally before blasting the door off its hinges and stopping at the sight before her.

There, stood Kingsley, Moody, Remus, and Sirius, all had their wands pointed at the unlikely pair in the doorway. Both parties seemed quite surprised to see the other.

Sirius was the first to speak. 'Who the fuck are you and why are you with that bitch?'

Narcissa bristled slightly but Tonks lowered her wand. 'At least we know it's you, Sirius,' she said, before changing her hair colour to prove her identity. All wands lowered though they watched Narcissa carefully.

'Black asked a valid question, Nymphadora,' said Moody. 'Why is Narcissa Malfoy with you.'

Tonks strode into the kitchen, followed closely by Narcissa who was keeping close to her only safe contact in the room. 'Well, you're the dolt who sent me to find a family member who might understand the dark arts.'

'So, you brought her straight to Potter Manor?' said Sirius incredulously.

'Well, she needs to speak with you, Sirius. And why the fuck are you all here?' she asked, indicating her boss, mentor, and the professor who should be at school.

Sirius scowled, anger brimming behind his grey eyes like a gathering storm. 'Harry and Ginny have been selected for the Triwizard tournament,' he spat.

Tonks frowned before shock replaced her expression. 'How are there two champions? Hang on, how the fuck are they in it in the first place? They're not of age! That can't be legal!'

Moody grunted. 'Oh, you best believe it's legal. You should have heard McGonagall and Remus here. I just watched the memory'- he indicated the pensieve that lay at the center of the kitchen table, -'They really lost their temper on poor old Albus,' he chuckled gruffly before turning serious once more. 'The thing is, the Goblet of Fire is magically binding. They cannot back out of the Tournament; they'll lose their magic. Not only that, but they must participate in each task. It's not exactly pleasant.'

'Not exactly pleasant my arse,' said Remus violently. 'He had one job! One fucking job! And he still couldn't do it. Why is it, that with Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley around, all hell breaks loose. They're the only two people who consistently get thrown into survival situations when Dumbledore is around. Honestly, it's as if he's setting them up or something!'

Kingsley raised a calming hand, 'Now Remus, we both know that's a stretch…'

'I know, Kingsley!' Remus cried in exasperation. 'It just feels good to blame someone.'

Kingsley nodded his understanding, and the table went silent once more. Narcissa felt distinctly out of place, and eventually Sirius turned his disbelieving incredulous stare on her. 'I repeat, why the fuck are you here.'

Narcissa took a deep breath. This was it. This was the final decision. If she did this, she'd finally, finally be choosing a side completely. There was no way to hide it. If she went through with this, and the Dark Lord returned, she'd be singled out.

But sisters come first. Her son had to come first.

'I'd like you to reinstate me as Narcissa Black and magically reabsorb my person into the family line.'

Sirius just gaped at her. Moody drew his wand and Kingsley raised his eyebrows. Remus was too focused on brooding to even notice what was going on around him. Tonks figured it was something like this, but to the extent to which Narcissa was asking was rather surprising.

Finally, Sirius found his voice. 'Right… I'll take that at face value for now. You know, pretend like that isn't the most contrived, make-believe idea I've ever heard, and pretend like I would. It isn't possible. You're betrothed to Lucius; you've never really been a Black. It was arranged before you were born. So, even if I wanted to, you'd have to runically rewrite your magic. Last I checked none of us are master cure-breakers, and even if any of you did have one, it wouldn't get us very far,' Sirius paused and looked around the kitchen mockingly. 'Is anyone here secretly a world-class curse-breaker? Do tell!'

Narcissa slammed her hand down on the table, her face contorted with anguish and rage. 'Voldemort is coming back. We all know it. Just a matter of how and when. Now, clearly, he has an interest in Potter and the Weasley girl seeing as he obviously possessed Jorkins, who was a high-ranking Ministry employee for the department of magical games and sports, and rigged it for them to die in the Tournament,' she paused as Moody stared in genuine surprise while Kingsley seemed to be taking quick mental notes on everything she'd said about Jorkins. 'Now… I haven't done anything to get Lucius out of Azkaban, he knows that. The second the Dark Lord returns, he will come for my son. I guarantee he will come for my son to pay for the failure of Lucius's actions. As long as Draco and I are considered Malfoys, he can find us through any protection. Yes, the fidelius falls under that.'

'Your son is an arrogant spineless twit. Hardly worth saving,' said Sirius.

Narcissa glared daggers at Sirius. He stared right back. 'I don't know why I expected you to help me, Sirius Black, you were always a pathetic excuse of a man. What the hell were you doing rotting in Azkaban for? You could have escaped years ago judging by what the Prophet says. Were you just wallowing around in self-pity? Your godson was living with muggles, and you sat yourself down to cry in a cell, all alone.' Sirius made the motions of rising from his seat, but Narcissa hit him on the shoulder so hard he fell back to his chair. 'You are a pathetic, cowardly, pitiful man. You will sit here and watch as Voldemort returns, takes my son and corrupts him further than that lump he calls a father ever did. You'll watch as he kills me, turns my own son a pawn, a monster, and what will you do? Will you love Harry Potter? Make sure he knows how much you care about him?' she began to wander around the kitchen, her eyes never leaving Sirius's. 'How long will it take, do you think, for him to realize that you could have been out in far less time than twelve years. How long do you think he'll realize that the reason you abandoned him as a child is the exact same as the reason you broke out of prison? Revenge.' she spat the last word with the utmost contempt.

Sirius rose from his chair which clattered to the floor behind him. 'You know what, Cissy, of all of my cousins you've always been the most disappointing,' Narcissa only laughed at his weak excuse for an insult, 'No! Don't laugh. You turned your back on Andi for what? Because Bella was nice to you? Because you believed you could love a monster. Well, let me tell you this, how long will it take before your precious ferret of a son realizes that his mother has never loved his father, that she will actively work against the man he has grown to look up to. Do you honestly think your plan will work? Let me guess, you want me to blood-adopt him? You want me to make sure he magically belongs to the House of Black? You really think he's going to come quietly? He'll see you as nothing but a traitor. Someone who turned her back on their family, who chose safety over standing their ground. You call me a coward… Cissy you're far worse. You're a hypocrite, a liar, a coward, and a terrible excuse for a mother.'

Narcissa shot a spell at Sirius, who easily deflected it. Tonks seemed to try and put a shield up between the pair, but the magic roiling off of the two of them was too powerful to intercept. Remus had finally woken out of his brooding trance and was attempting to calm everyone down, saying that they were just spitting out nonsensical insults.

'Do you have any idea how much it hurt her?' Sirius cried. Narcissa did not need to ask who Sirius was talking about. 'Do you know how hard it was to hide under a fucking fidelius for years just so that no one would find her family? You chose a rapist of a husband and a fucking psychopath of a sister over the only member of our family who had EVER shown you true love. I may have been young when all this happened, but I knew a damn sight better than you that you'd made an irreparable mistake!'

Narcissa was close to tears now, three months' worth of pent-up emotions since the Malfoy name was dropped on her shoulders warring within her. 'What would you have expected me to do? Go against everything I knew for one sister? Betray a betrothal that, as you've already pointed out, had been written since before I was born? What would you have done? Would you have honestly chosen one person over EVERYTHING?' she cried in anguish as tears slid down her face. 'He is going to take my boy, he is going to make him do horrible things, Sirius! He'll make him see horrible things! How can you let an innocent boy suffer like that?'

Sirius clamped his mouth shut and breathed through his nose in an attempt to calm himself. Then, in a quiet, deadly calm voice, he said, 'I would have left. I would have left in your situation. I wouldn't have chosen any of it.'

'Coward!' she screeched. 'You'd choose no confrontation, no hardship, over making a decision. You are…' she didn't have the words. She just shook her head in his direction in disbelief. 'You godson is in a Tournament set up by the Dark Lord himself. How does that make you feel, Sirius? Be honest.'

'Bloody terrified!' Sirius yelled across the table. 'I'm scared, Cissy, for both Harry, and Ginny. They're kids! They're only just considered teenagers! And now they're forced into this rubbish Ministry event-'

'LISTEN TO YOURSELF!' Narcissa wailed through her tears. 'DO YOU NOT THINK THAT EVERY EMOTION YOU HAVE JUST DESCRIBED IS EXACTLY HOW I FEEL? ABOUT MY OWN SON?' she paused and wiped at her eyes. Her hair was falling out of the quick knot spell she'd performed earlier. 'The Tournament, and Voldemort's return are parallels. Parallels for our children, Sirius. Draco will be forced into this.' Sirius glared at her as if to say that he'd never imagine Draco Malfoy to be one to refuse a spot in Voldemort's inner circle. 'No, Sirius, listen… he has a heart, I swear it. I see it come forward every so often. I see it shine through. I know I can pull him out of that hole my husband has dug. But It'll take time,' she wrung her hands and stared around the room, taking in the shocked faces, 'And to get time, I need you, Sirius. I need you to fix this. Please. We're family in the end.'

Sirius looked away from her and back down into the half empty bottle of firewhiskey that lay in between in legs. He thought long and hard. Perhaps it was the comparison to his own feelings about Harry's current position, or maybe he was just feeling extra compassionate tonight, but he looked up and nodded to her. 'We need a curse-breaker,' he paused and sighed. 'I've got Bill Weasley but he's in Egypt at the moment.'

'I could write him a letter?' said Tonks, 'I dated one of his brothers for a long time. I reckon he'd help me.'

Moody shook his head. 'If Weasley is overseas, we can't risk a letter. We'll need to contact him in person.'

Sirius and Tonks groaned, Narcissa was still in shock that Sirius had accepted so quickly. 'Well, no one knows where it is he works exactly. Not even his family get regular updates. I reckon the only person who knows would be Charlie or Percy,' said Tonks, working through the puzzle of contacting Bill.

'Doesn't he work out of Gringotts?' said Remus. 'Couldn't we just summon him here through the goblins?'

'Don't be daft, the goblins never help Wizards unless they get something out of it. What the hell are they going to call one of their finest curse-breakers back to England for?' said Moody, once again stating the obvious.

Tonks leaned against a wall, groaning. Her head tilting back to bang he head against it multiple times. Finally, she stopped and frowned at the group. 'I can find Charlie. I guarantee he'll know where Bill is. There's always one Weasley brother who knows where he is. It's sort of like a secret keeper system. In case something happens to Bill, Charlie knows where he might be. He's the only one responsible enough… well, save for Percy but I reckon he's a bit preoccupied at the Ministry.'

Sirius smirked at Tonks. 'So, Charlie, your ex? You going to track down the elusive dragon-tamer?'

Tonks glared at Sirius. 'Believe me, he isn't hard to find. Especially right now seeing as he's transporting three… well, I suppose it'll be four now… four dragons to England from Romania. I'll just have to meet him somewhere in the middle,' she paused, picking at a speck of dust on her robes. 'I'm taking Percy though. I don't care if he doesn't want to, he's coming with me. Fuck it. Maybe I can convince him to go alone and find Charlie, then get Bill. Yeah, that might work. Then I can stay here and avoid the whole thing altogether, and they get to bond as brothers.' Tonks smiled, seemingly pleased with her plan.

Remus shook his head, 'If you think that plan is going to work, you're as mad as a hatter Tonks.'

'You should be pleased that I understood that reference, seeing as my father is muggleborn. And I think I know Charlie a little better than you do. Trust me, Weasleys do anything for each other. I'll have Percy running off to Romania in no time.'

Sirius frowned. 'Isn't Percy the one who prattled on about cauldron thickness?' he asked the question to Remus who looked thoughtful for a moment before nodding. 'Yeah, Tonks, no offence but that's a stretch.'

Tonks threw her arms up in exasperation. 'Well, it's worth a bloody shot then, isn't it? Now, I'm off to my flat. Fuck you all,' she said, waving a rude hand gesture behind her as she left to the sitting room and disapparition point.

'Albus won't be happy about all this,' said Moody. His eye darting from one face to the next.

Remus stood and strode over to the kitchen fireplace, 'Honestly, I don't give a damn what Dumbledore thinks at this point,' he reached a hand into the floo-pot on the mantlepiece, and disappeared in a swirl of emerald flames, back to Hogwarts.

Narcissa finally found her voice, 'Thank you, Sirius. Truly,' she said quietly.

'Make no mistake, Cissy, you've got years to make up for. You'll never be redeemed in my eyes. Never,' Sirius glared at her, his finger pointing accusatorily before he stormed out of the kitchen. Narcissa rose to her feet, she was feeling reckless, and now was a good time to act on it. She ran after Sirius and grabbed him by the forearm.

'Let me show you that I'm genuine,' she said before turning on the spot with Sirius in tow. They landed on the finely manicured lawns of Malfoy Manor; the peacocks were slightly surprised by their unexpected arrival. Sirius righted himself and pointed his wand at Narcissa.

'Where are we,' he said coolly.

'Malfoy Manor,' Narcissa replied easily. She pointed her wand up to the sky and began muttering under her breath, her eyes closed. She was whispering away the wards, taking down the compulsion charms that warred on the peacocks and other wildlife to keep them at bay. Instantly the birds began to flee, and Narcissa heard the wards fall. It sounded as though water was crashing down a rocky slope. The wards were gone, and Sirius was staring at her in disbelief.

'What did you just do?' he said with artificial calm. He shook himself slightly and revaluated the situation. 'Scratch that… what are you going to do.'

She looked up at him, remembering the young boy who always ran after animals, destroyed furniture, manipulated his younger brother. She saw the man who she'd seen bloodied and bruised on the street after her husband and sister had had their way with him. This was the side she was now forced to join. This was the side she should have aligned herself with long ago. With newfound determination, she pointed her wand towards the enormous and luxurious manor. 'I'm going to prove myself,' she said, half to herself and half to Sirius.

She did not utter the incantation, she only thought of what form it should take. How best to begin the end? Freedom. That is what she was after for her and her son. Concentrating on the image of the bronze eagle of Ravenclaw, she let her magic flow through her wand, her soul fueling the flames that escaped its tip.

The flaming eagle spread its wings and crashed into the manor with a deafening explosion that left both her and Sirius staggering on the cobblestone path. The flames began to run wild, so Narcissa pulled on her magic, which so far lay unleashed on the grounds, back to her wand. The fiendfyre returned to her body, but the regular flames remained as the remnants of the Malfoy legacy burned to the ground. It was beyond magical repair, as were the grounds as the fire continued to spread. The topiaries burned, writhing and screaming as their charms faded through the flames. She watched with grim satisfaction as the house continued to collapse in on itself.

She turned to Sirius, who was staring at the inferno. The fire reflected in his eyes, his mouth agape. 'Save my son, Sirius,' she said quietly. 'Let's get Andi… let's fix this,' she grabbed his forearm and he automatically grabbed her back in a firm handshake.

He quickly composed himself and eyed Narcissa appraisingly for a moment before turning on his heel and striding down the cobblestone path.

'Oh, so does that mean nothing then?' she cried after him. 'Stop this petty bullshit Sirius there is a war coming!'

He whirled around and just looked at her. His face was expressionless and the haunted look that had graced his features while he had been on the run was plainly visible. 'Harry Potter lives at Potter Manor, near Crail, Fife, Scotland. There, you're in on the secret. I'll be in contact,' he turned around again, yelling so Narcissa could hear him, 'In the meantime, find a place to stay. Harry left you enough money to rent a flat; I'm sure of it.'

With a deafening crack, he was gone. The distant explosions and crackling of the raging inferno echoed through the Welsh air.

She'd chosen her side. Now, she needed to face Andromeda.

'So… Percy, is it?' said Tonks in the most flirtatious voice she could muster. Her hair was a silvery blonde, her eyes blue. She'd even changed her nose a bit to reflect that American witch that had been displayed in last week's Witch Weekly. None of her efforts seemed to have mattered much.

'Good afternoon, Nymphadora,' Percy Weasley replied stiffly. His job was, after all, highly important. 'How can I help you? Are you in need of Mr. Crouch?' he finally looked up at her. 'I'm afraid he's busy with the now heavily modified Triwizard Tournament. Lots of changes… you know…' Percy seemed to have slipped up. The news of four champions, two of which being underaged, famous Hogwarts students, had yet to reach the public eye.

'Oh, shove off, Percy, I know all about Harry and Ginny. Merlin you've got people issues,' she sighed and ran a hand through her hair as it changed from the blonde to a shocking pink. 'Listen, I need a favour.'

Percy scowled. 'What do you need, Nymphadora?'

'Will you stop calling me that?' she snapped. 'Listen, this is important, and I want you to focus on every ounce of care you have for your family, got that?'

Percy eyed her apprehensively before nodding. 'Great! Right, in short, the world is about to go to shit, and we really need Bill Weasley. Unfortunately, the information we'd have to share to get him over here without lying, which is against goblin codes of conduct, is highly confidential. Therefore, it is imperative that we speak to him in person. Now, unfortunately, the only person who knows where the fuck your eldest brother is, is none other than Charlie Weasley, someone I truly, never, ever, not in a million years, want to see again. So, I am asking, no, pleading… scratch that, I am demanding as an auror who is technically superior to you in every way, to find Charlie, then find Bill… oh, and give him this letter,' she handed him an envelope. 'Give that to Bill, recite what I just told you to Charlie. Don't even try to open that envelope, it's charmed so only Bill can read it.' she patted Percy on the head twice and walked away. 'Don't even think about going against me on this! The fate of the world is quite literally on your shoulders, Percy!' and with that, she rounded the corner and disappeared from sight.

Tonks smirked as she walked back to the Auror offices. Sure, she had exaggerated things a little, but maybe this way the family needs and sense of duty would lead him forward.

Back at his desk, Percy eyed the envelope for a full ten minutes. Weighing every single possibility and intricacy to how he was going to leave the Ministry for an undefined period of time. Of course, he was going to find Charlie. Sometimes it really was a pain to be the third in a line of six boys. Charlie was Bill's keeper, Percy was Charlie's. They each had a charm pertaining to their respective brother. Each somewhat responsible for their elder.

Percy quickly pocketed his envelope and wrote a quick resignation letter to Mr. Crouch. Though he loved his job at the Ministry, and he had worked hard for it all, the truth was that since the trial of Sirius Black, the situation with the Chamber of Secrets, and Fudge's overall embarrassing and unprofessional behaviour, Percy had lost a lot of respect for the Ministry. Besides, it wasn't entirely difficult to gain his current position before. And if Mr. Crouch couldn't even remember his own name, it was unlikely that he'd notice another secretary quit on him.

Stamping the wax seal over his resignation letter, he slipped it into Mr. Crouch's personal mailbox, grabbed his coat, and left the Ministry of Magic. Not giving a second thought to the mandatory two-week notice.

For the fate of the world rested upon Percy Weasley's shoulders.

At least, that was what he had been told. For all he knew, Bill was being a prat and Charlie was off drunk in Berlin again. A good three countries away from where he was supposed to be, in Romania. Percy had already been of need back in early July when his Charlie-Charm had gone off.

Well, either way, Percy would be there.

Because family comes first. Because Brothers came first.

A/N: This is sort of our main cast outside of Hogwarts. More will be revealed as time goes by, but for now, you can sort of begin to see our main protagonists taking shape here. Adults are going to be helpful in this war, don't forget that.

Is Narcissa acting out of character? Yes. Though not too far I think. She still believes in blood superiority and I don't think she'll ever lose that. FOr instance, she says that it's horrible that Sirius stayed in Azkaban because Harry was with muggles. She doesn't know about the abuse, she just thinks its horrible for a wizard to live with muggles