Minerva McGonagall was walking into the Three Broomsticks with a young girl following close behind. They had just walked through the door when Minerva spotted her.
"Oh, there she is! Come Cat, follow me." Minerva said. She waved to greet Hermione who was seated at a table of to the side. Hermione began to stand. As Minerva and Catrina approached her, Minerva reached out to give Hermione a warm embrace.
"Well, good afternoon dear!" Minerva said happily.
"Hello." Hermione responded. Catrina had kept quiet.
"How are you doing?" Minerva asked.
"Fine, I am doing well." Hermione responded. She was quite curious about the young girl with Minerva.
"Yes, well," Minerva began as she realized Hermione's visible curiosity. "Hermione Granger, this is Catrina!" she continued as she introduced the two younger witches.
"How do you do?" Catrina greeted Hermione.
"Fine, it's nice to meet you." Hermione said.
"And good to meet you as well." Catrina said.
"Well, shall we sit?" Minerva suggested. "Oh, please, a cup of tea all around here if you don't mind." She said as she caught a waitress who was passing by. "Thank you." She added.
"Well, thank you so much for meeting us here. I wanted you all to meet." Minerva said to the pair of them.
"So, Min-" Hermione started. But then hesitated without thinking. She glanced at Minerva for a second before she continued. She wasn't sure just how much Catrina knew of how Hermione and Minerva had come to know each other so well. Hermione knew that this would be an awkward get together but it didn't really feel it all hit her until this very moment.
"Well, Professor McGonagall," She continued, " tells me that you have been living in France?"
"Yes. My mum and I moved there two and a half years ago, she was called to teach over there." Catrina explained.
"That is neat; that you were able to experience a different culture." Hermione said. "I would love to travel when I get older."
"Yes, me as well." Catrina said. Minerva just observed in delight as the girls seemed to pick up conversing with one another quite quickly, as they were each listing each of the different places they would like to visit when they were older.
Before they realized it, the women had gone through almost 3 cups of tea each. After discussing the places they wanted to visit. Catrina and Hermione discussed the differences in their magical education. It seemed that they were both pretty intelligent young witches for their age. Hermione still wasn't sure what to make of all of it thought. Were they actually becoming friends? Here, over tea. The daughter—the other family of Minerva McGonagall. Hermione just continued to put that awkward thought aside. She did seem to like Catrina. And Catrina, she thought, seemed to like her as well.
After they had gone over many, many topics, Minerva cut in. "Well, see, I had a feeling that the two of you would get along well! I knew you both tend to keep to yourselves really." Minerva said with a smile on her face, clearly pleased with herself.
"However," She said," I am afraid that it has come to be quite late. Do you suppose you girls are about ready to head separate ways for the day?" She asked .
"I supposed." Hermione said. This, is the part that is odd. Hermione thought to herself. Them, leaving together. For what seemed like for quite some time, it was to Hermione and her own mother that Minerva would be going to when she left a place.
With a sigh, the women got up from their table.
"Well, it was a delight to see you dear, as always!" Minerva said as she embraced Hermione once more. And to Hermione's surprise, Minerva's embrace was quickly followed by Catrina's open arms. The two girls quickly hugged one another.
"Great to meet you." Catrina said.
"Yes, it was!" Hermione said. As they turned to leave Minerva turned back to Hermione, "Will you be alright? Getting back?" She asked.
"Oh, yes, Ron's father had an excellent ort key connection ready for me." Hermione said. And Minerva caught the bit of sarcasm that was hinted in Hermione's words of the over protective . And then the pair of them left leaving Hermione at the now vacant table they had occupied for the past hours. She noticed the small change purse of hers light up as it lay upon the table top. That was her cue. And in an instant she was back at the Weasely's house. Only two days until school began. At least if she saw Catrina around she would know. Who knows, maybe they could become good friends. Hermione thought. She knew that this situation was tricky. She hadn't told her mother about meeting Minerva and Catrina. She knew that it would just open a can of worms she didn't want to deal with. Ever since her parents had gotten back together, even the mere mention of Minerva's name was like taboo. Both her Mum ad dad would go off like a firework in the dead of night.
Well, I suppose we will see how this all plays out at the end right? She asked Crookshanks as she lay awake in bed that evening softly petting said cat. We will see.