This chapter is dedicated to, once again, PJO-Blue-cookies but this time, however, I have some new friends to add. PJO-Blue-cookies please welcome- CleverUsername(who was a guest), they gave my story lovely reviews, and welcome to Heartquaffle3107 who favorited. I'm so glad to be getting feed back no matter how small.
Chapter Three
We had a routine that year. We would check on the potion and add the necessary ingredients in the morning. In the afternoon I would be taken to the Hell Hole(A.K.A The Interrogation Room) and tortured until I was either unconscious or couldn't move. I much preferred the former. If the girl Death Eater, whom I now know was called Murphy, used her knives to cut me, Bitsy would heal me, although it still left horrid scars along my arms. Bitsy was my savior. She healed me and comforted me. She stole food for me to eat and tended to the potion when I could not.
Willow was my constant companion. My familiar and my teacher. Since my Animagus was a cat I watched her. How she moved and hunted the small mice that ran a muck, how she was aware of everything, yet focused on nothing. Without Bitsy and Willow I fear I would have died long ago. And now it had been a year. Another year in this house. It was two weeks after my ninth birthday when the Animagus Elixir was ready. Bitsy, Willow, and I gathered around the steaming little cauldron. It smelled of Hellebore and was lavender in colour. I scooped some out with the ladle and looked at Willow and Bitsy with trepidation.
"Well. Bottoms up." I drank the Elixir in one large mouthful. It tasted horrible, like slugs, dirt, and burnt hair. Mt throat felt hot and slowly the heat spread throughout my entire body. My bones were stretched and shrunk like elastic and my muscles burned with a fire that could outshine that of the Cruciatus Curse. Then the heat was replaced with a blessed cool feeling. Like my bones had turned to ice. I breathed in raggedly and when I exhaled my breath fogged. Then everything went black.
*LINE BREAK? WHAT?! SINCE WHEN DO WE HAVE THOSE?*
When I woke up I felt different. Not in a big way, more like... a subtle wanting. Like I wasn't complete anymore. I opened my eyes and saw Bitsy's concerned face looming over me.
"Miss Maggie! Are you alright?"
"Oh posh, I'm fine," I said, waving off her worries, "did it work?"
"Bitsy does not know. You are not dead, so Bitsy guesses it worked."
"Excellent. We have to do the spell now, yes?"
"Yes Miss Maggie. Here is the book." she handed me ADVANCED TRANSFIGURATION: THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO BECOMING AN ANIMAGUS and I flipped to the page with the incantation. I pointed the wand in the air and spoke the strange words. They flowed of my tongue rapidly, like I had known them all my life. I had no control over them. The wand flashed bright white and I saw spots for a few moments.
"Good thing I cast that silencing charm, huh?"
"Yes Miss Maggie, but, did it work?"
"I... I don't know."
"Well, try something!" Try something... a tail! I'll try and grow a tail! I pictured myself, growing a tail and concentrated hard on the feeling of emptiness in my mind. My spine tingled and grew warm and suddenly I felt a little more... whole. I opened my eyes and looked behind me. Peeking out of my shirt was a midnight black tail. The same colour as my hair.
"I did it! Bitsy, Willow, I did it!"
"You did it Miss Maggie! Bitsy is so proud." I flicked my tail a bit and Willow pawed at it playfully. This was amazing! And it wasn't that hard. I pictured my tail flowing back into my spine and... nothing happened. I pictured myself getting rid of the tail. Still, nothing happened.
"Um, Bitsy?"
"Yes Miss Maggie?"
"I can't get rid of my tail."
"Oh dear. Let's see what Bitsy can do."
*I'M FILING A COMPLAINT WITH THE AUTHOR. LINE BREAKS ARE RIDIKULUS*
Another year went by and honestly I was surprised I survived that long. I had been there three years. I was under fed, dirty, tired, and scarred. But I was alive. And I was finally ready to make my escape. Bitsy had stolen a small over- the- shoulder hand bag to put all of our acquired things in. I had to put the Undetectable Extension charm on it to get all of our things to fit, not mention the Feather Light charm I put on it as well. I had finally mastered my Animagus form, I could change back and forth with no problems and I discovered I could communicate with Willow when in my cat form. The plan was to squeeze through the bars on my window. The feeling of shifting into my cat form is hard to describe. Your senses get stronger but you get smaller. Your whiskers twitch with all the pressure changes and your ears pick up conversations being held down the street. Its like you have an itch you can't scratch and when you change you feel complete. Its really a wonderful feeling. Bitsy slung the hand bag over her shoulder and hopped onto my back. Willow squeezed through the bars with ease. I on the other hand was less than ecstatic to try it out.
You're next Maggie. Just keep walking till you're through the bars
Easy for you to say, you were born a cat. Just give me a second. I readied myself and bolted through the bars quick as a flash.
That was easier than I expected.
I told you so. I ignored Willow's comment and climbed across the roof. I jumped down from window sill to window sill until finally I touched the dewy grass. Oh how I missed the outdoors. I looked up at the house that had held me hostage for three years. I spit on the threshold, as much as a cat could spit, and ran off into the night. I didn't look back.
*SORRY EVERYONE, THE AUTHOR SAYS THE LINE BREAKS ARE NECESSARY*
The next ten months were spent in cat form. Traveling from the secluded outskirts of England to the more populated areas. It would be harder to find me in a crowd. I wasn't sure what to do. I was a ten year old girl who not only escaped Voldemort(still not sure how I managed that one), but was also an unregistered Animagi. Who could I go to? Better yet, who could I trust? That question wasn't answered until Bitsy, Willow, and I stumbled upon a man named Albus Dumbledore. And we literally stumbled into him. I had just been chased away by an old woman who didn't want some stray kitten in her rubbish bin. I was running as fast as I could, some people like to stun the strays you know, and I barreled into an old man with twinkling blue eyes and long silver hair. I skidded backwards and stared up at him, scared.
"Hello little kitty." he said and scooped me up into his arms. Let me tell you, I don't enjoy being man-handled. I hissed and scratched at him, but he held onto me tightly and started walking into the forest, causing me to go into a panic. At this point I started freaking out and called for help.
Willow! Bitsy! Help! Some old man has me! Heeeeeeelp! Wiiiiiillooooow! Of course all the man heard were yowls. The wind was blowing towards me and I could smell Willow's scent coming closer. Bitsy's as well. Willow got there first and stopped in front of him, arching her back and growling. Then Bitsy burst into the clearing wielding a rather large stick.
"Get away from Bitsy's kitty!" she yelled. The man's eyes twinkled with surprise and amusement, and what he said next was spoken in a calming manner.
"Please, Bitsy, I'm here to help her. I'm here to help Maggie." Bitsy's eyes grew to the size of saucers and she dropped her stick in shock. Willow backed up and sat on her haunches. She looked at the old man questioningly and with appraisal.
He knows about you, Maggie.
So I heard. The man sat me on the ground gently and I went to sit in between Bitsy and Willow. The old man sat himself in front of us.
"Now then. My name is Albus Dumbledore, I'm Headmaster of Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry. For a ten year old, you're rather hard to find, Maggie. Word of your escape has spread like wildfire. After all its not everyday a child outsmarts the Dark Lord. But we will talk about that later. Now as I understand it, you have a birthday coming up, do you not? You may want to transform back into your human self. It will make for an easier conversation if I can understand what you're saying."
I looked over at Willow.
Well? Is he trustworthy?
Yes, I think he will make a fine ally. I nodded and shifted back into my human form.
"Why should I trust you, Albus Dumbledore?" he seemed to genuinely ponder my question.
"Well I have not tried to hurt you once, though I could have. And you don't really have anyone else to trust, do you?" I examined him, eyes narrowed. Something about him seemed good- off, but good. I had been living off my instincts for the better part of a year now. I've learned to trust them.
"What is the date?" I asked.
"It is the twenty-eighth of June." I nodded slowly.
"Yes, it is coming up. July fifth."
"And you'll be eleven?"
"Yes?..." I wasn't sure where this conversation was going.
"Well now, its a bit early but I think, under the circumstances, it would be alright to give you this." he pulled a letter out of his robes and gave it to me. I turned it over curiously, and was surprised to find who it was addressed to.
MAGNOLIA MAY CONWELL, LOCATION UNKNOWN.
I opened the envelope and took out the letter, skimming over the fancy script. It was an acceptance letter. I'm going to Hogwarts?
"What is this? How am I, of all the bloody people, supposed to go to Hogwarts?! I've no money, no family- I'm on the run from Lord- bloody- Voldemort for christ sakes! Is this some kind of joke?!"
"Its no joke. We would protect you of course and I would give you a heavy sum of money from my own accounts for your supplies. As for a family, I can never replace the one that has been taken from you. But perhaps I can find somewhere temporary for you to stay until I find a permanent home, perhaps you can make a new family." I stared at him amazed.
"You would do that for me?" it seemed too good to be true.
"Of course. Our side needs you." and it usually was. Too good to be true that is. At his statement I narrowed my eyes and stood up angrily.
"This is about the prophecy then? You're being nice to me so I'll fight on your side? Well forget it! You can take your bribery and shove it up your-!"
"I'm not doing this for the prophecy and this is not a bribery. Your name has been on the list since you were born, dear. We wanted you before the prophecy was ever uttered. I would have found you even if you were a normal girl, but lets face it, you're not. No normal ten year old would be able to become an Animagus without help, and even help it would be nearly impossible. No normal ten year old would be able to face the pain that you have and still stay strong. No normal ten year old would be able to escape from Voldemort alive, yet here you sit, in front of me, having done all these things that should be impossible. You are not normal Magnolia. You have a destiny that you must fulfill whether you want to or not. But it doesn't matter to me whether you're normal or not. All that matters to me is that you are a little girl who needs my help. And I am willing to give it, but only if you are willing to accept it."
I looked into his face, which was kind and offered a home. Acceptance. Love. I couldn't help myself, honestly. Tears pooled in my eyes and I latched onto his robes, sobbing embarrassingly loud. But he didn't seem to mind, he just pat my back gently and let me cry on him. After a while I pulled back and wiped my tears.
"I'm sorry," I said, well croaked really, "I'm just scared and tired and hungry." Bitsy walked up to me and hugged me and Willow hopped onto my shoulder.
"Well then," Albus said, "lets get you some food. I bet a hot bath sounds nice too, huh?" I nodded.
"For now you'll stay with my good friend, Minerva. We'll find you a permanent home before the school year is out! Not to worry! Now, if you'll take my arm and if Bitsy will take the other, I shall apparate us out of here at once!"
*WHOA! ANOTHER LINE BREAK! HOW D'YA DO?*
I never, ever, wanted to apparate ever again. Currently I was hunched over, clutching my stomach. I thought I was going to vomit.
"You couldn't have warned me?" I choked out.
"Sorry my dear, must have slipped my mind." I had no time to retort for at that moment a stern looking woman barged into the room. She had dark hair streaked with grey and a pinched face. Here eyes were kind but her over all appearance made me know immediately she wasn't one to mess with. That didn't mean I wasn't going to try.
"Albus!" she screeched, "why can't you use the front doo-" and that was about the time she caught sight of me. I had never really thought about it, but I must have looked a mess.
"Who?... Who is this?" she asked in a small voice. Albus pushed me forward a bit and said, "This is Minerva McGonagall, the friend I told you about. Minerva, this is Magnolia Conwell." she just stared at me so I held out my hand.
"Just call me Maggie." she slowly took my hand. She must be in shock or something.
"Minerva." she said, finally.
"Can I call you Minnie?" that snapped her out of it, she shook my hand and frowned.
"No."
"Ah, that's too bad. Guess it'll just stay in my head then." Albus chuckled.
"Well Minerva, I told you I would find her, did I not? She will be staying with you until the start of term. I feel you will be able to help her the most considering... well I'll let Magnolia tell her story. Good day Minerva, Magnolia."
"Will you please just call me Maggie?" I pleaded for the hundredth time.
"You insist on calling me Albus, therefore I insist on calling you Magnolia." I pouted at him.
"Touche." he grinned at me then turned and apparated away. I turned to Minnie(told ya! In my mind) and cleared my throat. She looked at me and I grabbed Bitsy, who had been hiding behind me this whole time, and brought her forward.
"This is Bitsy, my house elf, and Willow my cat." I looked around but couldn't fine her. "Willow?" I called and she came running down the hallway. "Willow! Are you snooping already?" she hopped onto my shoulder and looked at Minerva primly. Minnie looked at Bitsy and Willow, then at me.
"Why don't we get you a bath and some clothes. Then you can tell me how you came to own a cat and a house elf."
"Sounds good Minnie." I said cheerily and she frowned. "Oops, sorry, I said that out loud didn't I?" she actually looked like she was holding back a smile. Yay! Point one for Maggie!
"Come with me." she said briskly and I followed her with Bitsy trailing behind me and Willow still perched on my shoulder. She lead us to the bathroom and ran some water. She fetched me some clothes and placed them on the counter.
"Hungry?" she asked.
"Very."
"I'll make some supper while you wash." she headed towards the door and turned back, looking expectantly at my two companions. They didn't move.
"They'll be out in just a moment. They're... rather protective." she nodded, albeit a bit confused, and closed the door behind her. I turned to Bitsy.
"I'll be alright. Its just a bath. Why don't you help Minerva with dinner? I'm sure she'd appreciate the help."
"Are you sure Miss Maggie?"
"Yes, I'm sure. Besides, Willow will stay with me." Bitsy looked concerned but nodded and left to find the kitchen. I stripped off my old dirty clothes and stepped into the bath. Oooo, so warm. I grabbed the soap bottle but it was empty and blank. What the? Maybe you had to ask for it?
"Um, apples?" I asked and the bottle filled with a green semi-liquid. I opened the lid with a snap and sniffed. Apples. Nifty. I lathered the soap all over and submerged myself completely underwater. I came back up and grabbed the other bottle.
"Honeysuckle." it too filled up, this time with a yellow semi-liquid. I love magic. I emptied half the bottle on my head and suds-ed it up. I rinsed my hair and stepped out of the tub. I dried off and picked up the pajamas. The trousers were fuzzy and warm and the t-shirt was plain blue. I brushed my hair and looked in the mirror.
My face was pale and there were dark circles under my eyes. My dark curls were wild, even though I'd just brushed them. I shifted into my cat form and hopped up onto the counter and sat in front of the mirror. I had never seen myself as a cat, except in the wavering reflection of puddles. My fur was black, the same colour as my hair and my eyes were still blue with dark blue dots in them. If you looked closely- very closely- the dots made up the constellations in the night sky. My nose and whiskers were black and I looked soft. There was a small, grey crescent moon on my chest where my birthmark was. I had a small crescent moon on my collar bone when I was human. That must be my distinguishing mark. I read about them in ADVANCED TRANSFIGURATION: THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO BECOMING AN ANIMAGUS, every Animagus has a distinguishing mark.
Are you done admiring yourself? I'm rather hungry. I rolled my eyes.
Oh Willow, you impatient kitty. Lets go, but first I want to explore.
*LINE BREAK? AGAIN?!*
Hello my lovelies! Sorry I've been gone so long, life decided to spit in my tea. But I'm back, and hopefully will be updating regularly again. Also, I can give full confirmation that Remus and the other Marauders will be showing up in Chapter 5. And Hogwarts too! I'm so excited and hope you all are too.
~ Dove
