A/N: I UPDATED THIS CHAPTER if you read it before you might want to read it again.
Disclaimer: Me no own…You no sue….besides I'm broke.
Italics- Minerva's thoughts
Normal- normal talking
December, 1942
There was a blizzard that night. The moon could not be seen over the falling snow covered lands by McGonagall Manor. The old house was standing well against the onslaught of the ice/rain/snow mix. The trees in the back helped stop the attack a bit, but not a lot. The house was over 1000 years old, and the only reason it still stood was the powerful magic helping it stand. The large oak doors shuddered every now and then when a powerful blast of wind came against the house.
All eight occupants of the old house were in their bed while the blizzard storms outside. But one occupant was not asleep. Insomnia had decided to pay a visit to Minerva McGonagall that night. The tall 17 year old young womenwas sitting in her bed thinking of something productive to do. Her long raven black hair pooled around her. She sighed. Damnit. She stood up and her bed squeaked. Minerva looked at it for a second before she open her bedroom door. With a small pop a small tabby cat replaced her. The cat pushed the door closed with her head, it clicked into place. Her ears perked up, listening for someone getting up. Only her brothers' snores reached her. Her tail twitched, and then she ran down the third floor hall to the staircase. The tabby ran so fast down the old staircase she almost fell. She made no sound. At the bottom of the stairs, on the first floor, the tabby changed back to Minerva with another pop. She looked around at the huge welcoming hall, at the ancient looking tapestries with the McGonagall crest, a lion and an eagle, on them. To the left was the living room and to the right was the kitchen and dining room. Minerva walked into the kitchen and heated up some milk, got out a mug, and melted some chocolate, she decided not to use her wand, doing it by hand would take up time. She was, A few minutes later, standing at the head of the table, holding a cup of stemming hot chocolate in the enormous dinning room. Her emerald green nightgown looked like it was about 3 sizes to big for her and went down to her knees, it flowed around her chair.
Paintings of past clan members hung on the walls, gold framed with Gaelic carved on the sides, though all were sleeping deeply. Two huge windows were facing the front yard, the perfect view of the raging storm. The table and hardwood floor were both mahogany wood. The rest of the house was like that, all mahogany floor wood and tiles in the bathrooms. Minerva silently took a cushioned chair to one of the windows and watched the storm, sipping her hot chocolate every now and then. The snow was heavy and wet. It would stick and pack well. Everyone will be…happy. Winter at the McGonagall Manor was almost all about the snow. If there wasn't snow then the family would be sullen, but with snow like this everyone would be cheerful.
She put her chocolate on the window sill and rubbed her temples. She had been having excruciating headaches lately, and with all her brothers in the same house at the same time, it was sure to get worse. A shadow fell over her a few minute later; Minerva stood up and turned quickly, wand out pointed straight at Albus Dumbledore, her teacher and family friend. She quickly put her wand away and mumbled an apology. Dumbledore smiled and said, "Not a problem Miss McGonagall, now may I inquire as to why you are up at such an hour?"
"Insomnia decided to be my new friend."
"Ah…perhaps the hot chocolate will help, I find it helps quite a bit… for things like sleep,"
Minerva didn't reply but she smiled and downed the rest of the now lukewarm chocolate. Her mother, Athena, says it give you nightmares. Dumbledore was a family friend and was invited to stay for the holidays, since the Hogwarts castle was basically abandoned for the Christmas holiday. Even Headmaster Dippit was going to spend time with family. Albus stood next to Minerva, who went back to watching the storm. Seems like its kicking up a bit, the boys will be happy. They watched in a comfortable silence, till Minerva broke it, "Professor why are you up? Has Mr. Insomnia taken a liking to you too?" she asked, completely at ease.
"I am happy to say he has eluded me since I was 34, I merely heard you get up…or perhaps it was your alter ego that I heard…" he replied cheerfully. Minerva was an Animagus since summer and she could turn into a small tabby, it has helped her a great deal sneaking around the castle. Minerva snorted very unladylike. Then again… she was everything but a proper lady. 'Perhaps it has to do with growing up surrounded by 4 boys ...' Minerva silently mused. Or perhaps it was Father, who would let the boys and Minerva get away with murder if they had a reason. Of course they mostly used his name to by vodka, rum, and whiskey from the liquor store. The owner always thought they brought the poison liquid for their father. He was stupid. They brought it back to Hogwarts with them and had huge parties in Minerva's Head Girl room. Everyone was amazed when Min walked in with a Head Girls badge. Minerva walked right up to Dumbledore and handed him the badge asking if it was a joke. He said no an pinned it onto her robes and shooed her dumbstruck self into the Great Hall.
Most people would be nervous if their teacher was staying for the holiday, but the McGonagall brood had known Dumbledore since they were born. The Dumbledore's and McGonagall's were great friends. In the distance a clock tolled midnight, the sound echoed in the giant house like thunder. The sound was enough to give Minerva the beginnings of a headache. Above her right eye there was throbbing. Minerva rubbed the spot and sighed. Dumbledore looked at her, concerned.
"You have been saying you have had headaches for a while…,"
Minerva felt like someone was cracking at her head with a hammer. Ouch.
"Perhaps you should get your mother to check it out in the morning." He said, worry creeping into his voice. Minerva's mother was a powerful Head Healer for St. Mugos.
"Yea…I think I will… to…marrow…" Minerva had a migraine by now and dots of light were dancing in front of her eyes. She was dizzy, she was scorching, and for some reason her eyes itched. 'I never knew your eyes could itch…' was Minerva's last thought before shadows overtook her.
A/N: well, well, I have no idea where this came from…but I have ideas if people like it. R/R
I never was good with dialogue….anyone want to help me out can email me..
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