Was it truly a surprise?

7. Seed of Doubts

Chapter 7

Harriet's POV

The pulling at my navel continued longer than necessary, making my anticipation for what's to come even worse. (Ugh, when is this going to end? It's colder than a witches titty in a brass bra!) The thought crossed my mind as the temperature dropped around me. As though Hagrid had the same thought, he tucked me into his coat; but just enough so that I could still breathe. (Damn you Hagrid for being so sweet and caring! You're making it too hard for me to not tell you everything!) I whined to myself. Hagrid stiffened up which indicated that we were about to land.

With a thud Hagrid stuck the landing, "Never get used to that feeling." He mostly mutters to himself. I chuckled inwardly as he grumbled and rubbed his face. I snuggled into him, wishing for him to turn around and high tail it away from Dumbledore and from that god forsaken place that destroyed my past childhood. "Aw, it's okay Harriet. The place I'm taking you will make sure that you'll be well taken care of." Hagrid lovingly gushed at me. I inwardly cringed, (Right and i'm the fucking queen of the Nile River!!)

A meow echoed behind us making Hagrid turn to look behind him, "Professor McGonagall, good to see you." The cat started to morph into human form, "Good evening Hagrid. How is she?" I was then gently pulled away from the warmth that I was enveloped in, "She's a tough cookie! She only fused a little when we found her." McGonagall took that moment to look at me and caressed my cheek with her finger, her eyes held deep affection. "Besides having James hair, she looks just like Lily. A beautiful combination. If only I could take her and adopt her as my own. Those relative muggles are the most horrid of them all!" There was a high note of desperation and concern in her voice.

Hagrid shifted a little, sensing the urgency coming from her. "Are you certain? What about the protective magic barrier that'll be around the house, the one Dumbledore said that he's placed on there already?" McGonagall shook her head slowly, "I've been here for a week observing the muggles, I even tried to add on more protective magic to the barrier that was supposed to be there. There isn't one, he has lied to us." The silence was deafening, "Why would he lie to us?" Hagrid voiced, his tone almost made it sound like he was defeated.

While they were discussing the matter of what to do, a garden now filled with seeds of doubt began to take hold of them. I felt two magical energy bursts that were not too far from us, so I decided to reach out with my magic to investigate. One of them was slightly new to me, while the other I knew all too well. (Wow, talk about being impatient, Tom?) I inwardly smirked as I linked him. (The sooner I get you out of here, the better love.) Tom linked back.

(Wait, he just called me love. I mean, I don't mind.) I started to feel giddy, (Patients, also Hagrid and McGonagall are having strong doubts about Dumb-as-shit. They'll make good allies to have.) I felt Tom become curious and cautious, (They were discussing whether or not they should continue trusting dipshit or quickly take me somewhere else.) I continued to explain.

(Interesting, what brought on this sudden distrust?) questioned Tom. (Ooohh you know the classic being told one thing and finding out otherwise. He supposedly promised them a barrier of protection for me has already been placed on the house, but there isn't anything. McGonagall is pissed!) I laughed out loud though the link. (You're finding this chaos too amusing for your own good.) Tom gently let the link drop.

He was right, I'm finding this predicament funny as hell. (It seems I'll have them by my side faster than I originally thought.) Amusement grows by a mere thought. Just a few feet away from us, I heard a small crack and felt the most vile magical energy rub on me. I knew that repulsive energy from anywhere. "Hagrid, Minerva, so glad both of you were able to get here safely." That fake caring tone coming from his disgusting mouth made me feel sick to my stomach. "Headmaster, evening." Hagrid greeted, but pulled me closer to himself. McGonagall remained silent and nodded her head to him. Dumbledore started walking to the house, while McGonagall and Hagrid slowly started to walk behind him.

McGonagall tried to make a plea, "Dumbledore. I must insist, they are not safe for her; especially the bigger male muggle. He might kill her! There are many wizarding families who would love to take her in!" Dumbledore turned to her, "She must be with her family, she needs to be hidden from the attention, not soaking in it." If looks could kill, I'm pretty sure McGonagall would have snapped his neck with the glare that she just gave him. McGonagall took a step back, anger seeping off of her very being. "Hecate, give me the patience and strength not to use Obliviate!" I heard McGonagall whisper her threat. "My, a feisty one she is. I like her already!" Hecate gently entered my mind. (I agree with you Lady Hecate, that's why I deeply cared and respected her in my last life and in this one as well.) I thought in fondness.

I felt Hecate become rigid, "It would seem that damn fool is trying to silently cast Imperio on her." I felt numb, (Hecate cast a barrier on her and Hagrid, get them out of here now. I refuse to let that son of bitch have his way!!) On command, I felt an invisible barrier surrounding both of them. "Now, no need for such threats. I can assure you, she'll be protected. I'll do routine check ups to make sure that she's getting the proper care that she needs." He falsely assured them.

McGonagall just stared at him, not believing a word that came out of his mouth. She turned to me and kissed me on the forehead, "We shall meet again Harriet." She swiftly walked towards a spot to apparate away, anger still visible in her body language. Hagrid held me even more closely to himself, not liking the idea of leaving me here. "Hagrid, please she needs her family. Hand her to me." Dumbledore stepped towards us, his clammy hands just inches from touching me. "I-I'm with Professor McGonagall on this, I don't trust those muggles!" Hagrid clumsily tried to make a plea of his own, his grip tight on me; but not enough so to hurt me. "This isn't goodbye forever Hagrid, you'll see her again." Hagrid started to tear up, "She's so small, they're not going to know all of her needs!" He backed up a little, looking down at me and started to rub his thumb on my cheek.

Dumbledore patted Hagrid's shoulder, "It'll be okay, if anything happens to her I'll know and will come help her." His voice sounded caring, but it started to slowly turn sour. Hagrid heard the change of tune, but said nothing. He slowly, reluctantly gave me to the old fucker. "Thank you for seeing reason. Ahh Harriet, you'll do great things."

The twinkle in his eyes were very irritating to the point I wanted to pull his eyeballs out of their sockets. (Just wait Albus, you good for nothing sorry ass is mine! When I'm done with you, you'll be on your knees begging for mercy!) My dark thoughts making their way to the surface, I gave a carefree smile to them while looking at him for he knew not of what I was thinking.

He gently lowered me into a basket that was on the ground. It was cold as hell, leave it to him to try and kill me off with hypothermia! "Let us go, Hagrid. They'll find her soon and love her." Hagrid looked at me with a heartbroken expression one final time before quickly walking away. Dumbledore turned to me, his face now lacked all kindness. "Become my perfect little puppet, my new little tool." He said with a monstrous grin. A flourish of his robes and he was gone.

(Tom.) The note of anger in my link made him respond quickly. (What's wrong?) he asked wearily. (He is going to die by my hands. He called me a puppet and a tool.) I replied calmly. He remained silent, I felt his magic erupt out; pure delicious rage. (Let's speed things up, I don't want to wait hours for them to wake up. Knock on the door and wake them up.) I want this plan to move fast, we'll deal with the spells on my aunt and cousin soon enough. (Let the show begin, shall we?) Tom said in an almost joking matter, I found it cute that he was trying. I smiled, (Yes, we shall.)

My own wicked smile formed. (Ready or not Dumbledore, here we come.)

Author's note: Hope everyone is doing well! Thank you for the views and comments!