Chapter 7
Chapter 7- Bedridden
McGonagall and Robin sat by Rowanne’s bed. She hadn’t woken up. Poppy had done what she could and for now Rowanne was stable, they just had to wait for her to wake up. But there were complications with that itself. It seemed like Rowanne’s body was exhausted and hungry. So instead of waking her, Poppy had made the decision to let her wake up on her own, restoring her depleted energy banks.
“What happened princess”
“I- I-”
“Deep breaths honey come on. Tell me what happened”
“I was playing quidditch with Marlene. Mary and Lily were watching us. And then Remus came running outside saying Hagrid had brought Rowanne to the hospital wing. I came straight here and then Auntie Pop- Madam Pomfrey told me to come and get you, so I did. That's all I know. I promise mum” Robin’s eyes were filled with tears, she clutched Rowanne’s outstretched hand, it was cold, “If only I had- I’d”
“Okay, okay princess come here” McGonagall held out her arms, Robin slumping inside them, “It’s not your fault my dear”
“Minerva” A deep voice sounded from behind her, “I came as soon as I heard. Is there anything I can do?”
“Albus,” Minerva smiled, “Would you mind going to the kitchens and getting some ice cream. How does that sound princess?”
“But if-”
“Robin, listen to me. None of this is your fault. We’re going to find out what happened, alright. Rowanne is going to be absolutely fine. But you’re not responsible for your sister’s every move. Do you understand that?”
Robin said nothing, simply nodding, “Thank you Albus” McGonagall sent him away to get ice cream.
Next came Professor Flitwick, “Oh Rowanne” He brushed her hair from her face, “Robin, how are you doing”
“I’m fine professor” No Fi Fi, definitely not fine. McGonagall held her tight, shaking her head to prevent Fillius from inquiring further,
“Minerva I’m at your disposal, what can I do?”
“We don’t know exactly what happened Fillius. If you could talk to Hagrid, he found her. Try and piece together what this is. I’d be ever so grateful”
“Of course, Detective Flitwick is on the case!” He aimed the last part at Robin but she didn’t look up from where her face was buried inside McGonagall’s robes.
“Min” Poppy’s voice was calm, “there are some people outside, they’d like to see Rowanne and Robin. What would you like me to do?”
“Ummm” Her head was clouded, she couldn’t focus.
“I’ll allow Miss Mckinnon and Miss McDonald in, tell the rest to come back later”
“Thank you Poppy”
Moments later two girls came running forward, one going straight for Rowanne while the other pulled Robin off of her mother, giving her a massive hug. They then swapped. McGonagall smiled, “Girls, why don’t you take Robin over to the empty bed over there and try to distract her?”
“No” Robin’s face filled with fear as she clutched McGonagall once more,
“Ice cream!” A familiar voice behind the rang,
McGonagall whispered in Robin's ear, “Princess, why don’t you go over there and have your ice cream with your friends. Rowanne is safe, and you’re right here if she needs you” a slight nod echoed through McGonagall’s arms, she opened them, allowing Robin to be pulled from her grasp by the other two girls.
The ice cream Dumbledore had brought wasn’t just ice cream. In true fashion he’d sprinkled gummy bears, chocolate buttons, and flying saucers all over it. Might as well be more sweets than ice cream, but McGonagall wasn’t going to say anything. Part of her, no, all of her, wanted Robin back in her arms, where she could protect her forever. But that wasn’t possible and as much as it pained her, she knew Robin needed a bit of independence.
Once Robin had left a hand appeared on MInerva’s shoulder, she looked up to see Poppy,
“It’s okay Min. She’s going to be okay”
“I know, she’s fine”
“You don’t have to hide from me Minerva” Poppy raised an eyebrow at the woman,
“I- I’m not!” Luckily just as Poppy began to speak two other women came bustling into the hospital wing. Poppy swung round, silencing them. McGonagall laughed as Pomona and Rolanda sighed, coming over to hug her.
Over the next few days Minerva didn’t sleep or eat. She stayed in the hospital wing and it was on the Monday evening that Poppy managed to get her into a sleep, and that was only by tricking her into drinking a sleeping draught. Robin lay in the bed next to Rowanne, McGonagall curled up protecting her sleeping youngest.
Lily had visited on the Sunday, as well as James, Peter and Sirius. Lily had stayed by Rowanne’s side, much to the annoyance of Severus who would rather be doing anything than be in there. James, Remus and Peter had only stayed for a while but Sirius spent the whole day chatting with Robin, joking and smiling.
No one had mentioned what happened to Robin. Flitwick found out that Hagrid had discovered Rowanne a few meters away from the Whomping Willow, seemingly having been hit by it. But it didn’t matter, not yet.
Beneath McGonagall Rowanne’s eyes flittered, she arched her back, though there was something in the way. Glancing around, the scenery felt unfamiliar, it wasn’t her bedroom, or the dorm room.
“Munchkin?”
“Mum”
“Row?”
“Rob?”
McGonagall flicked on the light to reveal the empty hospital wing, “How are you feeling”
“Like someone’s shoved their wand up my nose and is prodding my brain”
“How very, descriptive” McGonagall chuckled, “Better not have woken up like Robin. I think one is enough”
“Oi” Robin had climbed out of bed, sitting at the end of Rowanne’s,
“I’m going to go get Madam Pomfrey, she’ll probably want to check you over”
Rowanne nodded as her mother left, “Idiot” She turned back around to face Robin.
“Sorry”
“What on earth happened! Don’t go scaring me like that!” Rowanne smiled. Though now that she thought about it she couldn’t remember what had happened. She’d been with Severus, but after that she couldn’t remember a thing, and she wasn’t about to tell Robin about the encounter. “Well?”
“I was, umm, studying by the tree. I don’t remember anything else”
“Then I stand by my previous statement. You’re an idiot”
At that moment however Poppy and Minerva came hurrying back, “Hello dear, how are you feeling?”
“I’m fine thank you Auntie Popcorn”
“Minerva why would you give her that gene” The midwich chided, but smiled all the same, “Now the truth please Rowanne”
She chuckled, “My head hurts, but other than that I’m alright”
Poppy shook her head, casting a few spells before hurrying off and returning moments later with a potion. Reluctantly, Rowanne drank, sighing as the pain subsided.
Eventually Rowanne was released from the hospital wing. She had in true fashion, managed to catch up with all her classes and done rather well despite the problems she’d faced.
“Hey Min” Poppy walked over to the woman at breakfast,
“Hey Pops. What’s up?”
“Thought I’d check in on you” Poppy sat down, filling her plate with food
“Why’s that?”
“Oh come on. Rowanne getting hurt. Your not alright”
“I’m fine” Minerva picked at her plate,
“And the last time you actually had a proper meal was?”
“Oh be quiet”
“Mhm. Thought so”
“Your annoying”
“And your going to eat” Poppy picked up the almost empty plate, replacing it with her own,
“Hey! What-”
“Min, listen to me. It’s not your fault”
“What do you mean?”
“Rowanne. It’s not your fault”
“I- I know”
“Funny, you don’t seem to know”
“I could of protected her somehow”
“Mhm, no you couldn’t. You know that”
“But-”
“Minerva listen to me. You are not at fault, you may need to blame someone because then you can prevent it in the future but no one is at fault. I doubt Rowanne is going to go anywhere near the whomping willow in the future”
“How did you-”
“I’ve known you since we were in school. I was there as you gave birth to the twins, when you and-”
“Poppy. No, please”
“Of course, I’m sorry. My point is I know you. You need to be in control because you can’t trust anyone else to do it and you want to protect the twins. Just as you protected Malcom and Robert when we were at school”
McGonagall was silent. Poppy was right, of course she was. And she hated that, she hated that Poppy had been able to see that.
“Min?”
“Sorry”
“It’s okay” Poppy’s hand rested on Minerva’s thigh, the touch tingling throughout her body. She smiled, eating a mouthful of the food. Poppy didn’t move her hand, her finger moving gently from side to side.
“Do you want to have lunch?”
“Sorry?” Poppy looked a bit confused, though there was something behind her eyes, something hopeful.
“Its our monthly lunch. With the girls this Saturday. Would you like to come?”
Poppy smiled, “I’d love to”
Great, now Minerva had to cook for another person. Not that it was a problem. And how would the girls behave? Fine they loved Poppy. What about the weird tension that was between them? No, this was ridiculous. Why was she coming up with excuses to think this was a bad idea? It’s Poppy, you love Poppy, she told herself. Woah woah woah. No, as a friend. Of course you love her, she’s your friend.
Minerva shook her head, she said her goodbye’s and made her way out of the dining hall. Lessons were going to begin soon and she wanted to set some things up for her first lesson. Only her mind wasn’t on work, it was on the woman she’d just left. As she turned the corner she came face to face with the Headteacher.
“Albus”
“Minerva, sorry to startle you” He peered into her eyes, as if examining every part of her, “Are you okay? You look flustered”
“I’m absolutely fine” She was, right? Before she could even think about it her mouth opened, “Would you like to join me for lunch on Saturday?” He raised his eyebrow at her, “I, umm, I have lunch with the twins once a month. I just wondered if you wanted to join us”
He smiled happily, “I’d love to Minerva, thank you."
“Great. I’ll see you at 1?”
“Perfect”
She nodded, why did she just do that? What was so bad about being alone with Poppy. Well there was nothing bad, of course there wasn’t, so why was she nervous? Minerva shook her head, casting aside her thoughts as she arrived at her classroom.
She had the twins second. It would probably be a good idea to make sure they were alright with Poppy and Albus.
After class she called the girls back, “Mum, what’s the matter?”
“Nothing, I just wanted to make sure we're still we’re still on for Saturday”
“Sure”
“I can’t wait”
“Great, I just wanted to let you know that I've invited Poppy and Albus. Is that alright?”
“Umm” Rowanne looked at her sister who shrugged, turning back to her mother, “I guess”
“Are you sure?”
“Why not”
“Great well I’ll see you both at 1 then, how are you doing munchkin?”
“I’m fine”
“Good, now go enjoy your break”
“See ya”
“Bye” And they were out the door. This was okay right?
The twins walked in silence for a bit, each waiting for the other to speak though certain they felt the same.
“So we’re not happy about this right?” Rowanne finally spoke.
“I’m not if you're not”
“That’s not how this works”
“Row you know I couldn’t give a flying toss about these lunches, but you adore them. So I will turn up, make a bit of effort then go about my day”
“You used to love them”
“I see more of mum now we’re not living in the same quarters than I did when we were”
“That’s cause you're intent on getting detentions”
“Hey I gotta win this bet with James”
“You're ridiculous”
“Mamma’s girl”
“Oi” there was a pause as Rowanne struggled over a response, “Rebel”
“Rebel? Really? That's all you can come up with?”
“Yeah well. I’m not good at insults, be quiet”
Robin sighed, “So what do you want to do about these lunches”
“I don’t know, why didn’t you say something to mum?"
“Why didn’t I say something!” Robin cried indignantly, “What about you?"
“Yeah, but, you” Well she had a point, Rowanne had to admit that,
“Exactly, golden child”
“You’re impossible”
“Just spilling the truth sister”
Rowanne burst into laughter, “what the hell was that?”
“I honestly have no idea”
“Okay well we need a plan”
“Why not just make it insanely clear we don’t like it”
“How do we do that”
“Oh merlin, just follow my lead”
“Follow her lead on what?” James said, they’d come to where the others were waiting,
“Oh nothing. Where’s Lily?”
“She’s gone off with Severus but you can come to the quidditch pitch with us” Remus offered,
“No thanks, I’ve got work to do, I’ll see you lot at dinner” Rowanne smiled and made her way to the library
“Weirdo” Robin called after her, “So where are we going?”
“Come on!” Sirius grabbed her arm and pulled her along with the rest of them.
Rowanne made her way towards the library, passing by the girls toilets when her eyes immediately clocked someone. Severus. What he was doing outside the toilets, specifically the girls ones Rowanne had no clue, all she knew was that she wanted to get as far away as quickly as possible.
She’d almost made it past, a glimmer of hope when he seemed to decide against it.
“McGonagall” The same sneer in his voice
Rowanne turned, looking at him, ready to run. However she didn’t get the chance before Lily came out of the toilet.
“Hey you. What are you doing here? Are the two of you getting along?” She smiled brightly, blissfully ignorant of the tension around her.
“I was just going to invite McGonagall to join us” Severus lied as if that was his intention the entire time
“Oh what a good idea Sev. Row please come”
A glance from Severus told her Rowanne she shouldn’t, not that she was going to anyway, “No thanks Lil, I’ve got some work to do”
“You know you’ve joined too many clubs, Row. Have a laugh once in a while”
“I’ll see you later” And Rowanne was gone, storming towards the library, occupying her usual seat.
She was already in a bad mood the next day when she and Robin made their way to Minerva's quarters for lunch. Robin was yapping away at her plans for the lunch, taking Rowanne's silence as a sign she was listening and agreeing with her; she was not.
“Hey mum” Robin approached the door that was being held open by Minerva.
“Hello you two” she smiled and turned into the living area of their quarters, Poppy and Albus already there, drinking the wine Albus had brought and eating the chrisps. If Rowanne knew her mother, and that she did. McGonagall had brought out the ones for special occasions. Usually kettle crisps.
The girls entered without acknowledging either of them. Rowanne looking down and Robin staring with her arms crossed. McGonagall gave her a look which immediately made Robin drop her arms.
“Well it's good to see you two” Albus said, sunny as ever,
McGonagall nudged Rowanna after a few moments of awkward silence. This was unlike her girls, especially Rowanne. “Hi” she said awkwardly.
There was a nervous exchange of glances between Poppy and Minerva. Before Poppy spoke. “What about we sit up to eat?"
“Yes, yes” Minerva smiled, happy for an excuse to move the lunch on from the suddenly awkward atmosphere, “Poppy made errrr how do you pronounce it again?”
“Balta mišraine” Poppy said, “or just Olivier salad”
“Olivier salad”
“I don't like salad” Robin said bluntly, staying where she was as the other four moved to sit at the table.
“I know,” Poppy smiled, “but you'll like this one. It's just egg, tomato, carrots, cucumber and peas. I know you like all of that. I even didn't use pickles because I knew Rowanne didn't like them”
They couldn’t just not eat the salad, it would be too rude. So they ate, not saying much, though any conversation they were determined to bring crashing to its knees, well Robin brought it crashing to its knees.
“So Rowanne, how have you been. No more trips to the whomping willow I gather” Poppy smiled warmly at her.
However she was met with a curt “no” from the younger twin.
McGonagall sighed, yes Rowanne could sometimes be antisocial but this was Poppy and Albus, not a bunch of strangers.
“Robin you get the latest batch of sweets I sent you” Albus’ eyes twinkled as he winked at the girl, gaining a disapproving eye roll from McGonagall
“Yep. Ate them”
“Already!?” Albus looked impressed, Poppy more surprised and Minerva incredulous.
“Well I had help”
“Ah of course” Albus chuckled as the room descended into silence again.
“So we should get the roast out. Girls will you give me a hand” Minerva rose from the table, looking expectantly at the twins. Rowanne rose instinctively, moving to help her mother. Robin on the other hand refused. Sitting with her arms folded again.
“Robin.” McGonagall shot her a glare
“What? We’re guests as well”
“Robin!”
“Well it’s true isn't it”
Minerva sighed, she didn’t want to deal with this, not today. Not in front of Poppy and Albus. So she decided quite simply that she would not. Instead she handed some dishes to Rowanne and took two trips herself.
“The food looks delicious Min” Poppy smiled,
“Thanks. And that salad was amazing. You should bring us some more Lithuanian food to try. Wouldn't you like that girls?”
“What no” Rowanne looked up at her mother in shock. Not another change. Not again. That crossed a line. She wasn't taking their mother, then their family time and then their traditions. A quick glance at Robin was all she needed to know that her twin understood what was going through Rowanne's mind.
“Rowanne” McGonagall looked at her daughter, shocked she would ever say such a thing.
“We don't think this is acceptable” Robin said boldly
“Acceptable? What on earth are you talking about?”
“We don't want her”
“You shouldn't date, we don't want you to date”
“And you can't just make decisions without telling us”
“These are are lives too”
What on earth were they talking about? This was getting embarrassing. Not only for Minerva but Poppy as well. The simple solution was to separate the two until she could talk to them in private. And there is only one way to do that and get them to be quiet at the same time.
"That's it! Time out for both of you!" Minerva stood, towering over the two children sat to her right.
"But mum" Rowanne pleaded
"That's unfair!" Her sister picked up indignantly,
"Do not make me tell you twice. Rowanne go and stand over there, Robin you can go there" Rowanne immediately scraped her chair back, sulking silently over to the corner she had been sent to. Robin however wasn't going to go down that easily,
"I'm not going into a time out! I'm 11 years old not 5"
"Well then you should have thought about that before behaving like a five year old. March it"
"But-"
"Robin, every second you waste here is an extra minute in time out. Now I suggest you go and think about your behavior"
Robin considered her options, she looked close to countering her mother, but one look into the older woman's eyes and those thoughts withered as she made her way behind Minerva to the corner.
After a few minutes of idle chit chat McGonagall paused, "excuse me Albus, but I believe someone has learned their lesson" she rose from her chair, "Rowanne you can come out now" Rowanne turned but didn't look anyone in the eyes, it was easy to tell that she had been crying. Mcgonagall held out her hand to the child, pulling her towards her own bedroom. Before they reached it however, McGonagall turned to address the other child in the corner. "Robin, I'll be back shortly. In the meantime you are to stay exactly where you are. Just because I have left the room doesn't mean you have the right to be out of time out"
Robin huffed and it was easy to tell, even from behind that she was not impressed by the entire situation. McGonagall sighed, but Robin was a job for later. She led her youngest inside, closing the door behind her. Once inside she guided Rowanne over to the bed where she sat down, pulling Rowanne up onto her knee and allowing her head to rest on her chest. The two girls were different and they needed to be handled differently, especially considering Albus and Popy had been there to see the diplay which hadn't happened since the girls were toddlers.
"Rowanne, do you want to tell me why you were put in time out today?"
"I was disrespectful" she mumbled,
"I can't hear you munchkin, speak up please"
"We were disrespectful"
"Exactly. You were rude to Poppy and you embarrassed me"
"I'm sorry mum"
"I know munchkin, it's okay, you did well. I love you"
"I love you to"
"Good girl. Though I do have one question" at this point McGonagall pulled Rowanne out of the embrace, but she didn't break contact with her, instead holding onto her wrists and staring deep into her daughter's watery eyes, "it isn't like you to be disrespectful. Especially for no good reason. You love your Uncle Albus and Aunt Poppy, what brought this on"
"I don't want them here" She mumbled once again,
"Rowanne I've already told you once, I don't like mumbling, speak up,"
"They shouldn't be here" she looked down, even more embarrassed,
"Look at me honey" Rowanne forced her gaze to look again at her mother, "why is that"
"Because this is our time" she looked down,
"Eyes" Minerva warned her, Rowanne forced herself to look again into her mother's eyes, but as a result she wanted to break free from the grip McGonagall had on her wrists, "Rowanne" she looked gravely at her daughter and Rowanne stopped fighting, but her eyes flickered sporadically away from Minerva's intense gaze.
"I understand, though I do wish you would have told me your true feelings when I asked you"
"I didn't want to disappoint you" the words seemed silly as they tumbled out of her mouth in a jumble of quiet sound, she looked down to the corner of the bed.
"I'm not going to remind you again Rowanne" Minerva squeezed her daughter's wrists forcing Rowanne to look back at her and repeat the statement,
"I didn't want to disappoint you"
"Oh munchkin, I promise I would never be disappointed in you for sharing your true feelings" McGonagall released her, pulling her in for a hug, “But I am concerned that you didn’t feel you could tell me. No matter what, whatever it is. My door is always open to you, and your sister. No matter how insignificant it seems, or how angry I am at you. I have one priority, and that is you. I won’t be mad, whatever it is. I’ll never be angry, and I’ll always love you. Do you understand?”
“Yes mum”
“Good, now, let’s dry those tears” She reached behind her to get a box of tissues from the bedside table, handing one to Rowanne, “Come on. Let’s go and sit down, yeah?”
Rowanne nodded, following her mum back into the kitchen and climbing sullenly onto her chair, “Rowanne, do you want to go and heat up your food?” Her mother asked, she hadn’t moved from the doorframe. Rowanne nodded, and Poppy took out her wand, casting a spell at the girl’s plate, smiling softly at her. Rowanne returned it gratefully, but she was clearly still embarrassed.
“Robin, come over here please” Her voice changed from the soft way she had addressed her youngest to now being commanding and strict. Robin turned, eyes fixated on her mother, scowl plastered over her face, shooting daggers at the older woman. She didn’t move, just stared at McGonagall, “Come on then” But Robin just folded her arms in defiance. McGonagall sighed. “Fine, stay there if you like. But turn around again please” she walked back to the table, ignoring the girl.
She left her there until the other adults had left which by that point didn't take long. McGonagall saw them to the door, arm around Rowanne's shoulders. She closed it, "Rowanne sweetie why don't you begin the washing up while I talk to Robin yeah?"
Rowanne nodded, walking over to the table to clear the dishes, taking them over to the sink in the kitchenette.
“Robin” The other girl walked immediately to the bedroom door, Minerva looked to Rowanne before following into the room.
Robin was sat on the edge of the bed, head bowed “I, I’ll stay at the school over Christmas”
“What? Why would you do that?”
“You don’t want me here” McGonagall stood there, stunned, “It’s obvious mum”
“Why on earth would you ever think that?” She was on her knees in front of Robin, holding her hands.
“Because I cause trouble and I’m in detention every five minutes”
“Then I just get to see more of you princess” There was a pause, Robin muling over what had been said to her, and McGonagall knew to give her the time to think. Overwhelming Robin before she’d processed the last piece of information was never a good idea. “Listen. I love both you and your sister completely exactly. Nothing you could ever do will change that, I promise”
“Really?” Robin looked up, meeting MInerva’s eyes
“Really”