Present –

The grandfather clock chimed 11:15.

“The final war is closer than we think it is.” I said as the Order sat around the living room of Malfoy Manor.

“How did they find out about headquarters?” Hermione asked. “I can’t believe it, if we hadn’t been eating here we all would’ve been killed.”

“Severus Snape. That’s how they found out. Do not worry about anything. I had told Dumbledore before that my home was always open to the Order. No one can find it. Lucius knows its location but cannot access its grounds. We are perfectly safe here.” I stood up. “If you will excuse me I need to go visit my nephew, great nephew, and Severus Snape for a little chit-chat.”

“Do you need back-up?” Remus asked.

“No I shall be fine.” Hermione looked worried. “I shall not kill anyone I will disarm them and bring them here. I take my answer back Remus I will need help. Three men should do it.” Remus, Mad-Eye and Mr. Weasley stood up. “Thank you, I presume you all know where Malfoy Manor is.” I said as I apparated with a pop.

---

The others waited outside for me as I slipped into Lucius’s manor. I silently made my way through the intricate tunnels and chambers underneath the dungeons of the house. I found the door I was looking for and slipped inside the dungeons. No one was in any of the steel cages. I carefully made my way to the stairs and up to the door leading into the kitchens. The house elves had already turned in to their chambers so I was safe for now.

I made my way up to the foyer with no mistakes. Once I made it into the foyer I heard footsteps coming down the stairs and quickly darted into the shadows. Draco stepped off the bottom stair and onto the floor. I shot a stunning curse at him and silently slipped out of the shadows. I caught him before he hit the floor. I levitated him to where I previously was hiding and began to turn around when I noticed his eyes, tears had begun to form. His Malfoy honor would not let him cry. It was all so stupid. I shook my head and headed up the staircase.

I heard shouts as I made my way down the hall. I saw light coming out of a door and drew closer. Lucius was yelling at Narcissa. I pressed against the wall as Narcissa was thrown out the door and into the hallway.

She crashed against the wall and slid to the floor, her eyes connected with mine and flashed with fury, Lucius yelled and threw a vase at her barely missing her head. Her eyes looked back at me, all the anger was gone, her eyes pleaded for me to help her. Lucius came out into the hallway but never saw me. His fury was aimed at his wife.

“You made him promise to protect Draco, and then you bring that traitor into our home!” His hand made contact with her face and snapped her head sideways. She still did not give away my position. “He’s working for the Order. The Order, he will be the downfall of Lord Voldemort.” He grabbed her arms and stood her up and shook her violently.

“Good! Then my son will be free of all this and can live without fear and pain!” Narcissa snapped back. I smiled, she was strong and independent.

Lucius drew his wand, aimed it at her heart and spoke in a chilling tone a curse that would kill Narcissa in less than ten minutes. Before Lucius said the whole spell Severus came out into the hall running and fired the killing curse at Lucius but he was too late the damage had been down, Narcissa would die.

Lucius slumped to the floor. I stepped out of the position against the wall, immobilized Severus and knelt beside Narcissa.

“You knew I was there the whole time. Why didn’t you give away my position? I could’ve saved you life.” I said barely above a whisper.

“He would have killed you too. I couldn’t let him do that. You are Draco’s great aunt. I want you to take care of him. Belatrix is in Azkaban. And I don’t know where Andromeda is. Please, please help my son. Help him see what is right. I’ve tried to escape the dark after I found a book Lucius’s father kept. It was of you and your life, of your brother, and mother, and of things about the dark lord. It was horrid, I am so sorry for the pain you have gone through. I’ve tried to save my son and I hope it’s not too late. Please don’t let Draco experience what happened to you and Abraxas, his training began last year but it has ended today. Save my son, I know you can.”

“What about Severus? He killed Dumbledore.” I asked as tears formed in my eyes and knot swelled up in my throat.

“He and Dumbledore had a promise. Draco would not kill him. Draco would’ve been found and sent to Azkaban or killed. Dumbledore knew Draco could be saved. Severus didn’t want to agree to the promise but he did.” She paused and I knew the spell was beginning to take its toll on her body, slowly shutting down all of her systems. “Please save Draco. Continue to do what I’ve tried to do.” She drew a shaky breath. “Don’t punish Severus. He only did what Albus asked him to do. He only kept his promise.” She drew another breath. “Sonoña you are not like your family, you are so much better, you beat the dark arts, and you won. Don’t let Draco fall save him like you saved yourself. Help Severus too. Dumbledore did a great deal; don’t let him fall back into the darkness.”

“I promise I will protect Severus and your son, my blood, Narcissa. I’ll guard Draco with my life. I’ll guard them both with my life.” I said as I pulled her into my lap.

“Thank you.” She said as she slowly closed her eyes.

I let a tear fall as I waved my hand in front of Severus and undid my spell. He rushed over to where I was, his wand drawn. He looked at me and his eyes flashed with a mixture of fury, disbelief, and kindness. He never lowered his wand.

“There is no need for your wand to be drawn. I cannot be killed and I shall not kill you. Although I had every intention of coming here tonight and torturing you, Narcissa told me the truth. I would’ve done the same thing if Dumbledore had asked me.”

“Thank you Sonoña.” He knelt down and picked up Narcissa and set her in a room across from her bedroom. He laid her on a chaise and shut the door.

“Where is Draco?” He asked.

“He is downstairs. I stunned him; he’ll be fine let’s go talk to him.”

We went downstairs and I undid Draco’s charm, he sat up quickly and looked at me then Severus then back to me. “Who is she Professor?” His voice was calm, he trusted Severus more than I had imagined.

“This is…”

“I am your grandfather’s sister, Sonoña Majesta Malfoy Nott.”

We went into a small study as Snape explained what had happened. When he was finished putting me in a good light and trying to explain to Draco what had happened I began to speak.

“Your mother has left you in my care. I know you have never met me and have no intentions of liking me or where you are going to be going but I do intent to help you. I intend to finish what your mother has started and help you escape the dark lord. I made a promise to your mother to protect you with my life. I intend to do just that.”

He drew his wand. “I want nothing to do with you! Avada Kedavra!” The curse hit me with precise aim in the middle of my chest. The light faded immediately.

“Well that was a stupid thing to do. That does nothing but aggravate me I hope you know. Now may I please have that?” I pointed to his wand. He didn’t move. “Ok that’s fine too. I honestly don’t need your cooperation …” I waved my hand and his wand shot into my hand. “I was just trying to be nice.”

“Now why doesn’t Severus talk to you about where you will be going, about the Order, and about how you are to act if you wish to stay in a nice room with nice food and not in a steel cage in my dungeons while I go and explain to my men waiting outside that their services are no longer needed and I would like the Order to be in the dinning room when we arrive.” I began to walk but then turned back to Draco. “You may want nothing to do with me and I assure you I am not thrilled with this either but your mother has left you in my care none the less. So I expect you to act like a gentleman and start acting right. If not you will learn why I am considered more powerful then Dumbledore.”

I stepped out of the room and walked out the front door.

---

I peeked into the dinning room and saw that everyone was seated at the dinning room table and had left the two chairs in beside the head of the table unoccupied as asked. I shut the door and nodded to Severus and Draco. Draco had calmed down and decided it was best I he listened to me and learned to like me.

“They won’t accept me you know that. You just want to put me through some form of humiliation.” Draco said angrily.

“No if I knew they wouldn’t accept you I’d have taken you up to my bedroom and allowed you and Severus to stay in the adjoining sitting lounge. But since I believe they will you have nothing to worry about. You are my blood Draco, as much as you don’t want to be, you are and I would not subject you to any form of humiliation if I could prevent it.”

“Let’s go.” I said and opened the door. They stayed behind it and waited for me to introduce them.

I stood in front of the head of the table and waited for everyone’s attention. “As you all know I went to Lucius’s manor tonight. What I found out tonight has shocked and stunned me and left me in the care of a relative. Lucius Malfoy killed his wife Narcissa and Severus then killed Lucius. I have also learned that Severus Snape is still a spy for us. He has been in hiding at the other manor.”

“Snape is lying he killed Dumbledore!” Harry stood up and said. “He’ll kill every single one of us if he is let in this house!” He yelled.

“Sit down!” I said. “Harry, Severus and Dumbledore had a promise to each other to not let Draco become a killer. Snape didn’t want to kill Dumbledore anymore than you or I would have wanted to do it. He made the unbreakable vow with Narcissa to watch over Draco and that is what he did. Dumbledore knew that and that’s why he made Snape promise to not let Draco kill him.”

“I can’t believe you are going to let him into this house! What if he helps to destroy Tom Riddle then what are you going to do? How are you going to be able to forgive that?” Harry said.

“How am I going to be able to forgive you?” I said right back at Harry in a solemn tone. Harry looked stunned. “It’s very simple Harry. The man I loved is no longer in existence. Tom Riddle died years ago. He was consumed by evil and by Voldemort. The answer to your question is very simple; I will forgive you Harry because you are only doing what you have been born to do. You do not mean me or anyone else any harm. You are not going to kill him for fun or to spite me. You are doing it because that is what you have been told you must do. I can always forgive that.”

“But…” He responded and I held up my hand.

“But nothing Harry. It is that same reasoning you must use to forgive Professor Snape. He only did what he was told to do. Nothing more, he didn’t do it to spite us or to harm us, he did it to help us and protect Draco. Forgive him Harry.”

I turned my attention back to everyone. “Dumbledore would expect all of us to forgive Severus and learn to be kind to Draco, despite what flaws we may think they possess. Remember no one is perfect, everyone has sinned at least once.”

Draco and Snape walked into the dinning room. Snape went right to his chair. Draco did the same until he saw he would be sitting beside Hermione. “I refuse to sit beside a mudblood.” Wands were drawn all around him.

“Wands down please.” They were lowered but not put away. “That is not a smart thing to say in this house, around these people, and especially around me.” I walked right up to him and pointed my finger at him. “Never ever use that word in my home, around me, or around others. I will not have you be put in a bad light while you are under my supervision.” I said sternly and then turned back to everyone. I looked sideways at Draco. “Apologize, now.”

“I’m sorry for my word choice, Gran- Hermione I’m sorry.” He said tightly.

“Thank you Draco, apology accepted.” She said sweetly.

“Everyone, why don’t we welcome Severus and Draco into the Order.” I said and McGonagall stood up and welcomed Severus and Draco, everyone else followed.

At one o’clock everyone was making their way up the stairs and to their rooms. Draco and Severus stood in the middle of the living room. I walked up behind Draco and placed my hand on his shoulder. He turned his head towards me.

“I’ll show you to your room.” I walked up the flight of stairs. While everyone else had went to the left I turned right and went down the hall. I waved my hand in front of the door and the lock popped open and I stepped inside. The room was dark Severus waved his wand and the chandelier lit up the rooms.

“I transformed Abraxas’s old sitting rooms into bedrooms years ago. Both of these bedrooms connect to one bathroom. Severus this will be your bedroom Draco your bedroom is through the door on the back wall.” Draco walked into the room, I followed behind him.

“When will my parent’s funeral be held?” Draco asked solemnly facing the bed. His head was staring straight at the wall.

“Tomorrow. You will be staying in my care. Your mother left you to me.”

“I don’t even know you, how am I suppose to live with you?” He didn’t turn around to look at me but kept staring ahead almost afraid to turn around and face me.

“I know you have never met me in your life, you’ve never heard of me, I stayed away from my family for as long as I could. You are all I have left. I am all you have left, Bellatrix is in Azkaban. I’m your only family member. So I am asking you to push aside whatever resentment your family may have taught you, whatever you learned about me in the past. We must learn to live together and get along, and you must also learn to live with the Order. I’m not asking for any of this to come immediately or for you to forget everything and start new. I am only asking you to try and befriend these people and to learn about me and your family a little more so you may understand why things have turned out like this. I’m not asking for all this within a week, but just in time. In time things will become better and life will start to change. Pain goes away. Tears start to fade. New memories are formed and you find something else to live for. ” I said.

“That’s not true.” He said. His eyes were filled with tears as he finally looked back at me.

“Yes it is Draco, you will learn, just as I have learned, life does go on.”

“I’ll leave you with that to think over, goodnight Draco.”

I walked out of the room and went through Severus’s. “Goodnight, I am terribly sorry for ever believing that you could have followed the Death Eaters after all the years of helping us. You gave your word to Dumbledore, I never should have believe you would betray him or us.”

“You had every right to think I betrayed you all. Dumbledore didn’t want anyone to know for Draco and my own safety. You were right to not trust me. I forgive you for that Sonoña, you can not help it, it was the way you were raised. You were raised to mistrust people who have betrayed you, or seemed to have betrayed you.”

“Thank you for your forgiveness. Breakfast is at nine tomorrow morning like always. Let Draco know. Goodnight Severus.” I said.

“Goodnight Sonoña and thank you for everything you have done for Draco and me today.”