May 1945
There was nowhere that Ro's absence had made more difference than it had on the Quidditch pitch. When Minerva told Fleamont that she would almost certainly miss the match he had been in near despair, his chances of winning the Quidditch Cup for the first time since Erika Hooch Captained the team destroyed. Practises were done very half-heartedly without a Seeker for a while, but with two weeks to go until the final match against Hufflepuff, Fleamont approached her before their practise with a renewed fire in his eyes.
"You're certain that Ro won't be back in time to play in the match?" he asked, for what felt like about the thousandth time since the accident.
Minerva shook her head with a sigh. "Even if she is back, I doubt she'll be able to play. And she hasn't even got a broom anymore." She and Poppy had kept the remnants of the Silver Arrow in a bag under Minerva's bed- it felt too painful to just throw it away after all the victories it had won them.
"In that case, we need to find a new Seeker." He laughed ruefully before continuing, "Augusta asked me this morning if I'd found a substitute, and when I said I hadn't been looking she shouted more than she did at Christmas after what happened in the Great Hall."
The memory of their eventful Christmas and the extent of Augusta's rage made Minerva smirk. "Don't you already have reserve players?" she asked, recalling the list of back-up players that was pinned up next to the team sheet on the House Notice Board. They'd never needed to use them since Minerva joined the team, but they trained alongside the full-time team occasionally so would be an obvious choice for Ro's temporary replacement.
Fleamont grimaced. "We do; our reserve Seekers are Mary Taylor and Joseph Prewett. The only problem is-"
"-that they're not here either." Alastor finished for him, arriving to stand next to Fleamont. Minerva groaned, her hopes falling significantly. Mary Taylor had left in mid February after her father had been lost to Grindlewald, and Joseph Prewett's aunt and uncle had both died in the same Muggle bombing that had killed Edgar Maurice at the beginning of March. "So Fleamont and I were thinking of holding some emergency tryouts."
"Unless," Fleamont interrupted, "we could find someone from the team to substitute for Seeker and use one of the other reserves to fill their place. The Seeker is too much of an important role for someone to fill in at only two weeks' notice with no experience of playing alongside the rest of the team." The rest of the team had gathered around them by now, so Fleamont raised his voice and said "You all know what Ro's role is, and we've been playing together for the past year and a half. Any volunteers?"
Minerva was raising her hand before she even realised it. "I'll do it," she said immediately, "I've practised with Ro more than anyone else has. I know how she plays, so no-one will have to change tactics. And there'll still be Fleamont and Larry as Chasers, so they can carry the Quaffle, so to speak, if my replacement isn't so good."
Fleamont nodded slowly, exchanging a glance with Alastor. "I think that sounds like our best idea," he said with his hand on his chin, before clapping his hands with finality. "Minerva, you play as Seeker today and we'll just use two Chasers. The reserves are Edwin Doyle, Anthea Newton and Cleatus Weasley, Edwin's not been here since his mum died, but Cleatus or Anthea should be fine to sub in. If you can all make an extra practise tomorrow, we should have a full team."
Although she was a Chaser at heart, playing as Seeker made a refreshing change. Minerva had played Ro's position a couple of times during the summer at Little Wakering when they all rotated positions to give everyone a chance to play each part, and found she enjoyed the exhilaration of it. There was something almost feverish about plunging through the air after a ball she could barely see other than a glimmer at the edge of her distance, gripping her broom so hard her knuckled turned white and snatching the Snitch out of the air. She was looking forward to rejoining Fleamont and Larry as Chasers- although their chosen substitute Cleatus was good, it was widely agreed that he couldn't beat Minerva- but for the time being she was making the most of it.
The first final between Ravenclaw and Slytherin was held at the end of the week that had brought the end of the Muggle War, so enthusiasm levels were still incredibly high. Nearly the entire crowd were cheering when Ravenclaw emerged victorious- the Slytherin team and Captain Nott had lost a great deal of popularity following their foul in the Gryffindor match, demonstrated by how the entire match was filmed with omnioculars to ensure they couldn't try to pull off a similar feat. The week between the two finals for Minerva was filled with daily Quidditch practise, which proved a great challenge while trying to juggle exam revision too. She had decided to abuse her Time-Turner just slightly in order to use the hour she spent on the Quidditch pitch to revise in the library with Irma too, keeping to a secluded corner so that no-one could notice her. Dumbledore's warning against it remained in her mind, but she and Irma both agreed that in this instance it was for the best.
When the day of their final match arrived, Minerva couldn't remember ever feeling so queasy before a match. She had grown used to her nervous stomach ache and now expected it before every match, but this time it was sore to the point that she had to get a potion from Poppy's bedside store before she could face even getting out of bed. Rather than go into the Great Hall and be bombarded with the stomach-churning smell of food, she went straight down to the changing rooms and waited for the rest of the team there while Poppy, Irma, Septima and Millicent found seats in the Stands.
As usual, every trace of nerves vanished once she was up in the sky and speeding in pursuit of Alfred Diggory. Her inexperience had allowed the Hufflepuff Seeker to gain the upper hand as the match began, but with some helpful Bludgers from Nancy and Ernest he had lost the Snitch after a short while. Fleamont and Larry were taking the lead in scoring the goals as had been expected- although Cleatus was a fantastic flyer and great at catching the Quaffle, his throwing skills were nowhere near what the team needed to win.
But Hufflepuff were only 10 points ahead of Gryffindor's 20 after the first half hour, giving Minerva hope that if she could hold off Diggory long enough to grab the Snitch they might be able to scrape a win. The next goal went to Hufflepuff, but another score each from Fleamont and Larry brought the two Houses to an equal standing. Minerva was going solely by Flitwick's commentary to keep her updated, not wasting a second to watch her teammates rather than look for the Snitch. Diggory hadn't seen it either since it escaped him near the beginning of the match, so Minerva was desperate to find it before he did.
Her moment came after they'd been playing for nearly 40 minutes; it was hovering fairly still right over the centre of the pitch a few feet above her. She knew that Diggory would catch on in seconds if she simply flew at it, but with her lack of experience she couldn't think of a better way to grab it quickly. Leaning forward on her broomstick and pulling the handle towards her to increase her height, she flew towards it as far as she could manage.
Minerva heard her name vaguely over the commentary, and within seconds a yellow blur in the corner of her vision told her that Diggory was on her tail. He was gaining on her alarmingly quickly, but she kept her eyes fixed firmly on the Snitch as they got closer and closer to it. She felt his hand brush her shoulder and panic flared in her chest, but a reckless lunge forward brought cold metal into contact with her palm and a beam to her face as the stadium went wild.
"The final score is 190:60 to Gryffindor, who have won not only the match but the Quidditch Cup for 1944-45!" Flitwick could scarcely be heard even with the magical megaphone over the roaring of the crowd.
Minerva was nearly beside herself with joy, waving the still-fluttering Snitch in her hand as someone seized her from behind. Fleamont's arms were nearly strangling her but in her elation she didn't care, sinking down to the ground before wriggling out of his grip and hugging an equally ecstatic Nancy. "That was incredible!" Larry shouted to Minerva, looking at her with almost wonderment in his eyes before he embraced her briefly.
The rest of Gryffindor House were now pouring out onto the pitch; Fleamont wrapped his arms around Augusta while a grinning Lester slapped Alastor's back, and Shirley Miller all but threw herself into Ernest's arms. Maggie Jordan gave Larry a high five, her dreadlocks bouncing around her face as she jumped up and down with excitement.
"Minerva!" At the sound of her name being shrieked, Minerva turned around just in time to see Millicent barrelling into her with Poppy, Septima and Irma running behind her. "You were amazing!"
"And you didn't even give Poppy a heart attack!" Septima laughed, ruffling Poppy's hair while taking care not to knock Godric off her shoulder.
Irma patted Minerva's shoulder, alerting her to Professor Dippet arriving on the pitch. In his hand was the Quidditch Cup, red ribbons streaming from the handles, so once Millicent had released her she ran over to join the rest of her team. Professor Dippet handed Fleamont the cup, who hoisted it into the air as everyone cheered themselves hoarse. The team were then pushed into a formation with Professor Dumbledore in the middle so that a photograph could be taken, before they were left to their own devices.
"I must admit, Miss McGonagall, that with Miss Hooch's absence I did think for a while that our chances at winning the cup were over." Professor Dumbledore said to Minerva as everyone slowly made their way back to the castle. "But you proved yourself to be very adaptable. I shouldn't be surprised though, considering your mother and uncle were both such talented Quidditch players."
His words made Minerva stop still, ignoring Poppy's squeak as she walked straight into her. "My mother had a... a brother?" she asked in disbelief. Her magical family had never been spoken about at home- other than the fact that she was named after her great-grandmother, she knew nothing of her mother's relatives. Professor Dumbledore nodded, seeming faintly surprised. "Can- can you tell me about him?"
"I can, but I feel now is not the time. Go and celebrate with your friends, and come to my office tomorrow at noon. I will tell you everything I know."
Minerva stared blankly for a moment longer, before Poppy's gentle tug at her hand pulled her back into reality.
If the party following the defeat of Slytherin in November had been big, it was nothing compared to the scene in Gryffindor Tower that they arrived back to. The food and music were enough to distract her from the sudden revelation that she had an uncle for the rest of the day, but that night she lay awake for a long while after Poppy, Septima, Millicent and Irma had fallen asleep. Secrets were something she had come to accept at home, but something this significant had left even her shocked and a little unsettled.
Poppy had offered to accompany her to Professor Dumbledore's office, so shortly before midday they left Millicent, Septima and Irma in the courtyard and climbed the stairs to the fourth floor. The office door was already open when they arrived, but as they were about to go in, the sound of a fierce argument stopped them in their tracks.
"Our best Hit Wizards are already fighting, I can't think of anything I can do alone that they can't manage."
"That's absolute poppycock and you know that perfectly well." Professor Merrythought's enraged shout made them jump, and Minerva exchanged a confused look with Poppy as they hid behind a statue opposite the door.
"Then what do you suggest I do, Galatea?" Professor Dumbledore's tired voice had an irritated tone to it, suggesting that whatever the two teachers were discussing was a very tender subject. "He fights with the Elder Wand, you must understand that I couldn't hope of achieving a definite victory over him!"
"You forget that I was once on the path to become an Auror, Albus, so there is very little I do not understand about the art of duelling." Replied Professor Merrythought coldly. "It is the power of the wizard that determines the victor, not the want that he uses, so I know for certain that you and he would be evenly matched in combat. It isn't that that keeps you here- you're just afraid of confronting him again after all these years!"
There was a pause for a moment, before Professor Dumbledore's voice said dangerously. "I am no coward."
"Then go and face him, as you should have done ten years ago!" Professor Merrythought yelled. "Have you been reading the Prophet lately? The German Minister murdered yesterday, and now the Bulgarian Ministry has fallen!"
"Galatea, enough. I am aware of what is going on, but am clueless to how you want me to stop it singlehandedly. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have other matters to attend to."
"Fine, Albus. Fine. But people are dying, innocent people, and you are the only person who can stop it." With her last scathing remark, Professor Merrythought stormed out of Professor Dumbledore's office and slammed the office door viciously. Minerva and Poppy ducked further behind the statue as she marched down the corridor in the direction of the Grand Staircase, muttering furiously under her breath.
Once Professor Merrythought was out of sight, Minerva dared to step out from behind their makeshift cover. "I wonder what they could have been fighting about?" Poppy wondered aloud, joining her in the doorway of Professor Dumbledore's office.
"Grindlewald, it must have been." Minerva said quietly. "Who else would have killed the German Minister?" Pushing her swirling thoughts out of mind, she tentatively knocked on the door and waited for Professor Dumbledore to call out a welcome before pushing it open.
"Ah, Miss McGonagall. Please do take a seat, you too Miss Pomfrey." Professor Dumbledore showed no signs of the quarrel that had taken place moments before, conjuring up two chairs with a flick of his want that Minerva and Poppy sat down in. "Now, let us get straight to the subject in hand. Where would you like me to begin?"
"I need to know everything." Minerva said immediately, desperate to know everything she could about her unknown family. "Who he was, what he was like, what he does now."
Professor Dumbledore chuckled. "Very well then, we'll start from the very beginning. His name is Matthew Ross, and he is three years older than your mother Isobel. They were both Gryffindors, and both played on the Quidditch team from an early age. Your mother was a Chaser, and later our Captain too, and Matthew played as Seeker."
"What was he like?" Minerva asked, eyes wide.
"A very kind fellow, kind and very intelligent much like yourself. He was also fiercely protective over your mother. From what I know, he was most upset when your mother left the magical world to marry your father. He was in the same year as Professor Kettleburn, and despite being in different Houses they were very good friends and remain so now."
A knock sounded on the door, and Dumbledore smiled. "The very person. Come in, Silvanus!"
The door swung open, and Professor Kettleburn hobbled into the office. "Apologies for being late, Professor Dumbledore, having some trouble with this leg." He shook his left leg, which had been amputated just above the knee after injuring it irreparably in the Christmas pantomime of their first year, and the wooden part rattled loudly.
"I asked Professor Kettleburn to join us, as he should know much more about Matthew then I will." Professor Dumbledore said to Minerva and Poppy, conjuring up another chair that Professor Kettleburn collapsed into gratefully. "I wasn't his Head of House at that point, that position belonged to the old Charms teacher who left the same year as Matthew graduated. Do you remember Briana, Professor Kettleburn?"
"Who could forget brilliant Professor Nedrick?" Professor Kettleburn chuckled, before clearing his throat and turning to Minerva. "Now, you want to know about Matthew Ross?"
Minerva nodded eagerly. "Everything you can tell me."
"I should have guessed you and he were related; you may have your father's hair, but there's something about you that reminds me a great deal of Matthew. We met on the Hogwarts Express and though it was a shame we were in different Houses we were good friends since then. Though very competitive too, we were both Seekers for our Quidditch Teams. Everyone thought he would go on to play professionally, he was so talented, but in the end he started a business of broomstick repairs! Even got a little shop in Diagon Alley!"
"Really?" Minerva butted in without thinking, "I've never seen it." But as she spoke, a memory suddenly flashing into her head. Every time she'd been to Diagon Alley, her mother had always ushered them quickly past one area in particular, including a little shop with a broomstick mounted on the overhang.
"Oh yes, 'Ross' Repairs' I think it's called." Professor Kettleburn nodded slowly, stroking his chin in thought. "Not as popular as Quality Quidditch Supplies but still very reputable. He doesn't stock the big brands like Comets or Cleansweeps, but he makes custom broomsticks for very reasonable prices. Made especially for the customer's requirements- it was him who built the broomstick I've used since my latest accident." He added with a laugh.
Minerva fell silent for a moment, a plan forming in her mind, only speaking again when Poppy gently tapped her arm. "Do you think we could contact him?" She asked.
"I should think so; write him a letter, and I'll send it along with my owl."
They didn't stay for much longer than that, racing back to Gryffindor Tower and up into their dormitory. "You've got an idea, I can tell." Poppy said breathlessly, clinging onto the post of Minerva's bed to keep herself upright. "What is it?"
"Ro." Minerva answered without looking up from her trunk as she rummaged for some spare parchment. "If anyone can fix her Silver Arrow, it'll be him. And if not, we can buy her a special one as a birthday present!"
"That's brilliant!" Poppy cried, joining Minerva on the floor to dig around in her own trunk.
Their letter was written within an hour, penned hastily but in what Minerva hoped to be a dignified introduction. She had a feeling that due to her mother's care in making sure Minerva never saw his shop in Diagon Alley, her uncle probably didn't even know that she existed, so wanted to make a good first impression. Satisfied with their work, they raced down to Professor Kettleburn's office and gave it to him so he could send it.
Although they didn't receive a reply nearly as quickly as Minerva had hoped, the thought that they might be able to get Ro a new broomstick provided the glimmer of hope they needed to see them through the ever worsening situation. Their exams came and went, and Minerva was fairly confident that she'd done suitably well considering the circumstances. The Wizarding Wireless was becoming grimmer and grimmer to listen to, with Ministries falling all across Europe and important figures being assassinated in cold blood.
The slow trickle of students who'd left earlier in the year returning made the Common Room feel a great deal less empty, but the cloud of solemness that accompanied them did nothing to lighten the mood. That changed for Minerva and the third year girls when they were woken up at dawn by a scraping at the window; Minerva clumsily jammed on her glasses before rolling out of bed to draw the curtains and investigate.
Any trace of tiredness was vanished instantly by the sight of a shabby-looking owl banging at the window to get in out of the rain. Poppy rushed over to help her and together they heaved the window open, and the soggy bird flew in to land in a heap on the floor. It shook out its feathers, before dropping the letter it had been carrying in its beak.
Minerva took the letter and squinted to read the addressee through the gloomy darkness. "Prof. S Kettleburn and Miss M McGonagall," she read aloud, before looking up to grin at Poppy. "He's replied!"
Author's Note:
Woohoo long chapter again! There was one more section I wanted to squeeze in here, but now I actually think it will work better in the next chapter so all's well that ends well. On the subject of the next chapter, I'll warn you now that it's going to be very big and dramatic! I'm really looking forward to it :D
Also, have you all noticed my new story picture? I spend a while over the weekend finding faceclaims for our main six and I've compiled a tumblr photoset of the faceclaims with the character's information. The ones I chose are: Eva Green for Minerva, Dakota Blue Richards for Ro, Rosalind Pike for Poppy, Michelle Dockery for Irma, Carey Mullingham for Septima, and Ruby Bentall for Millicent. I'm pretty proud of them all, but suggestions are welcome if any of y'all have them.,
The idea that Minerva would switch to Seeker to cover for Ro came from the books, when Ginny switched from Chaser to Seeker to play in Harry's place. Our Quidditch Team are all great, I've grown very fond of them all. Larry is such a sweetheart (he gets more important as the story progresses), Nancy is lovely too and Maggie Jordan is just as fun as her distant relative Lee. Unfortunately that was the last match featuring Fleamont and Alastor- I'm going to miss the four seventh years (Fleamont, Alastor, Augusta and Lester) once we reach September again.
Matthew Ross is a completely made up character, who won't have a great deal of long term importance but will play a significant part in the next few months of story. I always got the impression that Isobel McGonagall was very private about her own family, giving that she severed all contact with them when she married Robert. But due to the chapter length issues, you'll have to wait until next time to see what he has to say to his neice!
Professor Briana Nedrick, former Charms teacher, is also created by yours truly, solely to fill the space of Gryffindor Head that needed to be filled because I can't imagine Dumbledore was promoted the moment he arrived at the school. She may appear at some point but if she does it will be a very minor role.
Professor Merrythought and Dumbledore's argument will make a little more sense in the next chapter, but I think I've made it fairly obvious what they're on about already. Prepare yourself for a lot of action related to that argument... that's all the hint I'm giving ;)
