Chapter 21 - Who's the Troll, really?
Athena did not give up searching for Hermione. Athena even intended to march into Gryffindor Common room. Fred and George, the Weasley Twins had found her outside the Common Room, pleading with the Lady Portrait. She and Susan had dropped Hermione and Neville off at this entrance a few times, she was typically called the Fat Lady but Athena thought that was rather rude. Athena tried to make friends with the Painting, in hope that it would let her pass. "Do you go by any other name?" Athena asked sweetly.
The painting stared down at her, unimpressed by the presence of the girl with the yellow and black tie. "And what other name shell I go by? May I ask?" She blinked slowly.
"Oh, well... I just thought... erm considering...?" This wasn't at all going the way Athena had planned it. It seemed in the act to butter her up and not offend her, Athena had very well, just done the opposite.
"What," The lady from the painting demanded, "does it say, in small letters, under my painting?"
Athena looked at the small letters on the frame of the Painting. 'The Fat Lady'. Athena wasn't sure how, but she felt like she was in trouble. She felt like it was time to run and avoid this painting forever more, but she had to find Hermione.
"Please, I just want to check on my friend." Athena pleaded.
"Do I, or do I not look like a Lady to you?" The painting further demanded.
"Yes, Madame." Athena answered obediently.
"And, do I or do I not look fat to you?" Athena's eyes widened at the question; a pool of dread swirled in her stomach.
"Actually," Came a voice behind Athena.
"We think," said another.
Fred and George appeared around the corner.
"Your frame, greatly flatters your figure."
"Oh wonderful."
"Dutiful."
"Guardian of the passageway." They said together as they bowed.
"My, Fat Lady, is that a new coat of paint? You are looking radiant." Possibly Fred said. Athena couldn't tell which twin was which but she had met them a few times to notice that one twin, seemed to lead the other, but which one that leader was, Athena didn't know. Because when they did introduce themselves, Athena suspected they were switching names.
"Caput Draconis." George said firmly. The Fat Lady seemed so flustered; Athena didn't know portraits could blush. George, (she was still guessing) gave Athena a little push to usher her through the portal entrance.
"Thank you." Athena said gratefully. "I'm not sure how that got, so out of hand?"
"You're lucky we came along, we railed her up once and she abandoned the painting for three days." George said.
"We were going to watch you dig your grave - because that was hilarious - we haven't seen her react so quickly but we rather like having access to our common room." Fred commented.
"Perhaps, George," Said maybe George, "It was because a Hufflepuff was trying to get into our house." he said in a mischievous tone.
Athena figured she didn't owe Ron anything, and perhaps these two would help her find Hermione, as she had no idea where her dormitory was. Athena, as quickly as she could, explained what happened at the end of their study group.
The twins looked somewhat serious, which was an unnatural state for them. "I think we need to have a chat with our brother." said George to Fred, or at least the one Athena considered slightly more level headed of the two.
"I think so too. We love a good tease."
"Or joke.
"Or prank!"
"But that is just mean." They ended together. How did they do that?
Athena noticed there was a considerable amount less plant life in this dorm and considerably more reds, and golds. The crackling fireplace, seemed to add to the glow of the room. Athena admitted it had a warm, cosy feeling, but she felt Hufflepuff felt a lot brighter and had more of a fresh feeling. It was like comparing autumn to spring, both can be wonderful, it just depended on what you preferred. Personally, Athena preferred the smell of fresh plants, compared to a crackling fire.
The twins took Athena over to a table in the corner of a round room. Two girls were sitting at the table and they looked like they might be in the same year as the twins.
"Angelina, please allow us council?" he bowed.
"What do you want Fred?" the girl with dark hair said, without looking up. How did she know who it was, without looking up? Perhaps, there is a hint in the sounds of their voices? Athena thought.
However, the other girl did look up and she was staring directly at Athena. "Why is Athena Potter, in our Common Room?"
"Oh Alicia, how rude of us?" he acted flabbergasted, "Fred, we have been rude."
"Never, dear Brother, we were about to make introductions, when Alicia interrupted."
"Quite right brother." he said, as cast a disapproving look at the girl named Alicia.
Athena was getting restless. She didn't have time for this.
"Sorry, to interrupt you both. My name is Athena and I am looking for my friend Hermione. It's an emergency. Would either of you mind showing me where the first-year girl's dorm is?" Athena pleaded politely.
"You're not supposed to be in here." Alicia said plainly.
The twins looked like they were going to defend Athena, but Athena just wanted to get moving.
"You're welcome to tell on me, but let me find my friend first." She didn't really want Auntie Minerva upset with her, but she had to find Hermione, surely Auntie Minerva would understand that.
"I'll show you." Angelina said, as she rose from her seat. "Come on, this way."
Athena followed Angelina up some stairs. They took a left, and then climbed up some more stairs. No wonder Hermione can power up the grand staircase, Athena thought to herself.
"Here we are," Angelina said, as she pushed open a large wooden door. When Athena walked in, the colours and lighting, mirrored the room below. The room had five beds, which belonged to the girls who occupied this room. Anybody who knew Hermione, could tell which one was hers, as her bed was perfectly made, and there was a stack of books on her night table and another neat pile, at the end of the bed. But unfortunately, there was no Hermione.
Angelina went to check the bathroom, but came out shaking her head. "I'm sorry, she's not here. I thought you guys were running that study group?"
"We were, but it was cut short, one of the Gryffindor boys, was very rude to Hermione." Athena said quickly, as she turned back to make her way out of the dorm.
"Oh, it's not hard to work out which one, I bet Ron was trying to show off wasn't he? I feel sorry for him really. All of those brothers to live up to..."
Athena stopped for a second to think, it must be hard for Ron, being the youngest, but Athena couldn't feel that sorry for him. What she would have given, to grow up with siblings.
"He acted out, when Hermione was only trying to help him. He said she was 'showing off' and basically said nobody should like her." Athena admitted. Athena wasn't planning to tell the whole school but Angelina seemed nice enough.
"Wow, he really said that? That kid has some issues to work out. Please tell Hermione, if she ever wants to talk, she can come to me. Sometimes boys say things, they don't mean." Angelina said knowingly.
Athena wasn't totally sure what Angelina meant, Ron was just childish and unkind. Nonetheless, Angelina seemed really genuine. "Thank you, I will." Athena said and then she dashed back out of the dorm and through the common room, as she ignored the glances from confused Gryffindors, but the twins managed to stop her.
"Wait Athena, we know where she is!" called one of the twins.
Athena stopped in her tracks and looked back at the boys.
"She's in the girl's toilet, on the first floor." The other twin said, Athena wasn't focused enough to work out which one?
"How do you know that?" Athena asked, she was confused where they had suddenly acquired such knowledge.
"We have eyes everywhere?" That was definitely Fred, as he looked around mysteriously.
"Didn't you want to find Hermione?" George added causally.
Athena called back, "Thank you!" as she jumped out of the portrait exit and she ran down the hallway. She couldn't be bothered to question them further, that could be a question for another day.
As she made her way down many flights of stairs, another voice tried to call her. "Athena!" she turned around to see Kevin running towards her. "Wow, I found you. Susan and Neville found Hermione. She went to the girl's toilet, downstairs, it was actually Lily who found her. After you left, Susan set up a Hufflepuff search party, Lily managed to find Neville, and Neville told me to find you." Kevin looked thoughtful as if he was trying to work it all out. "Anyway, Hermione is in the first-floor girls' toilets. And I'm supposed to report back to your classroom, once I've found you."
Athena was amazed her friends had gone to so much trouble. And it seemed Susan had organised it all? Athena was impressed by Susan's quick thinking to rally the Hufflepuffs, whereas Athena just ran without a plan.
"Thank you so much Kevin!" Athena had been spending too much time with other affectionate people, because for a moment she considered hugging him and it wasn't normally her natural reaction to hug people. She decided against the hug. Instead she awkwardly touched him on the arm, as she ran past him. "Please thank everybody else for me!" She called back.
Athena made it to the toilets and found Neville outside. "Athena!" he called. Quickly he reduced the volume of hit voice. "Hermione is inside, she's crying!" he whispered loudly. "He made her cry. I don't know what to do."
"Neville you've been amazing. Why don't you come inside?"
"But that's the girl's bathroom?" He exclaimed.
"Neville, you punched another student in front of a teacher. What are they going to do?"
Neville conceded that this was a fair point and he followed Athena into the girl's toilets.
They both noticed Hermione leaning against the sinks, she was dabbing her eyes, but smiling at something Susan had said. It appeared Neville didn't quite know what to do with himself. "Wow, your toilet's look...different." he commented.
Hermione chuckled. The over affectionate friend of the group, dashed over to hug Neville. Athena noticed, even Neville was starting to succumb to the hugs of Hermione, as he gently put his hands around her waist. It's seemed a hug had triggered some more tears for Hermione. And nobody really knew what to do.
"It's ok." Neville said, as he patted her back awkwardly.
"Oh, I'm really sorry. I don't know what's wrong with me." Hermione said as she tried to wipe the tears off Neville's shoulder.
"Ron is a jerk." Susan said firmly.
"You do know what he said was rubbish right? You have so many friends, more than you realise."
"That's just it," Hermione whimpered, "I have you guys, I am so grateful for that. You have no idea."
Athena did have some idea, when they first met, Athena had picked up on the fact that Hermione buried herself in books, to escape something. Athena did it because she truly didn't have anything better to do. Nobody would be her friend, while Dudley was around.
"It's just," Hermione continued, "before I came here, I only really had my parents. I really miss them. But suddenly I have everything else, I have friends, best friends. I live in a castle! I study and practice magic. It is everything I hoped it would be, I am just so scared, it's all going to disappear!"
As Athena saw Hermione's emotions raise, she thought about her new family and that included the four people in this room. Every day, just before Athena would open her eyes, she would fear that she would wake up in that small plain room back and Privet Drive.
"Hermione," Susan said gently, "we aren't going anywhere."
Hermione, chuckled again. "Rationally, I know that. It's just what Ron said, it's just like the bullies used to say at school, I didn't have any friends, I liked doing well in class, I like learning new things... And nobody seemed to understand... I thought things would be different here, and it was! I have you three, you don't know how happy it makes me that we study together."
Before anyone could say anything, Hermione carried on, it was like those snake toys, Athena used to see when she was at school, when you took the lid off the tub and loads of toy snakes would jump out.
"But then I panicking more, like what if they made a mistake and I'm not supposed to be here, of course I know that is silly, but what if I don't do well enough! What if they send me back! What if I do something wrong! And get expelled! They will snap my wand, and I will never get to see you guys again!"
"Woah, Hermione, is that why you've been so stressed lately? Are you scared that's going to happen?"
Hermione didn't need to say anything for all of the group to know that was the case.
Athena wasn't sure how to possibly reassure her friend. "Hermione, where you go, we all go and we aren't going to get expelled."
"Hermione, everyone knows you are the top of our year, you keep us all going." Susan pointed to her friends. "In my letters to Aunt Amelia, I've explained the sort of stuff we have been looking into and at first, she thought we might be missing out on the basics, but I sent her some of my work and she actually said we seem to have a better grasp of magic than some grown witches and wizards she knows. I think if I sent her your paper, she would be blown away. Hermione, is there a spell in the Grade 1 books, that you don't yet know?"
Athena had something to add which was far more impressive than all that, "If you forget all that, Hermione are you aware you cast a spell, without saying anything, in front of the whole of first year and in front of a teacher?"
Hermione seemed to do a half shrug; she was looking down like she was ashamed of herself.
"Are you kidding? Hermione, that is amazing!" Susan practically screamed.
"Hermione, we are so proud of you. We love the way you understand things, you naturally learn fast and that should be celebrated. We are happy to encourage you." Athena said eagerly.
Neville nodded at Athena's words, "But, if you are pushing yourself so hard, you really don't need to. You don't need to prove to anybody, how amazing you are."
Hermione blushed and looked up, "Oh, I like challenging myself." She assured.
"I think our extra projects, are us challenging each other? Which is good, I honestly don't think that is taking away from our normal studies. We have to all find the balance between doing well in our classes and not running ourselves ragged with our extra projects. Hermione has proved the books wrong, we don't need our wands, to do magic. That is... unbelievable."
Athena wasn't sure if she was doing a good job of reassuring Hermione, it sounded like their normal study subjects, weren't challenging enough for Hermione, but she was trying to make it challenging by putting more work into it than necessary.
"Think of it this way, you enjoy learning, right?" Athena didn't give Hermione time to answer. "Well, it should be fun, and getting yourself worked up like you have been, isn't fun. Try to do your work, for the sake of learning, not for the sake of a good grade. I promise you, if you do that, the good grades are going to be there, no matter what."
Hermione looked thoughtful. She shared more why and how she worried, that she isn't good enough, and it became clear just how much Ron's words had played on that. It wasn't failing, that Hermione feared, it was the fear of being taken away from her friends. Hermione would do anything, to stay at school with her friends.
The group stayed in the toilets chatting, an unusual place to chat but thankfully no other student disturbed them. They discussed a study plan, which had a mix of their class studies and their extra projects, their particular aim, was for Hermione not to, burn the candle at both ends, as it were. The idea of having a few, perfectly stable candles, is just fine. They all wanted to study extra things, but Hermione seemed to want to study them all, at an unrealistic level, plus some of their chosen subjects were relatively unexplored, even by grown adults. Hermione could not expect to have every question answered by the end of first year. They may need to tweak the balance but Hermione had admitted she'd been staying up at night to add extra information to her essays, something that definitely wasn't necessary in their first year. Athena was worried how Hermione might manage fifth year and beyond, they needed to create good habits now.
Their chatting continued longer than planned. "You did what? You actually punched him? Neville you are going to be in so much trouble!" a shocked Hermione cried.
"I know, it wasn't the right thing but I don't regret it, not after what he said."
This caused Athena to think about what Angelina said, how he is always trying to show off to his friends. "I think he's jealous, just like those kids at your old school Hermione. He's got all these older brothers, maybe he wants to be the best... or something?"
"Funny way of showing it, being a bully? And have we ever seen him set foot in the Library?" Susan returned.
"I'm not defending what he did, I just don't think it was about Hermione..." Athena offered.
"I do suppose everyone has their issues, it's just-"
Boom!
Unfortunately, the group never heard what Hermione had to say.
BOOM!
All four of their heads quickly darted towards to door, where the noise was coming from. It sounded distance, but no less ominous.
"Woah! What is that smell?!" Susan yelped, as she looked toward Neville with suspicious eyes.
"Oi! That's not my smell!"
BOOM!
"Shhh." Athena hushed, "There is something on the other side of that door."
The group remained very still.
At first, nothing happened, and Athena had begun to come to the conclusion she had over reacted. Perhaps, it was a plumbing issue? This was a Toilet after all.
BOOOOMM!
The force of an absolute nightmare bashed through the doors. The monster was strong enough to throw the heavy wooden doors, off their hinges. The creature was so enormous it had to duck under the twelve feet door, just to peer in and spot them. At first, the creature looked curious, as four children stared back at it, petrified with fright. Without warning, the beast, threw itself and at the group, and it raised its mammoth wooden club in the air.
"MOVE!" Athena shouted, as she feared for her friends. The four friends scattered in half, Hermione and Susan, dived toward the sinks at the back of the Toilets, whereas Athena and Neville managed to get closer to the exit.
At first, the troll, seemed slow to catch on, that there was nothing under its club as it searched under it. Athena dreaded to think what it might have found, had they not moved. Athena and Neville, could make a run for it, but neither of the pair, even considered leaving, while their friends were the other side of the room. The troll was between them and the exit. Susan and Hermione, wasted no time, taking advantage of the troll's confusion, they desperately held hands as they crawled and edged under the sinks, towards Athena and Neville.
But it wasn't long before the troll noticed their movements and he took another swing towards them. Athena, could only stand and watch as the troll's poor aim thankfully missed them. Susan and Hermione desperately pulled each other back.
"Get out! Run!" Hermione screamed at the pair standing by the door.
This cry was enough to wake Neville up, he picked up some of the broken sink, that had flown across the room and started throwing things directly at the troll's head. As the troll, turned its attention towards them, Athena had to think fast. If they could get it to follow them out of the room, her friends wouldn't be cornered anymore. But how quick was this thing?
As the creature looked like it was going straight for Neville, Athena grabbed the closest thing and threw it directly at the things large head. "Oi! Over here!" She started making her way to the exit, the doors slowed her down as she had to climb over them. She knew she had to keep making noise, so that the troll didn't go back towards her friends.
Neville could see what she was doing but he panicked, "Athena!" Athena had managed to get the troll just outside the bathroom, when it looked back round for the new noise.
She had to distract it, "INCENDIO!" Athena pointed her wand back towards the troll that was clambering through the doorway; she aimed directly for the wooden club in its hand. What happened next, happened so fast, Athena wouldn't have been able to describe it if she tried. The troll, dropped the club frantically, which landed directly on the wooden doors below it. This caused a chain reaction that set the entire doorway alight. The troll, thrashed its arms about as it clumsily climbed off the now burning doors and it ran directly for Athena. Thankfully, it wasn't aiming for Athena. Athena managed dive to the side of the corridor as the creature narrowly missed her small body.
Perhaps she had hit her head, because as she saw the troll run past, a skinny black dog and a tabby cat ran after it.
Sirius and Auntie Minerva, transformed into themselves and both screamed a spell, that Athena didn't recognise, "Incarcerous!"Ropes, sprang from their wands and reached for the troll, each aimed for another leg and the panicked troll, fell flat on its face with a giant THUD.
While this happened, her friends were quick enough to tackle the fire she had started, as water was spraying from their wands to put out the flames. She looked back further down the hall, and she could see Professor Dumbledore and the rest of the staff, running around the corner. Dumbledore raised his wand and repeated the spell from before. But this time, larger, thicker ropes, sprayed from his wand and he rapped the whole body of the troll, so it couldn't even move its head. Athena looked to the toilets to see all her friends standing, they were all ok.
OOO
/Minutes earlier/
Where could she be? Minerva thought as her fork played with her food.
The Halloween feast, was the most luxurious feast of the year and that was saying something considering the feasts normally presented. It was very rare that anybody would miss it.
"Do you think she is alright? Should we go look for her?" Sirius whispered; he hadn't touched his food at all, as he hadn't seen Athena yet.
Andy and Sirius, were there as guests to the Headmaster. Sirius had requested a meeting with his God Daughter, has her Guardian, he was within his right to do this. Sirius explained it was family business and informed Dumbledore Andy would also be present, as Andy was a blood relative. Dumbledore seemed less compliant with this request and Sirius therefore expressed his right, to remove Athena from the school, for a family matter. Predictably, Dumbledore appeared more accommodating and he suggested they make and evening of it, as he invited them to the Halloween Feast.
Minerva suspected, that Dumbledore knew Sirius had brought the paper, he had ears at the Ministry after all. But she wasn't sure if he knew of Minerva's involvement and she was certain the he didn't know of Andy's involvement. Not many would predict Andy to acquire such a job as her husband earned enough for her not to work. It was rather accepted for married woman, not to work in the magical world. Though, it never stopped Minerva when she was married.
There was no reason, Dumbledore would expect Minerva was about to Legally and Magically adopt Athena this evening. She felt so blessed, that Athena was willing to do this and Athena seemed just as eager as she was. She would be forever grateful to Sirius; he did not have to grant this. Minerva knew, Sirius would magically adopt Athena in a heartbeat, it was truly a selfless act, to allow Athena to choose. It showed how much he cared for her and Minerva would ensure Sirius was equally part of their family. She would adopt him too if she could. Minerva only had one concern for this evening: Where was Athena and her Friends?
Sirius was getting restless, he was even biting his nails, which both Andy and Minerva reprimanded him for. "I'm worried about her; this day is hard..." he defended.
Minerva was worried too, it was not like Athena to miss a meal, perhaps she had gone to the kitchens to have a more private meal there?
Minerva looked over to Pomona, who was sat over the other side of the Headmaster, she looked just as concerned as they felt. Luckily, Pomona caught her eye after seeing their concern mirrored, she rose from her seat and wondered over.
"I assume you are concerned for our Gryffinpuff quadlet?" she asked.
What a particular title? Minerva thought, but nonetheless she was concerned indeed.
"I am concerned, they are normally very punctual." Minerva commented, trying not to sound too concerned.
"My prefects informed me there was a search party for young Miss Granger. It seems there was some upset at the end of the practical magic group."
"Is she alright? What happened?" Minerva was concerned she had not yet heard of this, if something bad had happened...
"Minerva," Filius interrupted, "I was there, there was a verbal confrontation between the youngest Mr Weasley and Miss Granger, which was followed by a physical confrontation between Mr Longbottom and Mr Weasley. Considering it was all members of your house, I planned to discuss it with you tomorrow morning, as I believed the situation was settled for now."
"The confrontation may have been over, but it was my understanding that Miss Granger was quite distressed, she fled to be alone, but her friends, arranged an ingenious solution to find her. They rallied the help of their fellow Hufflepuffs and the prefects in turn, informed me."
Minerva was greatly put out that she had not heard of this before now, not that she blamed anybody, she had been greeting Sirius and Andy after all. Minerva made a mental note, to more actively check the status of her Gryffindors more regularly. She would not forgive herself if there was the slightest possibility that she had neglected one of her many, many responsibilities.
"Do you know where they are now?" Sirius asked Pomona.
"I was informed Miss Granger was found in the first-floor toilets; I am not sure if they are still there?" she admitted.
Theirs and everybody else's conversations were brought to a halt, as the great hall doors were slammed open. In charged Quirinus Quirrell, the Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor - the poor man had never been the same after his summer travels. He looked panicking as he galloped towards the head table.
Everyone stared as he reached Professor Dumbledore's chair, slumped against the table, and gasped, "Troll - in the dungeons - thought you ought to know." He then dramatically fainted into her pumpkin pie.
The uproar of the hall was primitive, as students screamed and cried and ran for the exits. Dumbledore, raised his wand to create a magical bang, which caused every head in the hall to turn back around and face them.
Sirius however, did not bother to wait to hear what Dumbledore had to say, as he transformed into his four-legged form, jumped over the table, dived onto the Gryffindor table and ran the length to get past all the students. Without much thought, Minerva transformed herself and followed after him. Sirius and Minerva were both quick on their feet, but Minerva caught up faster as her reflexes could navigate the food on the table with more ease. Once they made it outside, they could both smell the disgusting pottant smell of the troll and too her horror, it had made it to the first-floor. If Athena and those children were still in that toilet, who knows what might have happened, who knows what they were going to find. Sirius must have come to the same conclusion, because his pace quickened. They reached the first-floor corridor and Minerva saw a sight, that would haunt her dreams for years to come.
Athena was being chased by a crazed troll, which had just dropped a flaming club. Minerva ran towards the scene not sure what she would do, any attack on the troll could hurt Athena.
Thankfully, Athena dived out of the way of the manic troll and Minerva and Sirius transformed into their human forms, and both cast the only spell that was considered helpful towards a troll, as they were magic resistant.
"Incarcerous!" she cried, in hope that ropes would cause the troll to fall. Thankfully, Sirius had planned the same thing and it looked like the troll had hit itself so hard, it was knocked out.
In true Dumbledore fashion, he caught up with them to fully bind the mad beast. Minerva was grateful for his heroics but all she could see was Athena lent up against the wall, looking around at the scene in front of her. Minerva didn't waste any time, she joined Athena on the floor and tightly embraced her, Athena very much welcomed her. Minerva started searching Athena for injuries, "Are you hurt? Are you alright? What happened?"
Sirius, still had his wand in his hand and he bent down to magically scan her for Injuries. "You're alright. You're alright." he kept saying.
"Minerva, control yourself..." Dumbledore said quietly, but nobody seemed to be looking at them, Pomona and Filius, had gone to check Miss Bones, Mr Longbottom and Miss Granger while Severus checked the Troll was unable to cause any harm.
Sirius, growled, a non-human growl. Minerva was about to say all sorts of, somewhat regrettable things to Dumbledore, when Andy interrupted the scene.
"Now, now Dumbledore, we are all friends here." Andy said calmly. "Soon their bond, will no longer be a secret."
Dumbledore, didn't flinch. "Whatever do you mean, Mrs Tonks?"
"Perhaps, you should pay closer attention to tomorrow's paper? Although, I would imagine an attack on the school would make the front page?" Andy, woefully stated.
"An attack? I wouldn't call this an attack, merely an unfortunate incident?" He tried to explain.
"An unfortunate incident you say? Do you think these four traumatised first years, would call this, simply unfortunate?!" she pointed to Athena and her friends. Athena had moved away from Minerva and Sirius, to check on her friends herself. They weren't paying too much attention, as they were now hugging each other and checking that they were each alright.
Minerva however, was stood listening. Dumbledore, didn't know it but he was being interviewed for tomorrow's paper and she had successfully distracted Dumbledore away from their public display.
"I do not think, anyone need know of this, thankfully, nobody was hurt." There was a hint of warning behind his words, yet his expression appeared as pleasant as ever.
"And, you don't suppose, any of your students are writing home right now about their evening?" Andy said casually, as if she was merely chatting with a shop assistant. "It is curious..." Andy said thoughtfully.
"Curious? Mrs Tonks?" he asked her.
"Well, don't mind me, I know little of it, but I can't help but notice, it is ten years, to the day, to the very evening even, since the fall of You-Know-Who. Aren't you the least bit concerned that this happened, tonight of all nights? When were the wards last checked?" she pressed.
Dumbledore didn't look too interested in what Andy was saying. "Regularly, I assure you. I shall be re-checking them myself." He walked over to the huddled first years. "You four, have shown great courage, faced great dangers and demonstrated excellent use of fire and water. I believe house points are in order, twenty-five, each, for your bravery." Minerva didn't comment on this, the children deserved praise, but that did not and will not take away from the fact the Troll should have not been there in the first place.
"And Miss Granger," Dumbledore continued, "it has been brought to my attention that today you preformed magic, without the aid of a verbal incantation." Minerva's and a few others mouths fell open. "An extraordinary feat, indeed, I myself, did not manage such an achievement until my fifth year or was it sixth? Forgive me, this old mind can only store so much past information. As I was saying, a celebration, should be in order, let's say fifty points to Gryffindor?" The young Miss Granger looked like she might faint, as her friends congratulated her.
"See, we told you." Athena whispered to her friend.
"Yes, very impressive indeed. I think we can expect great things from you four, you have already achieved, what others may have thought were unachievable fantasy. I shall have to keep my eye on you." Dumbledore said, as he peered over his half-moon glasses. All the children looked very honoured, but Minerva felt cold, she did not like the idea of him watching them closely. What plan could he possibly be scheming that might include all the children.
He moved around to address the collection of people, "Now the excitement is over, I believe some investigations are in order. Severus, I trust you can handle the troll from here? After, Minerva, I would like a word, if I may, perhaps later this evening?"
Minerva noticed he didn't wait for Severus to respond. What on earth was he supposed to do with a twelve-foot mountain troll? And she had no intention of meeting him later today, she already had personal matters to take care of. "Of course, Headmaster." She dutifully responded.
Pleased with her response, he moved on. "Sirius, my boy, we have a great many things to discuss, I understand you have been busy but I would like to offer my services to you, if there is anything I can do?"
Sirius did not look like he was in the mood to have any communication with Dumbledore, he showed great restraint as he answered, "Yes Headmaster, I am grateful you have allowed us to conduct family matters, here in the castle. I shell not hesitate to call you, should we need anything."
"May I offer my office, as a place to converse?" He offered happily.
"There shall be no need headmaster, I have already offered them my quarters. I'm sure refreshments have already been prepared." Minerva offered.
They had expected for him to insist further, it was unnerving that he was being so compliant. However, Dumbledore, bowed his head slightly and bid them good evening. Minerva knew something was not quite right, if Dumbledore was no longer predictable, than they should all be worried. She must remember to check her own room and office for some sort of listening device.
The rest of the professors offered to help Severus with the troll, as Minerva checked on the children again. After a few moments, Sirius almost shouted, "Andy, you got rid of him!"
"Sirius, button it." Minerva said as she did not want the children to suspect they did not respect or trust, or very well like, the Headmaster of the school.
"Why would you want to get rid of Headmaster Dumbledore?" Miss Granger said innocently.
Minerva was not quick enough to work out what to say.
"Oh, don't mind me. I am rather excited for what we have planned for the rest of the evening." Sirius put out his hand to Miss Granger. "You must be the famous Miss Granger, Athena met you the day she collected her Wand. She has said you are a very good friend. Please, call me Sirius."
Miss Granger shyly accepted his hand, "Please call me Hermione." She said. Shyness, was not a common sight for Miss Granger, was that a slight crush Minerva detected?
Sirius smiled and shook her hand. He moved on to Mr Longbottom. "And you must be, Mr Longbottom. May I call you Neville? Given all the hiding, when you were a baby, I only saw you a few times but we have met. I was very close with your parents – still am close." he corrected. Sirius lent down on one need to be the same height as Mr Longbottom. "Neville, I plan to do everything I can, for you and your family, if you'll let me. And if you need anything, please owl me, I'll come running. Alright?"
Mr Longbottom looked completely overwhelmed by the calm presence in front of him. He could only nod and accept Sirius's hand that had been offered.
He then moved on to Miss Bones. "And you must be-"
"Mr Black, what are your intentions towards my Auntie?" It was Sirius's turn to look overwhelmed. However, once he overcame his shock, he barked with laughter.
"Yep! Definitely a Bones!" he laughed. "Miss Bones, I had planned to be an honourable gentleman towards your Auntie but then she cursed me on the bum and told me to stop being so uptight."
"Sirius!" Minerva called, she believed that was not a thing to say in front of children, even if they didn't know the full story. "Have you no filter?" She demanded.
Athena, Mr Longbottom and Miss Granger seemed to find this funny, although Miss Granger was better at hiding it than the other two.
Sirius continued to laugh, as Miss Bones looked deadly serious, he collected himself. "Miss Bones, your Auntie and I have been best friends, for a long time. I would like that to be something more, but the choice will always be hers. One day, I hope to earn your blessing." Sirius bowed his head ceremonially. Miss Bones didn't look too impressed. Athena looked like she was trying to exchange a look with her but they were too far apart for the other to notice. Sirius waited for a moment for a response, but accepting that one wasn't coming. He got back up and turned to Minerva and Andy. "Shall we?" Sirius asked.
Minerva suggested, it might be best for the children to be checked over in the Hospital Wing, this was immediately responded with assurance that they were fine and so she encouraged Miss Granger, Miss Bones and Mr Longbottom back to their dorms. However, Athena seemed to have other ideas.
"Actually, Auntie Minerva... I was wondering if they could be there? You know as witnesses maybe?"
Minerva looked at Sirius, who was smiling happily. "If that is your wish Athena. They are very welcome." Minerva smiled. Minerva was glad Athena had found such good friends, and it seems the traumatic experience with the troll, had only made them closer.
"Let us make our way to my quarters." As the group followed Minerva, she could hear the four friends whispering to each other behind.
It was only now, once they were walking to her room, that she realised, not much longer and she would be... a Mother.