Disclaimer: I don't own anyone aside from Amelia Grey. J.K Rowling owns all.
Author's Note: A one-shot featuring Minerva and Hermione in a Mentor/Student relationship as Minerva reminisces about Amelia Grey. This can't really be connected to This Is War although it involves Minerva and Amelia (but as a normal witch) but aside from that its a one-shot.
Reviews as always welcomed, constructive criticism welcome also. Flames not so much.
Hermione Granger slipped quietly out of the Gryffindor common room and made her way to the private chambers of Professor Minerva McGonagall, who she had noticed looked rather forlorn at dinner; well more-so than normal and she was determined to find out what was troubling her mentor. The consequences of being out of bed beyond curfew didn't really register with Hermione until she was standing outside Professor McGonagall's chambers staring at the portrait to which she didn't know the password to. Sighing she began to pace a little wondering what to do when to her dismay the very person she had come to see appeared at the end of the corridor,
"Miss Granger, what are you doing out of bed? Its after curfew?" came the familiar Scottish brogue of the Deputy Headmistress,
"I wanted to check that you were all right, you seemed a little sad at dinner in the Great Hall" came Hermione's reply, her cheeks reddening a little at having been caught breaking the rules,
"Whilst I don't condone breaking the rules to see me, I suppose I can spare you a few minutes and perhaps a cup of tea?" she smiled slightly as she reached the portrait, "Ginger Newts" she said aloud causing the portrait to move aside for her, "After you Miss Granger" she added ushering the young witch through the portrait hole before following along behind.
Professor McGonagall motioned for Hermione to take a seat in the chair near the fireplace which had been stoked by a house elf a few moments before Professor McGonagall arrived as she summoned the tea and a plate of ginger newts before sitting in the chair opposite her favourite student,
"I received some rather sad news just before dinner about an old friend. I'm sorry to have caused you concern Hermione, it wasn't my intention" she smiled softly as she reached for her tea and took a sip whilst waiting on Hermione's reply,
"I'm sorry to hear that Professor, were you close?" she asked taking her own cup from the table and blowing on the rim before taking a sip and placing the cup of tea back down, looking up at Professor McGonagall to see any sort of reaction to her words, hazel eyes stared intently into emerald green until Professor McGonagall cleared her throat,
"Yes, we were close but circumstances kept us from being together." she paused looking away from Hermione and toward her book shelf, "Accio Photograph Album" within a matter of seconds an old photograph album flew from the shelf into Professor McGonagall's lap, she smiled at Hermione as she leafed through the album until her hand stilled on a familiar face smiling back at her covered in mud from head to toe and sporting a broomstick; she turned the album toward her student who leant forward to take a look smiling at the goofiness of the expression on the young woman's face.
"Ravenclaw had beaten Hufflepuff in a well contested match, the only down side was the atrocious Scottish weather. The morning had been bright and sunny but come time for the match, the clouds had darkened and the rain had truly set in. She was the chaser, very skilled on a broomstick but not even she could out run the weather and came off her broom twice if I do recall." the soft chuckle that sounded from Professor McGonagall surprised Hermione, never before had she seen her Professor so relaxed and that's when she realised she wasn't in the company of Professor Minerva McGonagall, no far from it she was in the company of Minerva McGonagall and it was a heart warming situation to behold,
"Although Ravenclaw didn't win the Quidditch Cup that year, Gryffindor did much to her chagrin but at the end of the day that didn't matter because she had the most prized possession of all, me. We shared similar interests in regard to Transfiguration and Quidditch, started out as friends and study partners in the library before the relationship grew into something more; she was bright student and so right for Ravenclaw but she held a deep sense of pride that would have seen her make a good Gryffindor. There was a year between us, she was a second year whilst I was a first year and our relationship blossomed over the years. We didn't get intimate until her last night on the grounds and she promised me then she would return in one year to sweep me of my feet but she never came." at this a lone tear fell down Minerva's cheek and onto the photograph still staring back at her,
"I've waited fifty years for news and I can feel my heart breaking all over again as the news I received before dinner doesn't give cause for hope. Amelia was sent upon by two Death Eaters and although Kingsley can't confirm it he believes her to be dead, but there is no sign of her. But I'm getting ahead of myself, Amelia Grey was some extraordinary although she herself would never admit that to anyone. Upon her graduation she went to work for the Ministry of Magic and that was the last I heard from her, she's been doing secret work for the Ministry and is rarely in the country but something keeps her from coming back to me. I know she's checked up on me for Kingsley has told me as much but not even he will divulge what it is she has been working on and now I'm presented with the news of her possible death and I can't help but feel a little saddened." she shook her head, glassy emerald eyes making contact with hazel eyes that were glistening with tears, "Oh Miss Granger, I didn't mean to upset you." and without thinking she pulled her young student into her arms in an embrace they stayed like this for a moment before Minerva pulled away,
"I'm sorry Professor, she sounds like a wonderful person and I do hope that Kingsley is incorrect. You deserve to be happy." she offered Minerva a weak smile as a loud 'CRACK' echoed in Minerva's chambers,
"Mistress, there's a woman here to see you. She's by the lake and refuses to come in from the rain. She says the mud is a good look for her" and with that the house elf disapparated leaving Minerva staring at the space he occupied in disbelief before Hermione brought her out of revere,
"Professor..Minerva..I think she's by the lake and waiting to see you." she managed lightly grasping Minerva's hand,
"Will you come with me Miss Granger, I could use the support" she spoke softly as she reached for her outer cloak, transfiguring a similar cloak for Hermione as they both left the warmth of her chambers and headed down to the lake.
XXXX
Amelia was pacing, something which she hated doing but there wasn't much else to do whilst waiting for Minerva McGonagall to arrive; she had outwitted two Death Eaters to get here although the after effects of the crucio curse could still be felt she was glad to be within the school grounds once more. It had been fifty years or thereabouts since she had last set foot on this hallowed ground, fifty years since she broke a promise to the woman she loved and now fifty bloody years later she hoped to set right that wrong. Amelia had checked of course throughout the years on the life of her beloved Minerva, pleased in the notion that she hadn't married but also saddened by the fact. Her career in teaching and her deeds for the Order of Phoenix had all been well documented, the incident with Umbridge and the Auror's had enraged Amelia and if hadn't been for the then Minster of Magic Fudge who had somehow managed to calm her temper she would have been on the grounds of Hogwarts within minutes to take care of the woman but Fudge had forbade her to leave the Ministry sparing Umbridge her wrath. She had watched from the shadows as Minerva fought to be well again and smiled in delight when she returned to Hogwarts to teach, but now she hoped to set right her own wrong against this magnificent woman.
Slowly Professor McGonagall and Miss Granger made their way to the lake, emerald eyes spotting the woman pacing nervously from a few feet away. She turned to Hermione and spoke softly,
"Wait here, Miss Granger." with a nod Hermione remained where she was as Minerva hurried along to the pacing woman, her figure was unmistakeable. Even from this distance Minerva knew who was waiting for her and it warmed her heart a little,
"Amelia?" she enquired as she neared, the woman stopped pacing at her voice and turned toward it walking briskly until she was within an inch of Minerva,
"Min, I...I'm...sorry" she managed before she started sobbing, the pain of the last fifty years finally catching up with her as she stood before the woman who still held her heart,
"I tried so many times to come back but the Ministry wouldn't allow it. It took two Death Eaters trying to kill me before I wound up back here, by Merlin I'm sorry" the sobs had subsided and Minerva studied Amelia closely looking for any signs that would indicate she was lying but found none,
"Kingsley sent word, he believes you dead Amelia" came Minerva's taunt reply, to which Amelia visibly stiffened,
"Well Kingsley can think what he likes, I'm done with the Ministry. I want my life back and the people that matter most in that life back too." she looked up bright glassy blue eyes locking with emerald green just like they had all those years ago across a crowded Great Hall after the Sorting, a soft smile from one causing the other to grin, "I know I have a lot to make up for but I want to know if there's a chance for me and you Min? I never gave up on loving you." she added taking a step back from Minerva to allow her space before her eyes fell upon Miss Granger who was still rooted to the spot but trying very hard to listen in, "Unless I'm too late?" she managed causing Minerva to follow her gaze to Hermione,
"Miss Granger, I'd like you to meet Amelia Grey. Former Ministry employee and an ex-Ravenclaw student at Hogwarts." Minerva beckoned Hermione to come forward toward them, which she did with slight trepidation until she extended her hand toward Amelia who shook it,
"A muggle-born witch I see, ah I sense a great destiny ahead for you my young friend. Brightest Witch of the Age according to some but don't let that title scare you." she chuckled releasing Hermione's hand who just blushed a deeper red,
"Pleasure to meet you Miss Grey" she stumbled over the words a little until Amelia chuckled again,
"No need to be so formal, its Amelia" at which Hermione smiled widely and nodded looking toward Professor McGonagall who was still admiring Amelia a great deal,
"Hermione is a trusted student and someday I'd like to call her a most trusted friend, she's helped me realise a lot this evening and for that I'm grateful but I really must be escorting Miss Granger back to Gryffindor Tower, you are more than welcome to accompany us and then we can talk about us and our future. There's always a chance Amelia, if we're both willing to take it." she smiled at Hermione and then held out her arm, Amelia took the offered arm and some of Minerva's weight knowing full well that the elder witch would not admit to needing help despite the lasting effect of the Stunner's she encountered as they began the walk back to the castle.
Arriving at the portrait of the Fat Lady, Hermione bid good night to both the Professor and Amelia before uttering the password and disappearing from sight. Amelia then proceeded to walk Minerva back to her private chambers, who was still leaning quite heavily on her arm. Uttering the password as they reached the portrait Amelia guided Minerva to the chair by the fire before taking up residence in the other, her eyes taking in the woman before her before they settled on the photograph,
"I didn't know you still had that, those were some good days" she smiled glancing up at Minerva who seemed to be studying her,
"Fifty years is a long time Amelia, not one letter nor owl. Nothing. And yet here you are back at Hogwarts and I'm not entirely sure what to make of it, you made a promise to come back for me and you never did. I was made to look like a fool on my graduation as I waited for you, if it wasn't for Albus then I don't know where I'd be today." she looked pointedly at Amelia whose eyes still sparkled and whose hair was still as black as it had been all those years ago although it was greying slightly, her robes were torn from having fought Death Eaters this night but her figure was still as alluring as it had been that night before she left. Old feelings that had never truly left began to resurface as the light from the fire reflected off Amelia's frame and despite her hesitance there had been a reason for her loneliness over the years, no one compared to Amelia and if there was a chance to re-kindle that flame then Minerva McGonagall was going to take it.
"I owe Albus Dumbledore for taking care of you I admit but the circumstances of me not returning were beyond my control and I cannot speak of the work I did for the Ministry just know that I don't plan on returning. I've lost too many years of my life to my work, now its time to make up for lost time and to right a very old wrong." she smiled at Minerva who seemed to understand which department Amelia had worked for since leaving Hogwarts, she reached forward and clasped Amelia's hand,
"Minerva, I want to make it up to you. I've kept going all these years in the hope that I could come back to you. I love you Min, no matter how many years have passed your still the only witch for me. Can you ever think of loving me again? Of allowing me the chance to show you what you mean to me?" the tears she'd been holding back began to fall softly as she made her confession to the woman who meant so much to her and soon she was enveloped into a loving embrace,
"Amelia, I never stopped loving you and I don't think I'm going to start now. We have the rest of our lives together, lets not waste another minute." Minerva held her lover tightly, wanting Amelia to understand the depths of her feelings and to let her know that she wasn't going anywhere.
Fifty years might seem like an eternity to some, but to Minerva and Amelia fifty years just allowed their hearts to grow fonder.
At breakfast, Hermione noticed that Professor McGonagall looked happier than the previous night and on occasion her eyes darted across to the Ravenclaw table where Amelia was happily chatting away to the students before her eyes met Hermione's; she finished the conversation she was having before arriving at the Gryffindor table and sitting down next to Hermione which caused the young woman to blush considerably,
"I just wanted to thank you for last night, you being there for Minerva means a lot and I know she values your friendship although she won't call it that until school's out. Know you'll always have a friend in me if you need it Hermione" she smiled and gently squeezed the young woman's hand before getting up and heading out of the Great Hall, Minerva nodded once at Hermione to let her know all was well as breakfast continued in earnest. Hermione was glad to know that things had worked out between the two witches, for with the upcoming war everyone needed to stick together; she only hoped that it didn't bring heartbreak for her mentor.