A/N: This part was meant to be one piece with the previous chapter, but after my break of almost one month I didn't seem to find my inspiration and everything I came up with seemed to just suck… so I ended up adding that Min-Sev scene in her classroom and all my problems were solved magically… I hope you don't judge me after this confession :-P
Anyway, this is more about Minerva and her friends and her family… I hope you like it.
ENJOY ^_^
MY MASTER
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Chapter 14
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Just tea
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by Saeshmea
"You came!" Pomona exclaims overexcited after opening the door of her private rooms to me, "I am so glad," she adds as I follow her through her messy office and into the sitting room of her studio, "Girls, look who came," she announces to Poppy and Rolanda, who are sitting on the sofa, chatting.
"I thought you were too busy for your friends," Rolanda snaps, and Poppy quickly scowls at her, but I don't mind. Hooch is that kind of person unable to shut up or keep something to herself, she has an internal need to say whatever she thinks no matter what, and that's what I like the most about her.
"I managed to make some time," I reply as I sit down on the empty armchair.
"And we're happy for that," Pomona interrupts, "how about some tea?"
"Tea?" Rolanda asks, "we must celebrate that Minerva has come back from the dead," she says, "the occasion deserves opening one of your husband's firewhiskey bottles, at least."
"He's my husband-to-be," Pomona points out, "and I invited Minerva for tea, not for drinks."
"The firewhiskey sounds good to me," I say, and our host walks to the kitchen.
"That's my girl," Rolanda says, standing up and sitting on the left arm of my chair, with her legs crossed and her arm on the back.
Having her so close, I grow more aware of my lack of underwear and I blush, as if she could see through the fabrics of my long skirt.
I still can't believe Severus took my knickers with him and I said nothing. I know I could have gone to my rooms to pick some cleans ones, I was already being late, so what did it matter?, but then I reminded myself that there's no fun on playing a game if you cheat, so I followed the rules and here I am, sharing a fine glass of firewhiskey with my friends, wearing no knickers.
...
"Minerva, you really look gorgeous today," Poppy says all of a sudden after having a second sip to her glass, "you should tell me your secret."
"It's no secret, Pops," Rolanda says, still sharing the armchair with me, "all you need is a good shagging."
I almost choke on my drink. Does she know something?"
"Wha-?" I mutter.
"Oh, please," she says, "when I saw you on Friday you said you were going to Moody's, and then you disappeared for the entire weekend," she explains, "I can do the maths."
"Min, are you two back together?" Poppy asks, and I leave my glass on the tea table before I make a mess.
"Of course not," I answer.
"You were such a cute couple…" she points out.
"We were never a couple," I remind her, "we were just friends and that's what we still are."
"Well, then there's someone else…" Rolanda suggests and I scowl at her like if I wanted to make her explode.
"There is no man in my life," I say, "I spent the weekend doing paperwork between my office and the library," I lie, very convincing and proud of my quick thinking.
"Your life is just so exciting, my dear," she replies, with such a sad tone that my pride disappears instantly, because this is what I would usually do on weekends.
"Pom, let's see your dress," I try to drive the attention away from me, and it luckily works.
"Alright, but remember that my transfiguration skills are not as good as yours," she says, standing up and walking a few steps further, "I'm picking it up next week, "she adds, and after a deep breath, she takes out her wand and her clothes begin to transform into a beautiful white gown… she looks like a princess.
I met Pomona during my second year teaching at Hogwarts. She was the new one and since we were the younger in the staff, we quickly became friends. We could not be any more different, she is everything that I am not, and I adore her for that.
"The real one has a beautiful lace pattern around the waist and the skirt has pearls and…" she explains in an apologetic tone.
"It's really beautiful," I say, "you look gorgeous, Pomona," I add, smiling, unable to take my eyes away from her, "I am so glad that you and Hans can finally do this."
"You've waited a long time," Poppy points out.
"It's not like they've been wasting it," Rolanda brings us back to reality and Pomona transfigures her clothes back.
"That's true," she says, "but it will feel good to finally be her wife for real."
.
It had been a long time since the last time I had joined the girls for tea or anything and, I must admit that I'd missed them, which sounds ridiculous because we live and work under the same roof most of the time, but… you'd be surprised of how easy it is to grow apart from the people you are closer from.
Thankfully, they are good friends, and have never ceases to insist on trying. Maybe I did die metaphorically and have come back from the dead, maybe I just needed more time than the rest to mourn the war (although I still think it's too soon), maybe Severus has helped me reborn in more ways than I can actually see.
…
On Tuesday I wake up with an epiphany.
…
"I don't know," Dumbledore says pacing around his office; it puts me to my nerves when he does this.
"You are the one who brought him to the school," I say, following his steps with my eyes.
"And you are the one who didn't like the idea," he replies.
"That's why I think we should give him this chance," I insist, "this way, we'll be able to see if he's really suitable for the job."
"Horace won't approve," the Headmaster points out.
"The hell with Horace," I yell, probably out of excitement, "I became crazy planning everybody's timetables in order that he could have a free morning on Wednesdays for his medical issues, and yet, he takes an appointment on a Thursday, knowing that he has class with the seventh years, who have their exams in a few months."
"I guess you're right," Albus admits.
"Does this mean you agree?" I ask.
"Only if I don't have to tell him," he says.
"Don't worry about that," I answer, happily leaving his office.
…
Over the night I have realized that it has no sense to cancel any potions class because of Horace absence, when we have a potioneer apprentice preparing to do his job next year.
I knew Albus would be easy to convince and that Horace will hate the idea, what I don't know is what Severus will think of it, that's why I am hoping to see him in Slughorn's office when I go down to the dungeons, but he's not there.
…
"You're trying to sack me before time, don't you?" Horace says after I tell him that I won't cancel his classes.
"Horace, that's not true, and you know it," I say, "all I want is for the kids not to lose a class and for your apprentice to have a taste on teaching before having the entire responsibility of being professor once you're gone."
"What if there's an incident?" he asks, "this is not one of your hokus pokus wandy classes," he smacks, and I swear I have to hold myself together not to show him some of my hokus pokus on his face, "we deal with really dangerous stuff in the dungeons."
"He'll teach the classes following your instructions," I say, breathing deep, trying to hide my desire to heck him right here, "and since you're such an excellent professor, I'm sure you'll be able to leave no chance for incidents."
"I liked you more during your student years," he says, "you were less insufferable and more willing to please."
"Yes, well, those years are gone and now I am your superior and you are going to do as I say so, Professor Slughorn," I conclude, "have a nice day," and then I leave.
…
During the rest of the week I have no chance to meet Severus alone, if I didn't know better, I would say he's avoiding me, but the truth is I am pretty busy myself.
The fact that the school is still in one piece on Thursday afternoon and that I have no reports regarding Mr. Snape on Friday Morning is enough for me to believe that his classes weren't the disaster that Horace predicted.
After having lunch I go to my rooms to get changed and take my old broom to fly to Hogsmeade so I can disapparate without problems. I am not willing to cross the school grounds by foot wearing heels, specially a pair that cost me a fortune.
…
Aunt Millie and Uncle Vincent live in a beautiful town house in the center of London in a street mainly occupied by high society wizards, most of them linked to the Ministry in some way. That is why the area is always watched by aurors dressed like muggles, one of whom stops me as soon as I stop in front of the Bagnold's house.
"Name," a big man with a stern look says, standing only a few inches in front of me, forcing me to raise my eyes to look back at him.
"Some manners wouldn't hard, young man," I snap, and he steps back.
"I'm sorry ma'am," he says.
"You should be, when I was in training they taught us to be respectful all the time," I add, "I am Minerva McGonagall, I'm sure that Minister Bagnold has informed you of my visit."
"Indeed, ma'am," he says and I watch him walk away before knocking the door.
…
A house elf dressed like an old fashioned butler opens the door.
"Good afternoon Miss. McGonagall," he greets me.
"Good afternoon Earl," I reply, "I know the way, you can go back to your duties," I command, and he pops away.
I walk to the library on my own and knock the double door before coming in.
"Minerva, my dear," Mr. Bagnold stands up from his armchair, with his cigar on his hand, and the clock strikes five, "as punctual as ever," he adds with a smile and we hug.
"Well, Aunt Millie was very clear that I shouldn't be late," I say, "where is she, by the way?"
"She's attending a last minute fire call in the office, I think, she'll join us in a minute," he says, "sit down, please," he adds, and I sit on the sofa while he goes to the bar and comes back with two glasses of firewhisky.
"Thank you," I say, knitting my eyebrows.
"Don't thank me," he sits down on his armchair and has a sip of his drink, "you'll need it, my dear," and before I can ask, the doors are opened again, and Millicent walks in with some man I don't know.
"Vince, what did I tell you about drinking before tea time?" she scowls her husband and then looks at me, "Nerva, I didn't know you were here already," she says, and I stand up to hug her.
"You said five o'clock," I remind her.
"That's right, dear," she turns to her companion, "this is Mr. Goodman," she says, "he's the new ambassador from the American Ministry," she explains, "Mr. Goodman, this is my niece."
I look at the man standing next to her: tall, blond hair, blue eyes, serious expression and wearing a very elegant muggle suite. He steps closer and shakes my hand.
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Miss. McGonagall," he says, and I wonder how he knows my name, "your aunt has told me a lot about you during these past weeks."
"Has she?" I wonder, suddenly realizing this is not a simple tea party, this is a damn set up blind date. I turn around for a moment, look at uncle Vincent, and take my glass from the tea table. I empty it down my throat on one sip and then go back to Millicent.
"Could we have a word in private, please?" I ask her.
"But we're about to have tea," she says.
"It will only be a moment," I insist, with a silly smile on my lips trying to hold my temper in place.
"Alright."
I follow her outside of the room and we leave the men alone.
"What do you think of Jerald?" she asks, as soon as we're alone.
"What?"
"Mr. Goodman, do you like him?"
"This is unbelievable!" I yell, "I was hoping to be wrong, but this is really a blind date, isn't it?!" I don't let her reply, "I am not sixteen anymore, Millie."
"I know, my dear," she says, "you are over forty, still alone, and according to Albus, lacking of any kind of social life other than that Moody," she speaks as if reading an official report.
"That Moody is a really good friend," I say, "and a very brave auror."
"I know, but what I mean is that you have no…"
"No what? No future husband around?" I say, "I have no interest in getting married, I am happy as I am."
"Just give him a chance," she insists, "your mother would have loved him."
There they are, the magical words. Whenever Millicent is trying to convince me of anything, she knows that as soon as mother is mentioned, I will stop arguing, so, I give up.
"I'll stay for tea," I say, "just tea," I remark, and we go back in.
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TO BE CONTINUED…