Willow Song

XV. Draco's Revelation

The first place Serena stopped at Hogwarts was McGonagall's office. She told her all, from the encroaching blindness to the engagement. McGonagall was shocked and saddened, then delighted. She was also relieved that it was to be a long engagement. McGonagall and Serena shared a long teary hug.

School was soon back to full intensity. With the upcoming NEWTs Serena's study schedule was hectic, as was her search for a way to help a person heal emotionally without inserting her own thoughts into the other's mind.

One day in the library, Draco sat across from her. "Nice little public display at the station, Willowsong. Does he measure up to me?" he drawled.

"You'll always be my first, Draco," she replied ironically.

"I had an interesting Christmas as well. I never learned your father's name from you. I finally understood that you didn't know it either. But you did give me your mother's. I looked her up: Tatienne Verte-Chantes at Beauxbatons. I did some research. I think I know which Death Eater was your father. You wouldn't have needed to move from place to place in hiding all those years. Your father was in Azkaban until he broke out last year," Malfoy told her, toying with her.

Cold fear gripped Serena. In spite of herself she asked, "Who is he?" Then," Have you told anyone else what you know?"

"Oh, I've told whomever is important: my father, the Dark Lord, your father." He smiled maliciously.

"Who is he?"

"I think I prefer keeping you in suspense. But rest assured, your chances of becoming Mrs. Charles Weasley are very slim." Draco skulked off.

Serena grabbed Katie Bell who was studying at a nearby carrel. "I'm sorry to interrupt your study, but I have to see McGonagall now, and I'm not allowed to go between classes alone." Serena was trying not to hyperventilate.

Katie reluctantly went with her and the two found McGonagall teaching second year Transfiguration. Katie and Serena entered the classroom. "Excuse us Professor, but this is urgent."

"Keep practicing, class. I'll be right back. What is it, girls?"

"Minerva, it's Draco--he knows who my father is. He's told him about me, and his father. He threatened Charlie and me. I'm scared."

"Katie, you take the second years and practice Transfiguration with them until I return. Serena, you're coming with me to see Professor Dumbledore."

Professor McGonagall hurried down the hallways and up the stairs to the headmaster's office. "Canary Creams," she stated to the gargoyle. She led Serena through the opening and up the stairs. The headmaster greeted them in his office. McGonagall made Serena repeat what Draco had said.

"He said that your father was one of the ten Death Eaters that escaped Azkaban last year?" Serena nodded. " Well, that's some relief. I was afraid that your father might have been Voldemort himself. You're less of a riddle to me now." His eyes twinkled, waiting. When neither Serena nor McGonagall got the joke, he continued, "Well, if Draco can find which Death Eaters were if Paris in April of 1978, then so can we. I'll let you know what we find out. In the meantime, be very careful. I'll talk to Professor Snape regarding young Malfoy's threats."

A week later Minerva called Serena to her office. "We have your father narrowed down to two death eaters who were known to be in Paris at that time: Antonin Dolohov and Rodolphus Lestrange. Both are evil dark wizards."

"Well it must have been Dolohov. Lestrange is married."

Minerva raised her eyebrows at Serena. "Really, Serena, you're not as naïve as that! Actually, think about it. Bellatrix has been unable to conceive. Rodolphus may have impregnated Tatienne specifically to get a baby to give his wife, then killed Tatienne when he couldn't find you."

"Or killed Tatienne because Bellatrix was furious he had been with another witch, and he was proving she meant nothing to him," Serena added.

"You see, now you're thinking our way. We think it's very likely Lestrange is your birth father. Of course Malfoy may have reached the opposite conclusion and knows more than we do. For this reason, I would consider both of them a deadly threat to you."

"Minerva--my eighteenth birthday is tomorrow, my real birthday. I'm an adult even by Muggle standards. If I was meant for Bellatrix, she couldn't want me now. It's too late."

"But we don't know what other plans they may have for you. Perhaps they think your powers could be used to aid Voldemort. Perhaps worse, we don't know. Bellatrix may even be seeking your life out of jealousy. For your own safety, I must ask you to stay here in the castle and not go into Hogsmeade again. And I second Professor Snape's order that you have a fifth, sixth, or seventh year escort or a teacher with you between classes or whenever you're out of your dorm."

"Does Harry Potter get a guard too?" She stuck her lip out in an angry pout.

"Actually, yes. We've kept a member of the Order with him every time he's in Hogsmeade."

"But he still goes to Hogsmeade."

"Serena, I must insist."

"Okay, but tomorrow's my real birthday. I've been celebrating it on June thirtieth for as long as I can remember. Since it doesn't matter anymore, can I tell people it's my birthday tomorrow?"

"Of course."

So Serena mentioned to some of her friends that she was turning 18 the next day. And after supper on her birthday, the Gryffindor common room was filled with butterbeer and Honeyduke's sweets and well-wishing friends and joke gifts. An owl came carrying a set of guitar music from Charlie, and a tender note.

She went to the dorm room to write Charlie a letter afterwards, but instead picked up her guitar and started playing. She got to "Bridge Over Troubled Water," her clear sweet soprano singing along to her playing, when she suddenly saw a bridge made from threads of light in her mind. As she sang the bridge grew brighter and stronger. She finished the song, beaming and whispered, "Thank you, Charlie." Then she went to see if Neville was still in the common room.