I'll be by your side, wherever you fall
In the dead of night, whenever you call
Please don't fight, these hands that are holding you
~By Your Side, Tenth Avenue North
A/N:
~Er... by "next time" I should have meant "next chapter" and chapter meaning the whole chapter. I didn't realise until I started writing it that I needed to add more sections than I thought I did before the reviews came in and got me thinking on a few things ;)
~For those who didn't watch the Emmys last night: Maggie Smith won the Best Supporting Actress In A Drama award for Downton Abbey! :D
Chapter 31 - Reflecting, Part I
November 14th, 1942:
She was running somewhere in a thick, dark forest, towards the banshee mauling Rolanda. Her wand flickered, sending a fiery blast that killed the monster. She rushed to her sister's side, but there was no movement from the hawk-eyed witch. She wasn't breathing. Minerva choked back a sob as she grabbed Rolanda's wrist, checking for a pulse, but there was no beat to be felt. Her sister was dead. Tears were in her eyes, but she could not feel them as they rolled down her face and dripped onto the ground below.
Before she knew it, she was running again, this time through the corridors of Hogwarts and towards the Transfiguration Department and Professor Dumbledore's classroom, noticing with horror that the door was ajar and the classroom mysteriously empty. Minerva looked around frantically for both professors and it felt like an age before she caught sight of them in the courtyard, with Galatea bleeding from multiple wounds all over her body.
Helena suddenly appeared alongside the elder witch, holding her close as tears streamed down her cheeks. She looked up at Minerva, her heartbroken grey eyes telling the young witch everything her heart seemed to already know.
"She didn't get to tell you..." the matron managed to whisper before breaking off with a quiet sob as Minerva took Galatea from her. Yet it wasn't her mentor that she looked down at this time; it was Helena, and they were in the Nightingale Headquarters Owlery alone. No-one burst through the door, no-one screamed, no-one spoke in hushed Gaelic words as she watched the life drift from the beloved woman in her arms and moisture once again leaked from her eyes that she could not feel. She closed them, letting the darkness and loneliness surround her.
"Minerva? Minnie? Darling, where are you?" Her mother's voice rang through her ears. Minerva's eyes snapped back open; she was a little girl again, in her room at the Manor. Isobel was near the door with an oddly calm and sincere expression.
"Come, darling," she said with a smile. "Let's go for a walk..."
Her hand stretched out beckoning her to come forth, yet before Minerva could reach her, a seething voice echoed in her ears and the scene faded.
"Do - not - start - that - with - me! You know bloody well that... A-Avrenim?"
Minerva awoke, her green eyes wide in horror, her heart thumping loudly. That last voice had been Galatea's, she was sure of it, although it sounded different than the voices in her dreams. It was louder and much clearer. She only caught a quick glimpse of Mico opening his eyes before the vivid dream-like sequence engulfed her once more.
She didn't know what was calling her. It felt like a combination of several things and they were all tied together with an event that was occurring, or was about to. She seemed to be drawn to whatever was happening, that it was something she needed to witness. With Minerva's wand in hand, the astral quickly rushed down the stairs, out of the portrait hole and carefully made her way to the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom. She charmed the door open and began to step inside when she heard Galatea's voice from within either her personal rooms or office.
"... doing here, Isobel?"
"That depends. Why do you think I am here?" Minerva's mother responded dryly, causing Avrenim to shudder.
Galatea countered with similar coldness. "It is not on behalf of Helena's well being, of that I am sure."
Isobel huffed. "I am glad she's alive." Yet, Avrenim noted that she didn't sound like it. "Oh, don't look so surprised, Galatea. I know you that would never truly recover if she died."
There was an acute, awkward silence that made the astral step a little closer to the door, wondering if she had missed something, before the professor spoke again.
"You did not come here to express false affection. Get to the point." Despite her tone being severe, a deep melancholy lingered.
"Who says it's false?"
"Tog dheth [Stop it]!" Galatea hissed, all previous sorrow clearly gone. "I do not have time to dance around your reasons for being here! State your point, or leave!"
There was no hesitation, nor did there seem to be any recognition of the professor's anger in Isobel's reply. "Where was my daughter for the five hours she was missing?"
"For two hours, Minerva was with Miss Pomfrey and I at the infirmary. Her friend requested her presence while waiting for the news of her mentor. She did not want to be alone if the worse happened," Galatea growled as if the pain was tearing at her heart. "As for the other three, what makes you think I know?" she asked cynically. "I am busy keeping the Untergang from inflicting their terror upon Britain, I do not have time to keep track of where your girl has been! So if that's all, then take your leave!"
Isobel hesitated before speaking, her voice unchanged. "You're talking as if we never meant anything."
"Is that not what you want, though?" Galatea's voice shook with outrage. "For me to pretend that everything you once meant to me, and all that I did for you, was for naught? That all three of your children mean nothing to me?" Her voice cracked. "What else do you want from me, Izzy? What else can you possibly want?"
The astral heard footsteps heading in her direction before they stopped and she leaned forward just a little more so she could hear the quiet words that were exchanged.
"I want you to stay away from my daughter and stop pretending that you can have everything you want," Isobel stated with a sickening amount of ease, "because you and I both know that's never going to happen."
"And what makes you think I am not doing that?" the professor glowered.
"I am under the... impression that she wants to spend time with you, especially after I received a letter saying that she's not coming to the Manor over the holidays." A shiver shot up Avrenim's spine at the tone Isobel was using- it was etched with a coldness that she had only heard from Tradisi.
"Do - not - start - that - with - me!" Galatea seethed, her voice trembling with each word so fiercely that it tugged at Avrenim, and before the astral knew what she was doing, she had opened the door. "You know bloody well that-!"
Both witch's heads turned, but before they could get a good glimpse of the intruder, she faded. Yet the professor's voice still rang clear as the sound of Minerva's wand hitting the floor reverberated through her ears.
"A-Avrenim?"
Despite the pounding headache that greeted her, the green-eyed witch sat up quickly, scrambling around her nightstand for one item in particular, but her suspicion was proven correct. Her wand was gone.
"Oh no..." Minerva whispered, as a feeling of dread came over her. Her mother visiting Galatea was bad enough, not just because Avrenim's presence had possibly alerted Isobel to the fact that Minerva had a personal relationship with the professor, but also because it would create more trouble for her guardian. The elder witch had already been through so much as of late.
She wasn't sure what to do; leaving the dormitory to be with Galatea would undoubtedly cause more of a scandal in Isobel's eyes and worsen the situation, but on the other hand, if she didn't it would leave her mentor to fend for herself. She decided that- in the end -it would be best to not stir up any more trouble, however, she'd be damned if she didn't at least send her a quick message of support.
The witch grabbed her mirror and sent a long, steady pulse, praying that her mentor would understand. She hoped that Avrenim hadn't scared Galatea into thinking she was in danger, and that this would remedy it. There was nothing else she could do for the time being.
Minerva shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. She didn't want to think about her mother, it just led her mind back to the dream; her dead sister, guardian, and healer, then her mother trying coax her to take a walk she knew that she wouldn't come back from.
Silently, the witch removed the covers and walked over to the window, flicking her hand to let the cold breeze air her skin. She removed the ribbon that tied her long, braided hair together and floated it into her palm as she breathed in, closed her troubled green-eyes, and prayed to whatever higher power that would listen. Her gut was telling her that this latest issue was going to complicate things, and by Merlin, she didn't know if she could handle it all.
She wasn't sure how long she stayed there absentmindedly. Her fingers hurt from the bitter chill but she didn't take any notice. Rolanda, however, seemed to, the hawk-eyed girl had woken from the cold, grabbed her dressing gown and put it on as she re-covered the two other girls, not wanting them to wake as well. She was about to go to Minerva's bed, when she realized the dark haired witch was at the window sill.
"Min, what are you doing?" Rolanda queried in a near whisper. "Close that, you'll catch a chill."
Minerva spelled the window shut with her hand, but didn't move. "Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you."
The hawk-eyed witch frowned, then walked up behind her sister and wrapped her in an embrace. "Merlin's beard, you're freezing."
"It doesn't bother me." Green eyes stayed transfixed through the window, causing Rolanda to frown. Their connection wasn't cut off, but there were no thoughts or feelings flowing from Minerva. It always amazed her how her sister could do that so well. She never could, not with her hyperactive mind.
She gave the dark haired witch a squeeze. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing, I just needed some air," Minerva said, less impassively than before. "Go back to sleep. It's past midnight."
Rolanda didn't believe her for a second. She hated it when Minerva tried to play the big sister to keep others from worrying. The hawk-eyed witch released her hold for a moment, her arms only receding to Minerva's shoulders, then turning her around. "Nice try, Min."
A sad silence came between them as the dark haired witch kept her eyes shut and let out a deep sigh. She muttered a silencing charm to prevent the other two from waking.
"I had a nightmare. I was too late to save everyone; you, Galatea, and Helena. You all died, and I... I had tears in my eyes." Minerva let out a shaky, somber laugh as Rolanda's eyes softened tremendously. "It's so ridiculous that I think of that, that I focus on tears being an issue- what with the Untergang, the Chamber monster at large and people around me almost dying. I keep wanting to ask Galatea about it, but there never seems to be a right moment."
Rolanda grasped her sister's hands. "It's not ridiculous. You have every right to be concerned about it! It should be a natural thing that you're able to do, but you cannot. Merlin, it has me worried sometimes."
Minerva bobbed her head.
"But that's not all," she continued. "I woke up hearing Galatea berate my màthair."
"What?" Rolanda nearly yelled in surprised. "She was here?"
"She probably still is after seeing a hazy Avrenim. Màthair was trying to find out where I had been and intimidating Galatea into staying away from me. Avrenim was compelled to open the door, but as soon as she did I woke up and then she returned to me, leaving my wand behind."
The hawk-eyed witch frowned. She wasn't very worried about Minerva's wand, her sister could fight without it if something happened, she was more concerned about what Isobel made of Avrenim walking in on them.
"What do you think your mum will do?"
Minerva shrugged and leaned against the chilled glass. "I don't know. Maybe Galatea will be able to convince her it was something else, but I doubt it. Màthair's already suspicious enough as it is because I'm not returning to the Manor over Christmas." The green-eyed witch shivered. "Merlin's beard, Rola, she was so cold and uncaring to Galatea! She didn't even try to act sympathetic towards the fact that Helena almost died!"
Minerva covered her mouth with a shaky hand as her breathing quickened with emotion. She leaned into Rolanda once again.
"I don't know who my màthair is anymore. She may have never been a very warm hearted woman, but she never acted so hateful to anyone before I came to Hogwarts and she never raised me to act like that! I can handle her hating me, but when she acts so sinister towards Galatea, I... I don't know who she is!"
Her sister didn't know either. She didn't understand what it took to have the kind of hate that Mrs McGonagall tended to have for those that got in the way of her scheming, especially to those that had loved her.
It was early in the morning, not even the crack of dawn, and yet, Poppy Pomfrey found herself wide awake with the events of yesterday still gnawing at her. She tried to ignore them and go back to sleep, but they kept her awake. One issue in particular was Mikail. While Minerva had returned to the Nightingales' Headquarters, the Russian had asked where she was, and although he hadn't specified why, he seemed a bit elusive. She and Rolanda couldn't decide if it had been due to Minerva being gone for nearly five hours, or if he had something to inform her about the memories, making the two sisters curious as to his intentions. They agreed to keep it hidden from Minerva though- if only because far too much had already happened. Poppy felt a bit guilty, but if it helped keep her sister's head above water, then it was worth it.
The witch sighed as she got out of bed. She dressed quickly and quietly, then left for the common room without waking anyone. The sound of the last embers of the crackling fire caught her attention as she came down the last few stairs.
Surely the elves aren't keeping the fires burning all the time just yet... Poppy reached for her wand before entering the room, but no-one was present. Pocketing it again with pursed lips, she walked over to the fireplace. As her hazel eyes scanned the area for any signs of recent disturbance, a green sparkle caught her attention. She bent down and picked up the substance to examine it. Sure enough, it was Floo powder and it must have been used recently- the elves made sure all of the common rooms were spotless overnight.
Poppy clenched her fist, letting the emerald dust drift slowly back to the floor through the cracks of her palm. Her gut was telling her it was Mikail, but her heart was praying it wasn't- or if so, that it was for a good reason. The witch shook her head, not wanting to think about that particular wizard. He shouldn't be on her mind like he was, she had to keep her distance, had to keep Minerva safe. Yet, even that was becoming bleak. She was so powerless against all this, unable to do anything helpful.
Sitting down heavily, she closed her eyes, letting the heat and sounds of the fire relax her. She tried to remember when she was little, how she would sit curled up between her parents by the fire, when the world was at peace, but her thoughts soon turned to Helena. She never wanted to feel as helpless and lost again as she had while waiting to hear if her mentor was alive. Tears leaked from her tired eyes, and she thought that would be all, but then her throat closed and it became hard to breathe.
"Poppy?"
She froze. Poppy knew who that voice belonged to. The same voice that seemed to plague her every thought. Mikail. She wanted to curse. She wanted to scream at the wizard calling her name for making everything so bloody confusing and tense. Yet it was odd. Despite all her anger towards him, she yearned for him to continue.
"Poppy, are you all right?" Mikail asked again. The witch heard him walk towards her, but she kept her eyes on the fire.
"What makes you think I'm not?" She nearly cringed at how hoarse she sounded.
"Vell, for starters your voice, and then your tears." His naturally deep, sensual baritone was making her heart flutter. Her limbs stiffened as Poppy tried to keep herself in check.
She clicked her tongue. "Then I should rephrase; why do you care? You don't know me, Lutrov, and I haven't been exactly kind to you. I've even threatened you."
"Does that mean I should not have compassion then?" Mikail queried. "It is obvious to me that you're hurting."
The witch huffed. "That's rich, coming from you."
"Vhat have I done? I am just speaking the truth." He didn't raise his voice, or get angry with her for continuing to mistrust him, and Poppy found herself relaxing without realizing it. She felt bad for doing this to him- if he was innocent. It suddenly made her realise that Mikail really hadn't done anything for her to hate him. She didn't have to hate him, did she?
Shaking her head, Poppy stood up to leave. "Nothing. You've done nothing."
"Vait, please." He grabbed her hand, and despite everything telling her to pull away, Poppy didn't. Instead, she stopped in her tracks. It surprised her how soft his hand was, nothing like she had imagined. She reasoned that she should feel scared or intimidated, yet, there was none of that. Maybe it was the lack of sleep and the emotional stress of yesterday affecting her judgement, but part of her just didn't want him to let go.
"Do you think I am a member of the Untergang?"
Poppy spun around, gazing into his beautiful tawny eyes as her left hand secretly began reaching for her wand. "I beg your pardon?"
"I am not an idiot, Poppy; there has to be a reason for your hate and distrust of me." His voice was calm. "Do you think I am a member of the Untergang, or not?"
She watched as Mikail released her hand slowly, causing a blush to rise in her cheeks, but her fear for Minerva's life kept her mind steady and untouched from his attempt to soften her.
"You've been talking to them, haven't you?" Poppy's hand clasped her wand within her pocket, as she voiced her suspicions with a hint of venom in her voice. "Using the Floo to contact your friends."
Mikail blinked, continuing to remain inexplicably unconcerned. "Not for the reason you think."
She had her wand out, pointed at him, ready to stun him and protect her sister at all costs. "Then tell me, Lutrov, what - other - reason - could - there - be?"
The morning was an odd one, to say the least. Minerva had awoken, again, before anyone else had- or so she thought before glancing at Poppy's empty bed. She tried their connection but it was blocked off, so she quickly got dressed and hurried down to the common room, only to find the apprentice on the couch, reading a book.
"How long have you been up?" Minerva asked, sitting down next to her.
Poppy glanced up. "Hmm? Sorry, what'd you say?"
The dark haired witch chuckled. "How long have you been awake?"
Her sister's eyes flickered to the fire, her expression blank. "Two hours."
Minerva frowned. "Did you have a nightmare too?"
"No," Poppy answered plainly. "I just couldn't go back to sleep. I kept thinking about Helena."
"I understand." The dark haired witch gently rested her hand on Poppy's shoulder for a moment. "If anyone asks, I'm off to see if I can find Galatea. I need to get my wand back."
The apprentice didn't entirely respond, her thoughts apparently elsewhere. However, the minute she felt her sister's hand begin to leave, she grabbed hold of it tightly.
"Wait, what? Minerva, you had your wand when you came back last night."
"You're right, I did. It's a bit of a long story, but I need to go if I have any hopes of catching Galatea before she leaves the castle. Rola can fill you in when she wakes up." Minerva narrowed her eyes. "Are you all right?"
Poppy nodded, but her eyes had already drifted back to the fireplace. "I'll be fine."
The dark haired witch didn't believe her for a second, but she was pressed for time and would just have to deal with it later. She needed her wand, but most of all, she needed to talk with Galatea and see how the elder witch was faring after such a stressful night.
When Minerva reached Professor Merrythought's office, Sir Knight Morrison let her in immediately without question.
"Very glad yeh came, m'dear, just in time too!" he muttered as the door opened, revealing Galatea coming through her personal rooms, fully dressed ready to go out. She looked tired. More than tired really, a bit frail.
"Oh good, you are here," Galatea smiled softly. "I thought you might not come before I left and I would have to give your wand to Professor Dumbledore."
Minerva smiled sadly as she embraced the elder witch. "I am so sorry Avrenim caused you trouble last night. I don't know how to stop-"
"You cannot," Galatea interrupted her. "Astrals are meant to defend and serve you while you are unable to." The professor kissed her forehead. "Truth be told, I am a little surprised you did not come last night after you woke up."
"I wanted to, but I didn't think it would be a good idea, it would have made things worse."
Galatea nodded, her pale blue eyes becoming distant. "Yes, it probably would have. Much worse. But I would have supported you through it all, I hope you know that."
"You wouldn't have been mad?"
"No. It is your life, Minerva, and who am I to judge what you are going through. I will always support you in the decisions you make," she smirked. "Provided that they have some rationality to them, that is."
Minerva chuckled softly, and not just to hide her thoughts. She hoped Galatea would think the same in regards to her memories. She released the elder witch, who then pulled out the long fir wand from her pocket and handed it back to its owner. Immediately, Minerva felt a surge of magic pulse through her, almost as if her wand was glad to be back.
"Now, I am sorry, darling, but I must cut this short. We can talk more about all this tomorrow when I will have more time, but just know that your màthair still does not entirely know of us, despite what she may think."
"A-All right," Minerva tried to hide her surprise and curiosity; she didn't want to keep the elder witch waiting with her questions.
Galatea brushed her hand softly across her cheek, obviously catching the inquisitive gleam before it was hidden. "I promise, I will explain more later."
Minerva took her mentor's hand and clasped it. "I believe you."
She looked up, seeing Galatea's pale blue eyes sparkle.
"Merlin, you are a dear," the elder witch whispered, smiling as she did, then began walking with Minerva on her way out. "I will see you later, darling. Professor Dumbledore should come for you and Poppy around four or five, depending on how Helena feels when she wakes."
The mere thought of St. Mungo's triggered the Gryffindor to remember what Rolanda had told her about Malcom. "Oh, I should probably tell you before he gets the chance to ask; Rola had to tell Malcom that I was with you at St. Mungo's. She didn't tell him about our relationship, but- well, I thought you should know."
Galatea stared at her for a moment, her eyes seeming to lighting up even more. "Have all three of you connected then?" When Minerva nodded, her mentor broke into a grin. "That is such wonderful news! I have been waiting for you all to do that for years."
"You knew we weren't?"
"Yes, I have observed that you act differently around those you have not made a mental connection with, regardless of how close you seem to be; like with Miss Sprout and Miss Louise. Now, if Malcom starts questioning you, inform him of the story that I gave your mother, but tell him to talk to me as well, I will tell him what he needs to know," Galatea explained quickly. "I really must go. Please, try to relax and not worry."
As the door closed, both women sighed behind it. Trying to tell either of them not to worry was absurd.
Kevin, as usual, managed to snag a copy of the Daily Prophet from Professor Slughorn's office. The young wizard had been making it a habit of late to keep updated with the world. He tended to make a few copies and hand them out every morning, much to a few professors dislike, but they never did anything about it.
This issue, however, had Minerva scouring through the pages for any mention of Helena being admitted to St. Mungo's. She was so engrossed she forgot to eat her breakfast, until Rolanda pointed it out as she leaned over her shoulder to read along. The hawk-eyed witch mused that maybe the Prophet was keeping silent about Helena's attack to prevent panic over the happenings at Hogwarts. Such a harrowing event that rendered the Head Matron absent from Hogwarts for an extended period of time while the Chamber's Monster was still aloof would undoubtedly be the final straw for the Headmaster. If the parents panicked, then the Governors would have no choice but to remove Professor Dippet, thereby losing their puppet and control over Hogwarts. Minerva found she had to agree.
While this was good news, it didn't seem to entirely pull Poppy from her thoughts. She continued to keep her connection shut off from the girls and couldn't focus on what was happening around her. It had both of her sisters worried. Minerva tried to reassure Rolanda that it was probably about Helena, but the hawk-eyed witch wasn't convinced.
Mikail, not unusually, sat away from Poppy. No glances were made between them, nor comments passed. It didn't aggravate the group as much anymore, although that could have been because the hatred appeared to have drifted away over the past few weeks. Yet, Minerva and Rolanda both caught Poppy's swallow and hitch of breath as he passed by her, causing both sisters to share a brief look of confusion.
By lunch, Pomona was caught up on all the events, and even thought of the brilliant idea to make the Head Matron a bouquet. The activity grabbed Poppy's focus, much to Rolanda's suspicion and Minerva's relief. Neither could decide between roses and lilies, which resulted in them making two separate arrangements. Minerva Transfigured them into coins to keep them from suspicious eyes and getting damaged by the Floo.
In an effort to keep Poppy from drowning in her thoughts again, Rolanda insisted on them writing a get well letter to the Head Matron, but it didn't take Poppy's mind off things for long. Finally, the hawk-eyed witch convinced her to go on a walk around the castle, leaving Minerva to catch up with some much needed studying.
The apprentice stayed quiet the entire time, keeping her eyes low and connection sealed off. It hurt Rolanda deeply that her sister wasn't expressing her turmoil and letting her in.
"Hey, what's wrong?" she asked gently as they came to a secluded corridor.
"Nothing, I'm just trying to process everything." Poppy's eyes dodged Rolanda's golden ones as she pushed back a stray lock of russet hair.
"About?" the hawk-eyed witch pressed.
The apprentice's expression became more solemn and she hesitated before speaking, "Helena being alive and Minerva against the Untergang."
"Then why keep us shut out? You don't have to go through this alone."
Poppy narrowed her eyes and backed away. "Well, forgive me for trying not to ruin your day."
"You won't ruin-" Rolanda began, but the apprentice was gone, fleeing from confrontation of her thoughts and troubles, or at least trying to. The hawk-eyed witch sniffed, trying to hold back the pang in her heart. This wasn't an easy time for her either, and it only made things worse when her sisters didn't talk about their emotional turmoil with her.
"Damn it, Poppy," she cursed with a somber whisper. It seemed that every time the apprentice would come back to her former, happy self, something new would happen and mess things up again. She hated not being able to talk with Poppy like they used to. They were friends and self proclaimed sisters since before they could even remember, yet that wasn't enough it seemed.
She spotted Mikail at the far end of the corridor, turning the corner and almost running straight into Poppy. He looked sympathetic, sad even, but he didn't stop her, or say anything. The wizard simply looked at Poppy, then to Rolanda, before leaving upstairs.
Rolanda's expression soured. Maybe she was just looking for a reason for Poppy's extreme reactions, but she began to wonder if something had happened between the two of them- something that had shaken Poppy to the point of mistrusting even those closest to her. She couldn't figure out what it could be though.
She needed a broom ride.
Minerva had been well aware that Malcom was watching her, obviously debating when and how to approach his sister, but it was when she was alone in the Great Hall working on her studies that he finally sat down beside her.
"Can we talk?" he asked, more bluntly than she would have liked. Minerva turned towards him, muttering a silencing charm under her breath.
"First, let me say that I'm sorry I didn't cut the connection before my emotions became so heavy," she said sincerely. "I didn't even think about it when the time came. Next time, if something happens, I'll be more mindful."
Malcom's eyes narrowed. "What exactly did happen?"
"Madam Nurix was attacked. She sustained a critical injury and was transferred to St. Mungo's, word was sent to Poppy about her condition and she wanted me to be with her while waiting at the hospital, so I did."
She wasn't surprised by the answer her brother gave her, "You're lying."
Minerva did not deny it, instead she nodded her head and smiled softly. "Not entirely, but yes. I'm sorry, but I cannot tell you the whole truth of what happened. Only Professor Merrythought can do that."
"But-" frustration boiled in his eyes. She had to commend him for not losing his temper. "Rolanda said that you could tell me why you were with Merrythought. I got the feeling it wasn't just because of Madam Nurix."
The witch hid her smile, not that she really needed to. She might have been hiding her thoughts from him, but she wasn't withholding her emotions. "Professor Merrythought- Galatea and I have grown close. She is mentoring me; helping me to become an Auror."
Her brother frowned and leaned away from her. She could feel the mistrust swirling in his mind. "Why hide it though?"
"Because Màthair would be furious if she found out. Papa's not the only one who doesn't want me to go into the Aurors; to get involved in the war. Not only that, but Màthair despises Galatea."
"What? Why?"
"I don't know," Minerva answered, letting the her love for her mentor affect her tone. "What I do know is that Màthair's manipulation isn't just limited to you and I. It has affected nearly everyone she's ever known, I think. Galatea and Màthair used to be rather close, but something happened between them and Màthair has continued to hurt the woman since then. Galatea cares a lot about all three of us, she's been watching over us since we came here."
"I... I wondered if Professor Merrythought knew us more than just as students before," her brother confessed. "The night Fang attacked you, she seemed very worried." He swallowed. "There was a look in her eyes that I've only seen a few times from Màthair. I see it more from Papa lately, but-"
"It was love, Malcom. She loves us all, no matter how strict and cold she may seem to be as a professor."
Malcom frowned and Minerva felt a pang of hurt in his chest begin to grow. "Then why hasn't she said something to me?"
"Oh, Malcom... I..." she took his hand, squeezing gently as he tried to pull away. Minerva had never asked her mentor why she had remained distant from her brothers, but when she thought about the woman's scenario, a part of her understood.
"Please, try to see it from her perspective," she pleaded softly. "Galatea knows you, she knows who you are and wants to be close to you but you don't know her. The only side of her you've really seen is of her as a professor. On top of that, you were a little closer to Màthair than I was, even got letters from her every now and then. Galatea probably worried that if she tried to get closer to you than that of student and teacher you could get caught in the middle of something that could turn very ugly." She felt his hurt feelings begin to soften as his eyes wavered down to their hands. "So, she kept to the side lines, has watched you from afar and has probably resigned herself to be there to protect you when you need her, nothing more for fear of hurting you."
She paused to let Malcom speak, but he stayed silent, no doubt trying to rationalize all he had heard.
"Talk to her in a day or two, Malcom, please. She wants you to and she'll be able to tell you more than I can."
Finally, his green eyes looked up at her.
"All right," he muttered, then got up to leave.
Minerva bit her lip before calling out and waited for him to face her again before speaking again. "It's just... Galatea's been through a lot lately. Please, try not to upset her."
Her brother merely nodded, his eyes still carried a hint of melancholy, before he walked away. The witch sighed, pulling herself together as she saw Poppy walking towards her. To her disappointment, her sister didn't look any better than before. Minerva inwardly groaned, suspecting a that a fight had occurred..
"What happened?" she asked wearily.
"Rola's frustrated." The apprentice sat down and conjured a book, but she didn't turn the pages. "I am sorry that I'm keeping you two cut off, I... I'm just..."
Minerva smiled sadly and wrapped her arm around her shoulders. "It's all right. You're just trying to deal with all this, and I can understand you not wanting our connection bothering each other, especially after what happened yesterday."
"Thanks." She flashed an appreciative glance at her, then opened her book.
"If you ever need to talk, however..." Minerva began, but clamped her mouth shut when she saw Poppy's look sour.
"I know," her sister said softly before falling silent. It was not an uncomfortable or awkward silence, but as they continued on with their work they were disturbed by Mikail, who came to their table bearing a scroll. The wizard sat opposite of the witches and Minerva noted his brown eyes flickering towards Poppy for a moment before he concentrated once more on her.
"If you have a few moments, I vould like to talk to you about your memories," he said.
The green-eyed witch closed her Herbology book and set it aside. She had been anxiously waiting for him to get back to her with some answers now that they had completely mapped her memories. "All right, what have you got?"
The Russian wizard cleared his throat as he rolled out the parchment in his hands. "Not much at this point, I am afraid. I am still researching how to effectively recover the tampered adaquels. However, I have some details you might be interested in."
Minerva quickly conjured a notebook, quill and some ink as he continued speaking. He pointed at the first gap in the long cylindrical line of her memory stream.
"This first one took place in December, 1927. It contains some deletion and vas also tampered vith, but vhat I did not recognize at first vas that it contained two signatures. You believed it vas your mother that tampered vith most of your memories, yes?" Minerva nodded and he continued. "Very vell, your mother's signature is almost hidden by a different signature. I varn you, I do not think it is very likely that I vill ever recover this. It is very fragile and vigorously tvisted. Part of it vas also recently unsuppressed, I assume you know about this?"
"Yes, that's how I found out about the tampering in the first place."
"I figured as such," Mikail muttered, then focused once more. "The second is tampered vith only slightly and takes place about October 1928. The memory I brought out of suppression for you dates about a month after the previous one, and is your third adaquel. Now, the fourth..." sensing his hesitation, Minerva glanced up, "all but barely a few minutes are suppressed before the erasing began. As for your sixth-"
"You mean fifth," the witch gently interjected.
"No, sixth. I vill get to the fifth at the end." His eyes darkened for a moment, but with a blink it was gone, causing a bit of unease in Minerva's stomach, and Poppy, who was no doubt selectively listening, shifted in her seat. "The sixth adaquel must have happened anytime betveen a few days to a veek after your fifth. There may be some suppression before or after, but I vould not bet on it. The next is better news, the seventh adaquel is only suppressed. It happened around April, 1930."
He paused, looking down at his own notes and letting Minerva catch up.
"However, your eighth is another disappointment- it occurred in January 1933 and vas erased soon after. Your very last tampering is the one I mentioned about being erased by medical means and a vand. It is set in either late August, or early September of 1940, and vas also completely erased- maybe even vorse than the others."
"Wait," Poppy spoke up, putting her book down, "medical and wand from 1940?" She glanced at her sister. "Min..."
"I know, Poppy." Minerva covered the apprentice's hand with her own. "I have already thought of that."
Mikail raised a brow. "I take it you know vhat happened?"
"Not entirely," the dark haired witch's tone was edged with bitterness. "I had a medical... emergency, you might say. But as for what happened, I am unaware of just about everything except for the fact that my màthair was present." Minerva finished scribbling a note on the parchment, then looked up at Mikail again. "Tell me about the fifth."
The wizard frowned, but didn't protest. "It contains the second signature that differs from your mother's. There are sporadic holes here and there, however, that is not vhat I find concerning. It takes place around late July of 1929, but the adaquel is seven days long and it seems the whole thing has been gradually suppressed over a period of four days rather than all at once." Mikail's voice softened. "Whoever did this made sure you did not experience a time lapse and they tried to make the events act like short-term memory, vhich vould seemingly disappear vith time. They vere very delicate vith the process, unlike most of vhat your mother did, vhich leads me to the theory that they care about you and did not vant to erase everything." He spelled the scroll to roll closed. "I hope that helps in discovering out who did it."
Minerva, lost in thought, did not recognize Professor Dumbledore walking towards them. Poppy thankfully did and quickly dispelled the silencing charm before he got too close.
"Miss McGonagall, Miss Pomfrey, could I see you two in my office?"
"Yes, Professor, we'll be right there," Poppy said, already getting up. Her hazel eyes were no longer clouded, as she squeezed Minerva's shoulder. "Come on, Min."
The green-eyed witch shook her head, snapping out of her thoughts, then muttered her thanks to Mikail and followed her sister and Professor Dumbledore out of the Great Hall. She was certain, now more than ever, that Galatea or Helena had been the one to tamper with her memories. However, Mikail's findings only resulted in a few more questions now lingering in her mind.
What in Merlin's name had happened to her at nearly four years of age and spanned for seven days, that had to be forgotten; what happened during her overload; why did Isobel go back over what Tradisi had done in her first memory; and lastly, why would her mother only erase a few things, but not all of them?
If she was being honest, not a whole lot was making sense in her head at the present moment.
Hope you enjoyed!
~LinK