Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter and if I did there would be some mild changes to the plot line but since it is fanfiction, I do have a sense of control.
Author's Note: This is my second Harry Potter fanfic, I don't recommend reading my first one Nocte Venatores. It's just a mess to be completely honest with you all. I'm considering taking it down revamping it and then publishing it again or just getting rid of it all together. I did considerable amounts of research for that piece but I just am not quite satisfied with it yet. I will get there eventually. Anyways, carry on my wayward children. This piece takes place just after the fall of Grindelwald; the timeline is not canon to the books.
Characters: Helena Katharine (OC), Narcissa and Lucius Malfoy, Minerva McGonagall, Gregorovitch Rosston Reddingwall (OC), Amelia Bones, Albus Dumbledore, Gellert Grindelwald (only mentions), Saoirse Rosier (OC) and possibly others as the story progresses along.
Summary: An innocent child born from powerful wizards has no idea how she's changed the course of the recent, developing wizarding war. Will she be able to defeat the newest threat to the wizarding world? Or will she fall along with others? Or will she fall into her father's footsteps?
Rating: T for language and mild depiction of violence for this chapter (Rating may change throughout the course of this story.)
Trigger warning: Mention of mass murder, hinting towards WWII.
Side note: Those who have alerts to this story, I posted this last night without editing it and removed it immediately upon realizing my many grammatical errors. Don't worry, here's the polished version. Enjoy!
4th September 1978
"Helena Katharine, you get down here this instant!" Minerva shouted up the stairs and shook her head. "Just because it's her bloody birthday, she thinks she can run amuck! Not in this house she doesn't." She huffed.
"Minnie, relax. She's just a child." Minerva felt warm arms wrap around her from behind, followed by a gentle kiss on her temple. "I'll run up and get her."
"Thank you, Lia. That child is going to cause my hair to grey prematurely. Helena come on we're going to be late!" Minerva whined. They were supposed to be at Hogwarts almost an hour ago. "Look at the time! We're over an hour late! HELENA WE'RE LEAVING WITHOUT YOU!"
"I'm going to get her. Let Albus know we'll be arriving soon." Amelia let go of Minerva and made her way towards the stairs
"What would I do without you, Amelia?"
"You would've married Albus and suffered greatly. Lemon drop?" Amelia mocked.
"Ah, that's right." Amelia ran up the stairs to Helena's room and Minerva reflected upon her relationship with Amelia.
Amelia Bones was quite a character. Deep blue eyes, platinum blond hair, pale, milky skin and luscious pink lips that she chose to cover with bright red lipstick. At the beginning of her sixth year, Amelia decided to become a Transfiguration's Mistress. Amelia had been ecstatic when her mother allowed her to pursue a mastery in Transfiguration. She had to tell Professor McGonagall right away.
Upon arriving at her professor's classroom, she became consumed with an overwhelming amount of anxiety.
Amelia Bones, anxiety? Who're you kidding? The Bones family never had anxiety. The majority of the Bones' were Gryffindors and Ravenclaws, they were courageous and brave. Never scared. She was a Ravenclaw for Merlin's sake!
They were a powerful half-blood family that even some pureblood families were afraid of them, especially the Rosier family. The Rosier family and the Bones' have had many conflicts, some purebloods even refer to them as the wizarding Romeo and Juliet, though no one in their family wanted to marry each other.
Amelia patiently waited for the Transfigurations Professor to enter the classroom. She felt the sweat forming on the palms of her hands. 'Come on Amelia, pull yourself together. She is your professor and hopefully your mentor. Try to ignore your teenage angst for thirty minutes!'
"Ah, Miss Bones. What can I do for you?"
'Do me' she coughed, "Well… I…" She felt the sweat beginning to form on her forehead and under her arms. 'Oh, great Amelia, that's exactly what you need right now in addition to your already ragging teenage hormones. Okay, out with it, the worst thing she could tell you is no.' Amelia took a deep breath before continuing. "I was wondering if you'd consider taking on an apprentice? Just asking for a friend. I'll understand if you say no. I understand that you're quite busy, being the only Transfiguration professor on top of being the Deputy Headmistress and I'll stop talking. I'm sorry I realized I started rambling… I've got to go, have a good day Professor McGonagall." Amelia stumbled over the legs of the chair attempting to make a quick getaway.
"Miss Bones, come back here please." Minerva walked around her desk as Amelia made her way back to the Professor. Minerva's heart skipped a beat as she realized how long she'd been staring at a particular area of her student's body. Minerva shook her head attempting to shake the inappropriate thoughts away, "I would be honored to have you as an apprentice, though I normally don't start apprenticeships until the student starts their seventh year, I'd be willing to make an exception for you. How about seven o'clock tomorrow evening?"
"Uhh... Seven, tomorrow evening. Sounds wonderful, I look forward to it." She turned to leave, and her hand grazed the top of Minerva's thigh eliciting a gasp from the professor. Minerva grabbed Amelia's wrist. Minerva pulled her closer, their faces only centimeters apart; raspy, heated breaths tickled each other's faces. Amelia looked at Minerva's lips, they were almost teasing her, she leaned forward and place a gentle kiss on her lips. Minerva returned the same kiss, this time it lingered. Amelia placed her hands on Minerva's cheeks and pulled her in for another kiss. Gentle kisses lead to exploring hands and deep, passionate kisses that made your soul crave more. Amelia knew that she needed to stop this, but she couldn't, every time she thought to break it off something came over and she kept going.
Then she remembered that her professor was an Animagus. A feline Animagus and during their cycles, they exert pheromones that make their mates give into their… temptations. Amelia brought her hands to Minerva's face and reluctantly broke their kiss, she rubbed soft circles on her cheeks with the pads of her thumbs. Their foreheads rested against one another's for a few seconds before Amelia spoke again. "Professor, as much as I would like for this to continue, I need to get going. I will see you tomorrow evening."
"Very well, good evening Miss Bones."
"Amelia. Please call me Amelia." She blushed.
"And in our sessions, you may address me as Minerva," Minerva whispered gently in her ear.
"I'll see you tomorrow, Minerva." Amelia placed a quick kiss on her cheek and rushed out of the room.
Minerva let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. Her cheek burned where Amelia had kissed her. 'Minerva, what in Merlin's name are you getting into? She's a STUDENT, an intelligent, beautiful… stop SHE IS A STUDENT!' her mind screamed at her. Minerva hadn't felt something like that... intense in her life. It peaked her interest yet terrified her. Was Amelia only interested because of the pheromones? 'Only time will tell, I have three days left in my cycle and we shall see how far this goes."
The sound of a child's laughter pulled her from her thoughts, followed by footsteps that grew louder and began to shake the manor. "Dear Merlin, you two! Did you suddenly turn into elephants? It sounded and felt like someone let loose a stampede!"
"That would be my fault, Minnie. I chased her in my Animagus form." Amelia chuckled. Amelia's Animagus was a puma.
"Are you out of your mind?! I meant for you to fetch her not for her to become a chew toy!"
"Relax Min, we chased each other. I didn't know you taught her to become an Animagus." Amelia said between breaths.
"What are you talking about? Helena come over here please!"
Helena ran up with open arms. "Catch me màthair!" She leaped into Minerva's arms and held her like her life depended on it, "Amelia scared me."
"You didn't seem too scared when you decided to chase me down the stairs, little one!" They all laughed.
"Happy birthday, baby girl." She whispered in her ear.
"Look what I can do, màthair!" She jumped out of Minerva's arms and the little five-year-old suddenly transformed into a large, black panther with a white streak on her forehead.
"How did you… Helena, is that really you?" Minerva was speechless, and Amelia began laughing hysterically.
"Accidental magic, she's a witch, Minnie!" Amelia kissed Minerva's cheek, "And a talented one at that!"
"Making objects move or making them explode unintentionally is accidental magic. Turning into an Animagus is not accidental magic. You know that it requires rigorous training and practice."
"Oh, come off it Minerva, you're just jealous that she became an Animagus at five years old when it took us years to accomplish."
Helena watched her mum and Amelia banter before pulling at Minerva's robes and stating, "Uncle Albus taught me."
"Excuse me?" Minerva's eyebrows rose, and voice tightened, Amelia's eyes went wide.
"Last summer, Uncle Albus caught me in the restricted section of the library. I was about to say the spell when he walked in. He told me that it wouldn't work because I needed a wand and I didn't have one." Helena pretended to kick dirt around her feet and avoided Minerva's gaze. "So, I used his."
"YOU USED HIS WAND?! HELENA KATHARINE DO YOU REALIZE HOW DANGEROUS THAT WAS?!" Minerva's face turned beat red.
"Yes, why do you think I needed uncle Albus there?" Helena pushed.
"Wait, you wanted Albus to find you there?" Amelia questioned.
"Of course, I knew he would help me because he can't say no to me." She giggled, "I knew if something were to go wrong, he would know what to do. I'm sorry màthair."
"You've been an Animagus for a year, and I'm just now finding out about this?" Her Scottish accent began to thicken the angrier she became, "Just wait until I talk to your uncle Albus. I've got a few choice words for that man." Minerva began to shake with anger.
"Màthair, I tricked him into doing it. Don't do anything to him please." She started to cry.
"Fine, but I will definitely be discussing it with him. Don't worry, baby girl, I won't hurt him."
Helena stopped crying and spoke gleefully, "Good because he's going to teach me some other stuff."
Amelia laughed, "We've got quite the con artist on our hands! What has he already taught you, other than the Animagus thing."
"Please don't encourage her." Minerva was annoyed.
"Maybe we should go to the garden for this. Oh, and I'll need to borrow a wand."
"I don't like the sound of this." Minerva looked at the clock on her wall. 5:26 pm. The students would be arriving at 6:30 pm and the sorting ceremony would begin at 7 pm. Minerva led them to the garden and hesitated before giving Helena her wand. She was quite amazed by what her daughter did next.
Helena took the wand from Minerva and waved it around in her hand. Albus' voice ran through her mind. You should always study a wand before you use it. Each wand is different; weight, core, and material. Wands react differently with each person, wands are made to fit the individual though it is said that a powerful wizard can use any wand put in their hands only if they know how to yield it. The wand had accepted her.
Helena looked around for a moment, there was a wooden swing only ten meters from them. Helena waved her mother's wand and shouted, "INCENDIO!" setting the swing ablaze and earning screams from both women behind her.
Another ten seconds went by before Helena extinguished the fire with a quick aguamenti. "I never liked that swing. Let's go. Màthair we're going to be late!" Helena ran past both of them.
Amelia watched, still stunned by what she just witnessed. "He is so dead!" Amelia whispered and muffled a giggle.
"ALBUS PERCIVAL WULFRIC BRIAN DUMBLEDORE!"
Albus glanced at the clock in his office, the students would be arriving shortly. He felt a ripple and chills ran up his spine. Something was definitely wrong, and he could feel it. The wards began shifting, Minerva just arrived.
Then his floo sparked and in walked a heated Minerva. "Minerva, it's good to see you, dear. How is Helena?"
Minerva's face said it all, she was beyond angry. "Don't Albus. Are you out of your ever-loving mind?"
"Minerva you've known me for quite some time now. I haven't been in my right mind since the 60's-"
Minerva held up her hand and she became very quiet. "First my daughter cons you into helping her become an Animagus, then you're teaching her dangerous spells. You gave me your word that you wouldn't teach her magic behind my back." She took a deep breath. "She told me I couldn't harm you but right now Albus, I really want to fucking punch you in the throat."
"Tabby, I couldn't tell her no. She's very convincing. How can you tell someone that cute, no?"
"Simple, NO!" She screamed. "For Merlin's sake, she's five years old! She could have been hurt or worse." She swallowed the bile that threatened to come up. "She could have been killed, Albus."
"Minerva, she's fine. I'm sorry I won't teach her anything else until she attends Hogwarts as an official student in a few years." Albus spoke gently.
"That's comforting." She scoffed.
"Did you just use sarcasm? Somebody alert the prophet!" Minerva lightly punched him, "Oh you wound me. Come on, Tabby. We've got a ceremony to tend to."
Nervous was an understatement, beyond terrified was more appropriate. 'Was everyone this nervous as a first year or was it just me? Saoirse Eileen Rosier, stop being so dramatic, you're going to be fine! You're a Rosier, a descendant of brave and powerful wizards! Pull yourself together!'
"Good evening first years. Welcome to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Your next seven years here will be filled with joy, happiness, stress, and sadness. It will be up to you if you decide to take your studies seriously. Just know that Hogwarts does not tolerate foolishness." Professor McGonagall stated. The first years began to whisper amongst themselves.
"That's Professor McGonagall, she's the Transfigurations Professor. My brother said she was the toughest teacher he's ever had!"
"You are correct, Mr. Yaxley. Though I did enjoy your brother in my classes, very poised, polite and professional, unlike his other pureblood counterparts. I only hope you are as well. Your brother graduated with some of the highest marks Hogwarts has ever seen if I'm not mistaken. He challenged me every day and it was quite entertaining. Now, everyone follow me, please. The sorting ceremony will begin shortly."
The first years all gathered at the entrance to the Great Hall. There was a scream, and everyone looked left. There, twenty meters away, stood a black panther. Everyone backed away, but Saoirse stood in place. She could hear her heartbeat in her ears, her heart started to slow down. She felt calm for some odd reason. Saoirse felt drawn to the panther. She held out her hand. The panther stalked closer and smelt her hand.
The panther pounced and cause Saoirse to fall onto her back. The panther laid on her chest and licked her face as an apology. Saoirse pet the large cat and the other first years began to tease her. The panther hissed at them. Saoirse stood up and straightened her robes, making sure she was still presentable. The panther watched Saoirse's movements and took note of the '28' mark on her left wrist, there was a spell concealing it. Why hide it, conceal it? What did it mean?
Minerva walked up to the first years again as Saoirse made her way back to the group. "Young lady are you alright?"
"Yes, Deputy Headmistress, merely frightened by the panther is all."
"Helena, what did I tell you?" Minerva huffed.
The panther transformed back into the little girl. The group of first years gasped. "Hello first years, my name is Helena Katharine McGonagall. Welcome to Hogwarts!" Helena didn't sound like a typical five-year-old, she sounded like she was raised in high society, she seemed to have the education of a university student. Minerva raised her to act and speak like an adult, though still behave like a child once in a while.
Helena walked up to the group of first years that teased Saoirse, "And to think that you were scared by a five-year-old." She turned towards Saoirse, "I'm sorry about earlier, what's your name?"
"Saoirse." She spoke shyly.
"That's Irish, isn't it? Well Saoirse, if anyone causes you any trouble just let me know. I'll take care of them. I may only be five years old, but I do know a thing or two about magic."
"Thank you, Helena." She whispered.
"Alright ladies and gentlemen, follow me. The sorting ceremony is beginning." Minerva led the group into the Great Hall.
There were only a few students left and Saoirse was one of the last few. She was hoping to be in Slytherin. She could already see her father becoming angry. The sorting hat finished his assessment then Minerva called for the next student.
"Saoirse Rosier!"
Her mind began racing, she needed to be in Slytherin. She would be a disgrace to the family name. The last Rosier that wasn't sorted into Slytherin was stripped of everything once they graduated and they were burned off the tapestry much like Walburga Black. She suddenly felt sick.
"Miss Rosier, a bit nervous, are we? No need to worry." The sorting hat attempted to calm her down. "As much as I want to put you into Ravenclaw, I do take your opinion into consideration. Slytherin? Don't worry, your family secret is safe with me… SLYTHERIN!"
Saoirse made her way to the Slytherin table, Helena following behind her. "Congrats, Saoirse!"
"Thanks, Helena." Helena was going to speak again but was interrupted.
"Before we begin the feast I would like to say a quick happy birthday to my niece. Happy Birthday, Helena!"
The Great Hall was silent for a moment then erupted with 473 'Happy Birthday Helena's' "Let the feast begin!" Albus roared, "Come on Helena, your mother and I have a surprise for you."
"Goodbye Saoirse, I'll see you around." Helena gave her a tight squeeze.
"See you later, squirt. Stay out of trouble."
"No promises!"
Back in Minerva's chambers, Minerva, Albus, and Amelia all gathered around Helena, each taking turns handing her gifts.
"Alright, Helena this one is from Uncle Albus," Amelia said as she handed her another gift.
Helena reached into the box and pulled. She took a moment to figure out how she was going to get it out of the box. "Màthair can I borrow your wand? I need to make the box larger to get the gift out."
"Albus what on earth…" Minerva's tone changed.
"Relax Tabby, it's only a training broom." Albus held his hands up in defence.
"You got me a broom! Thanks, Uncle Albus! Can we go flying?!" Minerva managed to get the broom out and hide it from Helena for now.
"We can go tomorrow afternoon."
"Thanks, Uncle Albus!" Helena finished opening the rest of the gifts. She received a necklace that had a protection charm on it from Amelia, a few books and dress robes from Minerva and candy from Albus, which made Minerva cringe. "Thanks for all the gifts!"
"You're welcome, Kala. I wish to speak with your mother privately, Hogwarts business. I do suppose it's your bedtime?"
"Well past your bedtime? You'll be starting school soon. I will not have you falling asleep during your lessons."
"Okay," she whined. "Where am I going to school?"
"You'll be taught by the McKinnon's, they just opened up a magical primary school or you'll attend a muggle primary school. I haven't decided yet."
Helena swallowed hard and turned pale. "I thought… never mind." She ran towards her mother's bedroom.
"What was that about?" Albus inquired.
"I don't know. I'll go and check on her." Minerva's heart began to ache.
When she entered her rooms, she could hear Helena's soft cries. "I'm so sorry," Helena said over and over again.
"Helena?" She was getting deeply concerned now.
"Màthair, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to run off like that, I don't know what's happening to me. I feel sad for people I don't even know."
"It's human nature, baby girl. Why are you sad for these people? What people are you sad about?" Minerva brushed the stray hairs out of Helena's face.
"The McKinnon's. Marlene was the only survivor." Helena whispered.
"What are you talking about Helena?" Minerva's heart skipped.
"When I touched Uncle's wand, I felt a wave of something move through my whole body. I saw… everyone that he killed. He killed so many people, màthair. Why did Grindelwald kill so many people?" She whispered.
"I don't know, baby girl, I don't know. Let's get you to bed lass, I'll have Amelia get you ready for bed, I'll be in shortly. I need to discuss some things with your uncle. Tha mi gad ghràdh, nighean og."
"Ghràdh leat, màthair." Minerva kissed her forehead and left the room. She could feel her muscles getting weaker after every step. She felt sick for her daughter and the McKinnon's.
"Amelia, Helena is asking for you. I need to finish up with Albus. It won't take long, I'll explain later." Minerva crossed her arms.
"Okay, I'll see you in a bit Min." Amelia kissed her eyelid, "Love you."
"Love you too" Minerva whispered. Amelia left quietly. Minerva waited for the click of the bedroom door before she let out a heartfelt sob. Her knees came in contact with the floor, she balled her hands into fists and she hit the ground over and over again.
"Tabby you're going to hurt yourself."
"She saw it, Albus. She saw the war, everyone that he killed with that wand! That's why she looked as sick as she did." Minerva wept. "She's so young."
"Minerva, I had no idea."
"Marlene was the only one, dammit Albus. My five-year-old knew Marlene was the only one that made it out alive! I'm the reason that entire family was killed!" Minerva screamed at him and slammed a fist against her chest.
Albus took a deep breath, he knew this conversation was coming. It was only a matter of time. "Minerva Katharine McGonagall, you cannot blame yourself for their deaths. They made the choice to surrender to Grindelwald; they knew they were marked for death. They were tired of fighting a battle they knew they'd lose. They knew what they were getting themselves into when they were hiding refugees in the homes."
"Albus, it's still wrong! Twenty-Seven, there were Twenty-Seven of them and he didn't think twice before killing them all. I could have saved them, but they refused! I blame myself because I didn't force them to come with me when they had the chance! I could have protected them all, but they wouldn't leave. Instead, Gellert threw them into the camps and slaughtered them like livestock! Helena saw it all when she touched your wand. Please don't ever let her use that wand again. She's too young and has already seen so much." She took a deep breath, "What if she saw what happened to Narcissa? You healed her with that wand." She shook that thought out of her head. A few seconds passed, and Minerva was now sobbing to the point it almost made her sick, "Dammit Albus, he was our best friend. How could he do something like this!" Amelia, unbeknownst to them both, heard the entire conversation and her heart broke for her wife.
Amelia wrapped her arms around her wife and forced Minerva to face her. Minerva sobbed into her neck. "Come on Min, let's go to bed, mhmm?"
Minerva nodded into her neck. "Goodnight, Tabby, and to you Miss… Bones." Albus said with a hint of laughter in his voice.
"Goodnight, Brian." Amelia winked at him as she guided them to the bedroom. She closed the door behind her and heard Albus go through the floo.
Minerva stood motionless as Amelia stripped her and dressed her in her pajamas. Minerva walked over to the bed and crawled behind Helena's sleeping form, she pulled her close and quietly sobbed. A pair of strong arms wrapped around Minerva and Helena, "Goodnight my loves."
I've got it all plotted in my head, more to come my friends. :)
