Disclaimer: I own nothing except Amelia, Tobias and other characters I'll add in later on.
Author's Note: So here's the sequel to Making Amends. I hope you enjoy this first chapter.
The weather had turned in Caithness as night descended upon the lone house nestled high up in the Scottish Highlands, tonight was All Hallow's Eve and where once she would have graced the Halls of Hogwarts tonight she sat alone in a fire-lit living room sipping on a glass of fire-whiskey. It had been a few years since she had last graced those hallowed halls, and one year since Amelia had disappeared.
Tonight as with most other nights Minerva McGonagall, former Headmistress of Hogwarts was resigned to spending the night alone with only memories to keep her company; the knock on her door was most unexpected. Rising slowly from the chair and placing the glass on the table, Minerva slowly moved toward the door; her joints protesting at the sudden movement as she unlocked the door to reveal her unexpected guest.
The first thing she noticed was the light brown hair followed by those deep hazel eyes as she took in the appearance of her former student Hermione Granger, who stood wrapped in long black cloak on the former Headmistress' doorstep,
"Miss Granger, what are you doing here?" she asked her Scottish brogue all the more apparent,
"I thought we'd moved pass Miss Granger, Minerva" came the soft reply from her former student, "I hoped you'd be in the mood for some company this evening, with Rose at Hogwarts and Hugo with Ron I find myself at a loose end." Hermione managed not mentioning her ex-husband,
"Please come in, forgive the mess I wasn't expecting any guests." Minerva smiled brightly for a moment her emerald green eyes shining before they returned to a slight dullness that had been evident since Amelia's disappearance as she stepped back to allow Hermione in. The younger witch noticed this but said nothing as she entered Minerva's home, noticing immediately that it wasn't as messy as Minerva had made it out to be.
"Can I get you something to drink, Hermione?" Minerva asked moving over to the drinks cabinet and reaching for the bottle of fire-whiskey,
"Fire-whiskey will be fine Minerva." she replied removing her travelling cloak and taking a seat opposite to the one Minerva was occupying, as Minerva returned and presented her with a glass; placing the bottle on the table. Hermione waited until Minerva had sat down again before striking up a conversation with the elder witch, who despite the years still looked relatively young for her age even if her hair was more grey than before,
"I'm sorry for not having come by sooner Minerva." she felt it best to start with an apology although she knew the elder witch would dismiss it right off the bat,
"Nonsense. You are very busy with your work and the children, your appearance although a surprise is welcomed no matter when it is." she smiled warmly at Hermione but was still curious as to why the young women had come to her home rather than the Potters on this night,
"Is there a reason for your visit tonight, Hermione? I'm sure the Potters would be much better companions than I." Minerva spoke softly not wanting it to sound like she was dismissing Hermione for she was truly grateful for the company but part of her had to wonder what had driven the brilliant witch to her door,
"Ronald was seeing them tonight with Hugo and I didn't want to intrude, we're not exactly on speaking terms since the divorce but I had another reason for visiting tonight." she smiled warmly at Minerva as she reached into her now discarded travelling cloak pulling from it a wand Minerva hadn't seen since before the second war with Voldemort, she felt the tears forming as she stared at the wand Amelia had given Hermione before she left Hogwarts,
"I thought I should return this to you, it deserves to be with you until Amelia returns" she smiled softly watching as Minerva reached out and took the wand from Hermione's hand, it felt light and balanced in her hands but even as she took it she knew she wouldn't be able to keep it,
"Whilst I thank you for the sentiment Hermione, I cannot take this. It is for you to pass down to your children or grandchildren not for an old spinster like me. Amelia wouldn't want it to be laid to rest in a box, never to see the light of day again. So I'm asking you to take it back with you, now tell me the real reason you came here tonight." she placed the wand back on the table and stared intently at Hermione wanting the young woman before her to explain her real reason for coming here,
"In part its because I missed you, I miss our conversations and our debates but more so it is because you are the only link to my family left. My parents were killed shortly after arriving in Australia in a car accident, my great-grandmother was killed at the beginning of the war with Voldemort and Amelia disappeared a year ago whilst I was stuck in a marriage that allowed me little freedom; don't get me wrong Minerva I love my children dearly and wouldn't change that for all the world but I feel so lost now that Rose is studying at Hogwarts and Hugo spends his time with Ron, like I no longer have a place I belong and you are the only person that can help me." Minerva studied her former student for a moment before she reached over and lightly grasped her hand squeezing it a little,
"So you wish to know about Amelia or about your magical ancestry?" Minerva asked with a small smile as she watched Hermione inwardly debate her answer,
"Would it be selfish of me if I said both?" she asked to which Minerva chuckled, "No my dear, it would not and fortunately for you Amelia and I discussed at length her years when we were apart and I know a little of her family history so I should be able to help somewhat. Although I admit having Amelia here would be better, but that can't be helped." she added with a slight sigh,
"Kingsley still not willing to tell you where she was when she disappeared?" Hermione asked receiving a nod in return from the former Headmistress,
"Not even Tobias has been able to find her and those two are connected beyond any magic I have ever seen and not even he can trace her magical signature. It's like she disappeared from this world and isn't destined to return but I live in hope that one day she will appear on the doorstep with a wide smile and an apology." she smiled warmly figuring the wedding band on her left hand, as she took another sip from her glass. Their comfortable silence was interrupted by a loud crack as a house-elf apparated into the living room, the elf looked straight at Minerva who recognised him straight away,
"Tobias" she spoke softly for the elf looked rather fatigued, "Mistress" he replied taking a deep breath, "Is need yous to come outside." he added disappearing again before Minerva could answer, she looked toward Hermione; the shock evident upon her features,
"Tobias hasn't been to the house in quite sometime, I'm almost afraid to follow him. Will you come with me?" Hermione nodded and reached for her cloak on the chair beside her,
"Of course, Minerva." she smiled rising to her feet and pulling the cloak around her shoulders extending her hand towards the elder witch who wordlessly transfigured a cloak for ease as they both began the walk to the main door, the rain was falling heavier now and the light from Minerva's fireplace wasn't enough to illuminate the surrounding area,
"Lumos'" Hermione whispered the tip of her wand igniting with the spell as she lit up their path spying Tobias standing over something. Soon Minerva was gone from her side a new found sense of urgency compelling her forward at a swift pace until she reached Tobias' side and looked at the figure lying on the ground, she bent down despite the protest from her joints and lightly brushed the long hair from the person's face; a light gasp followed as Hermione neared catching the former Headmistress before she fell,
"Amelia" she whispered turning toward her former student, "I'll get her into the house, you head back in with Tobias." Minerva mutely agreed guiding Tobias away from Amelia and heading back toward her home as Hermione cast a levitation spell on the unconscious form of Amelia Grey-McGonagall and gently guided her back to her marital home.