Fiona Flitwick was hurrying down the narrow streets of Hogsmeade, to meet her Father, and favourite 'Aunt'. She had much to discuss with them.

The Gringotts owl had shaken up the petite witch to her very core. She had a tough time accepting that her best friend was murdered. Even though they were sorted to different Hogwarts Houses, they had connected in their very first Charms class, when they had become instant study partners.

The young witches had met up in the Library every afternoon, to pour over books, and discuss their latest research and extra credit projects. It soon became obvious, that Lily Evans was a particularly bright witch, who would have made a fine Ravenclaw, but over the years, Fiona gradually became aware why she was sorted into Gryffindor.

Lily was a very courageous and straightforward girl. She fought tooth and nail to stop bullying, lobbied for fair House-Elf treatment, and spoke up against the blatant blood-purity movement on several occasions, which landed her in the Infirmary, multiple times.

She was never one to be subtle, unless it was absolutely necessary, like when she was brewing Potions, or practicing charm-work. She had a certain delicate grace about her, when she was focusing her magic, and Fiona often found herself staring at her, mesmerized.

Miss Flitwick took a deep breath, and sat down on a near-by bench. These memories made her feel quite faint, and she was concerned that her legs would let out from under her. It was quite fortunate that her Dad, and Minerva have found her that moment.

"Sweetheart!" Flitwick squeaked, rushing to her daughter, when he noticed that she was unusually pale. "What's the matter?" He asked, taking her into a warm embrace, as he sat next to her.

"Oh, Daddy!" She exclaimed, and burst into the very tears, that she was trying her best to hold back, ever since she got the note from the goblins. "It's horrible. Why did they have to die?" She whispered, her voice cracking with pain.

The doting father tightened his arms around his daughter, glanced at the Transfiguration Professor briefly, and spoke. "Death is never logical, love. It's usually unexpected and hard to swallow, especially for the ones left behind." He said softly and caressed Fiona's back soothingly.

Minerva stepped closer to them, and placed a hand on the witch's shoulder and squeezed it in a gesture of support. "You have to keep in mind, that they fought with every inch of their being to defy You-Know-Who, and protected Harry." She added in a tender voice that she reserved for family.

"I know, Aunt Minnie." She whispered, and reached out a hand to squeeze hers in return. She had a deep affection for her in her heart, and looked to her as a second Mother, but they all agreed that it would generate weird glances and odd gossip, if she addressed Minerva as such, so they had come up with her being an honorary Aunt. It was a most welcome compromise.

"Very well, dear." She smiled. "So, from your reaction, I take it you got the letter from Gringotts as well?" She inquired and Fiona nodded.

"Yes, I did. This is partly why I wanted to meet with you. Do you know what is going to happen to Harry?" She asked, concern apparent in her eyes and voice.

"No. I suppose we will find out at the reading though." Her father replied and looked at McGonagall. "I think you should fill her in about what we know, since you discovered these things." He suggested.

The older witch had started to recount the happenings, since the Potters vanquished the Dark Lord, and the youngest Flitwick listened intently, her eyes widening at the audacity of the Headmaster. She was spluttering in indignation, her whole body displaying her anger.

"How dare the Headmaster act like he is Merlin in a small child's life?" She asked, throwing her hands around, gesturing wildly, stray magic crackling around her wavy auburn hair.

"My reaction exactly." Filius chuckled softly at his daughter's antics, even though, he was as mad at the manipulating wizard, as she was.

"Don't you worry your pretty little head, Fia, the goblins have everything in hand, concerning Harry, and we will take everything else, one step at a time." She smiled encouragingly.

"I suppose so. Still, I can't help but be concerned, I am his Godmother, after all." She frowned slightly. She wanted a role in Harry Potter's life. She wanted to honour the responsibility, that James and Lily bestowed upon her.

"We know, and I am sure that you will have a hand in young Harry's life, love. Lily was a brilliant witch, and a protective mother, and there was a reason that she had chosen you as Godmother. I am certain that they have honoured both you and the Godfather in the will." Filius mused, and he didn't have to look at his best friend, to know, that she agreed with his assessment.

The small witch nodded, and they stood up, and made their way towards the Three Broomsticks, to drink a goblet of hot chocolate to warm their bodies, and souls, and spend some quality time catching up.

"How is your Mr. Abel fairing these days?" Minerva asked, with a suggestive smirk playing in the corner of her mouth, and watched with an amused light in her eyes, as Fiona blushed.

"Please, Auntie, Eric is not mine." She mumbled, a beautiful red tint gracing her cheeks. "He is finishing up with Auror training, as we speak. He has been very serious about learning the arts, and Lady Bones is letting him graduate early." She beamed.

"Yet." She chuckled knowingly, and schooled her features into a smile. "That is a very impressive feat. I know how tough Amelia is about training the younger generation. Your young wizard must be talented." She nodded to herself, and looked at Filius, to see that he was as amused as she was.

"Indeed! You simply must celebrate his success, and invite him over for a family dinner." He grinned at his daughter impishly. "After all, I have a right to meet the wizard who stole my only daughter's heart, don't I."

"I wasn't informed that today was Tease-Fiona-Flitwick-To-Your-Heart's-Content-Day!" She groaned, and her company exploded into a fit of laughter at her embarrassed frustration.

The rest of their day was spent in similar fashion, teasing Fiona lovingly, and catching up with other matters, spending the day as a family.


Dumbledore disillusioned himself, and made his way towards Minerva's private chambers, where he skillfully deactivated her wards, and scanned her quarters for further protection. When he cleared everything, he took a deep breath and paused. He knew that snooping around a colleague's private residence was illegal, not to mention highly unethical, but he had to know about the contents of that Gringotts letter that arrived for her. It was all for the Greater Good.

He had a sneaking suspicion, that his Transfiguration Professor was up to something, and he did not like it at all. She had changed in the past few days, and he was unhappy about it. She seemed to be way too knowledgeable about goblin customs as well, and that could only mean trouble. Only those, who wanted to be friendly with the goblins really took time to learn about their culture, and he did not think that his Professor needed that advantage.

Albus Dumbledore preferred to hold all the power, rather than see it held by other individuals.

"Accio Gringotts letter!" He muttered under his breath, and a pair of unrolled parchments had flown to his hands. He frowned when he read the first note.

"Dear Professor McGonagall,

It's our duty to notify you of the impending reading of the Potter will. Your presence is required at Gringotts, on Wednesday, 3rd November, at 8 am.

Looking forward to doing business with you,

Griphook

Head of the Potter Accounts

Gringotts Wizarding Bank"

The old wizard felt his ire rise. Why on earth was Minerva invited to the reading? He had a lot more right to be present, than she did. She was, but a mere Professor at Hogwarts, while he was so much more. He wrinkled his nose, and guided his attention towards the second note, which made him gape, like a fish out of water.

"Dear Professor McGonagall,

As per our agreement, it is my honour-bound duty to notify you, that the reading of the Potter will is well underway. I was delighted to spot your name on the list of named witches and wizards. I can say with absolute certainty, that the Potters chose well, as even without knowing their intentions, you stood up for their son. You are a treasure to your kind.

May we meet again to discuss these matters,

Ragnok

The Director of the Goblin Nation

Gringotts Wizarding Bank"

He was seething with anger when he understood what this letter meant. McGonagall had played him for a fool, the cat was out of the bag, quite literally. She went against his direct orders, and notified the Goblin Nation about Harry's predicament. How could she be so utterly foolish?!

The Headmaster was beside himself, yet he had to begrudgingly admit, that going to Gringotts was sheer genius, because if anyone had the power to circumvent his manipulations, the goblins certainly did. He was red in the face with embarrassment over the way the Head of the Potter Accounts played him, and now he knew just who was at the root of all the humiliation he suffered yesterday.

He took a deep breath to calm himself, and cast a complicated reverse-summoning spell, to put the parchments back in their exact position, and then he repeated the same wand movements, with a different intent, to replace Minerva's protection charms, and then he carefully sneaked out of her quarters, and let her wards rise again, storming off towards his office.

Albus Dumbledore was determined to turn the situation around to his advantage.


A/N: Well, it seems that this will reading is just teasing to be closer and closer, and then my mind wanders, and it is postponed till next time. I have been promising that it's the next chapter for a while now, so I apologize that it is still not here, but I am hoping that it will happen soon. I suppose that I could have included it in this chapter, but I am much more comfortable going my own speed, and building the moment, so I have written a bit about Fiona and her relationship with Lily, Flitwick and Minerva and then I had the idea to let Dumbledore go on a self-serving adventure. I hope you will enjoy reading this chapter and thank you for your patience!

Also. Just what are Dumbledore's devious plans? You will have to wait and see. He is quite sinister, as much I will tell you.

I would also like to thank everyone for the reviews, favourites and follows!