CHAPTER 23: Young Love Parted.

The very soft, magically diminished 'POP!' of the ageing witch apparating into her front garden followed by her sigh of relief, and of satisfaction, was testament to the effort that Professor Minerva McGonnagle was putting in over the Harry Potter predicament. She hadn't used so much of her formidable magic in apparating the length and breadth of the country in a long time. She had the early symptoms of her core just beginning to feel the need of a rest and her body was definitely feeling the same.

'Getting old, Minerva', she thought to herself.

As she looked at the beautiful early evening scene around her, a sight she never tired of, millenia of the spirits of countless highland Scots within her sang at the vista. The sun, still bright and warm, was now in the west, and although with a good many hours of daylight still remaining of the day, in high summer this far north the sun didn't set till close to eleven o'clock at night and was up by easily 4am, the gloriously colourful hues of blooming purple, white and yellow heathers, the greeny/blue of the pines and whyns, the ever changing shades of the dark blue of the sea with its white skerries were illuminated into a glowing scene that no artist, magical or muggle, could ever reproduce.

'By Merlin, I love it here. I should think of reti…..'

"Hmmm! Gone quiet in there, Sirius.", she overheard.

Minerva stepped through the door. "What's gone quiet, niece?"

Both the young, mystical witch and the much searched for wizard jumped out of their skins.

"Minerva! You scared the sh ….. bejesus out of us! How can you apparate so quietly?"

"Ah! Now that is my secret to know and you to ponder over. Now, where has it gone quiet?"… Then, quickly looking around, she asked ….."And where is Miss Granger?"

The ever-guilty looking Lord Black, and on this occasion, her also very guilty looking niece, both looked very sheepish and gulped.

"Eh …. Well Minerva, it's like this, you see …. Eh! ….."

The stern Gryffindor professor frown and stilted tones came back with a vengeance. "There is no "well Minerva's" about it, Sirius. Where is Miss Granger?"

The Healer (or Doctor) McGonnagle came in on the conversation instead, with just a little bit of hesitation.

"Em! …. evening aunt Minnie. Hermione is in with Harry. They have been having quite a chat. Some raised voices, even a bit of shouting, swearing and downright angry screaming at each other for a bit. But it seems to have settled down. Only a few quiet murmurs for a while now. Was touch and go whether they would be hexing one another but I think their fine, now."

Minerva was a bit shocked at the answer.

"What? Hermione and Harry? Yes, I can see Hermione nipping Harry's ears off about something, but shouting and screaming? What's gone on in there?"

"Aunt Minnie, Hermione was … nipping Harry's ear, since you put it that way, about what he done, how serious it was and so on, then Harry had had enough of it. He hit the roof and it was not pretty on the ear. His temper went off again like a kettle letting off steam. Some more of the truth about his upbringing came out along with other stuff. You and Dumbledore were not cast in a pretty light, at all. It was not good, Aunt Minnie, and Hermione copped it both barrels. But, …. Before you do anything more, that was a wee while ago. It has all settled down now, much calmer, in fact, very peaceful with only the odd murmuring coming from the bedroom."

The raised eyebrows and slight cocking of the old Professor's head to one side made Sirius feel so much like the young student waiting to be interigated for some mischief he had been up too.

"And how long, may I ask,.. Sirius… has this 'wee while' been?" asked McGonnagle.

"OH! Eh, 'bout and hour, maybe an hour and a half …. Or so. Not long"

"What? You left two fifteen-year old teenagers in a bedroom, alone, for an 'or so' hour and half! … Merlin's beard! I promised Mrs Granger that I would make sure her daughter was supervised and kept from harm! Bollocks!"

"Minerva, the door was always … Oh, shit! …unlocked!"

McGonnagle was at the door of the guest bedroom in an instant and hearing no sounds coming from there, breathing deeply and preparing herself for a sight she hoped not to see, she edged the door open and popped her head inside. Then paused. And smiled gently with ever a small sigh of relief. Then, head back out and looking at the other two adult magicals who had followed her, she beckoned and whispered, "Have a look."

Harry was sound asleep inside the covers, Hermione was awake, still fully clothed and cradling Harry in her arms, but she outside the covers. She had looked up as the door had swung open not quite soundlessly on its hinges. A smile was on her face although with a slight pinkness about her complexion at being seen in her situation, in bed, well, on the bed, with Harry. But she seemed very content.

A very quiet "Shhh!" and then an even quieter "Hi! We had a bit of a clear the air talk. I think it was needed but it's all good now. But Harry is still very tired and a bit sore again. He got a bit angry at me and I think he has had a bit of a relapse. I made him take one of the sleep and pain potions that Megh …. Dr. McGonnagle left here for him. He went out for the count very quickly after we ki ….. em …. Made up. But we're fine …. We're good …..eh, OK?" And her pink complexion went a shade …. more pink.

The senior McGonnagle smiled and replied,

"Yes, Miss Granger ….Hermione …. 'you're good', as you say. I have been told by…. " and tipping her head backwards' … "these toe numpties that you two had a bit of a row. Glad to see all has worked out. But I have one more, long apparation to do and its return before I can get some much needed rest. You, young lady, I need to get home. It has gone six o'clock so time we were making tracks. I do not want to betray your parents trust and be late, so, I'm afraid, comfortable as you and Harry are, we need to go."

A look of disappointment came across Hermione's face. With everything that had happened she had forgotten all about leaving to be back home for 7pm. She really would rather have stayed exactly where she was. Harry needed her.

"Professor, I know you promised my Mum I would be home for seven o'clock, but can I have a bit longer here? Just a few minutes more? I … I don't want to go without saying goodbye to Harry."

The younger McGonnagle gave the young witch a look of understanding then replied to her questions.

"Hermione, the potions I had prepared are very strong to give Harry maximum rest and maximum pain relief. You gave one of them to Harry so he will be out of it for hours. Waking him normally is not really an option and I doubt he will wake up this side of midnight. The longer he is asleep the better the healing. He needs it, Hermione."

A nod from Hermione confirmed her understanding, but she still asked,

"OK, that's ….. that's fine. But Professor, have I enough time to just have a few minutes more with him, just like this? Just so I can hold him a bit longer?"

McGonnagle nodded. "Yes, we can wait a bit. It will only take a few minutes to get you home, but I don't want a mad dash at the last minute. I will need a few minutes rest at your parent's house to recover enough to apparate back here again. I have used a lot of magic over the last couple of days and I am just a tad played out. My old bones and my old magic are not what they once were, well, not for extensive bouts of apparating. So, I can give you …. Oh, fifteen minutes at the most, Hermione, no longer, you hear?"

"Thank you, Professor. And Professor…. Thank you for all you have done for Harry. I know he is being a bit ungrateful and hurtful towards you at the moment, but he will come round. He is hurting and a lot of stuff has landed on him all at once."

Minerva McGonnagle shook her head before replying.

"Miss Granger, Mr. Potter's attitude towards me, at present, is not at all surprising. I have neglected him very badly over many years and apologies and sympathy I do not deserve. I allowed Professor Dumbledore's assurances as to Mr. Potters welfare and upbringing to cloud my own judgement. I can only promise Mr. Potter and yourself, and Sirius, that it will not happen again. He is in my care and will remain that way for some considerable time. As regards Mr. Po ….Harry, I am actually quite relieved that he has not actually tried to direct some of his new-found but uncontrolled Magical power towards my person. From what I have seen and found out from my niece's and I's examinations of that young man lying in your arms, and the considerable damage he has done to my home without even trying, I am not actually that sure that I could have fended him off. He is …. I think the modern muggle term is 'something else'. Your young man there.." Hermione at those words blushing furiously …." And I think I am now judging correctly in saying 'your'?" …. A small smile and a slight nod from Hermione ….." Ah, yes, I thought so. Your young man there is a one off, unique in every way, but he currently needs a lot of protecting, a lot of kindness shown him, a lot of explanation, a lot of understanding and a lot of love. All of those things he has never received from any adult, apart from probably the Weasleys. Arthur and Molly have taken to him as if he was one of their own. Anyway, I have said my piece and I will leave you in peace for a few minutes longer."

Then, turning to her niece and Sirius, she said,

"You two. Out. Leave these two young ones to their own company. And no tittle-tattling about them. Goodness knows, they deserve their time together and for that time and their situation to be kept private."

The three adults turned and left, McGonnagle pulling the door to behind her.

Hermione looked down at her new beau, an old-fashioned word that best describes what so far had been a rather odd but certainly exciting relationship between them. She smiled at seeing his relaxed features and his undisturbed sleep. She put a hand to his hair and let her fingers gently run through them. Then she just sat with him for a while, he wrapped in her embrace. She eventually moved ever so gently, got off the bed, pulled the bedcovers over him and looked down at him.

"I may be only fifteen, but I love you so much, Harry Potter. I have to go now, but I promise I will be back tomorrow. You just do as you're told, for once. Do what Doc Meghan and the Professor say. And please, much as I think that he has your best interests at heart, ignore Sirius. He will just get you into more trouble."

She bent low, kissed his forehead, then dropped her lips to his and kissed him gently.

"Be good and be kind, Harry, especially to the Professor. She really means what she says and right now, you really need her protection. I'll see you tomorrow."

Then she turned and left the room.

"Ah, Miss Granger. Are we good?"

"Yes, Professor. I have said my goodbyes. Professor, I have said to Harry, even if he is asleep, that I will be back tomorrow. Will that be okay with you? Will you be able to fetch me?"

McGonnagle frowned a bit before replying.

"It will be no problem for me, Miss Granger, but as regards your parents' thoughts on this, you will need to ask them. They may not want you to return here. After all, it is your summer break and I have no authority over your parents wishes. Also, I promised a full explanation to your mother with your father present. Upon hearing the circumstances of Harry's confinement on my island, I am pretty sure that they will not be too happy but let's wait and see. And Miss Granger, it may be best if you let me do the talking. The facts of his relatives' assault on Harry is not a problem; after all, it is all non-magical and not under any magical statute laws. Harry's use of magic to defend himself I can probably get around but the details of what spells he used and how, well that is a different matter entirely. As to the extent the consequences had on his aunt and uncle …. Well, I think that part be left untold. I think the words 'serious injuries' and 'hospital' will be the extent of my description, but I will deal with that if the need arises.'

Then turning to her niece and Lord Black, she said,

"I leave Harry in your care, Meghan, and both of them in your protection, Sirius… and no funny business! I would like my niece to have nothing but glowing compliments as regards your fine manners, good conduct and excellent behaviour. Clear?"

Sirius Black shook his head and then replied,

"Professor, I am an old and changed man. Best behaviour, honest."

"Hah! That bodes ill, right away. From memory, your best behaviour is still far worse than any ordinary ten wizards at their worst, put together! But I have no choice. Here!" And handed Sirius his wand.

A beaming smile from Sirius took ten years off of him. He bowed graciously, took his wand and taking his old Professor's hand in his, kissed it. Meghan McGonnagle giggled.

"Minerva, I take it all back. You are a fine woman, a bit too stern for my liking, normally, but if I was in the frame for chatting up and older witch, I would put you first in line."

Now, it had been many years since anyone saw Minerva McGonnagle flush with embarrassment, but if any of her old friends and colleagues could have seen her then, they would have been astounded that the stern old Scot's witch could still be affected by the actions of a wizard who, although not young himself, was still some 40-odd years younger than her and a former pupil too boot.

"Professor McGonnagle, I do believe that I have made you blush!"

"Pwa! Nonsense. Just … just feeling the heat a bit and I am a bit tired. Now, do as your told, Lord Black. A magical lord of this realm you may be, but I can still box your ears, if need be. Now, I must get Miss Granger back to her parents. With some explanations to them I would hope that I should be about an hour." Then, turning to Hermione, she said, "Miss Granger, to the front garden please then take my arm. Let's get you home."

"Goodnight Hermione." From Meghan.

"Goodnight, my Godson's sweet princess. I shall look forward to your company in the 'morrow!"

Hermione laughed, a light, girly but honest laugh.

"Hahahahaha! You know, the Professor's right about you, Sirius. You are just an old-fashioned charmer. But don't change, it suits you. 'Goodnight, Sweet Prince.' … I love Shakespeare!"

Taking the Professor's arm and …'POP!' ….. they were gone.

-HJP & HJG-