Jenny's POV
I waited until after Hermione's birthday to tell them about Blaire. I know I should have told them sooner, but I didn't want to taint Hermione's memory of her birthday. She hardly ever gets birthdays she deserves, and I wanted to make sure she felt special and had a happy memory. I confronted Meghan a few days after.
"Meghan?" I announced my presence while popping into her house.
"Jenny?" she called from another room.
"It's me!" I assured her.
"Just let me put on some tea and I'll be right there"
I twirled around to ease my anxiety, spotting a photo of Teddy and his parents smiling on the mantle. I smiled sadly, turning around, as Meghan's footsteps grew louder.
"I hope it's to your liking," she said, sitting down across from me. I took the tea happily, but didn't drink any. "Is something the matter?"
"I went to St. Mungo's," I said, but it didn't seem to faze her. "I didn't go for work or to visit a friend— I went to see her"
"Her?" Meghan asked, although I could see in her eyes that she knew.
"They found Blaire in Lestrange's cellar," I said bluntly.
"They did," Meghan said, sipping her tea, "she was beat up pretty badly, but she's on her way to recovery"
"You know her."
Meghan set down her tea, and I took a sip of mine, knowing she was about to speak.
"As you know, I lost my sister while she was serving as your protector. What you don't know is that she was not simply an Order member on a mission, but she was also a mother who left her daughter in order to protect another. She never regretted her decision, protecting you was always a priority, but imagine how Blaire felt, her mother leaving her lone with her father, someone she never got along with."
"I… I never knew… no wonder she hates me"
"Hate is a strong word—"
"She tricked me into walking straight into a trap, right into the hands of Alaric and the other death eaters. Then my friends followed me, and Sirius died—"
"I know what happened," Meghan said, sounding a little choked.
"Well, it's getting late… I'll see you later, Meghan"
/
Ron's POV
"You're bloody joking," I said in disbelief.
"I'm not— she attacked me," Jenny said.
"Why didn't you tell us sooner?" Harry asked.
"Everything's been so good lately, I didn't want to worry anyone," she answered sheepishly.
"We can't keep these things from each other— no secrets. Agreed?" Hermione said, looking us all in the eye.
"Agreed," we all said in unison.
"Now, tell us what happened," Harry said.
"Well, I went to visit during one of my breaks and she was out cold when I got there, but then she opened her eyes and lunged at me. She recognized me, I could tell from the look in her eyes. She looked lost and broken, but she seemed to know one thing for sure"
"That she wanted to wring your neck?" I asked.
"Yes, to put it bluntly."
"But why?" Hermione asked.
"She blames me for her mother's death"
"What? Why would she—" Harry began, but Jenny answered before he could finish.
"She's Karen's daughter— and Meghan's niece"
"What?"
"That makes sense!" Hermione exclaimed.
"How in the bloody hell does that make any sense, Hermione?"
"Why she hates Jenny— she resents her— she blames her for Karen's death, for taking her mother away from her all those years. She basically lost her childhood because of Jenny. Her childhood must have been horribly lonely"
"Or she's just a rotten Slytherin who has it out for her"
"Or she developed psychological issues due to childhood trauma," Hermione reasoned. Honestly, she makes everything complicated. Why does she always have to make everything so complex? Life is easier in black and white.
/
Harry's POV
"Happy Birthday!" We all shouted together before I sealed the letter and tied it to Ebony's leg. "Take it to McGonagall at Hogwarts," Jenny said and stroked the feathers on her head. She hooted and flew off, disappearing into the sky.
Later that day, Ebony returned with a letter from McGonagall. She reminded me of Hedwig, and I could almost pretend she was her, which gave a sense of normalcy and nostalgia that made me miss my loyal owl. She had been with me ever since the beginning of all of this and she was with me until the end. Magic had always been in my life, but she was there during the roughest parts when no one else was. During the summers when I was stuck at the Dursleys' she was there with me when my friends couldn't. I gave her a treat and took the letter from her leg, enjoying the owl's company as I read the letter.
To whom it may concern,
Thank you for the birthday wishes, I've placed your card on the mantle in my office. Things are going well at Hogwarts, cleanup is coming along steadily and we're recovering better than expected. We'll be up and running for the coming term as planned, for those of you who wish to return. I also wanted to let you know that all charges previously held against Severus Snape have been dropped and he is now respected, under Kingsley's leadership, in spite of his past.
PS— I'm sorry for the formal opening— I didn't want to guess incorrectly as to who sent the card, although I have my suspicions.
Best,
Minerva McGonagall
"McGonagall?" Hermione asked, entering the room to hear it.
"Yeah, she wrote back. Let's get everyone here so they can hear the news," I said, heading for the stairs to gather the Weasley boys while Hermione went to find the girls.
/
Jenny's POV
I was taking a stroll through the orchard, following a particularly quirky little gnome, when a rustling behind the trees stopped me. I assumed it was another gnome, until I realized a dark human figure in the shadows. I immediately pulled my wand on them, bringing light to the intruder's face.
"W-what are you doing here?" I asked, facing the last person I thought I'd ever see again.
"I had to see you. I had to know. Is it true?"
"Is what true?"
"Blaire… is she…?" I looked into his worn and worried eyes, decided he was no threat to me, and lowered my wand.
"She's alive. She was found in Bellatrix Lestrange's cellar," I began, but he had already begun spilling with questions.
"Is she alright? She's alive, but how is she?"
"She's in St. Mungo's," I said sympathetically, realizing just how distraught he was, "She was under a lot of… duress when she was there." I couldn't bring myself to tell him that she had been tortured into madness.
"Has she said anything? How long do they think she'll be there?"
"I'm not sure… she hasn't said much, and when she did, I couldn't make much sense of it." I looked away, finding it difficult to look into his eyes for too long. "Were you close to her?"
"More than anyone"
"I always assumed Crabbe and Goyle…"
"Blaire may not show it, but she would do anything for me— And I'm afraid that's exactly what happened."
"Jenny!" Hermione's voice called from the house.
"I have to go— can you meet me here tomorrow night?" I asked, starting for the house. Draco reached out a hand and wrapped it around my wrist, stopping me in my tracks.
"If anyone finds out I was here—"
"I won't tell, I promise."