Chapter 20
AN: I really hope you like this chapter. Let me know what you think.
After a pretty quiet weekend, though a weekend where Peter avoided all the other Gryffindors and no one is sure where he spent his time, the seventh years have just finished their morning break and are waiting outside the Defence Against the Dark Arts class for the first class since Cabot left. As the class a feeling of apprehensive excitement is clear in the air as no one knows what to expect.
"So do we have your dad or Auror Moody today?" Isaac asks Mie, calling Moody what he requested to be called, and feeling curious as while Albus said they will be sharing the role he didn't explain how the sharing will be taking place.
"I'm not sure," Mie admits, feeling curious herself. "Last time I asked Dad he wasn't sure," Mie explains. "Either way I'm pretty sure it's going to be an interesting lesson," Mie comments, as she is truly looking forward to it.
"That's for sure," James confirms as the door opens, seemingly on its own.
Exchanging looks the seventh years, led by the Gryffindor's, walk into the Defence classroom. Walking into the classroom they find Albus casually sitting on the table, it being clear that he used his wand to open the door.
"Good morning," Albus greats, as all the seventh years take their seats, noticing that Peter has chosen a seat as far away from his friends as possible, and making a note of that as he suspects it might be important.
Once everyone takes their seat Albus jumps of the table with the agility of a much younger man, something which amuses those who read the books with him and amaze the others.
"As you are aware Auror Moody and I will be sharing the responsibility of teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts for the rest of the year," Albus says, as he paces back and forth, the entire attention of the class being on him. "Teaching is a responsibility I value above almost all others, but I don't need to tell you what is going on outside our walls," Albus says, looking between the students.
"Really don't," Edger mutters, and those who are sitting around him nod in agreement.
"Because of that it is impossible to predict who will be teaching each class until just before it begins," Albus explains. "There will be some uncertainty and irregularity, but I promise you that when you leave Hogwarts at the end of this year, you'll know everything you need to know," Albus says, and Mie knows that there is double meaning to his words, that she isn't sure everyone picked up on. "Now, we're going to start today's lesson by going over a few things," Albus says, before beginning his lesson.
In Mie's time she has been in a lot of Defence Against the Dark Arts Classes, including DA lessons, taught by a lot of different people, and even in her vast experience Mie can say, without a doubt, that she has never had a lesson like this.
Albus lectured, he told stories, he did practical demonstrations with volunteers, and answered questions. In a single hour and a half lesson Mie is sure she learnt more than her first two, and fifth, years at Hogwarts combined.
After an hour and a half the class is finally over but it is clear that not a single person wants the lesson to end as even though it is lunch time there isn't the usual rush to the door, in fact everyone is still sitting in their seats, all attention on Albus.
"We'll pick this up tomorrow," Albus tells everyone. "In preparation for tomorrow's lesson I you all to write the thing you want to learn most about Defence Against the Dark Arts," Albus says, looking at all the students. "No names, just write what you want to learn, it doesn't have to be a spell it can be anything related to defence against the dark arts," Albus explains, suspecting that by saying no names that people will be more open about what they want to learn, looking between the students. "From tomorrow we'll start teaching what you want to learn," Albus tells the students, who look interested, feeling that that is going to lead to fascinating lessons. "Enjoy your lunch," Albus says, and the students start to get up. "Annemie a word," Albus requests.
"Do you need us to wait?" Alice asks curious, as the rest of the class start to leave.
"Nah, it's fine, I'll see you at lunch," Mie says, and her friends head out of the class, the last person to walk out closing the door, while Mie walks over to where her father is standing by the teachers' desk. "That was a great class, Professor," Mie tells her father, with a grin, as she truly enjoyed that, and she could tell that her father did too.
"I'm glad you thought so," Albus tells his daughter, as that means a lot to him.
"You've missed teaching, haven't you?" Mie asks her father, as that became clear as she watched the way he taught.
"I have," Albus admits, only doing so because it's Mie he is talking to. "I love being headmaster, but I also love teaching," Albus admits.
"We'll I'm glad you get to do some teaching again," Mie tells her father, as she can tell how much ti means to him.
"I am too," Albus admits.
"You know with that homework you set you're going to get some interesting suggestions," Mie tells her father.
"I know, that's going to be the joy," Albus explains, and Mie can't help but smile. "I look forward to seeing your suggestion," Albus tells his daughter.
"I'm not completely sure what it's going to be," Mie admits, as she isn't completely sure what she wants to learn, and more importantly she isn't sure that what she wants to learn would be appropriate to learn in class.
"I'm sure you'll figure it out," Albus tells his daughter. "I couldn't help but notice that Mr Pettigrew was sitting away from everyone else," Albus says, as he couldn't help but notice the way Peter was acting during class.
"Yeah," Mie says with a sigh. "He's angry about Cabot, thinks that we all think he's an idiot and that's why we are so sure that Cabot was using him," Mie explains, then sighs. "We're working on it, but I don't know it almost feels like we are pushing him into Voldemort's arms," Mie tells her father, sounding worried.
"If that is the case it won't be your fault," Albus tells his daughter, needing her to know that, as he knows that she will carry the guilt around with her.
"It feels like it would be," Mie admit, as she is the one who is changing things. "I don't know, I just hope we can get through to him," Mie admits, looking pained.
"If there is anything I can do to help, please let me know," Albus tells his daughter, desperately wanting to help her.
"I will, thanks," Mie tells her father, looking grateful.
"You should go enjoy your lunch," Albus tells his daughter, knowing that with her malnutrition Mie cannot afford to skip meals.
"Yeah, I'll see you later, Dad," Mie says before heading out of the classroom.
After leaving the Defence classroom Mie heads down the corridor, heading towards the Grand Staircase. As she walks down the corridor Mie sees a group of people outside the girl's bathroom, at first, she doesn't give it a second through, but as she gets closer Mie realises that it is Amelia and two seventh year Slytherin's. Getting closer to the bathroom Mie sees something she has never seen on Amelia's face, a look of fear, which is deeply unsettling.
"We're not letting you in their freak," One of the girls, the taller out of the pair, says.
"Yeah, there's first years in there," The other girl says, disgust on her face.
"Hey," Mie says angrily, as she picks up her pace, not completely understanding what is going on but feeling worried about her friend.
"Stay out of this Dumbledore," the taller of the two says, sounding angry.
"Yeah, I'm not going to do that," Mie responds, as while she may not know exactly what is going on she knows it's something she cannot walk away from.
"You should, this has nothing to do with you," The shorter of the girls responds.
"I think it does," Mie says angrily. "What exactly are you two doing?" Mie asks angrily.
"Protecting innocent first years from a freak," The taller girls says, and Mie sees the pain and shame on Amelia's face, and so Mie pulls her wand, moving closer to the Slytherins as she points her wand at them.
"Yeah, I don't like people treating others like that," Mie reveals. "So, you two are going to get out of here, and if I learn that either of you have pulled something like this again, you're going to experience just what I did to those Death Eaters in Diagon Alley," Mie explains, and the two of them exchange looks of fear. "Do you understand me?" Mie asks, looking between the pair, giving each of them a piercing look, her voice calm but anger clear in her voice, and even Amelia can feel the power radiating of Mie even though it is not directed at her. Clearly afraid both the Slytherins give small nods. "Get out of here," Mie tells them and they both hurrying off.
After the Slytherins hurry of Mie turns to her friend, who is leaning against the wall and looks like she is struggling to breathe. "Are you okay?" Mie asks concerned, as she has never seen Amelia look like that, and while she wants to comfort her friend her own experience tells her that doing that physically isn't' a good idea.
"Yeah, thanks," Amelia says, sounding glad, trying to calm down. "Normally I can handle something like this on my own it's just…" Amelia starts to explain, before trialling off, not exactly sure how to explain how those words and actions hurt more than a spell ever could.
"It's okay, you don't have to explain. I'm just glad you're okay," Mie tells her friend.
"No, I want to, but not here," Amelia requests, pushing herself away from the wall so that she is standing properly.
"Sure, wherever you want," Mie responds and the two of them walk down the corridor, heading for an empty classroom which they are able to find without much of a problem as everyone else is at lunch.
Walking into the classroom Amelia sits on the teachers' desk, putting her bag next to her, while Mie sits down on one of the desks across from her.
"Amy, you don't have to tell me anything you don't want to tell me," Mie assures her friend, not wanting to push her to talk if she isn't ready.
"I know, Mie, I want to," Amelia admits. "I know you've been curious about why I'm so loyal to your Dad, why I reacted the way I did when I first learnt about his relationship with Grindelwald," Amelia says to her friend.
"I have been," Mie admits. "But if you don't want to tell me it's okay," Mie assures her.
"You know Mie, that's one of the things I appreciate about you, you don't push anyone to talk when they're not ready," Amelia comments.
"Thanks… I think," Mie responds, and the two of them exchange amused looks.
"Isaac, Edger and I are identical triplets," Amelia reveals. "I was assigned male at birth," Amelia reveals, and for Mie a few things fall into place, things start to make more sense to her. "But as long as I can remember I knew that wasn't who I was," Amelia admits, getting up and pacing back and forth, as she avoids looking at Mie, as while she is sure that Mie won't have a problem with what she is saying she knows it will be easier to explain without looking at her. "As soon as I could I told my parents that, and I think at first they thought it was just a phase, my brother didn't though, they always called me their sister," Amelia reveals, with a smile as that meant everything to her. "I think that helped my parents accept it," Amelia admits, feeling that things might have been much harder for her if her brothers weren't so accepting. "When I got my Hogwarts letter it was addressed to who I know I'm not," Amelia admits.
"That must have been very painful," Mie tells her friend, not being able to imagine that, as Amelia turns to look at her.
"It was," Amelia confirms. "I wrote your Dad, and the next day I got my letter properly addressed and a letter from Albus that said that at Hogwarts I can always be who I am he will make sure of it; that meant everything to me," Amelia admits.
"It's what you deserve," Mie admits, jumping down from the table she is sitting on. "And I'm really regretting not cursing those girls," Mie explains, and Amelia laughs.
"It's okay, Mie, I'm used to it," Amelia assures her as she has been since a cruel prank in her first year, which is why all the seventh years, except for Mie before now, know about her.
"You shouldn't have to be," Mie says angrily. "Prejudice in any form isn't okay, and isn't something anyone should get used to," Mie says angrily. "And I'm sorry that you think you should have to," Mie says. "What they were saying, comes from a place of hate, and bigotry, and is not okay," Mie tells her friend. "I really hope you know that Amy, you are one of the kindest, smartest, most powerful people I've ever met, and I'm glad to call you a friend," Mie assures her friend.
Feeling overwhelmed, but completely touched, Amelia walks across the space that separates them and hugs her.
"Thank you, Mie," Amelia says as she hugs Mie.
"You never have to thank me," Mie assures her, as they break apart. "Do you still have to go to the bathroom? Because I will curse anyone who gives you a hard time," Mie promises her friend.
"I really do," Amelia admits, though she feels worried about others having heard what the seventh years said. "You don't mind?" Amelia asks, as she is worried about going alone.
"Not at all," Mie assures her, though she wishes it wasn't necessary. "Amy I'm sorry they made you feel ashamed, they had no right to do that, you did nothing wrong," Mie assures her friend, as they start to walk across the classroom.
"I know that, but I would be lying if I didn't say they made me question it," Amelia admits, and Mie stops walking and puts her hand on Amelia's arm, so she turns and looks at her.
"No, don't let them do that, they were wrong, not you," Mie says and after seeing Amelia's nod the two of them head out of the classroom. A little while later Mie and Amelia join their friends at the seventh-year table, and as they join their friends it is clear that they are concerned, but as Amelia doesn't want to explain in front of so many people Mie doesn't say anything, she lets Amelia drive the conversation.
Four days have passed since Mie learnt that Amelia is trans, and why the reasons Mie threatened two Slytherins hasn't leaked out everyone seems to know that she has did so. Out of loyalty to her friend, and because she knows it's not her place, Mie hasn't told anyone why she threatened the girls, but it is clear that she has made several more enemies. Though, in Mie's opinion it is completely worth it.
It's Friday night, not long before seventh years have to be back in their door, and because she got a message request from Regulus Mie is walking into the room of requirements where she finds him waiting.
"Hey," Mie says, smiling at Regulus, looking glad to see him and he is looking just as glad to see her.
"Hi," Regulus responds and the two of them walk the few steps that separate them and whey the meet in the middle of the room they hug and kiss. "I've missed you," Regulus tells Mie once they've broken apart.
"I've missed you too," Mie responds, smiling at him, as the two of them have only been able to have passing glances in the halls as anything more will risk Regulus's cover.
"I've only got a few minutes, everyone thinks that I'm doing my prefect rounds," Regulus explains.
"Nice cover," Mie says amused.
"Thanks, I feel particularly proud of that," Regulus responds. "So, I was thinking with the Hogsmeade trip tomorrow there are going to be a lot less people in the castle, could be the perfect chance for us to spend some time together," Regulus suggests, as with Valentines day next week this could be their special time.
"That is one idea, but I actually had another," Mie admits as she has been thinking the same way as Regulus.
"Oh?" Regulus asks, giving her a curious look.
"I spoke to Uncle Ab, and the sitting room is ours," Mie explains. "He's going to supply food if we're interested," Mie explains to Regulus.
"That sounds incredible," Regulus admits, feeling worried. "But Mie you know that's a risk," Regulus admits.
"The room can't be seen into and anyone who tried to get back there would have to get past Uncle Ab," Mie says, knowing that would be difficult to do. "But if you're worried, I get it," Mie admits. "We can stay in the castle," Mie says.
"No, I like the idea of Hogsmeade," Regulus admits. "I mean, I'm sure it wouldn't be too hard to hide what we were doing," Regulus admits.
"No, it wouldn't be," Mie confirms. "I know its not exactly ideal, but considering everything it is the best we can do," Mie admits.
"Yeah, but we can make it special," Regulus says before once more kissing Mie, and after a little while they break apart. "I'll see you tomorrow, eleven thirty?" Regulus asks.
"Eleven thirty," Mie confirms.
"I'll leave first," Regulus says before leaving and after waiting a few minutes Mie leaves two.
The following day, just like they agreed, Mie and Regulus meet at the Hogshead at eleven thirty and even with everything going on, and even though they know they are taking a risk, Mie and Regulus have a truly enjoyable day together and use it to celebrate valentines day their way.