For almost a year I travelled to and from countries in order to begin spreading the word of Voldemort's return and the danger he posed. The only company I had was Orion, who I had decided to bring with me for several reasons. Firstly, he was excellent at keeping a look out, especially when I needed to sleep just in case someone managed to break through my wards without me knowing. Second, it was easier to send messages with him on hand, and third, it was nice to have someone familiar with me.
We travelled to France to Beauxbatons and the French Ministry of Magic where Madame Maxime provided testimony to what she had witnessed in my sixth year during the Triwizard Tournament and the danger Voldemort posed. Then I progressed east, steadily making contact with each of the ministries and establishing friendships which was easier because I came in the name of Albus Dumbledore, who remained in high esteem with many wizard all over the world. Some were not willing to believe that they were in danger, however, believing that Voldemort would have no reason to come after them, but I made sure to leave them with the knowledge of what he was capable of so that they could prepare, as well as a list of photographs of his known Death Eaters so that they could watch out for them.
Other receptions were warm and welcoming, such as in Bulgaria with the Minister there who recognised me and invited me to stay with him for a while at his home where I met his wife and young children who adored Orion and loved the playful magic I'd make for them. He was very understanding about the reason why I had come, and Viktor also vouched for my message, getting a great deal of popular vote on our side since he was so famous. It was good to see Viktor again and he insisted on taking me to his school in order to show me what it was like, the two of us going as visitors and I met the new headmaster and was given a tour despite being an outsider.
It was a monumental gesture and one I was exceedingly grateful for. The castle was beautiful, though not as grand as Hogwarts, but the grounds were spectacular and Viktor invited me to fly over them so that I could see them all. That time away from home had been thoroughly enjoyable, but as I left to continue on, word seemed to have spread of my mission as just as I was leaving the border, Orion screeched in warning before an attack came from the air. Two Death Eaters came at me and I had to fight them off, spells blasting in all directions until I was able to escape and had to hide for several weeks in order to make sure that I wasn't found.
Sending word back to Dumbledore, I let him know that Voldemort was now onto us so he sent a reply with Fawkes, who materialised with a burst of flame and song before swooping down to land before me. It was good to see him and he sidled up close to keep me warm in the freezing mountains I had taken refuge, allowing me to take the letter he carried in his beak and quickly translated the code. Dumbledore told me that I was doing well and to keep going if I could, but under no circumstances was I to engage with the enemy. Escape was the best way, and to try and send them on a wild goose chase if I could.
He also requested that I check in on the giants to see if they were making any movement, so I set that as my next goal. Stroking Fawkes's feathers, I handed him my reply then watched him leave, bursting into flames and disappearing from sight. Orion then came and landed on my shoulder, hooting softly and nibbling on my ear so I fed him some owl nuts. "This wasn't the kind of adventure I had in mind, you know." I murmured to him softly before hauling myself to my feet. It was time to get moving, and I wanted to be out of these mountains before the blizzard hit, snow beginning to fall in thick clusters from the sky.
Travelling with predominantly muggle means of transportation was a great deal slower than I was used to, but it was the perfect way to blend in. Thank Circe for Muggle Studies. Soon enough I picked up on tips and means to seem as muggle-like as possible, learning the lingo as well as their habits, for instance they didn't have warming charms to keep themselves from feeling the cold, but bundled up in thick coats and scarves so I opted to mimic them rather than walk around with only a light jacket feeling perfectly fine. They also used something called an umbrella to keep the rain off them, so I purchased one with muggle money rather than get wet.
Orion was difficult to hide, so often I had to transfigure him into a broach which I wore everywhere I went and, once we were far away from muggle eyes, would turn him back so he could either fly ahead of me or ride around on my shoulder. Supplies were another thing. I soon learned ways in order to provide my own food by either transfiguring it or buying it from muggle shops, becoming rather adept at handling money in all the forms it came in, though it took me a while to learn that British muggle money didn't work in other countries. That was a steep learning curb. Anyway, I soon became a master at blending in with muggle life and living on the road, carrying out the orders that Dumbledore had given me.
I made sure that I wasn't spotted by the giants when I went to check on them, sending Orion to scour the area to make sure we were alone before looking around. Hagrid and Madame Maxime had come here during the summer of last year, where he'd found Grawp. They hadn't seemed to move, but upon inspecting the chief giant, I noticed that he now had a rather extensive collection of treasures and magic which were being brought once every two weeks by a delegation of Death Eaters to keep them interested in joining Voldemort, repeating their promises as I listened in secret. I sent reports directly to Dumbledore, Fawkes often being the messenger between us.
The information was useful as it gave us more of an insight as to when Voldemort intended to have the giants move, however towards the end of the academic year, where spring had once more returned, Dumbledore requested that I came home in order to help provide extra protection on the castle. He didn't give me a reason why, but there had to be something going on for him to pull me away from this mission. Fawkes had been the one to bring me the message, and so I swiftly packed all my things up, whistled for Orion who flew down from the tree in order to land on my shoulder and once he was settled, I reached up in order to let Fawkes land on my wrist where he then burst into flame.
A rushing of intense heat came over me but it wasn't at all painful and next thing I knew, I was in Dumbledore's office where he himself was sat behind his desk, smiling as if he had been waiting for me to arrive. "Mia, I am glad to see that you have arrived safely. You have done wonderful work this past year, I am sorry to have kept you away for so long." He said to me in the same soft voice I had always heard from him. "Thank you, Fawkes." He said to his phoenix as Fawkes landed upon his perch in order to tuck his head under his wing and sleep.
"It's good to be back. How are things here? How's Harry?" I questioned as I dusted myself off, being a little worse for wear having been on the road and not being able to have a proper shower or bath in weeks.
"Harry is doing well, you'll be glad to know. He has been helping me with something over the year, and I think we are close to reaching a breakthrough, though I can tell you no more than that." He informed me, moving his hand across his desk to pick something up and that was when I noticed that his right hand was charred and blackened, like it had been burned.
"Professor!" Gaping at him, I moved closer so quickly that Orion had to flap his wings in order to maintain balance. "Your hand…is that a curse? Are you alright? Can I do anything to help?"
"I am perfectly well Mia, Severus has been most helpful in containing the curse before it could spread." Dumbledore calmed me but gave me a look which seemed to say not to ask any more questions. "Now, to business. I will be leaving the castle tonight, and I would feel much more reassured if you would join the other members of the Order in patrolling the castle to ensure nothing goes awry. You will be joined by Remus Lupin, Bill Weasley and Nymphadora Tonks as well as the Hogwarts teachers to ensure the safety of the students. I know that I can trust you with this, though I must request that you do not make contact with any other students whilst you are here. It is best if your presence remains unnoticed, just to be certain of security."
"Sure, I can do that. When can we expect you back?"
"Hm…of that I cannot be certain." Cryptic as ever, I shrugged acceptingly and agreed to go to Hogsmeade in order to meet up with the others who were waiting until dusk before entering the castle. Dumbledore had a house-elf from the kitchens take me there since house-elves were able to apparate and disapparate in Hogwarts, unlike wizards, and when I looked down after he'd been summoned to find Dobby himself, dressed in a rather shocking collection of odd socks, hats layered on top of his head like a tiered cake, and a shirt which looked like he had sewn together from at least five different shirts to make just that one.
"Miss Mia! Dobby is very glad to sees you again!" He squeaked cheerfully and bowed deeply, making me smile to him.
"Hello Dobby, it's been a while. How are things?"
"Very well, young miss, very well indeed. Dobby is very happy!" His bright eyes were shining as his ears flapped at me slightly, making me giggle until Dumbledore gently reminded me that I was running out of time so I turned around in order to say goodbye, giving him a smile.
"I'll see you when you come back, alright professor? The castle will be safe whilst you're gone, I'll make sure of it." He returned my smile and as he looked at me with those twinkling eyes, I noticed that there seemed to be a hint of sadness behind them, making me look at him again as Dobby reached for my hand.
"Goodbye, Mia. I know that you will accomplish many extraordinary things in your long lifetime." What an odd way to say goodbye, but before I could ask him what he meant, Dobby had taking my hand and brought me directly to the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade, leaving me to frown and ponder over what that had been about on my own.