Chapter 37

Chapter 37

Letters, Threats and Promises

Author's Note: A few of my reviewers have been asking questions, which I like. So I will answer a couple that won't give away the storyline. One question that was asked was where did Harry go in the previous chapter. After he had decided (or thought, rather) that Ginny didn't want to talk to him, he went to do more studying for his N.E.W.T exams. They are coming ever closer (around the last week of December) and he wants to be ready. Other people have been asking about Professor Browne. Well, if you are curious about him, this chapter may suit your fancy. It will be in Professor Browne's PoV.

Emelius Browne left Professor McGonagall's office and immediately headed for his own. He cursed the fact that he had gone into her office. He didn't need to escort Gwenog Jones into the room at all. He could have just shown her the door. He saw the look on McGonagall's face when he walked into her office. Did she know that he was up to something?

Indeed, Browne was up to something. He had been suspicious of Professor McGonagall for a while now. He knew she was lying to him. He just couldn't figure out what that lie was. Gwenog had let it slip, unintentionally or not, that she was late to a meeting with McGonagall and a student. Gwenog hadn't mentioned the name of the student, but Professor Browne thought he knew who it was. Browne thought McGonagall was having another secret meeting with this student, and wondered how Gwenog could possibly be involved. But when Browne had entered McGonagall's room, he was surprised to find that it wasn't this particular student at all. It was just the Gryffindor Quidditch Captain. Browne knew what the meeting was about right then. The Quidditch captain, Ginny Weasley, was one of the students interested in becoming a professional Quidditch player. That was why Gwenog was asked to go to McGonagall's office. Just to have a little chat with her.

Browne kicked himself mentally. His own curiosity almost cost him everything. If Minerva McGonagall found out what Professor Browne was doing, everything would be compromised. It was true: he could have kicked her out of her own school in a heartbeat. He wouldn't need the permission of the school governors. He was Headmaster of the bloody school! But he needed Professor McGonagall. She kept the students and other professors in order. Besides, if it wasn't for Minerva McGonagall, he wouldn't be this close to achieving his goal. It was fate's good fortune that brought McGonagall to him just a couple days after his life turned upside down...

Flashback begins

A cool breeze of the coming autumn welcomed Emelius Browne as he walked through the now-open barrier that split Diagon Alley with the Muggle world. Children, around the age of eleven or twelve, ran around the narrow cobbled street while their parents tried to calm them down. Other kids, in their teens, patiently followed their parents into different stores. It was mid-August, and the hustle and bustle of getting prepared for the upcoming school year made Diagon Alley a very busy place.

But Emelius Browne didn't come to Diagon Alley for that reason. He had come to meet an old friend. He walked down the street, and soon heard a semi-familiar voice.

"Emelius Browne," the voice said, "You made it."

Browne looked over his shoulder toward the direction of the voice. A woman with grey hair and worn out Muggle clothes was sitting at a umbrella-covered table outside a cozy little restaurant called Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor. She had a stern look on her face, but smiled as Browne walked over to her and shook her hand.

"Minerva McGonagall," Browne said, "It has been a long time."

"Yes, it has," McGonagall said.

"Curious get-up you are in," Browne said, glancing at McGonagall's outfit.

"It is a Muggle outfit, Emelius," McGonagall said, "It is common sense to wear it while traveling. Though it seems common sense has left you today."

Emelius flushed at this response. He was wearing a proper dark-blue wizard's robe. He didn't see anything wrong with it.

"The Muggles might find you suspicious," McGonagall said, teasing, "Maybe crazy. But I guess I shouldn't be surprised. You were always the eccentric type."

"Not as of lately," Browne said, "Can we please get on with why you asked me to come? I have other business to attend to."

"Of course," McGonagall said. "As you know, I am the Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Currently we are running short of a few key positions at Hogwarts. I know you are still in the teaching business, though it seems that you haven't been as lucky as of late with finding a good job."

"I had other things to attend to," Browne said.

"Of course," McGonagall said, "But you are here today. So I am guessing that you are currently looking for a job again. Well, I want to give one to you. You see, right now I am looking for a Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor, as well as another position."

"And you know my history with that subject and that is why you sent an owl my way," Browne said, "Right?"

"Correct," McGonagall said.

"What is the other position you have in mind?" Browne asked.

"I am looking for a new Headmaster of Hogwarts," McGonagall said, simply.

"Well, that is absurd!" Browne said, chortling, "You are Deputy Headmistress! Why don't you just take the job?!"

"I don't think I am fit for the job," McGonagall said.

"Absurd," Browne said again.

McGonagall gave him a stern look. Browne cringed. He had seen this look before. Minerva McGonagall was quite the expert at this, and Browne had hoped that she had gotten over it.

"You are serious?" he asked.

"Quite," McGonagall said, simply.

"You want me to be Headmaster of Hogwarts?" Browne asked.

"Maybe," McGonagall said.

"And if I take the job," Browne said, "You would have to look for another professor for Defense Against the Dark Arts."

"You see what I am dealing with," McGonagall said, "Will you accept one of these positions? Because if not, I have to look for two other people. I have to look for one other person anyway. As you can see, I am busy. What is your answer?"

"I am having trouble deciding," Browne said.

McGonagall sighed and threatened to stand up from her seat and leave.

"How about this?" Browne said, "What if I take both positions?"

McGonagall stopped in her tracks and sat back down in her chair.

"Both positions?" she asked.

"Yes," Browne said.

"I don't know if that is possible," McGonagall said.

"Why not?" Browne asked, "Last time I heard, you were both the Deputy Headmistress and the Transfiguration professor. Is that true, Minerva?"

"Yes," McGonagall said.

"Then why would my decision be impossible?" Browne asked.

"Headmaster is a big job, Emelius," McGonagall said, "And I don't believe you have ever been Headmaster before in your life."

"There is a first time for everything," Browne said. "It is a good proposition. I have great knowledge in the Defense Against the Dark Arts, and I am willing to be the Headmaster. Two birds with one stone, as the saying goes, I believe."

McGonagall didn't say a word, but looked at Browne. Browne almost cringed again under her gaze.

"I accept," she said.

"You do?" Browne asked.

"Yes," McGonagall said, "But if something goes wrong and I feel you are unfit for your job, I will strip you of one or both positions if I feel it necessary."

"I accept," Browne said.

"Great," McGonagall said.

"Should we alert the Ministry?" Browne asked, "I am sure the Daily Prophet would want the public to know about the new Headmaster of Hogwarts."

"You are that eager to let everyone know?" McGonagall asked.

"It was just a thought," Browne said.

"I will see what I can do," McGonagall said, "Meanwhile, should we celebrate the occasion? I know Florean Fortescue personally. There are very few people who know that he is not just an ice cream man. He has some exceptional liqueur."

"Maybe another time, Minerva," Browne said, standing, "I must be going."

"Of course," McGonagall said, standing as well.

Browne shook McGonagall's hand and walked back toward the barrier that would bring him back to the Muggle world.

Flashback ends.

The day before that meeting, Browne had received two owls. One was Professor McGonagall's informing him about the situation and the invitation to the meeting. Browne had no intention of accepting that invitation. He had not spoken to Minerva McGonagall in a long time. Now she was asking him to meet her! He wouldn't have gone to that meeting if it wasn't for the other letter. That letter had changed his life forever.

Browne had been on a personal holiday, meaning that he was the only one going on this holiday. He left his family in northern Scotland and had gone to London for no reason other than to just get away. The day after he had arrived, he had received the two owls. The second owl carried a package and Browne thought that it might have been just a care package from his family. When he opened it, he found three small boxes. In each box, he found a lock of hair. Browne read the letter, and to his horror, he found that it was a threat letter. His family had been kidnapped and the locks of hair was proof of the dirty deed. The only ransom was a proposition. Somehow the author of the letter had found out that Minerva McGonagall was interested in Professor Browne to take a job at the school. The proposition was that Browne had to get the headmaster job. The next letter would come when the author found out via Daily Prophet, that Emelius Browne was named the new headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. If the author hadn't found out, then the next letter that went to Browne would contain something much more gruesome than just words on a piece of parchment.

The following hours, he tried to think of what to do. He couldn't alert the authorities. That would risk the lives of his family. He had to meet McGonagall and hope that he would get the job. His fear was that she was somehow in the whole plot. How otherwise did the author of the letter know that McGonagall had was interested in him?

He accepted McGonagall's invitation and hours later he was the new Headmaster of Hogwarts. Unfortunately, the news hadn't been put in the Daily Prophet until the day after Professor Browne had come to Hogwarts.

Browne had received a letter before then, and all it said was "We will not wait for long." Between mid-August and early September, sleep didn't come peacefully for Emelius Browne. The next letter Browne got was when the announcement had finally reached the Daily Prophet. The note said that the author was pleased, and that his next orders would come soon. Browne replied to this letter and said he wanted proof that his family was still alive. The next owl that came brought a package similar to the first one he had gotten. When Browne opened the small box, there was a whole fingernail in it. The nail polish on it told Browne that it was either his wife's or teenage daughter's fingernail. The only thing on the note told Browne that if he wanted more proof, next time the owl would bring something much bigger.

--

Browne reached his office a few minutes after leaving Professor McGonagall's office. When he walked in, he looked around to make sure no one was waiting for him. The portraits around the room were either asleep or feigning sleeping. If they were faking, they did not look at Professor Browne. He walked to his desk and sat down, then picked up the rolled-up piece of parchment. He unrolled it and his eyes widened. This time the letter was written by his wife. He knew her handwriting. He started reading. But as he read, he soon discovered that even if it was his wife writing, it was not her style. She had been forced to write this. Wanting to completely understand the letter, he started it at the beginning.

Dear Emelius,

Over the past couple of months, my captors have been quite silent when it comes to their plans for us, as well as you. Over the past couple of days, they have finally decided to talk to me and our two children. Unfortunately, the news we have heard is not good. Emelius, you must do what they ask you. I don't know what will happen to us if you do not complete their request. They haven't given me any information on this student at the school, and tell me that they have given you enough to know who this person is, and what is to be done. They are aware that this particular student will be leaving at the end of December, which means that your chances of completing their request is running out. Time is running out, Emelius. For all of us, I am afraid. Whatever you have to do, please do it.

The letter ended there. It didn't even end properly. That was one reason that Browne knew the letter wasn't actually from his wife. The content of the letter alone was not his wife's words at all. The writing looked as if it was being written quickly and hastily. It was very messy, and Browne even thought he might have seen the dim markings of a tear stain. Tears went to Browne's eyes as he read it again. He then crumpled up the letter and threw it to no place in particular.

Still, there were parts of that letter etched in his mind. Browne knew that time was running out. But he had tried everything. The students of Hogwarts were very well protected within the walls, and the targeted student was no exception. He didn't know what these people wanted. He didn't even know who they were! But he did have some thoughts. He had never met one of these Death Eaters before, but he knew what they dealt with. They were dark, evil, wizards and would do anything to get their revenge.

Browne did have his doubts, though. If the Death Eaters wanted to capture this person, why didn't they do it themselves? They had the manpower. The escapees during the riot of Azkaban were mostly Death Eaters, or that was the rumor at least. Hogwarts was still vulnerable. The Death Eaters knew this. They were the reason it was vulnerable! Why didn't they come marching in? Were they planning something else? Did this person have anything to do with it?

Browne had done everything in his power to do what he could. He wanted his family back. Tears pooled in Browne's eyes again as he picked up the portrait of his family. He brushed the tears away as he looked at the portrait.

Browne remembered the day the portrait was taken. It was just months before everything happened. They all looked so nice, so happy. Everything was perfect. He looked at his wife, Beverly, who was sitting beside him on a small couch. They had been married quite a long time. They had marked their thirty-five year anniversary just days before this portrait was taken. Their two children, William and Clementine, were standing right behind him and his wife. They were adopted, but they were both biological brother and sister, almost two years apart in age. Emelius and his wife had tried to have a family of their own, but after years, they had given up. Then, sixteen years ago, they decided to finally adopt a couple of children. They had found the two children in an adoption agency. The girl, the youngest, was just a few months old. The boy was almost three. Their parents had died in an accident in Scotland and they had no other relatives. Emelius and his wife adopted them both without hesitation.

"My darling Clementine," Browne said, reciting the first part of his favorite song, as he looked at his daughter.

He used to sing that song to her each night before she would go to sleep. She wanted to be a professor like himself. She was very smart. One of the smartest of her class. Like her father, she also believed in the Loch Ness Monster, and she wanted to be the one to find it. Little did she know that the rumor was that it was this monster who had killed her biological parents. Browne had yet to tell anyone that. He had discovered it in an old newspaper when he was trying to find out what had happened to their parents. The common story was that her parents had drowned in the Loch when their car had crashed over a barrier and fell into the Loch. That was the Muggle story. The one thing that Muggles didn't know was that the couple were wizards and, like many wizards, they didn't even know how to drive a car.

Emelius next took a longing glance at William. William, nearing nineteen years of age, had a wonderful future ahead of him. He had two careers in mind. He wanted to be a professional Quidditch player, much to his father's dislike. Emelius knew that William was much smarter than that. Emelius was sure that William could be an Auror if he had his mind set on it. He had wonderful results on his N.E.W.Ts. But his brain was so befuddled with dreams of wanting to become a professional Quidditch player. Emelius smiled at the thought. He was sure William would protect his mother and sister at all costs.

Emelius wiped a tear from his eye and set the portrait down gently. He stood up and walked over to the crumpled up piece of parchment and straightened it out.

"You will be out of there in no time, my darlings," he said, looking at the note, "Mark my words. I will do everything in my power to make that happen."

He walked behind his desk once more and looked under it. A small brown trunk was sitting near the back of it, just beyond where his feet usually rested. He reached under the desk and pulled the trunk toward him. He muttered a word and the trunk popped open. Inside was a stack of parchment. A few looked as if they had been crumpled up then straightened back up. Each of these were letters Browne had received from the man, or men, who kidnapped his family. He would look at the notes from time to time. There were also a few pieces of parchment that were attempted notes to send back to the kidnappers. Browne would think it was too threatening, and it would put his family in more danger. But instead of throwing them away, he would stash them in his trunk for later readings, and to keep his mission in mind.

Browne had read those letters so many times that he knew the contents by heart. He would tell the kidnappers that they had not given him enough information at first, and that it could have ruined his mission right there. He would insult them, but never send those letters. It just made him feel better.

Browne gently put the letter on top of the stack of the other letters and closed the trunk, then shoved it back under the desk. He looked back on his desk and found a small tan-colored folder. He grimaced. He still had to grade the results of those tests. He shoved them away from his mind. He would work on them later. He was much too tired tonight and he had too many things on his mind. He stood up and walked to the back of the room and tapped his wand on an empty portrait. The portrait moved, revealing a passage-way to the Headmaster's bedroom. He changed and went to bed, though he didn't fall asleep for hours. Once he did, his family and the no-faced kidnappers invaded his dreams.

--
I am sorry this chapter is so short! I wanted to put a few other things, but I couldn't figure out how to do it. I didn't want to reveal too much, because there are probably a few readers who haven't figured everything out and I wanted to leave them guessing.

Hope you liked the chapter. It will take a little while for me to figure out what to do next. But my next chapter should come in a week or two.

Feedback would be great!