 caffeine princess ♬ lunchbox adventurer ❀ little rose
Dumbledore's Office: August 3, 1996
Professor Dumbledore sat at his desk late that evening. The school year would be starting up again soon. Indeed, he had pressing matters at hand. And as such, a small black box sat on his desk. Of course, he had opened the box many times and gone through it's contents- several photos, a dark lock of baby hair pinned to a child's blanket, a silver locket. A dense white envelope, yellowed with age, sat at the bottom of the box. It was now that Dumbledore sat another, newer envelope on top of that one and locked the box.
A timid knock came at the door. "Come in," he answered. And the door opened. The same young girl he'd met for the first time nearly a year ago, after hearing her name bounced around for what seemed like ages, now stood in his office once more. "Take a seat," he instructed. She did.
"I must start by telling you how truly sorry I am for your mother's passing," Albus started. The girl sat wordlessly, showing no signs of response. It wasn't until she gave a small nod that he continued. "Of course, along with this comes the issue of whom you are going to be living with until you come of age." Still no response. "And it was decided by your father quite some time ago-- "
"You knew my father?" Ava interrupted. There. That got her talking.
The Headmaster nodded. "Knew would be an incorrect verb of choice here. I believe 'know' would be better suited for our purposes," he answered calmly. The girl stared.
"He's- ... he's-- "
"Alive? Yes. And healthy as well," Dumbledore paused. "Miss Pierce, there are some things you ought to know about your mother," he said quietly. Ava remained silent, allowing the man to continue. "Your mother went mad when she found out she was going to be giving birth. Rather than to sort things out logically with your father, she denied him in every way. Even after you were born she was gravely ill and in constant need of medical attention. Which she... denied," he paused to collect his thoughts and take a breath. "Your father never saw you until..." he stopped.
"Until what?" Ava burst. Professor Dumbledore shook his head. He set a hand on the box and slid it towards the girl in front of him. She read the tiny etched lettering on the lid carefully.
Misses Avery Harlan Corriane Pierce
She took the box in both hands and pried at the lid. No good. "You'll be spending the remainder of your summer here with me, and starting with school in the fall just as planned. Your things have already been sent for. They should be here soon," Professor Dumbledore said, beginning to stand. He walked to a stairwell leading to a tower above. "You'll be staying just up these stairs and to the right. The box and its contents are yours," he finished.
Ava nodded, picking up the box and following him to the stairwell. Looking up, she realized that only one thing was important to her now- she had to get that box open. |