Chapter 15
AN: I really hope you like this chapter. I really loved writing it. Please let me know what you think.
After leaving the Hospital Wing Mie and Albus head up to the Room of Requirements, and as they walk into the room, they find not just Regulus waiting, but James, Sirius, Remus, Lily, Alice, Frank, Severus, Regulus, and Amelia as well.
"Mie, are you okay?" Regulus asks, hurrying forward, having spent most of the last few minute's pacing back and forth, not listening to the others as they tried to assure him that Mie is okay.
'I'm okay," Mie responds, hugging Regulus once he is close enough, and the second she hugs him she feels like she can relax again.
"What are you all doing here?" Albus asks, looking at the others as the plan was for just him, Mie, and Regulus to be in this meeting.
"We wanted to check on Mie," Sirius explains as Regulus whispers something to Mie, and she kisses his cheek.
"I'm okay," Mie says as she and Regulus break apart. "But Madam Pomfrey ran a diagnosis charm on me, so Dad and I had…" Mie starts to explain.
"To tell her everything," Amelia finishes, as that's what she assumes, and Mie nods.
"That makes sense," James says. "It's okay I get it," James admits, and the others nod, all understanding and feeling that they can trust Madam Pomfrey. "So, Cabot's a Death Eater?" He says, stating the obvious.
"Yeah," Mie confirms. "And I know we've got a lot to talk about, and we will, but if you all don't get back to the Common Room people are going to start asking awkward questions," Mie points out, feeling worried.
"You're right," Frank realises, with a sigh, knowing it will be easy for him to cover where he was, but for the others it won't be so easy.
"We'll tell the others that we went to the hospital wing to see how you were doing," Remus tells Mie as he knows that that will make sense.
"Tell them that at Madam Pomfrey's suggestion I'm staying with Dad for a little while," Mie explains. "That will also help with our plan," Mie says, looking at Regulus.
"It will," Regulus confirms, though he isn't sure if going through with their plan is a good idea considering everything.
"I love you all, and thank you for being concerned, but you should go," Mie tells the others.
"Okay, if you're sure you're okay," Lily says worried, not wanting to leave Mie unless she is sure that she is going to be okay.
"I am," Mie assures her friends, and with the exception of Regulus the other students head out of the room, each hugging Mie as they go, it being more than clear that they were all worried about her.
After saying goodbye to Severus and Frank the Gryffindor's head back to Gryffindor Tower, none of them are surprised when Peter, Mary, Marlene, Dorcus and Emmaline come hurrying up to them.
"Where'd you go?" Mary asks, looking between the others.
"Hospital wing to check on Mie," Alice answers.
"Why didn't you tell us?" Emmaline asks with a frown. "We would have liked to see her,"
"We know, but Marlene was fielding questions, and you guys were helping, so…." Sirius explains.
"So, you used the fact that everyone cornered me to sneak away and see Mie?" Marlene asks shocked.
"Yeah," James, Sirius, Remus, Lily, Alice, and Amelia say together.
"Mean," Marlene tells them, with a pout.
"Forget about that," Dorcus says, causing Marlene to give her an annoyed look. "How's Mie?" Dorcus asks concerned.
"Madam Pomfrey wants her to stay in the hospital wing, but Mie's refusing, apparently she doesn't like hospitals," Remus explains.
"And Dumbledore's okay with that?" Peter asks surprised.
"Not really, he convinced Mie to go back to their quarters until Madam Pomfrey gives the all clear," James explains, purposely not giving a timeline as he knows that tomorrow could complicate that.
"That's something at least, she didn't seem okay," Marlene says worried.
"I don't think she is," Amelia admits, sounding pained.
"Cabot was a Death Eater?" Regulus asks, once the others leave.
"Yeah," Mie confirms. "We found Death Eater Robes. And… did you give the book to the ministry?" Mie asks her father, as she isn't sure that would be a good idea.
"No," Albus says, pulling it out of his pocket. "The robes, masks, and mark were enough for them," Albus says. "I did not want that to get into their hands," Albus admits as he was concerned about the Ministry having such observations about his students.
"Good idea," Mie admits, taking a step towards her father. "Do you mind?" Mie asks, and Albus hands it over, so Mie starts to flick it through.
"What are you looking for?" Regulus asks, curious, as Mie is clearly searching something specific.
"Peter's name," Mie admits. "Your cover is intact," Mie says, looking at Regulus. "But I want to know what he has to say about Peter, he's spent a lot of time with Cabot," Mie explains.
"That can't be good," Regulus says with a frown.
"Got it," Mie says, finding what she is looking for.
"What does it say?" Albus asks, there being a rushed edge to his voice.
"Peter Pettigrew, susceptible, afraid, needs to believe he can be safe, and worthy; potential to be perfect spy due to friends," Mie reads with a frown.
"Great," Regulus says sarcastically.
"Nothing we didn't know," Mie says, closing the book, knowing they will deal with that soon, but they have bigger things to focus on right now. "We should talk about tomorrow," Mie says, looking between Regulus and Albus.
"Mie you were hurt, you shouldn't do this," Regulus says, clearly worried.
"Regulus is correct, Annemie, you are not okay," Albus says concerned.
"I appreciate that you both care, more than you know, but I know my limits," Mie says. "I know I can do this; I know have to do this," Mie says, looking between the two people who care about her so dearly. "If I didn't think I could do this I would say so, but I know I can," Mie explains, needing them to believe what she is saying because she knows it to be true.
"Bellatrix is going to be one of the commanders," Regulus tells Mie, causing her to tense. "Are you still sure you can do this?" Regulus asks, his worry for Mie causing him to be rather harsh.
"Now I'm positive that I have to," Mie says. "If I can prevent Bellatrix from hurting someone else than I'm always going to try," Mie says, looking between Albus and Regulus, and it is clear that she won't be talked out of this, and she needs the two of them to respect her decisions.
"Okay," Albus says, though he doesn't look completely convicted. "Let's discuss our plan," Albus says.
"I was thinking about that, what just happened with Cabot may work in our advantage," Mie says and she, Albus and Regulus start to discuss their plan for how they will be handling the events of the following day.
About an hour after the other Gryffindor's left the Room of Requirement Mie and Albus walk into their quarters. As the walk from the room to their tower has been in silence Mie is sure that her father doesn't completely approve of her plan.
"Dad," Mie says once they walk into their living room, and Albus turns back around to look at her. "I can do this, I need you to know that," Mie tells her father, as she needs him to have faith in her.
"Oh Annemie, I know you can do this, I have complete faith in your abilities," Albus assures her, not wanting her to doubt that.
"Then what's wrong?" Mie asks curious.
"You were tortured tonight, Annemie," Albus says sadly. "In the one place you should be safe, the one place I promised you would be," Albus says, guilt in his voice.
"Dad what happened wasn't your fault," Mie assures him, understanding things a lot better.
"I didn't see what Cabot was, and I should have, I put ever single student in danger," Albus tells her. "And you paid the price," Albus says, guilt in his voice.
"I know some people think you know everything, and you even think that yourself sometimes, but you're only human," Mie tells him. "No one warned me about Cabot, which means no one knew he was a Death Eater, so not knowing isn't on you," Mie tells him, taking a step towards him. "I'm okay, I promise you that," Mie tells him. "Being in the Hospital Wing is painful for me, honestly I can't stand being in their but if I knew I really needed to be I would be," Mie admits.
"I need you to promise me that," Albus tells her. "Promise me that if you really hurt, or need help, you'll go to the Hospital Wing," Albus tells his daughter.
"I will," Mie tells her father. "We've got a solid plan for tomorrow; it should work," Mie tells him, there being apart of her that needs to believe that.
"I know what you told Regulus, but are do you really think you will be okay facing Bellatrix?" Albus asks his daughter.
"I have to be," Mie admits, then she sighs and walks over to the couch. "Bellatrix terrifies me, she haunts my dreams on a daily basis, so I know what's she's capable of and I know what she will do if she doesn't have something else to focus on," Mie tells Albus.
"By something you mean you," Albus says, sounding worried as he walks over to Mie and sits down next to her.
"It's the best way to make sure she doesn't hurt anyone else," Mie admits. "Dad I'm terrified, I'm not completely sure if I can face Bellatrix without freezing," Mie admits. "But you once said that a time will come where we all have to make the choice between what is right and what is easy," Mie tells her father, who decides that now isn't the best time to point out that he has said that more than once. "Facing Bellatrix, doing what I can to make sure she can't help anyone else, is the right choice, it's certainly not he easy one," Mie tells her father.
"Oh Annemie, you have been choosing the right choice for a long time," Albus tells her, wishing that he had her courage when Grindelwald was rising to power. "I am both incredibly proud, and incredibly worried about you," Albus admits, and Mie realises something.
"But you're not going to stop me," Mie realises.
"No, I'm not," Albus says and once he does Mie leans her head on Albus's shoulder and as she is doing that Albus puts his arm around her and kisses the top of her head as the two of them drift into silence as they sit side by side.
The following morning after a night where unsurprisingly Mie was unable to sleep due to everything that happened, and everything that is to come, Mie and Albus are having breakfast together in the Dumbledore Tower.
"How are you feeling this morning?" Albus asks concerned, noticing that while Mie is eating her breakfast she is also picking at it a lot, but he also knows she has taken the nutrition potion Poppy gave her so that could be contributing with Mie not feeling very hungry; though he doubts it.
"Nervous," Mie admits. "I know this isn't exactly the same Bellatrix I knew in my time, but I also know that she is capable of doing what I know she does in the future," Mie admits. "I'm scared of facing her, but I know I have to," Mie tells Albus.
"Facing Bellatrix could be a step forward for you, a step towards closure, and I know how much you want to protect people," Albus tells his daughter. "But if you're not ready it's not a step you have to take now," Albus tells his daughter.
"That's the thing Dad, it is," Mie admits, putting down her fork to look at her father. "Bellatrix is Voldemort's number two, that's not going to change, nor is the fact that she has a Horcrux in her vault," Mie reminds him. "I'm going to need to face her eventually," Mie admits, as she is pretty sure that there is no question about that. "The sooner I do the better, otherwise I am going to just keep building it up in my mind and making it so much worse for myself," Mie explains to Albus.
"That is true," Albus confirms. "Annemie, as soon as you give the signal I will be there as quickly as possible," Albus tells his daughter.
"I know," Mie responds. "Dad, I know I'm not alone, I know I always have you," Mie assures her father.
"You do, and I need you to know Annemie that you never have to be afraid of telling me anything," Albus tells his daughter, and Mie knows exactly where he is getting at.
"You want to talk about the other injuries Madam Pomfrey saw, the ones from when I was a child," Mie realises.
"I do, but only if you're ready to tell me," Albus tells his daughter as while he really wants to know he doesn't want to push Mie into telling him something she isn't ready for him to know.
"How about we have this conversation tonight," Mie suggests. "If I'm gonna face Bellatrix in a couple of hours then I can't talk about my childhood now," Mie explains to her father.
"I understand," Albus admits, though that does cause him to worry about just what Mie wants to tell him.
"Thanks," Mie responds, and the two of them continue breakfast.
After having breakfast with her father Mie has headed to Hogsmeade. While Albus walked with her to the gates Mie walked the rest of the way to the Hogshead by herself. Having learnt her lesson after last time Mie looks through the windows and after realising that her uncle is alone Mie walks into.
"Morning Uncle Ab," Mie greats.
"Morning Mie," Aberforth responds, looking up from what he is doing, looking glad to see her. "I got Albus's letter, you here to use my floo," Aberforth realises.
"Yeah," Mie confirms, and Aberforth can tell that she seems rather hesitant.
"Albus told me what else happened yesterday," Aberforth says, walking over to Mie. "Are you okay?" Aberforth asks, clearly a little worried about her.
"It wasn't my first time being tortured," Mie tells her uncle.
"That doesn't mean you have to be okay," Aberforth admits. "I've been on the end of that curse, I know what it's like; you don't have to pretend that you're okay," Aberforth tells Mie, wanting her to understand that she doesn't have to be anything other than what she is.
"Can I tell you something? Something I haven't told Dad or anyone else?" Mie asks, sounding a little hesitant, but she needs to admit what she has been thinking and she honestly thinks Aberforth is the best person to talk to.
"Of course, you can always talk to me, Mie," Aberforth assures his niece.
"Cabot casting that spell on me was almost a relief," Mie reveals and even though he is clearly surprised Aberforth doesn't say anything, and Mie can tell that he is not judging her. "Back… where I come from, people had been telling me that I had become paranoid," Mie reveals, knowing that was mainly Ron, but he wasn't the only one who said it. "I guess I had, but I had good reasons," Mie admits.
"Certainly, seems like it to me," Aberforth assures her.
"So, when I became suspicious of Cabot, I kept remembering that, and thinking that maybe I was just being paranoid for no reason," Mie admits. "When Cabot cast that spell at me it was almost a relief because…."
"You realised you could still trust your instincts," Aberforth realises. "That you could still trust yourself," Aberforth says, understanding that feeling.
"Yeah," Mie says with a nod.
"There's nothing wrong with that," Aberforth tells her. "Mie if you see something, or feel something, even if no one else seems to, believe it. If you're sure, trust yourself," Aberforth tells his niece who nods. "How long before you have to get going?" Aberforth asks, wondering if they have enough time to have a cup of tea together.
"About now," Mie says, glancing at the clock. "Thanks Uncle Ab," Mie says, walking over to the fireplace.
"Be careful," Aberforth says as Mie gets to the fireplaces, and after giving her uncle a nod Mie grabs floor power and climbs into the fireplace.
"Diagon Alley," Mie says dropping the powder and seconds later she disappears.
After a traveling by a method that she is sure she will never get used to Mie steps out of the fireplaces in the Leaky Cauldron. As she steps out into the bar Mie is sure that a few people have noticed her and are clearly confused, but Mie just ignores then and through the pub and to the outside.
Once she is outside Mie uses her wand and taps the right brick. After the gateway opens Mie walks through and she has to pause. Just like Hogsmeade Diagon Alley looks so different than the version of the alley she left in the future, though it does look a lot more similar to her future than Hogsmeade does. Taking a few moments to take in how different everything seems Mie looks around and she knows that this is exactly what she is trying to protect.
Knowing that she has a mission to do Mie walks down the alley and to Flourish and Blotts, as it will give her the perfect Vantage point. As she walks down the alley Mie sees a few people give her a second glance which tells her that they have seen her bright blue, trademark Dumbledore, eyes and realised who she is.
Hoping that no one approaches her, as she cannot be distracted, Mie continues her walk to Flourish and Blotts and while she knows there are things, she wants to look for instead Mie doesn't head into the store rather she starts to look at the books outside. As she looks at the books Mie is very much interested in them, but she isn't paying close attention to what she is looking at as she keeps looking around, looking at the places she knows Death Eaters will soon appear.
For a few minutes Mie continues to flick threw books, feeling glad that her back is to the people walking past so they can't see her eyes, Mie continues to wait. With every second that waits Mie feels her anxiety rise as she knows what is coming.
Checking her watch Mie knows it will be any second and so she pulls her wand while making it seem like that isn't exactly what she does. Moments after Mie pulls her wand Mie hears multiple people apparated and looking towards Gringotts Mie sees that that group of junior Death Eaters are being led by Bellatrix, who looks younger, more together, and more beautiful than Mie has ever known her to be.