A Vow of Silence
The atmosphere in the Potters’ cottage was heavy with unspoken tension. Marlene’s revelation about McGonagall had shaken them all, casting an even darker shadow over their already precarious mission.
Sirius paced by the fireplace, his usual smirk nowhere to be found. “McGonagall has always been loyal. If she’s hiding something, if Dumbledore forced her into a vow—” His hands curled into fists. “We have to find out what it is.”
James rubbed his face. “And we must do it carefully. We don’t know what kind of vow she made. If it’s an Unbreakable Vow—”
Lily paled. “Then pushing her too hard could kill her.
The room fell silent.
Marlene exhaled sharply. “I don’t think it was an Unbreakable Vow.”
Remus looked at her curiously. “Why?”
Marlene sat down, tapping her fingers against the journal resting in her lap. “Because she hesitated. If it were Unbreakable, she wouldn’t have twitched or struggled—she simply wouldn’t have been able to answer. But she wanted to.”
Lily bit her lip. “Then that means it’s a magical vow of silence. She can answer if she finds a loophole.”
James nodded. “So, we have to ask the right questions.”
Sirius stopped pacing and turned to Marlene. “She trusted you enough to react. You should talk to her again.”
Marlene sighed. “I will write a letter and see if she would agree to meet with me. Also, while I am there I can ask if she knows anything about the sword of Gryffindor or the cursed diadem. But, it won’t be easy.”
Remus adjusted his chair. “Nothing about this war is.”
Hogwarts – A Meeting with McGonagall
Once she sent the letter, about an hour later she received an invitation. She informed the group and then apparated to the Hogwarts main gates and opening it to get through, she made her way to the castle. Marlene took a deep breath as she stepped into Hogwarts’ main corridor. The castle had always felt like home once, but now it carried a weight she had never noticed as a student.
She made her way toward McGonagall’s office, dodging a group of third years, and knocked twice.
“Enter.”
Marlene pushed the door open to find McGonagall sitting behind her desk, a cup of tea in her hands. Her sharp eyes flicked up, assessing her. “Marlene.”
Marlene shut the door behind her, casting a quick Muffliato charm.
McGonagall’s lips twitched. “Impressive spell work.”
“I learned from the best,” Marlene said, stepping forward.
McGonagall set down her teacup. “I assume this is not a social visit.”
Marlene took a breath. “Do you know anything about the sword of Gryffindor or Ravenclaw’s Diadem?”
McGonagall raises her eyebrow in thought and responds, “The sword is in the headmaster’s office, and it will disappear if there is a Gryffindor in high need. I don’t know anything about the diadem.”
Confused a little in her response, Marlene decides to jump right into a deep question, “Why did Dumbledore make you swear a vow?”
McGonagall tensed, her fingers clenching slightly against the wood of her desk. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Marlene tilted her head. “Lying doesn’t suit you, Professor.”
McGonagall exhaled through her nose. “You are perceptive, as always. But there are things I cannot discuss.”
Marlene took a step closer. “That’s the problem, isn’t it? You can’t discuss them. Not because you don’t want to—but because you physically can’t.”
McGonagall’s gaze flickered with something unreadable.
Marlene folded her arms. “That vow—it was about Dumbledore, wasn’t it?”
McGonagall’s jaw tightened.
Marlene pressed on. “Did he force you into it?”
Silence.
Marlene’s heart pounded. “Or did you take it willingly because you thought it was the right thing at the time?”
McGonagall’s expression twitched, and Marlene knew.
Marlene’s throat went dry. “And now you regret it.”
McGonagall exhaled sharply, standing up. “That is enough, Miss McKinnon.”
Marlene straightened. “Professor—”
McGonagall’s gaze softened just slightly. “Be careful, Marlene.”
Before Marlene could respond, the door swung open.
Dumbledore.
His blue eyes twinkled as he stepped inside. “Ah, Minerva. I believe it’s time for your rounds.”
McGonagall nodded once, stiffly, before giving Marlene one last look and sweeping past them.
Marlene met Dumbledore’s gaze, forcing herself to remain steady.
Dumbledore smiled. “Curiosity is a powerful thing, Miss McKinnon. But do be careful where you direct it.”
Marlene clenched her fists, then gave him a polite nod before striding past him.
Potter Cottage – Telling the Group
She apparated straight back to the cottage, her heart still racing. The others were already waiting for her.
Sirius stood the moment she entered. “Well?”
Marlene let out a breath. “She confirmed that the sword a Gryffindor is real but it is in the Headmaster's office until a Gryffindor needs it. She didn’t confirm anything else, but I know she took the vow willingly. And now she regrets it.”
Lily frowned. “That means whatever she swore to be was something she believed in at the time.”
James ran a hand through his hair. “And Dumbledore is making sure she stays silent.”
Remus looked thoughtful. “If she regrets it, that means there’s a chance she might help us.”
Marlene nodded. “She just needs a reason to.”
Sirius smirked. “Then let’s give her one.”
The war was shifting.
And they weren’t backing down.