Anything that rings a bell belongs to JK Rowling
Chapter Fifteen: His Greatest Title
Ky stared at the owner of the voice, at his flowing silver beard and his royal blue robes; she stared at the framework of the doorway with its cracks and dents. She stared everywhere but at his twinkling blue eyes and she tried to breathe again.
It would seem Subconscious Ky's heart was broken just as much as hers was.
It makes sense though, of course he would agree with them. Of course, he would want her to go with them. Of course, he wouldn't want her to stay.
She was a nuisance…she was sure he had to leave some important meeting to deal with this. Just like he probably left some important meeting last night to speak to her medi-wizard.
Ky felt warmth trickle down her cheek, and she snapped her head down… crap. She turned, walking to the window, an adequate way of hiding the flood that was threatening to break on her face.
Damn, she had forgotten about her bum leg and the floor was getting closer. Linus caught her, but she threw him off with strength she couldn't explain and grabbed the coffee table for support instead.
Dammit! She looked like some kind of pathetic sod, half on the floor with traitor tears running down her face. What was she even crying about anyway? So, what if he doesn't want her, so what if he reeled her in with all the pretence of hot chocolate and shared secrets, sarcastic potion snobs and stringent transfiguration tyrants.
She was fine before, without him. With Linus and Lenzo and…without magic.
Ky gripped the edge of the table and decided to give up trying to stand. She must look pathetic. Like those lame videos where a deer tried to take its first steps. She let herself fall lightly to the floor and adjusted into a seated position, with her back against the table. She heard the swish of robes and scratch of carpet to her right.
"I think perhaps my previous statement has been misconstrued." Ky didn't look up at the soft voice that always held that underlying current of authority. She continued to stare at Len's shoes, finding sudden interest in the twist and turns of the simple white tick. "Kyrianna?"
She looked to her right slowly, still not looking at his eyes, finding interest instead in the silver beard, wondering if he brushed it every day and how long that would take.
"I do agree with your brothers. Last night you were placed in a dangerous situation, so they're quite right to be angry and worried. A dangerous situation I did not account for. And Linus is right to believe that there are a few people that would take advantage of our relationship. Try to cause you harm. You see Linus, I was aware of that, but I also trusted the Weasleys immensely and it is a trust I still hold. Nobody could have foreseen the situation. And for that I must apologise, most sincerely to you both. It seems time has lulled me into a false sense of security, something many of us here in the Wizarding World are much too guilty of. But my most profound apologies go to you Kyrianna. I'm immensely sorry that I was not there for you when you were in need of comfort and security. It seems I am much too used to taking up counsel with the Ministry in such moments, and I failed in my duty as a grandfather. I only wish that you forgive an old man-" Ky finally fell into the sea of blue and found not the usual waves of serenity but an undercurrent of regret.
"There is nothing to forgive Nonno. It wasn't your duty to be there last night to comfort me. I think at times like that, Fudge needs more coddling than I would, and I never expected you to come. I am well aware of the duties that come with being the greatest wizard of our time, and I never want you to think that I can't handle not being your number one priority."
"Never think that, Kyrianna. I may not have earned the right, but I have found that you are very much my number one priority. Know that. I know it must not seem so," He looked at Linus and Lenzo, "but it is. I have found I much like having Kyrianna in my life, no matter how undeserving I am of her. It's not something I take lightly or for granted. Life has given me many titles, and some that I wear more comfortably than others. But it seems grandfather is the one that is taking its time to settle in, but no other title do I wear with more pride."
Linus sat back down; the man had a way with words. All was silent for a second, "I'm not trying to take that title away from you. Whether I like it or not you have it. This is more than just me rebelling against that fact." Linus leaned forward and he stared fixedly into Nonno's eyes, "I am looking out for her best interest, for her safety. Can you honestly tell me that she won't be exposed to something like that again?" He was being ridiculous, so much so that Ky had to cut in.
"Look Linus I could just as likely walk into a street and get hit by a car, a feat I am quite shocked I have not accomplished yet-"
"No. I am almost a hundred percent sure, that if Kyrianna chooses to remain in the Wizarding World, there will come a time where she will be placed in many unsavoury situations."
"And as her grandfather, you're ok with that." Linus looked at Nonno with disappointment.
"Linus, it is because I am Kyrianna's grandfather that I am ok with that. I have never held much regard to what the Wizarding World has said about me, and I am far from a great wizard. Much too far," He was silent for a moment, lost in his thoughts, "but I do hold regard to my own conviction. There is very little that I would not do to help my students and those who need it, and I have spent many years shunning away the idea of grandness that accompanies my name. I find myself not doing so today; I find that I quite like being Albus Dumbledore, grandfather. Doubt my power Linus and doubt my words, but never doubt my intention. And I intend to keep Kyrianna safe."
Linus frowned and leaned back. He was quiet for a few moments and then he spoke so softly it was eerie, "This Voldemort… He's not dead, is he?"
"Unfortunately, I do not think he is. I believe the question you really mean to ask me is if I think he would be coming back. And to that I answer yes. I know not when nor how, it could be years from now, or weeks."
"And when he's back and you're off fighting him, what about Ky? Where would she fit in?"
Ky cut in before her grandfather could answer, "I believe that question is for me Linus. You weren't there yesterday. You didn't see how frightened everybody was at his mark; it was as if their worst nightmare had come to life. Voldemort is evil incarnate Linus; he is more than just a murderer and a sociopath with a warped sense of the world. He has killed so many people, but his greatest kill was himself. His humanity. He is a monster."
"You're not exactly helping your case."
"I'm not trying to. I'm trying to make you see that there is no case." Ky stared at her brother, and realisation dawned on him. As a child Ky was afraid of many things. Porcelain dolls, staplers, the Bratz(they have no noses, that's just weird) but the one thing she was never afraid of were monsters. She actually had what Lenzo had termed an 'unnatural fondness for the unnatural'. She even had a poster of Freddy and Jason on the back of her door and only liked Barney because she thought he was a distant relative of Godzilla's.
"Ky, I don't think you understand-"
"No Linus. You don't understand. It's not Nonno you distrust. It's me." He had a resigned look on his face. "I'm not a kid anymore, something I thought you'd realise after we bought my first training bra. And even more so when the training wheels were taken off." Linus clapped his hand to his forehead and Len chuckled, "But I'm not going to walk into oncoming traffic…again, or cartwheel on a tight rope I suspended ten feet in the air, but I think that one's on you guys for taking me to the circus in the first place. But I am going to trip over a few stumps and probably fall down a few stairs and I am so going to get into a girl fight. That's on my bucket list. All except the last, because let's face it, which girl can get one over me, I'm a freaking dragon, would end with me hurt. And no matter how much you two try to protect me, it's going to happen. And you have to trust yourselves. Trust that you made me into the kind of person that can handle being Albus Dumbledore's granddaughter. Because I do trust that." Ky looked them both in the eye, and Lenzo quickly got off the sofa and simultaneously gave her a bear hug, lifting her onto her feet. He tucked her into his side.
"She had me at bra Linus, our baby's all grown up. Let's let her stay."
Linus stood, "I guess I went all Godzilla there for a second…felt like my young was being threatened." He gave her an awkward smile and kissed her forehead, "Godzilla had an easier job though, her little monster has nothing on mine."
Nonno was already on his feet, the strange sight of witnessing him in his blue robes and pointed hat, crossed legged on the floor of the Burrow would be a memory she will cherish. Now he was just standing there, humming to himself.
He was so preciously weird.
Linus lifted Ky up and seated her on the sofa whilst he sat on the coffee table across from her. He was staring intently at her, "Ky, its ok to be nervous about tomorrow. It's your very first day of school. And I know you're worried about not being in the same…house...as your friends but you heard-"
"Woah Linus, don't waste a good pep talk. Knowing me I'll need a few in the future. I'm fine; I guess I was just being weirdly emo. It must be all the black I wear; I've heard it does that." They chuckled at the memory of her old nanny, Mrs Glover, that insisted that the black clothes 'emo' children wore was what made them emo and not the other way around. "Actually, I'm quite excited about my first day of school tomorrow. I haven't met all the teachers yet, some were on holiday, and I heard there is a crazy fortune teller lady and a giant man that owned a dragon. Oh gosh and I completely forgot! My very first detention!"
Linus looked at her puzzled and Nonno smiled down at her amused, "There is nothing quite like one's first detention."
Ky laughed at him, "Oh, please Nonno, don't try to be cool. Mi told me you were Head Boy. You run in the same circle as Linus over here."
"And where in the rule book does it say the Head Boy can never have a few detentions to his name."
"Ok, so what was it for? Borrowed too many library books, had we?"
Len cut in, "Handed in a paper that looked like a professor wrote it."
"Or corrected the teacher's working out so often that she resigned and moved to a different state."
The old wizard chuckled at them whilst Linus glared, "For the umpteenth time Mrs Williams got married, that's why she moved to Washington. And it's not my fault that Mr Heidelberg was too much of a nincompoop to understand a standard essay on Albert Einstein."
"He was the English teacher, the essay was on your hero, not an in-depth discussion on the theory of relativity." Nonno laughed heartily at Len and Linus turned his blue gaze on him.
"Oh, and I'm sure you got detention for accidentally bumping into few suits of armour, or something just as boring."
"Actually no, but it did involve such apparel. Professor Black didn't seem to find the humour in the suits of armour engaging in a jousting match."
Ky smiled up at him and was shocked that Linus' laughter accompanied their own. It seemed he was as well because he stopped abruptly. He then looked at her, "And that is in no way an excuse for you to do the same. And by that, I mean get detention, not enchant suits of armour. Not that you should enchant-"
"Yeah, yeah I get it, don't have fun, it'll give you acne. That's why your skin is so smooth and perfect. Laugh now but he actually told me that when I was four."
"Not like it worked."
"Maybe it's cause you threatened a four-year-old with acne. It's like threatening a twenty-year-old with menopause. And speaking of menopausal twenty somethings, how is dear Nessie?"
Linus glared at her, "Agnes is fine Ky. We've decided to push the wedding back a few months…have a grander one, like she initially wanted. She's being very understanding considering we've had to postpone because of all the change that's happening. She actually sends her love."
Lenzo and Ky burst out laughing at that. "Oh please…if you're going to lie, at least tell one of this solar system." She didn't want to admit that she was slightly relieved that the wedding wasn't completely called off, she still didn't want Linus to marry the bimbo but she'd rather he called it off on his terms, "Let me guess…you're at a 'meeting' in London?"
"I did tell her that. And do you know why? Because I was in a meeting in London before your little mishap." He then stood and cleared his throat awkwardly, looking at Nonno. "Speaking of Agnes, she wants to meet you. She's been on my back about it all week; she wants to have a dinner or something. I know you're busy with school starting, so I understand if now is not a good time."
"That's a lovely idea, Linus. Just owl me when's good for you and I will work around it." Linus nodded awkwardly at that. "Anyway Kyrianna, I best be bidding thee farewell young maiden. I will be seeing you tomorrow, at the welcoming feast; I'll be the one in the big chair, front and centre."
"I'll be the one in the grey pants and white shirt."
He laughed, "I definitely wouldn't miss you then, not a lot of grey trousers and white shirts at school." He turned to her brothers, "Lenzo, Linus, as always it is my pleasure. If you need anything at all, you know where I am."
Len smiled and shook Nonno's hand, "I'll hold you to that Old Man."
Nonno held his hand to Linus, who hesitated for a second and then shook it, "I'll speak to Agnes about next week and I'll send a letter."
Her grandfather touched Ky's forehead affectionately; it became something of a trademark of his ever since he had done it the first time and gave her a quick peck on the head. "Don't forget to take your potions." And he turned and walked out the door.
"We better get going too. You need to rest; you've got a very big day tomorrow." Linus kissed her on the forehead and stared her down again, "You're okay?"
"Just peaches and cream…. uh oh, food analogies, you know what this means, I'm famished."
Len hugged her and ruffled her hair, "Now remember, it's always good to make…"
"Pretty friends."
"Because…."
"Pretty friends have pretty sisters."
"And…"
"Lenzo likes pretty sisters?"
"No, Lenzo likes pretty girls. Pretty girls. I've been teaching you that for ten years and you still forget. I see what you did with that Hermione over there, good job. But I found out whilst playing quidditch with the guys earlier on that she's an only child. See you got to do your research Ky. It's all about the detail."
"You played quidditch!"
"Oh Ky! Ky, Ky, Ky! Remember how I told you football is the beautiful game. Well, if it is, Quidditch is its hotter sister, you know the one with the personality and brains. The marrying kind."
"I knew you'd like it. Flying is awesome right-"
"How do you know, when did you go flying?" Linus was giving her the 'stare down'.
Lenzo cut in with, "Linus, it's cool. You don't need a license to fly. Plus, Ky's problem is when she's grounded, not in flight. Ever heard of someone tripping in mid-air?"
"Haha hilarious." Ky shoved him softly. She stood slowly, and Len supported her.
Linus frowned, "Didn't you have a crutch."
"It's here." Mi was standing in the doorway; Ky didn't even notice when she had slipped out earlier; the crutch in her hand and her face pale. Ron and Harry stood behind her.
Mi's face then went even paler, if possible, but she had a determined glint in her eye.
"Linus, erm… Lenzo. I am very aware that it might seem like Ky is not in the best of hands considering her leg, but I cannot stress enough the amount of authority and protection and austere power that Professor Dumbledore has in the Wizarding World and there would be nobody braver and better equipped to ensure her safety. He's noted for so many-"
"Long story short, Ky's in good hands. Don't take her home. We don't want you to."
"Ronald!"
"What Mione' you were going on and on, they probably stopped listening-"
"We'll help too." Harry's voice drifted through. "I'm sure nobody knows better than you two what a handful she is, we'll make sure she…or at least we'll try to contain her."
"She has a name you know. And she is standing, well limping, right here." Harry smirked and grabbed the crutch and tossed it to her, and Ky caught it deftly.
"Thanks. That's all very kind but we already decided we'll let her stay. Well, you kids have a good first day. Oh, and Harry."
Harry looked at Linus surprised at being called out.
"I hear you have a knack of getting yourself in a pinch of sorts annually. Mind refraining to do so this year? Ky tends to turn pinches into third degree burns."
"Believe me Linus, I'm retired from the business."
And with that they were gone.
A/N: Thank you for reading! Thoughts/ comments will be so appreciated!