Knowledge is Power

Chapter 52

Mag regarded her reflection in the mirror. Long straight red hair tied back with a silver silk scarf, and a long green off the shoulder summer silk dress who's folds brushed the floor stared back at her. Her chakra wand glittered unassumingly between her breasts, not at all indicating that it was an actual wand, and twice the strength of any wooden one. Her large green eyes were silent and thoughtful as they watched her.

What her silent reflection said was that the past year had been a mixed bag. She'd initially wanted to teach at Hogwarts with Severus, if only to remain close to him, but he'd refused, insisting that she was safer further away. At least he allowed her to be with him at night, and her days were enjoyable spent with Areecen. She'd learned much from the dragon, and she felt she was getting close to talking him into agreeing to help against Voldemort. After hearing of Nightshade's positive interaction with Severus's Mum, Mag had been eager to meet Eileen Prince last Christmas, but it was another thing that Severus would not allow. At least not yet.

He wanted to avoid drawing any danger or notice to the two most important women in his life. People expected him to visit his Mum but if Voldemort did happen to pay attention, a new person in the mix certainly would raise his disgusting serpentine brows. Though Mag knew this was entirely logical, it was frustrating. Still she was with Severus. She'd actually won him, and that was all that mattered. Now if they could just get through this last year.

The thoughtful look in her large green eyes turned to one of worry and she let out a shaky breath, hands curling into tight fists of tension that she forced herself to release. Worrying did no good, and she reminded herself of that all too frequently. Being busy helped. She'd come up here to get a book from the bedside table that Severus wanted to show Albus. When passing the mirror, however, she'd gotten distracted with tucking stray wisps of hair back into the silver scarf she used to keep it tied at the nape of her neck.
"Silly," she told her reflection, then turned away and went for the book.

She was just heading downstairs when the door knocker sounded. That was followed by the sound of a crack as Mira apparated to open it.
"Miss Mag...Severus...Kereston Boxwood is here to see you," the elf called cheerfully.
Then after another moment she added,"Oh she's here to see everyone actually."
Kereston paying them a visit wasn't strange, but her wanting to see everyone was. Mag's worry returned as she hurried toward the front hall where Mira was guiding Kereston in the direction of the library to join everyone else.

Kereston worked at the Ministry now, in the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes. Had she heard something bad? Why else would she be here wanting to see everyone?
"Hi, Mag," Kereston called, waving cheerfully.
The tightness in Mag's chest eased at Kereston's apparent good mood. Could she dare hope for good news? The gods knew they could use a bit.
"Hi," Mag called back, joining Mira and Kereston at the door to the library.

"What brings you to see us all," she asked as they headed inside.
"Kereston is here and she wishes to talk to all of us," she added to the rest of the room.
Kereston stood in the doorway, jaw having dropped as she gaped at Albus who sat on the sofa with Raislen and Heather.
Mag couldn't remember another time when the small chatty witch was rendered speechless. In spite of her eagerness to discover the reason for Kereston's unexpected visit, she allowed herself to bask in this unprecedented moment.

"You're alive," she breathed.
"That is...congratulations."
Mag's lips twitched. Not much kept the little blonde speechless for long, not even a very well done faked death, apparently.
"Thank you, Miss Boxwood,' Albus said with a warm smile.
"I do ask that you keep this to yourself for my own safety, and that of Severus."
Kereston nodded.
"Sure...of course. When I heard, I assumed that Severus was set up and that Mag's family would protect him. Especially when she didn't write me a tear streaked letter about him being a wanted man. I never suspected this, though! Well done."