A Sharp Bruise To The Kneecap
Minnie was very familiar with the Headmistresses’ office. McGonagall had occasionally watched her as a child when her parents or grandparents couldn’t. She’d played with tiny color changing blocks and listened to lovely classical music. Her sister would jump and bounce in a little white crib covered in sunshines.
This office was supposedly where Minnie had first used magic. Minnie had talked to a few of the portraits, and a few friendly voices would advise her on building patterns. She had heard one insist it was possible to build a castle if she tried. She thought and focused on it, before the blocks stacked themselves into a castle.
McGonagall had looked up from her work and noticed the blocks flying around. She had said very little, just smirked.
Today was a bit different now that Minnie was quite grown. She no longer required supervision and she had found it more appropriate to distance herself from anything that could be misconstrued at nepotism.
The Headmistress sat before her, in her robes of emerald with a matching hat upon her head. For their interview, she’d insisted upon serving Minnie tea. Similar classical music played in a corner.
“How are you today Minerva?” McGonagall asked as a tea poured from a suspended pot.
“Just fine Professor.” Minnie answered smelling the lilac scented tea. She reached into her school bag and pulled out her violet colored notebook she reserved for use with the Gazette.
“I must admit it is a minute selfish accomplishment of my own to see the Gazette flourish the way it has.” McGonagall chuckled, “I was of course the original mentor and sponsor for the establishment. I have read your work and it is a tribute to your own proclivity. I would suggest you put yourself in the line for Editor-in-Chief in the next year.”
“That’s kind.” Minnie felt her ears go warm, “I don’t want the comparison.”
McGonagall nodded, “Yes, I suppose you endure enough of that. Please, go ahead and begin your questions.”
“What was the best moment in your career?” Minnie asked first.
“Watching Voldemort fall.” McGonagall said with a casual sip of her tea.
Minnie assumed that would be anyone’s greatest moment. She began writing as quickly as she could. Her mum always made it look so easy.
“You have received a great many accolades, The Order of Merlin first class included, what would you say is your favorite award?” Minnie asked her eyes darting to all of the awards on a shelf nearby.
“It is hard to choose true favorites, but I think a sharp bruise to my kneecap that has never truly healed properly.” McGonagall swiftly answered making Minnie giggle a little in confusion. McGonagall smiled a little at her giggle.
“Why did you choose to become a Professor?”
“It began as an escape really. Before I began teaching here, I was an Auror.” McGonagall revealed. “Only for a brief spell, I realized it wasn’t the career for me”
“Why?” Minnie asked curiously.
“Well, I felt a part of me was missing. It takes a certain and very studious sort of person to enjoy that kind of career.” McGonagall explained with a prim expression. “Quite a few brave souls enter the profession, thinking they can make some kind of difference, then the mystery and horrors are too much to internalize. Especially when I was in the department, it was a different time. Being halfblooded made it more difficult unfortunately.”
Minnie wrote it all down, wondering what kind of horrors she was referring to.
“Then Professor Dumbledore invited me to join him in the Transfiguration department and I couldn’t refuse.” McGonagall began to smile a bit more, “I reached the antithesis of my goals, I very easily could make a difference. I could help students in more ways than I ever imagined.”
Minnie continued her questions, but her curiosity about work as an Auror stung her. Wouldn’t it be exciting to solve mysteries and protect people? Wasn’t it part of the job to face the terrible horrors?
She and McGonagall finished their interview a little while later. Minnie quickly wrote the article about it before handing it into the Gazette for publishing the next day.
During the next few weeks, the investigation she and Cas were very devoted to had progressed very slowly.
No one else had gone missing. However, no one had been found either. In a brief moment of time, they had listed possible motives each of the disappeared had to go missing. They liked this list because perhaps they had all left of their own volition.None of their ideas added up. Everyone seemingly lived fulfilling and happy lives.
All roads led to foul play.
The Daily Prophet had come to a similar conclusion, if not in a more fantastical route. They were reporting absolute devastation from their families. They had also proclaimed that there was very little hope of recovery as the weeks passed.
The new investigative journalist for the Prophet, Warlock Glass proclaimed that if found, the bodies could possibly be beyond recognition.
Minnie knew it was a horribly bleak prospect, but she couldn’t help but feel like they were possibly alive still. Cas felt the same, expressing so on several occasions. They had created a small habit of meeting in an empty classroom on the fourth floor to discuss theories and research. Even if it wasn’t always research about the investigation, they used a brief bit of time to study and trade notes.
The closeness was not at all helping to diminish her feelings for him. The comfort they had developed was hard to ignore. Minnie worried it wouldn’t be good for her to keep on like this if the feelings persisted. Even if he weren’t with Brenna, there was no doubt in her mind he wouldn’t return Minnie’s fancy.
She tried not to let it bother her, but bother her it did.
“I liked that article you did about McGonagall.” Her dad observed with a big smile as she helped him catch bouncing bulbs one late November evening. It was snowing outside, but it was warm as summer in the greenhouse.
“It was fine, I guess.” Minnie said before quickly planting one of the escaped bulbs back into the potting soil. She was out of breathe from chasing the bulbs around.
“You’ve been oddly quiet today Minnie.” Minnie’s dad observed as he used a knock back jinx on one of the stronger bulbs that hadn’t ceased hitting itself against the greenhouse windows. “Normally on Wednesdays you talk more than your mum does.”
Minnie just pinched her nose, “Just got stuff on my mind.”
“What kind of stuff?” Her dad asked as he caught the last bulb. He wrestled with it slightly, getting it into the soil.
Minnie was slightly convinced her dad wasn’t the person to tell why her brain was in twisted knots.
“It’s not the stuff those kids were saying about you right?” He asked breaking her train of thought.
Minnie shook her head, it was apart of the chaos, but certainly not the worst offender. They had of course continued, Brenna still remaining the top offender. Minnie was sure they’d have to stop eventually, they couldn’t torment her forever right?
He continued, “You’re sure, cus your mum and I are honestly worried about you. I do understand a lot about that sort of thing.”
“Dad, I don’t want to talk about it.” She insisted back. “Honestly.”
“If you do, I am here.” He said nicely as he breathed out in relief, “But if that’s not it, what’s wrong? If it’s OWLs I can tell you without a doubt that you probably have little to worry about, I know my daughter and she thankfully is brilliant.”
Minnie chuckled a little before wiping her forehead from sweat, “Thanks dad. It’s not that though, I don’t know, I’m not sure this is something I really want to talk to my dad about.”
“Oh,” Her dad’s brow furrowed momentarily as they continued their work in silence. His furrow eventually broke into a small smile, “Do you have a boyfriend or something?”
“Dad!” Minnie snapped without thinking, causing her dad to chuckle a little.
“Or a girlfriend?”
“Dad!”
“No judgement from me of course on either count.” Her dad kept laughing.
“I don’t have a boyfriend, or girlfriend.” Minnie coughed a little, “And if I did, it would be a boyfriend.”
“Oh, it would have been less terrifying if it were a girlfriend.” Her dad answered before taking off his gloves and patting Minnie on the back. “I’m just teasing you.”
“I know.” Minnie laughed for a moment before looking through the greenhouse window. There was a group of witches and wizards, dressed smartly in long gray robes. Her Godfather was among them, pointing and directing them in certain places.
Her dad had noticed them as well, “I heard the Auror department was planning to ad security for the game this weekend.”
Her dad waved at Harry who eventually strode over to greet them in the Greenhouse. He confirmed Minnie’s dad’s suspicions.
“Yes, it’s for the match, but I’ll take it as an excuse to watch.” Harry laughed, “Ginny and I have been dying to watch Alice play, we’ve heard from George it’s the best team Hogwarts has had in years.”
“You are both welcome to stay with us after the game.” Minnie’s dad offered. “The girls are staying this weekend and we have that extra room. We’re taking the girls to Sam’s parents on Sunday for that Thanksgiving thing Ed likes to celebrate.”
“Gin might want to stay, but I can’t.” Harry shrugged. “I have to continue running security.”
“Is it to prevent more disappearances?” Minnie asked.
“Unfortunately.” Harry dropped his facetious smile.
Minnie knew it was better to tell him what she knew, so he could use it. “You know whoever it is, is targeting the Hogsmead businesses that supply to the school right? Everyone who’s been taken does a service for the school or students.”
“Really?” Harry asked, making Minnie worry he’d tell her to keep her nose out of things.
“Where’d you hear that?” Her dad asked with an expression of shock.
“Lulu, the house elf. She works with them, she said it was an inconvenience.” Minnie tried to pass it off. “I was getting some pasties the other week, and she mentioned it.”
“Thanks for the information Minnie.” Harry laughed but without an air of mocking. He turned to Minnie’s dad, “Is she a credible witness?”
Her dad nodded, “Yeah, Lulu’s not one to lie. Makes a good beef stew.”
“I’ll talk to Lulu.” Harry shrugged, “I’ll make a stop on my way to see Samantha.”
“You aren’t here to bombard Sam again are you?” Minnie’s dad said, his voice cracking like a broken chair.
Harry pulled down his glasses and cleaned them against his shirt. The humidity of the greenhouse had fogged them up. “I’ve gotta convince her to at least say something.”
“You need to leave her alone about it.” Minnie’s dad said without pause.
Harry put his glasses back onto his face before laughing a little, “Those things Blythe is allowing in his paper about the investigation, it’s even more dodgy than some of those things Rita used to make up. Ginny can’t say anything about it, it would risk her job.”
“Yeah, and it isn’t her problem is it?” Her dad answered crossing his arms. “Can’t Hermione say something? She’s the bloody Minister of Magic after all.”
“She has said something. Blythe doesn’t seem to worry too much about Mione’s opinion, she’s considered firing him, but there isn’t much for options as a replacement.” Harry rolled his eyes, “Samantha’s maybe the only person who has a decent enough influence on Blythe.”
“Yeah, and she has enough reason not to stop by the Prophet.” Her dad explained, “You know who they have working there, right?”
“Ginny mentioned he’d been around. But it’s been nearly three decades, Samantha can’t still hold a grudge can she?” Harry asked.
Minnie wondered if they were talking about the dark haired man who had been with Albert at the Three Broomsticks.
“It’s more than a grudge and you know that. If she's avoiding that American bastard, she has a good reason. So do me a favor Harry, leave her alone about it.” Minnie’s dad shook his head, “Not as the head of the Auror department, as our friend. Please.”
“Understood. I won't ask her about it then.” Harry nodded. “Are you all still planning to come for boxing day?”
“Always do.” Minnie’s dad responded nervously.
Before the Quidditch game on Saturday morning, Minnie told Cas that she had informed her Godfather about Lulu. She’d pulled him over before the Ravenclaw vs Gryffindor match in the hallway outside the Great Hall on the way to breakfast.
“Oh bollox Minnie, what if he told us to stop?” Cas responded. "Then we can't investigate anymore."
“That’s the thing.” Minnie explained. “I thought he’d tell me to keep my nose out of things. He didn’t.”
“Did he tell you anything?” Cas asked looking slightly relieved as his neck stretched upwards.
“Not much, but he seemed interested in what I had to say. Wouldn’t give me a real answer, but he doesn’t even talk to Ginny about his investigations.” Minnie explained.
“You see him at all over the Holiday coming up?”
“Yeah, the Potter’s Boxing Day party!” Minnie responded, it was one of her favorites.
Cas asked with an impish smile growing on his face. “Maybe you could go through his stuff, see if he’s got notes?”
“I thought about it.” Minnie humphed, “But he keeps his stuff locked up pretty tight. He says he had a friend sneak into his files once and he hasn’t trusted people since.”
“I was joking Minnie. His eyes were lingering an uncomfortably long amount of time on her face. Minnie was impossibly aware of how close quartered they were. “I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again, it’s always the quiet ones.”
Minnie raised her gaze to look at him as she qualified, “I’m just trying to solve this.”
“Don’t take it the wrong way Minnie.” Cas begged, “It’s honestly kind of cool to see you break a few rules.”
There was a brief moment where she liked that he looked back at her and called her cool. She could feel his breath on her.
“Minnie!” Lysander called out to her as he ran past her to the Great Hall, “My mum’s here! Come say hello!”
Lysander’s mum, Aunt Luna was coming for the game. She was coming to watch Alice and Lorcan who flew for Ravenclaw.
“I’ll be there in a minute Lysander!” Minnie called to him as he ran through the doors.
“Your friends are calling.” Cas mentioned, his eyes finally leaving Minnie’s.
“You can join us at the game if you’d like.” Minnie offered as she stepped back. She wasn’t sure how everyone would react, but briefly she didn’t care. “Uncle Jack is coming to the game, he’d probably like to see you.”
“Thanks, but I’ve got plans.” He answered looking rather calloused.
“I mean, I suppose you need to watch with Brenna” Minnie shrugged.
“No, she seemed really miffed when I broke it off with her. I doubt she’d like me to sit with her.” Cas said making Minnie’s heart jump out of her chest. She didn’t know they’d broken things off.
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.” Minnie lied.
“I’m alright I promise. Gonna sit with the team.” Cas explained.
“Plotting ways to knock my sister off of her broomstick?” Minnie joked without thinking.
Cas shook his head with a chuckle, “No, as tempting as that is, I prefer a good challenge and she’s too good of a player to disrespect like that. Not to mention, I don’t think her sister would keep me in her good graces if I murdered her.”
Minnie didn’t know how to respond, but felt herself smiling a little bit as she walked into the Great Hall.