Episode Nineteen
Aunt Minerva had called Gwen to her office. She was certain it wasn't for any offense, since slapping Malfoy she'd been angelic and studious. Turning her mind to her studies seemed to be the only thing to ease the knot of worry in her gut so that's what she did. She buried her anxiety under books and quills.
The gut-knot returned immediately when she entered the office. Her mother was leaning against Minerva's desk, her face a dark mask. McGonagall was looking deeply disturbed, her lips drawn in a thin, tight line.
"I have to leave." Her mother said.
"What's wrong?" Gwen rushed.
Beorc gave her a blank look.
"Mother, I'm tired of playing games with you. Just tell me what's going on."
"The death eaters know I'm alive. If they find me they'll kill me. They might even kill you."
Gwen stared at her mother in cold shock. Everything was going well. All she really needed was death eaters chasing after her mother and possibly even her. Malfoy. Malfoy had said something about this.
"Aunt Minerva, Malfoy said something about the death eaters ordering mother's death when I slapped him the other day."
"Which was an incredibly stupid thing to do." Beorc said casually.
"Mother, please. As if anything you've done with your life was intelligent. I know my temper got the better of me, but he was taunting me so. He asked if I wanted an open or closed casket for you. I just couldn't stand it anymore."
Beorc gave her daughter a long look. "In any case, I need to go into hiding permanently this time. More name changes, more running." She sighed. "I hate running."
McGonagall looked at both women sympathetically. "In any case Guenivere it's all been arranged. You'll be staying at Hogwarts to finish your education and I will take responsibility for you until such a time as you can care for yourself."
"Does that mean I'll never see you again?" Gwen said softly to her mother.
"It's a very strong possibility."
Gwen stifled the tears in her eyes. She had to get through this and she would. She just wasn't sure how. She went to her mother and for the first time in her young adult life felt the woman hug her in return. She couldn't contain it any longer and broke into low, deep sobs. She felt her mother weeping in her arms and pulled away slightly.
She wiped at her eyes and smiled. "I don't want your last memory of me to be crying like a stupid twit." She said, laughing through the sobs still choking her.
Her mother looked at her with pure admiration. "You remind me so much of your father." She said, wiping her own tears and trying so very hard to be brave for her almost grown daughter. If Gwen could stand it, so could she. They said their last good byes then McGonagall helped Beorc to alter her appearance.
She watched the muggle-looking woman exit the room and thought about how different life would be without her mother.
