The Unknown

Chapter 67

McGonagall hardly slept a wink knowing the young witch in the bedroom close to hers wept herself to sleep after McGonagall left her as she knew she couldn't do anything for her to help ease her anger towards herself and the potential loss of her family. She couldn't help ease her pain and McGonagall thought herself as a failure as she was supposed to help those under her care being a professor but at that moment, Dahlia was quite literally under her care by Ministry means.

She spent the night tossing and turning thinking about what she could do to help Dahlia but if what Dahlia was telling her was the truth, that there was a darkness inside of her which links itself to Voldemort and that it needs to be destroyed in order for Voldemort to be destroyed, she knew Dahlia would not be safe staying at Hogwarts. She spent the night thinking of what she could do but all roads led back to Dahlia's family.

When dawn broke, the professor got dressed and left her quarters knowing no one in the castle would be awake yet, least of all Dahlia. She had hoped that a member of Dahlia's family would be awake that she could speak to.

Approaching the camp, it was no surprise to the professor that the camp was awake and alive. Soldiers and servants were walking around, patrolling, some practising a distance away from the camp, so they couldn't be heard which made McGonagall question if there was anyone asleep in the camp or if anyone was able to sleep. Approaching the entrance, the two guards there glanced at one another then back to her before McGonagall got close. She then said, "I need to speak to your queen and her family".

"The royal family is not to be disturbed at the moment," the one to the right said.

"I am Professor McGonagall, I currently hold Ministry custody of Dahlia Lokidottir. This is about Dahlia. It is of the upmost urgency that I speak to them," she spoke sternly to them and arched her brows slightly like she would do to any of her students when she wanted them to do as she pleased.

They seemed cautious but the one to the left nodded to the right and they gestured for someone inside the camp, another soldier, and as the dark elf came close, they whispered to what needed to be done and the dark elf gestured for McGonagall to follow. The professor had entered the camp before but the chill that was sent down her spine every time she entered it, the stares she got from the citizens of Niflheim, never failed to make her want to turn into her Animagus form and run from the camp and back to the castle. Of course, her Gryffindor stubbornness and bravery got in the way and she knew she wouldn't run away, especially since she needed to see Dahlia's family.

Approaching the royal tent, she was told to wait outside while the unknown soldier walked in. He returned almost immediately and said, "they'll see you now".

McGonagall walked in to see Loki closest to the entrance, dressed purely in pants and a loose tunic shirt and it seemed he had been sleeping as he walked from the couch which had a blanket on it. The boys were dressed similar to their father in dress, but all of their hairs were a mess and clearly, they had just got out of bed. Hela was putting on a dressing gown quickly, her hair plaited to the side and she asked as she walked away from her bed, "is Dahlia okay?"

"Is she hurt?" Loki asked urgently, "if Dumbledore has gone near her or upset her-"

"No, no," McGonagall quickly said, not wanting to defend the man but she didn't wish to hear how the god of mischief intended on hurting the man she once trusted without doubt. She then said, "she's fine, physically. I spoke with Dahlia last night and she wants to stay and is under the impression that you will leave her here".

Loki shook his head, "that's not happening".

He walked towards the table and poured a drink and gestured to McGonagall to join him while his children joined him naturally. The drinks were being poured as McGonagall said, "I agree, Dahlia should not remain here, she should be with you".