Chapter Fourteen

Minerva was ecstatic to make the quidditch team, but something was missing. Quickly she decided that something was Lara. Nothing else had happened to anyone in the school, so whoever (or whatever) had attacked her had either lost their nerve, or was planning something even more horrendous. She sunk into a deep depression; almost losing her faith in the human race, that one human would be so vile as to train a monster to kill other humans. The idea was vile, but she had to steel herself. After all, this was the Chamber of Secrets created by Salazar Slytherin. The other houses would've been adamantly against it.

Minerva was visiting Lara in the hospital wing when these thoughts surfaced. However they were quickly broken up by a harried-looking Madam Cliodna.

"Minerva, dear, the Mandragora have arrived!"

She stood up immediately. "Where are they?"

"Professor Kettleburn has them, outside in the grazing area. Would you be a dear and go fetch them for me?"

Minerva was confused. "Why doesn't Professor Lambert have them?"

"He's developed an allergy to them, the poor fellow. I certainly hope he never becomes petrified. But why would he have them anyway, dear? He's defense against the dark arts. Professor Smithy would have them, but he can't stand the little blighters."

"Then why did you say that Professor Lambert sold his stock of mandragora the other day?"

"Well, he's involved in the trade, you know a teacher's salary is quite low, even here at Hogwarts, and though he's allergic he doesn't have to touch them…it was only by coincidence I knew that Professor Lambert usually had some in his stores…"

Minerva shrugged. "I just figured…I don't know, since they were usually used to deal with events connected to the dark arts…anyway, that doesn't matter. I'll go get them!" Minerva dashed out the door and navigated Hogwarts' many staircases to reach the grounds. It was a nice day, so she had to dodge several students (and push several out of her way) to reach the grazing area. She found Professor Kettleburn attending to what seemed to be…nothing. Well, I always thought he was a bit odd, she thought as he "petted" the air.

"Professor Kettleburn, sir, I heard that you'd received the Mandragora and I've come to collect them for Madam Cliodna," she said in a rush.

Professor Kettleburn nodded. "I'm not crazy," he said, "There's a thestral here."

Minerva blinked. "Am I that obvious?"

"No. I heard some other students commenting on it." He gestured to outside the fence where some Slytherins were indolently lounging. "They're in a pot in the shed, if you want them."

She nodded and dashed off to the shed and grabbed two pots. Sick of dashing across campus, she shouted "Accio Cleansweep!" and immediately retrieved a school broom.

Quickly she flew to the hospital wing, opened a window ("Alohomora!") and gave the pots to Madam Cliodna.

"Oh dear me," Cliodna said. "I've just realized that I don't have the necessary ingredients to make the potion. Could you ask Professor Slughorn to whip this up for me?" She handed Minerva the instructions.

It was all Minerva could do to say, "Yes, ma'am," and try to not look exasperated. She abandoned the broom and headed for the dungeons. She banged on his office door. "Professor Slughorn! Sir!"

Professor Slughorn opened the door and blinked. "Miss McGonagall? Do you need something?"

It was well known that Potions was not Minerva's favorite class, and Professor Slughorn was obviously amazed that Minerva deemed it worth her time to visit him outside of class. "Sir, Madam Cliodna needs you to make this potion."

Slughorn peered over the list. "It'll take me three days.."

Minerva tried not to groan. She wished that Madam Cliodna had not gotten her hopes up, but of course it was silly – did she expect the nurse to shove the Mandrake down Lara's throat? Of course a potion would be necessary, and it would probably be a complex one…still, Minerva had to hide her disappointment when she said, "Yes, sir." She relayed the message to Madam Cliodna and headed for Albus's office.

He was inside, of course, reading. "Albus, I'm exhausted."

"I've noticed you trekking across campus," he noted, not looking up.

Minerva raised her eyebrows. "What are you looking at?" She walked over behind him and looked over his shoulder to see a complete map of Hogwarts, with little labeled dots for people swirling around everywhere.

"I thought about making one of these for Professor Dippet, but I felt it would be too discouraging to all the troublemakers. I may throw this one out when I become Headmaster. It makes catching rule breakers all too easy."

"Takes the challenge out of it?" she said, wrapping her arms around his neck.

"One could say that," he agreed. "What on earth possessed you to visit your least favorite teachers?"

Minerva quickly explained the situation, as well as the odd mandragora trading of Professor Lambert. "I mean, so supposedly he's allergic but he participates in trading them? Was Madam Cliodna being entirely truthful with me?"

"I have never heard of this allergy, but then again I am not bosom buddies with Ronald Lambert. I also have no idea why Professor Smithy would be avoiding them either, seeing as he is the Herbology professor. Rest assured, I will look into it. Now, do you happen to have any breaking news on Grindewald?"

Minerva shook her head. "No. Why would I? Do you?" She leaned around his shoulder to see his face. He smiled.

"Sit down. I have some news, and this may take awhile."