Chapter 7: Coming Home
Hermione and Priscilla stood together at the gates to Hogwarts. Priscilla had her belongings packed up in her bags, which were on the road at her feet.
"Are you ready?" Hermione questioned her gently.
"Oh yes!" Priscilla replied happily. Hermioned nodded and send her patronus flying up to the castle. It was only a few minutes before the gates to the school opened before them. The two witches began the walk up to the castle, in no rush at all, quietly discussing every detail of the grounds. They found themselves at the front gates in no time at all. Waiting on the steps was a very nervous looking Sybil Trelawney. As soon as she caught sight of her sister she lunged forward down the steps, running at her and enveloping her in a fierce hug,
"Priss!" She cried out happily, "I never thought I would live to see you again."
"Well that's because you're all doom and gloom Sybil! I told you we'd meet again one day. Now get off me and help me carry my things inside. It's Scotland Sybil and I am FREEZING!"
Sybil Trelawney laughed and Hermione was suprised at how much younger the witch looked with the happy expression on her face. She beamed at the two sisters and informed them she'd catch up with them later, following them inside only as far as the foyer before following the familiar route up to the Heads office. When she reached the gargoyle she said the password ("Tartan") and began the long slog up the stone steps to the office. She had barely made it two steps in through the door before she was embraced stiffly by her former head of house.
"Hermione!" Minerva greeted her warmly, "Lovely to see you my dear. And with such good news."
"Yes" Hermione agreed, "it's lovely to be back. I haven't visited in such a long time. I'm sorry Minerva - work you know."
"Oh hush my girl I know how busy things can be at your age. Sit down, sit down. Tea?"
Hermione nodded her acceptance and made herself comfy in one of the cushy chintz armchairs facing the Headmistresses desk. The office was a lot less cluttered with Minerva in charge than the days when Dumbledore had been in charge.
"Now. Hermione. How can I help you?"
She took a deep breath and studied her former Professors face. Steeling herself for a long story she began at the beginning, telling Minerva everything from the first meeting at the fair to the majority of the details from her dreams. By the end, the older witch had tears in her eyes,
"Granny Minnie?" She choked out, half sobbing and half laughing. "Oh Hermione. That all sounds beautiful."
"Do you think i'm crazy? I mean ... did you - did you see his body?"
Minerva McGonnagall shook her head, "I must confess I did not. I saw - I saw a body bag. Potter was leading the Aurors away with it if I remember correctly."
"Potter? Harry Potter?" The other witch let out a bark of laughter,
"No Miss Granger. The other famous Potter running around the school on the night in question exhonorating your apparently dear beloved." Hermione blushed in embarrassment,
"Right. Yes. Sorry Pro-Minerva. Wasn't thinking straight."
"Yes well. Love makes us do crazy things."
"I'm not in love." Hermione replied quickly, taken aback. "I just ... I've never really thought about it. Marriage I mean. Or children. I mean, I did once, briefly. But only to decide that it wasn't really what I wanted. I've always been a careers type of girl. All i've ever wanted was to make waves in a professional capacity. To have my friends, a good job, maybe a cat. And then all of a sudden all I can dream about is a man and a family of my own and ... and it's amazing. In my dreams, i'm so at peace. I can feel it, when I wake up, the contentment. And it's making me question everything i've ever thought. And I just ... I need to know. I need to know if it's real. If there's a chance. I'll go crazy otherwise."
"Well then." McGonnagall replied firmly, "I suggest you speak to your good friend Mr Potter and get to the bottom of things then. Severus Snape was a good man, deep deep down. I worked with him a long time and I considered him a part of my family. If anyone ever deserved a happily ever after it is that man. And if there's even a hint of a chance .. you need to take it!"
