Worries, or

The Rock-Flower Of Hawthorn

Chapter 29

"Lucia, please go up to Professor McGonagall's office," Sinistra said. "The password is 'Dunollie.'"

Lucia sighed. Astoria, helping her with her DADA homework, stared at her. "Why are you always being called up to the Headmistress's office?"

"I don't know." Her hands were cold. "I hope it's not about my mother."

"Oh. Yes." Everyone knew she had been sending owls frantically for a week. Astoria gave her hand a squeeze. "Do you want me to go with you?"

"Well…it could be nothing."

"Shut up and come on."

Feeling like a small child, Lucia clutched Astoria's hand as they went up behind the statue. McGonagall was there alone. She looked surprised to see Astoria.

"Miss Bonnefoy, I hope I haven't alarmed you. I received an owl from Romania today. The letter was in German, for some reason."

"There are a lot of Germans in Romania," Lucia said automatically.

"I see. Do you speak German?"

"No, Professor."

"Then I will translate it for you." She unrolled a small parchment. "'To Hogwarts' Schoolmaster: Frau Perdita Bonhomme (badly misspelt) is well and with the foolish young man, only caught in a snowstorm in vampire country. Dieter Popescu.' This came from Oradea, Transylvania."

"Is that good or bad?" Lucia asked blankly.

"It seems mostly good. She has found…" her eyes slid over Astoria "…your relative, and they are both in health. They are in a dangerous area of Romania, but I am certain they will be able to take care of themselves."

"Oh…" Relief washed through her. "Thank you. She found him! I'd almost started to think she wasn't going to. In Romania…how strange."

"How long has she been looking for him, Miss Bonnefoy?" McGonagall asked gently.

"Since the middle of August."

"That is a long time."

"Her longest search ever."

"He must not have wanted to be found. I am impressed she was able to do so, under the circumstances. Now what do you think she will do with him?"

"It depends on him, don't you think? She was hired to find him, not bring him home. He's an adult. I should think he would be able to choose. But—she's very good at persuading."

McGonagall smiled at her. "I hope she can do it. I wouldn't think wandering around Europe alone would be good for him, just now."

"It doesn't seem to have been. Thank you, Professor."

"You're welcome, Miss Bonnefoy."

Going down the stairs with Astoria, she said in a rush, "I like her so much. I didn't think I would."

"She takes some getting used to. But, Lucia, listen to me. Why did I get the feeling you were talking about someone you both know?"

"Well…"

"I thought your mother was looking for one of her relatives, but is it one of your wizard relatives?"

Lucia gave her a sideways look.

"Lucia…is it Draco? Is he the one who's been missing all this time? Is he?"

She let out her breath. "Yes!"

"Hens' teeth, Lucia! Why didn't you tell me?"

Lucia was almost afraid Astoria was going to attack her. "It was his business, and his mother's!"

"And yours, and McGonagall's, and…"

"Well, McGonagall was there when I was telling Harry—" She realized that was not helping.

"You told Harry Potter? Why should he care?"

"Why shouldn't he? He saved Draco's life! Dumbledore gave up his life to help Draco! Narcissa saved Harry's life on account of her son! Their lives are—are intertwined in some way. But I can't just go telling all of Slytherin his doings! Even if you were his friend."

"I was never his friend," Astoria muttered. "I was just a younger kid in the background always glaring at him. Salazar, Lucia, you don't know what it's like—"

"Loving someone who's missing? Yes, I do."

"Suddenly discovering someone you love is missing. Has been missing for months. Isn't being searched for by anyone but a Muggle."

"A Muggle," Lucia flared, "who is an expert at finding people and has tracked a wizard—a Dark wizard—across Europe for months and may now be responsible for rescuing him from vampires!"

"Alright—alright—I'm sorry. I don't have anything against Muggles. I just don't know any."

"And you've learned from people like Draco that they're stupid. Well, they're not."

"I don't know them. But I've often thought this term that I'd like to know your mum."

Lucia stared at her. "Astoria—if my mum comes home in time for the Christmas holidays, would you like to spend a few days or maybe a week of it with us?"

Astoria answered almost before the words were out of her mouth. "Yes! You can't imagine how dreary Christmas is at my house. Especially—now. With Daphne. I can't see Christmas being dreary at your house."

Lucia laughed. "No, it's not. If she get out of Romania in time, I'll ask her."

Author's note: Dunollie is a Scottish castle...built by my ancestors. :D