Albert Blythe
It was typical weather for January as the blinding snow continued its reign over the school.
Minnie had planned to spend her afternoon bundled in a blanket while watching her sister's practice. She planned to sit in the stands, reading Depression Of The Dementor by Lark Crawford. She and Cas had a date in a few hours to discuss it and the case together.
She wanted to make sure nothing happened, even if Josie wasn't herself, it was still a concern of Minnie's that she could return to her ways of treating Alice harshly.
Minnie's presence proved to be helpful, not because Minnie witnessed Josie being obstructive to Alice. Honestly Josie was being the best she'd ever been to her. You could tell Josie was glad for a small distraction. She was training fairly, but working everyone extraneously.
Minnie's presence was instead proven useful the moment Alice's screams filled the stadium. Alice had taken a Bludger directly to the face, knocking her off of her broomstick. It wasn't a far drop, the snow actually pillowing her fall.
As the whole team tended to Alice, Minnie ran to fetch her mother. Thankfully it was a late Friday afternoon and her mother was finishing up her class of third years. They returned to the pitch at a record speed.
"Hold your head back Alice!" Her mother insisted as blood from Alice's teeth and nose began to pool onto her woolen winter robes. "Please."
"Damned bloody bludger." Alice cried out as the garnet blood from her nose stained the snow as she stood. Her nose was completely smashed and she was missing a tooth. "Do you think I'll have a gnarly scar mum?"
"If Madame Pomfrey does her job correctly, then no." Her mother said with a roll of her eyes.
"I'm awful sorry Alice!" Hector insisted as he walked with her. He was rather flustered, he had been the one to send the bludger flying in the wrong direction.
Alice didn't respond as her mother pulled her head back, pressing the skirt of her gown against Alice's nose.
"Come now baby girl, let's get you to Madame Pomfrey." Her mother insisted as she helped Alice walk. The whole team followed.
Minnie stayed back a bit, walking along the border of the grounds. Alice didn't need an extra person in there, she would probably be overwhelmed as it was.
Minnie walked along the gate. It had been warded more lately, Professor Flitwick had a few charms to keep people and dementors out.
Minnie walked a ways on her own, holding her book bag against her and enjoying the crunch of the snow. She wasn't much of a winter person, but she had to admit Hogwarts was prettiest during the winter. Especially as the orange sun sent cascades across the snow as it began to set.
Someone else was walking along the border, but in the opposite direction and on the outside of the gate, back towards Hogwarts. Minnie recognized his face, quite reminiscent of a squirrel. Albert Blythe, the Editor-In-Chief of the Daily Prophet was walking the border of the school.
"Mr. Blythe?" Minnie felt her face pull back into her neck. His presence was unwarranted now more than ever. She was more than uncomfortable to know how much he was privy to about her mother's thoughts and feelings.
"Miss Minerva." Mr. Blythe stopped walking before tipping his large brimmed hat. His expression lit up impressively upon sight of her. "Now I have told you time and time again to call me Albert."
"Sorry, old habit."
"Is your mother around? She might be able to sort out this ruddy business. Filch won't let me in, he says you aren't accepting visitors at present." Albert twisted his head around.
"We aren't because of the disappearances." Minnie wrapped her arms around herself as she explained, "My mum's tending to my sister, she's taken a bludger to the face."
Albert fixed his gloves, "That would keep her occupied I suppose."
"Did you have a meeting with mum?" Minnie asked.
"No, I just thought I'd pop by for a visit to ask your mum a favor." He tightened the scarf around his neck, "Maybe you could help me and ask for her."
"If you are here to write another book about mum, I'm afraid she's quite without adventures anymore." Minnie laughed a little. "Dad jokes that he won't allow them."
"I'm aware he is fully against them." Albert rolled his eyes and leaned more through the gate. "It isn't about her adventures, I am in need of someone to watch the Prophet for me, for a month."
"What month?" Minnie asked knowing her mother wouldn't do it, "She has to be here for the Gazette Gala next month and for final exams in April and May of course."
Albert's expression contorted, "I had not thought of that. I would have needed her for February and of course she should be here to attend the Gala, it's a shame I must miss it as the reason I need your mother's substitution is because I am hoping to visit America."
Albert's eyes lingered on a book sticking out of Minnie's bag.
"I see you are reading one of Crawford's books." Albert chortled, "Excellent author, good man."
"You know him?" Minnie asked, holding up her book. She wondered what he was like.
Even before reading her mother's book, she had always felt a good deal attached to authors and the mystic surrounding them. It often fascinated her when people recognized her mother. Her mother was just her mother after all, but as a writer, she was many things. Lark Crawford was obviously someone normal to somebody, in the same way her mother was a normal person to her.
"Of course." Albert explained with a chuckle, "Your mum knows him too, of course."
Minnie wanted to kick herself, of course her mother, the greatest magical writer of the modern age would know the other great authors.
"Are you a fan of his work?" Albert asked taking the book from her.
"I've recently read a few of his books." Minnie nodded excitedly. "My boyfriend bought me one of his books for Christmas. We're discussing the Depression of The Dementor today."
"Maybe I can see if he'd be willing to send you a signed copy." Albert said before turning his head. "Maybe impress that boyfriend of yours, although I have a difficult time believing you are really old enough to have one. Makes one feel old."
Minnie chuckled a little. "I suppose it does."
"Do you suggest I return another time?"
"I don't think mum will do it, but I'm sure she can reject you another day." Minnie insisted making Albert laugh.
"I'll still try to get you that signed copy Miss Minerva." Albert tipped his hat.
Minnie smiled silently as he turned and left down the path.
The exchange was something she planned to brag about to Cas. He might find it interesting that she would have connections to Lark Crawford himself.
They met in the abandoned classroom a bit after supper. They seated themselves across from each other upon a large window ledge overlooking the Quidditch Pitch.
Minnie had worried their friendship would change once they began dating, however the ease she found around him had continued.
"It makes sense, the Dementors. They've been banished, for decades. I've read they are quite displeased with their fate." Cas shook his head as they continued their discussions about the disappearances. "Lark Crawford's account here says they've attacked the Ministry before, thirty years ago. Around the time of the Malfoy trial."
He handed the book to Minnie.
She read carefully the words aloud, "Held off by several recent Auror graduates, including the incomparable Harry Potter who performed a Patronus charm."
"I bet your dad was there, he was an Auror wasn't he?" Cas suggested.
"Only for a little while. Besides, I doubt he was much help in that instance."
"Why?"
"My dad's Patronus is Non-Corporeal." Minnie shrugged, "It's not as powerful."
"Oh." Cas rubbed his neck.
"Do you think it's only the dementors?" Minnie asked.
"No."
"Me either, everything is too calculated." Minnie pulled her knees up onto the ledge and crossed them. "Too planned almost. Dementors prefer to follow, not lead."
"You are smart." He raised his eyebrows.
"Just doing my research." Minnie shrugged. "It feels too real now. I wanted to know what to do if they attack."
"I'll stick by you I suppose, I've never quite gotten the Patronus Charm." Cas smirked.
Minnie worried that he'd maybe never had good enough memories, like her dad.
"It'll be odd to see so few people here for the game tomorrow." Cas changed subjects as he looked down to the pitch. "Since we aren't allowed visitors."
"The whole school will probably still watch." Minnie reminded as she continued reading.
"Of course, but this was the one dad was going to try and see." Cas griped with a roll of his eyes, "You'll cheer me on tomorrow won't you?"
"And betray my honor as a sister?" Minnie coughed, "I'd rather be boiled in Lulu's pudding."
"Some girlfriend you are." He said with a small shake of his head. "What if your sister isn't playing after her accident? Cheer me on then, or are you too loyal a Gryffindor?"
"Lissy will probably still play." Minnie assured, "Madame Pomfrey can fix broken bones in a moment."
He smirked, "Let's say she doesn't?"
"You can't expect me to route against Gryffindor Warrington, it will not happen."
He coughed, "Damn your loyalty."
Minnie laughed, looking back to the book she had just closed on her lap. She read over the author's name a few more times. "Hey I know something to get me back into your good graces, Albert Blythe said he knew Lark Crawford."
"Of course he does, he's the Editor-In-Chief of the Daily Prophet after all." Cas chuckled, "Do you think maybe we could send Lark Crawford an owl?"
"What do you mean?" Minnie asked.
"To ask for information, about cases, about dementors, about honestly anything." Cas said sitting up.
"What if someone reads the letter?" Minnie inquired, "They'd realize we are studying the case, maybe try to stop us."
"Shame we can't meet the man in person." Cas chuckled. "I'd love to pick his brain."
"It is a shame." Minnie conceded. "We could still send him a small letter. I can send it to Albert and he could pass it along. He said he'd at least get us a signed copy of one of his books."
"We could ask your mum."
"No, she's avoiding the Prophet at the moment." Minnie shrugged, "And honestly her flare ups have been bad lately, especially since what happened to Mr. Weasley and Uncle Flume."
"Yes, you are right, let's not bother her then." He proceeded to move closer to Minnie, leaning his head upon her raised knees. "You are increasingly pretty when you are determined."
Minnie wanted to beg him to be honest. She knew he was with her for her brains, not for her looks.
"I like the way your nose wrinkles the freckles on your face." He lifted his cheek from her knees. "And I like the way your ears turn red when I compliment you."
"I thought you didn't like me anymore." She raised her eyebrows and moved her legs so she could sit beside him, "For not cheering you on tomorrow."
"I suppose during Quidditch games we mustn't be friends." He touched under her chin, "But during all other times, I will insist upon being completely mad for you."
She kissed him and briefly felt a small moment of joy in an otherwise dark point.
Minnie wrote to Albert later the next day after the game. His reply was very intriguing.
Dear Miss Minerva,
Of course I can forward your letters to Mr. Crawford, I'm sure he would be delighted to know he has such young fans. I am not sure your mother would have his current residency of course, they know of each other but I cannot recall them ever expressing more than acquaintance.
It is a shame the world is not more conducive or you very well could have met him in person. I'd have suggested you meet him in the Three Broomsticks for tea sometime. Maybe once this whole matter is solved I can arrange it, of course as long as your parents permit such a meeting of course.
Please do try to speak to your mother for me about February. Maybe she can suggest another candidate? I had meant to ask Mr. Weaving, but he insists his time for substituting the job has long passed.
My utmost respect,
Albert Keith Blythe
Editor In Chief of The Daily Prophet