The Forgotten Girl

Chapter Twelve: Such a Merry Christmas

Chapter Twelve: Such a Merry Christmas

Once Ginny and the boys had been ushered to Dumbledore’s office Alison rushed upstairs to wake Hermione. They sat together in the common room in a worried silence all night. None of the Weasley’s or Harry had returned. When they saw the sun creep up over the horizon Alison gave in and went to get ready for the day. She was showered, dressed, and back downstairs before Hermione had even moved. Alison flashed a hopeful smile and slipped out of the portrait hole. She made her way straight to Dumbledore’s office. She leaped onto the moving staircase and knocked on his door.

“Come in.” he called. Alison pushed open the door and strode right to his desk.

“Well, good morning Alison.” He said in a tired voice. He looked tired as well, “To what pleasure do I owe your early company.”

“Why didn’t you stop it from happening?” She demanded.

Dumbldore looked her up and down before answering, “Messing with the future can have horrible consequences. I thought we discussed this already.”

“What if he dies? How will we keep going? And what does this mean!?” she thrust the piece of parchment she had taken the night before onto his desk, “None of it makes sense! Tell me something worthwhile!”

Dumbledore looked down at the piece of parchment and calmly folded his hands, “Alison, please have a seat.” Alison shook her head, “No, you’re going to tell me some half truth and then send me on my way. I won’t let you.”

Dumbledore stood up, “Very well.” He began pacing back and forth in front of her. “Your mother was killed in a raid by Voldemort. That was one of many reasons Severus changed sides. You were there, in the house when she died. I came before anyone else and took you. I hid you as Severus asked. There you were safe.”

Alison watched him, her rage silenced. He kept talking, “Severus wanted to tell you the very first day. He wanted to train you then. I told him no. ‘Wait, she’ll be safer that way.’” Dumbledore looked up at her, “I was right of course, if we could have kept your dreams at bay longer you would have been safe the entire time.” He sighed heavily and kept talking, “After last year, I knew I could not wait any longer. Madame Pomfrey had told me about your headaches, and I knew it was only a matter of time before real visions took form. That is why I sent Severus to collect you.”

He stopped in front of Alison and looked her straight in the eyes, “Voldemort knows now. About your gift, and he will do anything he can to get his hands on you. You must be careful.”

Alison nodded once. She was lost for words. Getting the answers she wanted seemed less satisfying then she had thought it would. “This prophecy,” Dumbledore said gesturing to the parchment on his desk, “it states that you will have to choose between the light and dark. Of course there is nothing truly light or dark. Your choice will be an aiding factor in the fate of your one true brother. That has always puzzled me. See, I can’t tell you if you had a brother. Your mother was an unusual women.”

Alison looked up at him from the floor, “Professor, this war isn’t going to be easy, is it?” she asked.

Dumbledore chuckled lightly, “No, I’m afraid not. But it will be worth it.”

“Thank you professor.” Alison said and she turned to go.

“Alison, when holidays start you’ll be going to Grimmlaud Palace. Molly will be waiting for you. You’ll have to go on the Knight Bus.”

“Okay. Good day, Professor.”

“Good day, Alison.” Alison left his office and made her way to her first class. She wasn’t hungry for breakfast. She was the first one in the classroom. Colin came in a few minutes later and sat down next to her, “Where’s Ginny?” he asked. Alison sighed and began to explain what little she could tell.