What Do Children Really Tell Us Anyway?
June 19th 1996
Belle was bittersweet about returning home after their trip to America. She was glad to be home and glad that in just a few days she would be picking up her children from the train station. She loved Ed's family, but there was the obvious disconnect she could never fully express to them. The disconnect that they were all in separate worlds. They had to lie about a great many things. Many things which did not always play to their favor.
His family thought Belle was odd for sending her children to a boarding school. They also thought that Ed was the only one working. She could say she was a designer, but what if they asked to see her designs or asked where her shop was? Lying was easier than breaking the law.
Her Augury birds had been safe in her mobile aviary that she could carry along, but they did not like being contained for long periods of time.
She had only heard slight news from her children, she knew Sammy had been in a lot more trouble than Belle could have ever possibly imagined. She'd been busted along with a gaggle of other students for participating in something called, Dumbledore's Army.
Belle realized she couldn't control her daughter's choices, it would only make her rebel more. The whole ordeal just reminded her of the days before the war truly began. She worried greatly for the safety of her daughter. Her grades were still practically perfect and she had her OWLs this very week, so Belle tried to just focus on that for Sammy.
Jack on the other hand, had kept a relatively low profile. He only had a few detentions and he had become a distinguished member of something called, The Inquisitorial Squad. He was being praised for his intellect and Quidditch skills. It was nice to not worry about him, even if briefly. He was sparser in letters than ever, but Belle assumed it was just because he was being a hard working student.
Belle planned to check her shop in Diagon Alley and begin preparations to reopen. She knew that wouldn't be an easy task. She could possibly have a pile of new orders for the summer wedding season.
She stopped first at The Leaky Cauldron for a coffee. It was crowded for an early Friday morning. Why would it be so crowded and why did everyone have a copy of the Quibbler in their possession?
Belle made her way to the counter where an older woman with a badger on her hat had a copy of the Quibbler in her purse. She was talking to Tom, the owner of the pub.
"Yes, six Hogwarts students, with Harry Potter among them, and Members of the Order Of The Pheonix." The older woman explained. "They apparently fought all those escaped Death Eaters. Most escaped I believe."
"You can't be serious though. You-Know-Who really back, and seen by the Minister himself." Tom shook his head in disbelief as the woman's coffee was poured.
"You mean former Minister." The woman smirked, "He resigned."
"I'll believe it when I read it in the Quibbler. Seems to be only real truth anymore." Tom argued holding up his copy. It looked like a cartoon of a bulbous woman in pink was stepping upon Hogwarts. Belle couldn't read the title or the author, but she considered buying a copy for herself.
"All of those children were fifth year and below. They were able to fight off wizards twice their age! It's amazing they all lived through such an ordeal."
Belle's heart shot into her throat. She had a fifth year student, one who was in the same house as Harry Potter. One who had joined a rebellion. One who she believed would run right into a fight.
"Codswallop." Tom responded to her and handed her a cup of coffee.
"I only know this to be fact because my dear sister in law's boy was among them. To think, we all believed he'd never amount to very much." The woman handed Tom a few knuts and he walked away for more coffee.
"Beg pardon," Belle's curiosity was too much, she needed to just calm her fears, "Who is your sister in law? If you don't mind my asking of course."
"Augusta Longbottom. Her grandson was among the students it seems." The woman said.
"Do you know any other names? Of the children I mean." Belle begged the woman, just wanting to know her daughter wasn't among them.
"I believe there were the two youngest Weasley children."
Belle winced, the youngest Weasley was Sammy's best friend.
"Of course Harry Potter and a muggle-born girl with the surname of Granger."
Both were in Sammy's year and house. There was only one student left. She only counted five so far.
"And one more girl, I can't remember the name." The woman looked up with a pondering expression.
"Just tell me it isn't Samantha Fyre." Belle pleaded getting closer to the woman.
"Oh no, I'd have remembered that name." The woman chuckled and raised her eyebrows, "That does jog my memory though, I believe it's the daughter of the Quibbler's Editor who was there. Lovegood I believe."
Belle breathed a sigh of relief, but the woman raised a new question.
"Why would you know my daughter's name?" Belle asked terrified of the answer.
"I know her name because of the Quibbler of course" The woman exclaimed pulling out her copy and handing it to Belle. "I thought everyone had seen it. I would have expected her mother to have seen it of course, but what do children really tell us anymore?"
Belle's heart dropped instantly upon seeing the headline.
-An Exclusive inside Look at What's Really Happening to Hogwarts Students.
By Samantha A. Fyre
It was of course well written, this was Sammy, she was an excellent writer. She reached the middle of the article in question and saw a picture. Although it was just a picture of a hand, Belle knew it was her daughter's hand.
The words: I will not rebel were scarred into the back of Sammy's hand.
That bitch had hurt her daughter.
That bitch had hurt other children.
This must have been the article Sammy had meant to publish.
Umbridge deserved every ounce of humiliation this article afforded her. Her daughter deserved to hold her head as high as possible. No one, was allowed to hurt her baby and it seemed her daughter was standing up for herself and her classmates in the best way she knew how.
"You should be very proud Mrs. Fyre." The woman said reaching out her hand.
"I am." Belle responded honestly. "She's my little lion."
Belle didn't think she'd ever hugged either of her children tighter a week later when she and Ed picked up her children from the Express. She also saw something she hadn't seen from her children in a while. They were smiling at each other and actually speaking to each other.
Jack explained he had been slightly involved with the Ministry incident. He was with other members of the High Inquisitorial Squad when the six students escaped to The Ministry. He apparently made sure they'd escape his peers.
He'd spent a night in the Hospital Wing after being stunned in the chest twice within an hour. Belle had considered visiting him there, but McGonagall insisted it wasn't a serious injury.
As Jack finished telling his side, her two children exchanged a look, like they had a secret.
"Well, I'm glad you are not hurt worse Jack, that many stuns could kill a person." Belle breathed a sigh of relief. "Out of curiosity. Who stunned you?"
"Well the first time it was Sammy." Jack said making Sam laugh uncontrollably. "She and her delinquent boyfriend were trashing the Transfiguration Hallway. I let her stun me so she and the delinquent could get away."
"Samantha Aithne Fyre!" Belle exclaimed loudly. "You did what?"
"The stunning or the hallway?" Sammy asked, "Because I did both, and Jack leaned into it."
Ed started laughing.
"The hallway!" Belle qualified.
"It was to cause a distraction." Samantha tried qualifying, pinching her face in the process. "Dumbledore and McGonagall gave me and Lee twenty points each for it later. Of course under the stipulation I return to my mature and composed ways next school year."
"Well, that bitch of a teacher is gone now." Ed chimed in with a smirk on his face. He'd been shocked by Samantha's actions, but outwardly very proud. He put her article up on the fridge and carried a copy in his car. "With help I assume from your little article."
Samantha turned slightly red, "Yeah, for the record my name wasn't supposed to be attached to that. Mr. Lovegood insisted my name be attached. I was scared I'd get expelled, or worse."
Belle felt a deep wave of relief. Her only real question had been why Samantha had allowed her name to be attached. It was dangerous.
"Well, it could get your name out there in a good way too." Ed offered, his eyes leaving the road briefly and looking at Belle. "Now we will only have to worry about the boyfriend now I assume?"
Samantha's face dropped. "No, I broke up with him."
"Really?" Jack's face lit up.
"I need to focus on my education and he needs to focus on his internship."
Jack rubbed his sister's back, "You are above him anyway Sammy."
Samantha nodded and smiled, but Belle thought maybe she could see tears in the ducts of her eyes. Samantha pulled her knees to her chest and looked out the window, not saying much else for the rest of the ride. Belle could see the pain in her daughter's eyes. First heartbreaks always hurt the worst.
Their eyes met and Belle was reminded of a girl she once knew, one who decided her own future. Even if Belle didn't always approve, her daughter was going to make her own decisions. No one was going to tell her what to do, or who to be.
March 12th, 1971
"Happy Birthday Belle!" Alice exclaimed with a twirl and a toss of flying butterfly glitter as Belle came into Honeydukes. It was Belle's Saturday off, but Alice had insisted she stop by.
Gideon laughed as he followed her in.
Alice ran up and kissed Belle on the cheek. Belle tried not to reel back, affection from friends wasn't easy for her. "Dad said you can have anything you'd like in the whole shop!"
"Really?" Belle chuckled looking around.
"Yep, you too Gideon." Alice insisted to Gideon who rubbed his neck uncomfortably as butterfly glitter flew around his face.
"Thanks Alice." He said smiling genuinely after the butterflies flew away from him.
"You are still meeting us later right?" Belle grabbed her favorite, Earl Gray and Lavender toffee.
Alice giggled wildly, "Of course! I couldn't miss your seventeenth birthday shindig."
Gideon wrapped his arm around Belle's shoulder and looked at her proudly. "And what a shindig it will be! We've snuck in plenty of butter beer and only the best music."
"And I'm bringing plenty of candy!" Alice giggled.
"The perfect way to celebrate the best girl around."
Belle blushed a little. In the month they'd been seeing each other again, Gideon hadn't brought up anything Cissy had talked about. He didn't bring up anything about Auror training or whatever that Order thing was. He'd been a perfectly wonderful boyfriend again. They'd have picnics by the lake, study in the library and snog under the bleachers.
"Who all is coming?" Alice asked excitedly.
"Ted and Andromeda of course. Mary McDonald, Patricia of course. Frank, Ellie, Grace, David, I invited your friend Cissy, but I doubt she's coming. Xen and Pan are probably coming." Gideon had his hands up and was counting them. Belle had a lot of acquaintances but only like maybe two friends, so it was kind of fun to have people coming to a party for her.
"Wait, are Xen and Pandora together?" Alice asked tilting her head.
Gideon nodded, "Yeah, have been since Christmas."
"Damn." Alice swore before pulling a list from her pocket and crossing off two names.
Gideon locked eyes with Belle. His expression slightly vague and confused.
"She's trying to figure out who sent her a Valentine." Belle laughed a little putting her hands on her hips. "Both Pandora and Xen were on your list?"
"I'm a very open person." Alice stood tall and flipped her pigtail behind her. "I also recently crossed Sybill off my list too. She's been seeing Marlene apparently."
"Good for you." Belle nodded.
"Wait, what Valentine?" Gideon began laughing heartily. He covered his mouth with his hand he was laughing so hard.
Alice reached into her other pocket and held it out for Gideon to see. He laughed harder than ever when he saw it.
"I know who sent it." Gideon said wiping his eyes.
"Who?" Alice and Belle both asked simultaneously.
Gideon crossed his arms over his brown sweater, "I can't tell of course." He raised a sly eyebrow, "I'm sworn to secrecy."
He began laughing again as the girls began pressing him for more information. The only tidbit of information he'd give was, "I made the card, but it's not from me."
"So it's someone close to you?" Alice surmised before grabbing her paper and crossing off two more names.
"I can say no more." Gideon took the paper, before leaning against the counter and began looking at the list. He chuckled looking at the paper.
Belle laughed heartily until she looked out the window of the shop. Two wizards wearing deep purple robes and brown boots were walking through town. They both had dark curly hair and freckles all over their skin. It was her brothers, Kyle and Logan walking towards the store.
"Son of a bitch." Belle exclaimed noticing Alice and Gideon had seen them too. Belle was shaking to her very core. She had a sinking feeling she knew why they were there, and she worried it wasn't just to celebrate her birthday. She hadn't told Alice and Gideon about her decisions not to go home, and she wasn't sure she was up for sharing now.
She reached into her pocket for her wand.
"Are those your brothers Belle?" Gideon asked calmly.
Belle nodded, hoping they hadn't seen her doing anything too suspicious with Gideon. She stepped forward and decided it was best not to act suspiciously either. She waved cautiously at them. She would pretend she wasn't staying behind for any other reason than her classes.
Her brothers strode into the shop and smiled excitedly as soon as they saw Belle had noticed them.
"Little sister!" Logan exclaimed coming towards the store. He ran and joyfully picked her up, twirling her around.
The affection made Belle tense up. Logan was the brother she was closest with, but she was still wary. She hadn't seen him in a while and he was still five years her senior.
Kyle laughed as Logan put her down. "We thought we'd surprise you for your birthday!"
"That's so nice." Belle lied through her teeth and crossed her arms.
"We went to the school, but they said you'd probably be down here." Logan exclaimed but his eyes narrowed at Alice and Gideon who stood behind them. "Can we meet your friends?"
"Yeah." Belle dreaded that idea, but she turned to Gideon and Alice, "These are two of my brothers, Logan and Kyle Brenna."
Alice stepped forward and reached out a hand, "Hi, I'm Alice, my dad owns this shop."
They shook Alice's hand, but Gideon didn't extend one to shake. He stayed leaned against the counter.
"And this is Gideon Prewett, he's my boyfriend." Alice lied, motioning back to him.
Belle breathed a heavy sigh of relief. Alice had her brighter moments.
Gideon smiled and waved uncomfortably.
"Prewett, you wouldn't be related to Fabian would you?" Kyle crossed his arms.
Gideon nodded recrossing his arms. "My brother."
"Small world." Logan exclaimed but Belle saw them boring into each other's eyes. "Mind if we steal Belle for lunch?"
Belle's heart went into her throat but she continued plastering a smile on her face.
"As long as she's back to the castle by three. Professor Slughorn has a party tonight, one she can't miss." Alice lied again with a big smile across her face.
Logan and Kyle exchanged a look.
"Of course. Can't have her miss any Slug parties." Kyle smiled before putting his hand on Belle's shoulder.
"See you guys later." Belle said waving at Alice and Gideon who looked hesitant as she left.
She found herself twenty minutes later at a booth in The Three Broomsticks sitting across from her brothers. She was sipping slowly on a little butterbeer and praying they wouldn't try to force her to leave.
"So mum wanted us to come visit to bring your birthday gift." Logan revealed slowly sliding a small wrapped box to her.
Belle opened it. It was a small golden pocket watch with stars for numbers. It looked very expensive and brand new. On the back was the Brenna family crest etched into it with filagree.
"It's tradition to get one when you turn seventeen." Logan pulled a pocket watch out, along with Kyle. They were all matching.
Belle nodded as she ran her fingers along the crest. It was the two headed Augury birds with the twisting arms behind it. It represented power and their work raising their birds. "It's lovely."
She hated the family crest, it reminded her of one time they mutated their birds wrong and they were born two headed. The creatures were hideous and constantly crying out in pain. Belle was always heartbroken when they had to put them down.
"There are a lot of family traditions now that you are an adult Belle." Kyle reminded and tilted his head. "Ones we can't wait to see you complete. You will find out more when you come home."
Belle nodded excitedly, she hoped they'd believe her. "I can't wait."
"We know you can't." Logan smiled widely. "Mum misses you at home, she wanted to come herself, but she's under the weather."
Belle nodded and lied some more, "Yeah, I miss her too."
Belle felt awful that she didn't miss her mother. She supposed she was supposed to miss her in some form or the other. Her mother was cold and judgmental to her. Nothing she did was ever good enough. It was always a reach to be her perfect daughter.
She put the watch into her pocket, unsure what else to do with it.
Although her mother expressed disappointment frequently to her daughter, she did not disclose the disappointment in her daughter to others. To the rest of the world, she was held on a pedestal, the perfect Brenna daughter. The daughter who would of course marry well, and continue some pureblood line.
"She says she's very proud that you have dedicated yourself to becoming an Animagus." Kyle said louder than Belle wanted.
"Yes, it's been very difficult, I haven't quite got it yet." Belle lied, "McGonagall wants me try again one more time this Summer."
"Then you will come home?" Logan asked sternly, his forehead now narrowing.
Belle nodded her head. "Of course. I've missed everyone terribly."
"Have you realized what you will be when you transform yet?" Kyle asked.
Belle said with a big smile, "Not the foggiest. I'm hoping it's something nice."
"I'm sure whatever it is, it will serve us all very well." Logan continued with a smile forming, "You will make the family proud."
Belle nodded and tried to keep her breathing steady. "How are things at home?"
"Don't you worry about things at home." Kyle said with a snapping tone and a knowing nod to his brother, "Just keep up what you are doing. Focus on your studies, let us handle home."
Belle's heart dropped, they were keeping secrets from her.
"So we have heard you were seeing our good friend Lucious." Logan redirected. "What happened? His father said you called it quits."
Belle nodded and took a sip of her butterbeer, "He's a manipulative jerk. He told me someone I liked had a girlfriend when he didn't."
They began chuckling.
"Sounds like Malfoy." Kyle exclaimed heartily, "Glad you aren't mixed up with him. Good family though, it's a shame. We'd have liked to have seen you married into a good family like that. Can't be having any blood traitors or mudbloods of course."
"Not to worry, when you are home we will help find you a more than suitable companion." Logan raised his eyebrows. Both brothers began laughing again."One worthy of your affection and our bloodline."
Belle nodded and laughed along uncomfortably. She noticed out of the corner of her eye that McGonagall was walking with a man. This man had a pink flower in his lapel and professional looking robes. They were arm in arm, something Belle had never expected from her Professor.
Belle was more than a little uncomfortable with her brothers and Professor McGonagall was someone she could trust.
"Oh excuse me for one moment." Belle pleaded and slid out from the booth. "I need to discuss something with Professor McGonagall, I've been looking for her all day."
Her brothers nodded and Belle gave them no time to say anything about it.
Belle ran out to her Professor and greeted her.
"Hello Professor." Belle greeted with a big fake smile.
"Good Afternoon Miss Brenna." Professor McGonagall said with a nod and untangling her arm from her companion's.
"Is this one of your little students?" The man asked with a big smile. He had a chiseled chin and what looked like kind green eyes peered from behind spectacles. He was traditionally handsome for an older man.
"Miss Belle, this is a good friend of mine, Mr. Elphinstone Urquart." McGonagall introduced the man. A smile was spread across her face. "He was my superior at the Ministry."
"Very nice to meet you Mr. Urquart." Belle shook his hand.
"How nice to meet you." He shook her hand with a firm grip.
"She's the young lady I was telling you about." McGonagall said making Belle's heart leap with pride. "It's her birthday today."
"My brothers came to see me." She motioned with her eyes to her watching brothers inside the Three Broomsticks. "For my birthday."
McGonagall's smile quickly receded upon seeing her brothers. "I can see that. Just the two?"
Belle nodded, "Kyle and Logan."
"I see." McGonagall gave a look to the gentleman, before her whole expression changed. She crossed her arms. "I am sorry Miss Brenna but I will have to cut your meeting with them short. I require your assistance at the castle."
"I'd be happy to help." Belle offered.
McGonagall turned to Mr. Urquart. "I'm so sorry Elph. Do you mind if I cut our time short?"
Mr. Urquart shook hid head. "I do not mind at all Minnie."
He took McGonagall's hand and kissed it. Belle thought she may have been crazy, but she swore she could see McGonagall blush. He tipped his hat before walking away.
"I will explain your urgent and needed assistance to your brothers." McGonagall offered and put her hand onto Belle's shoulder, "Wait here please."
McGonagall went inside and spoke to Belle's brothers who looked rather miffed, but dared not to deny her. McGonagall returned moments later. "Let's get you back to the castle Miss Brenna."
They were silent until reaching the castle grounds.
"At least they weren't threatening to drag you home." McGonagall observed after Belle told her about their conversations.
Belle shook her head. "I was worried they might, I tried to act like I was just here for classes, and nothing else."
"We can hope they were deceived enough." McGonagall nodded as she walked. "I would maybe consider alternative ways of income for a bit, I think you should stay on castle grounds where you are better protected. Since you are no longer a child, the school is no longer responsible for your wellbeing while with us. If one of your brothers were to take you away, we would not be able to come after you."
Belle crossed her arms. "Understood Professor, I hope Alice understands I'll need to quit Honeydukes."
"I'm sure Miss Flume will understand. Now, I have something for you." As they were about the reach the courtyard McGonagall stopped, reached into her robes and handed Belle a little box, "My mother gave it to me when I turned seventeen."
Belle opened the box, inside was a simple gold pocket watch with sparkling hands.
"Professor, I can't accept this." Belle argued, the pocket watch her brother had given her heavy in her pocket.
"Yes you can." McGonagall held her head high, "It is only taking up space in my office."
Belle nodded looking it over and smiling. Watches were supposed to be passed between family, or people like family. McGonagall taught hundreds of students, why would she give this to Belle of all people?
"I know the Brenna's probably gave you one, but I want you to know that you will always have family, even if you choose to leave the one you were born into." McGonagall smiled.
Belle didn't think, just reached up and quickly hugged her Professor around the neck.
"I'm sorry Professor." Belle said as she let go.
McGonagall just nodded her head and smiled sweetly. Belle tried not to notice tears welling in her Professor's eyes.
"Well," McGonagall answered. "Off you go now. I'm sure you have plans for your birthday. Ones, I of course have no idea about."
Belle chuckled, having a feeling that she knew about the birthday party, but had decided to feign ignorance.
Belle ran as quickly as she could to get herself changed for the party.