Ch 10
A/N: Well I told myself that I would have this up for Christmas, but I guess I missed that by an hour. Oh well, here's my little Christmas present to everyone who is still with me. Thank you for reading even if you aren't reviewing. Merry Christmas!
…
Soon after Victoria had helped to put Bellatrix in Azkaban, she was called upon by Dumbledore. The older man had said that there would be an Order meeting on Christmas Eve between everyone that was left. By the time that she arrived at the Hog's Head, the tables in the small pub had been pushed together so that there was only one long table in the middle with chairs all around. She was surprised to see the amount of people there, only nine other than herself and Dumbledore. Noticing a chair between Remus and Moody she quickly sat down.
Upon seeing that everyone was seated Dumbledore smiled greeting the table, "Good evening. I understand that this is a rather unorthodox way to assemble, however, I need to talk to all of you." No one spoke when he was finished, waiting for him to continue. "Although it is true that Lord Voldemort is gone, I cannot deny that safety will not be restored." Some people gave a slight shudder at the name, while others looked grave. "For this reason, it is essential that I ask for your help once again."
There were murmurs of agreement around the table.
"I do thank you," Dumbledore smiled, "Miss Vance," he turned to a stately looking witch on his right wearing an emerald green shawl. "I would like you to continue working for the Daily Prophet. You will be at the advantage getting any information anyone may write in."
She looked slightly dismayed hearing this, but sighed, "Of course."
Dumbledore's eyes scanned between a tall, bald, black wizard with a hoop earring and Moody, "Mr. Shacklebolt and Moody. You are both established with the Auror office, which is where I would greatly appreciate for you to continue."
Shacklebolt gave a nod and said nothing, while Moody grunted a response which everyone took to be acceptance. On the other side of Moody sat a square-jawed wizard with thick straw colored hair. He seemed to be around the same age as Lupin and Victoria. "Mr. Podmore, I have heard that you are now in the Department of Mysteries."
"That's right," he gave Dumbledore a smile, "just got promoted last week."
"Congratulations, I believe that will be a very… agreeable place for you."
"Thank you sir." Podmore beamed.
Dumbledore looked around the rest of the people at the table. One man Victoria recognized from her first night in London, but didn't know. He looked too big for the room with wild hair and a beard to match. He was smiling back at Dumbledore in admiration as if he were privileged just to be there. "Hagrid," Dumbledore smiled at the wild looking man.
"Professor." Hagrid beamed back.
"You have been the greatest gamekeeper Hogwarts has ever had. If you would, I would like to keep you on."
Hagrid blushed slightly at the compliment, " 'O course. Hogwarts is my home."
There was a man sitting close to the back of the room, partially in the shadows which made Victoria wonder about him. His hair and beard were as long as Dumbledore's but darker. He looked at Dumbledore with an air of contempt, a look that she couldn't understand being given to the older man. "Aberforth." Dumbledore said simply giving the man a curt nod.
"Albus." Aberforth looked at him as if daring Dumbledore to ask him to do said no more, choosing to go to the next person. Victoria wondered about the story between those two, but knew better than to voice her question.
A silver-haired wizard sat next to Remus. He looked to be about Dumbledore's age, yet he had many more lines on his face giving him the appearance of a much older man. "Elphias, my old friend." Dumbledore smiled speaking as if they were the only two in the room, "How is the Wizengamot treating you?"
"As good as ever." Elphias wheezed back.
"Good, good."
Dumbledore moved on, looking to Remus and Victoria. She wasn't sure what he would say about the two of them. She liked her job at the Leaky Cauldron, but also wished that she could do something different. She had no idea what exactly Remus had been doing before he and Sirius had gone into hiding, but she hoped to find out now. "As for the youngest members," Dumbledore gave the two an approving look. "Victoria, you are our only resource in Diagon Alley, therefore I would like your help in continuing on there."
She was slightly disappointed, hoping to do something different, but she knew he was right, "No problem."
"Mr. Lupin."
"Professor," Remus nodded.
Next he looked to his left where a strange looking wizard in a purple hat sat, "Mr. Diggle, it's good to see you here tonight."
"You as well professor." He answered in a slightly squeaky voice.
"As you know Lily and James Potter were killed not too long ago." Dumbledore's face suddenly took on a grave look.
"I had heard that, yes." Diggle squeaked a tear forming in the corner of his eyes.
"I would like you to take on an enormous task. The Potter's son Harry has been sent to live with his aunt and uncle in Little Whinging, I need you to look after the boy. However, it is imperative that you are not noticed by him."
Diggle looked slightly disappointed when he heard that he could not be noticed but nodded, "I will."
Dumbledore said nothing more; instead he looked around the table again. "I commend everything you have done and hope that you will continue with our mission. It is true that the times ahead will seem quiet to us all, but I implore you to remember what we have been through. With any luck this will give us the advantage when it happens again."
The first witch he spoke to looked startled for a moment, "When it happens again? Are you saying that the Dark Lord will come back?"
"I'm afraid I do not have the answer to that at the present time, however, I would beseech you to keep your guard up."
She nodded still looking slightly alarmed.
"If that is all, I will wish everyone a happy Christmas and thank you again for coming."
Victoria watched as most of the Order apparated away, choosing to leave as quickly as possible to return to their families. Victoria caught Moody by the arm before he had a chance to apparate out. "Moody, I'd like to ask something."
He gave her a curt nod and she followed him to a table in the far corner of the pub, away from the few order members that had chosen to stay. "What is it?" He grunted in a rather disgruntled tone.
"I… I need to ask a favor of you." She said cautiously.
"Well what is it?"
"I have been to the Ministry already, but the man in the Department of International Magical Cooperation said that he couldn't help me. I was wondering if there was any possible way that you could maybe… pull a few strings?" She cast a nervous glance at him.
"Is there a time when you're going to tell me what you're rattling on about?" He asked slightly annoyed.
"I was adopted. My parents are from here. I've been trying to find them since I came here. However, the records are sealed so I can't get any information." She explained.
He studied her for a moment, "You say the records have been sealed?"
"Yes, apparently someone who dealt with the adoption didn't want the information out."
"Seems to me they had a reason." He grunted.
"That may be," she leaned forward in her chair her eyes pleading with him, "but this is my life. How can you really know yourself if you don't know where you come from?"
He shook head, sighing, "I'll see what I can do."
Victoria jumped out of her seat and made like she was going to hug the man, but caught herself at the last minute. "Thank you so much. You have no idea how much this means to me."
Moody grunted an incoherent reply and apparated away.
Victoria noticed that the small pub had basically cleared out leaving only her and Remus. She smiled at him sliding into a chair next to him, "Any plans for Christmas Remus?"
"Not this year. I've spent too much time with my parents as it is. I think they are tired of having me around." Sadness filled his hazel eyes as he answered.
"Why would you say that?" She asked curiously.
"My parents and I… never really got on. They don't trust me being what I am, especially when tomorrow is the full moon." He looked away nodding to the man behind the bar. Aberforth came over a moment later with two butterbeers.
"What about the Wolf's bane? You know I always make that for you."
"It doesn't matter. They saw what I could do when I was a boy. I cannot ask them to look past that now." He took a long pull from his mug after answering her.
Victoria shook her head; she couldn't understand how any parents could have so little faith in their child. Remus was so kind it made no sense how anyone could see him as any different. She looked at him, making sure she caught his eye, "You know you are always welcome with me."
"Thank you." He gave her a genuine smile. "I take it, you have no plans as well."
"You got it. My parents happen to be a continent away and I have no way of even contacting them. I do miss them at times, but I still feel I'm where I need to be." She shrugged taking a drink from her own mug.
Remus sat considering her offer for a while. Putting his empty mug on the table he took her hand, "Come on," he said pulling her up from the table, "no one should be alone on Christmas."
She smiled placing a few coins on the table for the drinks and disapparated with Remus.
…
Victoria awoke the next morning hearing the clanging of pots in the next room. For a second she almost bounded out of bed thinking that it was Sirius. Then reality hit her again and she realized that it was Remus who had spent the night in Sirius's bedroom.
She emerged from the room still dressed in her pj's and smiled at the sight in front of her. Remus had somehow managed to conjure up a full breakfast, eggs, bacon, sausage, and pancakes. She laughed lightly taking a seat at the breakfast nook, "Remus, how much do you think we're going to eat?"
"I didn't know how hungry you were this morning." He answered sheepishly grabbing a plate and filling it for her.
She smiled appreciatively, "Thank you."
"It was the least I could do. You gave me the first night away from my parents in over a year." He filled a plate for himself and took a seat next to her.
"Actually it's great to have you here. I didn't realize how much I really missed having someone around."
He smiled tucking into his plate. She thought about it for a second, knowing that he would most likely decline, but thought it couldn't hurt. "Remus… I know that it probably isn't proper, but if you would like to stay here…"
He was shocked, "Are you sure?"
"Like I said I know it's not proper, and you probably think that I'm crazy. I just thought that you wouldn't mind getting away from your parents, and I have the space…" She looked away afraid that she'd upset him.
"You really wouldn't mind?" He asked looking hesitant.
"Remus, you're like a brother to me. Let's face it, we both need some family that wants us around."
"You have a point." Remus thought about it for another moment. Although it probably wouldn't look proper to anyone else they both knew there was nothing between them, "Okay, I would like that."
She couldn't stop the smile that broke out on her face, "Good." She put her plate in the sink and then turned to her tiny Christmas tree. She picked up a package and handed it to Remus, "It's not much, but I hope you like it."
He eyed it curiously. "You didn't have to get me anything."
She shrugged, "I know, but I wanted to."
He tore the paper away revealing a slightly beat up book. The front cover held a picture of three figures, one was a man, the second a werewolf mid-change, and the third was a fully changed werewolf, the title read Hairy Snout, Human Heart. He didn't know what to say. If anyone else had gotten him the same thing he would have been offended, but from her he knew she meant well.
"I didn't want you to be offended." She said quickly seeing the curiosity on his face. "I actually read it first and thought it was great. I hope you like it."
He smiled, "It's great." He set the book aside and reached into his robes. She was curious, but kept watching. He took out a small package and pointed his wand at it. The small package grew and grew until it was nearly as long as the counter they were at. He handed it to her and watched as she tore away the paper. "It's not much either."
When she finished she was holding a broomstick. It was slender and had an ash handle which she recognized instantly as being the same as her wand. It looked like it had seen better days as there were some gashes in the handle and twigs stuck out at odd angles in the tail. Her eyes lit up as she looked at it, her very first broom. "How did you…"
"I saw you looking at them the other day. You had said that you never had one when you were younger and I knew you wanted one. I figured since I never use mine that someone could get some use out of it."
She threw her arms around him, "Remus, you really are the best."
"Don't say that until you've tried it. It's only a Moonstripper so don't get too excited."
"I don't care. I think it's great." She released him from her embrace. "Merry Christmas Remus."
"Happy Christmas." He smiled back at her.
…
It didn't take long for Remus to move in. Within a few weeks the two had a routine going fairly well. The only difference between her routine with Remus versus the one with Sirius was that Remus would usually accompany her at Flourish and Blotts for a few hours when he had the chance. He had gotten a job at the stationary shop in Diagon Alley, it was a short trip for him and it seemed to be a good fit for him. Luckily the owners didn't know about his "furry little problem" yet. Victoria loved having someone else around but she couldn't help but feel slightly jittery waiting for Moody to give her any information about her parents.
One afternoon while Remus was gone she heard a knock on her door. She opened it to see Moody, looking slightly more grisly than he'd looked the last time she'd seen him. More scars crossed his face and a large gash, that looked rather fresh, ran down his neck. He pushed past her into the living area. She laughed lightly, "Good afternoon Moody."
"Victoria." He grunted in response leaning against the arm of a chair. He sighed as he pulled a file out of his robes, "I really shouldn't be showing you this."
Her eyes lit up when she saw the folder, "Is that what I think it is?"
He nodded, "I still say there was a reason they did this. You may not like the truth."
"I know." She gave him a defiant look, "I never said I would like the truth, but it's much easier to deal with than a lie."
He shook his head and handed over the file. "You're not going to find out much."
She flung opened the file and saw that there was only one paper inside, but most of the writing on it had been blacked out. She scanned it quickly hoping to find anything. Confused, she read it over again, and then a third time. When she realized that there was virtually nothing on the paper she looked up at Moody, "What is this?"
He sighed, "I said there wasn't much to find. I did everything I could, but I did find this." He crossed over to where she stood and took out his wand. He pointed it at a line of writing, suddenly the black line formed into one word. Across from where it said Mother's Maiden Name it now read McGonagall.
She looked up at him as if she wanted to hug him again, but restrained herself. "Moody how can I ever thank you?"
He growled something indistinct sounding vaguely like, "Don't go searching." Instead he said, "Just be cautious. Remember constant vigilance." He turned and walked out the door without another word, leaving her alone once more. If she would have had the choice she would've left that moment on her search, but sadly work interfered once more.
…
As soon as he left Victoria's flat Moody decided to make an impromptu stop at Hogwarts to speak with a particular professor. He apparated just outside the gates and started up the long road. The only sound he could hear was the quiet crunching of the gravel under his feet as he walked. Getting closer to the castle he could finally hear the voices of the many students milling around the grounds. It was after classes were over for the afternoon so Moody was sure the talk that he was there would be around the school before he even made it to the first floor. He nearly smiled as he watched the nervous glances the students shot him, never having seen an auror around the school grounds before. Choosing not to acknowledge anyone he continued his way to the third floor. He turned down a corridor and found himself in the transfiguration classroom.
Minerva McGonagall had been grading papers at her desk, preferring to stay in her classroom for a while before returning to her private office so that any student with questions could come in. She was surprised when she looked up and found her old school mate Alastor Moody in front of her desk. A smiled crossed her lips as she set her quill in the ink bottle, "Alastor, I wasn't expecting you." She got up from her seat and moved around the desk to give him a hug.
He chuckled lightly, "Don't let the kids see you do that. Your reputation of the cold strict professor would be ruined."
She laughed pulling away from him, "What are you doing here?"
He sighed taking a seat at one of the tables, "I have to ask you something Minerva."
"Surely." She looked at him curiously, leaning against a table across from him.
"Do you have a daughter?" He asked bluntly, not knowing any way to soften the blow."
Minerva was obviously rattled. She nearly slid to the floor losing her balance, but catching herself and sliding into a chair. "Why… Why do you ask?" her voice was shaky.
"I have been helping out a friend. I pulled some strings and got her adoption records and found your last name on them." He answered staring her down.
"I… I… It could be anyone. I'm sure there are other women with my last name." She stuttered unable to look him in the eye.
"You and your brothers are the only ones I know with that name and it was under the mother's maiden name."
Her hand shook as she rubbed it over her face. "How much does she know?"
"Nothing." He said in a lowered voice, she hadn't answered him, but he knew what he needed to. "She has been looking for you for a few years. She won't stop until she finds you."
Minerva sighed, "I never wanted this to happen. She was never supposed to find me."
"I'm sorry Minerva. I thought you should know." He said getting up from his place.
"Thank you Alastor." She stood giving him another hug. Pulling back she asked, "What's she like?"
"She'll find you, when it's time." He grunted walking away.
Minerva took her seat behind her desk again. She knew there was no possible way she would get any work done after their conversation, but it gave her the appearance if anyone came in. For the rest of the night she couldn't stop thinking about the little girl she'd given up so many years before.
…
Victoria thought, mistakenly, that once she had any information her quest would suddenly become easier. She had been meticulous going through anything she could find about the McGonagalls, she'd been to the Ministry, went through nearly every book in Flourish and Blotts, and had gone through anything she could get her hands on at the library. Sadly it took her another five years of research before she found anything. Finally she found a census in the library with the name that she'd been looking for. After this long she felt like jumping for joy, finally her pursuit had given her something. Looking at the book again she saw her next destination, Caithness Scotland.
The next day she thankfully had a day off from work, not thinking that she could have waited any longer. She was very grateful to Remus for giving her a broomstick for Christmas otherwise she didn't know how she was going to get there. It took her a few hours to fly there, but at least the scenery was beautiful. She couldn't help but be amazed by the lush green that she saw below her as she past the rolling fields. When she reached the northern coast, and checking the compass she'd attached to her broomstick, she knew she was in the right place. She stopped just outside of a village looking rather picturesque with its cobblestoned streets and brick buildings.
Once again she realized that she'd gone somewhere without an exact destination. She shook her head laughing at herself. Deciding to do what she normally did and just wing it she walked down what looked to be the main street, shrinking her broom and stowing it inside her muggle jacket.
She saw a pub a little way down the road and decided that it would be as good a place as anywhere to start. The sign above the door read "MacLeod's Est. 1910". She opened the door and found herself in a dark room with only one other person, a heavyset balding man with a plain grey t-shirt wiping down the bar. The man behind the bar smiled at her as she took a stool, "Good afternoon Miss. What can I get for you?"
"Actually," she smiled, "I was wondering if you knew anyone around here by the name of McGonagall."
The man thought for a moment, "Ah, you mean the preacher. Yeah, he lives just up the road. Last place before you hit the water."
"Thank you." She smiled at him again, pulling out a few bills and placing them down on the bar. No matter how long she'd lived away from the States, she couldn't help some habits.
She left the pub walking farther down the road. At the end of the road she came to a cottage. It was a miniscule brick building in multiple shades of cream and brown, a thatched roof rounded out the look.
She felt a surge of fear and excitement run through her as she stepped up to the door and knocked. A moment later an older woman stood in front of her. She had her once black, now greying, hair pulled back into a braid that fell across one shoulder. The woman's kind smile instantly calmed Victoria's nerves, "Afternoon miss." The woman said kindly, but also looked slightly curious.
Victoria plastered a smile on her face, swallowing back the fear that gnawed at her, "Good afternoon, are you Mrs. McGonagall?"
"I am." The woman eyed her now more curious.
"I'm sorry to bother you, but I was wondering if you had a daughter." Victoria said nervously.
"I do." The woman answered, her brow furrowing in confusion.
"I… I think she's my mother." Victoria stated plainly, realizing how crazy she must sound to the older woman.
"I'm sorry miss, but I think you have the wrong McGonagall's. My daughter has never had a child."
"Oh…" Victoria didn't know what to say, feeling like the little bubble of excitement in her had suddenly popped. "I'm sorry for taking up your time Mrs. McGonagall. Have a good day."
"You as well my dear, I hope you find what you're looking for." She gave Victoria a sympathetic smile.
Victoria turned away from the door willing herself not to cry as she heard the door close. She felt that she'd been so close to finding out who she was, only to be disappointed once more.
…
The trip back home seemed to take much longer than the trip there. Once she got home she collapsed on her bed pulling out the diary once more. She turned to the page she'd left off on.
December 25, 1958
Today is Christmas, a day of celebration right? Well for me it's just another day. I can't say that it's anyone's fault other than my own. I chose to not go home for the holidays, instead staying at the castle under some insane fantasy. I had thought for sure that once I'd been caught under the mistletoe with a certain professor that it would change things between us. Unfortunately I had been partially right, it had changed things between us, but not for the better. He hasn't spoken even a word to me since it happened and seems to be unable to look at me. I don't know how much longer I can go through this. I think tomorrow I'm just going to go to his office. Maybe, just maybe he really wants to talk to me, but is afraid to. I'll just say I'm dropping by for a chess match. We've played chess since my third year so it's a perfectly valid reason. That's it, I'll go to him instead of waiting for him. I guess it's true, you just have to go for what you want.
Victoria read over the last sentence a few times. 'I did go for what I want.' She thought to herself bitterly, 'Now what do I do?' With that thought running through her mind she fell asleep.