`And you'll be with me || XANTHE&MINA

[Wilhelmina Rose Smith]

The last time Wilhelmina White set foot on the ground surrounding the Black Lake was years and years ago. If she was remembering correctly it had been only a few hours before she left Hogwarts for good, or for what she thought was going to be for good. Now that she was back, everything seemed so different without the people she knew back then here with her. It didn't feel right not to have Liam following after her in a pair of his obnoxiously adorable socks, or to hear a familiar voice spitting out insults at the two. Honestly, she probably missed the latter more than anything. She was around Liam all of the time now, and she was carrying his child. But, she hadn't seen or heard Xanthe since that last night. It was strange, but Mina never had a day go by where she didn't think about and worry over that girl. She had been told by Merlin knows how many people to not care about her. "Mina, that girl ruined your life. She KILLED your father. Why do you care if she's okay?" But, her life wasn't ruined. She was quite happy where she was, even without her father around. And holding that grudge over Xanthe wasn't going to make either of them feel better, nor was it going to bring her father back.

Mina shook her head, stopping near a large tree and leaning comfortable against it. All she had done since she got here was think about Xanthe. It was beginning to bother her, to be here without the spunky Slytherin harassing her in some way. Her mind needed to move away from that subject. Taking a deep breath, Mina reached up from her protruding stomach and ran it through her golden hair. Her eyes slowly moved over the scenery before her. It was still so gorgeous to see the rays of sunlight bounce off the water and fill the surrounding area with soothing warmth and light. Memories were flooding her head so quickly that she was beginning to feel dizzy, and to be safe she slid down to sit upon the roots of the large tree. "I missed you," Mina grinned, looking straight up at the tree's branches above her. "I missed all of this. I don't ever plan on tearing myself from this place for that long ever again, I just cannot do it." She laughed, letting her head fall back down and her eyes focus back on the lake.

Her hand moved habitually back down to her stomach, rubbing around slowly as she continued to talk. "My child will be born here, and it'll grow up here. It will know nothing but Hogwarts, and it will love it just as much as I do. I promise." Mina giggled and shook her head. What a silly thing to do, make a promise to a tree. However, the plant had been there through some very prominent times in her life. It was just as alive as her, and she felt it important to promise the creature that it would know her child like it knew Mina. Her eyes closed as a cool wind slowly picked up and blew through the foliage, the tree's branches swaying back and forth as if in response to Mina's promise. "I wish Liam could be here to see this!" she exclaimed as she slowly slid her eyes back open and continued to examine the images in the distance. The forest, the lake, the Whomping Willow, and the castle. They had all been significant in their lives. It had been Mina's curiosity about the forest that led her to get up that night and sneak around the castle, where she met Liam. And it was the Whomping Willow that gave Mina her very first broken bone when Liam and herself were frightened out of the forest. Xanthe had been right in telling them that they were going to get hurt, but Mina wouldn't change it for the world.

Mina closed her eyes once again, leaning her blonde head back against the bark of the tree. Either Mina's sudden change in mood or the warmth of the setting sun was calming the normally energetic unborn child. Without a dozen different things going on around and inside of her, Mina was beginning to realize how tired she really was. With a sweet smile still curling up the edges of her mouth the pregnant professor began to hum quietly, both hands planted protectively on her swollen abdomen.

[Xanthe Lynnette Murder]

“You’re the same as ever, talking to yourself like that.”
Xanthe Murder appeared from the other side of the tree trunk, hands resting diligently inside the pockets of her black robes. Her eyes looked off into the distance, the green color brightening with the golden glow of the setting sun. She looked as if she were in reminisce, and that was exactly it.
She remembered the times at Hogwarts she and Mina had spent together. They had always been enemies as young girls. Fighting over boys, ideals, even the life of Mina’s very own father. The Potions professor sighed, her shoulders hunching slightly to avoid the thoughts of guilt from creeping up upon her. She wasn’t here to feel sorry for herself.
Once the news that Wilhelmina Smith was the newest professor to take Hagrid’s place for Care of Magical creatures, Xanthe couldn’t help but feel anxious to wonder if it was her very own “Will-hell-mee-nuh” that had gotten the job. Turns out, she was right for once. The gentle, beautiful woman that rested gracefully at the base of the tree beside the blackening lake. Light shimmered off of its waters, bouncing off and planting a subtle kiss upon Mina’s cheek. She looked so peaceful there, like a doll. Xanthe scoffed silently; it was hard to imagine a time where she would have killed the blonde if given the opportunity.
What a shameful way to take a life, only to relieve a grudge.
Xanthe sighed, closing her eyes before gazing back off at the castle half drenched in sunset once more. So many memories had piled up there. Not too long ago Xanthe believed by staying here she could run away from her past, which was obviously not true. Her very own son had arrived at Hogwarts this year. What would she tell him now that he is just within her delayed reach? Voldemort had eyes within the castle walls. Xanthe was a pair herself, scuffling around for information. Truth was, she didn’t want to be a servant anymore, she didn’t want to sit and wag her tail anymore. She wanted to be free. Xanthe only wished to have a family with her brother and son, be happy, fall in love again…
Resting her back against the tree, her head held high and her eyes to the dimming sky, she gave a sad smile. Her right foot pressed lightly to the wood of the tree the two women were brought together at. After all these years they had finally met.
It was about time.

[Wilhelmina Rose Smith]

Her heart leapt as the sound of a voice punctured the natural sounds that had previously saturated the air. She wanted to scream out in shock, but the familiarity of the voice caused her to choke on the sound before it could escape her mouth. Mina whipped her head around to stare bewilderedly up at the small woman. She didn't know why, but for some reason Mina wasn't allowing herself to believe this was Xanthe. Why would she be here at Hogwarts? With all of the thinking about her Mina had done today, and for several weeks before today, she was now telling herself that it was nothing but an illusion. It was someone else standing there and she had only mistaken the woman for her old friend.

However, as Mina's eyes slowly ran over the woman's features, the small frame, the auburn hair, and those green eyes, there was absolutely no doubt in her mind that this was her. "Xanthe Murder.." Mina mumbled quietly, blinking her eyes hard several times to verify further that she wasn't simply seeing things. The tears in her stunned eyes began to spill over as it finally soaked in that she was not even a foot away from the girl that she had previously called her very best friend, aside from Liam, and the girl who had ended her father's life. Mina had spent so many years of her life telling herself that she shouldn't hate Xanthe because of what she had done in the past, but she had never considered what she would feel if this ever happened. There was an explosion of emotions within her, and she was having a very hard time on deciding which one she should act on.

The very pregnant professor struggled against the tree to eventually stand upright and move even closer to Xanthe. Mina stood there, shocked and with tears streaming down her face, inches in front of her for what seemed liked hours before quickly lunging forward and throwing her arms around the other woman. "Oh, Xanthe! I have missed you so much!" Without any hesitation Mina had pulled Xanthe into a close hug, burying her face in the woman's shoulder and sobbing quietly. This was one of many moments when Mina wished that her stomach wasn't so large, it was now unfortunately stopping Mina from getting any closer to someone she had missed so much in these twenty years she had been away.

A long moment later, Mina was pulling herself away from Xanthe and shaking her head slowly in disbelief as she looked the woman over. "You look..the same," she laughed as she spoke and pressed her hands to her stomach, "But SO much better! I didn't think I would ever see you again. It's..so strange, isn't it strange? To see me as an adult after knowing me so long as a child? That's how I feel." She was rambling with excitement, her high voice flowing from her mouth at an amazing speed. Finally she slowed down and giggled as she measured the fellow woman with her eyes. "It seems you've gotten taller and I've gotten wider!" She joked, glancing down toward her occupied abdomen. In a moment, however, Mina's smile faded and she stared back up at Xanthe.

"Wait..What're you doing here?"

[Xanthe Lynnette Murder]

The sudden embrace of Mina’s warmth caught Xanthe off guard. Her stomach his her own abdomen, but it wasn’t a bother. The former Slytherin threw her arms around her old friend. Dapples of tears reflected in her own eyes; for the first time in twelve years she felt loved, wanted, appreciated…
She had never felt so much kindness emanating from one person before, and she had greatly missed her to.
Mina pulled away, and Xanthe tried to hide her face as the blonde woman rambled on about how they looked. It was so true. Xanthe looked the same as she had been for nearly all her life, glasses, auburn hair, green eyes. She was silently proud of the fact she still looked rather young for her age.
Mina looked the same, despite her bulging belly. The Potions professor couldn’t help but smile at Mina’s swollen stomach. She remembered a time when that had been her, a little life growing inside the womb. Mina looked like she was ready to pop!
Xanthe snickered with amusement, smirking with her hand over her lips as a realization crept into her mind. She looked as if she was the teenager she used to be, light shadowing the top half of her face, the curling of her nose.
“Liam Smith is the father, isn’t he?” she cackled, smiling with a delighted gleam to her expression. “I knew it. I knew it would happen.” Xanthe’s neck snapped back to Mina’s blue gaze when she asked the simple question: “Wait..What're you doing here?"
The young woman blinked at the mother to be, her head tilting slightly at her innocent ignorance as the orange light glowed around them. The air became still for a moment, the sounds of nature ceasing as Xanthe looked at her in disbelief. “I’m the Potions professor, of course. It‘s my fifth year teaching here!” she announced happily, bringing a triumphant fist to her chest. Being a certified Potions teacher was a dream of Xanthe’s that had recently come true in the past five years. She was known in Hogwarts as being the cool-headed, but mostly crazy and ruthless professor. No one she knew enjoyed the class, but some did appreciate the professor’s hardcore style. It was a method she had picked up from Professor Snape as a girl. Come to think of it, she really missed that man.
Miss Murder placed her hands playfully on her hips. “Also, we have the most handsome Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher in the world, thanks to me.” Her eyes seemed slightly distant as she clasped her hands together dreamily, staring off towards the sun. It was a sudden movement. It gave Xanthe an animated style, something you wouldn’t normally see a twenty-eight year old woman doing. More like a thirteen-year-old’s be behavior.
Romantic emotion rose inside her empty heart, a foreshadowed sadness etching across her face. Ever since Darien had died, she felt terrible for even considering another man to be with, but lately she had somewhat reconsidered. Mustang was a strong willed, determined, powerful, successful, charming, independent, good-looking man. How could she resist someone who was already what she considered an ally?
“Oh, Professor Mustang is such a dream, you just have to meet him!” she said, sounding childish. “He has dark hair, dark eyes, broad shoulders, perfect build… hahaha, look at me,” Xanthe waved her hand as if to dismiss her thoughts, “rambling to you about my love interests when I haven’t talked to you for about ten years. You better not tell anyone!”
Xanthe laughed, placing her hands back into her pockets out of embarrassment. “So tell me, the new professor for Care of Magical creatures, eh? It’s like you, to deal with animals.”
She sighed.
“You haven’t changed one bit.”

[Wilhelmina Rose Smith]

"Of course you are!" Mina exclaimed, putting a hand to her own forehead. Why else would Xanthe be lurking about Hogwarts? The job fit her so well, and imagining Xanthe as the Potions master reminded her of the detention the two had together so many years ago. That was when the two really started speaking to each other without every other phrase being an insult. They had pretty much became friends in that room, in that little closet full of different vials and jars of the grossest things Mina had ever laid eyes on. She hated it then, but she could honestly admit now that it had been fun. "Five years? That's something. It doesn't surprise me at all that you are working with potions, but teaching? I can't imagine you in front of a class. I'll have to sit in during one of your lessons, maybe you'll teach me something I missed in Snape's. You of all people know how often I didn't pay attention during his class."

Her eyes widened a bit in shock as Xanthe went on to talk about a male. She seemed to be swooning over the man. Mina couldn't ever recall Xanthe acting like that, except for maybe one time over Darien. Her brow furrowed in slight confusion and thought, her hands running idly over her stomach as the Potions professor went on and on about the new DADA professor. "He certainly seems interesting. I would love to meet him, and I do plan on it. As long as I am here I might as well make friends with my co-workers, shouldn't I? Maybe being here as an adult will be more enjoyable as being here as a strange teenager!" She laughed, openly joking about her horrible situation here as a child. A grin slowly formed on her face as Xanthe tried to explain to her what the man looked like. "Oh, he sounds like a dream!" she jested, lifting a hand to twirl a strand of her hair around a finger mockingly. "I won't tell anyone, Xanthe. Although, I should to get back at you for all of the insults that got tossed my way about Liam back when we were young." She shook her head and sighed happily. "It's nice to see you this way. You seem so happy, it's refreshing."

"That's right, Care of Magical Creatures! What else would I teach? I was never good at much else, other than Charms and Defense against the Dark Arts. And apparently those jobs weren't open for me. But I am more than happy to be able to work with creatures again. I missed it terribly." Mina grinned and nodded slowly, letting her eyes drop down to her own protruding stomach. "I wouldn't go that far, I like to think I've done some growing up. It seems like you have as well. I don't ever remember a time when you were so happy to see me, a mudblood!" She laughed as she looked back up toward Xanthe.

"Well, how has your life been since the last time I saw you? I'm assuming you aren't married, but do you have..any children?" It was kind of a pointless question. There was no doubt in Mina's mind that Servilius, that boy she had met on the train, belonged to Xanthe. He resembled her so much, and not just in appearance. "Tell me everything! I want to know it all!"

[Xanthe Lynnette Murder]

Xanthe smiled wide, scratching her left forearm out of habit when she was nervous. It was prickling today much to her dislike. She hated Death Eater meetings, and hopefully Voldemort wasn’t planning one on such a happy day. “I would be delighted if you came to see me teach a class. I’ve been told I’m nuts, which I am, but…” the auburn haired woman gave a short laugh. “I think I’m okay.”
The conversation easily switched back over to one of her more favorite and less intimidating subjects, Roy Mustang. The re-mentioning of him made her face turn the pink it always did whenever she saw or thought about him. Honestly, Xanthe was pretty confused. She got a strange vibe from the Defense professor often more times than not, but she had convinced herself that she was only worried because of all the years she had spent in love with Darien Wakefield. Truth was, she was still in love with the scruffy little Hufflepuff to this day. Xanthe felt it would be better to move on, but before Mustang arrived she could never imagine doing so. This realization that love could be regenerated make her much more giddy than she normally was. Hopefully the Dark Lord wouldn’t have time to notice the change in her normally gloomy behavior.
“I am very happy,” Murder announced proudly, her green eyes looking to the right, down at Mina’s barely visible feet. “He makes me feel that way. I’m sure you know what I’m talking about.”
Xanthe giggled again, watching Mina’s expression change as she discussed her Care of Magical Creatures job. Xanthe couldn’t imagine the nice, intelligent, motherly Mina White, or should she say Smith as any other kind of teacher. Mina was always gifted with animals, given her gentle nature, but Xanthe would always hate to go to that class. She especially hated the book and could never quite get it open. Not to mention animals usually growled at her for no apparent reason. She was never good with animals like Mina was and still is. Xanthe was sure Mina could charm any animal with her smile alone, even the giant squid in the lake would easily bow to her!
"Well, how has your life been since the last time I saw you? I'm assuming you aren't married, but do you have..any children?"
The professor’s brightened look faded, her eyes dimming in color at the thought of the neglected son she loved so much, Servilius.
"Tell me everything! I want to know it all!"
Xanthe’s mood was the opposite of her old friend’s. Her face looked harsh, expression ancient with sadness. She reached over and touched Mina’s hand, wrapping her fingers within her own. “Sit.” Xanthe solemnly took a seat at the base of the tree between to nicely paired roots that suited her bum comfortably. She rested her shoulders against the wood, letting go of Mina’s hand that was meant to lead her down to Xanthe’s own level.
The woman sighed, looking off into the distance as if she were about to deliver Mrs. Smith important words of wisdom, which was not the case. She was about to tell her about the biggest mistake she had made in her life, and the same one was the best one she ever did make.
“I have one son,” Xanthe revealed. “His name is Servilius, and he means the world to me.” Her voice shook with emotion as pitiful tears began to take advantage of her. She turned her head away from Mina, scared of what she would think of her after all was said. Xanthe didn’t feel like losing another friend. She would be all alone again…
“At the age of seventeen I got pregnant with him. I know, it was such a young age, but it was soon after Darien was killed. He died in my arms, and I was so stressed and the saddest I have ever been in my life,” she said, burying her face with her arms. “I didn’t care about living anymore. I wanted to die. Nothing that happened to me mattered to me. No one could talk me into happiness, not even my Brother.”
Xanthe resurfaced and worked her finger beneath the rim of her glasses to wipe away the clotted tears that had formed. She rolled up her sleeve and dried away the ones that stained her cheek and continued.
“I did a lot of stupid things and ended up pregnant by someone I’ve always admired. I was grateful he was the father if anyone, even if I didn’t love him like I loved Darien. In my heart I was so sure he would help me in any way he could to raise our son, but then he was murdered for being a traitor.
“However, I was not completely alone. I had Brother, and I would soon have my son.”
She hiccupped a cry.
“But no. When the Dark Lord found out about my baby and his father, he was intrigued. I still don’t know why, but he told me I could not keep him, that my son was going to be raised with someone other than me. The Dark Lord forbade me from being alone because he feared I would kill myself of my child, so he made Death Eaters watch me around the clock to make sure I didn’t do anything to injure myself. That was the longest nine months of my life, those of which I used to meditate on my past mistakes.
“After Servilius was born, I give him to Voldemort to raise. Brother promised me that he would take care of his nephew, so I felt better, but so terrible that Servilius would never know his mother. That feeling worsened when I found out from Brother that he had gone blind because of a genetic disorder. I was so mad at myself. Because of me that innocent boy would never get to see the world or meet his parents. I was afraid he was being punished for my sins and started being mean to myself.
“I learned later that since I was not allowed to have a relationship with Servilius, I couldn’t see my brother either. I never felt so alone… I moved to an old little house in Godric’s Hollow in attempt to escape, but I never could. The Dark Lord always had a reign on me, on all of us. That was when I finally admitted to myself that I wished to be free, as did Brother. By this time, when Servilius was around six or seven, we began to meet in secret once a year or so. Brother had gone insane, his looks worsening with every time we saw each other. His hair had become matted and dirty, his eyes the color of filth. The soft skin I used to seek comfort in was scarred and dusted with dirt. He had let himself go and began drinking to get away from the pain. Brother‘s monthly transformations became worse and he began to kill innocent people…”
Xanthe looked back to Mina, taking a moment to brush her hair over her reddened face before seeing her reaction. She had never felt so ashamed.
“And it’s all my fault.”

[Wilhelmina Rose Smith]

With Xanthe's help, Mina found her place on the ground next to the tree and took her time getting herself comfortable. The smile was still present on her face, not exactly sure what to expect from Xanthe and the words she had spoken about this Roy Mustang still fluttering in her mind. It was cute to see Xanthe so giddy about a male, so different. However, as the fellow professor began to speak, Mina's sweet smile began to fade into a very concerned frown. So Mina was right. Xanthe did have a son, and it was the boy she had met on the train. She wasn't as surprised as she thought she was going to be, maybe she would have been if the following story didn't come up with the new bit of information. Mina's nose wrinkled, her brow furrowed, and her hand clenched somewhat on her swollen stomach as Xanthe continued. The poor girl had been so much, even as a teenager. Why was this still happening to her? She didn't deserve any of it, even if she had made some mistakes in the past. Hadn't they all done the same?

"Oh, Xanthe.." Mina started, staring lovingly toward her friend, "None of that is your fault. Not one thing." With a quiet sigh, the pregnant woman leaned toward Xanthe and moved the hair from her face. "Things like this happen, Xanthe. You can't do anything to stop them. But you have to remember that to have good things in life, there has to be bad things that come before them. Or else how could we tell the difference?" She smiled softly, running her hand across Xanthe's tear-stained cheek. "You taught me that, you know? Not purposefully. But when..you did what you did back then I was so angry. Not just with you, with everything. I hated this whole world. I hated everything that dealt with magic for so long, and I almost didn't come back. But, I did. Because of things you had said before. Things that I thought were the stupidest, most ridiculous theories ever." Mina laughed quietly, taking her hand away and replacing it on her stomach. "I couldn't give up like that. I couldn't be so afraid of death that I just quit what I love, and what made me so happy. You can't do that either, Xanthe. Your son is amazing, I know he is, and you can't let yourself believe that what is going around you is your fault. That's giving up. That's telling yourself that you are going to die when you know that there is that very small chance that you will live, that you will make it through if you just..try."

"Xanthe, you are my best friend. You were the only person that was ever remotely nice to me, except for Liam and Darien. You changed my life forever, and although it didn't seem like it was for the better at first.." Mina looked down at her stomach, taking a deep breath before slowly letting it out. "It was. We met each other for a reason, something bigger than any of this. And there isn't one thing you could do or say that would change my feelings about you. We need each other. I'm not sure for what, but if we didn't then we wouldn't be together again after so long."

Mina laughed, running her hands in circles along her protruding stomach. "I apologize for getting all spiritual, I think it's the baby." Her laugh faded, and her face slowly became somewhat stern as she glanced back toward Xanthe. "On to something much more important. You..you said you want to leave the Dark Lord? You and your brother?" Mina nodded slowly, allowing an idea to form in her head. "Liam and I are part of the Order, Xanthe. I assume we are encouraged to help people out when they are in this situation, stuck with Voldemort and not wanting to be there. I don't want you to be unhappy, and I will do anything in my power to make sure you are everything but unhappy. So, I'm going to suggest something that might get me into a lot of trouble. Or even killed if you happen to a very good actress." She swallowed hard, closing her eyes for a moment before opening them again and looking her friend in the eyes. "The Order can help you, and your brother, I can help you. I will fix this, Xanthe. I will get you out with your son. Even if that means my life."

[Xanthe Lynnette Murder]

Mina’s words struck Xanthe in a way words had never done before. In all honesty, the chills that crept up her arms and spine were from fear and realization of reality. She couldn’t help but look away from Mina. The Potions professor was too lost in her life changing, perhaps life-ending, decision.
The last thing she wanted to happen was for Mina to get involved. Though, she was the only one that was willing to help her. On top of that, Xanthe didn’t like to accept help, never has since she could remember. But she could not let her stubbornness get in the way of a happy life for Xavier, Servilius, and herself.
Everyone knew that the Dark Lord was dying. Every time she saw him his skin was becoming more like leather, his physique skinny and malnourished. His body was only temporary, and there were few options left to the Dark Lord: move his soul into a different body, replenish the one he has, or simply die. That is why he had his Death Eaters to aid him; so he could selfishly live. A long time ago Xanthe had believed his ideals were her purpose for life, but now that she was older, it was easy to see there was none other than to protect who she loved, Mina included.
She never would admit this as a girl, but she was her best friend too.
Xanthe’s olive eyes finally focused solemnly to Mina’s ocean blue ones. She wore a serious expression, one that could possibly slice through glass. “You have to understand that even if I do join the Order that I would still have to be tied to Voldemort’s side, right?” She frowned, picking blades of grass from the ground and tearing them into pieces to advert her fear elsewhere, but kept her gaze. “I swear my life I’m not playing tricks on you, Mina, and if any Death Eater happens to come for you, make sure you let them know this was all my decision. Don’t let them know we are friends. You could become a hostage. If only you knew what was down in that cellar of the Dark Lord’s…”
She shuddered.
“I’m sorry. I’m probably putting a heavy burden on you.”
Xanthe stood up, pushing herself off the ground with her hands. She threw the torn grass into the wind, which carried them over the glossy, navy-gray lake. A sigh escaped her chest as she looked off into the distance, the dying, setting sun catching her red hair ablaze.
“No matter what happens, I refuse to watch my friends die. Remember that, because the day is so close… much, much, sooner than you think, and I won’t accept death on the Order’s side.” Xanthe brought a fist up to her chest level, her eyes much more fiery than the deepest depths of hell. “I will kill every one of those Death Eaters I see. And when it’s all over…” she smiled sadistically in a way her younger self would cower from, “I want the Dark Lord’s mutilated body strung across his victims’ graves.”

[Wilhelmina Rose Smith]

Mina had spent so much time thinking that she knew Xanthe, expecting to some day find that same girl that she knew back then. She had been so wrong. As Xanthe's words sank in, Mina sat there and stared up at the woman. "You've changed so much, Xanthe, it's quite beautiful. If there was any Death Eater that I ever thought was going to lose faith in the Dark Lord, it would have never been you. Not as I knew you back in our school years. I honestly believed that you were going to be the one to take my life eventually, and not even on his orders. So, you have to understand why the thought of you tricking me crossed my mind." She smiled, digging her bare toes into the dirt that surrounded the large roots of the tree. "But, if I thought it was the truth, I wouldn't have invited you into the Order."

Mina silenced herself for a long moment, staring down at her bulging stomach as she thought about what the old friend had said. It was unlikely for Mina to lie about their friendship to anyone, she wasn't the type to lie about anything. "Xanthe, you have to understand something. There are only three people I would happily die for, and that would be Liam, my baby, and you." She struggled up to her feet, using the tree as much as possible, and moved to stand beside the Potions professor. "Just as there are only certain people I would lie for, and I am not one of them. If it comes down to it I am going to keep you safe, for Servilius and your brother. They don't have anyone but you, Xanthe. My child will have it's father, and Liam will have the child."

She put her hand on Xanthe's shoulder, affectionately squeezing it as she spoke. "The people in the Order are going to expect you to be some kind of spy, I assume you already know that. But I am going to tell you that it isn't necessary of you. I don't want to see you hurt for doing such things against the Dark Lord, as much as I loathe him. The Order and I aren't here to tell you what to do, we are..I am going to protect you. It might sound silly coming from someone who is about ready to pop, but if I can take care of myself and Liam, then I can easily take care of you as well." Mina once again pulled the woman into a hug, sighing quietly and shaking her head a bit. "And I don't want to argue about it."