"Miss Potter, you're needed in the Headmaster's office."
Christiana was in the middle of her Tranfiguration lesson when Professor Snape
came fetch her. Professor McGonagall let her go, though reluctantly and not without questions, questions that Snape
didn't seem inclined to answer.
"Very well," she said, "but I expect the assignments to be
completed."
The student and professor made the journey to the Headmaster's office in
silence. Christiana couldn't even imagine what Dumbledore wanted to see her
for. As she followed Snape down the winding corridors she searched every corner
of her mind for a reason to be requested by Dumbledore. If she hadn't been so
occupied with this task the staircase leading to the headmaster's office would
have been much more impressive.
"Miss Potter, please have a seat," said Dumbledore kindly when
Christiana entered the office.
"Don't look so worried , I merely want to speak
with you about and incident in potions today," he continued when he saw
the look on the girl's face.
"Now from what Professor Snape tells me there was a little explosion. Is
that correct?"
"Yes Professor," said Christiana.
"Very well now did you perhaps perform some sort of spell in your head to
make the cauldron explode?"
"I dont know Professor, honestly," said Christiana, "it's not
like I tried to explode the cauldron it just happened and . . ."
"Calm down, calm down Christiana," said Dumbledore holding up a hand
to silence her, " I'm only asking because I need to know for sure whether
or not you are an enchantress and this interview may confirm it. Now do you
know anything about enchantresses?"
"Yes Professor and the fact that I am one has pretty much been
confirmed."
"Hmm that's interesting," said Dumbledore more to himself than anyone
else, "I wonder why she didnt tell me?"
"If you mean my aunt it's probably because she's been trying to keep it as
much as a secret as possible," said Christiana not wanting to sound rude
but still wanting to supply information.
"Hmm and how many people know about this?" asked Dumbledore adjusting
his spectacles.
"Well my family knows, the Blacks and Lupins know except for Raven but she
wouldn't understand anyway, Javen Black might not know either," said
Christiana going through her mental list of people and debating whether or not
to say that Draco Malfoy knew.
"Anyone else?"
"Well . . . "
"Christiana I need to know every person that might know," said
Dumbledore with a note of urgency in his voice.
"Well Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger know and my brother's girlfriend
Gabrielle Breckin, and Kieran's gilfriend Adora Devlin knows."
"Is that all?"
"I think Draco Malfoy knows."
At this Dumbledore seemed to become worried.
"And how does he know?"
"He overheard me telling Ron and Hermione."
"If Mr. Malfoy knows then I would wager a guess that Mr. Crabbe and Mr.
Goyle are also aware of this."
"Most likely."
"Miss Potter how were you able to perform this spell in your head
those powers are not supposed to appear until you reach the age of 16?"
"Well I'm sure that other enchantresses can do it," said Christiana.
"Well as far as I know you are the first, unless Lexi hasn't told me the
whole truth. This isn't good."
"Sir, what's not good and why would my aunt hide
something from you?" asked Christiana throughly interested in her aunt's
secret past.
"It concerns an event involving your aunt that took place many years ago, however it is not my place to tell you. As to whether
or not I have been told the whole truth," here he paused and sighed
deeply, "let's just say that not a lot is known about Lexi. She feels
safer with an air of mystery about her."
The room remained silent for long period. Dumbledore seemed to be deep in
thought. After what seemed like ages he finally spoke again.
"Christiana I'm going to advise you not to tell anyone else about this.
The fact that Mr. Malfoy knows is most unfortunate however nothing can be done
about that now. Also, keep the talk of being an enchantress down to a bare
mininmum. The safest thing to do would be to not speak of it at all. Is that
understood?"
"Yes professor," Christiana said.
"Good. You may return to class."
Christiana quietly got up and left the room.
"This isn't good," said Snape speaking from the shadows.
"No it isn't," Dumbledore said, "There are many twists and turns
to this plot that even I do not understand. The only person who has all the
answers is Lexi. She must decide when the right time is to reveal them."
"Giving answers would mean going back for Lexi, do think she has the
strength to do that?" asked Snape.
"I certainly hope so," said Dumbldore, " she
has to confront her past at some point why not do it now?"
"Stubborness?" offered Snape who had never really cared for Lexi
anyway.
"No, I think that there is more to this than meets the eye."
"Well what precautions to you intend to take?" asked Snape.
"I'm not sure yet. I'll need to speak with the family's first. But
something has to be done soon, before Miss Potter has a chance to follow in her
aunt's footsteps."
"There I agree with you, but these are different times Headmaster, there
is not so much interhouse tension as there was."
At this Dumbledore cast a hard look at the professor.
"It was an accident Severus, she didn't intentionally kill him."
