Chapter 53: Thestrals and Umbridge

On the train the students once again spoke badly of the McGonagalls. Stephanie, Hermione, and Harry stuck together and sat with Ron on the train ride. Once the train pulled into the station they walked up to the carriage and Harry gasped in shock.

"What the bloody hell is that thing?" Harry exclaimed.

"What thing?" Ron asked.

"The thing pulling the carriage," Harry replied.

"It's pulling it's self like always," Ron stated climbing in.

"It's a thestral Harry. Mum says they always pull them," Hermione whispered.

"A what?" Harry asked.

"Mum will tell you after supper if you ask her," Stephanie stated as they climbed in. Harry agreed following them as the carriage started off.

"This whole thing with the ministry saying Gran and Dumbledore are liars is ridiculous. And putting an official in as a teacher!?" Hermione ranted as they rode.

"We're going to have to be careful. Granny says she may target mummy," Stephanie stated, "What if they try to take us away?"

"They can't do that," Harry shook his head.

"Well they can take you and Stephanie away because you aren't blood. You don't have that kind of wizarding protection," Ron stated.

"Don't be an idiot," Ginny snapped.

"What do you mean?" Harry asked.

"I know what I'm talking about Gin," Ron frowned.

"No you don't. Normal laws don't apply to Professor McGonagalls daughter. You know the story Ron," Ginny stated.

"That's just a story mum and dad told us to put us to sleep," Ron stated.

"No it isn't. It's real. As real as Hogwarts' itself," Ginny stated.

"What story?" Stephanie asked.

"The story about the Heart and how she is above everything," Ginny smiled at her friend.

"Tell us," Hermione replied.

"900 years ago the founders were in a staff meeting discussing the usual school items when Rowena Ravenclaw had a vision of the future. In it she saw Hogwarts' falling to darkness and burning to the ground. The founders were very worried about this and decided to best protect their school they needed not a group of people but a single person. The school housed children and they agreed what children need best to protect them was a truly lioness mother," Ginny told.

"So they chose a future generation from Gryffindor's line and she is supposed to be above all the powers of the government. Nothing can harm her or touch her and she can keep everything out of the castle with her powers. She is what keeps the castle standing. Yeah right. It's just a story Ginny no one can be that powerful," Ron stated.

The siblings and Ginny shared a look as the carriage stopped and they stepped out of the carriages and into the castle.


Margaret was wearing a nicely cut lilac set of robes and was sitting on her mother's right. Minerva was gone to get the first years. Margaret already fed the four babies and they were up in her room sleeping.

"I'd like to see the kids before you retire for the evening," Severus stated from his seat just one down from her.

"All right. Come by after supper," Margaret nodded.

"Oh hello you must be Margaret. I'm Dolores," a toad looking woman in a pink dress and pink bow smiled a sickly sweet smile extending her hand.

"I must be," Margaret nodded shaking the woman's hand. Dolores smiled and sat in the chair in between the two professors.

"I here you had a few bundles of joy recently," Dolores stated, "Are you sure you're ready to get back to work?"

"I love to work and they're fine with an elf nurse a few times of the day. I know I was," Margaret answered.

"Yes…your mother is unmarried isn't she?" Dolores asked looking over to Minerva who they could see bristling.

"I have a father. We just choose not to make him the subject of ridicule and all," Margaret answered.

"I see…and why haven't you married?" Dolores asked before turning to Severus, "Aren't you the father of the latest three?"

"I don't wish to marry for several reasons and Severus is a very good father to the babies as well as a big help to the older ones. Cordell Weatherly is as well considering the fathers to my other three are dead now I have no problems with the way I live my life Professor Umbridge and as it does not affect the way I teach the children here it shouldn't matter. Now if you will respect silence as my mother comes in with the children," Margaret stated lifting her hand as the double doors swung open and Minerva walked in with the children.

Dolores blinked at the girl's hand but said nothing turning to the sorting. After all she could really have power of the school right?


Long after everyone had retired for the night and he was supposed to be in bed Harry took his invisibility cloak and left the Tower to head to the staff rooms. He knocked on his mother's door and was shocked when Severus answered it frowning.

"Mr. McGonagall I suggest you get in before I take points," Severus stated as he left leaving the door open.

Harry entered and shut the door before taking off his cloak. He laid it over a chair but found the leaving room empty. "Mum!" he shouted.

"In the bedroom Harry," was the answer.

Harry slowly opened the bedroom door and found his mother sitting up in bed in crimson pajamas with her frizzy hair in two pigtails reading a book holding a glass of wine. She looked so relaxed Harry hated to bother her.

Margaret looked up from her book and smiled beckoning her son to her. She put the book and wine on the nightstand by the bed. Harry climbed onto the empty side of the bed and snuggled up to her.

"What is it Harry?" Margaret asked.

"I just…I couldn't sleep. And…I wanted to know about the thestrals. Why can't Ron see them?" Harry asked looking up at her.

"Well that's because thestrals can only be seen by those who have seen death. They won't arm you Harry. Thestrals are really very gentle to those who understand them," Margaret stated running her fingers through his hair as she took off his glasses and put them on the nightstand.

"How about you sleep with me tonight all right?" she smiled.

"Thanks," Harry sighed snuggling closer as the blanket flew up and covered them.

"Sleep well baby I love you," Margaret whispered softly as the lights dimmed and the mother and son went to bed.