Disclaimer: I do not owe anything but the flash of inspiration for this story. Characters and potential theories are in the ownership of others.
A/N: It is my first HG/MM and it has been a long time since i wrote my last fanfiction. (7 or 8 years). So, do try to be nice. If someone wants to Beta, please pm me.
Dubito, ergo cogito, ergo sum.
Prologue
It was an icy, late October afternoon when a slight disturbance in the wards around the castle woke Minerva from her light slumber. Someone had touched the gates and pleaded for entry. Slightly disorientated, she noticed she must have fallen asleep on her desk, exhausted after yet another night of nightmares and regrets, in the middle of a draft for a response letter to Mr Potter… Harry She corrected herself, smiling warmly. It has been many years of friendship and shared longing that allowed this familiarity with the young auror, but she still sometimes forgot that he was not anymore the child she once knew.
As she stood, her wandering eyes flew to the picture sitting on the right side corner of the bureau. It has been so long… Laughing back at her were the faces of her favourite trio, still innocent and untouched by the horrors they had to overcome during war. The pain they endured left many horrific memories, but, at last, they moved on. Ronald had opened up his own shop, finding peace in creating new board games and writing a book about chess strategies. He was engaged to Lavender and looked forward to married life. Harry was now happily married to Ginerva, enjoying the experiences of late-night-cravings and on-setting nerves of a soon-to-be father. In his letter, he asked her to be stand-in-godmother and informed her of yet another failure to find her.
Hermione… The third face looking up to her, the face of the person she searched for, since 17 years. In the aftermath of the last battle that destroyed the castle and took so much from his inhabitants and defenders, the brain of the Golden Trio, the brightest witch of their age, the woman she secretly loved, Hermione… disappeared. At first they thought she had been kidnapped, raiding for weeks homes of known death-eaters to find a trace of the bushy-haired girl. It wasn't until, on a Sunday after dinner at the Burrow, a rather large Gyrfalcon landed on Minerva's shoulder, with a short notice, that they stopped looking. Don't look for me. I need some distance. Please, do not worry. Love, Hermione The words were branded into her memories. She did worry and after 10 months of waiting Minerva started searching again. Harry joined her quest after three years of no contact with his best friend, but they never found her. Where are you my love?
Minerva shook herself from her thoughts, as the castle alerted her again of the presence outside the wards and strode rapidly down to the entry hall and out to the grounds in direction of the gates. Although the last years were peaceful ones, they knew that the surviving forces of the Dark Lord were still out there and every one in a while started another futile attempt to avenge their dead master, so the Headmistress proceeded carefully as she neared the large iron entry to Hogwarts' grounds. As she neared, she noticed that a slim female figure stood in the shadows on the other side, her face turned to the setting sun. Dark, wavy hair moved slightly in the cold wind as hands buried deeper into the pockets of a dark, longish winter coat. Minerva frowned. The silhouette was familiar, however the sharp aristocratic features and violet eyes that focused on her when Minerva opened the gates and stepped carefully closer, were entirely unknown to her.
"Good afternoon, Headmistress." The greeting was said with a slight accent Minerva could not place. German? French? Neither, but close to both… Wand in hand, she suspiciously eyed the person in front of her.
"Good afternoon, may I ask wh…" Minerva tried to inquire about the name and the business of the woman who had turned fully towards her.
"Call me Jeaine Baillis, for the moment." The stranger interrupted. "I need your advice and help, Min… Headmistress." The almost slip caused a raised eyebrow. "I will explain everything in your office, but this is not the place. It's not safe outside the wards." The woman threw a nervous look around the place where they stood. "Please trust me." The look of hope mixed with fear, as Minerva's green eyes met mysterious violet, evoked a strange feeling in her heart, and against her better judgment, she nodded her acceptance and allowed the woman entry to the school. Relief showed in a short unguarded moment on the unknown face and Minerva could have sworn the violet colour flashed to golden-brown for only a second as the woman stepped into the light of the setting sun and the safety of the ancient magic of the castle.
A/N: anyone an idea, who Jeaine is?