Willow Song

Chapter 2 - A Night of Revelations

When Serena arrived home, she ran in to tell her parents that they had a guest for dinner. Her parents came out to see a fully human McGonagall who was now standing by the horse. "Silva, Henry, I'd like you to meet Professor Minerva McGonagall." Her parents gave each other a sudden stricken look and seemed momentarily flustered, then caught themselves and her father extended his hand. Serena hadn't missed the look, but she really didn't want to know anything just yet. "I'll go take care of the horse while you three get to know each other," Serena said before she left.

She returned forty minutes later to find Henry and McGonagall chatting at the kitchen table while Silva put dinner in the oven. McGonagall was telling the Samuelsons about Hogwarts and what it could offer Serena.

They then engaged in a dinner of various spicy Thai foods, during which McGonagall was again noticeably polite, and then adjourned to the living room for coffee and key lime pie. After they finished their desserts, Silva gave her husband a significant look and announced solemnly, "It's time," and left the room. She returned with three envelopes, stood silently until everyone was looking at her expectantly, then, with no other introduction, solemnly read the first aloud.

Dear Silva and Henry,

Thank you for taking my little girl. I hate to part from her, but it is the only way I can provide for her safety. I will die whether I keep her or not, for her father will soon find me. He is very talented in many things--but he is also evil. You must promise me that you will always teach her to use her gifts for good so that she will never become like him. He used his talents to gain power and satisfy his selfishness and it corrupted him. Please keep Serena's birth date secret and never try to find her father. Wherever you go, I know you'll love my daughter and teach her with all of your wisdom, learning, and experience. Wherever you are, please take her to those who are trained with my type of abilities so that she can learn to use her special talents also.

The next part is difficult to write because it refers to a time many years hence. I fasted for three days in the wilderness to be given this vision. It is the only time I have ever received a vision because I asked for it. When Serena is nearly of age, she will meet a teacher named Minerva. Minerva will lead her to fully learn to use her talents and gifts and will help her find others like her. Under Minerva's guidance, Serena will be led to do a great good in the battle against the Dark. You must entrust Serena to Minerva and transfer your guardianship of my daughter to her.

Sincerely,

Tatienne Verte-Chantes

McGonagall sat in stunned silence. Silva began to cry softly.

"What?" Serena jumped up and said, "You're not going to be my parents any more? You're just going to give me away? How can you do this to me?"

With tears spilling from Sylvia's eyes, she said, "You can still visit us. We'll still be your parents, but we promised to make Minerva McGonagall your guardian now."

"I'm not some research project that you can just put on a shelf when you're done with it! We're supposed to be a family. What's the matter with you?" The vase on the mantel violently exploded.

Serena looked at it guiltily, and then plopped down to the floor, stunned.

"Sweetie, you don't have to do this. I won't force you, but this is what your mother wanted for you. I guess I somehow hoped you'd never meet a teacher named Minerva." Henry sighed resignedly.

Serena shook her head in disbelief, wondering when these two people she had looked up to and learned from for the last fifteen years had become so fatalistic.

Silva handed one of the two remaining envelopes to McGonagall and the other to Serena. They each began to read their letters silently.

My Dear Sweet Daughter,

It is now many years since I held you in my arms, but my love for you has not ended. I am watching and protecting you. If you are opening this, it is time for you to start at Hogwarts--your father's school. It is a great school of magic, possibly the best in the world. Listen to your teachers. Study hard. You will catch up and learn what you need to know. Your education at this point is probably a bit behind. I'm sorry for that, but I could think of no other way to keep you safe. Your father was a great and powerful wizard, but evil. If I have seen correctly, he and his kind should be coming into power again about the time you read this. Be careful. Do not reveal too much of your origins or gifts to others. But you may trust your teachers at Hogwarts. I have given Minerva instructions for how to get into the family trust at Gringotts for you. My parents are gone too, and you are the last living member of my family. You carry the responsibility of the family gift. I would have had you go to Beauxbatons, like the rest of us did, but he will look for you there first.

I suppose I must finally tell you your story. I was a seventh year on Easter break at Beauxbatons. Some girlfriends and I were enjoying being newly of age and went to Paris together. While we were there, I became separated from my friends while we were shopping. I was hit by a seduction spell from behind. I remember very little of what happened the next three days, but when I finally broke free from the spell, and returned to Beauxbatons, I was pregnant with you. I don't know why he chose me, except that my seer gift might be useful to him. I told Madame Maxine my predicament, and she arranged for me to take an obscure post on an Athapascan reservation in Canada with some distant blood relations of ours. I tried to hide your existence from your father; I didn't even contact my parents in Quebec and tell them where I was. But when you were a little over a year old I dreamed he used the killing curse on my parents. I knew it wouldn't be long before he found me. That's why I gave you to the Samuelsons. That's why I never registered your birth and why I have never written down your father's surname--to protect you.

Minerva will keep you safe and teach you well. Go to her for guidance; learn all you can. Search your heart when you need me--you'll feel me close by. I love you. -Mother

Silent tears rolled down Serena's cheeks as she refolded the letter and tucked it into the envelope.

Professor McGonagall stood up and awkwardly hugged first Serena, then the Samuelsons. Serena looked into McGonagall's eyes and saw the worry and fear that hadn't been there before. She felt her tremble slightly as she hugged her. "Thank you for the lovely dinner. It was a night of revelations for us all. I'd best be going. Henry, Silva, I promise I'll take good care of her, and she won't forget that you two are her parents." Then turning to Serena, she said, "You need to get packed. I'll come for you in the morning."

"So soon?" gulped Silva.

"We've got a lot of work to do in the next two months if Serena is going to be close to where the other students her age are. But I'll see that she spends every Sunday with you for the summer. Now I've got to go and see the headmaster and apprise him of this situation."

Serena watched as Professor McGonagall stepped a few feet into the yard, raised her wand, then vanished with a loud crack.