Title: Minerva's Unexpected Quest

Chapter 26: Hermione's Ghost

The match between Slytherin and Ravenclaw took place and Slytherin only managed to win. Because of that the Slytherins had a big party but Minerva couldn't into it because Eli kept staring at her. Another detention had come and gone and Eli hadn't been there. Professor Sight had taken another twenty points from Slytherin so that meant that if Eli didn't show up one more time Slytherin would be hoping that they could beat Gryffindor in the final match.

When Eli left Minerva breathed a sigh of relief and then went over to where Alice was. She was eating the food that had been brought up and asked her if she wanted an egg roll.

"Thanks," Minerva said, biting into it.

"The Easter holidays are coming," Alice told her. "Are you going to return home to see your dad?"

Minerva swallowed. "No," she answered. "He wants me to come home for the summer holidays. So what are you doing this summer?"

"Seeing my parents, of course, and doing things that no mortal should see," Alice told her and then laughed. "It will be strange not capturing your card captures during the summer."

"I doubt you'll be seeing any," Minerva told her. "I don't think a lot of strange and mysterious things happen in Japan."

"Well if they do then write to me and let me know," Alice begged.

Minerva smiled. "I'll do that," she said.

Later that night Minerva and Alice were asleep when a presence entered Minerva's quarters. It was semi-transparent and only Kero was the one that woke up. He looked up to see his former Master hovering there.

"Hello, Cerberus," Hermione said, smiling at him. "How is everything with my daughter?"

"Well," Kero answered, "Though she has been having trouble with Eli.'

Hermione shook her head. "When is that boy going to learn anything? Is Minerva safe?"

"Yes," Kero answered. "She's just like you, very determined."

Hermione smiled at his words. "I've trained her well!" she stated. "Well I'll get going, though I'll be around."

And she faded away into nothing.

"I know you will," Kero said and then fell asleep as well.

The next morning was another round of classes that Minerva figured the Headmistress had planned out to just make her life a living nightmare. She had Transfiguration with Professor Sight and she made it a point to inform everyone that the reason that Slytherin was twenty points near the bottom of the Quidditch pile was all due to Minerva and Eli. Everyone turned to glare at them and while Minerva felt shame Eli just worked as though nothing happened.

"Aren't you any worried that the other houses will get the cup?" Minerva told him after class.

"No, because it's a stupid contest," Eli said. "Gods, aren't you all worried about more important things then some stupid cup?"

"Yeah, but my dad will expect me to take it home for Slytherin," Minerva told him.

Eli rolled his eyes and walked away without saying anything.

"I want to kill him," Minerva hissed as they headed for Defense Against the Dark Arts.

"Don't worry about him," Alice said. "I'm sure that his parents are really proud of him."

Minerva highly doubted that but she knew enough to know that Alice was being sarcastic.

Harry Potter entered the Hogwarts grounds for his annul inspection. The weather was still chilly but he could tell that spring was coming and therefore warmer weather was coming as well. He hadn't been here since Amelia had been expelled and sent to Azkaban and he was glad to be back on more pleasant business.

"Can I offer you a drink, Harry?" McGonagall asked.

"No, thanks," Harry said. "So how are things going at the school?"

McGonagall took a deep breath and poured herself a whisky sour. "The Cards have been released."

Harry stared at her, in shock. "The cards that Hermione captured?" Harry asked.

"Yes," McGonagall answered. "Minerva has been chosen to get them back and I have this new student named Eli that's been causing trouble."

"What kind of trouble?" Harry asked.

"The kind that might lead others to find out about them," McGonagall answered. "Once, when he was in the courtyard, he tried to get them away from Minerva."

"I heard about that," Harry said. "So what do you want me to do?"

"Nothing right now," McGonagall told him. "I don't want Eli to know that we know about the cards."

She took a drink of her mix. "So how are things at home?"

"Well," Harry answered. "James is due to start Hogwarts next term and Lily is getting very anxious about going as well, even though it won't be for four years."

McGonagall laughed. "I hope that James likes Minerva. She's a really good kid."

"Me too," Harry said. "Though with how Ron is talking about Minerva I highly doubt that."

McGonagall sighed. "Want me to talk to him?" she asked.

"No, but I'm going to give him a warning," Harry told her. "I do hope that's enough."

"I'm sure it will be," McGonagall said. "But if it isn't then I'll take care of the problem."

"Thanks," Harry said and then bid McGonagall good bye.

The Easter Holidays came and the teachers piled them with so much homework that the Easter holidays weren't nearly as fun as the Christmas ones. Alice and Minerva worked hard on the homework they had in the Library while Eli spent his time doing nothing.

"Aren't you going to do your homework?" Minerva asked him.

"What's the point?" Eli said. "I know everything."

Minerva rolled her eyes and Alice frowned.

"Doing this homework is important," Alice told him, giving him one of her best looks. "If you don't do it then you'll get into a lot of trouble."

"With who?" Eli asked.

"With every teacher that's in the castle," Minerva answered.

Eli got up and, grinning at them, left.

"Oh that boy makes me so mad," Minerva told Alice.

"Let's ignore him from now on," Alice suggested.

"With pleasure," Minerva said and they returned to their work.

A/N: I'm going to skip a whole bunch of months and place the next chapter during Minerva's summer vacation. Oh and don't worry Minerva passed her first year. Next up: The Snape maid targets Minerva and Minerva gets some letters from Alice and some of her mum's friends.