Harry Potter and the Hogwarts Harem
by C.M. Lacey

Chapter 20. Minerva McGonagall

Like the first time Harry shared a bed with Hermione, he found that her gaze stirred him before he even woke up. Once his own eyes were open, Hermione blinked, then adverted her stare. Unlike the previous time she was a little more self-conscious at being caught looking. It was cute in a way, watching her cheek slowly raise to a pinkish hue, and her eyebrows raise to an innocent looking shyness. He could tell why Ron had fallen for her.

"Hermione-" Harry's voice croaked, still dry from sleep.

"I know what you're going to say Harry." Hermione spoke in a fast paced rhythm. "Last night was amazing. We connected on a level I didn't think possible. I really enjoyed myself, but I'm not fooling myself. Last night was a one-time deal. I'm not expecting anything more out of it other than sex."

"Err… okay?" Harry blinked, trying to follow all that. It was like she was speaking on fast forword.

"I know, I know. I'm in complete agreement. I don't want an amazing night to jeopardize our friendship. As far as I'm concerned, we're still friends. Friends who just had sex five times, but friends nonetheless."

"Hermione-"

"And I still think it's time for you to find a proper girlfriend. Sleeping with me isn't a suitable substitute. You need someone who can really take on fully being a girlfriend. I'm not saying I'm not up for the task, but I can't simulate being your girlfriend and remain detached emotionally at the same time. I'm sorry, Harry, but sex is all I'm willing to give."

"Hermione-" Harry tried again.

"Speaking of which, we were pretty careless last night. I'd already used the anti-pregnancy spells on myself, but if we keep going like this, we'll need to invest in condoms… Wizards use those, don't they? I haven't really looked into that. I can research it in the library and-"

"HERMIONE!" Harry shut her up. Her body physically jumped, and it was hard not to look at her breast bounce from it. "All I wanted to say was 'good morning.'"

Hermione was silent for a beat, then she took an embarrassed smile. "Sorry. It's just that… that I've been thinking about all those things since I woke up. We were so passionate last night, I didn't know where you stood."

"I agree with you on everything." Harry chuckled. "Last night was meant to be passionate. It was your first time."

Hermione turned away, looking shy again. "I can't believe I did that. Girls are supposed to give it up to someone they love, right? In a way I do love you, so it sort of counts. At least it was with someone I trust and not some mistaken fling."

"It was a new experience for me too." Harry recalled. "I've never been with a virgin. I was sort of frightened for a moment."

"You didn't hurt me." Hermione reassured him, even if she didn't have too. "I mean, it did hurt at first, but-"

"I know." He didn't need a retelling of the previous night. He was there, after all. "Sooo… breakfast?"

"Right." hermione beamed. "We better wash up and get to the Prefect's Office."

Harry groaned. He wasn't sure he wanted to deal with Ginny first thing in the morning. Hermione gave him a knowing look, but pushed him out of bed.

To save time, they both hopped into the shower together. He had so much sex the previous night, his penis didn't even think about getting excited. This was fine as both of them were in a hurry. They had slept in far too long, as they had spend most of the night physically active. Neither one of them had enough sleep, and both were exhausted.

Once they were dressed and ready to go, they departed, heading straight for the Prefect's Office. However Harry hadn't gotten two steps away from their flat when Professor Flitwick stepped out of his own office. Having spotted Harry, he gestured for him to stop. Hermione stopped as well, even though she didn't have too.

"The Headmistress would like to speak to you before the morning meal, Mr. Potter." Flitwick told him.

"She does?" Harry looked at Hermione, then back down at the Charms Professor. "Do you know what she wants to see me about?"

"I don't." Flitwick informed him. "I was just told to pass down the message since I was more likely to see you before breakfast."

"Thanks." Harry told him, then gave Hermione a shrug. "I'll see you later."

"I'll catch you up during breakfast."

So, leaving Hermione with Flitwick, Harry turned around and headed back towards the Headmistress's office. It wasn't that far of a walk since it was located near Ravenclaw Tower. As he neared the familiar entrance statue that required a password, Harry realized that he didn't have one. However the statue opened itself up on it's own, and issued Harry up the stares that led to McGonagall's office.

He hadn't been inside this place ever since the former head of Gryffindor took over. Much of the amazing and interesting trinkets that Harry had admired from Dumbledore's reign was gone. To replace that was a very McGonagall approach of minimalism and efficiency. There was the odd magical object here or there, but it was a place of learning and meetings. There was a new couch and two love seats surrounding a small table in the middle of he room, while bookcases stacked with books covered the walls.

Above them, still hanging in their portrait frames, were the paintings of previous Hogwarts Headmasters. They were arranged differently than how Dumbledore had placed them, and Harry correctly assumed that McGonagall had arranged the portraits where they placed historically. Professors Dumbledore and Snape were placed either side of McGonagall's large chair at the end of the room.

"Potter, late as usual." Portrait Snape snapped. "When the Headmistress summons a student, they should comply immediately."

"Now, now, Severus." Dumbledore spoke kindly. "I imagine that Harry has only just received the message."

"I-It's true!" Harry stammered. It was unnerving to see and hear both Snape and Dumbledore talking to him from beyond the grave.

"You've always been too forgiving where Potter is concerned. Had he been my student while I was Headmaster-"

"That's enough out of the two of you." McGonagall interrupted Snape as she walked in.

She didn't even look at them as she strode behind her desk, taking a seat. She gestured for Harry to sit down, at which he did, but he couldn't take his eyes off Dumbledore. Seeing this, McGonagall peered behind her as well.

"Isn't that… distracting?" Harry asked, unable to stop looking at the twinkle in Dumbledore's blue eyes.

"They can be very life-like at times." McGonagall explained. "In someways, it's like they are back among the living. However they are just copies. Their knowledge and personalities from the time they got their portraits painted is all there, but their soul and essence is gone. It's like eating a knock-off Chocolate-Frog. It tastes the same, but something is off."

"I see."

McGonagall gave him a moment, then kindly directed his attention back to her. "Mr. Potter, the reason I called you here is somewhat personal. I'd like to know why you're not on the Gryffindor Quidditch Team's roster."

"Professor?"

"I might not be Head of Gryffindor anymore, but I'm still invested in my former house's standing." McGonagall pointed out. "It seems impossible that Ms. Weasley did not recruit you to return as Seeker."

"Err-" Harry wasn't sure how he should break the news to her. Perhaps just giving a summery would be acceptable. "Truth is Ginny and I broke up just before the War, and we just can't stop fighting. I'm not on the team because of that."

McGonagall give a frustrated snort at that. "Teenagers."

"Now, now Minerva." Dumbledore said.

"Please inform Ms. Weasley that her personal feelings should not effect the decisions of a Quidditch Captain." McGonagall ignored Dumbledore.

"And Headmistress's personal house preferences shouldn't dictate Quidditch team decisions." Snape reminded her.

"Oh, you're one to talk." McGonagall complained, but saw his point. "I supposed Professor Snape is correct. Forget what I just said, Potter. Perhaps we should solve this problem in another way. Have you tried working things out?"

"Professor…" Harry started, but stopped. He didn't really know what to say. It wasn't like he ever got into anything personal with her before. It was extremely awkward.

"Instead of fighting, find a way to talk to her. I don't care who wronged who, just sort it out. Not having you on the Gryffindor Quidditch team on your final year at Hogwarts is just wrong. It's unfair to you, unfair to your house, unfair to the school… it just looks bad. Figure this out, Potter. Appeal to her reason. Think you can do that?"

"I'll try." Harry found himself blushing now.

"Good." McGonagall said curtly. "With how the other teams are looking now, Gryffindor stood a chance of being unbeatable."

When she said that, it sparked something within him. Suddenly he remembered his wand theory from a few days ago. On instinct he looked at Dumbledore. There were so many questions he wanted answered now, but how to do it? It wasn't like he could just tell McGonagall to leave her own office, but he wasn't sure if Dumbledore would have been happy spreading the news about him owning one the Deathly Hallows. The Hallows were a myth, after all. Most people didn't even believe in them. Harry might sound like a complete nutter if he tried explaining all this to her.

She caught him looking at Dumbledore again, and like before, her expression softened. She leaned on her desk, looking at him closer. "You were very close to Albus, weren't you?"

"Probably not as close as people think." Harry admitted. "I was a friend, but he had to teach me as a student most of the time. To me, however-"

"Yes, I understand." McGonagall nodded. She pushed her chair to the left so Harry could look at Dumbledore closer. "If you have something you'd like to say to him, perhaps now's the time?"

"Thank you." Harry said, but still hesitated. He looked back at McGonagall and shifted in his chair a bit. "What I have to say might be strange. Secret even. I don't know how much he told you, but…"

McGonagall raised her wand and flicked it. Curtains surrounding every portrait closed, all but the one over Dumbledore's frame. Even if those paintings were former Hogwarts Headmasters, not many of them were on the caliber of Albus Dumbledore. His secrets, even now, were probably better left kept hidden.

However, McGonagall herself did not leave. She fully intended on staying. Feeling that if there was one teacher in the school he trusted more than Dumbledore, it was McGonagall. Harry reluctantly accepted it, and hoped that he didn't sound like a crazy person to her.

"Professor," Harry addressed Dumbledore. "I have a question about the Elder Wand."

Dumbledore's eyes raised. "Ah, you know about that."

"Pardon me?" McGonagall furrowed her brow.

"I'm sure you recall the delightful tales from Beedle the Bard." Dumbledore started. His hand raised into frame, and clutched in his hand was a painted duplicate of the Elder's Wand. "It just so happens that the story about the three brothers attempting to cheat death is true. The Deathly Hallows exist. My wand is the Unbeatable Wand."

McGonagall's mouth dropped.

"Forget all that." Harry tried to get them to focus. "During the war, I became the rightful heir to the Elder Wand. In fact, I had all the Hallows at one point. After defeating Voldemort-"

"You possessed them all, Harry?" Dumbledore looked excited. "Well done!"

"Albus! Let the boy finish." McGonagall was looking rather pale. "If I recall, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, carried Albus' wand into battle, but you're saying it rightfully belong to you?"

Sighing, Harry explained the complicated series of events that led to the Elder Wand's allegiance going to himself. This took the better part of an hour, as now he had to recount nearly everything that happened concerning the Hallows to both the Headmistress and the Portrait. Once he explained everything, he finally was able to get back to the subject he wanted to discuss.

"Anyway… point is I didn't want for one person to be able to hold that much power, even if it was me. I kept my father's cloak and discarded the rest." He could tell they were curious as to where he hid the other Hallows, but he wouldn't answer that. "Before I got rid of the Elder Wand, I used it to repair my normal one. It was nearly broken in half before, and completely useless, but the Elder Wand was able to fix it."

"That should be impossible." McGonagall noted.

"Anyway, since then I've noticed something different about my wand." Harry continued. "It's much more responsive and… and I think that it's become unbeatable."

McGonagall's eyes raised. "Your duel with Bill Drescher…"

"My thinking exactly." Harry nodded. "I might be good, but beating a professional dueler seems like a stretch? I was working magic I never had used before, and acting before I could even think of what to do. So I'm wondering if it's possible that the Elder Wand created a duplicate of itself."

"I'm no expert on wand theory, but if I were to guess (and my guesses usually tend to be correct) I would say that what you described is exactly what happened. An Elder Wand only knows what an Elder Wand is. In repairing your wand, it did so using itself as a reference. Of course, since you were it's Master, it probably infused it's unbeatably potential onto your wand so you could still access the Elder Wands true magic."

"Then I haven't really gotten rid of it at all…"

"That's where you're wrong, Harry. The Elder Wand still has it's magic, you simply just created a copy. Somewhere, hidden where ever you placed it, the real Elder Wand lays unused. However, you're still it's master. Your claim is still there, and still in use. The fact that your new wand is unbeatable is proof of that."

"Then there are two unbeatable wands now."

"It would seem so."

Harry once again felt the weight of responsibility now. He didn't want that power, but then again he couldn't really trust anyone else with it. Since he knew he wouldn't abuse it, he could trust himself. If a good man like Dumbledore could be swayed by both the Horcruxes and the Hallows, Harry didn't know who else he could trust. Perhaps that was his last mission for Dumbledore, to be the keeper of the Hallows and make sure they'd be lost forever.

"Thank you Professor." Harry swallowed, feeling slightly overwhelmed.

"Mr. Potter," McGonagall spoke after a long beat. "someday you'll have to tell me the full story of what all went on between you and Albus, and what really happened during the Battle of Hogwarts."

"Perhaps I will someday." Harry informed her. "If there is anyone I would explain everything to, it'd be you. For now, I think it's best I keep some of those secrets to myself."

"I understand." She said, then breathed in sharply. "Well, off with you. You have a Weasley to talk too and classes to attend."

"Right." Harry remembered why he was there in the first place. "Goodbye Professor."

Author Note: Ha. I bet some of you thought I'd actually have Harry bone her, didn't you?