Mothering Secretly

[phantomgirl]

Awesome update, that was just brilliant!

[mercifulheavens]

My dear readers,

It is my dearest wish that you enjoy this chapter. Yes, it is not as long as some before it, but I am quite busy and my time is greatly divided.
Please review. I know it sounds awful of me to ask for reviews, but I adore hearing whether or not you enjoyed my story.

Humbly,
mercifulheavens

Chapter 22
-Almost Normal-

"Fate gave the word, the arrow sped,
And pierc'd my darling's heart;
And with him all the joys are fled
Life can to me impart.

By cruel hands the sapling drops,
In dust dishonour'd laid;
So fell the pride of all my hopes,
My age's future shade.

The mother-linnet in the brake
Bewails her ravish'd young;
So I, for my lost darling's sake,
Lament the live-day long.

Death, oft I've feared thy fatal blow.
Now, fond, I bare my breast;
O, do thou kindly lay me low
With him I love, at rest!"

The last lilting sound of his mother's voice seemed to die as Charles relaxed by her chair. She had finally gained the energy needed to sit up and his father had moved her to a chair where she enjoyed to sit and read by the light of several small lamps.

It was difficult for Charles to ignore how his mother's hands shook as she read or how she often lost her place even while reading. Often she fell asleep mid-sentence and it was becoming increasingly common for her to ask him to read to her as if the effort of keeping the book up and reading the magically enlarged was too much for her. But for his mother, Charles said nothing.

It had been several months since his birthday and he was greatly enjoying the fact that he was now eight years old. His reading had improved to a point that he was able to read almost anything, unless it had very big words. His writing was coming along just as well and his father had begun to set out several arithmetic problems for him to solve and so his education began to take shape.

"Can you read one more, Mama?" Charles asked, carefully noting that his mother had yet to put the large book down. It had been charmed to become weightless and the pages turned themselves on command. His father had suggested that the book simply float in front of her, but she insisted that there was no substitute for holding a book whilst reading.

"Of course, my bairn. Which would you like?" Charles rose from the floor to lean over his mother's shoulder.
"The Fairy Dance is nice." his mother nodded and the pages flipped themselves back until the desired poem surfaced.

"The Fairy Dance
by Carolina Eliza Scott

The fairies are dancing — how nimbly they bound!
They flit o'er the grass tops, they touch not the ground;
Their kirtles of green are with diamonds bedight,
All glittering and sparkling beneath the moonlight.

Hark, hark to their music! how silvery and clear — 
  
'Tis surely the flower-bells that ringing I hear, — 

The lazy-wing'd moth, with the grasshopper wakes, 
   
And the field-mouse peeps out, and their revels partakes.

How featly they trip it! how happy are they 
 
Who pass all their moments in frolic and play, 

Who rove where they list, without sorrows or cares, 
   
And laugh at the fetters mortality wears!

But where have they vanish'd? — a cloud 's o'er the moon,
I'll hie to the spot, — they'll be seen again soon — 

I hasten — 'tis lighter, — and what do I view? — 
   
The fairies were grasses, the diamonds were dew.

And thus do the sparkling illusions of youth 
   
Deceive and allure, and we take them for truth; 

Too happy are they who the juggle unshroud, 
  
 Ere the hint to inspect them be brought by a cloud."

Albus watched his son and wife from the doorway of the room. In his arms he carried his youngest son, Luthy, as he had been affectionately nicknamed by Charles. The young infant was asleep, his tiny fist settled under his rosy cheek. With his lips open slightly, Luthy was a lovely baby, the gentle rise and fall of his chest as sweet as the fragile dew found laced on the flowers at sunrise.

Happy to see Minerva reading again, although unable to do much else, Albus entered the room to stand beside her chair. Weakly, his wife set aside the book and lifted her arms for the baby. Her eyes shone with joy as the infant cooed in his sleep and batted at the air with a clenched fist. Soon, with Luthy settled lovingly in her arms, Minerva began to drift off to sleep.

Charles smiled and smoothed the blanket that was wrapped loosely about his younger brother to ward off the cold. He could hardly wait for the baby to grow up.

Suddenly there was a knock at the door. Albus immediately rose, painfully aware of the fact that they were not expecting visitors and Donea was visiting her sister for the duration of the week. Drawing his wand from his pocket, he motioned for Charles to close the door behind him. The boy did as he was instructed and Albus approached the door with stealth that would have shamed a fox.

His long fingers curled around the door knob and he opened it a crack. A girl with a cloak pulled over her shoulders and hair stood under the shadow of the doorway. There was something about her that was vaguely familiar; but he couldn't place it.
Casting a simple glamour spell to mask his voice and face, Albus peered out at her.
"Can I help you?" He asked.

The girl looked up and said in a rush words that froze and enflamed his heart at the same time.
"Professor Dumbledore! They're coming!"

Author's note- The first poem is by Robert Burns, it is called A Mother's Lament For the Death of Her Son. I do not own it or the Fairy Dance by Carolina Eliza Scott.

[micha]

Oh dear, you sent me on quite a roller coaster-ride emotionally...at first I was very much afraid because of the poem (that it would mean, somebody had actually died), then so relieved, that Minerva was at least a bit better - and at the end this terrible cliffhanger of impending danger

[dustbunny]

I've just found this story tonight. And read the evtire theing. It's so good I can't wait for the next chapter. Take care and have a great night. p.s. Glad to see Minerva feeling better. Dustbunny

[goldencat]

Yeah, more.
For a short time a family but how long will it last?
I'm anxious to see how it goes on!
Hopefully soon.

[phantomgirl]

Loved it! I cant wait to find out what happens next!

[bethj4013]

Please update soon this story is great.

[mercifulheavens]

Chapter 23
-"Kill her...Stun her"-

Albus pulled the young woman into the house and held her captive against the wall his his arm. His wand went to point it's deadly head at her throat and her eyes strayed down to stare at it in silent horror. She had not been expecting such a hostile welcome, but then again, what had she been expecting?

"Who is coming and why are they coming?" Albus hissed between tightly clenched teeth. He had to appear in control and powerful. He could not look afraid for his family or even unsure of what to do to save them. Of course he was not called the Greatest Wizard of the Age for no reason, and he had instantly recognized the girl as not only a former student, but one secretly connected to Voldemort sympathizers.

"Death eaters. About ten of them. Please, Professor. I don't know much, but someone knows something and I want to help." She was trembling with fear; fear of what the irate wizard might do to her if he thought she wasn't trustworthy. And maybe even fear of what would happen to the boy if she was not successful in warning him. But she pushed that thought away. Nothing will happen to him, Beth. He's perfectly safe. Professor McGonagall can take care of him. But she wasn't entirely certain.

"Why are they coming?" It was a simple question and yet so much rested in its words. The answer: Beth was torn. How was she to respond to it? Was it a test? What if she answered wrongly. Would he kill her or stun her or...? Snap out of it Beth. She told herself again and again.

"Someone found out about McGonagall's son. They know he's here with her..." she trailed off as the blue eyes of her captor flared into flames. "And you." There. She had said it all, placed her life on the line and told the truth.

Albus released the shaking girl and hurried back into the other room. He did not fully trust the girl, but whatever her motives were for coming to him, he had to believe that they were not selfish. He could have as easily have killed her as seen her and he knew that she was aware of that fact. The fear in her eyes had said that much.

Charles sat, waiting for his father to reappear and careful not to make any noise. When the door swung open and his father appeared, he was certain something terrible was about to take place. There was an almost haunted expression in his father's azure eyes. Something terribly frightening.

"Charles, Hurry and get Luthy." his father said, his voice stiff from anxiety. Charles hastened to do as he was told and scooped his sleeping brother into his arms. Although heavy, Luthy was easier to carry than most burdens and Charles pulled the blanket tighter.

Beth was too frightened to follow Professor Dumbledore into the other room and so she peeked out of the window and tried desperately to see if anyone was approaching the house. So far she hadn't seen anyone. There was a soft infant's wail from the other room and Beth turned, entranced. A baby? Where was there a baby? But Beth was intelligent to figure out why a baby might be there. And the answer frightened her even more than Albus Dumbledore's wraith.

If her two former professor's were married, then the boy must be their son...they had another child now and Lord Voldemort knew it. The world suddenly looked more dark and frightful than it had before.

She watched as the little boy emerged from the room carrying a wrapped bundle that could only be a baby. A white fist batted the air as the boy cautiously approached her and she smiled at the infant's obvious stubborn nature.

"You're the girl from the window." Charles stated, curious about what was going on and frightened by the girl's sudden appearance.
She nodded as if an agreement was necessary. Her eyes drifted back to the door as Professor Dumbledore hurried from the other room, carrying a pale Professor McGonagall.

Beth was struck speechless at the woman's appearance. She had never seen her as anything than the formidable, beady-eyed Transfiguration professor. Now she saw a frightened, pale woman with long wavy black hair that gave her such a look of innocence and youth, she looked like a child. Her small slender hands were gripping the front of Dumbledore's muggle shirt as if her life depended on it and her whole body shook gently.

"Is she ill, sir?" Beth asked softly. Professor Dumbledore nodded simply and motioned for his son and her to follow him out the back door. They hurried along a simple country road until they came to a parked car, a muggle vehicle used as most muggle's main means of transport.

Charles, having never ridden in a car before, happily gave the girl Luthy as he climbed into the front seat and buckled the seatbelt as they always did on TV. His father laid his mother gently on the back seat and tucked Luthy into her arms. The girl settled herself on the seat so that her lap cushioned his mother's head and although she looked awkward, seemed happy to have been allowed into the car.

Albus quickly made sure that his wife was comfortable and then hastened to the right front door to start the engine. The starter clicked almost immediately as it had been charmed to do, and the car silently came to life. As Albus check for traffic, his eyes wandered to the former student in the back seat.

It went against his better judgement to take her with his family, but some part of him couldn't abandon her. She was a person and no matter if she was somehow connected to the whole thing, which he knew she had to be, he was going to help her.

Author's note...terrible chapter? Awful writing? Endless rambling? let me know...review.

[micha]

*Hey* - why do you doubt yourself so much??? The chapter is wonderful!! Absolutely captivating, very well done, fresh and believable...

[Katheryn Mae]

Dittio to what micha said. Please don't doubt yourself. But it was wonderful ... I have a feeling Beth is partly a good thing for the time being.

~Katheryn Rose

[mercifulheavens]

Thank you both of you. I do not really doubt myself, just my ability it to write whilst ill. I will be updating soon.

[goldencat]

It was so thrilling that it is so very cruel to stop here.
I'm so live now that I cannot sit still.
So please update soon!

[phantomgirl]

It was Awesome! I can't wait to find out what happens to them next.

[angielica618]

great story..update very soon.!

[gingerkitten]

A very interesting story...well done.

[mercifulheavens]

Goodness...I haven't updated since March... hmm, I shall have to remedy that.

Rest assured the next chapter shall be posted this week, I swear.

[gracehawkins]

Please UPDATE soon!! Pretty Pretty PLEASE ;D

[Dream's Girl]

Pleaseee more!!

[gryffindorprincess]

I can't wait to read more...It made me cry ...I loved every minute of it.

[~Aly~]

-swore she reviewed this *shrugs*-

wants to read more...
i think it is written very well

*little begging kitten face* more please

[mercifulheavens]

Here is the long awaited chapter =)

Chapter 24
-The Fire-

There was the terrible screech of rubber wheels on hard cement. A black haze of smoke rising from the friction caused by the tremendous speed and then it was silent. Rubber, steel and cement became as one...a grave.

Albus awoke, sweat beading on his forehead and slowly being to trail down his neck. They had stopped to sleep for the night, and Albus had done his best to remain awake. Leaning forward, he sighed against the stirring wheel. There was a soft murmur of breathing in the back seat and he smiled softly as he turned to see his family.

Charles had climbed into the back and was happily slumbering with his arms wrapped around his mother. Due to being such a small baby, Luthy had been placed in a bundle of blankets and cushions in the front seat beside Albus. Since they were not going anywhere, it was a perfectly safe location for the infant.
Albus carefully tucked a bit of blanket around his small son, smiling when the baby yawned, his little cheeks puffing from air intake. Nothing was so uplifting and marvelous as to look into the small face of your child. But then the charm was broken by a moan.

Looking back, Albus saw that Minerva was having a nightmare. Charles being such a deep sleeper, he was easily able to pull the boy aside, laying him on the car floor. Beth was another story however. The girl had fallen asleep and slept like the dead, no doubt having not slept in awhile. Thankfully, Minerva's head was only cushioned on her lap and Albus had merely to open the door in order to lift his wife out.

Charles levitated onto the seat which his mother had only just vacated and Albus gently woke Minerva, who was nestled in his arms, bridal style.
She awoke, obviously startled, her green eyes wide with fear and anger. The second of which surprised Albus, although it did not worry him. The fact that Minerva may slowly be returning to her old self, brought a surge of hope to his heart and he smiled at her briefly as he conjured a small couch for them to sit on.

They had lived so close to each other for so many years...only to end up being chased through the woods in a muggle automobile in order to be able to spend time together. It was sad and yet joyful all in the same moment.
"Where are we?" Minerva asked, softly. Albus sighed.
"Safe...for now." he murmured, kissing her forehead. "Do not worry about it, love." the last thing she needed was to worry. He could do enough for both of them.

Slowly Minerva fell asleep once more, secure and held tightly in her husbands arms.

---

The night was soon replaced with the rising sun and it was greeted by the twittering birds amid the forest trees. Albus already had planned to return to Hogwarts. He would be able to protect his family there better than in America.
They were only safe here unknown...and that had already been proven to be no longer true.

Beth did not say anything as Albus explained his decision to Minerva. She had far too much guilt and fear to even venture a word. Guilt for spying on the family before her and fear for what they or the death eaters would do to her if they were caught.

On the other hand, Charles hardly remained silent. He had stared at Beth for a good ten minutes before making his way to Luthy and taking the infant's limp hand. He couldn't wait until the baby was old enough to do things...beside whine and cry that was. He talked to his brother about the things around them. The birds singing in the trees, the bugs crawling on the floor and even the trees around them did not escape the young boy's notice. And although Luthando was fast asleep, he no doubt appreciated the long talk from his older brother.

After a brief meal of crackers and sardines, which Charles turned his nose up at first but then ate all the same, Albus prepared their portkey. He planned to have Beth carry Luthy and he would then carry his wife with Charles holding tightly to his robes. After they arrived at Hogwarts... he would have a long chat with Beth, while Poppy cared for Minerva.

[Junora]

yay update, you wonderful person you.

next one soon please???

hugs Lottie

[Rosemary Dumbledore McGonagall]

Wow! This is a really good story! Please update soon!

[mrsdumbledores]

....oh my god... you're brilliant...
It was like sitting on fire all day long.. because I wasn't at home reading...
Please continue.. I like Luthy.. xD

[~ Rosaliee ~]

I really want to read more it's great~!!! please finish

[scarletoharra]

please finish.. my heart is pumping so fast because of the suspense. please.. I really love this fic!

[Mandy McGonagall-Dumbledore]

It's amazing!! Please finish this!!