Stolen Years: The Flower Reborn as a Tree

Chapter 13: A Potential Solution

The following weekend Albus called for an meeting for members of the order aware of Felicis' current prediciment at the residence of Edgar Bones. He presented them with the notes on the curse and Walburga's journal. He summarized the entries within then journal and how he and Minerva had come to the conclusion that one page of the notes was most likely the failed casting that effected Felicis. He concluded his discussion with his belief of one of the Muggleborns being cured by her friend through a soulmate bond, requesting Alastor to search for the post-mortem reports of the couple for a potentail soulmate bond.
"Actually Albus," a member named Baelif interjected, "I believe I could get you answers much more quickly."
"How so?" Albus inquired.
"As an Unspeakable i'm afraid I cannot disclose any further information until we are alone and you have agreed to an oath of silence."
"Can it be done without the head of the D.o.M finding out?"
"It can."
"Perfect. Then that will conclude this meeting. I'll inform the rest of you of what I can regarding this progress," Albus said.
Everyone began exiting the residence and disapparating to their desired locations, Baelif approached Albus. "I cannot tell you anything that will be of significance to you without performing the oath."
"Then we'll perform it at Hogwarts," Albus replied matter of factly.
Baelif grimaced, "There is something I must gather from the D.o.M to perform it. And since working hours are over, I cannot retrieve it without alerting the Head to what I am doing."
Albus looked at Baelif with a mixture of caution and skepticism, "Is this oath not sealed by words?"
"It is sealed by words and one other thing," Baelif replied.
Albus gaze bore into Baelif, "What other thing, Baelif? I cannot have you being so vague with me on such an important matter."
"If I tell you such, I know it will lead to more questions that will require you to seal the oath of silence or our intentions will be discovered and you will be obliviated and I will be punished," Baelif replied in a shaky, professional tone.
"If this was going to pose such a risk, why did you suggest it to me in the first place?" Albus said with irritation.
"Because I believe it is Felicis' best chance," Baelif replied. "All that needs to be done is for you and Felicis to agree to the oath and I will do everything in my power to ensure it was as if any of never happened."
Albus studied baelif for a long while.
"You seem rather confident in this belief," he eventually said.
"Yes, I am," Baelif replied, pushing back his shoulders and standing a little straighter.
"Very well. Then I'll meet you tomorrow evening past curfew, just beyond the quidditch pitch. Expect Minerva to be there to complete the oath alongside me."
Baelif curtly nodded before disapparating with a loud pop. Albus apparated into his office, causing a few of the paintings of previous Headmasters to awake and complain about the loud noise so late at night. Albus ignored them and headed towards his bedroom,  wondering what job Baelif could possibly have as an Unspeakable that allowed him to be able to help with such a specific circumstance. He remembered the events in France, the wizards who arrived alongside their Ministry. It was known each Country's (and the occasional small Continent's) Ministry had their own Department of Mysteries, so it could reasonably be believed that such a unique situation between soulmates could be something designated to the D.o.M.
And if that was the case, then Baelif likely worked high up in the division that dealt with such situations. It was the most viable explanation as to why Baelif could perform such an oath that would allow him to divulge classified information without anyone else in the D.o.M realizing.

The next morning, Albus summoned Minerva to his office and informed him that Baelif might be able to help but that she would be able to know about any of it unless she agreed to the oath of silence. Minerva hesitantly agreed and the two went about their usual business for the day. Once all students were in their dorms for curfew, Albus and Minerva made their way to the towards the quidditch pitch to find Baelif already waiting for them. They silently walked towards the castle and into Albus' office. Albus motioned for them to head into his bedroom, away from the prying eyes and ears of the curious portraits on the walls surrounding his office. Baelif pulled a small briefcase from his pocket and enlarged it, then set it down on a dresser across from Albus' bed. He lifted a small panel on the side and placed his thumb against the smooth stone below it, a almost imperceptible wince flashed across his face before the briefcase hummed and unlocked with a satisfying click. Baelif opened the briefcase and pulled out two pieces of parchment, two small squares of parchment, and a sewing needle. He then closed the briefcase and set the two pieces of parchment in front of the briefcase side by side, the two squares resting atop each parchment, and placed the needle beside the leftmost parchment. He turned to face Albus and Minerva. "Once I explain to you  what will occur, there will be no turning back," Baelif said. Albus and Minerva both gave a silent nod in reply. Baelif nodded back in acknowledgment. "This oath is sealed in word and in blood," he began, motioning towards the parchments. "There is a charm known only by the D.o.M that had been cast upon these pieces of parchment that render your magical signature indecipherable to everyone but the officiator of the oath, me. The charm also has a failsafe for if I am coerced or forced into deciphering your magical signatures that will alert you to such through these squares of parchment. They will turn red the moment a coerced or forced deciphering is performed. Normally the square is also given to head of the D.o.M, but because of the obvious circumstances they will not be for this oath. Oaths of silence is usually sealed by word alone, but those oaths require the full name of the sworn. Because the D.o.M requires anonimity for everything within it, they have found a way perform oaths of silence with a codename being used for the sworn by the oath being sealed by word and blood. The officiator announces the codename of the sworn, who will then mark the parchment in their blood. The magical signature left behind will except such as the true identity of the sworn by the oath and allows the codename to be used by the sworn when finishing the seal with words. Upon completion the pieces of parchment will be held within a secret compartment in my office only known by me. No document can be removed from the D.o.M without permission from the Head of the D.o.M. Since these documents should not exist, secretly storing them in my office is our only safest option. Did you get all of that? Are you ready to begin?"
Albus and Minerva nodded in reply.
Baelif summoned his wand and balanced it horizontally in the palms of his hands. "The Oath of Silence, two to be sworn. First, henceforth codename: Dragon's Blood," Baelif placed his gaze upon Albus, "prick your finger and mark this parchment with your blood."
Albus walked to the dresser and picked up the needle, pricking his pointer finger and dragging across the bottom of the parchment. A subtle rush of magic filled the room, Albus returning to stand beside Minerva once its presence was gone and the needle cleansed itself.
"Second and final, henceforth codename: Threeline. Prick your finger and mark this parchment with your blood."
Minerva stepped forward, pricked her finger, and dragged it along the bottom of the unmarked parchment. Another subtle rush of magic filled the room. Minerva waited for its presence to disappear and the needle to cleanse itself before returning to the place she had previously been standing. Baelif turned to Albus, "Dragon's Blood, do you swear to remain silent of the information I- Head Researcher codename Ginseng of codename Eros Department- disclose to you unless specifically told otherwise, so mote it be?"
Curiosity sparkled within Albus' eyes as he looked upon Baelif in a new light, "I swear."
A rush of magic twice as strong surrounded Albus and then dissipated into nothingness.
A slight smirk danced across Baelif's lips as he turned his attention to Minerva. "Threeline, do you swear to remain silent of the information I- Head Researcher codename Ginseng of codename Eros Department- disclose to you unless specifically told otherwise, so mote it be?"
"I swear," Minerva replied. Another rush of the same magic surrounded Minerva and then dissipated into nothingness.
Baelif let out a sigh of relief as he tucked his wand away into his cloak. "Now then. Are the two of you aware of what soulmates are and how the bond between them works?" Baelif asked.
"Yes," they both replied.
"Good. As you are aware, soulmate magic is rather powerful. However, what the D.o.M does not want the public to know due to a fear of exploitation is that soulmate magic is powerful enough to cure lethal and incurable curses. The curse Felicis is under is shown to have various results from failed castings depending on certain variables. I have reason to believe that the variable in this situation is that the cursed had an inactive soulmate bond. While it seems statistically unlikely due to the rarity of soulmates that both of the muggleborn women that were tested on by Walburga had soulmates, the way in which that one muggleborn woman was cured suggests otherwise. I know how to perform two charms. One that can identify the presence of an inactive or rejected soulmate bond and one that can identify a complete or incomplete soulmate bond. I'll cast these charm on Felicis and if there is a viable soulmate bond, we can go from there. And if not..." Baelif trailed off, the word unspoken turning the atmosphere heavy with discomfort and despair.
"I don't think I have the strength to tell Felicis that she could die," Minerva said in broken voice.
Baelif looked over to Albus who remained silent.
"I can tell her for you," Baelif said. "But it'll depend on you to answer any of her questions about the curse."
"That will work," Albus replied.
"If Felicis does have one, a soulmate bond," Minerva said, "What will happen then?"
"I think it'd be best to wait for when that happens so it can be discussed with Felicis," Baelif replied,
"Despite the oath of silence and my trust in you both, I'd prefer not to divulge any classified information unless necessary."
"I understand," Albus replied, "I'll let you know when to come to The Burrow once Felicis has awoken." Baelif nodded in reply and packed up everything into his briefcase. "When we meet then we can discuss what can and can't be told to those concerned for Felicis. For now, nothing can be said besides that we are waiting for Felicis to awake to see if I can help." Albus and Minerva gave a slight nod of agreement before leaving Albus' office. Minerva retired to her bed chambers and Albus escorted Baelif off of Hogwarts grounds before returning to his.