Disclaimer: I own nothing. It's all for fun! Oh an I love this son. I felt it just fit.
A/n: This song was just right I think. Hope this is good.
Chapter 21: Sisters are Doing it for Themselves
At breakfast Sunday morning, Correna received a very odd letter. She recognized the hand writing as her father's and quickly left for the Transfiguration room so she could read it. She sat in her usual spot in the empty classroom and quickly tore open the letter.
Darling Ice Princess,
I know this is odd getting a letter from me, but this information is very important. I want you to know that I am very proud of all the accomplishments you've already achieved in your short time here. Your mother is ecstatic to here you are the Slytherin beater. She also loved the game last week. She only hopes you don't beat her lions to hard.
The real reason for this letter though is to tell you that you may tell Mr. Crabbe, Mr. Watson, and Miss Kingston about your family if you wish. Your mother and I believe that if you feel they can be trusted then they can be brought into our circle. You may also invite them to spend the Christmas Holidays with us if you'd like and/ or the summer. I expect a letter by the end of the coming week informing me of their decision.
All my love,
Daddy
Correna read the letter through two more times before she felt a hand on her shoulder. She knew who it was just by the way the hand rested on her.
"Is this real?"
"It is my black cat. He believes you can be trusted with telling them if you deem it right," Professor McGonagall nodded.
"When should I do it?"
"When ever you feel it right. Why don't you take sometime to yourself and think about it?"
"Yes…I suppose that would be for the best."
The child nodded. She gave her mother a tight hug and walked off to the library. She was always able to think in there.
I can't believe he's letting me tell them. What happens if they tell someone? What if they don't want to be my friends anymore? What if Vulcan breaks up with me? These and many other thoughts floated through her mind, and by lunch time she had made a decision. No matter what the consequences she was going to tell her friends tonight.
She met them up outside of the Hall after lunch and asked them to meet her on the seventh floor ten minutes before dinner that night. They agreed and all went their separate ways. Three had homework to finish, they had the feeling this would take awhile, and one went to her private potions lesson.
Not long after her family realized there wasn't a way to get her to sleep more than a few hours they decided to make the best of it. Since she wanted to be the best and was a prodigy they put her to work. Thanks to some favors Correna had slowly been working to her degrees. It may sound odd but….she was rather unexplainable.
Later that day at 5:50pm, Correna met her two best friends and boyfriend in front of a tapestry of a large troll.
"Well we're here, what did you want to talk about," Garner asked?
"Not here," Correna said shaking her head.
She began walking in front of the tapestry mumbling to herself.
"I think your girl has finally gone off the deep end," Garner said to Vulcan.
"It's plausible," he replied as Correna passed the same stretch of wall a third time. Only this time as she did a large door appeared.
"Well come on hurry up then," Correna said as she opened the door. The three dazed children obliged and walked into the strangest room. The room was lined with books of many different shapes and sizes, a coffee table sat in a dip in the middle of the room with four rather plush cushions around it.
"What is this place?" Garner asked in wonder.
"It's been known as many things, but more commonly as the Room of Requirement. It's always equipped for the seeker's needs. You just walk in front of the tapestry of the troll three times think of what you need and… it appears," Correna explained, "I brought you here because I have a story to tell that must never leave the confidence of us unless I say so."
The three looked to each other and then Correna.
"If it's that important I agree," Garner said and the other two agreed.
"Then please sit down and prepare yourself for quite a shock," she replied sitting down on one of the cushions. The others followed suit and waited as Correna pulled a photo album from her book bag.
"This is my private family album. I made it two years ago with Aunt Mia. It's one of the few things I have left of her," Correna sighed placing the album where they could see. It read: The Lives of the Professors and their Babes.
"But I thought Mia was your mum," Garner said confused.
"That's our cover story," she said opening the book to the first page. She pointed at a wedding picture.
"That's my real mum and dad."
The three looked at the picture of the couple. The picture was vibrant and they could tell the bride's hair was very dark than the groom's was silver. The man had a huge grin on his face and had half moon spectacles while the woman had a demur smile and square spectacles. She was wearing a cream dress with a lace up bodice, slightly off the shoulder and long sleeved with a few beads sewn on it for decoration. He was wearing a wonderful set of black dress robes and both looked completely in love with the other.
"B-but this can't be right! That's the headmaster and p-pro…."
"Professor McGonagall," Correna finished, "Minerva and Albus are my true parents and Aberforth is my true uncle. Mia was my aunt."
Lizzie, Garner, and Vulcan sat in complete silence for several minutes. All were letting this new information set in.
Twenty minutes later the silence was broken. "So you lied to me to them to all of us? You lied and kept secrets to protect your family I'm guessing," Crabbe said eyeing Correna.
"Until father is certain Voldemort…" The three children twitched. "Until father is certain he is dead," she continued rolling her eyes, "they can not admit their marriage nor claim us. We live in hiding coming out only as nieces and nephews to Albus and friends of Minerva. Sometimes we can be a family but we must always be on the lookout for enemies. And even after he's gone…we'll still have to be on guard. Dumbledores and McGonagalls have always been pillars of light so they have many enemies," she explained.
"So why tell us now?"
"I am intrusting you with this because I trust you. And because I do father and mother and the family does. I beseech you to never tell a soul, even if you do not wish to be acquainted with me anymore."
"I don't know about the others but I have no reason not to want to be with you," Vulcan replied, "I love you."
"I love you too," she smiled and lightly kissed his lips.
"I love you too, but I don't want a kiss," Lizzie laughed giving her friend a hug.
"Hey I love her too, and I think I'd like a kiss as long as Crabbe doesn't object," Garner impishly replied.
"Nothing tricky," Vulcan nodded.
"Don't you trust me?" Correna laughed walking over to Garner.
"You yes. Him no," Vulcan quipped.
"You wound me deep," Garner said looking offended.
"Oh shut up and come here," Correna laughed and lightly kissed his lips.
"Mmmm tastes like chocolate," Garner sighed sitting back on the cushion.
"That's what he said after our first kiss," Correna giggled as Vulcan grabbed her wrist and pulled her onto his lap.
"And it was the best ever," he grinned crushing her lips against his.
"Hate to interrupt, but if your parents are the teachers does that mean we can't come over for the summer?" Lizzie asked snapping the couple back to reality.
"Actually it means you can come for summer and for Christmas if you want to. You already know the cousins and their parents," Correna replied.
"We do?" Garner asked confused.
"Don't tell me Vi, Annie, Penny, and the boys other half of parents' are teachers," Vulcan groaned.
"So naïve to think secrets are the students alone," Correna laughed ruffling his slicked back hair. She flipped a few pages in the book and showed off the wedding pictures of her aunts and uncles.
"I knew it! I knew her hair and skin weren't from Hooch," Garner said triumphantly.
"He's right," Vulcan said looking at a picture of Snape, Vi, and Corri building a sandcastle together, "If Victoria had black eyes she'd be like a female version of the Professor. What'd he say when she got sorted into Ravenclaw?"
"He said 'at least I know she's smarter than her mother' to which Aunt Mara threw a coffee mug at his head and was sleeping alone for three days," she laughed.
"So who's the Pomfrey boys' dad? I don't think he's a teacher" Garner asked. He was looking at a picture of a tall brunette man with green eyes holding what looked to be a six month old baby Correna and there were three small five year olds pulling on his pants leg trying to see the baby. They were standing in front of a large Christmas tree.
"Bernard Quinton Pomfrey Sr. Uncle Barney to us," she sighed, "he worked at the Ministry in the Auror Department as a tracker. He would use strategies, patterns, and the like to pinpoint where the death eaters were moving to. It was his help that caught a lot of notorious wizards and witches. He was so successful that the Dark Lord found it necessary to put a stop to him, this was the last photo ever taken of him. He was killed a week later on an ambush outside of London."
"We're so sorry," Lizzie said.
"No it's all right. I was a long time ago," she smiled.
"So how many people besides us know about the secret lives of the professors," Garner asked?
"Uh…well both Dumbledore and McGonagall families of course. Then there's a few of the governors, Alastor Moody, the Flammels, Hagrid, Trelawney, Vector, Kettleburn, Dr. Arbor and his family, and Sinistra," she counted.
"Wow," Lizzie gasped, "we've been entrusted with one of the most guarded secrets in the wizarding world!"
"And imagine what everyone will say when they find out you knew. They'll probably beg you for news interviews," Vulcan laughed. The others joined in before the wall clock striking 8:00pm interrupted them.
"Awe man we missed dinner," Garner grumbled.
"That's okay," Correna said as she stood up and walked over to a nearby wall. She pulled a long cord and sat back down as two house elves popped up in front of them.
"Guys meet the family elves Millie and her husband Tillie," she introduced the elves sitting back in Vulcan's lap.
"Hi," the three greeted.
"Hello Masters and Mistresses. What can Tillie and Millie bes doing for Mistress Rena and her friends," Tillie asked as he and his wife bowed low.
"We kind of missed supper," Corri explained, "Could you bring us some supper and tell mummy and daddy we're in the R.O.R.?"
"We wills Mistress Rena. Wes bes backs fast," the elves replied and disappeared with a pop. They reappeared minutes later with two trays of food and a letter.
Correna stood up from Vulcan and quickly read the letter before throwing it in the fire.
"Bad news?"
"No."
"Then what is it?"
"A warning. We have thirty minutes to eat and be out of here before Flitch comes."
The friends quickly ate their supper and left the room watching as the door disappeared before them.
"Come on," Corri exclaimed and started running down the hall.
They followed her all the way to the gargoyle that guarded the headmaster's office. "Mint Chocolate!" she said and ran up the steps; the others following behind. They entered the Headmaster's office and went straight for the book case; Correna pulled on a copy of Tales of Beadle the Bard and waited for it to move aside. They entered the corridor and followed it to a large door with the Hogwarts crest. She knocked and Severus answered the door. The three children behind Correna stared open-mouthed.
"You're early. The others have yet to arrive."
"I received a warning."
"Then please come in."
Correna took his offered hand and stepped into the large sitting room. The others slowly followed not really sure of what to expect.
"Well sit down somewhere," she said as she flopped on a couch with Snape. He put a loving arm around her shoulders. They obliged and all sat together on another couch.
"So how'd they take it sister?"
"Fairly well brother. Who are we expecting?"
"Many have work tonight. It will be your parents, my wife, the kids, and the cousins."
"Shall I retrieve them?"
"If you like. I believe they are all in the boys' room." She nodded and entered a dark blue door leaving the friends alone with the Professor.
"Mr. Crabbe you can relax in here. We are not Professors in this room but the parents of friends," Snape replied.
"Yes sir," he nodded, "forgive me but it's a little much to take in."
"I can see that," Snape nodded. Correna then came out of the room with six children shyly hiding behind her or clinging to her arms.
"Sorry but they get a little shy of new people," she explained introducing everyone.
"That's okay," Lizzie nodded and gave them an encouraging smile. A little red-head of six pulled on her sister's robe.
"What is it baby?" Corri softly asked kneeling to her level.
"I-is that the b-boy from Italy?"
"It is. Why don't you go say hi," Corri smiled pushing the young girl toward her boyfriend.
The girl slowly walked up to the black-haired boy and hesitantly looked in his onyx eyes.
"Hello," Vulcan greeted, "you must be Tabitha."
She nodded. "Correna is always talking about you. She tells me you are six…right?"
"Yes sir," the girl nodded.
"You are a very pretty six year-old. If you were older I think Correna would have some problems," he chuckled and winked at Correna. She winked back as her little sister blushed furiously.
"T-thank you sir. Mama Cor said you'd be nice to us," the child replied, "I remember you from Italy. You were always really nice to Mama Cor. She says you're her boyfriend," Tabitha replied.
"I am," he nodded.
"Then you should know we don't like people messing with her. She protects us; we protect her... so watch it," Jonathan growled pulling Tabitha away and sitting next to Correna.
"That was rude John," Correna snapped but smiled and kissed his head.
"Don't worry I only want to protect her too," Vulcan replied.
Two of the boys nodded and quickly stood up as their parents, Madam Hooch, and the cousins entered the room. None of them noticed the three friends.
"Uggh dad I'm so sick of being nice to him. Can't I just jinx Aslan and be done with it?" Victoria asked as she sat at his feet.
"No you may not. I will not have my child turning into her father."
"Yes sir," she sighed as BJ sat next to her and kissed her cheek.
"Don't worry about it Vi. He'll get what's coming to him."
"BJ I hope you aren't thinking what I think you are."
"No actually I was going to make it legal."
"Well I guess if I can't you can."
"I'll be glad to ref," Correna interjected.
"Most helpful. I say behind the Quidditch pitch after class is best for not getting caught," Professor Dumbledore replied as he and McGonagall sat next to Correna.
"Hello children," Minerva greeted. It was then the cousins noticed the three new comers.
"Uh….uh…"
"It's okay they know."
"Oh well welcome to the circle then," Penny smiled.
"Thanks," Garner nodded, "so what are we here for?"
"Karaoke!" the cousins exclaimed as a large TV and karaoke machine appeared in front of them. The family and friends spent the rest of the night goofing off with each other just enjoying the company.
Half way through the night everyone had sung a song or at least attempted a song except Correna.
"Come on Corri sing," Lizzie pleaded.
"Yeah you can't be as bad as Professor Snape and Madam Hooch," Garner replied.
"You're lucky he's being nice right now," Corri laughed.
"Well…come on anyway. If you can catch a snitch while hitting a bludger at thirty miles surely you can sing a song," Garner persisted.
Everyone gave Corri a look and she bowed her head. "If I must I must. But if so then I request assistance."
"You have whoever you want," Albus replied.
"Then I want mother, Vi, Andi, and Penny." The ladies agreed and followed her in the kitchen while Severus set up the machine.
"What's this all about?" Vulcan asked confused.
"You three just sit down and enjoy the show," Hooch answered. They agreed and sat on the couch as Snape pressed the play button. It was then they heard a marvelous sound.
Now there was a time when they used to say
That behind every - "great man."
There had to be a - "great woman."
But in these times of change you know
That it´s no longer true.
So we´re comin´ out of the kitchen
The ladies came out of the kitchen swaying their hips with bells on their wrists and aprons around their waist. Correna was singing lead and the others were back up.
Sisters are doin´ it for themselves. Now this is a song to celebrate
´Cause theres somethin´ we forgot to say to you (we say)
Standin´ on their own two feet.
And ringin´ on their own bells.
Sisters are doin´ it for themselves.
The conscious liberation of the female state!
Mothers - daughters & their daughters too.
Minerva and Correna shared a look and went to ALbus and Vulcan; toying with them.
Sisters are doin´ it for themselves. Now we ain´t makin´ stories
Woman to woman
We´re singin´ with you.
The "inferior sex" got a new exterior
We got doctors, lawyers, politicians too.
Everybody - take a look around.
Can you see - can you see - can you see
Theres a woman right next to you.
Standin´ on their own two feet.
And ringin´ on their own bells.
Sisters are doin´ it for themselves.
And we ain´t layin´ plans
´Cause a man still loves a woman
And a woman still loves a man
(Just a same though)
As they finished their song and dance the three friends remained silent while the family applauded them.
"Uh is there something wrong?" Penny asked the three.
"That was…Bloody Amazing! I didn't know you could sing and move like that. Fantastic," Garner exclaimed!
"You were really good," Lizzie said.
"Thanks," Corri grinned and the others nodded.
"What about you Crabbe," Garner nudged?
"Y-you…that was….you were the little girl from the Charms class!? I thought I had dreamed it because I never saw you again," he stammered.
"I couldn't be seen. Are you mad?"
"No, on the contrary now I know you're perfect," he grinned pulling her close and kissing her head.
"Well I think it's too late for this many children to be out of bed…so everyone will camp out in the living room and being that tomorrow is Monday I hope you are all on time for classes," Albus said as Hooch and Snape left.
The children agreed as Millie and Tillie appeared with pajamas and a set of robes for everyone. They all spent the night in the rooms just having fun and getting the newbies used to them.
Happy Times with friends! Don't you just love karaoke? Review!!
If you liked this I may add more karaoke and Correna singing in other chapters.