Hello everyone, here is Chapter 7.
The disclaimers are the same as the previous chapters. (Once again, English is not my native language!)
Feel free to send me your thoughts, a little review.
Happy reading.
Chapter 7
Professor Minerva McGonagall was a gentle and understanding woman, the kind of person you could easily confide in without any embarrassment. But right now, Mio Weasley wanted nothing more than to leave the room and escape this woman.
A few minutes earlier, the current Headmistress of Hogwarts had come to break up the argument between the young woman and her colleague, Professor Severus Snape.
– That's enough, both of you!
– Minerva... Snape sighed wearily. You don't need to get involved!
Mio, still standing next to Snape, had stopped poking his chest and was now trying to stop her tears. Between sobs, she spoke:
– It's fine, Minerva, don't worry. I think the conversation is over anyway.
The professor with the tight bun glanced from the professor to the young assistant. She seemed to be thinking about what to do next.
– Come to my office! she announced coldly. As Snape started to turn away, she added:
– Both of you!
With an exasperated sigh, Snape complied, followed by Mio.
Once they were in the Headmistress's office, everyone took their seats: Mio on a chair offered by McGonagall, the Headmistress facing the young blonde, and Snape leaning against the window. He suddenly seemed intrigued by the view outside.
– You understand why I called you here, don't you? the old woman asked.
– Well… not really, Minerva, Mio replied.
– Severus? Any thoughts?
– Mmm... the man simply answered.
– You're both as frustrating as each other! You find every excuse possible to argue, but when we present you with the situation, suddenly there's no problem? The start of term is approaching, you know?!
She paused, seemingly waiting for a response, her gaze shifting between the two of them. They both instinctively avoided the accusatory stare of the Headmistress.
– Aaah… she sighed. What will happen the day you two start fighting for real? Or rather, with wands? Because slapping a colleague in a nearly empty corridor is one thing, but putting on a spectacle in front of all of Hogwarts is another!
Mio abruptly looked up at the mention of the attempted slap and was now blushing. It was then that Snape moved closer and spoke:
– And what do you want us to do, Minerva?
– Ignore her, she replied immediately.
– That's exactly what I've been trying to do, but she always comes back with new blunders! It's like her friendship with Mr. Potter is messing with her!
– Keep Harry out of this! Mio almost screamed.
– What does Harry Potter have to do with your arguments?
– Nothing, Minerva, nothing. Snape (she then emphasized his name), is always looking, as you put it, for an excuse to argue. I'll take your advice and ignore the professor. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a start of term to prepare for and other matters to attend to.
Mio spoke coldly as she stood up. She threw one last dark look at Snape and left the office.
– You won't always be able to act like this toward each other! She needs support more than reproaches!
– Me too, Minerva, I'm getting tired of the reproaches...
Mio stormed into her quarters. She suppressed the urge to slam the door and flopped onto her bed. Her quarters weren't very large and only consisted of two rooms: a bedroom and a small bathroom. The bedroom, with stone walls, was furnished with a bed with emerald green sheets, a wooden table that served as both a desk and a dining table, and two chairs on either side of the table. A tall shelf, filled with books and various artifacts, a large dark wood wardrobe, and a small fireplace in the corner completed the room. Hanging on the walls were tapestries in the colors of Hogwarts. The room was plain but cozy. At the back of the room, a simple wooden door led to the bathroom. A sink topped with an old mirror and a tiny bathtub with worn enamel at certain spots made up the room. Her quarters were smaller than those of the professors since she was just an assistant... And what would she have done with a bigger room?
Mio got up from the bed and cast an unspoken incendio spell toward the fireplace. She walked to the desk, took an envelope, and returned to sit on the edge of the bed. She opened the envelope, which she had already read half a dozen times.
To Miss Mio Weasley
Miss Fleur Isabelle Delacour and Mr. William Arthur Weasley are pleased to announce their union and invite you to celebrate their wedding at the Burrow on August 1, 1997.
The wedding was tomorrow, and Mio still hadn't responded regarding her attendance. She didn't know what to do. Her cousin, whom she considered a brother, with whom she had spent part of her childhood, was getting married. It would have been logical to go. But it had been several months since she'd last spoken to her family. And their relationship had been strained for years. Only politeness had prompted the Weasleys to send her an invitation. But what to do: go and receive cold stares at best, endless reproaches at worst, or not go and only widen the gap between them? Mio dropped the letter, collapsed on the bed, and closed her eyes.
A huge white tent stood in the Burrow's garden. Mio stopped for a moment to look at the strange twisted house that had been hers for a time. Without letting nostalgia settle in, she pulled out her wand and cast a Disillusionment Charm on herself. It was the compromise she had found: be present but unseen. She would feel the situation out and reveal herself at the right moment.
She entered the tent, her stomach in knots. It was already hot, and a joyful buzz filled the air. With a glance, she quickly spotted some familiar faces. Harry was talking to Luna Lovegood and her father, Ron was enduring Aunt Muriel's disdainful remarks, Hermione was happily clinging to the arm of the Russian from the Magical Games. What was his name again? Krum, Viktor Krum, that's it.
The crowd fell silent as music began to play, seemingly coming from the golden balloons suspended in the air.
– Ooooh! Hermione exclaimed, turning in her seat to look at the entrance to the marquee.
A collective sigh rose from the crowd of witches and wizards as Mr. Delacour and Fleur advanced down the aisle, Fleur walking gracefully, Mr. Delacour bouncing, his face beaming. Fleur wore a simple white dress and seemed to emit a powerful silver light around her. While normally her radiance overshadowed everyone else, today it made anyone who approached her appear more beautiful. Ginny and Gabrielle, both dressed in golden robes, looked even more stunning than usual, and when Fleur reached her height, Bill seemed to have never crossed paths with Fenrir Greyback.
The ceremony continued, with Aunt Muriel's endless complaints and Aunt Molly, Mrs. Delacour, and Hagrid's sobs. Once the ceremony was over, the dance floor appeared, and the musicians settled in. Mio, still staying in a corner of the tent, continued to observe. Ginny was dancing with a young girl whose face Mio couldn't quite make out, Hermione seemed to be dragging Ron onto the dance floor, and Harry was sitting alone, off to the side. She chose that moment to go speak with him.
– Nice new look, Scarhead!
Harry turned around and saw the outline of a figure becoming clearer. He squinted and recognized the young woman.
– Mio! What did you do? I didn't see you! He could now clearly see her as he spoke.
– A Disillusionment Charm, Harry.
– Why?
– I wanted to see how things were going. You know, Harry, I'm the taboo subject in the Weasley family!
– Nonsense! On this festive day, no one would have said anything.
– Yes, that's true. They wouldn't have said anything. But hate doesn't only show through words, Harry.
The young man sighed.
– And you, what did you do to your appearance? Still taking precautions? Alastor may be gone, but his mark remains: Constant vigilance!
– Yes, Kingsley says it's too dangerous to appear publicly, but I didn't want to miss the wedding! By the way, he added, turning to her, how did you recognize me?
– Ah ah, a young face unknown to all, chatting with Ron and Hermione like lifelong friends. Come on, Harry, for anyone observant, it was obvious!
– Hmmm, Harry frowned.
Mio chose that moment to speak more seriously:
– Harry, our mutual friend, you know?
Harry sat up and stared at Mio, waiting for her to continue.
– He didn't have time to leave me a message for you. You know, after the attack, things were a bit… complicated at the Manor.
– But… a flash of panic crossed the young man's eyes. But, is he okay? I mean, is he injured? Is he still there?
– Yes, Harry, he's fine. Draco...
– Shhh! Don't say his name, no one here knows!
– I was saying: He's fine. He's still at the Manor but with Aunt Cissy. She will protect him!
– Phew!
– I should be going back to see them soon. As soon as I can, I'll give you an update.
Mio fidgeted in her chair. She wanted to bring up a topic but didn't know how to.
– Harry?
– Hmm?
– You're leaving, aren't you?
– Uh, what do you mean?
– The Horcruxes, you're going to look for them, right?
– What? Uh, no, I don't know what you're talking about!
– Harry, stop, I know about the Horcruxes. I can't help you with that. But if you leave to search for them, you won't be able to see him for a while, you know?
– I know, Mio, I know. It's killing me to leave him like this. But…
– But, you must do what you're destined to do! Go, Harry! He'll be there when you come back!
– He'll be there? Alive?
– He'd better be, Mio said with a little smile. He'd better be, because the man in front of me would strangle him otherwise! The two laughed softly.
– Harry, Mio continued. There will be a way for me to give you news about him. I'll try! Good luck with your search, Harry!
Harry hugged Mio, who returned his embrace! At that moment, a long silver form fell through the tent, above the dance floor. A lynx landed lightly in the middle of the surprised dancers. Heads turned as those closest to it froze mid-movement, in an absurd pose. The Patronus then opened its mouth wide and spoke with the slow, deep, strong voice of Kingsley Shacklebolt:
– The Ministry has fallen. Scrimgeour is dead. They're coming!