It was on the last day of term a week later when I was brought up to Dumbledore's office. He'd insisted that I rested and recuperated before having me come to visit him, McGonagall escorting me with a hand constantly lingering on my shoulder. She was gentle and soft spoken, but didn't ask me questions which I appreciated all the more. Instead she simply brought me to the headmaster's office then left me to head up to see him. It hadn't changed at all from when the last time I was there, having been brought to see him to be lectured about some prank or other. Was it last year? I feel like it was. It may have been the year before that.
Still, there he was, sitting behind his desk with his eyes closed and his fingertips pressed together like he was deep in thought. Before I could take it all in, I heard the beautiful sound of a soft cry before a flutter of wings came from across the room and Fawkes the Phoenix came to land upon my shoulder. He warbled softly, the warmth of his feathers suddenly spreading across my face and shoulders before stretching to the rest of my body. Out of instinct, I lifted my hand to stroke his feathers, making him chirp lightly and nuzzle against my cheek. "It appears Fawkes has taken a particular liking to you, Euphemia." Dumbledore spoke softly so I looked up at him. He was smiling. "Come. Make yourself at home. Would you care for something sweet?" He offered me a small pot of brightly coloured sweets but I declined, taking a seat but had to sit forward in the chair as Fawkes had decided to continue to use me as a perch, preening his feathers upon my shoulder. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm alright. I got off lucky, really. Some of the wounds will scar because they were made by curses, but I'm not bothered about that." I answered quietly, still stroking Fawkes which was made much easier when he hopped down onto the armrest of the chair, allowing me to continue stroking him almost mechanically.
"Yes, unfortunately there is not much that can be done about that. You have my deepest sympathies." He said to me softly, pausing for a moment. Dumbledore seemed hesitant to ask, as if unwilling to make me relive that night but I just smiled calmly and began from the beginning of the year so that he knew exactly how much I had been aware of the situation, and everything that had led to that night in the cemetery. I told him about how Harry had written to me about his scar, how we'd discussed it at the Burrow and my theory behind it but how I'd ultimately decided not to tell him.
I talked about the tournament and how I kept an eye on him, meeting my dad in the cave outside Hogsmeade, every clue and scrap of information I could find to try and work out who was after Harry, and everything Harry told me throughout the year. Barty Crouch's appearance in the Forbidden Forest, the nightmares, the scar hurting him, everything. "It seems I have not been paying as close enough attention to you as I should have been, Mia. You are quite the observant and astute young witch." Dumbledore remarked thoughtfully before inviting me to continue. When I finally came to describe to him everything that Voldemort had said, I closed my eyes in order to visualise it in my head, repeating word for word all that Voldemort had imparted before then discussing it.
"He's building an army, professor, which means he intends to go to war. It's not just the giants and the dementors he'll be after to bring to his side, but all kinds of dark creatures. Werewolves and banshees, anything that takes pleasure in killing and Dark Magic." I told him urgently, my hands now gripping onto the ends of the armrests as Fawkes called softly, trying to calm me. "He also plans to break his other followers out of Azkaban, and punish those who failed to show up when he called. Also, he talked about having taken steps to guard himself against death as well as Harry's mother and an ancient type of magic which protected him." Since it had been a week, I had had a long time to think all of this over. "I think I understand it, it's why you always have him go back to the Durselys, isn't it? Harry's only safe from Voldemort whilst he stays there. It protects him."
"Quite right, Mia. Quite right indeed. However, I must beg of you not to speak of this to anyone. This is not common knowledge, not even your father or godfather know of this." Dumbledore said to me gravely. "Harry is still young, and this type of knowledge will only add to his already insurmountable concerns. I intend to tell him when the time is right, but for now, let him have a little peace." Although I disagreed, I respected Dumbledore enough to agree and trust in his judgement. "However, I feel as if there is little use in me keeping things from you, Mia, so we shall discuss the future in a moment. If there is anything more you need to retell, then please. At your leisure."
So I finished recounting the events of that night, explaining to Dumbledore how I had kept myself hidden and out of sight since Voldemort and seemed to have forgotten all about me, which he remarked didn't surprise him as Voldemort had always been arrogant and often underestimates others, which proved to be my saving grace that night. I listed off how I'd tried to help Harry, putting protective charms and spells over him, and my anti-torture spell which I'd been developing all year. "Oh? Harry did mention that when he was suffering under the Cruciatus Curse, the pain would all of a sudden become bearable. This had been something that had baffled me until now. So it was you all along?"
"Yes, but the spell isn't perfect yet. It still needs some work, but I couldn't let Harry suffer. Anyway, Voldemort insisted on duelling Harry, so I stayed back in order to jump in at a moment's notice, but Harry handled himself really well." Then it was just a case of explaining the effect the two wands had created when they met, which Dumbledore had explained to be Priori Incantatum, before I wrapped it up with describing how we'd run for it, and in our escape I got hit by several spells and curses which knocked me out just as we reached the portkey.
"Harry also informed me of how you insisted on protecting him, even with your own body. Although I commend you for your bravery Mia, it also saddens me that you returned so badly injured. For a while, we were unable to close your wounds. Thankfully, Professor Snape knew of an effective countermeasure, and was able to save your life." I almost choked on air. Snape had been the one to save me? I bet he hated that, having to save the daughter of the man he despises. "I can see what you are thinking, and no. Professor Snape has no regrets saving you, Mia. In fact, he rushed in without a moment of hesitation, as at the end of the day and all things set aside, you are a student, and he is a teacher. It is his duty to protect you all, and he knows this."
"Oh…well then, I suppose I owe him one." I murmured quietly, bowing my head slightly and returning to stroking Fawkes's feathers. "Professor…what happens now? I know I still have a year left at Hogwarts, but I want to do something to help. We need allies, lots of allies, if we're going to face Voldemort and his army eventually."
"Yes Mia, we will need allies. I have a few ideas in my head at the moment, but for now, nothing is certain." Dumbledore said to me gravely as I watched his eyes flicker, as if a torrent of thoughts were battling behind them. "However, I know that you are a trustworthy individual, so I will be counting on you very soon. In the meantime, I wish for you to enjoy your summer, and await further contact from me. I need time to think, and in the end, I believe it highly likely that I will be relying on you and your talent for making connections to help us all." I frowned at this, not entirely sure what he meant so he chuckled softly. "Madame Maxime and even Professor Karkaroff – though he is now vanished – admitted that you were most welcoming and hospitable throughout the year. I implore you to maintain good relations with these new friends of yours. We may need to call upon their help one day soon."
"Of course, professor. I can do that." Looking to Fawkes beside me, I couldn't help but smile as he gazed at me. "He really is magnificent."
"Indeed." Dumbledore hummed softly before straightening. "Thank you for discussing this with me, Mia. You have been very brave. It gladdens me to know that Harry has more than friends watching over him. I entrust that you and your father will treat him like family? Merlin knows, he'll need all the love and support he can get if he is to get through…" Dumbledore trailed off then, not wanting to reveal too much as I got to my feet.
"Harry will have everything he needs. He's family. We won't let anything happen to him so long as we're around." Smiling, pleased with my response, Dumbledore insisted that I take some sweets with me to go before wishing me a wonderful summer holiday. I left with Fawkes sweeping after me, gliding through the air then circling over my head before returning to his perch. I looked back over my shoulder, seeing that Dumbledore had once more returned to pressing his fingers together and thinking deeply with closed eyes. It almost looked as if he'd fallen asleep, and as I turned away, his words continually repeated themselves over and over in my head.
War was coming, and we needed to prepare. I just hope that when the time comes, whatever we have will be enough.