Chapter Two

Melanie finished braiding her blonde hair as she sat across the tent from McGonagall. The girl had been sick three days earlier and had taken another week to recovery from more internal bleeding. However as the new week dawned, the girl seemed to be more awake and responsive.

She however still refused to speak.

"You're obviously not from London," Melanie continued, watching her. Minerva watched her back with dark green eyes, shining with intelligence. "Probably not from anywhere in England actually. I'm from London and you don't look you're a city girl to me. Where are you from?"

If the girl was going to answer, she was cut off by the tent flap opening, shedding sunlight inside, and revealing Dumbledore, Moody, and another man.

"Good afternoon, Miss McGonagall. I'm Healer Maguire. I was hoping to take a look at you if that's all right?" Minerva's eyes flickered over to Dumbledore before nodding once.

His exam took only a few minutes as she read the symbols and letters that glowed as he cast a diagnostic spell over her. She held perfectly still as he worked. The only movement was the slight up and down of her chest as she breathed.

The surgeon had propped her up against the side of the tent in an army bed. The sheets around her body were an ugly green and she wore a man's tee shirt that was much too big for her little body. It was clear she was ill and underweight from starvation. Her cheeks were gaunt and pale, her eyes had deep circles under them from sleep loss and sickness.

The only thing that didn't fit was her eyes that seemed alight in the dim room.

"Your magical signature is one of the strongest I've ever seen, Miss McGonagall. I bet you're at the top of your class," Maguire said soothingly, as he waved his wand over some of the gold lettering.

The girl smiled slightly.

"She is," Dumbledore confirmed, a hint of pride in his voice. He stood near the edge of the bed, watching the numbers himself.

After a while the numbers faded and Maguire nodded satisfied. "Miss McGonagall, do you know the year?"

Minerva watched him for a moment before the numbers 1947 appeared in the air in front of them. They were script and golden. The number floated for a handful of seconds before dissipating.

"Ah, wandless magic. This is good news indeed."

"Good news, sir?" Melanie spoke from the side of the room. The doctor turned to look at her for a moment before nodding with a wide smile.

"Yes, the magical signature of those with wandless and nonverbal magical abilities are often were often used for healing rituals in the ancient days," Maguire explained.

"The ancient Egyptian transfigurists," Dumbledore said.

"Exactly. It means that she could potentially heal herself faster than healers ever could. It's a processes like potions and spells, but a much safer one, not to mention faster. I believe that's why you are already conscious and responsive."

"When can she start walking around?" Dumbledore asked.

"A week, perhaps a little earlier. It would be good to try and get some food and fluids into her before she starts to walk around. I have a feeling you don't like to sit around much, do you?"

Minerva shook her head.

"A week, then we will reassess. The main thing is to prevent any more internal bleeding and allow her magic to stabilize. When both are safe, we can begin to add in some movement."

The doctor rose up from his spot on the bed. Minerva's hand shot out and grabbed the healer's wrist with one hand, meanwhile the other hand drew a small golden cat in the air.

"A cat? I'm afraid I don't understand, Miss McGonagall," he said hesitatingly, turning to look at the other two. Moody looked just as confused, but Dumbledore's eyes were locked on the girl.

After a moment she nodded reassuringly to him and he cleared his throat. "Minerva is an unregistered animagus," Dumbledore revealed hesitantly. Moody swore loudly and the doctor's eyes widened considerably. "Her alternate form is a cat. I believe she is asking you if it is safe for her to transform."

Maguire wiped his head with his handkerchief before answering.

"I'm no expert on alternate forms of magic or transfiguration. Animagi are exceedingly rare and complex magic. I have no idea if it would be safe for you to transform. I would wait for everything to stabilizing before attempting a transformation, just to be sure. I believe you would be a better judge of that, yourself."

He gave her a small smile and a nod before exiting the tent. The other two men followed.

"Do you know what's wrong with her?" Moody asked eagerly as Dumbledore shot him a heavy frown as the three stood near Alastor's tent.

The healer sighed carefully peering down at his notes. "I believe I understand what's made her unable to speak, yes, as for the trauma of being held against her will, there could be several other complications than just the internal bleeding.

"I believe Miss McGonagall has a rare type of disassociation. I've never seen it in a young woman before, but it seems to present itself in a similar way as some of the other high level soldiers I examined from the Middle East. In order to keep information from those hurting her, she talked herself into forgetting how to speak in order to keep silent."

There was a short pause.

"She made herself mute?" Moody said with an eyebrow raised.

Maguire chuckled.

"No, no, more like her subconscious simply shut that part of herself down for a time. She still could speak and since she's been rescued, I don't understand why she wouldn't, but you see how she doesn't try to communicate through words? Her mind still thinks in them, she still hears them and processes them like that, but it's as if her subconscious remembers her vow to remain silent and is continuing to hold it."

Dumbledore ran a finger down his short beard, clearly in thought. "Minerva values bravery and loyal above all else. She's very protective over her those she loves. Do you think she still believes we are in danger if she speaks?"

"That may well be it. I don't know why she hasn't spoken even simply sentences, though. She doesn't appear to suffer empathy for her captors nor does she still think she's being held against her will," the healer said with a slight shrug. "She's only fifteen. This kind of trauma to her system can be a lot to handle. The fact she is even cognitive and awake is a miracle in itself."

Moody growled under his breath. "Can we make her speak? She could have important information against the Blackcoats. We could be wasting valuable time to move against them before the information goes out of date."

Maguire's blue eyes darkened and his nose wrinkled in distaste. "Of course not! If she held the silence this long, you won't be able to get her to. I think it will come back in a time for need or more probably when she once again feels safe and secure. You forget, she's been through an extensive trauma for anyone, let alone a little girl."

"Is there anything we can do to help her?" Dumbledore asked quickly.

The healer hesitated. "Her magical signature is strong. Stronger than any I've seen. Her body will heal if her magic continues to repair itself. You want to make her feel safe and hopefully begin to move her back into society slowly. She'll no doubt have trouble before she can actually even try to go back to her former life, but with the support of those who care for her, I believe she will begin to heal."

"How long before we should see some changes?"

Dumbledore turned towards Moody with an angry look. The fire in his eyes didn't seem to die as the healer spoke again, somewhat impatiently.

"It may take time for her to adjust back to a somewhat normal lifestyle. After a while, she probably didn't think she would live to see the outside of that prison again, let alone the ones she loved and was stolen from. I will be back later in the week to check up on her again. Good day, gentlemen."