For The Greater Good

"I don't understand."

"What is there not to understand, Minerva?" The color in Poppy's cheeks grew a shade darker. "The fall has compromised the part of the brain that stores long term memory, the Cerebral Cortex to be exact. I've consulted all the neurological healers at St. Mungos and we are all in agreement. Miss. Granger has lost all memory before the accident and it will not be regained. She will never remember."

"What do you mean?"

Poppy's eyes moved heavenward, only lowering to give Albus, who had been observing the scene quietly, a fiery glare.

The Headmaster cleared his throat, standing quickly. "I think you should sit, Minerva." He helped the dazed woman into a nearby chair and fumbled around in his robes for a lavender tin. "Lemon Drop?"

"Oh, for haven's sake, no!" Minerva weakly swatted the tin away. "Poppy- Poppy what do we do?"

The matron fidgeted under her gaze. "Well like I said there's no fixing it. She hardly knows her name, needless to say anything she's learned here or at her muggle school. It is rather ironic, given her- ah, well, you know..."

Her voice tapered off as Dumbledore swept across the room in an authoritative way. He popped a sweet into his mouth, thoughtfully taking his perch behind the desk.

"But there is always a solution, isn't there, Poppy?"

Pomfrey's shoulders shrugged wearily and she too took a seat adjacent to Minerva. "You won't like it. I certainly don't."

The air in the Headmaster's office felt very thick and constricting to Minerva, who was hanging on to Poppy's every word with anticipation.

"The other healers and I have concluded that the only way the girl will be able to lead a normal life is if we de-age her- permanently."

Despite herself, Minerva spluttered. "What? Don't be absurd, Poppy! Just listen to yourself. It's madness!" She turned to Albus fervently. "Tell her, tell her she's mad, Albus."

The Headmaster regarded Poppy, whose hand was now covering her eyes, in a puzzled manner, although his eyes were already beginning to twinkle widely. "My dear, a person can be mad and brilliant at the same time."

"You can't be serious!" Minerva shrieked, hopping to her feet. "Be reasonable, Albus!"

"I am." He smiled gaily and started an excited waltz across the room. "I am being so reasonable that it pains me. Poppy, how old would she be de-aged to?"

Pomfrey looked at him suspiciously, unexpected of his enthusiasm. "Eight months, and year maybe."

"Excellent! And now there's only her great aunt!"

"Sorry?" Both women chimed in unison. "I don't follow." Poppy finished.

"Just think! This is a very, very, excellent opportunity indeed!" He pulled out a piece of parchment and began to scribble on it in lavender ink. "Miss. Granger has had a rather unfortunate upbringing, hasn't she?"

Minerva nodded reluctantly.

"Well, we three all believe in second chances, correct? Now, I have a feeling that Great Aunt Maurice will not at all be pleased, so who is to raise her?"

He looked expectantly at Minerva over his half moon spectacles.

"Me?" She hissed. "You've got to be joking!"

"Why would I joke about something so meant to be?"

Minerva took a few steps backwards, shaking her head furiously. "I- I can't look after a baby! I'm a teacher!"

"The house elves will be at your service, my dear."

"I don't know anything about it!"

"I'm sure Poppy wouldn't mind lending a hand."

"But- but- there's a war on!"

The headmaster's hunched posture relaxed. His excitement mellowed at this exclamation. "And that's why she needs you most of all. It looks as if this is going to happen one way or the other, Minerva, so it might as well be with somebody who loves her."

Breathing heavily now, Minerva looked back and forth from Poppy to Albus a few times before sighing. "Very well."

"It's settled, then!" He smiled, falling back into his chair contently. "I will speak to her aunt and the Ministry. Minerva will be her guardian."

Poppy, who had stood still with disbelief over the scene, clapped her hands together. "Brilliant."

The next day after a long trip to the Ministry, as Poppy and Minerva walked towards the Hospital Wing, potion in hand, the latter became rather deified.

"It all does seem rather unethical." She said, suddenly becoming annoyed with the loud clicking of both of their heels. "Don't you think?"

"No, I don't. She is under age and her guardian has given consent." Poppy threw her friend a sideways glance. "Rather you have."

"Oh for God's sake!"

Minerva stopped abruptly, becoming a ghastly shade of white.

"I can't do this. I really can't."

Poppy sighed, waiting for a seventh year Hufflepuff couple to pass by. "You can and you will. I hate to be quite so dramatic but I do believe it is for the greater good, Minerva. It's a second chance for both of you. You've signed the papers, nobody forced you to do that. Now get up and stop making a scene! What must be done must be done!"

And just like that Minerva had straightened up and was moving towards her new charge again. An unsuspecting girl who was about to experience a world of changes.

A/N: Everything belongs to JK Rowling. I know it's short but oh well I'm not very motivated and not a very good writer. Thanks for reading. Merry Christmas!