Chapter 11
AN: Thanks for the support. I really hope you like this chapter.
About a day has passed since Mie stunned four Slytherin's and one thing that has become clear is that they have no interest in telling anyone what happened, something which Mie is perfectly happy with. While they may be keeping quiet it is clear that none of them are happy and even though they have left Mie alone she is sure that it will not stay that way for long.
After a morning of Ancient Runes and Arithmancy Mie, Severus, James, Lily, Frank, Alice, Sirius, Amelia, Edger, Emmaline, Marlene, Mary, and a few others, though less than other classes, are walking towards the potion's classroom for double potions while Remus, Dorcus, Isaac and Peter have a free period.
"Slughorn can be… interesting to deal with, but he's all right," Marlene tells Mie, wanting to reassure her.
"Good to know," Mie responds, while she already knows that she appreciates the others trying to help her.
"Isn't he friends with your Dad? Don't you know him?" Edger asks curious.
"I've never met him, but I've heard Dad talk about him," Mie explains, that being the cover that makes sense, as they get to the classroom and because the door is open, they just walk into the classroom.
"Miss Dumbledore," Slughorn says as everyone walks in.
"We'll save you a seat," Sirius tells Mie as the others take their seats while Mie walks over to Slughorn.
"Welcome to potions," Slughorn tells Mie.
"Thank you," Mie responds.
"I see that you have the correct textbook, everything in that book is what we have been doing this year," Slughorn tells Mie. "This is the list of what we have already studied," Slughorn says, handing Mie the list. "I am happy to go through anything you have questions about," Slughorn tells Mie.
"Thank you, I'll let you know what questions I have," Mie responds.
"We're starting a new potion today so you should be fine," Slughorn says and Mie nods before going to take the seat next Marlene, across from Sirius with James, Lily, and Severus also at the table.
"Get your books out, today we're starting the Polyjuice Potion," Slughorn says. "Now I know it's a potion that you are all aware of but none of you would have made," Slughorn says and as he does Sirius catches Mie's eye and gives her a look, and because she is about to laugh Mie turns away from him and turns to face Slughorn as he continues to the lesson.
Three hours later potions has ended and everyone is putting their potions where they will be stored until their next lesson, Mie being one of the last people to do so.
"Good work Miss Dumbledore," Slughorn tells Mie.
"Thank you," Mie says as she checks to make sure that her potion is safely stored.
"Of course, with who your father is I wouldn't expect anything else," Slughorn informs Mie.
"People do say I am my father's daughter," Mie comments, as she starts to pack up her bag.
"Of course, of course," Slughorn responds. "I don't know if you would be interested, but I do often have get togethers that I invite select students too," Slughorn explains, and Mie has to fight not to react to that, as in this time she cannot be sure whether Slughorn wants her in the Slug Club because of her skill or who she is. "Is that something you'd be interested in?" Slughorn asks, and because of her future experience Mie is sure that he wants to 'collect' her too.
"Um, sure," Mie responds, sounding uncertain.
"Jolly good, I'll send you an invitation to the next get together," Slughorn tells Mie, as she picks up her bag.
"I'll look forward to it," Mie says, not at all meaning that, before heading out of the dungeons.
"Mie," A voice says as Mie leaves the dungeon and she looks around and sees Sirius and James in a little alcove, and so she walks over to them, not being able to help but feel suspicious about what they are up to.
"Everything okay?" Mie asks concerned.
"Yeah, everything's good," James assures her.
"We're sneaking into Hogsmeade tonight, do you want to join?" Sirius asks curious as he thought it would be nice to ask Mie if she wants to join.
"Definitely, but won't Peter be suspicious if I join?" Mie asks curious as she knows they can't risk that.
"Peter won't be with us he's got a catch up with Professor Cabot," James explains, and Mie gives a confused look, not knowing who that is.
"Defence Against the Dark Arts," Sirius explains.
"Right," Mie says with a nod understanding why she didn't know as they haven't had a DADA class and Professor Cabot doesn't often join for meals. "Then I'll come, but are we going for a reason?" Mie asks as while she wouldn't be surprised either way she would like to know.
"It's Lily's birthday next week, we're throwing her a party tomorrow afternoon, so we need to get supplies," James explains.
"Sev is joining because he asked, so we're going after dinner," Sirius explains as Severus still needed to buy Lily a present and he wanted to help with the party.
"Okay, I'd like to join you," Mie comments.
"After dinner we'll split off from the others and meet Sev at the one eye witch passage," James explains.
"Sounds good," Mie says as the three of them start to head towards the Great Hall for dinner. "So, how are we going to set things up without Lily realising?" Mie asks and both Sirius and James explain the plan as they walk.
"And that, is how Dorcus got banned from the library for a week," Remus explains, a little while later, as the seventh year Gryffindor's eat dinner together.
"I am so proud," Marlene says, throwing her arms around Dorcus, who looks like she is torn between amusement and embarrassment.
"What made you think that was a good idea?" Amelia asks curious, trying to look disapproving but her amusement shows through.
"Honestly, I wasn't really thinking, they had annoyed me too much," Dorcus responds.
"Of course," Mary says amused, sounding not at all surprised.
"You know you're really going to regret being banned from the library," Lily informs Dorcus.
"Probably, but it's only for a week," Dorcus responds, with a shrug.
"I didn't think it was possible to get banned from the library," Sirius admits, knowing that it is amazing that he hasn't been banned considering everything he has done.
"Don't get any ideas," Remus tells his boyfriend.
"I'm not," Sirius responds, though the grin on his face tells Remus that that is exactly what his boyfriend is doing.
"And on that note, looks like we've all finished eating," Amelia comments, and as the others look around they realise that she is right. "How about we head upstairs to continue this, not at all horrible idea, conversation," Amelia suggests.
"Sounds good, Amy," Emmaline says with a grin, and the group get up and head upstairs.
As they the group are walking up the main staircase Peter leaves to go to the Defence Against the Dark Arts Classroom and as they are walking behind the others James, Sirius, Remus, and Mie are able to duck away as the others are walking and talking.
After leaving the others Mie, James, Sirius, and Remus walk until the they are several corridors away and once, they are Sirius pulls out the Marauder's map.
"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good," Sirius says, taping the map, and once the map is visible the foursome starts to check it.
"Looks like we've got a clear shot to the passage," James realises, once he finishes checking.
"It does look like that," Mie confirms, double and triple checking to make sure she can be sure of that fact.
"Okay, we'll check it along the way, but we're good," Sirius says, knowing it is their only option as not all of them will fit under the cloak together.
"Then let's go," Remus responds, and they start to walk through the castle together.
A few minutes after Sirius, James, Remus and Mie checked the map the four of them get to the statue of the one eyed witch where Severus is waiting for them, hiding slightly until he hears the footsteps and knows that it is okay.
"You managed to get away then?" James asks Severus as he wasn't sure whether Severus would be able to do that.
"No one is paying me much attention these days," Severus admits, as that made it easy for him to sneak away, and even though he tries to hide it the others can tell that it is painful for him.
"Sorry Sev," Sirius tells him, his voice full of sincerity as he can't imagine that is an easy thing to experience.
"It's okay," Severus says with a shrug, though it is hard being so ostracised from his house as not even Regulus can be publicly nice to him without putting himself in danger. "We should go," Severus says and one at a time Severus, Mie, James, Sirius, and Remus make their way in and through the passage, James being the last one to go through.
After about an hour of walking, and talking, Severus, Mie, Remus, James, and Sirius arrive at the exit to the passage, knowing it is where they are as Sirius hits his head.
"I've got to stop doing that," Sirius says as he rubs where he hit his head.
"Don't you know where it is by now?" Severus asks curious.
"I should, but I forget exactly when it is," Sirius admits.
"Everyone does," James reveals, as Remus makes sure that Sirius's head isn't bleeding or injured.
"Um, how exactly are we getting out? Honeydukes is still open," Mie realises, not being able to believe that she forgot to ask that.
"I'm going first, as Padfoot make sure the coast is clear, then the rest of you are going two at a time under the cloak," Sirius explains. "I'll bark if it's all clear, howl if it's not," Sirius says, looking between the others.
"What if you're in trouble?" Mie asks concerned.
"Then I'll howl then quickly bark," Sirius says, and Mie nods.
After seeing Mie's nod Sirius pushes open the trap door and once it is open he turns into Padfoot and jumps out. Once Sirius leaves the passage the others wait, feeling nervous, until they hear the unmistakable sound of Sirius's bark which tells them that everything is okay.
"Okay, I'll go first with Sev, then I'll be back for the next person," James says, climbing out of the trap door, Severus right behind him, and once they are both in the cellar James throws his invisibility cloak over both of them and they head out of the cellar, leaving Mie and Remus.
Over the next few minutes James makes multiple trips until he, Mie, Severus, Remus, and Sirius are all outside.
"Okay, so Mie, Sirius, you two are in charge of the drinks, Sev, Moony and I will get everything else," James says, looking between the others. "We'll meet at the Hogshead in what… forty minutes?" James asks, looking between the others.
"Sounds good," Sirius responds and the others nod.
After seeing the nods the others split up and head off together, Mie and Sirius heading towards the one place they know they will be able to get the drinks they will want.
"How different does it look?" Sirius asks Mie as they walk, both walking slowly, sounding curious as he can see Mie looking around, clearly taking notice of everything, and he isn't sure if she needs to be distracted.
"Very," Mie admits. "I got so used to everything being boarded up," Mie admits, finding it strange that even though this time is also at the height of war everything seems more put together.
"Would be different," Sirius admits, as they pause. "You know I think that in this time everyone is determined to do their best not to let the war interfere with life, but in your time there is no way for it not to," Sirius suspects, suspecting that the way people are acting isn't going to be possible for much longer.
"Sounds about right," Mie admits.
"How you liking Hogwarts in our time?" Sirius asks curious as they continue to walk once more.
"It's different, but I like it," Mie admits, as they continue to walk together, Mie taking notice of how different everything looks as she goes, and knowing that they are going to try so hard to make it so things don't get worse.
After a very long walk as Mie wanted to walk around most of Hogsmeade,Mie and Sirius reach the Hogshead. Without thinking the two of them walk straight into the bar, but the second they do they realise that it might not have been a good idea, as they see who is sitting at the bar, so they try to back out, hoping to do so without being noticed.
"I see you, Annemie, Sirius," Albus, who is sitting at the bar says and both Mie and Sirius exchange looks, both realising that it was a bad idea to just walk in without checking.
"Hey Dad, fancy seeing you here," Mie says, walking over to him, and Aberforth gives his niece an amused look, as the tone of voice Mie has used is 'I've done nothing wrong' kind of tone. "What brings you here?" Mie asks, trying to sound causal.
"I believe I will be asking the questions, Annemie," Albus tells his daughter, in a tern voice. "Now, it's a Friday night, I was under the impression that a late curfew means that you can in places like the library or Quidditch pitch, for longer periods not that you can leave the grounds," Albus says, looking between Mie and Sirius, giving them both a look which makes both feel guilty.
"It's not written in the rules anywhere," Sirius says, and Aberforth laughs.
"He's got you there, Albus," Aberforth comments, looking amused, and Albus gives his brother a less than impressed look.
"Would it help if we said we had a very good reason?" Mie asks curious.
"Oh, what reason is that?" Albus asks, looking between the teenagers.
"Needing supplies for Lily's surprise birthday party," Mie explains.
"Ah, I'll put together the normal Gryffindor party order," Aberforth explains, causing his brother to give him a disapproving look, a look which Aberforth ignores as both Sirius and Mie are over seventeen so they can buy what they like; though not that being under seventeen has prevented him from selling to Sirius in the past.
"Thanks Ab," Sirius responds. "I'll give you a hand," Sirius says, walking over to him, so that Mie and Albus can have a conversation, really not wanting to be in the middle of that.
"I've disappointed you, haven't I?" Mie asks, looking at her father, hating that.
"No, you haven't," Albus tells her. "Although, I would think that you of all people would know better than sneaking out of the Hogwarts grounds considering the times," Albus tells Mie, and while he said he wasn't disappointed Mie is sure that she can hear disappointment in his voice.
"Honestly, I didn't even think about that," Mie admits, walking over to her father, and sitting down next to him. "I was told what was going on and it just seemed like something I wanted to be apart of," Mie admits. "I didn't really think it through," Mie reveals.
"I understand that," Albus admits. "But Annemie, we live in dangerous times, you know that, and you know the unique dangers that being you presents," Albus explains to his daughter. "You need to be alert, be careful," Albus tells his daughter, feeling worried about her and that is why he is being so harsh.
"I know," Mie says with a nod.
"Oh, come on, Albus, give her a break," Aberforth says, walking from the back with Sirius, both of them holding carboard boxes full of the various drinks as well as some snacks, having heard what his brother said. "Mie knows what she's doing, and she knows the risks, let her be," Aberforth tells his brother.
"Thanks Uncle Ab," Mie says, feeling a rush of gratitude towards her uncle. "But Dad's right, my life does have unique dangers; I will be careful," Mie tells Albus.
"That's all I ask," Albus tells his daughter as the door to the bar opens and James, Severus and Remus walk in all three of them holding multiple bags.
"Crap," James mutters, as he realises who is in the bar.
"You lot really need to look before walking into a room," Aberforth says, looking amused.
"Yeah, we really do," Remus confirms, a guilty look on his face as he really doesn't want to disappoint Dumbledore.
"How about we head back to school," Severus suggests.
"Good idea," Mie comments. "How much do we owe you Uncle Ab?" Mie asks.
"Sirius's has already paid," Aberforth explains. "Enjoy," Aberforth tells them as James walks over to Aberforth.
"Oh, we will," James says with a grin, taking the box that Aberforth is holding off him.
"I will walk you back to the Castle," Albus says, looking between the students. "We can continue this conversation later," Albus tells Aberforth.
"We don't have to," Aberforth responds. "Enjoy your party," Aberforth tells the students as they leave the bar with Albus.
"Are you going to block the passageways?" James asks curious, needing to know, as they walk together, and for a few moments Albus debates, trying to figure out what the best way to go will be.
"No," Albus finally answers. "But I will be increasing security in the areas where the passageways are," Albus explains, looking between the students who look disappointed in that, knowing it is the best way to go as he can't outright block the passages without people asking a lot of questions.
"Dad do you really think that's necessary?" Mie says as she really doesn't
"Yes, I do," Albus confirms. "The five of you have proven that," Albus says, looking between the students.
"If it helps we were careful," Sirius informs Albus.
"It does help," Albus admits. "But it was dangerous for you to leave the grounds, which you all know," Albus says, knowing that they all know that and yet still risked it.
"We do, but we had really good reasons," Severus tells Albus.
"I understand that," Albus admits. "I just ask that in the future you think more about your own safety," Albus responds, looking between the teens as he speaks as all he wants is for them to be safe.
"We will," Mie tells her father as they continue to walk, all five of the students feeling like they have been lectured by Albus.
After a rather silent walk the five students and Albus arrive back at Hogwarts and together they walk up to the seventh floor.
"Goodnight," Albus tells the students once they get to the seventh floor.
"Night Dad," Mie responds, and while Albus walks towards his tower the seventh years head not the Gryffindor common room, but towards the empty classroom that the seventh years spend a lot of time in. "Will everything be safe in here?" Mie asks curious.
"It should be," James comments.
"The only people who use this place are in our year, and apart from Lily we all know about the party so no one will disturb the stuff," Sirius explains.
"Good," Mie says, looking relieved, and the fivesome spend the next few minutes putting everything they have gotten away.
"That's everything," Severus says. "I guess I'll see you all tomorrow,"
"Do you need some company walking back?" Remus asks curious.
"Nah, I'll be okay, but thanks," Severus says before heading out of the room.
After spending a few more making sure everything is stored correctly Mie, Sirius, James and Remus head back out of the classroom and to the Gryffindor table. When the foursome get to the tower they find their friends, with the exception of Peter, sitting by the fire and talking and so they walk over and join them. Without making it seem like a big deal Mie, Sirius, James and Remus all sit down with their friends and flawlessly re-join the conversation, making it seem like they have been there the entire time.