A/N: Yes, I went there. I am in isolation, so obviously I thought "why not?" Hope you guys like it. As always, it is mandatory that you know that I adore J.K. Rowling's amazing world and she is the owner of it all, the only thing I claim here is my eternal love for her books.
Also, the next Leander and Follower chapter is done, I just need to reread it, since I don't have a beta. Coming up soon! Thank you for your patience.
Chapter One: The News
"Kingsley, this is preposterous! As a Councillor, I have told you yet and again that I disagree with these measures only to receive a letter informing myself that I should choose to stay secluded in my house or with someone in special? I'd think I deserved at least an upper hand in the matter", the furious raven-haired woman cried as she stormed inside the Minister of Magic's office.
"Minerva, please", the tall regal man stood trying to calm her. "You know this is necessary. Besides, you would have fled the country instead of staying here protected if I told you in advance, we both know it. Now, you are aware that the Manor could be a secure heaven in these circumstances. Please, make good use of it".
Before the woman had a chance to reply, he quickly added:
"And the answer is no. I don't think you are incapable of caring for yourself, this is a health measure only, so be an honourable host and please help those near you overcome this crisis".
Sighing, the woman stood up to leave and said her final words to the man she was fond of and knew meant no harm with the absurd methods he had determined as the head of the Ministry.
"I hope you are right about this, Kingsley, for I will ask you daily updates on the situation. Stay safe and send my regards to Charlie. Tell her next time I see her, I'll have a nice present waiting for her".
Without waiting for a farewell, the Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry left the office with a plan in mind, leaving a confused Minister of Magic behind.
Apparating back to McGonagall Manor, Minerva decided to fill the form she had left on her study table with a disgusting look on her face.
Yes, they were living critical times, but was this really necessary? Couldn't the Ministry just isolate people in their own houses? Why this need to make small sized communities?
As she answered the questions regarding number of rooms, inhabitants of the house, age, health status and other information required, she thought about how she never expected that after fighting two wars she would need to stay secluded in her house because of a virus.
The name given to the virus, Wizzen, since it only affected witches and wizards, but not muggles, annoyed deeply the Scottish woman, but she decided to leave that matter alone for the time being because she needed to prepare the house. By tomorrow, she would have guests for undetermined time.
Finally signing if she preferred to stay in her house or with someone in specific, she sent the form away with the family owl and called the house elves to prepare the spare bedrooms of the house.
The next day, Minerva woke up early and set to organise a welcome lunch for her guests that were set to arrive at noon, according to the letter she received. Precisely five to twelve, the woman went to the Mansion's gate and waited patiently.
At twelve sharp, she heard a loud pop and watched with a victorious smirk on her face as a confused Kingsley Shacklebolt walked with his family towards her.
"Hello, Kingsley and Giulia. Welcome to McGonagall Manor. Dear Charlie, it is a delight to see you, as always. How have you been, little one?" The tall woman said as she greeted the Minister, his wife and their five-year-old daughter.
"Minerva. Am I to assume you are not surprised that we are here?" The man said with narrow eyes, but was interrupted by his daughter, who jumped up and down to get the Headmistress' attention and said with a big smile "Professor McGonagall! I can change the colour of my socks now. The way you thought me last time. Did daddy tell you that I can do that?" Without waiting for an answer, the excited child turned to her mother and asked "Mom, did you know we would be staying here? I love that we are here. Will I have a bedroom for myself? Can it be near the Professor's?"
The Matron of the Manor was about to answer both father and daughter when she heard another set of pops and watched with motherly pride as the Potter family came into view. Harry, Ginny, James, Albus and Lily came looking like they had just finished getting ready five seconds before the portkey was set to move them to their quarantine destination.
In the same motion Charlie had acted, the Potter children ran to Minerva and squealed with happiness upon seeing her and telling the woman their magical achievements.
The former Gryffindor Head of House smiled at them, but made a motion for everyone to quiet for her to speak. In an almost comical acquiescence, that reminded her of her days as Transfiguration Professor, both adults and children stood still and in silence waiting to hear what she had to say.
"First of all, I am happy to welcome you all to McGonagall Manor. I am waiting you all outside because the Manor does not accept guests without clearance unless they have McGonagall blood or are bound, legally or not, to a McGonagall family member. Since I did not know who would be arriving, I couldn't invite you in advance. If I had, the portkey would have directed you to the front doors of the Manor instead of the front gate. Now, I want to invite you all to have lunch and later on, I'll show you the house and the property. Follow me, please".
With that, one guest after the other was touched by the Scottish woman's wand and entered the Manor's gate. The host quickly followed them to the main door while making sure the children told her everything about school and their toys.
When she was about to open the door, though, she overheard Albus asking Ginny "Mom, isn't she coming? She told me she would be here. Why hasn't she arrived yet?"
"I'm sorry, Mrs. Potter, is someone missing? Should we wait a bit more outside?"
"Hmmm, Headmistress…" the redheaded woman said, "I'm not really sure. She did say she would make sure to stay with us, but maybe it wasn't possible. I'll contact her as soon as we settle in".
As Minerva was about to ask about who they were talking about, the Manor's door opened to reveal Hermione Granger with a cup of tea in her hands and a smile on her face.
"Oh, I thought I heard voices outside, in specific a particular one that is famous for complaining, right Albus?" The brown-haired woman said looking fondly to her godson who looked relieved and ready to banter with her, but decided to stay quiet after his dad signed him to go hug her.
The Potter children all left their parents' side to say hi to her and all the talking began again, only to be interrupted by an amused question from the host of the property.
"Miss Granger, welcome to my home. May I ask you how you arrived?"
"Hello, Headmistress. Thank you. I came by portkey. It left me in the main living room, I'd say, but since I don't know your house, I can't be sure. A lovely house elf named Pinky welcomed me and asked if I wanted tea while waiting for you and the others arrive from the gates. That is what I was doing until I heard voices and little Albus here second-guessing my promise to stay with the Potter's in isolation," she answered honestly while shooting Albus a joking look.
"Interesting… I was just telling the others about the Manor's need for clearance for entering, but something must be off. I'll check the wards later. Anyways, let's all gather on the dinner room and chat for a bit before settling in", she said while leading them towards the mentioned room.
The dining room, as the rest of the Mansion, was decorated with emerald green, cream and burgundy colours, making evident the noble status of the McGonagall family. The spacious ambient looked like a ball room turned into a dinner area and one could guess that, with the right arrangements, the room would be a nice space for a party or private gathering.
In the middle of the room, a masterpiece table for twenty people carved in sandalwood waited for them with elegant silverware indicating that Minerva was expecting exactly nine people, beside herself. The McGonagall heir sat at the end of the table and motioned for everyone to make themselves comfortable.
"This is a lovely place, Headmistress", commented Giulia Shacklebolt, followed by nods from the others.
"Thank you, Giulia. Now, I hope you all feel welcome here and, since we will be living under the same roof, I think it's about time all of you call me Minerva".
"Even us?" Asked James with an incredulous face towards his father.
"O'course not, James. That woul' not be proper", Lily interjected trying to sound reasonable in her four-year-old body.
"But Headmistress is too long… Can't we find a shorter name?" Albus joined his brothers' confusion.
The adults, except for Harry, who was embarrassed by his children display, were amused by their sudden interest in how to call their host and waited to see the outcome of the conversation.
"But Lily can't pronounce neither Headmistress nor McGonagall…", stressed James.
"O'course I can say Hadmistess McGongal", was the quick annoyed reply.
"Maybe something with Minerva, then?" Came a suggestion from afar that made de children look around and notice for the second time that there was another child near them. The girl looked nervous, but tried again, "like Aunt Minerva or, if it's not decent, just Professor. What do you think?"
The other children just looked among themselves while the adults observed the interaction back and forth.
"I like Aunt Mineva", approved Lily.
"Yeah, me too", added Albus looking at James to know his veredict.
"I couldn't think of a better name. I'm James, by the way. This is Albus and that is Lily".
"Nice to meet you, I'm Charlotte. But, everyone calls me Charlie", the girl said smiling happily that they liked her suggestion.
They all looked at the Headmistress waiting for her opinion on their decisions, all parents apprehensive because of their children boldness, but curious to the solution she would find.
"Well, Charlie. That is a very good suggestion. I am very content with you calling me Aunt Minerva when we are in private, but you have to try to call me Headmistress in public because people might think they are as important to me as you, my dears, are. Okay?" She said looking stern, but lovingly at them. "Also, I don't want anyone thinking I have favourites", she added with a wink making the little ones laugh and feel appreciated. "Very well, now that this important matter has been settled, I think we can enjoy lunch".
As she said that, a various array of food appeared on the table, from exquisite salads and vegetarian options to a beautiful lamb pie. Curiously, next to Charlie Shacklebolt appeared a wrapped gift.
"Oh, I almost forgot", said the Headmistress, "Charlie, did your father tell you I'd have a gift for you when you saw me? I got it yesterday for you. It's a magical board memory game", she explained.
"Cool, can we play with you later?" Albus had an expectant look on his face.
"Of course you can! Thank you, Aunt Minerva", the Shackebolt girl said holding her gift and turning to show it to her mother.
"You didn't choose the house!" Kingsley said those words in an accusatory tone.
"I beg your pardon?" Was the innocent yet serious reply.
"You didn't fill the form to stay with the house. You asked to be with someone. Minerva… Me?" He looked like he had just lost a chess game before even starting.
"Don't think too much of yourself, Kingsley. Of course, I didn't ask to be confined with you. I required to be in the same house as Charlie Shacklebolt. You being here just helps with the promise I made to check with you daily on our situation", she added with a pointed look.
"But if you chose a specific person, how come you were able to keep both the house and be with whom you've chosen?" Harry wondered out loud.
"The wards", Hermione said looking at her former Transfiguration Professor in awe and receiving a slightly arched eyebrow as response. "She chose a person because nobody could make use of her house but the people she gave permission to. Other than that, this property is big enough to host at least ten people and would be a waste of opportunity to move her from here, leaving this place empty, and put us somewhere in a non-warded house that could have been of use to another group that can't fit in a smaller house. The system is very logical and designed to make good use of the properties available and, her being here, is the best use possible of this Manor".
"Damn, Hermione. Ten points to Gryffindor!", laughed Ginny who was just paying attention so far while trying to keep her children under control.
"Whom I invite, and apparently you too, Miss Granger. Nevertheless, that is indeed a very logical reasoning", was the appreciative comment from the McGonagall heir.
"Please, Minerva, if we are to call you by your first name, then call us too. I'm Hermione. About the wards, there must have been a misunderstanding, I am sure it is solved already", said her former pupil with a hint of boldness.
"Very well, Hermione". Since the annoyance hidden behind the chestnut-haired younger woman, McGonagall decided to leave in stasis the matter of the wards. For now.
"I can't believe you would do that, Minerva", Kingsley continued. "How could you choose to be with us just for getting back at me for implementing a system you don't agree with?"
"Who said that was the motive?" McGonagall said in a relaxed tone, "If you must know, I requested the company of your family because I believe that closer to you and your officials I can contribute to your research and keep my duties as Councillor. Other than that, I think the presence of both your wife and daughter a delight. I can't say I didn't think the Potters would be here, because it would make sense to have the Head of the Auror Department alongside you, to talk about defence strategies. Since I am a Christmas guest in their house every year and deeply crave the conversations I have with Harry and Ginny about Quidditch and enjoy James, Albus and Lily's company immensely, I thought this would actually be a functional and amenable arrangement", she continued. "The only surprise, though, was Hermione. I didn't think she was in the country, since we haven't exchange letters for a while", she finished in a tone that didn't convey her disappointment with that situation.
"Hm, I see", Kingsley nodded trying to process what he had just heard while the others were a little uncomfortable with the pointed annoyed look Hermione was sending her.
"Well, there's no need to talk business now, anyway. Ginny, how has the Holyhead Harpies strategized the trains and routines? Maybe we can practice in the backyard someday?"
With that, the conversation continued lightly until all of them ate their lunch. When they were finished, desert, coffee and tea appeared and once again they ate and drank with light chat until everyone was satisfied.
"Well, now that we are all comfortable and full, I will show you the Manor, so you can choose your bedroom, make yourselves home and acquaint yourselves with the property too".
On the first floor, there were two suites, being one of them the master, two bathrooms, a study room, the library, a music room, a living room, the kitchens, tea area and dining room. The second floor had another two regular bedrooms and two suites, two bathrooms, and a second living room and study room. There was also a third floor that resembled a rooftop, which had one large room with fitness apparel and a balcony with telescopes and bathing area.
The kids loved McGonagall's suggestion to turn one of the study rooms into a playroom and agreed that they wanted to have their bedrooms near each other. Because of that, it was decided that the families with children would stay on the second floor, with the couples in the suites and the children on the other two bedrooms, James and Albus in one and Lily and Charlie in the other. Ginny suggested that Lily could stay with them or the boys, but Charlie didn't want to stay alone and the younger Potter seemed happy to share the bedroom with her new friend.
It left Hermione to stay in the suite downstairs and Minerva do stay in her regular bedroom, the master suite, also on the first floor.
After that, all inhabitants went to the yard to check the sports' area, which included a heated pool and a grass field that could be used to various activities. There was also a little garden with a greenhouse.
The Scottish woman introduced them, then, to the house elves and explained that they were free, and received a weekly wage for their work. All eyes turned merrily to Hermione, who didn't say anything and kept silence, an unexpected development considering her fight for elves rights.
All parties were left to organise themselves in their new bedrooms and Minerva went to the library for a light reading.
When dinner was finished, the children were already so tired that their parents quickly led them to clean up and sleep, promising Hermione and Minerva that they would go the rooftop for a glass of wine, as invited by the Headmistress.
Both women stayed behind awkwardly and calmly went up the stairs to get comfortable under the moonlight and wait for the others.
"So, Miss Granger, while we wait, would you care for a glass of wine? Also, I wanted to run up a few tests because I don't understand why your portkey left you inside the Manor", Minerva started.
"Oh, we're back to 'Miss Granger', then. Fine. Red wine would be fine, thank you", was the cold answer from the younger woman.
"No, I mean… I am sorry, Hermione. Old habits are hard to let go…" The baffled speech coming from the slender tall woman was uncharacteristic, revealing she was nervous.
"It's okay, Minerva. Really. We will have to adapt to this, though, and that weird comment downstairs as well as this awkward uncommon stutter from you just indicate that you are as uncomfortable in my presence as I am in yours".
"The point, Hermione, is that neither of us should be embarrassed of uncomfortable with anything, but since your honourable ceremony of completing your Charms and Transfiguration Mastery with Master Maghar, that, I must remind you, you invited me to participate, you deliberately stopped talking to me, for which reason I have no idea, since I went there as your request. I think it is acceptable that I feel a little distressed considering your behaviour and the fact that, in two years, the first time I see you is coming out of my house, whose protective enchantments shouldn't have allowed you in, drinking tea like nothing had ever happened".
The air seemed colder after the taller woman finally said what she wanted and had hurt her for years. Seeing the woman coming out of the front door was a splash of freezing water in her spine and she knew she needed to address quickly the situation or she would explode. Not that she had done better so far in the conversation, but she had so deeply buried her disappointed at the former pupil for leaving her life suddenly, that she was surprised to have all those feelings emerge at the mere sight of her again.
The eyes of the brains of the Golden Trio softened after hearing the heartfelt complaint and she tried to make amends. "Minerva, I just got back from Madagascar. You, more than anyone, should know how the routine with Master Rakotomalala is. It wasn't personal, really. I just needed time to adjust to a new routine…"
"Hermione, don't insult my brain. You kept exchanging extensive letters to mostly everyone. Every other week Pomona, Septima and Filius told me about your doings and achievements. After a while, they stopped telling me, because I had nothing to add, since I hadn't heard from you. At first, I thought I had done something, but quickly realised that nothing different had happened. But, we shall leave this behind, since you clearly want that. It's not my position to impose that you tell me the truth… I do, however, want to check the wards to see what has allowed you to come inside by portkey, if you don't mind".
Contrary to the first part of the speech, this time the Scottish woman had schooled her features to look unaffected and stoic. All emotions left her face and she passed a business-like posture. As she took her wand to access the wards, a warm hand held her forearm and green eyes met chocolate brown.
"Minerva, please don't do that. At least not now. I am not sure you want to know why I can enter the grounds".
An elegant eyebrow raised at that phrase and an inquisitive expression took place on the former blank semblance. "Now, Hermione, you can't really expect me to leave this as it is. I am not pressuring you to tell me why you thought best to keep me out of your life, because that is your right. However, this is my property, my home and its protection has been breached. I need to make sure no other person can come inside without invitation".
"I assure you, there's nothing wrong with the wards. No one can enter without permission". The statement left no doubts that the younger woman was certain there wasn't anything to adjust.
"You can't know that, the portkey left you inside the house. Not even on the grounds. Inside, Hermione".
"I am sorry, I meant no one but me can enter without permission, I wasn't clear before".
In the beginning of the conversation, the Headmistress was curious and annoyed, but now she was definitely reaching her angry side, not only being asked to leave the safety of others behind, but being denied an information that was certainly interesting regarding her own house.
"Hermione, I respect your point of view. I do. But you have given me nothing to prove your statement and I have no guarantee that we are safe and that there isn't a flaw in the Mansion's wards. I am the McGonagall heir and have an obligation to check them".
The raven-haired woman was starting to flick her wand to access the security of the property when she heard a defeated voice saying "okay, I will tell you why no one can enter the grounds but me and why I stopped talking to you, if you check the wards later in the privacy of you rooms".
The motion stopped and the older witch looked attentively to her former pupil with expectant eyes. "Fair enough".
The shorter woman made a strangled laugh and tried to lighten up the mood. "You know, that glass of wine would be marvellous now, especially because I will need it to speak what I have to and you will definitely want to have some alcohol to absorb".
Still curious and slightly annoyed, the Headmistress served them each a glass of wine and arranged the other glasses for when the guests, who were soon to arrive, got there. They drank half of it in silence and finally Hermione spoke:
"You know, I'd have thought you'd have figured out by now why I stopped talking to you…"
"So, you have distanced yourself from me, broken my house wards and now are insulting my brain. I have no idea where this is going, but, by all means, continue", was the sarcastic response she got.
The chestnut-haired woman just laughed at the dry reply and continued speaking. "Minerva, I didn't enter your property uninvited. Have you ever heard of a house elf offering tea for a guest and staying there instead of fleeing to alert their Master?"
"No, Hermione, I haven't. Which is precisely why I think there is a problem with the wards…"
"No, Minerva, listen again. If I were a guest, Pinky would have gone to you to alert you I have arrived. She wouldn't stay with me to chat".
"That doesn't make any sense, Hermione. She knew I was just outside…" Hermione's reasoning didn't seem to convince the former Transfiguration Professor of anything, which infuriated her even more.
"Minerva, have you seen me sign anything for the last years? Anything? A letter, a document…"
"Of course not! You distanced yourself from my life, didn't you?" The bitter response finally made it. The younger witch stood up, drank what was left of her wine and rampaged at the now surprised woman.
"How can you be so dense? The reason I haven't spoken to you is the ceremony we've partaken together, the reason I can apparate, travel by portkey or just walk through the main gates is the ceremony, the reason we are here in quarantine together isn't your request to be with Charlie and mine to be with Albus, it's that dreadful ceremony! I am tired of trying to make it gentle for you, check the wards or ask Pinky, I am going to bed".
With that, the woman left the rooftop with heavy footsteps and behind stayed a dumbfounded Minerva McGonagall trying to understand what could have possibly happened in that ceremony years ago that made all of this possible. It was just a Mastery recognition ceremony. There was nothing to it. They ate, drank, celebrated and she was chosen, by Hermione's magic, as her intellectual companion, an utmost honour in magical society, since it was similar to the title of a class patron, but for and individual. It made absolutely no sense.
She decided to check the wards to finally understand, but heard the others arriving and decided that she could wait until they drank to do that. She was pouring the wine to her long term guests, when she noticed there was only another bottle upstairs.
"Pinky…"
Pop.
"Yes, Mistress?"
"Could you please bring me another three bottles of this Échezeaux 1994 from the wine cellar?"
The elf quickly did what was required from her and came back asking if she could help with anything else. Her Mistress was about to dismiss her, when she remembered Hermione saying that the house elf didn't inform her of the portkey arrival in the living room.
"Actually, yes, Pinky. Why did you serve tea to Hermione when she arrived?"
The elf looked like she had grown a pair of pink ears behind her regular ones and simple replied, "Because she said she would like some after I offered her a cup, Ma'am".
Minerva McGonagall looked amiably at the literal being and rephrased the question, "No, Pinky. I mean, why didn't you tell me there was a guest in the house before offering her some tea?"
Again, the elf seemed like she was not on her right mind. "Because all the guests were outside, Ma'am. I didn't offer any guests tea without permission".
"What about Hermione?"
"When Mistress McGonagall arrived by portkey, I offered her tea because she looked tired from her journey to get to the Manor, Ma'am".
"But, Pinky, I was here all the time. I didn't arrive by portkey".
"Not you, Ma'am. The other Mistress McGonagall".
Stunned was a weak word to describe Minerva McGonagall's figure when she realised the implications of what Hermione and Pinky had just said. She was pale as sheet paper and her legs were wobbly. How? How is it even possible? When? The ceremony?
"Mistress? Can I go now?"
The woman was taken out from her thoughts to the voice of the tiny elf.
"Yes, Pinky. Thank you for helping. If you could just ask Hermione to come here for a second before you retire for the night, it would be lovely".
"Certainly, Ma'am".
Pop.
This can't be happening. How did it happen? There must be a mistake. I'll just have to check the wards and see.
Looking at the crowd that seemed worried after seeing her rushed conversation with Pinky, she gave them a small smile and said she would join them in a minute for she just needed to check the signature on the wards.
For about five minutes, she checked the enchantments for breaches or problems in casting, but found none. She finally decided to face her last resort: checking the McGonagall signatures linked to the property. She didn't want to do that because all her genealogic family would appear in front of her and it always pained her to see that she was the last heir of her line, since she wasn't married or had any children, and everyone else was dead. The idea that it would all end with her was sad and she had come to terms with it, but the reminder in words wasn't pleasant.
As she cast the signature spell, the names of her relatives started appearing in the sky and forming a long, intricate tree. When the last names were appearing, she heard a gasp coming from the closest door. She turned to look at a red looking Hermione.
"Minerva! I told you to only cast the spell in your room! Oh, Merlin… This isn't happening".
The tall woman, who was sure there was a mistake in the situation, was ready to tell her that, when a male voice said her name. Looking towards it, she saw Harry Potter looking from her to Hermione, repeating her name and pointing towards the genealogic tree.
She finally looked at the direction he mentioned and saw a thing she would never forget. Beside her name, in the last line of the tree, there was a linking trace and a name written: Hermione McGonagall.
The Scottish woman looked shocked and couldn't utter a word. Everyone else, but Hermione, seemed to be in the same state.
Kinsley was the first one to recover and tried to lighten the mood, he said "I would say congratulations on your marriage, but it seems like one of the brides wasn't in the ceremony. I am sure we can fix this situation, though…"
Hermione finally decided to speak and answered the Minister in a joking tone to contrast her nervousness, "Kinsley, I am afraid she was in the ceremony, but you are mistaken in one point: we are not married".
"But, Hermione, how is it possible for you to have her surname if you aren't married? Are you relatives, then? But she would have known if you were, right, Minerva?"
Harry's confused questions were interrupted by all the glasses exploding and furniture suddenly moving in the room. Confused, four pair of eyes searched for the source of the quake, only to find Minerva McGonagall walking slowly towards Hermione with narrow, yellow eyes and a flaming stare.
The younger woman, on the other hand, seemed daring, albeit calm. She looked like she was waiting for something to finally click. And it did.
"You. Didn't. Have. The. Right", was the low growl that escaped the older women's throat.
"Of course I had, Minerva. What would I do, come here and tell you? Totally out of the question. It was not intended to do that. I know you know how many times that has happened. Three, Minerva. What were the odds? I never thought we would be affected by that. You know the implications, right?"
"Of course I do, Hermione. But there must be something wrong. We don't fill the criterion. I…", she seemed unsure how to proceed, but her former pupil decided to make things easier.
"I've tried it before, but feel free by all means. I trust you. If I may choose, though, I'd prefer Crucio, just in case", she said with dry humour.
"Hermione? What is happening? What are you talking about?" Harry started moving towards the Headmistress who was pointing her wands to his best friend.
Both Ginny Potter and Kingsley Shacklebolt were also moving to stand in front of Hermione, who looked attentively to Minerva waiting for her rage to achieve the necessary level to cast the Cruciatus Curse, when Giulia Shacklebolt suddenly spoke in a commanding voice "Leave them, Minerva can't hurt her!"
Ginny, Harry and Kingsley looked at her incredulous and shouted a mix of "What?" "Are you insane?" "Why?" and Hermione gave her an impressed nod, waiting for the outcome. Minerva, on the other hand, took the time to finally let all her rage flow and cast the Unforgivable towards Hermione.
The noise was deafening and everyone near Minerva was thrown to the ground, leaving only Hermione alone in the same position she was by the door.
"What..how..? Hermione, are you ok?" Ginny was the first to recover and seeing that Minerva had blacked out on the floor, quickly went to check on her friend.
"I am good, Ginny. You know, she could never hurt me…" The brown-eyed woman said to the mother of her godson. "Pinky!"
The elf appeared looking taken aback by the state of the rooftop, but looked at her eager to please "Yes, Mistress?"
"I am sorry for waking you, but could you please take Minerva to her rooms and leave water and a pain relief potion on her nightstand? After that, you may retire. The rooftop will be taken care of tomorrow".
"Certainly, Mistress".
Everyone had recovered now and Hermione decided to go to bed too. The night had taken a route she didn't want to, when she started saying her goodbyes she was interrupted by Harry.
"But, Hermione… What happened? I don't understand. Why did she try to course you? There's a mistake and you have the McGonagall name. So what? And, another thing, how can you say she would never hurt you? She just tried to Crucio you, for Merlin's sake!"
Hermione took a deep breath and said "Harry, I never said she would never hurt me, I said she couldn't. There's a difference…" Suddenly she looked tired and just needed to sleep. She looked pleadingly to Giulia, who just nodded, and left.
"What? Is she just leaving like that?" Ginny was feeling very worried about her friend, but also wanted to know what had happened between her and McGonagall.
"Harry, the point Hermione was stressing to you is that it's not like Minerva won't try to hurt her, she just can't do her any harm", explained Giulia gently.
"Yes, the second time I got that, but I don't understand how come a person is incapable magically to hurt someone. What would make that?"
It was Kingsley's turn to understand and look at his wife disbelievingly.
"But they are two…" He started.
"I know!" Was her answer.
"Unless their Masteries…"
"No, I thought of that, but I don't really think it would be possible…"
"For Morgana's tits, Giulia, what are you talking about? Why in the bloody world can't Minerva hurt Hermione?"
Kingsley and Giulia looked at each other and at them and said together what neither Hermione nor Minerva had the courage to say aloud yet.
"Because they're bound".
A/N: I hope you enjoyed the idea so far. As you know, reviews are always welcome – and encouraged-!