Chapter 2: On the Top of the Highest Tower
The freezing autumn night was now silent. The vicious storm had ended abruptly, and faint moonlight was filtering through the clouds. On the top of the highest tower of the McMahon family's castle Duke Edward McMahon was standing close to the edge, staring at the horizon with a blank expression. Under his coat, he could feel the movement of his daughter who was pretty upset. He couldn't believe he had used a Silencing Charm on a baby, but he was not able to take it anymore. His heart was bleeding, and he didn't want to either listen to the crying or look at her face. In his mind he was trying again and again to find an escape of this situation. They were such a perfect family. He loved his wife dearly and they were so proud of their strong little boy who was still asleep a few floors below, completely unaware that his home was shattered into pieces by the birth of his little sister.
The Duke felt his anger rising. He was certain that Louisa would never forgive him for this. Why did the spells and the rituals fail? Why was Catherine McMahon even born? 'Damn it, I should not think of her in that manner. She is not Catherine McMahon, she shouldn't have existed on the first place.' – he thought while trying to get a better grip of the little bundle.
"Edward?" – he heard a male voice together with the distinctive sound of apparition behind him. Marquis Carsilion Egbert looked like someone who had just woken up five minutes ago. His auburn hair that had always been perfectly arranged was currently a mess, his face was pale and sweaty, and he was not wearing anything but black breeches and white shirt which was fairly wrinkled. His right hand was still wrapped around a piece of parchment and his otherwise sky-blue eyes were casting a dim silver light.
The Duke turned around and looked at his old friend with grim determination. His own eyes started gleaming in blue while the essence of nature was pumping through his veins. He took the bundle out of his coat and wandlessly removed the Silencing charm. The baby's cry filled the night. Even now the Duke was able to feel the raw magic radiating from her entire small body. How powerful could she become? He shook his head and once again looked at Carsilion who was staring at him with his mouth open.
"I wanted you here because I was not sure I can do it alone." – the Duke's voice trembled a little. Carsilion went straight to them and stared in disbelief at the baby girl who was causing quite a commotion. All of a sudden, as if she was aware that another person had appeared, the noise stopped completely, and the baby just stared at the Marquis.
"Merlin, she has Louisa's eyes! My friend, how did this happen? I didn't even know that you two were expecting and now this… what a mess!" – he exclaimed in awe.
"I don't know myself." – Edward answered – "Every spell and ritual was performed, and nothing was different than the last time. We were travelling and stayed in France for several months to see Louisa's family. Then she was sick for most of her pregnancy after we returned, therefore, it is not that we were announcing it left and right."
"What are you going to do?" – Carsilion asked softly.
"Do we have a choice?" – said Edward bitterly - "I have just stunned my own wife in order to protect innocent lives."
"She didn't want you to kill the baby?" – asked the Marquis.
"What kind of question is that?" – shouted the Duke in frustration – "Of course she didn't. It is not that I want it either, but it must be done. There is no other way."
"How can you be so sure? Have you tried any other way?"
"Oh, mighty Gorgon, you are worse than Louisa! Why are you tormenting me? This is not something I randomly came up with. After Morgana le Fay concluded her contract with the demon our ancestors tried various methods to extract it out of the McMahon females and to no avail. Every time it resulted in a complete disaster and countless victims."
Carsilion looked silently at the baby who was still gazing at him, her magic in perfect balance.
"Edward, you are like my brother. We have known each other for most of our lives, and I can tell you that you are never going to find peace in your life again if you kill your own daughter. I know this was one of your greatest fears. I remember three years ago when we came across the boggart in the Duke Prince's library, and it turned into a baby girl. It was before Greg was born, and believe me, I had this same nightmare almost as many times as you did. But now that she is actually here… I don't know… Maybe she can do it. She is so extraordinary, Edward. Maybe she can keep the demon at bay and live a happy life."
The Duke looked at his friend and sighed deeply.
"That's what Louisa said… that we should give her the chance to become a second Morgana. But even if we take this tremendous risk, what about the rest of the aristocrats? They are not going to just leave her be. They are not going to spare her simply because she is a baby. Furthermore, it is going to be the perfect opportunity for them to erase the House McMahon from the face of the Earth."
"And I will stand next to you when they come." – the Marquis said coldly – "But what is more important, Edward, why should they even know what is happening behind the walls of your castle?"
"Yes, sure, they would not know that she was born, but then what shall we do? Hide her for the rest of her life as a prisoner? This is even more cruel than killing her now… and that if she even manages to hold the demon for a few years."
The Duke choked and felt a hot tear rolling down his cheek frozen from the cold wind that had never stopped blowing above the highest tower of his home.
"Have you named her?" – asked Carsilion suddenly feeling a little uncomfortable next to his crying friend and using the chance to stop the wind with a sharp gesture of his left hand.
"Yes. Louisa named her Catherine." – Edward answered with a weak voice.
"I see." – the Marquis smiled – "I have always thought your wife was way braver than you. To this day I don't know how you managed to enchant her to even look at you twice."
"Hey!" – the Duke protested – "This was a little uncalled for."
"It was very much called for, I assure you. Now, stop whining, take the charming little Lady Catherine McMahon downstairs and feed the poor thing. I will try to cover for your absence in the next few months without raising suspicion."
"Carsilion, wait, I don't want to imprison her…"
"Yes, I have already heard you the first time," – the Marquis interrupted him – "and you do not need to. We just have to plan for it carefully. Teach her magic as early as possible and keep her busy and healthy. Eventually, she is going to be able to protect herself much better than you could have ever protected her. I can sense her power even now. Eventually, she can get her rightful place as your daughter."
"I am not sure this is even doable." – Edward said – "Can we really give her all the education she needs at home?"
"Who said it should be at home? Don't send her to the Academy, send them both with Greg to Hogwarts. There is no safer place than Hogwarts for the McMahons and nobody is going to know who they are and even whether they are related." – smiled Carsilion.
"Yes, that's true although you know it is very complicated for the heirs of the four founders to study at Hogwarts. That's why we stopped going there in the first place."
"It is not that big of a deal. Besides, other than causing some mischiefs and get away with them, what is the worst that could happen? We can also take some precautions in advance. I am certain that Albus Dumbledore will assist us with this task, and he can also help with managing Catherine." – said Carsilion confidently – "Shall I speak with him on your behalf?"
The Duke smiled for the first time.
"You always have a plan, just like in the old days. Then let's do it and make sure that Catherine has a bright future ahead of her."
"Leave it to me. See you in a few weeks, my friend" – said the Marquis taking a few steps back in order to apparate, and then added with a grin – "if you survive after Louisa wakes up that is."