Till Death Do Us Part

Chapter2: The Woman On The Wall

"I don't understand, Professor…" Hermionie shook her head "Is professor Dumbledoor dead… or alive?"

"Alive."

"Dead!" Harry corrected McGonagall

"Hold on…" mused Fred Weasly. "You and Dumbledoor… are… Married?"

"Yes, Mr Weasly," Minerva replied, her usual collected calmness had returned, hair wound tightly in a bun at the back of her neck, her thin lips held in a servier line. "However our marriage must remain a secret, Albus has many enemies… he thought it was for the best." Lupin rested a comforting hand on McGonagall's shoulder as her voice had started to crack a little.

The Members of The Order of the Phoenix were gathered in the headmasters office, Minerva McGonagall; Remus Lupin; Kingsley Shacklebelt; Ron, Fred, Gorge and Mrs Weasly had left Mr Weasly with Bill in the hospital wing, also present where Harry, Hermionie and, taking up the remaining space in the office, Hagrid.

Surrounding then, murmuring amongst them and interrupting the conversation at intervals, were the portraits of the old Hogwarts headmasters, one of who, the only woman on the wall, was watching Minerva with great interest.

"Professor McGonagall…" started Hermionie. "Harry says that he saw the curse hit Professor Dumbledoor… even if it didn't then the fall from the balcony would have k-…. well… no one could've survived that." The woman on the wall smiled slightly and out of the corner of her eyes Minerva saw her shake her head.

The woman did not look old, not by wearing standards at least… she was about 50, and very pretty, with golden blonde hair that curled into loose rings by her beasts, she was very pale and she had the clearest, bluest eyes that Minerva had every seen. The portrait was done in headmaster's office… yet Minerva was sure that she wasn't a headmistress. The inscription on the bottom of the portrait read 'Chantille LaBelle' No, Minerva thought, defiantly not a headmistress. Chantille LaBelle leaned forwards across the desk she was painted behind,

"Excusez-moi," The crowd turned as her melodious French accent filled the room, "I'm sorry for interrupting, but, it seems to me zat you are overlooking zee most important fact."

"What's that?" Harry asked, his eyes, like everybody else's, fixed on the portraits hypnotising face.

"You talk of Albus Dumbledoor! Zee greatest wizard of our time!"

"Who are you?" Minerva wondered aloud. LaBelle gave a squeak.

"Oh la la! 'Ow rude of me! My name is Chantille LaBelle. I am… I am Albus' niece… 'is brother's daughter."

"You're not dead?" Harry asked

"Mais non, Monsieur Potter… and if my uncle Albus was dead zen 'is portrait would be on zee wall… non?" Harry shook his head in bewilderment.

"I'm sorry… I don't understand.. If you're not dead then how you are in the picture… how are you.." He searched the faces of the people in the room, they were all standing watching LaBelle… transfixed.

"It is an old magic… like appearing in the flames of a fire.. Or in water… easy." Minerva stepped closer towards the picture. "Ahh… Madame McGonagall… or Dumbledoor… whatever you call yourself… I 'ave something zat my uncle gave to me… I am to give it to you should 'e ever… disappear." LaBelle watched as the older witch's eyes lit up. "Go into the Forbidden Forest," She lent forwards in the frame "Go deep inside until you no longer see zee light, carry on until you loose all hope of ever finding you way out again, then you will see a cottage with black and white roses growing along zee door frame. Enter zee cottage without knocking and go straight to the basement , zer you will find me." LaBelle turned and walked out of her frame.

"Bloody Hell" Ron murmured, then he flinched as Mrs Weasly's hand came into contacted with his head.

"Professor McGonagall?" Hermionie touched the professor's arm "Shall we go?" Minerva nodded, she was totally bewildered.