AN: I have to explain some of this before you continue reading. I am a big ADMM shipper and that's why this one is on them. I'm also a huge fan of The Mists of Avalon. So I will be using the Avalon legend in this story. Okay? Okay. So with that said a lot of this will have Celtic beliefs in it. Well enjoy.
This was rated for later issues and scenes. If this were a movie rating system it would be 14A.
"That is all for today, class. Please remember to read pages 45 to 65 for tomorrow." Instructed the transfiguration Professor Albus Dumbledore. He watched his students begin to pack their bags before he sat down at his desk and pulled out a quill. He continued from there to pull out an unfinished letter. Dabbing his quill in the ink pot he began to finish the reply to his father.
Immersed in his letter he hardly noticed when his class left and a young witch walked up to his desk. "Um… Professor?"
He looked up at her. "Yes Ms McGonagall?
"I will not be here tomorrow."
"Why is that?"
"My family believes in the Goddess and it is custom for us to attend Beltane."
"I am quite aware of that. As you know I see you every year at the festival." He said with gentle amusement at her explanation.
She blushed slightly. "Yes, I know."
"Then you also know that the celebrations are not until Saturday and there is no reason for you to miss your Fridays. Even if you are a seventh year and only have my class to attend tomorrow."
"Yes, Sir, I know, but my mother wishes to take me out a day early. I don't know why." Except she did know why, and he could see that.
"Very well, then I am safe to assume she talked to the Headmaster already?"
"Yes, sir."
"Well tomorrow we were going to take notes on what you are supposed to read tonight. I think it's safe to say you can make your own notes."
"Yes, Professor, I have to get to potions now."
"Of course go on." Minerva McGonagall turned her back on her favorite teacher and began to walk to potions.
She didn't like to lie to him, but she had to. She couldn't quite tell him what she was leaving a day early for. It was difficult enough to cope with. It wasn't through shame, but more embarrassment and anxiousness that she denied him the information. Though he probably already knew, since he is a friend of the family. The old ways kept most of the families close.
Minerva couldn't help but think about her task. It was her mother before her and her grandmother before her mother. It was a family tradition you could say. She was of age and it was a final rite of passage. At Beltane, that weekend, she would play the part of the Virgin Huntress.
A very sacred role in her beliefs, her job was to be taken to bed by the Stag King so that the Goddess may use her body to begin spring. It is very rare that the Virgin Huntress is not with child after the night. Which is very true, since Minerva herself was a child of Beltane. That meant her father was the Stag King.
Minerva knew that the man her mother was married to was not her real father and her younger siblings were only her half brothers or sisters, but that was fine. She had always considered them her family and never hated them for not being either her real father or full blood siblings.
The one thing about the ceremony Minerva didn't understand was why she needed a whole day to prepare for it. Her mother said nothing and would only smile in a mysterious all knowing sense. So Minerva had to wait in curiosity as usual.
She got down to the dungeons ready to explain to Professor Slughorn that she needed to talk to Professor Dumbledore. It wouldn't matter anyway; Professor Slughorn favored her and would simply tell her not to worry. Minerva was close to the classroom when one of her friends came around the corner.
"Min, there's no potions today. Professor Slughorn is sick."
"Really? That's great. I suppose we have the afternoon off then?"
"Yes."
"Why don't we go down to the lake for a while?" Minerva suggested.
"Alright, I bet Tom will be there."
"He maybe."
She gave Minerva a 'look'. "Don't act like you don't want to see him. I know what happened between you too last weak at Hogsmeade."
"Poppy, nothing happened." Minerva groaned. "I've told you a dozen times."
"So, it's common to walk up to a Slytherin a kiss him then sit with him for hours holding hands."
"Oh Shut up." Poppy beamed with triumph and linked her arm with Minerva's and they began to walk down to the lake.
