[09 Sept pre-dawn] Returning from nowhere - visiting MInerva

Lili steps through the portal with Raven, Mary and Balthazar. She shivers from the cold of the travel and tries to shake the worst of it. As a whole it didn't bother her- but it was still....there. Her eyes were red from crying, and even now the tears were threatening to fall at any moment. She looks at the staircase. She wanted to run in the opposite direction, she didn't want to tell the headmistress that Dristan had lied- and they had faced their demons and in that they had lost two wizards.

"Now is probably better, despite the feeling of wanting to run in the opposite direction and pretend this is just a horrible dream.."

The stairs twist and turn into position allowing the pair entry upwards. The faint sound of music can be heard but quickly goes silent. As they reach the top they hear the headmistress' voice. "Do come in."

McGonagoll is standing by her desk as you enter the room, she looks up and in a moment she takes in some of the situation. "What has happened?" she asks, stepping forward.

Mary slips her arm around Liliana's shoulders, holding her close.

"I'm sorry to have to inform you that Professor Adamson won't be returning."

She sits Liliana down, and stands with her hands on the girl's shoulders.

"When we came to you earlier in the week, unknown to me, Dristan told you the most terrible lie. This wasn't a simple family inheritance thing, this was ... dealing with demons. I know he contacted you before school returned. Well, he, and his cousin Darius, and Liliana, decided now was the time to deal with it, having found more information. I went along to try and help."

She pauses a moment, then continues.

"When we got to this uncharted island off Portsmouth, there was some magic around it that wouldn't let me step foot. So the three went alone. There was ... " she looks at Liliana ... "I didn't see it, but the end result was both Dristan and Darius gone."

Mary squeezes Liliana's shoulders in reassurance.

Lili sits down in chair that Mary had led her too. The hands were reassuring as she looked at the headmistress and listening to Mary's words as she explained what she could.

"I'm so sorry we lied Headmistress. I didn't think he was going to do that." She tries to regain herself. She needed to explain what was happening. "The pact was from an ancestor who we found out was Dristan's Grandfather. For power and money. Anyone with Adamson Blood would be cursed. Darius is my Biological father- and Dristan's Cousin." She takes a deep breath and sighs.

"We walked to the island, following a path. Mary, and Raven were unable to step foot on the island. We can do a clearing with some sort of alter on it. Darius- who had more of a problem being around magic touched the alter that was filled with blood. Before I knew it Dristan and Darius were fighting. I was stunned, and lay there to watch helpless, until Dristan managed to break me free...Darius--He--He wanted to shoot another spell at me and Dristan jumped in front of it to save me." The tears flowed as she buried her face into her hands before taking her hands down staring at the floor "He told me he loved me and kissed my forehead before he shoved me behind one of the pillars for protection. He couldn't even get the spell out before there was an explosion....and Both of them were gone...The bond I had with him was shattered. I feel like i'm going to unhinge like i don't have control over anything anymore..."

McGonagall kept her resolve throughout much of the explanation but paled a little when Liliana talked of being stunned while her father and cousin were fighting. She moved to her desk and gripped the edge tightly as she listened to the rest of the tale. Part of her could hardly comprehend Dristan losing a duel, but if he was distracted by focusing on the girls defence and hesitant to face off against his own blood.. She would not say that of course, speculation helped nobody at this time.

"We shall get you down to the hospital wing shortly, a calming draft and something to help you sleep dreamlessly at least sounds essential dear." she says, addressing Liliana.

"The lie is unimportant, I was aware of it and still gave permission for you to leave. As such I bear some responsability for this turn of events." steely resolve flashed in the old womans eyes as she straightened up, standing tall. She fixed her gaze on Mary for a moment, something had certainly changed in her over the summer and this would certainly not help. "I have one other question which I am afraid I must ask." Mcgonagall hesitated, "His letter detailed how these.. demons come into the world. Should we be alarmed and on the defensive?" she asked.

"I trust Liliana when she says hers is gone. And I saw no sign of anything else on the island. Though," she looks at Liliana, "the one that was mentioned that came from Dristan's father ... would that still be roaming?"

Lili looks to Mary as she speaks. "I never thought about that. She may still be around, but I dont think there is any connection to the Adamson family anymore. She may just be lost..." She looks to the headmistress and nods.

"You can keep it if you'd like for your tests. I dont' know what I would use it for honestly" She whispered. "I dont even know what it is, Except the hilt to a sword" She looks to Mary and back to the older women for a moment. "He deserves to be remembered Headmistress. For everything he as done for this school. For his service both as a student at the battle of Hogwarts as well as his teachings here..." The tears fall again. "He should never be forgotten..."

"He will be remembered." The Headmistress' agreed, her tone firm, "He had always been a grand addition to Hogwarts, both as a student and as a professor. He performed many great deeds in his life and will always be a hero in my books. Rest assured those will be what he is remembered for."

She looks to Mary, "I will talk with them, Professor. Feel free to cancel any classes for the current period and take any time you need, class schedules will be haphazard for awhile in any case I expect."

"I am sorry for both your loss," she finishes in softly tones, "It is a loss to a great many, but never more than family." she nods, including Mary in that sentiment and then waves for the pair to leave. She had a lot to do now herself, including finding the time to grieve herself. As much as she valued her position, it was not an easy one.

McGonagall nodded and then looked to Mary, "Make sure to tell whoever is in the hospital wing to give Miss Garcia all the privacy she needs and if you don't mind, see if you can fetch some spare clothes for her as well before you retire."