Part Dragon
"Madame Puddifoot was last seen tidying up her tearoom." Josie read aloud from the Daily Prophet. "A trace of blood was left behind at the scene."
The Prophet was reporting rather vigorously on a supposed string of disappearances. Minnie knew all three. Each lived and worked in Hogsmead where she had grown up for the most part. Her parents had a cottage on the outskirts of town. They didn't stay there in the Summer, but on some weekends during the rest of the year and during holidays they lived there. Minnie and Alice were allowed on all weekends to visit Hogsmead and stay in their home, as long as their parents gave permission and didn't have patrol. There were about a dozen students who also lived in Hogsmead who had similar concessions.
"That's horrid." Minnie said, her heart stopping as she ate her eggs on toast, "She's so kind."
She liked Madam Puddifoot, she made lovely tasting tea and crumpets.
"You are telling me." Josie coughed, "I mean if she's gone, where will any of us go to snog ridiculously in public?"
Lysander narrowed his eyebrows at her as he ate his toast, "Josie, that isn't funny. Her family must be worried for her."
"Just relieving the tension through comedy." Josie raised her eyebrows as she handed him the Prophet across the Gryffindor table. "Be depressing if you like."
"Still isn't funny." Lysander insisted. The scowl still written on his face only became worse as he looked over to the Ravenclaw table, "Neither is that."
Minnie looked over her shoulder to see Nell and Lorcan completely entangled in each other. Nell's dark fingers and arms were tangled in Lorcan's long bright hair making a somewhat beautiful contrast of color.
Minnie quickly turned and looked back to Lysander who had stopped eating his meal.
"Grotesque, you can say it." Lysander said as the color continued dropping from his face.
Minnie nodded but hadn't quite lost her appetite, "Alice mentioned they were dating."
Lysander shrugged, "He's been disgusting all Summer about Nell. Completely disrespectful in his descriptions of their-"
"Snogging?" Josie interrupted before eating some pudding.
"To start with anyway." Lysander groaned. "Poor Alice got a good brunt of it. Rather feel sorry for the girl, Lorcan should be more sympathetic. He knows what it's like to fancy someone who doesn't like them back."
"Yes, but Lorcan's never been obnoxiously outward about it." Josie rolled her eyes, "Alice is just downright pathetic."
"She just expresses her feelings. I've thankfully got sixth year consultation for classes so I don't have to keep watching that show of horror." Lysander said standing up and throwing his bag over his shoulder.
Minnie checked around the Great Hall to make sure her sister wasn't around to see the display. Thankfully she wasn't.
"Come on Longbottom." Josie said as she picked up her book bag. "We've got Divination first don't we?"
Minnie nodded after finishing the last bite of her egg, "Then I've got Arithmancy."
"Yeah, so bloody glad I dropped that. Damn Cody being so lucky he hasn't got a morning class." Josie laughed, "Is he taking Arithmancy?"
Minnie shrugged as she stood and followed Josie, "I think so."
Divination went as well as Minnie could suspect. They were doing dream interpretation. She couldn't quite see how dreaming she was riding a gravy boat through a river of mash meant anything other than a deep craving for potatoes.
Arithmancy was much easier, simple equations always put her mind at ease. She was correct, Cody was taking Arithmancy and she enjoyed not being alone in any class so far.
As they exited together, Minnie could swear she heard a slight sobbing in a corridor. They turned down a corner to find a little first year Gryffindor girl crying over a large paper map. Her jet black hair was nearly to her knees.
"You alright kid?" Cody asked to the little girl.
She whipped her head around to look at him, "I'm lost and I've already been late to my first class."
Cody chuckled a little to himself, "What class are you looking for?"
"Charms." She whimpered looking at the schedule and map in her hands. "With Professor Flitwick."
Minnie reached into her bag and pulled out a tissue. She handed it to the little first year. Minnie happily revealed, "That's on our way, we can show you."
"Thank you." The little girl wiped her tears. "I'm Jeanie Hime."
"I'm Cody Jordan and this is my friend Minnie Longbottom." Cody said as she began walking with them.
"What class are you both going to?" Jeanie asked with a small spring in her step. Minnie supposed it was interesting for a first year to walk with older students.
"Transfiguration with the Slytherin class." Minnie explained.
"That's with Professor Fyre right?" Jeanie asked looking at her map and class schedule. "She's the one who did the sorting correct? She's so elegant."
"Yeah." Minnie smirked a little, "Mum's got a penchant for elegance when she has to."
"Your mum is Professor Fyre?" Jeanie asked with a large jump.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Cody glared at Jeanie. "Minnie's elegant too."
"Oh no, I didn't mean that I didn't think you could be her daughter." Jeanie's eyebrows tilted.
"I mean, I figured your dad was Professor Longbottom, last names and all." Her head bobbled a bit. "I had his class this morning. He just seems a bit down to earth and all, where she's so-well not the person you'd expect he'd be married to"
"Oh they aren't married, it's quite a scandal really." Cody chuckled before putting his hand to his heart. "Star-crossed lovers as it were."
Jeanie's mouth dropped open.
Minnie knew she should have jumped in sooner, but she wanted to hear the explanation herself. Cody had a real way with words, especially fictional ones.
"I know this to be fact, because my father and Professor Fyre were very close. They fought in the war together." Cody stood up straighter and threw his cloak. "My father won't confirm it, but I am quite convinced he and Professor Fyre were lovers, but I believe his heartbreak makes it difficult to discuss."
Jeanie's eyes were like saucers as she answered, "Oh surely."
"You see, a long time ago, during the war of course, Fyre and Longbottom fell in crazy desperate love." Cody practically twirled like a ballerina. "War of course brought them closer together and they were able to express their love without prying eyes."
"How romantic." Jeanie clasped her hands together.
"They used to meet in secret under the school in a hidden chamber that the Boy-Who-Lived himself showed them." Cody said leaning his body forward and hunching his shoulders.
"Who's the boy who lived?" Jeanie asked making Cody chortle.
"My Godfather." Minnie answered truthfully.
"Why must they meet in secret?" Jeanie whispered.
"Their families do not approve." Cody winced both eyes, "Professor Longbottom is muggleborn you see-"
Minnie was sure her Great-Gran would not find that folly quite as funny as she did.
"Like me?" Jeanie's eyes dropped.
"Yes," Upon seeing Jeanie's eyes drop, Cody switched gears. Minnie could tell he was back tracking. He obviously hadn't realized how to tell a little muggleborn the complexities of prejudice. "But that has nothing to do with it. Professor Fyre is three-sixteenth, ummm, dragon you see, that's why her name is Fyre."
Jeanie looked up to Minnie, "Is that why she has the dragon?"
Before Minnie could answer Cody loudly proclaimed, "Yes, Duke is her fourth cousin, twice removed."
Minnie just shrugged as she watched Jeanie's hair whip back to Cody.
"Her cousin?"
"Yes, and it is not seen as normal for wizards and three-sixteenth dragon women to fall in love."
"How tragic!" Jeanie exclaimed with a high pitched swoon.
"No one would have known of their union if not for Professor Fyre's unexpected pregnancy." Cody waved his arms around Minnie with a wild swoosh. "Which resulted of course in Minnie here."
Jeanie looked up at Minnie, "You are part dragon?"
"No, Cody's only jesting, my parents are married and they weren't star crossed lovers." Minnie lightly pushed Cody nearly knocking him off his feet, "She just kept her name for her career is all."
"That sounds like something someone would say if they were in fact part dragon and hiding it." Cody wistfully said steadying himself. He pointed down a hallway, "If you follow that hall then up the stairs, you will make it to Charms."
"Thank you." Jeanie exclaimed before running down the hallway.
He yelled down to Jeanie, "Now don't let anyone tell you anything different about Minnie's heritage. The history books are wrong too, don't read them."
"Bloody hell Cody, now everyone's going to think I'm part dragon." Minnie chuckled.
"So?" Cody laughed, "Wait till she actually finds out what happened with your parents. It's far more fascinating anyway."
Minnie rolled her eyes, "I doubt it. Come on, Mum's always sore when we are late to her class."
They arrived to class just in time. Her mother had just begun attendance as they seated themselves towards the back beside Josie.
Instead of her elegant look from the sorting ceremony, her mother had taken her more casual approach for the first class. A long flowing black skirt and garnet blouse. A red hat sat on her desk, but Minnie could tell it wouldn't be worn. She looked more like her mother now.
"Brenna, Sarah."
Sarah Brenna raised her hand high into the air and called out in a strong voice. Her chin length curly hair bounced along with her movements. Sarah was a pretty girl, beautiful long eyelashes and dark black eyes.
Minnie's mum smiled gently as she called out each name, making eye contact with each student.
"Jordan, Cobden." She called as she reached Cody.
"Present Godmummy." Cody exclaimed before Minnie's mum rolled her eyes.
"Five points from Gryffindor Mr. Jordan. I distinctly remember your father telling you to address me by my formal title." Her mum sternly reminded crossing her arms.
"Present Professor Beautiful." Cody breathed out with a large smirk forming.
Several students in the room began snickering.
"Still not correct, but at least you put Professor on there." Her mum chuckled a little. "Also tell that Tosser father of yours to teach you better manners."
"I'll do my best." Cody winked at her.
"Longbottom, Minerva." Her mother called out her name, ignoring Cody's wink.
Minnie answered uncomfortably, hearing the snickers around her about her given name, "Here."
She'd been hearing the giggles all day, which she found preposterous. Her name wasn't that silly. She hated it, but the rest of the world didn't need to.
Duke jumped off of her mother's shoulder and flew down to Minnie's desk. He nudged his nose against her's.
"Hey Duke." Minnie whispered as the snickers around her stopped.
Duke jumped onto her shoulders and wrapped himself around her neck. He always knew when she was uncomfortable. Minnie focused on him over the laughter around her. Her mother began reading the last few names.
"Warrington, Cassius."
Warrington called back, "Here."
"Weasley, Josephine."
"Here."
"Excellent! Since we are all present, let's quickly emphasize the importance of studies this year." Her mother walked to the front of class before sitting on the edge of her desk. "I do not accept anyone into my NEWTs classes unless you have an Outstanding on your OWLs. So if you are looking to continue into a career that requires Transfiguration, I recommend paying stiff attention this year. Today we will start off by a quick review of last year's work. I will pair you off to practice the color change charm."
Minnie knew that charm decently well, she could change her hair color decently quickly. She had considered a few permanent changes. She had always envied her sister's soft blonde colored hair and blue eyes.
Minnie had tried both, but she looked so ridiculous. It was like putting makeup on a stinksap plant. Nothing changed her appearance, not really. Not when her ears were still ridiculously large and her skin perpetually freckled. Her mother had conceded at transfiguring her teeth to a normal size and spacing before she'd started school years before.
"Weasley and Brenna." Her mother began calling out pairings causing Sarah Brenna's hand to shoot into the air.
"Professor, wouldn't you think it would be best that I not be partnered with someone who hasn't a decent competency for Transfiguration?" Sarah Brenna called out while flashing a bright white smile. "Seeing as I was top in your class last year?"
Josie who had already looked horrified at being her partner, began to scowl. Josie had never been a proficient at Transfiguration.
"I will have no questions of competency Miss Brenna and you will partner with whomever I assign." Her mother said with a snap at the end of her voice.
Brenna slammed her book shut before going and sitting at the desk beside Josie. Minnie tried to keep her eyes away from them.
"That will be the end of it or it will be points lost." Minnie's mum called out.
Minnie felt herself smirk a little as Duke jumped off of her shoulders before flying to her mother.
"Now, to continue, Jordan and Smith, Warrington and Longbottom."
Minnie's heart jumped into her throat, she wasn't sure why she didn't want to be his partner. He was excellent at Transfiguration, but she hated the idea of having to look at him while she changed his hair color.
Cody dutifully stood up from his place beside her before walking over to take his place with Laurel Smith.
Warrington sat beside her and extended a small smile. She smiled but quickly looked away.
How could her mum do this to her?
At least it was better than being with Brenna.
"Be nice please and just stick to hair and eye color." Her mother called out before returning to her desk. She quickly flipped her hand causing a quill to stand up on end and begin writing. Minnie chuckled a little, her mum wasn't just doing review because she wanted them proficient. Minnie knew the immediacy upon her mum's face, she had something to write and she was taking full advantage of the time with less rowdy students.
"So um, any preference on eye color?" Warrington asked breaking Minnie's chuckle.
Minnie shook her head, "No."
"Shame you can't fix those ears." Minnie heard Brenna whisper behind her.
Minnie immediately began fidgeting with her hair. She didn't realize they were even sticking out. She liked to wear her hair long to cover them.
Minnie didn't have a moment to respond as Brenna began wailing. Minnie turned her head and saw that Brenna's own ears were growing now, larger and larger like an elephant. The only part of her ears to remain the same size was her tiny pearl earrings.
Everyone in the classroom burst into laughter, including Warrington, who's laughter was slightly more muffled behind his hand.
"Oh blast!" Minnie's mum exclaimed as her quill dropped. She stood up in an exceptional fury. "For the love of Merlin my second years were less rowdy!"
Her mum quickly came over and set Brenna's ears back to normal.
She turned her attention to Josie.
"I didn't mean to Professor." Josie said with an innocent bat of her eyes.
"She did it on purpose." Brenna exclaimed with a louder wail.
"If you two don't learn to work together, I will transfigure you both into nesting dolls where you will be in a forced proximity." Minnie's mum said with a growl. "Or detention if you prefer?"
"Understood Professor." Both girls said in unison.
"So Miss Weasley, keep Miss Brenna's ears off of your radar. Miss Brenna please refrain from showing us what a Banshee sounds like, save it for Defense Against The Dark Arts and Professor Temperance." Minnie's mum said with a roll of her eyes. She strode back to her desk and with a wave of her hand, continued back on her writing.
Everyone worked in relative silence for a small while. After an agonizing forty-five minutes, her mum switched the subject to practicing another review. She handed out buttons to change into beetles, everyone still seated with their partner. After another twenty minutes, her mother was beginning to announce homework when a knock came at the classroom door.
"Excuse me-" a voice Minnie knew very well called into the room. She and everyone turned their heads to see her Godfather stepping inside.
"Potter?" Minnie's mother asked as she quickly stood from her chair. She had a bewildered expression dancing across her eyes.
Whispers began raging as everyone wondered aloud why Harry Potter would be there. Minnie knew her Godfather wasn't just the kind man she stayed a few days with. He'd defeated Voldemort and he ran the Auror Department.
Minnie's mum snapped directly back into being a teacher. Her eyes were sharp as she sounded into the classroom, "That's enough chatter."
"Might I steal you a moment Sam? I mean, Professor Fyre?" Harry called in as he stepped in further.
"My class is just about over Mr. Potter." Her mother said with a raise of her eyebrow, "Let me tell my students that I expect a full three page essay of at least one reviewed subject by next class."
The entire class, including Minnie, began a loud groan. Everyone began tidying their things and heading out for lunch. Minnie lingered a moment to say a quick hello to Harry.
"Hello Minnie." He said with a cautious smile, "First day going well?"
Minnie nodded back, "Of course it is."
"Nothing too intense I hope." He laughed as Minnie's mum put her hands on her shoulders.
"No sir. Mostly a normal beginning." Minnie shrugged before lying, "Mum's was the best so far."
"Liar." Her mum called her out, "Sorry it was just review baby, my second years wore me out."
"I don't mind mum." Minnie answered, "Besides, Josie looked funny with rainbow hair."
"I have no doubt." Harry began laughing. "Mind if I have a minute with your mum alone?"
Minnie nodded before giving him a big hug, "Good to see you!"
Minnie left the classroom and watched the door shut behind her.
She knew it wasn't proper to spy, but she wondered why Harry would be there to see her mum of all people? He was closer with her dad anyhow. Maybe it was some kind of surprise for Ginny? Minnie reached into her bag and pulled out a Weasley Extreme Volume Ear. Josie had sent it to her as a birthday present. She pressed it to the door.
"Harry, I don't actually have as much pull at the Prophet as you'd think. I've only been out of that bloody situation fifteen years." Her mum's voice sounded frantic. "And I'm not one to censor the news."
"Yes, but they are blowing the whole situation out of proportion." Harry begged, "I asked Blythe to simply report the missing, and he has turned it into an entire expose."
"Which gives you the right to interrupt my class?"
"No." Harry answered curtly. "But I worried to send a letter, I don't want anyone knowing I spoke to you on this matter. If anyone wants to know, I came to visit you, Neville and the girls."
"Hell of a visit Potter. It's the first bloody day of class."
Minnie pulled the ear off the door, it wasn't a surprise for Ginny that was for sure. She'd surely be in trouble if her mum knew she was spying.
She stuffed it into her bag before a voice scolded her.
"I always knew it was the quiet ones you had to be worried about." Warrington said from down the hallway slightly. He leaned against the locked doorframe to the Gazette's headquarters.
"I don't know what you are talking about." Minnie said with a very convinced stride.
"You were spying." He chuckled a little as he strode beside her.
"I didn't mean to." Minnie tried to defend.
"You didn't mean to put an extendable ear to the door?" Warrington laughed heartily as they rounded a corner.
"No, but-"
"Hey, no shame, spy away." Warrington said putting his hands up. "I just thought it was funny, you put off this innocent essence and here you are sneaking around."
"Can you please drop it?" She begged slowing her pace.
"Do you think it's about the disappearances in Hogsmead?" Warrington asked, his eyes wide.
"I don't know, the ear didn't work." Minnie kept her head down as they walked.
"Definitely the disappearances then." Warrington answered with a laugh as they reached the Great Hall. "You really are a horrible liar."
Minnie didn't respond, just waved to her sister who was sitting at the end of the table. She waved at her vicariously.
"Don't worry, your secret is safe with me." Warrington winked a little at her.
Minnie's heartbeat escalated briefly. All essence of denying she had an uncharacteristic fancy for him was gone. She was woefully distraught by the honest realization. She couldn't fancy him. No. He was dating Brenna. He was Mr. Warrington's son, he worked for Uncle Jack. He hated her sister and her sister hated him.
It was a ridiculous notion.
Her mouth felt dry and her ears felt warm as she quickly brushed him off and joined her sister.