Chapter 5: Suspicions and Speculations

After her talk with Mishka, McGonagall went directly to Dumbledore's office, there were a few things she wanted to discuss with him. She did not bother with knocking as being the meddling old man he was probably knew she was there anyway.

"Albus we need to talk, actually you need to tell me everything you know about Professor Mishka, oh and Albus, I do mean everything not just what you want me to know." Minerva sat herself in the seat across from him and poised herself to be given the run around.

"Is there a problem Minerva?" Albus smiled sweetly at her as he popped an assorted candy in his mouth.

"There is something strangely familiar about her yet elusive. I cannot seem to pinpoint what though." She paused for a moment before continuing, "Did you know she was a Gryffindor who is now head of Slytherin? A Gryffindor that I should know and I do not!"

"I am aware Minerva, the sorting hat felt it would be a good place for her. Apparently there were traces of Slytherin blood in her; though how that occurs in a Gryffindor I'm not entirely certain."His eyes twinkled merrily; damn that twinkle, always knowing more than he says.

"How do I not know her Albus, she was in my house. In all my 40 years of teaching I have never forgotten one of my students, but I don't know the name Mishka. What is going on Albus and no riddles?" She warned sternly, though knowing it would do her little to no good.

"All I can say Minerva is that she is a very bright and clever witch with a very painful past. She wanted to let it go, that is why she changed her name. If and when she is ready I'm certain she will tell you. Until then give her time, don't push, I'm sure it's hard enough for her being here."

"She mentioned she is going to the reunion Albus, but that would mean she graduated in Potter's year, I remember all of my Gryffindor's from that year, but I must say it is very distressing to not recognize her."

"Calm yourself Minerva I'm sure all will reveal itself in due course. Now don't fret and let us have some tea shall we."

Minerva conceded the point but she wasn't done yet, she wanted to know what Mishka was hiding and why. Don't push my fanny, Minerva wasn't a Gryffindor for nothing…she'd find her answers!

SSSSSSSSSSSSS

After some time of amicable chit chat another idea occurred to Minerva, so she decided to broach the subject.

"Albus, in the history of Hogwarts we have never once had a reunion much less mid term with students present, so why now?"

"Let's just say that it's time for some old friends to be reacquainted. There are two people that have lost each that still seek to find each other again."

"You are being cryptic again, you're meddling aren't you?" Minerva looked at his twinkling eyes and knew the answer.

"Not directly I am not, but you could say I'm setting the scene."

"For who?"

"Just some old friends."

"Your meddling will catch up with you one day; you do realize this you know?" Minerva sat back and enjoyed her tea. Knowing she would get no more out of him, she let it go, but that didn't mean she would stop digging. Somehow she suspected this reunion had something to do with the mysterious Professor Mishka.

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MALFOY MANOR SUNDAY

Sunday afternoon Draco sat alone in the kitchens of Malfoy Manor, he had inherited it after the death of his father, and his mother, well she could care less about the manor and decided to travel the world, right now he thought she was sitting somewhere in India. Not that it mattered really his mother was rarely around during his childhood why should she bother to be there now. Besides the only person Draco wanted in this house with him was the woman he loved and he had lost her ten years ago, but he made a secret vow to himself that when he found her he would win her back, he had to, she still owned his heart. In his heart he felt she was close but he still had yet to find her, though something in him said that Mishka was the key, somehow she would give him the answers he was looking for. He was so close he could taste it, he knew she was right around the corner, he just had to find the right clue. There was no way he was giving up now.

A knock on the outer kitchen door broke him out of his reverie. Draco looked up at the door to see none other than Albus Dumbledore. Not once has the Headmaster been at Malfoy Manner, to say that Draco was surprised would be the understatement of the century.

"What can I do for you professor?"

"Might I come in for a bit Mr. Malfoy?"

"Certainly Professor. To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?" To Draco's own surprise he was actually happy to see his former Headmaster.

"Would you care for some tea Headmaster?" Draco offered as he took his seat at the table once more.

"No thank you, however, Draco I have come to ask you a question, are you planning to attend the scheduled reunion in two weeks?"

Draco was puzzled why Dumbledore would make a personal visit to the Manner simply to ask him about the reunion.

"Yes sir, why do you ask?"

"I'm not certain if you've met our new potions professor but I believe the two of you may have some things in common. I do not believe she will have very many she is close to at the reunion and as I'm sure you are aware I require all of my professors to attend. I simply wish for her to have someone she can chat with."

"I was under the impression that Professor Kilari was teaching potions, did something happen to her?"

"I believe it was the stress, she could not handle the house rivalries. As you are aware she did not attend Hogwarts as a student and was not aware of the strong animosity between Gryffindor and Slytherin, and she mentioned something about blasting Snape."

To this Draco gave a chuckle, Snape had a way of making things stick in a students mind, everyone may have complained about him, but one thing was certain you learned something from him. "So who is this new Professor?"

"Well it happens that she is also head of Slytherin house, her name is Professor Mishka."

At the mention of her name all the blood drained from Draco's face, So that's where she went, no wonder she wouldn't tell me.

"I apologize Professor but I'm quite certain that Mishka will not wish to associate with me. She made it quite clear before she left for Hogwarts that she wanted nothing to do with me."

"Ah, but that is where you are wrong my boy, I have a feeling that she may be relieved to see a familiar face, try and talk to her and see what happens." Draco noticed the shimmer of a mischievous grin cross Dumbledore's face, the Headmaster was up to something.

"I'm not sure but you have never told me wrong before." Draco said more to himself before addressing the Headmaster directly, "would you mind if I made a visit to Hogwarts a week early, I would like to see how things are running. Oh and I thank you for helping me get on the board of governor's. I wasn't sure it would happen, what with my father's reputation and everything."

"I know that you were not a part of that Draco and I will always be here to say so." Dumbledore laid his hand on Draco's arm in an attempt to lend some comfort.

"Potter and Weasley still blame me ya know. I think they blame me for Hermione disappearing too, I wish I knew where she was."

"Don't worry, I'm sure she will turn up again, a person eventually comes to miss what they knew as home." Draco stood suddenly, feeling the need to move around.

"But my father destroyed her home and her family, she left me because of her so called friends and then they abandoned her to, I'm not sure if she will ever come back." Draco had tears forming in his eyes, he loved Hermione with all his heart, he knew why she did what she did, but it hurt him, and it took him five years to forgive her, though she never heard him say I'm sorry. He promised himself if he ever found her he would make it the first thing he said to her. "I'm sorry Professor but I must be going." Draco hated letting his emotions get the best of him, but it always seemed to happen where she was concerned.

"No worries Draco and we shall see you next week." With that Dumbledore left Malfoy Manor almost as suddenly as he had arrived, Draco had to wonder for a moment if he had imagined the Headmaster's visit, but he knew it was real. Something in Draco said that there was something that Dumbledore was trying to say but was kept from actually saying.

"I believe it best to make an early trip to Hogwarts, need to know how Slytherin house is being run, have to protect it." Draco knew it was an excuse, but it was an excuse that would get him to see Mishka, whether she was willing to talk to him or not. She is the key and Draco knew it, deep in his heart, and he would get the answers he needed. He wasn't in Slytherin for nothing you know, he had his ways of finding what he wanted, it may have taken 10 years but he wasn't giving up yet!