Hiya everyone,
Thanks for being patient over the last few days. I did my exam so I've now finished my degree. YAY! So here is the update I promised...
Chapter 26:
Their second week brought with it a lot of difficulties; there was even more homework due in and a ridiculous amount of class time what with all the extra-curricular classes the second years were now taking. It also brought with it news from the outside world. James and the others were sat at the Gryffindor table when the post owls came. "That's strange, post came at breakfast," Sirius said.
An owl landed in front of James and dropped a copy of the daily prophet on his plate. The headline read, "Breaking News." "Breaking news, it must be an emergency paper." James said, as he began to read.
"They haven't done one of those since that person accidentally cast that spell that caused that explosion that killed like fifty people," Remus commented.
"When was that?" Mary asked.
"What two years ago?" Marlene asked.
Remus nodded.
"What does it say James?" Marlene asked.
"It says that there was an accident on the London underground. It was huge. Let me read it to you. This morning at 10:30am a handful of wizards in black robes and masks stood in the middle of the London muggle underground – a sort of transport tunnel. They caused several trains to collide resulting in multiple deaths and even more injuries. The death toll is continuing to rise as the local muggle hospital struggles with the mass intake. The Minister for Magic, Joshua Alcaraz has been in touch with the muggle prime minister. The department of magical law enforcement has sent hit wizards into the centre of London to search for these dark wizards. The aurors are working on several leads that they have coming in. When minister Alcaraz was asked about the incident he said; "we are doing everything we can to deal with the matter at hand. Everyone is doing the very best they can. It is disgusting that we have found ourselves in this situation. The idea that wizards would cause this much pain disgusts me. The auror office and the hit wizards and witches are working hard to find the wizards responsible. The rest of the department of magical law enforcement are working alongside the muggle perlesse men. The obliviators have modified the memories of all the muggle witnesses. The muggle-worthy excuse committee has informed the muggle news papers that the trains crashed as a result of a fault on the line resulting in a head on collision. Last counted the death toll has risen to 146 muggles and one wizard, a ministry employee who at present must remain nameless."
"Oh goodness," Lily whispered under her breath.
"I can't believe that wizards could…" Alice began but stopped when she saw that most of the students on the Slytherin table were completely unperturbed at the news.
"I know dear; it takes a real monster to do something like this," Frank said, putting his arm around her and squeezing her shoulder gently.
They sat in silence for a few moments as they tried to process the news. No one knew what to say. Mary sighed, "I just don't get what they have against muggles!"
"I don't know," Peter muttered as everyone else just stared at the Slytherins.
The rest of the day continued like normal, except that everyone was talking about the supposed train crash. Most of the students were struggling to concentrate in lessons and some teachers had completely given up teaching them. However, some persisted through. Professor Flitwick had allowed the second years to discuss the day's news – even joining them in their discussions where he felt appropriate. There was a knock at the classroom door causing silence to fall. Professor McGonagall entered the room, "I'm sorry Professor Flitwick for disturbing your lesson but could I please borrow Miss MacDonald?"
"Yes, of course, Minerva." Flitwick replied kindly.
Mary frowned as she stood up and made her way towards the door. Her legs felt like stone. They were heavier than they should have been. She tried to smile at her friends as she left them behind but her expression was stuck on shocked. She didn't understand, am I in trouble? What have I done?
"Mary, if you would just accompany me to Professor Dumbledore's office."
"Am I in trouble, Professor?" Mary panicked.
"No Mary, you are not in trouble. We merely need to speak to you." They walked briskly, Mary feeling more and more sick the longer it took before they reached the gargoyle that guarded the headmaster's office. Mary had never been summoned to the headmaster's study before. "Liquorice Alsorts." The gargoyle began to move aside to let them pass, "the headmaster has a slight attachment to muggle sweets," McGonagall told the nervous girl conversationally.
As they reached the top of the stairs, McGonagall tapped the door twice with her knuckles. Professor Dumbledore called from within, "enter."
They made their way into the study to see Professor Dumbledore smiling at them from besides his desk. There was a man stood to the side of his desk that Mary had only seen once before; Mr Potter – James' dad. "Miss MacDonald, would you please take a seat?"
"Yes, sir." She replied as she sat in the chair that he had pointed to. Professor McGonagall sat in the chair next to her own.
"You are probably wondering why I have summoned you," Albus Dumbledore began, "I have some bad news." Dumbledore's eyes were shinning with a deep regret – he didn't like this part of his job. "Mary, your parents were on one of the trains that collided this morning."
"What?" Mary's mouth gapped. She stopped breathing and stared at her professor. Her eyes full of the questions her mouth refused to ask.
"I'm sorry to say that your mother was killed on impact." Mary sobbed quietly. McGonagall fell to her knees besides her young student, and placed a consoling hand on her arm. "Your father is in a stable condition at St Mungo's Hospital. It is believed that he will recover completely if he gets enough rest." Mary began to sob loudly now, partly out of sadness and grief at the loss of her mother but her tears were also mingled with tears of relief at her father's survival.
Mr Potter stepped forward. "Your mother's sister has been called. We have asked that she care for your sisters over the next month. Your father will be in St Mungo's for some time. Miss MacDonald – Mary – may I call you Mary?"
Mary nodded, "Mary, I must also warn you that these murderers do not seem to be acting randomly. I believe they were aware of who was on the train. Both your father and another wizard were on the train. Your parents had arranged a spontaneous shopping trip in London. This other wizard was on his way to work. Your father and this other wizard have something in common; they both married muggle women. I think it would be prudent to have ministry protection, not so much for you because I completely trust Albus' capability. There is no safer place than at Hogwarts. Your family however, I am less certain of their security. I have already got an auror assigned to your father at St Mungo's but I need your permission to assign an auror to protect your sisters. The auror will live with them for the next month or until we have caught those responsible. Muggle homes are not safe against dark wizards. The auror would place protective spells around the house. What do you say Mary, can I have your permission to protect your sisters?"
"Yes, of course," Mary sighed, "do anything, everything that you need to do to protect them."
"Thank you, Mary." Charlus said sadly as he watched a tear fall down the poor girl's face.
Albus sighed, "Mary we will of course help you with the details of your mother's funeral. Just tell us what she would want and I'll have it done."
"Thank you, Professor," Mary cried.
"I am sure you want to visit your father but I must ask that you wait until the weekend. Your father is still not up to visitors and I think it would be better for you to see him when he is feeling slightly better. Is that ok, Mary?" Albus asked.
Mary nodded, "good. In that case Professor McGonagall will escort you to St Mungo's on Saturday morning. I will allow you to work out the details between you. I really am sorry to be the bringer of bad news."
"Thank you Professor," Mary whispered.
"My dear girl, if there is anything I can do please just come and ask. Minerva would you please take Mary to the hospital wing, Poppy is expecting her. Mary, Miss Pomfrey will give you a tonic to help you sleep tonight. I suggest you sleep there tonight. It will be easier to rest before you tell your friends. Take all the time you need."
"Thank you Professor."
Dumbledore merely nodded sadly, "I really am sorry Mary. I wish it could have been good news."
So what do you think?
Next chapter -
More bad news... yep that's right if you thought it was over you were wrong! I feel kind of evil doing it but...