Chapter 15-Two Sisters' Grudges

Rita had been warned by McGonagall, and Flitwick, too, not to report to the Ministry on the Horcruxes situation. Flitwick and Ginny were informed of what the Horcruxes were, after McGonagall had returned to the Hog's Head, and told them. The next night, Harry got a letter through Hedwig addressed to him from Professor McGonagall. It asked him to come to her office right away. He went to McGonagall's office, and knocked on the door. McGonagall was not in the office when he got there, but Fawkes saw Harry, and roared out loud when he saw Harry. Dumbledore was busy whispering to Armando Dippet and Phineas Nigellus, not paying attention to him at the moment.

McGonagall entered the office a moment later, followed by Professors Weasley, Tonks, and Slughorn, and lastly Aberforth. She saw Harry, and said, "I see you are here early. That's good." She conjured up fivc more chairs, and they landed right in front of her desk. Andromeda, Bill, Slughorn, and Aberforth, and Harry sat in the chairs when McGonagall indicated them to.

McGonagall said, "Potter, you may be wondering why I summoned you here tonight. Andromeda has agreed that she will help you on the quest to find the Horcruxes, so have Professors Weasley and Slughorn. Aberforth is coming along, too. I have already talked to Remus and Nymphadora, and we have decided we will leave on the quest this Friday night. I'll be leaving Filius in charge of Hogwarts while I'm gone."

Harry said, "Professor, you're going with us?"

McGonagall said tersely, "Of course, Potter. I made a promise to Dumbledore, and I'm not breaking it."

Harry sighed and said, "How did Andromeda and Bill find out about the Horcruxes?"

McGonagall said, "We will discuss that later, Potter. Horace, did you have something to say?" Slughorn was twiddling his fingers together, and clearing his throat so loudly.

Slughorn stammered, "Minerva, don't you think it's dangerous if you come with us? You could get killed by You Know Who. The same goes for us, because we will all be targets to You Know Who if he finds out we are helping Mr. Potter look for the Horcruxes."

Professor McGonagall said, "I know that, Horace. Voldemort knows we're going to help Harry somehow, and he won't end this war until he is defeated. Would you rather this war be over sooner, and the mass murders will stop sooner? So far, Elphias Doge and Hestia Jones have been murdered. Many other Order members will be killed, if I don't do something right now."

Andromeda said, "Minerva, it's good you're keeping Dumbledore's promise, but Harry already said he doesn't us want in danger, or our lives jeopardized, but I do agree with you, Minerva, that we have to do something."

McGonagall said, "Thank you, Andromeda. Everyone's dismissed." Andromeda, Aberforth, Slughorn, and Bill walked out of the office, leaving Harry sitting in the chair, looking dazed and upset.

McGonagall said, "Potter? Are you okay?" Harry snapped back to reality, and nodded. He left McGonagall's office, and was on his way back to the Gryffindor Tower, when he saw Narcissa Malfoy enter the front oak doors.
Harry wondered what Mrs. Malfoy was doing at Hogwarts. Mrs. Malfoy was looking around nervously, then went up the marble stairs. Harry looked around, then followed Mrs. Malfoy up the stairs, within a distance. Mrs. Malfoy turned her head, but Harry had already hid behind the statue of Barnabas the Barmy.

Mrs. Malfoy turned into a corridor, and Harry peeked around the corner, and saw Narcissa enter an office. Harry sneaked up to the office, and the door was closed, but he saw that it was Andromeda's office Narcissa had just entered. He heard Mrs. Malfoy's voice saying to Andromeda, "Andromeda, you have to listen to me. My son is gone, and my husband was just murdered, which I'm accused of. The Ministry doesn't believe me that I wouldn't kill Lucius. I need your help, Andromeda."

Andromeda said, "Well, Cissy, what about Bellatrix?"

Mrs. Malfoy said, "My suspicions are that Bellatrix is the one who framed me for Lucius's murder. She's cunning and sneaky, so she could have used Polyjuice Potion."
Andromeda said, "Narcissa, don't go blaming others for your troubles! Some prisoners at Azkaban said they saw a lady that looked exactly like you, so don't blame Bella for your troubles. You're just trying to make me help you, to avoid trouble."

Mrs. Malfoy said, "That's the problem. I never went to Azkaban that night. Andromeda, you have to believe me."

Andromeda sighed and said, "Well, if it's true, why should I help you anyway? You and Bella are the one who sent me to Azkaban all these years ago. I had to sit in that rotting cell, thinking I would die, never seeing my daughter again. Can you imagine how hard that can be on you, not knowing if you will be alive to get out?"

Mrs. Malfoy was weeping, "Andromeda, I regret that mistake. You're my sister, and I never meant to hurt you. Please forgive me. I just did it to please Lucius, but I realize now Lucius was doing all these things to please the Dark Lord."

Just then, a voice startled Harry, that was coming from behind him, "Harry, what do you think you're doing?" It was Hermione, and Ron was with her.

Harry said, "Shh…Hermione, Mrs. Malfoy's in there with Andromeda." Hermione nodded, and she and Ron joined Harry in listening to the conversation.

Andromeda said, "Narcissa, I know that you and Bellatrix hated me for marrying Ted, a Muggle, but look at us now, I have got a beautiful daughter, and you have a beautiful son, though he may be a brat sometimes."

Mrs. Malfoy smiled through her tears and said, " You really think so, Meda?"

Andromeda said, "I do know it. I'm your sister. Cissy, I'm just glad you realize that Voldemort is dangerous!"

Mrs. Malfoy stammered, "Yes, but I may be partly responsible for Dumbledore's death."

Andromeda gasped, "WHAT? Don't tell me, you were involved with Dumbledore's death somehow."

Mrs. Malfoy explained about the night that she and Bellatrix went to Snape, and begged him to make sure he would do anything to protect Draco. She also explained Draco had a mission from Voldemort, and she didn't know what it was, until she heard about Dumbledore's death, and that's when she realized she had put Draco in more danger.

Andromeda fumed, "NARCISSA! I THOUGHT YOU KNEW BETTER! FIRST, YOU WERE INVOLVED WITH SIRIUS'S DEATH SOMEHOW, AND NOW DUMBLEDORE! WHO NEXT? MAYBE YOUR OWN SISTER NEXT!"

Mrs. Malfoy said, "I didn't want to get involved in Sirius's death, but Lucius overheard the conversation, and told the Dark Lord."

Andromeda growled, "I'M SICK OF HEARING ABOUT LUCIUS! YOU BLAME YOUR HUSBAND FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO! LUCIUS THIS, LUCIUS THAT! I'M NOT SURPRISED YOU MURDERED LUCIUS, BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T WANT EVIDENCE TO SHOW AT AZKABAN, AND MADE IT LOOK LIKE YOU WERE INNOCENT, BUT YOU ARE NOT! YOU ARE A MURDERER, AND I DON'T WANT TO HELP A MURDERER!"

Mrs. Malfoy said sadly, "You don't really mean that, Meda?"

Andromeda said, "Do it look like I mean it?" Just then, Harry heard the door slam open, and Professor McGonagall's voice was heard, "Andromeda, I wanted to talk to you, but never mind, I see Narcissa is here. What is she doing here?"Andromeda said, "Minerva, she came asking for my help to clear her name, and find Draco."

Professor McGonagall said, "Ah, I see." Harry could see McGonagall frowning in his head, and Professor McGonagall said to Narcissa, "Mrs. Malfoy, why should we help you when you are partly responsible in Dumbledore's murder?"

Mrs. Malfoy said, "Professor McGonagall, you and Andromeda were the only ones who I could turn to. No one else will help me."
McGonagall said, "Alright, if we help you, don't do anything stupid, or it's back to Azkaban for you!"

Mrs. Malfoy said, "No, of course not."

Andromeda said, "Minerva, are you sure it's wise to do that?"
McGonagall sighed, and said, "Andromeda, trust me. Mrs. Malfoy, come with me to my office, and I want to talk to you." The door slammed shut behind them.