Dumbledore's Daughter: Islay.

Asking Too Much.

The dark surroundings seemed to smother out the joy that could have been felt in any situation. Darkness and upset mixed with the cold air. Soft pondering steps echoed in a pacing manner as a visitor was expected. Soon the steps were heard to be moving to give access to the visitor. Harsh, rapid sounds echoed through the small area as the figure came to the door and knocked. An elderly man quickly sat and spoke calmly "enter." The door was forced open and then closed as the female took a seat on the other side of the desk. "Minerva, I have a question or favour to ask. I also ask that it stays between only us two." Sceptical the woman nodded only once. "I ask simply that in little under a year you shall take a child I hand you and drop it outside Wool's." The woman stopped deadly still. "Whose is the child?" Her chin was raised as well as her eyebrows. "Erin South's child." Glasses that belonged to the deputy headmistress were removed and then placed on the desk before her. "Who decided that getting a dying woman pregnant was smart?" There was an underlying tone of disgust but disbelief took the main hold on her voice. "She always wanted a child and when her partner left due to it all she was desperate. The actions were well thought out and planned." His even tone gently blew to her ears. "Why are you deciding all this? Why are you asking me?" A challenging glare met him as an answer was expected. "I chose you as I believe that you are caring and just the woman for the job. I also know that it is your name at the bottom of Hogwarts acceptance letters and so you can withhold the letter if I require it to be so." Minerva looked into his eyes and felt a faint pull of emotions. "Albus, I can't hold back a child's acceptance letter. It is wrong and you know that. Besides, you never answered my question about it being you involved at all." Knowing there was no way around it Albus conceded. "I am the father." Wide eyes watched him as he sat and showed no signs of feeling nervous or even slightly disheartened by her.

"So, you slept with a terminally ill woman, got her pregnant and then the second she passes you will give the woman's child up for adoption? Very kind of you." Never had Minerva been like this and Dumbledore could see why, it was a touchy subject, children, for her. "She will have a child and when the time comes for the child to come here they will. Not before I tell them the whole truth though." Albus was set on the plan and it almost sounded logical. "Why not give the baby to someone else? I would even take them. I am sure your brother would take his pride out of the situation. Anyone here would." Albus seemed to be thinking and contemplating the whole idea but McGonagall knew him better than to believe that he actually was. "Don't even try to play along. You already have your mind set. The whole situation is disgusting. Why can they not just live with you? Hogwarts is the safest place in the entire world but no you shall put them into an orphanage." Albus knew that eventually the question would be asked. "With Voldemort on the rise it is too dangerous for a child baring the name of Dumbledore to be brought into the world, never mind whilst the child is in my care. They shall target the little one the second that they can. The child would be a weakness." The older woman nodded and agreed.

"What are the plans then?" Albus moved his body forward and leant on his forearms as he gently approached the subject. "Erin shall remain in hiding until she either passes or the world is safe. The second one or the other happens then I shall approach you with the child. You shall apparate along side myself to the orphanage. I ask that you and I go and admit to the baby being left on the side of the road with a note. The note shall be handed to the person in charge and then you may leave." Minerva nodded and walked up to the older man she had loved to work along side with.

"How is everything? You know, how bad is it?" Her question hung in the air for a while as his words were chosen specifically. "If I am honest, the past week provides no hope for the future. I fear that she might not be fit enough to carry to term. I fear it was in vain." Minerva cupped his face briefly and laughed slightly. His blue twinkling eyes turned to her and her smile became contagious. "When you say 'it' was in vain, do you mean making a baby?" The older woman did not wish to laugh but instead cry at the news though Albus stopped it all as she knew he was taking it worse. He projected his feelings for his sister onto Erin and so the pain was like losing her all over again.

"Albus, I understand but also disagree with leaving the child but it is set. Could the child not stay here?" One last plea made a flicker of an emotion unexpected flow through his features. "The baby wouldn't be interrupting anything would they?" A triumphant smile took Minerva and she agreed readily. "If and only if there is no present risk of The-Dark-Lord at that moment then the child may live here. This is only able to happen if they will be safe and that Erin doesn't pass before the child is born." The usual stern features of McGonagall had returned and her eyebrows raised at the thought. "Perhaps though for their first year of life they could live elsewhere and if I see suitable then the baby may live here." Minerva furrowed her brows at his choice of actions. "Where would they  go?" The twinkling eyes that belonged to Albus never left the old woman. "Who? What muggle family?" As the pair walked to the door Albus responded. "Not muggle. Quite the opposite, the Weasley family. I believe that Molly is in fact pregnant at this moment in time however she is a little further along than dear Erin." Minerva was about to fight a little more but she saw his determined face. "For that year no one who knows of this predicament shall be allowed to visit the child. It would be wise that the baby is given the chance to grow first. Don't you agree Minnie?" No response came as she huffed down the stairs with her dress bunched up in her hands. A brief wave was given as she got to the bottom and soon the wooden door was closed behind her.

Albus set about writing the letter immediately as he figured that it was important that they were informed as to what they needed to know but he decided against it as the parchment was burnt and his legs eventually carried him to the gates. The Burrow would be contacted face to face. The crooked house wasn't as much as some had but the love that was dedicated to it was more than enough. The wooden door was knocked and a tired ginger woman opened the door. Her stomach was sticking out to such a degree that Albus was sure it had to of been sore. "Hello Molly. Fred, George." The time was well past their bedtime and Molly began walking to put them into bed again. Mr Weasley was obviously still at work. "Come in." Was shouted from upstairs and he did just that as he closed the door behind him. The kitchen was empty and he sat at the table. When she was done the plump ginger waddled in and closed the door.

"Those boys. Trouble from day one." A tired breath left her as a polite smile took her face. "How may I help you?" That was Molly, a heart of gold and a Hufflepuff for a reason. "I fear that I ask a great favour of you." His approach was slow and so were her nods. "If The-Dark-Lord is gone within just under a year then I ask that you would be willing to spend a year raising a child. At the age of one I shall take them but for the time being I believe that the baby will be born before the man falls." Molly was filled with questions at they covered her face as clear as day. "You see a woman is pregnant. I fear that although I am the father I will require a year to make the world a safe place for a Dumbledore." Molly was surprised and asked a question that caused utter amusement. "I saw Minerva this morning. I could not tell she was pregnant." A soft rumble of a laugh took the old man. "No, no. It is Erin. Minerva and I are merely friends who keep a safe distance between such things. She also keeps a husband." Molly found her face slightly reddening at what she had so clearly miss judged.

The night passed and then ended when the final plans were set and no matter the outcome, the child would live with the Weasley family. Molly would have it no other way ever. The Burrow would be a great start but Hogwarts would be a better life for the girl in the end.