Chapter 9 ~ Tuesday, August 18th, 2009

Minerva rolled over…her head pounding as she shielded her eyes from the morning light. Morning, already? She licked her dry lips, blinking…the world wanting to do anything but focus.

Sitting up…she could feel the sheet slide along her burning skin, pooling in her lap. The small movement causing an ache to begin building, seeking release. "Obviously didn't drink enough." She muttered before with a guttural groan, she stood up...the room spinning slightly.

At once, she could feel the dampness between her legs as she strode across her chambers and with a wave of her hand, a door appeared in the wall, leading into the bathroom. With a heavy sigh, she gazed at the shower, wishing for anything but what awaited her…a cold, lonely shower.

As she leaned in to turn the handle, she paused, noticing that she could read the fine filigree print on the brass handles, print she hadn't been able to read in years. Well I guess there is something good from this, she thought as the cold water began to pour from the faucet.

Taking a deep breath, she plunged her fevered body under the water…and immediately felt the effects as shivers and goose flesh traveled down her body. "21." She muttered into the water, feeling it strike her lips. Lips she would love to have sliding along a lover's body…

Breathing out as she pushed the thought aside, she leaned into the water…her hair momentarily absorbing the water, before cool rivers began running down her ebony mass and onto her back.

Minerva endured the frigid water for another ten minutes, she was sure the tips of her fingers matched the color of her lips, blue. With a shaky hand, she reached out and grabbed the towel…but stopped as soon as the fabric touched her hardened nipples…

"Air dry." She gasped, and with a flip of her head had leaned forward and wrapped the towel around her hair. After straightening, she glanced at herself in the mirror...fingers gently tracing the four faint scars marring the expanse between her breasts; and then her hand dropped to her right side…where a three inch strip of garish, sandpaper skin greeted her fingers. She could still remember when Grindlewald had literally peeled some of her flesh from her body. Shaking her head at the memory, her eyes momentarily paused at the green orbs staring back.

Eyes that had born witness to so much…

pain…

joy…

love…

death…

That they had almost become foreign to her. Where had the woman behind those eyes gone?

"Mistress Minerva…" Elgin's voice broke the quiet morning air.

Minerva moved away from the mirror, her fingers pulling an ivory silk robe from its hook. Morning had begun, she thought as she slipped her arm through the sleeve and as she tied the belt, she stepped into her chambers.

"The morning report." He stated as he stretched out the parchment to her.

"Anything of interest?" She asked, eyes beginning to scan the document.

Elgin narrowed his eyes, "You'se not wearing you'se glasses."

Minerva nodded, "For the next two days, would you be kind enough to procure me a pair of glasses that look like mine, but have only standard glass as lenses."

He frowned, "Mistress not making much sense to Elgin."

"Every five weeks, I will be going through some difficult…" She paused, searching for the right word, "transitions, it has to do with Hogwarts and my reaction. For three days during that time, I will not need my standard glasses…"

"But you'se is needing everyone to believe you'se needs them." He stated, nodding. "I'se see you'se have a pair before breakfast."

"Thank you, but I won't need them prior to breakfast. I'll be eating up here this morning."

Elgin raised his brow, curious. It was rare for her to miss breakfast in the Great Hall. "Anything else, Mistress?"

"Thank you, no." She said, eyes returning to the report as she absently went to a small desk by the window. She stood reading for another few minutes before setting the parchment down, and drawing a blank one out of the drawer. Grasping the quill, she dipped it into the inkwell…dabbing it on the blotter. She wasn't ready to face the world yet…even her staff, she paused in her thought as Hermione's graceful neck and sumptuous lips fluttered across her mind…definitely not her staff, she thought as she penned a quick note to her Deputy.

Filius ~

I have business in the Highlands and will be back this evening. If I am needed, send word with Albus.

Minerva

Straightening, she rolled the parchment and with a whisper, the wax melted and

she smudged it along the fold before sealing it with her distinct mark embedded in the wax. Closing her eyes, she focused on where Filius was…and she smiled. He was just entering the Great Hall.

She shifted her concentration to the parchment and then the wards…and with a muffled ruffle, the paper vanished from the palm of her hand.

Minerva took another full minute to just stand there, collecting her thoughts before she ambled back into her main suite, knowing that breakfast was waiting for her. The door opened to reveal a large spread of her favorite breakfast foods, and two steaming pots; undoubtedly one of tea and the other coffee...and nestled between the two was a small taupe colored bottle, a headache potion. "Thank you, Elgin." She said, sitting down…alone for her breakfast.

Xoxoxxoxoxoooxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxox

Filius bounced into the Great Hall, a step in his gait. It was turning out to be a marvelous day, he thought, smile beaming across his face as he walked up to the summer staff table. A large circular table was seated in the middle of the Great Hall, no other tables or chairs were there, just the enchanted sky…and the splendor of the Hall.

"Good morning." He uttered to his colleagues, eyes momentarily stopping on Pomona. She looked lovely as the morning light cascaded down from the lofty windows, framing her beautiful face.

"Good morning," Several others rang out as he sat next to his wife, and Neville.

"Good morning, Filius." Neville uttered back between a mouthful of toast…his eyes along with Filius' and several others, including Hermione's were gravitating to the parchment now sitting atop his plate.

"Hmmmm." He reached out, and as he turned it around, noticed Minerva's distinct seal. Double M's imprinted just off the other, with ivy wrapped down one of the M's arms. He cast his eyes about the table, and he realized that she was indeed not at breakfast. A rarity to be sure.

Slitting the magical seal, he rolled open the parchment. Eyes quickly scanning the document, and he starred at it a moment too long…for he felt Pomona's hand gently touch his leg. In response, he met her worried gaze with a tender smile, and banished the parchment.

"As most of you have guessed, Minerva will not be joining us this morning." His high voice stated, "She has business in the Highlands and will not be here for the day."

A soft murmur rolled through the table, agitation prevalent in their conversation as it immediately turned from Hogwarts preparations to wondering why the Headmistress had left for the day. Especially prior to breakfast, as she rarely missed the meal.

Hermione set her pumpkin juice down, "Doesn't she have family in the Highlands?"

"Yes, she does." Pomona stated as she placed a dollop of orange marmalade onto her plate.

At once, the conversation shifted…the relaxed atmosphere returning...

"…probably visiting…"

"…hasn't had much time this summer…"

"…school year around the corner…"

Hermione cut into her omelet, her own mind wondering if Minerva was in the Highlands as she had indicated or elsewhere trying to find Johannes or find a lead to where he was. As she lifted her fork, her eyes cast a sideways glance to Filius, who chose that moment to look at her.

He gave her a subtle nod, before turning back to his lively conversation with Pomona.

Or…Hermione took the bite, perhaps, she merely drank too much last evening. She tried to fight off the smile the image of last night invoked…eyes sparkling, hair carefree, face lighter…and she found she didn't want to.

Xoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxooxoxxxoxoxoxo

"Mistress Minerva." Elgin popped into her bedroom. "You'se asked me to inform fifteen minutes prior to dinner being served."

Minerva wearily raised her sweaty head off the now damp pillow, "Here." She said through dry lips, trying to hand a shaking piece of parchment to him.

"You'se returning immediately to Hogwarts." He stated, passing the parchment, hand outstretched. "And I's go'se gets Blonde's."

"Helena knows, Elgin, and you have to trust me when I tell you that…" She grit her teeth, and pushed herself upright.

Elgin immediately noticed that she was not wearing her usual multi-layered attire, nor her typical nightwear. Instead, she wore garments that he had not seen since the Headmaster's death. He was surprised how she didn't move to cover herself as she usually did, her thin chemise clinging to her soaked skin…she merely brushed a wet lock of hair back as she blinked, focusing her gaze at him.

"This..." She waved at herself, "Is part of the transition I spoke of earlier."

Elgin's expression showed his disbelief. "You'se is sweating through you'se clothes…cheeks is flushed," He reached out, gently touching her arm. "And you'se skin is quite warm. These is not symptoms of a transition…"

Minerva gently patted his wrinkled hand with her own, "I'm afraid it is." She said, leaning back, into the pillows. "It activated my animagus traits, traits that I have not dealt with since shortly after marrying Albus."

Elgin's large yellow eyes met her emerald ones, measuring the truth of her words…words similar to those once uttered about his Mistress by his previous Master, Albus. Slowly he nodded his knobby head, "Every five weeks for three days, if's it's last longer, I's gets Blonde's."

"I would expect nothing less, Elgin." She said, "Please take this to Filius…" She moved the parchment closer to him, closing her eyes in the process.

"Is you'se be needing anything else?" He asked, gently taking the rolled document.

"I'll be staying here this evening…and won't be returning to Hogwarts until after lunch tomorrow." She stated, breaths slightly winded.

"I's have reports brought here…and meals is too." He gently stated.

"Thank you. And Elgin," Her voice becoming quiet and her lilt thick. "Only Helena, Filius and Pomona know of my whereabouts."

"Gets some rest Mistress Minerva." He conjured a wet, cool cloth and laid it across her forehead, "You'se be feeling better soon."

Xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxooxxooxoxoxoxo

Hermione glided into the Great Hall, eyes instantly noticing the handful of her colleagues already at dinner. Filius, Clemons Cystra, the Potions Master, and Hagrid were involved in an animated conversation about the current strained relations between the Headmistress and the Minister. Pomona and Poppy were the only other two Professors who had arrived. She was sure Neville would be attending shortly, he always arrived just after Pomona. The other two dozen professors and half dozen staff would be drifting in over the course of the next half hour…and she idly wondered if the Headmistress would be joining them tonight. It had been two evenings since she had arrived and stumbled upon Minerva and Helena drinking a rather fine bottle of whisky, and she had not seen the Headmistress since. Minerva had been serendipitously absent from Hogwarts for the past two days.

With long strides, she was quickly up at the table, pulling out the chair as she gave a nod to Pomona and Poppy. "Good evening."

Pomona turned, as did Poppy, both women smiling as she sat down. "Evening." "Good evening." They replied sequentially.

"How are the devil snare seedlings?" Hermione asked.

"Doing quite good, we have had a bit of a problem germinating them this year despite Neville's caring hand." Pomona stated, as she placed some Halibot onto her plate.

"Are you still planning on leaving at the end of the year?" Poppy quietly asked, Hermione barely hearing.

Pomona swallowed, eyes momentarily drifting towards Filius. "I don't know." She fought for a smile, trying to hide the pain of what Filius had discussed with her just a week and a half before; that her dearest friend was dying…soon. "I'll…probably be staying on for at least a year past this one."

Poppy frowned, "I thought you and Filius were going to travel to Greece on sabbatical next fall."

Pomona nodded, "We were, but a lot has changed this past summer." She said, her normally kind eyes fixing knowingly at Poppy. "And I don't want to leave until it's…resolved."

Poppy searched her friend's face…stopping at her eyes. She knew.

Hermione hadn't moved, hadn't even breathed as she quietly stared at the two witches. What could possibly cause Pomona and Filius to forestall their respective sabbaticals while they waited until something was resolved, and the notion brought tears to her eyes?

The distinct gait and matching rhythmic clicking between heeled shoes and walking stick caused the conversations to stop, heads to turn, and open smiles to grace everyone's faces as they bid the Headmistress a chorus of "Good Evenings", Hermione included.

"It is good to see each of you." She replied as she quickly covered the distance to the table, before pulling out and sitting in a chair next to Hermione and a vacant seat.

"Hello, Minerva." Hermione stated, turning to the formidable witch.

"Hermione." She quietly replied, as she slid her chair to the table.

"How were the Highlands?" Hermione inquired, noticing the dark circles beneath the elder woman's eyes.

Minerva forced her face to remain impassive and her hand steady at Hermione's innocent question. "Not quite as restful as I had hoped." She replied desperately trying to keep the exhaustion from her voice. Yesterday had been unbearably long, as she hadn't gone to bed until 7 this morning, after the intense heat flashes ceased. Elgin had coaxed her into a light breakfast just past one this afternoon, before she had begun tackling the reams of correspondence that was already awaiting her.

"Sorry to hear that." Hermione began pouring herself some pumpkin juice. "Juice?"

Minerva gave a solitary nod, feeling her tired muscles pull along her neck. "Yes, thank you." Before reaching outward, even her arms were tired, she thought, as she spooned a helping of green bean casserole onto her plate. If she hadn't missed the past six meals, she would have foregone dinner and gone to bed and not bothered with the formalities. She had far too many things that needed to be taken care of, and she could ill afford another unproductive day tomorrow as she recovered. Forcing her fatigue at bay and a smile on her face, she glanced to the witch by her side.

Helena was right, and she had had ample time to realize the fact, whether she wanted to or not. She needed someone to accompany her regarding Order and Johannes business…and despite the other evening, and her reaction to the young woman, Hermione was the best candidate other than her daughter. And she would not be asking Tessa to assist her. She loathed the notion of having to ask, and would not even consider asking anyone were not their current situation so dire and her own precarious health.

"Have you had the opportunity to read the Willowbrook's article in the August Transfiguration Journal?" Hermione's question quickly brought Minerva's meandering mind back to the matter at hand.

"I'm ashamed to say, that I have fallen behind these past few weeks in my reading." Her eyes twinkling in response.

"I can't imagine why." Hermione chuckled at her dry witticism.

"Were his results stasis or live based?" Minerva asked, curious if Xavier had managed to stabilize the transfiguration.

"Stasis, but stable." Hermione replied, "And he is going to begin live transfiguration in his next set of trials."

Their conversation centered around Xavier's study and flowed easily between them, making dinner pass quickly despite Minerva's overbearing fatigue. She stood to return to her rooms, bidding everyone 'Good night' as she stifled her third yawn in as many minutes, Minerva paused…eyes momentarily darting to Hermione. Helena's assessment was right, Hermione was the best candidate…she was intelligent, able to take care of herself, brave, excellent deduction skills…and Minerva could carry on a conversation with her.

She gave the younger witch a brief nod…before turning and walking out of the Hall. She would swallow her pride and ask Hermione for assistance when she went out. She rounded the corner, stepping onto the main stairwell…the stairs instantly snapping to the second floor by her office.

Now…she just needed to ask her.

And if she said yes; begin training her in how to proactively duel more than one opponent at a time and win; or they would both end up dead.

xoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

A/N: I know it's a fairly short chapter; I'll probably update once more (no promises) before next Friday. And…to think…Minerva gets to 'deal' with this every 5 weeks...