Minerva was curled up on the living room couch reading a book on Sunday evening. Amethyst was on her new perch by the window communicating with Hedwig. The owl had taken an instant liking to the Phoenix. Harry and Minerva had been relieved by it.
The rogue group as the Weasley twins had called them had just left after reviewing the plans for tomorrow's Hogwarts takeover attempt. Minerva knew the plan and felt the group could do what they set out to accomplish. However, she feared for the safety of the children. She worried something would go wrong and the children would be hit with stray spells.
"Everything will be fine," Harry said as he walked into the living room. "Stop worrying, it will not help matters."
"I know that in my head," she replied. "But my heart is a different matter altogether."
Harry enlarged the couch wordlessly and settled behind her. He drew her closer in his embrace and dropped a kiss to her neck. After she laid her book down, he grasped her right hand and placed it on his mating mark. He laid his right hand on hers. He allowed her to search his mind and memories and he merely provided insight. He distracted her as best as he could.
Minerva took a deep steadying breath as she appeared in the famed Chamber of Secrets. She had never been in them before and stared around in wonder. "I will bring you back to explore later," Hermione whispered as she saw the look in Minerva's eye.
Minerva smiled appreciatively at the young witch. "That would be lovely," she replied. "Where will Miss Bones and Miss Lovegood meet us at?"
"Harry is fetching them now," Harold replied as he kept a look out for trouble.
Harry flashed into the chamber with Susan and Luna in tow. Minerva immediately noticed bruises and scrapes on both girls. Her eyes welled with tears as she gently touched the injuries. She wandlessly healed their injuries. "Thanks Professor," Susan replied with a smile. Minerva noted it was the same confident smile the girl's aunt used frequently. It seemed she had came out of her shell somewhat in my absence.
"You are most welcome," Minerva replied with a small smile. She turned towards Harry, who had turned into his natural form, and Hermione before asking, "Are we ready?"
Hermione nodded and placed her hands to the nearest wall. Harry, Susan, and Luna did the same. Hermione asked for Hogwarts to grant Minerva as Headmistress and to switch the wards to her when they were ready. "Granted," a female voice said aloud.
Minerva McGonagall smiled gratefully and walked to the nearest wall. She placed her hands on the walls and silently thanked Hogwarts for putting her in a position to help the children. Minerva smiled widely when she heard the feminine "you're welcome" in her mind.
Minerva squared her shoulders and turned to the group. "Harry I want you to flash Miss Lovegood and Miss Bones close to the Room of Requirement." Harry nodded. She turned to the young witches. "Please make sure the older students show up to dinner in the Great Hall. Ask them to space out amongst the tables in case they need to protect the younger ones." Luna and Susan nodded. Minerva looked at the rest of the group and said, "It is time to take back Hogwarts!"
The Great Hall was depressingly silent as the students and teachers alike ate dinner. The doors crashing open startled everyone present. Minerva McGonagall walked through them with the Weasley twins, Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Harold Robertson following behind her with their wands at the ready.
"Give me the wards Hogwarts," Minerva yelled out for all to hear as she held her wand up high.
"Granted," a female voice boomed above the Great Hall thoroughly suprising the entire hall.
Minerva noted Snape and the Carrows had jumped to their feet and drawed their wands. Harry, Hermione and Harold were pushing to the front and started defensive spells. Minerva noted the teachers had taken their wands and held them ready under the table. They are looking to me for direction she realized as she saw Rolanda Hooch, Pomona Spout and Filius Flitwick looking at her.
Minerva's hair was pulled away from her face and braided eloquently. She wore muggle black trousers that allowed her to move quickly and a simple green pullover. She felt the wards settle over her and ran full speed to the Weasley twins who vaulted her high above. She performed the spell to protect the students and smiled in satisfaction once a silver white dome settled over each table. The Weasleys caught her with ease and gave her a gentle push towards the main table. "Teachers protect the students," she commanded with authority.
"You are no longer in charge Minerva," Snape drawled. "Or have you forgotten that?"
She watched with satisfaction as all but four moved to the students. The four Death Eaters who were among the teachers table had jumped to their feet and were exchanging spell fire with Harry, Hermione and Harold. She focused on Severus Snape and saw red. "Apparently I am! I have the wards. Did you think you could get me out of the way that easily? Did you honestly think you could take control of Hogwarts? This is my school and you have overstayed your welcome," Minerva said as she gathered his attention. She started on the attack.
"Put them down hard and quick," Harold bellowed as he started casting more intense spells towards the Death Eaters.
The students cheered and watched Minerva McGonagall in awe. Students realized she was a warrior of great skill and moved far more easily than she should be able to given her age and appearance. She cast spells with such an intensity and speed, it was mind-boggling. She moved in such a way avoiding spell cast it appeared she was dancing with an invisible partner. "That the best you can manage you bastard," she screeched at Snape. "Did you honestly believe I would stand back and allow you to torture my students?"
While Minerva occupied Snape, Harold, Hermione and Harry managed to take out the Carrows and the lower class Death Eater that had taken Minerva's spot as Transfiguration teacher. Everyone stood back as Minerva sent spell after spell towards Snape. "Stop toying with him McG," Fred and George Weasley laughed in unison.
Minerva gave them a wink and smile then quickly put Snape down and tied him with ropes. She leaned down and grasped his wand in her hand. She magically stood him up and walked up close to him. "This is my school," she reinforced and then pulled her fist back and punch him out cold. Sometimes it was hard keeping her muggle side in check.
The Great Hall errupted into cheers and applause. The teachers rushed to Minerva and hugged her enthusiastically. "It's good to have you back Minerva," Filius Flitwick squeaked.
Minerva smiled at the group of well-wishers. "I am glad to be back," she replied. "Now I want all students to be treated medically and fed well. Afterwards, I want all staff to meet in the Head's office."
"Minerva McGonagall," a feminine voice said by the doors.
Minerva turned to see an unearthly glowing female with flaming red hair and robes made entirely of Hogwarts' crest and mascots. "Lady Hogwarts," Minerva recognized and bowed slightly. "How may I serve you?"
Lady Hogwarts smiled and slowly made her way towards the newly installed Headmistress. She smiled at the amazement on the professors and teachers alike. She rarely showed herself to others but felt it was important in this moment in time. "I first spoke to you when you step through my doors at eleven years old," she said calmly. "I cautioned you to hide your abilities and your bloodline. I bound half of your magic to protect you from those that would use you for your amazing power and ability."
"I remember," Minerva replied while silently wondering why Hogwarts was announcing it now.
Hogwarts extended her magic and wrapped it around Minerva. Minerva was lifted off of the ground but showed no fear. Hogwarts meant her no harm. "Your magic will be bound no more. The time has come to hide no more. Granddaughter of Merlin allow your magic free rein and hide it no more. It's time to take your place as the protector of this school!"
A loud snapping sounded throughout the room and Minerva cried out in pain as her magic was released. She felt the thrilling feeling of her magic being free once again and coursing through her body. Her magic filled her completely and she struggled to keep control of it. Fire erupted around her but did not burn her body.
Gasps of suprise filled the Great Hall as everyone watched Minerva. "Your Headmistress is fine," Hogwarts reassured then turned to Harry. "Do you mind flashing her out into the forest clearing until she is able to control the flames? She will never push and expand her magic if she fears it will harm the students."
"Not at all," Harry said as he transformed into a Phoenix, he ignored the gasps from students and the professors, and flashed Minerva out of the Great Hall.
Hogwarts smiled at the group of teachers before speaking with Filius Flitwick. "Minerva will name you her Deputy," Hogwarts said. "Go ahead and lead Minerva's guests into her living space. She trusts them completely." Flitwick nodded his head in acceptance.
Hogwarts moved over to Hermione and caressed her cheek motherly. "It is now time to use that spell you crafted," Hogwarts said serenely. "This castle will no longer turn a blind eye to those that wish to harm others."
Hermione whipped her wand out and spoke a spell in Parseltongue. Nine students screamed out and clutched their left arms. The hall remained silent as the nine students lost consciousness. "Those students bare the Dark Mark," Hermione said matter-of-factly. "They will be locked up securely and handed over to the true Ministry of Magic. I want everyone to take a good look around. There is an unconscious student at each house. Slythrein House is not the only one that breeds dark wizards. You all know me, you know me as a Gryffindor and best friend of Harry Potter. How many of you would turn your back on me if you had known I was the daughter of Lord Voldemort?"
Gasps and murmurs filled the Great Hall. Hermione was undeterred from her course of action, she walked to the Slythrein House table and continued to talk. "Lord Voldemort captured my birth mother and raped and tortured her in an effort to break her Auror husband's spirit. He didn't expect her to survive nor did he expect me to exist. My mother and step-dad went through great lengths to protect me. Now I ask you to put aside your house rivalries and unite for a greater cause. I ask you to extend your hand in friendship to everyone here. I ask you to come together and support Harry Potter. I ask you to unite in order to see the downfall of the self-proclaimed Lord Voldemort."
With that said, Hermione Granger held her hand out towards Slythrein House. She momentarily stopped breathing, afraid no one would accept her offer. She let out a shaky breathe when Daphne Greengrass stood and clasped her hand. "I will stand with you Granger," the seventh year Slythrein said. Hermione gave her a radiant smile.
While Hermione was thinking of a way to get the rest of student body to mingle, Neville Longbottom came to the rescue. "Alright you lot," he bellowed loudly for the entire hall to hear him. "You heard Hermione. She's still the smartest person I know so let's listen to her and find someone from a different house to talk with." Hermione gave him a relieved smile and a silent thank you. Neville winked at her and moved to Slythrein table himself. The teachers watched with a smile and a lighter heart.