Chapter 22 – The Soul
"Would you care to run that by me again?" Auntie Minerva seemed to be blinking too much. "I could have sworn you just said you had intentionally set the Troll's Club on fire?"
Sirius looked giddy, "Kid, never change. That is awesome! Athena Potter - Firestarter!"
"Hey, that might be an idea -" said a new member of Athena's family.
"Andromeda - You dare! If I see 'Fire starter' in that the paper, I will transfigure every printer into an Acromantula."
Andy looked rather disturbed, "Is that even possible?"
"Try me." Auntie Minerva threatened as she sat down in one of her newly transfigured arm chairs. Auntie Minerva had changed her desk and a bookshelf, into some comfortable armchairs, so that there were enough seats for Athena's family and friends. Auntie Minerva had mentioned they were waiting for two more people, Ted, who Athena had heard a lot about, she planned to give this man a great big hug for all he had done for her and their family. Also joining them would be Madam Amelia Bones, who was not only Susan's Aunt, but also the woman who Sirius had mentioned in nearly every letter. Sirius had briefly told Athena a bit about when they were younger and Athena was very excited to meet her. With three of her friends and five adults, it appeared there would be quite an audience for their adoption. Athena wished Hagrid could be there and she wished she had thought of it earlier, but sadly, there wouldn't be enough time to run down the grounds to collect him.
Besides, Athena did not want to leave her Auntie right now, as she was very concerned about her. Auntie Minerva looked very overwhelmed as she was leant back in her chair with a distant expression on her face. Athena knew she was thinking, because Auntie Minerva was holding her chin in her hand, as if she was trying to stop the words in her head from slipping from her lips. Athena's friends were also glancing towards this informal stance of their Transfiguration Professor and Athena reflected that this contrast to the normal, straight back, raised nose, Professor McGonagall must be quite alarming. Athena had seen her Auntie relaxed, curled up with a book in her pyjamas, but this level of unease was still far from normal.
"Auntie Minerva?" Athena approached her chair, and Auntie Minerva looked up abruptly, as if awoken from a daze. "Are you alright? Are you worried about the adoption?" She asked timidly.
"Oh!" Auntie Minerva sprung alert. "Athena, sweetheart," she pulled Athena to join her in the single lounge chair and cuddled her tightly. "no, never worried about that. I couldn't be happier. But it may have slipped your mind, but you have just dodged a twelve-foot troll - a mere twenty minutes ago. Merlin, why am I having a nervous breakdown, you must be just as traumatised?" She said honestly.
Andy scoffed, "Welcome to parenthood, Minerva. A constant state of nervous breakdown is common."
"Did Tonks set a troll on fire too?" Sirius laughed. Sirius turned to Athena. "How did you think to do that anyway?" he asked curiously. "Merlin, in first year, I think I would have just rolled over and died."
"Well, thankfully Athena's inner animal is not a dog." Minerva added, as she continued to grip Athena and rub her arm affectionately.
"I feel like I should take offence to that, but..." Sirius shrugged.
"I'd like to hear what Athena has to say..." Andy added. Athena was too busy watching the interactions between her family to notice that she had anything to say.
"Wait, what? What was the question?" Athena said.
"You see, she is traumatised," for some reason, Auntie Minerva felt her forehead, as if checking for something. "She's quite warm."
"I'm fine! We all are! I just knew I needed to get the troll out of that small space! I didn't really plan much after that."
"I honestly cannot think what I would have done - with only first year spells... Did you know trolls are magic resistant?" Andy asked.
Athena could say the only obvious response, which she didn't think needed elaborating. "Hagrid is one of my best friends" she said plainly.
"Say no more." Andy conceded. "Hagrid was a groundskeeper when I was at Hogwarts."
Auntie Minerva actually asked, "How on earth did trolls come up in your conversations?"
"Have you ever spoken to Hagrid?" Athena commented back and chuckled.
Auntie Minerva looked at Athena and blinked slowly. "Yes, well. Where on earth are -"
It appeared as if Auntie Minerva didn't have to ask her question, as her fire place roared with green flames, which caused Hermione and Athena to jump.
"Auntie Amelia!" Susan had dashed out of her comfy seat and into her Auntie's arms.
"Susan!" I didn't expect to see you here! Why – What happened? Why are you covered in white soot?" Amelia started to scan the room for answers, or perhaps scanning it for danger and she drew her wand.
It fell upon Andy to share the children's story. The group of friends didn't really want to keep reliving the experience, it actually sounded worse hearing it from someone else. Amelia was gripping hold of Susan tighter and tighter. As Andy spoke, Athena and her friends made their way to the food which was waiting for them on a table, as Auntie Minerva promised.
"Auntie Amelia, I'm fine, I'm right here." She reassured her. Athena returned with a plate of food and allowed Auntie Minerva to wrap her arm tightly back around her while Athena was tucking into some roast chicken.
"Why wasn't I informed of this?" Amelia directed her questioning at Auntie Minerva. "Why haven't the Aurors been called?"
"You can shoot that Head of Department Tone elsewhere, Madam Bones. This only just happened and I knew I was seeing you personally. As to why the Headmaster hasn't called you, you can take that up with him. Might I suggest you wait until tomorrow, when you will find out with the rest of the world? It is the Headmaster's responsibility after all."
As tempers began to flare, Sirius was looking between Amelia and Auntie Minerva as if he wanted to say something helpful.
"I'm sorry," she hugged and checked Susan again, "just with Susan involved-"
"I understand." Auntie Minerva kept rubbing Athena's arm and Sirius looked very relieved. Athena felt very safe and she was learning parents, needed more reassurance than kids do.
"I'm sorry," Susan's Aunt addressed her friends. "I have been rude, my name is Amelia Bones, as you may have worked out, I am Susan's Aunt. Please call me Amelia, I must say, I am very impressed with the way you children handled that Troll. You must all have very quick reflexes to dodge it so successfully. Thank Merlin you did. I will be forever grateful to you Mr Longbottom and Miss Potter, for remaining calm enough to try and help your friends. That was extremely brave. I am just so cross, as you should have never been in that position to begin with."
The conversation carried on, Athena and her friends, introduced themself properly so that they could move on from formalities, magical culture really was tiresome. As the conversation grew casual, Athena became settled until suddenly the fireplace flashed green again. "Ah, hello everyone, few more people here than planned I see." A man with a very old looking suit and hat, stumbled out of the fire and dusted himself off.
"Everyone, let me introduce you to my Husband Ted." Andy said as she greeted him warmly.
"Ted, has been wonderful." Auntie Minerva told Athena, "It's because of him that we are all here today, especially Sirius, who wouldn't be free without him."
"Oh hush, none of that." Ted said bashfully.
"She's right, we owe you everything." Sirius added.
"Is this praise going to happen every time I enter a room?" he accused.
"Yes." For once, Sirius didn't appear to be joking.
"Thank you, Mr Tonks, you have no idea..." Athena couldn't quite find the right words, she was going to hug him, but she suddenly became very awkward. This person was the reason Sirius was free, she needed to buy him a gift or something? How does one say 'thank you' for that?
"Please I beg you, all of you call me Ted, and really, Miss Potter, I only did what was right."
"Please call me, Athena. Can I get you some tea?" she offered.
"Right - right, this is all getting too sappy and I think it is only going to get worse, shall we move on to interviews? I have everything I need from Sirius and Minerva, plus I have to story from tonight. Actually, that's a thought," Andy Paused to think, "Miss Granger."
"Please call me Hermione."
"Thank you, Hermione than," she smiled warmly, "how do you feel about your wordless magical success being in the paper, it seems only polite to ask your opinion on the matter?"
"Actually, Miss Granger might I offer some advice, I agree your success and accomplishment should be celebrated, but the attention you received from the Headmaster, would only be the tip of the iceberg, as it were. Many would wish to contact you and some may just say it was accidental magic -I do not believe that too be the case, I have no doubt you have worked hard for your accomplishment however, will you be ready for that amount of attention?" Auntie Minerva enquired.
Athena didn't know what Hermione would say, on the one hand, she may see being in the paper for an academic accomplishment, an amazing opportunity; on the other side, she knew from Athena's experience, that fame wasn't everything.
Hermione thought quickly. "It's not just my achievement, I wouldn't have worked it out had it not been for my friends."
"Hermione, we talked about it being possible but you are the only one to manage it." Athena complimented.
"I must say, I knew you four were working ahead, but I had no idea you were exploring wordless magic. Good heavens, you'll be working on wandless magic next!" Auntie Minerva grew concerned.
"This could be dangerous, have you felt tired at all, any sort of drag on your magic since this?" asked Madam Bones. "It must have taken an extra resource of power, from one as young as yourself.
"No not at all." Hermione admitted. The adults in the room appeared quite shocked.
"That's part of why we want to look into it, we didn't think it would be much of a drain. It was Neville who first thought it, he pointed out, we feed magical plants our magic without even realising it." Susan explained.
"That wasn't me, that was your book, Magic at your Fingertips?" Neville pointed out.
"But Neville, it was you who proved that intent was key, remember, when you over- powered that lumos spell?" Hermione argued.
"But that was because of Athena, it was her who worked out how important intent was. Magic knows when you aren't confident." Neville countered.
"But Hermione worked out how to do it!" Athena finalised. It seemed none of them wanted to take the full credit for this.
"Honestly, that was intent, but I think Ron was right, I was intending to show off..." Hermione admitted, she was ashamed.
"And so, what if you were? All you did was show the bad...sassy Witch that you are?" Sirius interrupted, Athena had almost forgot the adults were still there and Sirius said it better then she could.
"Exactly," Athena encouraged, "he challenged you to prove you could do the spell, and you proved you could do it and you did it in style! It's not your fault he couldn't handle how well you did it."
"I agree," Amelia added, Athena decided she liked her, "I am Head of Magical Law Enforcement, in a department which happens to be mostly men. I have most definitely had to "show off" at one point or another."
Sirius raised his hand to show he had something to say, "Should I er -" Amelia swotted him playfully to make him stop.
"Miss Granger, in your first class with me, when I transformed on the desk, was that showing off?"
Hermione thought for a second, "No, but you did it to prove a point, didn't you?"
"Excellent, Miss Granger. There is a difference." Athena was glad the adults agreed. Hermione didn't intend to make Ron feel bad, but she did intend to prove her capability.
Susan addressed Hermione directly. "Will you be proud of yourself now?" she smiled. Hermione smiled in return, she looked more content than she had for weeks.
"So, you cast wordless magic, in first year, to prove a point?" Andy said slowly, she then desperately pleaded with Auntie Minerva, "Please let me write about this?!"
"Actually, with the correct support, group studies, and dedication, these four could submit to an academic paper? Students have done it before."
"I never heard of that being allowed before?"
"That's because you never read academic papers Sirius."
"I did too."
"Those sorts of papers, do not count."
"They were still educational." Sirius shrugged with a smirk.
Before Amelia could argue with Sirius, Auntie Minerva angrily cleared her throat. Athena couldn't help but feel she had missed something.
"Yes well," Andy cleared her throat as well, "You realise Miss Granger, sorry, Hermione had witnesses, I'm sure the whole school has heard of her success by now."
"You might remember, fame, rarely lasts in Hogwarts. Gossip flies so swiftly here; it'll be old news by the weekend." That was true, Athena thought, nobody seemed to point to her in the hall way anymore.
"No way!" Sirius called, "The Marauders are still famous!"
"What's the marauders?" Hermione asked.
"What's the – What are you teaching these kids?!"
"Respect. The importance of hard work?" Auntie Minerva said smugly.
Sirius did not look happy, well actually he did, he looked very happy compared to the last time Athena saw him and he looked healthier too. He must be on similar potions to what she is, because he seemed to have filled out his skin more. And he looked relaxed, almost care free. Athena saw the way he and Amelia were looking at each other and Athena thought it was so romantic. Athena liked her, she seemed to - Athena didn't know, but she understood Sirius. Athena made mental note to talk to Susan, she responded coldly towards Sirius and she had obviously worked out something was going on between them from her own letters. Athena would have to gently work out what her issue was.
"Well kids, get ready for summer! I have a whole new education planned!" This filled Athena with glee, she would be able to see her friends over the holiday!
"Merlin, give me strength." Auntie Minerva looked stressed and Madam Bones looked concerned. What Sirius deemed an education, must be exciting, if it stressed out both of these strong women.
"Right then!" Andy called, causing a few jumps, "So, super genus kids, off the table, then. But the Safety of Hogwarts, up for question? Fantastic, now to the main event."
"Athena," Sirius said gently, differently to how he had been speaking before. "Have you thought about what you would like included in the paper, about your story?"
"The adoption, definitely." Athena said quickly. "But, regarding my past, I don't want anyone's pity, I get you might have to say how I ended up at Auntie Minerva's, but..."
"I completely understand," Andy said, "I more wish to focus, on your strong bond, so nobody can question that you two belong together, 'after eleven years, Athena Potter is magically welcomed into the family of McGonagall.' It's a big step, not many families preform a magical adoption, so waiting won't seem strange. We can also provide evidence that it was your parents wish for this to happen, had something happened to them. Such a magical bond can only happen, when the soul bond is already formed. That coupled with my writing, there will be no question of your past, only an assurance of your current situation." The air on Athena's arms seemed to stand up at the mention of souls, it had been mentioned by Olivander, but Auntie Minerva admitted she didn't know a lot about souls and Athena hasn't heard it mentioned in any book and she did look.
"Susan and I performed the ceremony, we are already blood so there wasn't any rush, Susan was seven and we felt the time was right. And I am very glad we did. It feels like a bond blessed by magic.
"Sorry, but what is the Ceremony, what is Magical Adoption?"
"Oh sorry," Sirius said, "it's more something pureblood families would have known about. It's really not that common, I think it has only become more common lately since the war and even then, it's a very private affair. Hmmm, let me think, I only knew about it myself, because, I looked into ways your Grandparents could adopt me? Well when my parents disowned me, I was almost seventeen, and therefore didn't need to be adopted. I wish I had now, but I was nervous to ask, to be honest." Amelia rubbed Sirius's arm, "Yeah, I'm getting side tracked, I do that. Sorry. Amelia maybe you better explain, as you have performed it, after all"
"No problem Sirius." Amelia smiled. "There are different types of bonds, a bond, is a connection between two people. And these come in all shapes and sizes, family bonds, friends and soulmates, just to name a few. Some people are born with a soulmate, for others it simply grows into a soulmate bond. Even some muggles believe in soulmates although true soulmates, are rare. It's the same with family bonds, some you are born with and some are developed. I am probably over simplifying things. It is said that some can naturally see bonds, although, I've never met anyone who can." Athena shared a look with Auntie Minerva, Mr Ollivander sprung to mind again. "There are specialists in the Department of Mysteries who study bonds and Gringotts recognise them."
"Magic approved bonds, outclasses every type of formal contract." Ted added, "Apart from Marriage Bonds, I rarely come across them in my work. And even then, Marriage Bonds are not that common, it is believed they were historically the norm, until politics made way for arranged marriages."
"Ted and I had to get married in secret, it was arranged for me to be married to somebody else. We had a Bonding Ceremony and our Bond was accepted by magic, so my farther or rather, my Mother, couldn't over rule it."
"Bonding Ceremonies have become rare and that might also be due to the fact, not all marriages are accepted, I don't understand all of it myself, but it might be because one of the pair is more invested than the other. These days, if a couple chooses a Bonding Ceremony, there is likely little doubt of their love for each other."
"Did my parents have a Bonding Ceremony?" Athena wasn't sure why she asked, after all from all the stories it was obvious, they loved each other.
Sirius beamed, "They did, it was the most, moving, magical thing I'd ever seen."
"Erm," Neville had been rather quiet, Athena noticed and it showed how more relaxed he was with his friends compared to other people, "I don't think Gran mentioned anything about a Bonding Ceremony? Did they...I mean, did...?"
"Your parents wedding was just as beautiful Neville," Sirius explained, "and I have no doubt they were Soulmates. They had a rather large wedding, which I believe was requested by your Gran? They didn't have a bonding Ceremony, but it was no less magical when they finally said I do. Like we say, it's not that common. They were married before James and Lilly and after seeing their Ceremony, they said they would one day have a more private celebration and would perform the Ceremony then, with just those closest." Neville nodded and looked away. He didn't look down but simply tried to avoid eye contact with anybody if possible.
Athena pulled attention away from him. "But what about Magical Adoption?" Athena asked. She was becoming very nervous about the seriousness of this. Not because she doubted how she felt, but what if it turned out magic didn't approve of them?
"Family bonds, can form just like a friendship bond or soulmate bond. And there are a few types of family bonds, there's the family you choose and there's blood bonds. Susan and I have always had a blood bond, but then we also choose a different sort of bond, then what our blood would suggest. I suppose all the bonds crossover? I am really not an expert." Madam Bones held hands with her niece. "A blood bond, is already legally binding so my guardianship for Susan wasn't going to be questioned. A magical adoption wasn't necessary, but something told us it was the right thing to do. I experienced it and I really can't explain it."
"We understand," Andy said, "we knew our bond would be accepted as well." Andy and Ted looked at each other and Athena hadn't noticed they were holding hands.
Amelia smiled, "I bet it was a beautiful wedding."
"I'd be happy to show you sometime?"
"How?"
"I have a Pensieve, my Father, wasn't as much a... as much as a force, as my Mother. He did not approve of my wedding, but I was still his daughter, it was his goodbye gift, I suppose. I do wonder if my sisters ever worked that out, I had it." Andy added softly. Athena wondered who her sisters were, Sirius said they were related somehow, maybe Athena has more 'Blood Bonds' then she thought. "Anyway, it's why I am not taking any notes, handy little things, especially for working out recipes." Sirius looked very thoughtful for a moment as Athena wondered what a Pensieve was. Was it how magical pictures were made? Athena was about to ask before Sirius carried on.
"We actually have a Godparent bond already; I declared and swore on my magic, that I would always be there for you and protect you like a parent. At one point I thought I might have broken the bond, as I didn't stay with you that night," he looked to Amelia again, "but it was pointed out to me that, at the time, I thought I was doing the right thing. No matter how much love you have for someone, you can still make mistakes."
Athena moved to give Sirius a hug, "I've already told you..." Athena wanted to say the right thing, she didn't want him reliving what could have been, over and over...
"I know Kid, but...Look, we are here now, our bond still stands, no matter what, alright?" He said as he looked at her.
"No matter what." Athena repeated.
They let the moment settle a little, and then Amelia continued. "The outward effects of a magical adoption are known, it means magic will recognise you as Minerva's daughter, and she as your mother. If it is accepted, which I'm sure it will be, then your magic, will take on some of Minerva's traits, but you will still keep your Potter Traits." Athena was grateful this this new connection wouldn't dampen any connection she has with her birth parents.
"In other words, I expect you will be a double badass at transfiguration." Sirius laughed.
"Language Mr Black." Auntie Minerva chimed automatically. "And actually, I have no family history, of Transfiguration. My Mother excelled in charms, as did her mother before her. Therefore, Athena may choose her own path, as I did." Auntie Minerva turned directly to Athena, "Never let fate dictate your future sweetheart."
Suddenly, Athena noticed nobody was saying anything and Athena wasn't sure what she was supposed to say. Thankfully Sirius never stayed quiet for too long. "So wanna be magically known as Athena McGonagall-Potter?" Athena laughed, and excitement swelled in her belly.
"Would you like for us to start formalities?" said Ted.
Athena was nervous, Amelia had explained what would happen and how, but Athena was scared she might say something wrong, or perhaps magic might reject their bond, then what would happen? She knew what a bond was not, but she still wasn't sure what she was supposed to do.
"Alright first, I have some things here for you to sign Sirius, and you wanted Amelia to be your witness correct?" Sirius and Amelia, signed where they were supposed to. Athena couldn't quite work out what Sirius was feeling, but he looked rather content, relaxed even and he was normally quite fidgety. "Now Minerva, if you would, you have a few more to sign." It looked like Auntie Minerva had about ten pages to sign. And then Ted moved on to Athena and he handed her a golden pen. "Now Miss Potter, this is a blood quill, and is used for soul contracts. It is called that, because it will use a small part of your blood as ink. Now it can be unnerving if you aren't expecting it because it stings a little bit but I assure you it will leave no permanent mark." Athena looked to Auntie Minerva for approval, she warmly nodded and that was enough to assure Athena it would be alright. As Athena was exacting the sting, it wasn't as bad as she expected. She was grateful she wouldn't have to used it more than once through.
"Lovely, well done, that's all the records completed. Now the fun part." Ted asked Sirius, Athena and Minerva, to stand in a triangle, they each faced towards Ted with Auntie Minerva and Athena in front and Sirius behind them. Athena noticed it was very similar to a normal wedding, with their friends sat behind them. "Now, if Athena and Minerva, if you could hold hands, well more like hold each other's arms, "Auntie Minerva gently wrapped her fingers around Athena's wrist and Athena copied her. "Brilliant, like that, yes. Sirius, if you could put your hands over theirs, good, good. Sirius please recite the words, we discussed, no ad libbing."
Athena looked behind to see Sirius smirk. "I Sirius Orion Black, call my magic to bless this union." As Sirius spoke, Ted circled his wand over them. Athena felt a tingling travel up her arm, and two ribbons of light, stretched out of either side of Sirius hand and the thick band of light, wrapped itself around her and Auntie Minerva's arms. It felt warm. "I willingly pass my guardianship of Athena Lilly Potter, to Minerva Isobel McGonagall, I do this with Love in my heart and for the intent of Athena and Minerva's happiness. Let it be." The beams of like grew longer and reached to their hearts. When the light turned gold, Athena felt a pulling in her heart, it wasn't a bad feeling, it was that feeling she had when she wasn't with Auntie Minerva or Sirius. It was love and longing.
Sirius, stepped away but the gold light remained. "Thank you, Sirius. Minerva are you happy to continue?"
Auntie Minerva smiled warmly. Athena felt the beams of light get warmer and her heart felt comforted. "Most definitely." She said. "I Minerva Isobel McGonagall, call upon my magic, to bless our union. I willingly accept and welcome Athena Lilly Potter, into my family. I willingly accept guardianship of Athena Lilly Potter, I do this with love and with the intent of Athena's happiness." Athena felt Auntie Minera's love, with every fibre of her body. Athena couldn't see it but her whole body was pulsing with light and she could feel Minerva's love for her, it weaved itself through her very vanes. The only uncomfortable feeling, was a twitch she felt on her brow. Athena's body felt more vibrant with energy than it had felt for a long time, as if she had been given magic mixed with sugar.
"Athena when you are ready, repeat after me. 'I Athena Lilly Potter, call upon my magic, to bless this union.'"
Athena meant the words with everything she had, "I Athena Lilly Potter, call upon my magic, to bless this union." She felt a different kind of magic this time, it swirled, inside her like a whirlwind, and project itself to cover Auntie Minerva. Auntie Minerva had tears in her eyes, as she accepted the magic and she warmly smiled at Athena. Athena could feel the love Auntie Minerva had for her and Athena was overwhelmed as well.
If Ted said anything else, Athena didn't hear it, her magical guided her the rest of the way, telling her the words. "I willingly accept the Motherhood, of Minerva Isobel McGonagall, I do this with love and intent for Minerva's happiness. I call magic to recognise me, henceforth, as Athena Lilly McGonagall-Potter, Daughter of Minerva Isobel McGonagall." The feeling of unity between them was indescribable, and for moment, they were the only ones in the room.
Athena thought the magic and love were settling. Auntie Minerva still had Athena's hand and it looked like she was going to hug her. When suddenly, Athena felt unimaginable pain, it felt like her forehead was going to rip open. She wasn't sure if she was screaming out loud or just in her head and she held her skull to stop it exploding. Athena wasn't aware what was happening. The world had gone black but she was falling, it felt like she kept falling and falling – surrounded in nothing but pain.
OOO