Part 3
Forever at War
Chapter 28
Sitting around the hastily pushed together tables in the kitchen of the Burrow, Harry absentmindedly picked at his food in front of him. Beside him was Ron, who was shovelling as much of the crispy bacon into his mouth as he could while his mother's back was turned. Across from him was Hermione, quietly chatting with Ginny. Occasionally they would look up at him, their brows creased but every time he went to call them on it, they turned back to their food as if nothing had happened. He wasn't sure what they were talking about, he had an idea, but then again, he didn't really wish to know either, so he kept his mouth shut. He didn't need any more reminders of what happened the year before.
No, he had the dreams for that.
'First Cedric, now Sirius.' He thought, jabbing at the piece of bacon on his plate, 'I kill everyone.'
"Now now Mr Potter," A familiar voice called out from the doorway, "What did that piece of bacon ever do to you?"
Dropping his fork unceremoniously on his plate, Harry turned to look up at the older woman. "Professor McGonagall." He greeted politely, though he lacked his usual amusement at seeing her in her glamours.
Tilting her head, Minerva made her way to the table as Molly turned around, "Tea Minerva?"
"Please."
Smiling, the smaller woman gestured for her to sit, "Sit, rest for a while, Merlin knows how long you've been up for."
Hesitating in sitting, Minerva avoided the gaze of the shorter woman, "Not that long." She said lightly, sitting beside Harry.
"Uh-huh, and I'm the Queen of England."
Once more tipping her head, Minerva gave the group around her a look that proved the matriarch right. Smiling slightly at the snickers from the twins and Ginny, Minerva reached into the sleeve of her robe, pulling out four envelopes. "I have your letters here," She said, passing the top two across the table to the girls.
"Thank you." They chorused together.
Turning to her right, she reached behind Harry with the third, lightly tapping Ron on the shoulder with the parchment, "And yours Mr Weasley."
Looking up, mouth still full, Ron took the letter, mumbling a garbled thanks around his food, and continued to eat. Grimacing at the display, Minerva looked from the red head to Harry, her now empty hand resting comfortingly on his back. "That leaves you, Mr Potter." She said softly, holding out the last one for him.
Taking it, the hunched teen tried to smile, muttering his thanks under his breath.
"You're quite welcome Harry." Minerva said just as Molly placed the cup in front of her, "Thank you Molly."
Smiling to the stern woman, Molly turned her attention to Harry, noticing straight away that he wasn't eating, "You should eat dear, keep your strength up." She said cheerfully, patting him on his shoulder as she passed him.
Leaning in close, Minerva spoke softly, holding her cup in front of her, "She's right, you should eat."
"I'm not hungry." Harry whispered harshly.
Minerva was taken aback by the tone, but hid it by taking a sip of her tea. The others around them looked at Harry in confusion. Never before had he spoken like that to McGonagall before. Leaning forward slightly, the old chair creaking quietly with the slow movement, Minerva made sure Molly had her back to the group as she quickly reached out and took the piece of bacon from Harry's plate. Under the wide eyed gaze from the rest of the table, Minerva ate it quickly before snagging the last piece of toast from the plate as well, biting into it as Molly turned back around with a cup of her own.
"Oh Minerva, if you're hungry I could make a plate up for you." She said, already reaching for one the many plates stacked by the sink.
Shaking her head, Minerva swallowed the bite, "No need, the toast is all I have time for."
"You're leaving so soon?"
"A witches work is never done." She said, taking another bite of the cold hard bread.
"You work too hard Minerva."
Minerva gave a dry laugh before taking a rather unladylike mouthful of tea, "What else am I meant to do?" She asked, placing the now empty cup back on its saucer, "If I don't do anything, I'm liable to go mad." Standing, she dropped the last half of the toast on the side of the plate, "I'm sorry for the mad dash, but I must go."
"Of course." Molly agreed, dipping her head in understanding.
Looking around the group at the table, she gave a small smile before bending and whispering into Harry's ear, "Make sure you eat something at lunch, please." At the small, jerky nod, Minerva stood up once more, catching sight of the badly hidden smirk Ron was giving her. Arching her brow, she pointed her finger at him, "And you Mr Weasley, I'll be keeping my eye on you." Even though she had spoken as sharply as usual, the twinkle of amusement didn't leave her eyes.
Remembering who was speaking to him, Ron nodded, his face frozen in fear, even as the memory of the train ride home replayed in his mind.
"So explain something to me Minerva," the pair looked up at him in surprise, with Minerva going pale, "How is it that I noticed your disappearing act when Professor McGonagall visits, and Hermione hasn't?"
For a stunned moment, the two raven haired students just looked at him. As expected, Minerva was the first to recover, "How did you find out?" She sighed, leaning back against the seat.
"Well, it was sort of obvious with you disappearing when McGonagall came for a visit, but at first I thought it was because she was your Aunt," He smiled as Minerva snorted in amusement.
"Yeah, I thought someone would come to that conclusion." She shook her head, "Go on."
"But in all honesty, I got hold of the map. Said Harry was sitting next to Minerva McGonagall, but when I went down, Mindy."
Harry groaned, looking up at the ceiling. How could they be so stupid? "When was this?" He asked, looking at his friend.
Ron shrugged, "Fourth year."
"You've known since fourth year?"
"Why didn't you say anything?"
Again he shrugged, "What was I supposed to say? Hey mate, do'ya know ya dating ya head of house?" He snorted, slumping back against the seat, "I'd be in the hospital wing before anyone could say Quidditch."
Harry narrowed his eyes, looking at his friend suspiciously, "You're taking this rather well."
"I've had two years to freak out." The red head said, running a hand through his hair, "What I really want to know, why haven't you told Hermione?"
This time it was Minerva's turn to snort, "Oh I'm sure that would go well. Miss Granger, I am actually Minerva McGonagall, your head of house, not the friend stealing replacement you think I am," She sighed, "The girl hates me enough as it is, at least when I'm her Professor, I have her respect."
"Does that mean you're coming back Professor?"
The sound of Hermione's voice drew Ron from his thoughts. Turning, he looked up at the woman, waiting expectantly for an answer.
"No, I am not, but I can assure you, this year you'll have a competent teacher for Defence Against the Dark Arts."
"Is it Lupin?" Harry asked, speaking up for the first time since she arrived.
Sadly, Minerva shook her head, "No." Taking a deep breath, she looked back to Molly, "Thank you, but now I really must go."
"Give Albus our best."
Nodding sharply, Minerva turned and walked out.
Behind her, Ginny turned to the others at the table, "Who do you think will be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts?"
For R.W.
It's been so long since I've updated, so I've broken my rule about having three or more chapters ready before posting, so I really don't know when the next will be up, but I doubt it'll be up in a months time.
