The first of September had finally arrived and with it, Minerva McGonagall's first day as Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Minerva wasn't one to be tensed by responsibilities or challenges. She had always worn Gryffindor's values with pride. A stern and reserved pride, but with pride nevertheless. No, what really did startle Minerva this morning as she rearranged the collar of her robes for the fifth time that hour, was to face those students who had fought on
her side a few months earlier. To face them and be forced to treat them like any other student.
At first, she had expected that handling the Slytherins would be the most difficult task of this year. But now that she was just about to give her first speech as Headmistress, she had finally realised that facing those who fought the battle was going to be much more of a challenge than facing those who shunt and lost.
The first day back at Hogwarts went on as normally as it could be, given the circumstances. And so did the following. The school had rarely counted so little students, especially in the house of Slytherin. Their Head of House, Narcissa Malfoy, had taken the job after professor Snape in order to prove her will to change the reputation of her family. Minerva had accepted, given that Narcissa herself had never actually been a Death Eater. Plus, she was more than happy to be able to keep an eye over those who had been the closest to the Dark Lord and survived the battle.
Nevertheless, given the lack of work she had as a Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher since the number of students dropped dramatically, Narcissa Malfoy had taken the habit of socialising with those who once were her archenemies. At first, she was to be seen an equal amount of time with about all students from Draco's year who had decided to retake their NEWTs this year. But by the end of September, Minerva kept walking in on Narcissa and the same young woman every time she entered the teacher's lounge.
Indeed, Narcissa Malfoy had found no better than to cosy up with no other than Hermione Granger.
At first, Minerva had feared that Hermione would be taken aback at the thought of hobnobing with Bellatrix Lestrange's sister and Draco Malfoy's mother. But the more she saw the two women together, the more she was forced to believe that they actually developed a common liking for one another. And yet, Minerva's uneasiness hadn't been resolved at this thought. It rather was the pure opposite.
By the beginning of october, the Headmistress had grown so worried and distressed by this curious relationship that she was considering convoking one of the two women into her office. Yet her professional and cautious side still held her from acting since she was forced to admit that no harm had been done. Maybe, she thought to herself, Miss Granger will discuss this with Mr Potter and Weasley and both will realise the silliness of their friendship. If friendship really was the adequate word.
« You seem particularly worried today, Minerva » stated Professor Dumbledore from the painting closest to Minerva's desk.
She cautiously looked up to him over her spectacles. Could the former Headmaster possibly be a satisfactory discussion partner for this situation?
« Do you sometimes visit your other frames around the castle, Albus? »
« I do enjoy paying a visit to Poppy from time to time. »
« And would you maybe have had achance to observe some of the latest social standards in our corridors? »
« I might be mistaken, but could it be that you are alluding to Mrs Malfoy's and Miss Granger's newborn affection for one another? Poppy did mention that you have been keeping quite sceptical about Narcissa Malfoy's latest persona. »
Minerva's nostrils dilated for a split second, but she quickly managed to get a hold of her emotions.
« Of course I have, Albus! Wouldn't you, if you were in my shoes? »
« Well Minerva, I would rather be interested in questionning just why you feel so concerned. Miss Granger is more than of age, she is a brilliant witch and a very wise young woman. I do believe that she is quite capable of taking her own life decisions. »
The Headmistress kept quiet for a few second, starring at Albus' oil painted compassionate smile.
« Well I … »
She was lacking the words to express her confused feelings. In fact, to be completely honest with herself, she had to admit that Albus did have a point there. Why did she really care so much about this affair?
« But why Narcissa? What can she possibly offer Hermione that another couldn't? »
« Do you mean to say that you couldn't? »
Minerva turned slightly red and quickly diverted from the older wizard.
« Don't be ridiculous Albus. »
The former Headmaster only smirked a little wider and the conversation never took on.
Yet, Minerva couldn't keep his words out of her mind. Especially as Filius came into her office later that day, informing her that, as strange as it sounded, Hermione Granger had just started personal lessons with professor Malfoy. It had been the last push to break her inner barriers.
The last classes of the day had just ended that Minerva was already waiting in front of her DADA classroom. Mr Longbottom and all the other seventh year students passed by their Headmistress and respectfully greeted her, but of course Hermione had stayed behind in the classroom. As her two friends finally decided to wait for her in the Gryffindor Common Room, leaving Hermione alone with her teacher, Minerva stepped inside the classroom.
At first, she had planned to question her colleague and leave Hermione out of this, but her plans quickly changed as she found the young witch in the older one's embrace. On a closer look, Narcissa did only seem to be guiding Hermione's movements as shetried to take in a new spell, but to Minerva it came down to the same.
« Mrs Malfoy, I am very sorry to interrupt your … teachings. Could I possibly borrow Miss Granger for a second? »
Both women turned around a little too abruptly to Minerva's liking. And Hermione's sudden flush wasn't helping her dissenting mood. The young witch took a step from her teacher and faintly nodded before collecting her belongings. Prior to leaving the classroom, she turned around a last time.
« I guess I will see you at diner then, Narcissa. »
« My pleasure » the Malfoy nodded.
Minerva didn't even realize she was rolling her eyes at them before Narcissa cocked an eyebrow towards her. She definitely wasn't her usual self lately. She then quickly turned and headed to her personal quarters.
« Am I in some sort of trouble, professor? » asked Hermione, who was following her rapid pace with difficulty.
« I thought that I had already told you to call me Minerva, Miss Granger. »
« Well … I assumed that you being Headmistress, I could not allow myself to … Plus, you stopped calling me by my first name too, so I thought … »
They had finally reached Minerva's chambers as she turned over to Hermione.
« Please take a seat, I will prepare us some tea » she proposed, avoiding the subject.
Hermione shrugged and followed her Headmistress' orders, taking place in one of the two red velvet armchairs facing each other around a small wooden table.
« So, why did you summon me here tonight, professor? Is it about the Gryffindor common room? Because I tried telling the boys to keep the Butterbeer for the week-ends, but they won't listen tome, Headgirl or not, since they became of age, it has become difficult to … »
« No Miss Granger, it is not about the bloody boys! I am sure that you are doing your best, given that you refused to have the House-elves taking care of it. »
« What is it then? »she questioned, startled by her tone, as Minerva poured them two fuming cups of English Breakfast.
Minerva swallowed quite harshly and took place in the second armchair. Suddenly her vendetta seemed particularly shallow and ridiculous to say out loud.
« I … I am quite concerned about your recent frequentations, that is all. We haven't really spoken at all since the school year started. »
Minerva could have sworn that her young student was about to laugh at her honest concern, but if she had planned to, her face rapidly turned back to its usual impassive self.
« I suppose that you are thinking about Narcissa. »
The older women's eye rose to the ceiling before she could even control her face's reactions.
« I am sorry, I meant to say Professor Malfoy » Hermione corrected.
« If she has allowed you to call her Narcissa, it is your free right to do so Hermione. I don't have a saying about this. »
Hermione looked down to her cup for a few seconds before taking a sip, unable to keep immobile. What was the Headmistress building up to?
« I do admit that my friendship with Mrs Malfoy can seem quite odd. Harry and Ron strongly disapprove of it. But she is an excellent teacher, given her real life experience. Plus, she has been quite helpful at getting rid of … this » Hermione explained, pushing her left sleeve up to reveal a faint scar. « She knows her sister's ways and how to cure them. She told me that in a few months, there won't be a single trace of it left. She really has changed with the war, prof … Minerva. »
« I understand. Well, I believe I do. But why didn't you turn to Mrs Pomfrey or … me? »
« Somehow it was easier talking to her, since she had actually been there. This way, I wasn't forced to retell it. She already knew. »
Hermione's voice had lowered with every word, merely a whisper on the end. Minerva softened instantly and instinctively reached for the young witch's uncovered forearm. Hermione did not retreat as the older woman's thumb brushed over the sensitive skin, though she did shiver quite blatantly. As the Headmistress realized what she had allowed herself to do, she looked up to her student only to find her already gazing at her.
« You know, I really wanted to come and see you. On the first day back at Hogwarts, instantly. But seeing you up there, giving your speech on that day, I didn't feel like I could. Suddenly, you weren't Minerva anymore, the one I fought and risked my lifewith, you were Headmistress McGonagall. I just felt like your title had dug an inevitable gulf between us. Nar … Professor Malfoy on the other hand, seemed much more accessible. I saw her on a daily basis, while you spent most of your time in your office. I tried visiting you once, but couldn't remember the password for the gargoyle and… »
« Hermione … » Minerva softly stopped her. « I understand. You don't have to justify your actions. I am sorry that I wasted your time here. You are perfectly right; I cannot force you to still find in your heart the closeness we used to share. I am verysorry. »
Hermione's eyes widened in shock and she reached for Minerva's hand.
« I am the one who is sorry. Don't get me wrong; Narcissa is extremely smart and helpful, but she is nowhere close to what I have always seen in you. She is no valid replacement. She and I do not share the history you and I have been through. I … I missed you every second since I first left Hogwarts after the battle. »
« Hermione … Please chose your words more wisely, my dear. It merely sounds like you were implying some … things … you certainly do not want to imply » Minerva tempered her, retreating her hand for the younger woman's embrace.
