Being Minnie's Daughter

Chapter 55

Mack's POV

"Signs of a metamorphagus," I smirk looking at my revisions from Defense Against the Dark Arts. "Skip." I quickly scan the page before flipping it over. I lean back against the large tree at the edge of the Forbidden Forest and look up at Hogwarts. I see four boys lean out of a window in the Gryffindor window while looking at the parchment held in their hands. Two of the boys wave wildly out the window before ducking back inside. I can already tell they are about to come dashing down the stairs to come see me.

I laugh softly at their antics and look back at my notes. I have already reread these notes twice yet it still isn't enough. Finals are only a few weeks away because we have finished our last Quidditch game of the season around three weeks ago. Since that game, I have been locked in the library with Lily to anxiously stuff our brains with as much information as possible.

I pull out my potions textbook and start looking at all of the different tidbits needed to know about the potions. I slouch down against the tree and gaze at the lake. It's a rare warm day and the sun is reflecting across the Black Lake. Lots of younger students are outside while more of the older students are trapped in the library like I was every day. A few boys strip off their shirts to dive into the lake, obviously trying to impress some of the girls outside on a walk. I chuckle happily when the girls roll their eyes and continue to ignore the morons.

"HELLO MACKENZIE!!!" A loud voice screeches across the large lawn.

I groan and drop my books onto the ground and walk right past the tree line of the Forbidden Forest. I look out behind a large oak and see Sirius, Remus, and James dashing down the hill towards me. Quickly, I transform into my wolf and crouch down behind a few bushes. My tail swishes back and forth as I wait impatiently for the three boys to get closer. Remus reaches the tree first and moves the books I hastily dropped. James and Sirius look over the lake searching for me so I poke my nose through the bushes. The ruffling leaves make just enough noise for Remus to hear. He looks over at me and shakes his head softly before sitting down next to the tree.

My butt wiggles in anticipation for the boys to turn around.

"AHHH!" Two usually low voices screech incredibly high as I launch through the bush and land perfectly at their feet when they finally turn around.

I hear Remus fall over to the side laughing his rump off. I take two steps backwards to get out of sight from other students and transform back to my usual self. I stand up and skip over to Remus who wraps his arm around my shoulders, as he stands up to join me. I sneak a peek back at the two Gryffindors still knocked back on their butts.

"So, love," Remus says softly, leaning into towards. The tips of my hair fade pink as his breath touches my ear. "Do you have any plans for this fine afternoon?"

"That depends," I grin, "What do you have in mind?"

"Let's go visit a friend of mine," he winks, pulling my arm to have us walk along the tree line.

"You're friend?" I chuckle before reaching up to pinch his cheek. "Your little friend or an actual person?"

Remus turns bright red and scowls down at me. "Do you really think that low of me, love?"

I cross my arms and look up at him through my dark lashes. "Just sometimes I wish you were a little more of a rulebreaker than a prefect." I turn my head to look over at the forest coyly, causing Remus to reach over and turn my jaw back to point at his face.

"Be careful little wolf," Remus bares his teeth at me. "I could easily take you in the forest right now."

I drop my chin to my chest and slow down so I am walking just slightly behind him, just at his heels. I see him shake his head out of the corner of my eye before we approach a large pumpkin patch.

"Hagrid?" I ask, anxiously tugging on Remus' arm.

Remus nods, "I asked him if we could have tea with him today."

"Why?"

"You will see soon, love."

He climbs the front steps before knocking loudly on the large wooden door. The door swings open fast causing Remus to jump down a step to not get hit. Hagrid waves us in quickly and ushers us over to the table already covered in tea and rock cakes. I hop into the tallest chair surrounding the table and immediately pour Remus a cup of tea and add a spoonful of sugar before pouring my own cup and adding a drizzle of honey.

"How is the garden coming along Hagrid?" I smile politely before turning to look out the window that overlooks the sprawling, mud filled garden.

"It won't take too much longer to finish planting the vegetables I am growing this year, if only the rain would slow down so the mud puddle can soak into the ground," Hagrid says gruffly. I turn back to see him standing at the counter pouring himself a large mug of brandy.

Remus swallows nervously as he eyes the beverage Hagrid has. Hagrid thumps down into his arm chair and looks over at Remus.

"Now, was there a reason you wanted tea today?" Hagrid looks at Remus suspiciously.

"I have a question about Mackenzie's safety."

Hagrid gulps down some of his drink before looking at the wooden floorboards. "I had a feelin' you'd me asking me Remus."

"About my safety?" I question. I glance around the room and notice Remus won't meet my eyes. "Merlin, what is going on?"

Remus sighs and pats the back of my hand softly. "Your mum said something which had me thinking. Not many people know who Mackenzie's parents are, correct?"

Hagrid nods his head, "Only myself, you two, and her parents know the complete truth."

"And that was done on purpose?" Remus confirms.

Again. Hagrid nods his head, "If people knew the truth, she would be the first targeted. Many people would want to take advantage of hurting Professor Dumbledore by taking his beloved daughter."

"And this rising Dark Lord is one of them?" I ask softly, finally realizing what comment Remus was referring to.

Remus grabs my hand, "Don't worry love, You-Know-Who will not be able to get past us."