Minerva strolled the halls, looking for nothing in particular but something. And then she found it; the misshaped tapestry. She quickly transformed into her cat alias and slipped through. This particular passage led out of the castle and Minerva needed to get out of the castle and she didn't need anyone to see her.
Once out of the castle, Minerva ran the perimeter of the stone wall to the gates. It was nearing dark but her little journey would take her at least an hour. When she reached the gates, she slipped through them and transformed back into her human self. She walked to the apparation point near the Hog's Head. When she reached it, she turned and disappeared.
When she appeared again, she was standing in a park full of trees. She changed back into a cat again and wandered out. A map stood at the end of the street so she went to investigate. She needed to find 4 Privet Drive. Once she located it on the map, she trotted away. Seeing it, she leapt on the garden wall and sat, stiff and erect.
She sat there for an hour, before she found what she had been waiting for. A man with a long silver beard and long silver hair strolled out of a patch of trees and flicked open what looked like a cigarette lighter. But, it wasn't. The nearest light on the street went out. The man continued this until there was no light up and down the street. He strolled forward, popping a lemon drop in his mouth as he went. He then saw the cat on the wall.
"I should have known you would be here, Professor McGonagall."
Minerva changed back into her human form, walking up to match the man's pace.
"Are the rumors true, Albus?"
"I'm afraid so, Minerva."
"And the boy?"
"Hagrid is bringing him."
"Do you think it wise, to trust Hagrid with something like this?"
"My dear, I would trust Hagrid with my life."
No sooner had he said it, then a loud noise was heard above their heads. Minerva and Albus looked up, only to see a bright light and the large form of Hagrid. He skidded to a halt on the enlarged motorbike, a blue bundle in his arms.
"There were no problems I assume."
"The li'l tyke fell asleep jus' as we were flyin' over Bristol."
Albus walked forward and to gather the bundle in his arms. Minerva was close at his side, tears pooling in her eyes.
"Must we leave him here, Albus? I've watched them for a long while. They're the worst sort of muggles imaginable. They really are –"
"The only family he's got."
"He's got us."
"We aren't really family."
"We're as good as."
Albus had reached the doorstep and gently placed the sleeping boy on the doorstep. He reached in his pocket and placed a letter into the folds of the blanket. As they stood up, Albus whispered.
"Good luck, Harry Potter."
Once the deed was done, the three adults turned away and parted. Minerva changed back into her cat form, not wanting Albus to see her tears. Everything had changed, ever since the war started. Her once calm and cool demeanor changed into a hard, rocky shell she hid behind to hide her pain. No one had noticed really, but Albus. He had noticed right away; once her parents and brothers had been killed, she collapsed into herself. Never letting anyone see who she really was. He hardly go to see that part of her anymore, and when he did, it was only for a few fleeting seconds. Now that the Potters were dead, the shell had hardened tenfold. She would let anyone in, not even Albus, for he had made it so much harder by putting Harry with those people.
As she walked back to her apparation point, Minerva heard the wailing of a small child; a small child she had held in her arms not so long ago. She slowly turned, and with her feline grace, sprinted back to Harry. When she reached him, she found the sight of him heartbreaking. He was wailing loudly, little tears pouring down his cheeks. Minerva ran her soft head against his cheek, willing him to calm. Slowly his whimpering stopped and he was soon calmed. He looked around, his eyes searching everything.
"Mmmmma."
Minerva almost meowed in pain, but stopped herself.
"Mama Min."
Minerva nuzzled his cheek again, to reassure him that she was there. Slowly, he fell asleep, a contented smile on his face. Minerva knew if Albus found out that she was here, he would be very upset, so she walked away, her head hung low, to her departure point. She transformed again, into the beautiful woman she really was. Her hair was raven colored and her eyes the brightest of emerald. Tonight however, they shown with tears, regret and grief as well, which turned them a darker shade then ever before. She turned again and was outside of the gates. She slowly opened them, her handkerchief pressed firmly to her eyes. As she trudged the familiar path, she caught sight of Albus' silver hair and knew he was waiting for her. She really wanted to go to him, but her new hardened shell stopped her. She stopped in her tracks, and stared at him. He motioned her to come forward but her legs were not cooperating. She really did want to, but she also knew that if she did, they would begin fighting about Harry. So, she did the only thing she could think of and turned into a cat and ran to the secret entrance to the castle.
Albus watched her disappear with a pop. He dropped his head and walked inside. There would be no evening chess game tonight. But, he also knew there wouldn't be any for a while. The way Minerva was acting showed him that she was retreating into herself even more. So, he made his way to his office, hoping to have a cup of hot chocolate before bed.
As Minerva made her way to her room, she was slowly regretting Albus' comfort. But, she had wanted to take Harry home with her so badly and she couldn't stand Albus' decision, so she knew it was best not to face him. She made it to her rooms, then, she collapsed on the sofa. Tears ran down her face and onto her small tartan pillow.
"Oh, Harry, Mama Min loves you very much, but I can't have you. I'm so sorry."
Heavy sobs wracked her body. As she cried, she slowly got drowsy. Her eyelids drooped and she slowly fell asleep.
When Albus reached his office, he walked up the stairs to his private rooms. He changed into his pajamas, combed his beard and hair and went to bed. But, he couldn't sleep, so he turned on his light and read his book for a while. As strange as it seemed, he sensed something was wrong with Minerva, or something was out of place with her. He got out of bed and walked to his office. He opened the special cabinet he had that allowed him to see into the sitting rooms of his teachers. He picked placed Minerva's figurine in the center and waited for the image to come into view. Slowly he saw into her sitting room. What he found surprised him. Minerva was lying on her sofa, her traveling clothes still on. He shook his head and let out a sigh. He went back to his room and put on a robe. He made his way to Minerva's room. He spoke out the password to her portrait and stepped inside. He lifted her up and carried her to her bedroom. He placed her on the bed, then took of her boots. Then he transfigured her day robe into a suitable nightgown. He unwound her black hair, running his fingers through the silky tresses. Normally, people would take her for a woman well into middle age, but Minerva was in fact only thirty-one. Once her hair was free of it's tight confines, she looked years younger than when it was up. She had only started wearing her hair this tightly upon her head when the war had started. He was unsure why, but he was sure there was some explanation behind it. All he had to do was get through her shell. Easier said than done. As his fingers trailed down her cheek, she stirred. Albus pulled back his hand.
"I'm here, Harry. Mama Min is here."
Albus almost broke down then, hearing her say that. Had he really not paid that close attention to the interaction between the two? Obviously not. So, he placed a light kiss to her temple. He left the room, then her sitting room and made his way back to his rooms, where he finally succumbed to sleep.
The next morning, when Minerva awoke, she had no recollection of how she had gotten into her bed. But then, she smelled the familiar scent of lemon drops and hot chocolate. Albus. Minerva groaned, then rolled over. She closed her eyes, seeking sleep again. There was no way she was getting up today. Not after last night. Slowly, the familiar scent drifted over her and helped her to sleep.
Albus sat at the Head table, watching for his deputy. But, as breakfast was coming to an end, he realized she wasn't coming. So, he got up and walked towards her room. He had to see what was wrong. He spoke the password to her portrait and quietly walked into her rooms. The sitting room appeared to not have been stepped foot in, so Albus decided to go to the bedroom. When he reached the door, he heard mumbling on the other side. He quietly opened the door. He looked towards the bed and saw Minerva tossing and turning. He stepped closer to hear what she was saying, but he already had good clue.
"Harry, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I love you, I just can't have you. I'm sorry."
Little patches of tears ran down her face.
"Oh, Minerva, I'm so sorry, but this is the only way."
He wiped away the tears and placed a chaste kiss to her lips. How he had longed to do that, and now it had to be a secret. He checked his watch, deciding not to disturb Minerva and left. He would teach her classes today and tomorrow if need be.
So he left her there, to sleep and dream. He felt horrible about her dreams though; something he wished to take away, to make her happy again. So help him, he had finally realized he loved her, with all of his heart and now he couldn't have her. He shook his head, mentally scolding himself as thinking of her as a possession. Minerva was a wonderful human being, a lovely woman, a caring person and all he wanted was to love her and hold her. Unknown to him, however, Minerva wanted the same thing. But, it would take time for them realize their true feelings, time and a little boy.