Authors Note: I should probably warn you that there are only three chapters left after this one. I'll explain to you what I'm planning to do for the next (and final) installment in the series at the end.

Chapter -:Twenty Five:-

Disbelief, Doubt, Surprise, Shock- Get The Picture?

Time passed. I was a whirlwind of motion, flitting here and there, with no down time what-so-ever. I was doing everything I could, taking in information and allowing my powers to flourish to their full extent. I had a limb in everything I could; working hard in school, getting even more familiar with my affinity for Fire, keeping an ear out for news, and most importantly; carefully watching my visions for signs of what was to come.

Gazzy and Angel continued to studiously sneak their way amongst the unsuspecting students of Hogwarts, stealthily picking up any information they could. I was proud of them, and they seemed content that they were doing something. Anything. I think it was harder than they let on, not being able to be there like we could, just because of their age. I wish Dumbledore would make some sort of exception, but of course not. I really didn't like that dude.

So you can imagine my reaction when I received a scroll in the middle of lunch that requested my presence in his office. At first I scoffed, tossing it onto the table in front of me. Shaking my head I continued eating, ignoring its gloating place, just brushing against my hand.

"What did it say?" Nudge demanded, noticing the note for the first time. She smiled brilliantly up at me, her teeth flashing. Slowly but surely she was returning to her normal, pre-Winnie's departure self. She missed her mentor, but she was coping, just like Iggy.

"Something about meeting Dumbledore," I replied offhandedly, shoveling more food into my mouth with a shrug.

"Ooh! How exciting. I wonder if it's like what Harry does with him. That would be SO cool. When, when, when?" Nudge jumped up and down in her seat, causing her hair to flip into her face. She brushed it back automatically, hardly noticing the interference.

"Now."

"Then why are you still here?" she shrieked, looking aghast.

"Because I want to finish eating first," I said in a 'duh' tone. What did she really expect? That I was going to jump right up to do his bidding? As if.

In truth I was contemplating not going at all, but I figured that might be frowned upon. And if I was being honest with myself I was also a little curious as to what the Headmaster had to say. We didn't have a wonderful history of getting along, after all.

So that's why, when lunch ended, I found myself dragging my feet towards Dumbledore's office; albeit reluctantly.

I took my sweet time doing it though, even though I knew it probably wouldn't frazzle him in the slightest. I had never seen him unruffled in my entire time knowing him, aside from when Harry and I had found ourselves in the Triwizard Tournament years ago. Did anything bother him? Because if so, I would love to find out. It would be a useful weapon.

Sullenly I muttered the password, carefully making my way up the stairs. Once inside his office I didn't catch immediate sight of Dumbledore. I was too immersed in examining the many odd contraptions he had lying about. It took me by surprise, considering I hadn't been in the room in quite some time.

Then my attention was diverted once more at the sight of the two fiery birds perched side by side in the corner. Slowly I approached, brows furrowed.

Fawkes ruffled his feathers upon my approach, staring languidly at me with intelligent eyes. The other shifted in place as well, dipping its head in my direction as if acknowledging my presence.

"Ena?" I inquired, stretching out my arm. She spread her brilliant wings, swooping around in a circle over my head before settling onto my shoulder. Her beak opened, a low note escaping. I instantly felt appeased, calmed by her song.

"They've seemed to attract quite a companionship," a voice said from behind me. I swiveled my head around, looking at Dumbledore. His expression was tender, his face lined with age.

"I can imagine why. I bet they don't often see another of their kind," I replied softly, gasping slightly as Ena took off again, landed back beside Fawkes. I gazed at them in wonder, two beings of light beside each other.

"That they do not. A phoenix is extremely rare to come by. You're lucky to have Ena," Dumbledore said, telling me nothing I didn't already know.

"Yeah. I bet she's happy to have Fawkes though. They're like family," I responded, suddenly wistful. I missed Mom and Ella. I hadn't seen or spoken to them in so long.

"Family," Dumbledore stated, his voice carrying from across the room. I turned to see him behind his desk, gesturing for me to take a seat. "It seems we've hit upon exactly what I requested your attendance for."

"What does family have to do with anything?" I inquired, for once doing as he said without complaint. I sank into the high backed chair, cocking my eyebrow at him.

"Family has to do with everything," he said wisely.

"Well . . . yeah. I mean, I'd be nowhere without my flock. Or my mom and Ella," I said slowly, still unsure of where this was coming from. I mentally tacked on Jeb, though not for positive purposes.

"Tell me Maximum, have you ever wondered how you and your flock can do magic? Wondered from what side of the family the power running through your veins comes from?" he asked, changing direction.

"Um . . . not really. Actually, no. I'm sure it's crossed our minds once in awhile. We never really talked about it though." Now that I was saying it, it did seem strange that we never wondered about the heritage that allowed us to be wizards. Not until now.

Dumbledore stared at me placidly.

"I'm guessing not from my mom?" I inquired. "She would have told me by now. She knows I'm a wizard."

"Valencia has no magical background, you are correct." How did he know who Mom was? "Your father, Jeb, is where the talent comes from." How does he know Jeb?

"Jeb is a wizard?" I asked incredulously, my jaw dropping. This was news to me.

"I'm afraid not. He was born a Squib. He did his best to unlock his magical potential . . . but to no avail. I can see his stubbornness and determination in you, Maximum. You're not so different. Not as you would like to believe," Dumbledore said calmly.

"How do you know so much about Jeb?" I demanded.

"I'm going to tell you something Maximum, something that may come as a surprise to you. I ask you to consider the truth in my words. Don't act rashly."

"What is it?" I asked suspiciously.

"I know so much about Jeb because he's my son," Dumbledore said bluntly, gazing at me with liquefied, piercing eyes.

I stared at him. And stared and stared and stared. My face stayed perfectly blank as his claim set in; letter by letter . . . word by word . . . And then I laughed. And laughed and laughed and laughed.

"You're not serious are you?" I wheezed between guffaws.

He stayed silent, allowing me to ride out my hysterics. When I wiped the last tear from my eye I looked at him again, taking in his flawlessly calm demeanor. That's when I knew he was serious . . . that he was telling the truth.

"But that . . . that would mean you're my grandfather," I stated, on varying levels of disbelief.

"That I am, Maximum."

I shook my head in denial, scoffing. "No you're not!" I shouted, jumping to my feet. "You're lying. You're . . . you're not related to me. In any way. That traitor isn't your son! He can't be. He . . . he worked for the School. He . . . no. I don't believe you!"

I was growing hysterical, but in an entirely different way than before.

"Maximum please. If you could calm down, we can speak rationally about-"

"I don't want to calm down!" I screeched. "You're sitting here trying to fill my head with lies. You're not my grandfather. You're . . . You can't be. I still have trouble admitting whether or not Jeb is actually my father. Believe me, I question it every day of my life. Who does that to their child? If you were my grandfather . . . then why did you let him?"

"Your father doesn't speak to me. Our ties with each other were severed long ago. He is on the correct path now, Maximum. He's righted his ways."

"Well sorry, but it's a little too late in my books. I won't forgive him. I can't."

I stalked away, not looking back. When I got to the door I paused, letting the hefty silence and his claim settle between us. I opened my mouth to say- what? What did I have to say? Nothing. Snapping it shut once more I fled on my fight or flight instinct, knowing there was nothing left for me to fight for.

- }{ -

I was out of breath by the time I reached the sands of the Black Lake shore, shuddering to a halt as the grains sprayed around me. The air was chilly, but I barely noticed the shivers wracking my body. I couldn't discern whether they were from the cold or the words still rebounding in my head.

I dropped to my knees, curling into a ball. I set my chin in my hands, staring wordlessly into the horizon. The sun was barely blazing, dropping into the murky water in preparation of night.

Was he really my grandfather? I didn't know. Why would he lie about it? I didn't know.

I groaned in frustration, sighing heavily. That was the entire problem. I didn't know. I didn't know. I didn't know. When had I ever? It was all about guessing, and hoping you made the right decision. Trusting your head over your heart, or vice versa. That was what being a leader meant. When it came to personal things though, I couldn't seem to manage.

Maybe the real question here was: Did I want him to be telling the truth?

"Max!" someone shouted, and I turned my head to see Fang approached at a jog. His eyes were clouded with worry, his messy black hair falling into his eyes. He was too concerned to notice, though.

I nodded to him, looking back to the setting sun once more.

"What's wrong?" he demanded, crouching beside me. "I was out flying and I saw you running over here. Did something happen?"

I laughed bitterly. Did something happen? Yeah, something happened alright.

"What is it?" he asked, brushing a lock of blonde hair behind my ear, his fingers lingering at my cheek. I pressed closer to him, needing the comfort. I wished with everything that I had that no one else happened to walk by just then. Fang was the only one allowed to see me so insecure.

"I had a nice little chat with Professor Dumbledore," I informed him, my eyes darkening as I glanced away. He took my chin in my hands, forcing me to look into his eyes once more.

"What did he say?"

I sighed, closing my eyes. "He said Jeb was his son . . . that I was granddaughter. Can you believe it?"

Fang was silent, and finally I cracked an eye open to assess his expression. This time though, he was the one staring out into the surf, a thoughtful look on his face. Not the same disbelief, or surprise, or shock I felt. Contemplative.

"Fang?" I asked doubtfully, my eyes widening as I saw the confirmation in his eyes.

"It makes sense," he said slowly, as if the idea was becoming more convincing as it rolled around in his head.

"No it doesn't!" I insisted, gaping at him.

"Max, come on. I know you don't like him that much . . . but do you know how much everybody looks up to him? Harry practically worships the ground he walks on," Fang pointed out.

"I blame it on a lapse of good judgement," I said gruffly, the corner of my mouth dipping downwards.

"Max," Fang said reproachfully.

"Fang," I mocked him, pulling away.

He rolled his eyes, tucking me back into his chest. I laid my head on his shoulder, more calm now that he was present. To my mortification, a giggle escaped my lips as his mouth gently touched my neck, then my cheek as he ran his hand through my hair.

Throughout this whole transaction though, I knew I was starting to believe it.

Authors Note: Let THAT soak in. And yeah, it may seem super random to you, but I've had this planned since somewhere in the second story. Maybe even the first. I don't remember exactly, that's how long I've had the idea. So . . . review? I'm sure you have SOMEthing to comment on. Please?