Learning How To Talk

~Chapter 8; D-R-A-C-O M-A-L-F-O-Y~

"What do you want to know?" Draco asks the two adults. "We want to know if you could tell us why Ms. Potter does not know how to read," McGonagall says slowly.  Holly seems to tense at the question. Draco sighs, "I don't know, I just know she can't. I don't think she's ever been to school." Her fingers tighten around his hand. "What gives you that idea?" Snape asks curiously. "Well, when we first met, in Madam Malkin's, she was... very confused when I asked about school. Like she didn't know what it was." 

The adults turn to Holly. "Do you know what a school is?" She thinks for a minute, then shakes her head. Snape sighs, and McGonagall gasps. They exchange a look of concern before looking back to Draco. "Do you know why she's so quiet?" Snape asks, mumbling quietly, "Nothing like her father..."  She looks at him curiously. "Well..." Draco hesitates, "she told us that she doesn't know how to talk either... or write." He adds quickly. Draco had expected shocked expressions, but Holly found the lack of anger scary. She doesn't know how to react; Remain quiet? Apologize? Start cleaning things for them?

Before she can pick a response, her body picks one for her. Tears begin to well in her eyes, blurring her vision. "S..ry," her voice breaks. All eyes turn to her, pity from the blond appearing to be contagious to the other two. Holly covers her eyes with her thin hands, her legs folding up into the chair. "Holly, you don't need to be sorry," McGonagall says. Snape sighs once again, "Would it be possible to provide them a separate dormitory?"  McGonagall turns to Snape, confusion on her face. "She's clearly comfortable with Mr. M- Draco, and they could work together on future assignments." Holly scoots closer to Draco. "We can have two beds, on opposite sides of the room," Snape adds with a small smile on his face. "Of course," McGonagall frowns, "We'll need to discuss this with Professor Dumbledore." Snape rolls his eyes. "If we must."

The two adults stand from their chairs. "Since this arrangement will be best to complete as soon as possible, we will go speak to the headmaster now. You two head back to your common room." The kind women say. Draco nods, grabbing Holly, who is now calm, by her hand, and walks with her back to the dorm. 

Both professors watch them leave, the door shutting softly behind them. "Okay, Sev, let's go talk with Albus." The dark-haired man grumbles as they too leave the quiet dungeons. As the two approach the large griffin statue, Minerva McGonagall takes the lead. "Treacle Tart," she says. Snape puts his hand to his forehead at the ridiculous password. Both step onto the top stair as it passes in front of them. Now Snape takes the lead when they step off the staircase. 

Knock, Knock, Knock

They are met with silence for the first few seconds, "Come in." The calm, clean voice of Albus Dumbledore sounds. Snape opens the door and walks inside; McGonagall follows closely behind and closes the door behind her. "Ah, Severus, Minerva, to what do I owe the pleasure?" The two sit down without a word. Dumbledore looks between them expectantly. McGonagall breaks the silence, "Albus, we need to speak to you about... Holly Potter." His eyes sparkle dangerously. "What about Ms. Potter would you like to discuss?" He smiles, "Where was she kept for the past eleven years?" Dumbledore's eyes darken at the woman, but his smile never falters. "Now, Minerva, you know she was raised like a queen by her darling Aunt and Uncle. You helped me deliver her, remember?" His voice is light, but his blue eyes darken. McGonagall pales slightly; she doesn't remember. "Which Aunt and Uncle?" Snape asks, and Dumbledore turns to him now. "Oh, Lily's sister and her husband." Snape gasps quietly. "Why are you two so interested in this?"

 McGonagall regains her composure, "We have found some concerns with her in the past day alone." Dumbledore raises an eyebrow. "What kind of concerns?" His tone was scarily calm. "She doesn't seem to have attended school before." McGonagall takes a deep breath. "I spoke with her after her Transfiguration class, and she informed me that she doesn't know how to read." Snape picks up when she pauses, "We had her, and Mr. Malfoy, in my office just minutes ago, and Mr. Malfoy informed us that she is also unable to speak or write." Dumbledore's happy facade appears to crack at the mention of Draco and Holly hanging out. "Perhaps, Holly Potter is uncomfortable in the Slytherin house. Shall we schedule a resorting?"