Heads swivel as McGonagall strides down the aisle, looking angrier than Audrina has ever seen her. Students watch as she passes, exchanging startled looks. Audrina waits with anticipation to see who is going to be receiving the brunt of McGonagall's anger.
"Where," She asks, voice trembling. "Is Professor Carrow?"
"Which one?" Amycus asks lazily, taking his seat at the head table and spearing a piece of pork.
"I was under the impression that were one went, the other followed." McGonagall says bitingly. "But I was referring to your sister." He nods his head towards the small door behind the head table. Moments later, the round figure of Alecto appears, staring up at McGonagall without fear.
"Whatcha want?" She asks and most of the students look positively terrified at the disrespect she's treating McGonagall with.
"I want to know who gave you the authority to torture one of my students!" McGonagall thunders and whispers instantly break out. Audrina feels heat creeping up her cheeks.
"The Minister approves of proven techniques meant to keep the students in line and learning." Alecto states and McGonagall looks like a volcano long overdue to erupt. For a second she's quiet, seemingly too furious for words. Then she goes off, in stunning fashion.
"You are completely out of line! I don't know whom you think you are, some halfwit parading around as a professor, but I taught you and I know that you are only adept at one thing- stupidity." She spits. "If you attempt to lay a hand on my students again, I will show you that there are far worse spells than the ones you and your fellows cherish so much."
"Look around." Amycus hisses, his voice carrying over the silent hall. "Your favorite Dumbledore isn't in charge anymore- he's dead. You're nothing, McGonagall, nothing!"
"I would rather be nothing than to sink to the depths of you and your precious Dark Lord." She says icily then turns around and looks over the students until she finds Audrina and locks eyes. "My office." Then she sweeps out of the hall, making conversation return slowly, eyes always warily watching the Carrow's, who are breathing heavy, red in the face.
"I better go before they decide a repeat performance is in order." Audrina mutters, sliding out and hurrying from the hall, head down. The route to McGonagall's office is familiar and she doesn't need to think about it as she walks. Instead, she ponders why she's being punished for being punished. She knocks once, then proceeds in, looking at McGonagall nervously.
"Sit." She orders, organizing papers and not looking up. Audrina does so slowly with an impending sense that she's about to be in the Carrow's place. "Are you aware, Audrina, that typically the heads of each house meet with students to discuss their future career goals?" She asks.
"Yes." Audrina says hesitantly, unsure of where this is going.
"And are you aware that we didn't have this conversation last year, due to the end of the year events?" McGonagall presses on.
"Yes."
"I had a rather interesting conversation with Professor Slughorn today Audrina. It concerned you."
"Does he not want me in the 7th year class any more?" She asks worriedly.
"On the contrary, he was very impressed with your decision to study healing potions. He also conveyed to me that you said, along with several other things I won't discuss now, that you want to be a Healer." McGonagall peers down at her and Audrina shifts slightly.
"Yes." She admits. McGonagall appraises her for a long moment then nods, looking down at the papers.
"Well, I cannot say this choice surprised me." She mutters and Audrina's brow furrows as she looks at her, confused.
"Sorry, why?" She asks, unable to help herself. McGonagall looks up and her face softens as she appraises Audrina for a long moment.
"Your wand." She says softly and Audrina looks down at it, bewildered. "What wood is it?"
"Willow and dragon heartstring, 12 and three quarters inches, bendy." Audrina recites automatically, recalling in perfect detail the way Ollivander had looked at her as he had placed the wand in her hands.
"Do you know that willow wands have healing properties?" McGonagall questions and Audrina stares at her, flabbergasted. McGonagall smiles slightly. "I remember Ollivander telling me so." Audrina stares at her, befuddled at how she knows something like that.
"How do you-"
"So you receive excellent marks in potions." McGonagall talks over her and Audrina knows better than to try and fight it, sitting and listening. "Defense Against the Dark Arts, also very high. Charms, very good. I would like to see a little more focus in Transfiguration." She looks at her pointedly and Audrina grins. "You may carry on with any of your extra classes, but I feel Professor Slughorn is correct. Your focus on healing potions this year will be critical."
"Are you saying that I'm on the right track to be a healer?" Audrina asks carefully, trying not to get her hopes up.
"Yes." McGonagall confirms and there's a hint of a proud gleam in her eyes. "Can I ask why you chose this profession?" Audrina senses the underlying question beneath the politely phrased one.
"I don't want to be an Auror." She says quietly and McGonagall is quiet, listening closely. "I know that's what everyone thinks I'll do, since I'm so hell bent on proving that I'm not like my family. But what good's that going to do? I'll prove that I can curse people? Drag them to prison? What if I have to face an uncle, a cousin, someone that I knew?" Her voice cracks slightly as she reveals her deepest fear to McGonagall. "If I become an Auror, I'll be just like them. I can do good as a healer. I can help people, not hurt them."
"Well." McGonagall says and her voice sounds tight. "I will make sure your schedule will best prepare you." Audrina bobs her head. "And please, don't give them another reason to hurt you like today." A soft, pleading note has slipped into her tone and Audrina looks at her, another mother for the girl that left hers and can't help but to smile.
"Professor, they can't hurt me."