Life and Lies

Monday, 14 June 1943

Minerva felt numb. At breakfast that morning, it had been revealed that while most of the students were safely in their houses, more events had transpired last night. Third-year Rubeus Hagrid, best friend to petrified student Gordon Wright, had been accused of raising a dangerous creature within the walls of Hogwarts that had been attacking the students, and had been expelled. Expelled. Minerva couldn't believe it. She'd had her suspicions about Hagrid's project, but she'd never dreamed they would expel him for it.

She felt guilty for not speaking up about her suspicions. She felt confused about Myrtle. Her death had been lumped in with the attacks without any further explanation, no specific cause of death - which pinned her death on the shoulders of a young boy. At the very least, they were saying it was an unfortunate accident and not actually blaming Hagrid, but his mysterious creature who he had naïvely thought he could control. Even still, Minerva felt as though she needed to talk to someone, and her feet instinctively carried her to Dumbledore's office. The door had already been repaired after the damage she'd done to it the day before. It looked for all the world as if it had never been blasted off its hinges or broken in two.

This time, though, the door was cracked open. She knocked gently as she pushed her way in, but paused when she realized Dumbledore was not there. Her brow furrowed, and she glanced around for evidence that he had only just left. His chair was pushed away from his desk rather than in, and the window was open. Fawkes was not present today, but – her eyes narrowed as she glanced out the open window. She instinctively took a few steps forward to watch the red dot approach over the trees, and watched with awe as the beautiful, red and gold phoenix became clearer as he drew nearer. He was singing, and as his song reached her it filled her up, touching the sadness in her heart with gentle sympathy yet warming her from within. Minerva relaxed as the phoenix grew larger in her vision and his song grew louder, more powerful, bringing tears of both sorrow and joy to her eyes.

Fawkes flapped his wings powerfully as he glided through Dumbledore's window, stopping his forward momentum. Minerva gasped, jerking out of the trance his song had pulled her into, as the breeze from his wings blew pieces of parchment off Dumbledore's desk. She instinctively, quickly, reached down to collect them. As she straightened, she caught a glimpse of the signature of the letter on top and stopped in her tracks: Newt Scamander.

Heart pounding, knowing it was wrong but desperate for answers, Minerva read the letter.

Dear Dumbledore,

That's quite the puzzle you've got on your hands. The symptoms you're describing are unlike anything I've ever seen a creature do. While that makes me skeptical that a creature is behind this, I will admit to you – and only you, because you've always respected my love of creatures – that it is still not impossible. I have the sense that I am missing a few pieces of your puzzle, but unfortunately, without being there myself and examining the exact context in which your students were found, I don't think I will be able to grasp those pieces. If you mean to study creatures, you need to study their environment, and the behavior of other creatures around them. Your notes are all about the results of the attacks. I will say, though, that the one curious thing I noticed about your findings is that the students are otherwise unharmed. If a creature is involved, that says to me that it is either a very frightened one – though, in that case, I would expect to have recognized the symptoms – or one that is being directed by a human. I'm afraid that I'm leaning towards the latter as being more likely, because that could explain why I don't recognize these symptoms. The creature, if it is one, could be not using the full strength of its abilities at the direction of a human in a situation in which it might perhaps stun and kill for food.

As for your student's mystery project, I can shed some light on that because I gave it to him. This summer I gave Hagrid an Acromantula egg after we met. I assure you, though, that his Acromantula would not be capable of the things you have described to me. I hope you are able to guide him and protect him from the judgement of the people who expelled me. I am quite fond of him; he's a lot like me, I think. He and I both are better with creatures than we are with people. He sees the creatures the way I see them, and you know how much that endears people to me

I'm sorry I couldn't be more help. I hope all is well.

Your friend,

Newt Scamander

The hand holding the stack of parchment she'd collected from the floor dropped to her side. Minerva only felt more confused, and a little betrayed. If a magizoologist said that the attacks could not have been done by an Acromantula, and that was the creature Hagrid was accused of harboring, then how could Dumbledore—?

Minerva's head jerked up as the door to Dumbledore's private quarters opened. He stopped in the doorway, staring at her in surprise as she stared at him. She imagined she looked stricken, that the feelings of confusion and betrayal that were growing within her were clearly displayed on her face for him to see. His eyes trailed down to the stack of parchments in her hand, and his face hardened in understanding.

"They fell when Fawkes came in, I was picking them up for you—"

"—but you read it, didn't you?" he asked. His voice was quiet. She almost wished he'd shout at her.

Minerva drew herself up to her full height, straightening her shoulders, and replied, "Yes, I read it. I saw Scamander's name and I couldn't help it." She raised her voice as Dumbledore opened his mouth to speak, speaking over him, "I am confused and desperate for answers, and so I read it. How could you let them expel Hagrid – ruin his life – if you have someone right here—"

"Enough!" he said sharply. Minerva's mouth snapped shut, though her nostrils flared angrily. He held out his hand for his parchments, and Minerva thrust them to him. "It is more complicated—"

"Complicated? Enlighten me, because it looks rather simple to me!"

Dumbledore clenched his jaw and looked away. Minerva's chest heaved. She watched with wide eyes as magic crackled in the air around Dumbledore. He busied himself with his hands, sorting things around on his desk without any clear, particular goal, and then took a seat. By the time he pushed his chair in and folded his hands atop his desk, the crackling had stopped. He looked up at her with piercing, hard eyes and said quietly, "I do not have to explain myself to you."

Minerva felt as though he'd struck her. She took a step back from his desk. Of course he didn't. But the Dumbledore she'd grown close to this past year would have told her anyway. Or so she'd thought. Still angry on Hagrid's behalf, and now more than a little hurt, Minerva turned on her heel and began to walk purposefully away.

"McGonagall!" he called.

Instinctively, she stopped, though she was disgusted with herself for doing so. She didn't turn to face him.

"You will only make matters worse for Hagrid if you say anything about what you read," he said in a warning tone.

Minerva's stomach flipped at that. She glanced over her shoulder at him. The stoic expression on his face hit her like a knife through the heart. Her jaw clenched and, without a word, she turned away from him and continued marching out the door.

Saturday, 26 June 1943

Fear that what Dumbledore had said about making matters worse for Hagrid would hold true kept Minerva quiet over the next couple of weeks. Hagrid had been allowed to stay at Hogwarts as an assistant to Ogg, and he was happy. Minerva had made sure to visit him, and though she could tell he was mostly putting on a brave face, she did hear genuine enthusiasm in his voice when he talked about some of the things he was doing. As for Dumbledore, she had not spoken to him since their argument over Scamander's letter. They avoided making eye contact when they passed each other in the halls, and he did not call on her in class. It was rather heartbreaking. Though she was still angry and confused, she also felt as though she'd lost a friend. And surely, now, he would not take her on as an apprentice.

A week before the Hogwarts Express was due to carry them all back to King's Cross, Minerva stood outside the closed doors of the Hospital Wing with Rolanda and Poppy, waiting anxiously. Across from them, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, stood Alphard Black. Jason and Eve's best friends, Edward and Alma, stood off to the side talking quietly to each other. Most endearingly, to Minerva, a group of all of the Hufflepuff first-years stood together, waiting to reunite with a boy they hardly knew, who'd been robbed of the same first-year experience they'd all had. Hagrid was nowhere to be seen, and no one else had come to see Gordon.

Everyone waiting outside the Hospital Wing turned as the doors opened. David Crowley stepped through first, and a huge grin split over his face as his eyes landed on his housemates. He jogged up to them, and they engulfed him in hugs, all clamoring to greet him and ask after his wellbeing. Gordon exited second, looking angry, and marched past them all without a word or a glance. Jason and Eve walked out hand-in-hand. Minerva smiled and waved at them, and they returned the gesture as they passed her to hug their friends. Aisley Locke beamed at Alphard and ran up to him. He lifted her up as they embraced, and Aisley wrapped her legs around his waist. She kissed him hard, and Minerva looked away quickly, an unexpected pang shooting through her heart as memories of Oliver flashed through her head. Her smile returned to her face, though, as her eyes landed on Pomona, who was approaching them with a sheepish smile and her arms outstretched.

"Oh Pomona!" Poppy cried, clinging to her best friend tightly.

Minerva and Rolanda came around to hug either side of Pomona, who laughed. "Oh, I feel so loved!"

"You are so loved," Poppy insisted tearfully. "We have so much to tell you – oh! Minerva, show her, show her!"

Grinning, Minerva transformed into a tabby cat. Pomona's eyes went wide and she squealed delightedly, crouching down on the floor to pet Minerva. Minerva jumped up on her, and Pomona held her close, murmuring, "You're so soft." Minerva purred happily, lowering her ears as Pomona started scratching the top of her head. Pomona sniffed, her voice thick, "I'm so sorry I missed your transformation."

Minerva rubbed her head against Pomona's hand comfortingly, but then her ears twitched as she heard footsteps echoing across the Hospital Wing floor. Shortly after, the doors opened again and the four Heads of House, along with the Headmaster, stepped out. Dippet looked in their direction, his eyes scanning Rolanda, Poppy, and Pomona's faces in turn before saying, "Where is – ah, Miss McGonagall."

The four Heads of House continued walking as Dippet stopped to talk to them. Minerva hopped out of Pomona's arms and transformed back. Her eyes trailed hesitantly after Dumbledore, but he did not spare her a glance. "Yes, Headmaster?"

"I would like to arrange a meeting with you in my office tomorrow. Is three o'clock suitable for you?" he asked.

Minerva blinked, a little perplexed and more than a little apprehensive, but she nodded, "Of course, Headmaster."

"Very good. The password is still Ignotum. I will see you tomorrow, then," he replied. With that, Dippet turned and left, leaving four curious students in his wake.

When Minerva turned back to face her friends, she was surprised to find them grinning at her. "What?"

"What do you mean, what? It's almost certainly about Head Girl," Rolanda scoffed, her yellow eyes sparkling.

Minerva gave her friends a wobbly smile. She was not as confident as they were, not after the conversation she'd had with Dumbledore.

"Oh, don't be nervous," Pomona said with a kind smile, reaching out to rub Minerva's upper arm comfortingly. "Whatever it is, it can't possibly be bad. I mean, unless me getting petrified made you go rogue."

Though Rolanda and Poppy laughed at the preposterousness of that suggestion, this only made Minerva feel worse. She knew there was a chance it could be bad news for her. Still, she was determined to not tell her friends out of fear for Hagrid, so she decided to change the subject, "So, I'm sure the professors have already asked, but Pomona – do you remember anything?"

Pomona grimaced apologetically, and Minerva knew the answer before she gave it. "No, I'm sorry. The last thing I remember is washing my hands. That's it."

Poppy and Rolanda shook their heads. Minerva's heart sank. The petrified victims had been her last hope for Hagrid, but it seemed that whoever was behind the attacks had probably covered their tracks with a Memory Charm.

Sunday, 27 June 1943

At precisely three o'clock the next day, Minerva stood at the top of the steps to the Headmaster's office with her heart in her throat. She took a second to compose herself before knocking.

"Enter," came Dippet's voice from within.

Minerva didn't allow herself a moment more of hesitation as she gripped the handle and opened the door. As she took in the office, and the people within it, she blinked in surprise and stopped abruptly.

"Now that Minerva is here, can you please explain what the meaning of all this is?" William McGonagall asked in a short tone. Minerva stared at her father, and then her mother seated beside him, completely caught off-guard. This was not what she'd expected at all. Unless, of course…they were expelling her? For reading Dumbledore's private letter? Her heart pounded anxiously, but then she remembered – and her eyes flickered over to the other couple in the room – standing by the fireplace were Nicolas and Perenelle Flamel. If Hogwarts was expelling her, why were they here?

"William, we have invited you and your wife here as a courtesy, and because we thought there was a chance your daughter might like to ask for your opinion on what we've brought her here to discuss," Nicolas replied. Minerva blinked at him in surprise.

"Come in, Miss McGonagall, and close the door behind you," Dippet urged. Heart pounding and utterly confused, Minerva stepped more fully into the office and closed the door behind her. She approached the desk to stand in line with her parents' chairs. As she did so, her eyes slid past Dippet over to the window behind him and to the right. Dumbledore was there, perched against it and looking out. Minerva's heart leapt nervously at the sight of him.

"Now, Miss McGonagall," Dippet began. Minerva's eyes flicked back to his. "We have gathered here today to propose something unusual to you. It has come to our attention that you have expressed interest in an apprenticeship with Professor Dumbledore." Minerva's eyes flicked over to Dumbledore, who did not move, and then again to Dippet. "And, that Professor Dumbledore is interested in having you as an apprentice. However, Professor Dumbledore is worn far too thin to wait any longer to have some kind of assistance. On this account, the Flamels and I agree. Your professor, though, has been quite insistent that it be you who helps him. As I'm sure you can see, that leaves us in a bit of a dilemma in terms of the timeline of your education."

Minerva nodded wordlessly, her heart pounding. She wondered if they'd asked him if he'd changed his mind in the past two weeks.

"So, we put to you a proposition. This summer, all of the students who were petrified will be returning to Hogwarts a week after term ends to resume their education. Nearly the entire Hogwarts staff has agreed to stay for this purpose. In August, Mr. Kendrick and Miss York will be taking their N.E.W.T.s. We propose that you also return this summer to take seventh-year lessons, and join them. Make no mistake, the lessons would be intense; your professors would not be cutting anything out of the curriculum. All of your professors, though, have expressed faith that with a little personal attention, you could be ready to excel in your N.E.W.T.s in August. I am interested, though, in what you think, Miss McGonagall."

Minerva stared at him with her lips slightly parted in surprise. This meeting had gone from odd to utterly bizarre very quickly, and she was having a hard time processing it all. Her eyes slid once again to Dumbledore. He still was not looking at her, but he'd turned his head slightly so she could now see the profile of his face as he looked into his lap. Heart thumping heavily in her chest, she said, "What does Professor Dumbledore think?"

"What does he – haven't you been—?" Dippet began to splutter, but when he looked around for his Deputy Headmaster, he fell silent at the look on his face.

Dumbledore finally turned to look at her for the first time in two weeks. Minerva held her head high as their eyes met. A tense silence filled the room. Minerva did not notice the others exchanging glances. Eventually, he spoke softly, "I will understand if you decline."

Minerva pursed her lips at him, her back rigid. Dippet spluttered a little again, but he said nothing. Minerva felt as though she was in a horrible position. They were laying out everything for her, a clear path to everything she wanted – but now it was not so clear. The relationship of respect and rapport she'd built with Dumbledore was broken, and now it was blocking the way towards a golden opportunity for her.

She sucked in a deep breath, "Before I give an answer, I'd like to speak with you alone."

Dumbledore glanced at the Flamels, and then at Dippet. Dippet, sounding very flustered, pointed and said, "Fine, then, my private quarters are straight through there."

Dumbledore gave him an awkward smile, "Ah, Headmaster, have you forgotten that professors cannot be alone with students in private rooms?"

Dippet flushed, and opened and closed his mouth like a fish. Perenelle Flamel interjected, "I could join you. I'm sure there's nothing Miss McGonagall has to say to you that she can't say in front of me?"

Dumbledore nodded at her, "That suits me, if it suits you?"

Minerva nodded, and he led the way through the door to Dippet's private chambers with the two witches in tow. Perenelle closed the door behind them. Minerva barely took in the rich colors and gilded and plush surfaces of the Headmaster's suite, fixated as she was on Dumbledore. He turned to face her and folded his hands in front of himself, waiting for her to speak. Minerva swallowed hard and began, "If I'm to be your apprentice, I expect to be treated with respect and not dismissed when I have concerns."

Dumbledore's eyebrows raised, "It is a funny thing to speak of respect when this all began because you invaded my privacy."

Minerva's jaw clenched, "It was wrong of me to read the letter, but I'm not sorry I did. It was extenuating circumstances, I was confused about Hagrid, confused about Myrtle, and when I saw the signature at the bottom of that letter it felt like a lifeline. I'm not sorry I read it because now I know that Hagrid is innocent and that you know too! And yet, he's been expelled and his wand's been snapped, and what have you done?"

"I secured him a job at Hogwarts."

"And what of his education? That letter—"

"—I cannot bring that letter forward as evidence because the people on this staff will say it incriminates him even more, and Newt Scamander along with him," Dumbledore replied firmly. Minerva shut her mouth, jerking her head back in surprise. "I have expressed to them my doubt that it was Hagrid, I have expressed my doubt that an Acromantula could have committed these attacks, and I have proposed an alternative suspect. I have been overruled by a group of people who do not understand things and people different from themselves, who are subconsciously prejudiced against Hagrid because of his birth, and many of whom treated a fully human student very much like him in personality with the same disdain and suspicion to the point of expulsion. They would see that letter, written by that student, not as proof that it could not have been an Acromantula, but rather as proof that this former student continues to be a danger to Hogwarts, and that there is a chance that Hagrid could have been directing the beast rather than an unwitting caretaker of it. He would lose his job at Hogwarts that I have just won for him." Dumbledore stopped talking, taking a deep breath. Minerva stared at him, stunned speechless. Dumbledore's voice was calmer, slower, and softer as he continued, "I expressed none of this to you that day because I feared for Hagrid, and because I could not fully explain myself without speaking negatively against my colleagues, which would have been unprofessional of me. Is unprofessional of me."

Minerva averted her gaze as she processed everything that he'd told her. She wanted to be angry, but she couldn't find it in herself to be. She could think of no counterargument to that, even though she thought she'd been prepared to fight for Hagrid's right to be a student until she was blue in the face, or he was reinstated. This explanation had taken her completely off guard. She had not considered that it was prejudice that doomed Hagrid, but now that Dumbledore had mentioned it, she thought of what Rolanda had told her about her experience being half-human. People had an incredible, unfathomable to Minerva, amount of bias and prejudice against half-humans because, as Dumbledore put it, they didn't "understand things and people different from themselves." It broke Minerva's heart to think that this new life as Assistant Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts was Hagrid's best option. It left a bad taste in her mouth and a guilty pit in her gut to think that she would now be partially responsible, because she knew now that she would be keeping the contents of Scamander's letter to herself.

"Who do you think it was?" she finally asked, quietly.

Dumbledore averted his gaze, hesitating. Minerva waited quietly, not wanting to push him. He glanced down at his shoes before finally meeting her eyes again, replying simply, "Tom Riddle."

Minerva blinked in surprise, taken aback. Dumbledore watched her impassively. Her brow furrowed as she contemplated his suggestion seriously. If he was correct, then that would put his hobby of sketching the victims in a whole new light. It didn't sit well with Minerva. "Is it because he sketched the victims?"

Dumbledore scowled and asked sharply, "He did what?"

"You didn't know? He…he would sit with them, and draw them. In his sketchbook," Minerva explained breathlessly. Dumbledore frowned. "Then why did you think it was him?"

Dumbledore shifted uncomfortably, folding his hands behind his back again. He hesitated before replying, "Am I to take this line of questioning to mean that you intend to accept our offer?"

For the first time that day, excitement jumped in Minerva's heart, though it was accompanied by some nervousness. Instinct told her to jump at this opportunity, but logic reminded her of some of the things she would sacrifice if she did. If she wasn't a student, she couldn't play on the Quidditch team. She wouldn't be Captain again, and she might not play Seeker ever again. She wouldn't be eligible for Head Girl. She might have less time to spend with her friends, and not being with them in class every day might create distance between them. And Miranda, her little sister, who was so excited to start at Hogwarts in September, would not have the same experience she'd been expecting, of being a first-year while Minerva was a seventh-year. Minerva would probably even be marking her essays.

Yet, the excitement in her heart would not subside, and she couldn't help but think of all the reasons she should accept this offer. She would be able to fulfill her dream of being Dumbledore's apprentice. She would earn her Transfiguration Mastery a year earlier than expected, and gain teaching experience along the way. Graduating early would distinguish her in scholarly circles, increasing the likelihood of her being awarded Transfiguration Today's Most Promising Newcomer Award, which she so coveted. She may even have the opportunity to join the Resistance, since she would be out of school, and begin helping in the ways she'd been longing to help. As for her friends, she had thought before that their friendship was too strong to be torn apart; enduring a grueling apprenticeship shouldn't separate them. She'd likely even have her own private rooms, considering she wouldn't be able to stay in Gryffindor Tower anymore. She'd be able to host her friends there, and her sister, too.

The excitement flowing through her only increased as she considered these things, and a small smile curled at her lips. Dumbledore reflected her smile on his own face. She knew what the right choice was. "As long as you promise to always satisfy my curiosity. Within reason, I suppose."

Dumbledore laughed, "I promise, as long as 'within reason' does not include sifting through my mail." Minerva gave him a sheepish grin. Dumbledore's eyes finally twinkled at her again, and he added, "I promise to answer your questions with the respect and transparency you deserve. 'Transparency,' because I want to reserve the right to instead tell you that I choose not to answer a question in the event that you grow even more impertinent during your apprenticeship."

Minerva laughed, "I accept your reservations. Now, does this mean you can discuss students with me and answer my question?"

"Yes, I suppose," he chuckled. His smile faded as he remembered her question, and Minerva's faded too. "I met Tom Riddle in the orphanage in which he grew up. I was the one who brought him his Hogwarts letter and explained to him that he was a wizard. I found him to be a most unsettling child. The woman who ran the orphanage told me he tormented the other children. I discovered he had stolen items from other children, I suspect children who were his victims as sort of trophies, and he told me he could speak to snakes. All that together, to me, seemed a strong case against him."

"Pomona's ring was missing," Minerva replied, catching on. "And…Slytherin was a Parselmouth. Do you actually think…he's a real heir of Slytherin?"

"I think it's possible," Dumbledore said quietly. "If he's not, I think it's still possible that he believes himself to be because of his ability."

Minerva covered her mouth with her hand and started pacing. After a few turns, she dropped her hand from her mouth, put both hands on her hips, and asked, "And you told the staff all of this?"

"I did."

"And no one agreed with you?"

"I believe I swayed Professor Merrythought, but no one else," he replied.

Minerva shook her head in disbelief and stopped pacing, her hands still on her hips. Her nostrils flared, "The absolute – but what if he does it again?"

"I don't believe he will," Dumbledore replied carefully.

"Believe? That's hardly enough to continue to run a school with him in it by," Minerva retorted.

"Except he is the one who turned Hagrid in," Dumbledore explained softly. Minerva's jaw dropped. Dumbledore grimaced, "He was sworn to secrecy, but it was him. Once he learned that the school would likely close because of Myrtle's death, it seems to me that he made the decision to end it all. Ultimately, Hogwarts is his home. The orphanage in which he grew up certainly is not. He does not want to risk losing Hogwarts."

"So, you're going to allow him—"

"—I would not if I had any say in the matter," Dumbledore interjected firmly. Minerva pursed her lips. "As it stands, the staff thinks me biased against the boy because I met him when his life was difficult because he didn't understand who he was. They insist he has grown and flourished here, and that he is not capable of such things." Dumbledore opened his hands, "This is Hogwarts. If you still want to join me in this madhouse, you have to take it as it is. I'd be delighted to have you around for the sake of my sanity."

Minerva scoffed at that, though her lips quirked upwards. She crossed her arms over her chest and nodded.

He gave her a small, sad little smile, and said quietly, "It's not all bad, I promise. Teaching is the greatest joy of my life. And, thank Merlin for Galatea Merrythought." Minerva laughed softly. Dumbledore's smile widened. "I find Hogwarts to be a wonderful place to live, though I've felt like it was a home to me since I was a boy, so that may be why."

"I feel that way, too," Minerva assured him.

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled, and then he clapped his hands together abruptly, "Well then! I believe it's high time we rejoin the people anxiously waiting for your response. Unless you have anything to add, Perenelle?"

Minerva turned around to look at the witch who'd been quietly observing with her back up against the door. She'd completely forgotten that she was there.

Perenelle held her hands up and shook her hands, "No, I'm simply the witness against impropriety, remember?" Minerva's face flushed, and Perenelle laughed, "Oh, my dear, you're going to want to control that blush before you face your parents." This only made Minerva's face redden more. Grinning, Perenelle raised her wand and waved it at Minerva. She felt her heartrate go down and the warmth drain from her face. Perenelle raised her eyebrows at her and asked, "Better?"

Minerva nodded, clearing her throat uncomfortably. Perenelle gave her a kind smile before turning around and opening the door. Minerva followed her out quickly, with Dumbledore right behind. Nicolas had taken a seat while he'd waited, but stood now that his wife was entering the room. William and Halina straightened in their chairs, searching their daughter's face with concerned expressions. She gave them reassuring smiles as excitement filled her again. Once she reached them, she squeezed their hands and then turned to face Dippet. Her smile faltered a little at the sight of the Headmaster, who'd heard Dumbledore's arguments and still chose to believe Riddle over Hagrid. But as Dumbledore had said, if she wanted Hogwarts, she needed to take all of Hogwarts.

So, Minerva squared her shoulders and said, "I accept your proposal, Headmaster."

"Just like that? You don't want to talk about it?" Halina asked, startled.

Minerva looked down at her mother and squeezed her hand again, "I'm sure. This is what I want. If my dream is to teach at Hogwarts, Professor Dumbledore is the best person to guide me through my Transfiguration Mastery. I've known that for some time, now. If this is the way I have to do it, then so be it. I'm up for the challenge."

William squeezed her hand, and she turned to look at her father. He was smiling proudly, and, to her surprise, he had tears in his eyes. Minerva's heart melted at the sight of her father growing emotional. "That's my girl." He scoffed at himself and wiped his eyes, "Sorry."

Minerva laughed, tears prickling at her own eyes, and reached down to hug her father, "It's alright, I think it's sweet."

"I'm so proud of you," he whispered. "Oh, show your mother! Show her—" But Minerva knew what he'd meant. She transformed at once, eliciting a gasp from her mother and proud smiles from both William and Dumbledore.

"Oh, Minerva!" Halina exclaimed as Minerva jumped into her lap. Halina ran her hand over Minerva's fur and cooed, "You're such a beautiful little tabby cat."

Nicolas and Perenelle walked over to examine her Animagus form as well, and she posed proudly for them, her tail high in the air. Nicolas turned to Dumbledore and asked with a smile, "Are you jealous, Albus?"

Dumbledore chuckled, "No, only proud."

Minerva purred happily at that while Perenelle scratched under her chin.

Dippet then interrupted them so he could arrange logistical details with Minerva about the classes she was going to take that summer. Once that was done, Minerva glanced over at the Flamels a little hesitantly and asked, "Pardon me for saying this, but why exactly are you here?"

Perenelle laughed. Nicolas smiled and replied, "Well, it has been brought to my attention by multiple members of your family, as well as Albus, that you are interested in joining the Resistance." Minerva's heart leapt, and she shot Dumbledore a wide-eyed glance. He gave her an amused smile. "While many of your peers volunteer down in Portsmouth, I wanted to extend an offer to you to join me in France once you officially graduate, since you already have family there and you will be Albus's apprentice."

"I'd be honored to, sir," Minerva replied breathlessly. Behind her, she heard her mother make a strangled noise. Minerva turned a sheepish smile on her parents, who both looked a little tense. They said nothing, though, instead choosing to squeeze each other's hand and give her tight smiles.

"I believe that's all, unless anyone has any further questions?" Dippet prompted. Everyone looked around at each other. When no one spoke up, Dippet continued, "Then everyone is free to go. Mr. and Mrs. McGonagall, I will have a house-elf make sure Ogg meets you at the gates to let you out. Technically, you need an escort; we still have a policy in place against unescorted guests…"

"I could walk with them, if that's alright, Headmaster?" Minerva suggested.

Dippet made a shooing gesture, "Fine, yes, that's alright. As a Prefect, future staff member, either way, I'll allow it."

A little amused, Minerva led the way out of the Headmaster's office with her parents in tow. As they descended the stairs together, excitement and nervousness about her future started bubbling up inside her once again. She imagined she'd feel this way for a while.

Once they stepped off the stairs, Halina snaked an arm around Minerva's waist and hugged her from the side, "I am so proud of you, Minerva."

Minerva smiled at her mother. "Thank you, Mum."

"This is a big step," Halina remarked, raising her eyebrows significantly.

"I'm ready for it," Minerva assured her.

Halina sighed and gave her one final squeeze before pulling away, "Of course you are."

"Personally, I'd like to duel you sometime," William commented with obviously contrived casualness.

Minerva grinned at him, "You ought to practice, then."

William laughed out loud, "Oh-ho, alright then lassie, we will just have to see, won't we?"

"Dueling Club is intense, you know," Minerva challenged loftily.

"That's why I want to duel you," William replied with a grin. "And, if Flamel is going to be recruiting my daughter, I want to make sure she's ready for it."

Halina clicked her tongue at that. Minerva shot her a look. Halina simply raised her eyebrows, "What?" When Minerva merely continued giving her the same pointed look, Halina sighed and patted her on the back, "When you have children someday, you'll understand that there are some things you'll never be ready to let them do."

Minerva's lips quirked, though she looked down at her shoes. Thinking about having children had reminded her of Oliver, which sent a dull pang through her heart.

Perhaps sensing Minerva's change in mood, Halina asked, "So, what happened between you and Dumbledore?"

Minerva's eyebrows shot up, "Oh, we had a disagreement recently that we needed to resolve before we could move forward with an apprenticeship. That's all."

Halina and William shot each other a look behind Minerva that she noticed but chose to ignore.

"Would you like to try to find Michael?" Minerva asked, changing the subject herself.

"I wouldn't want to embarrass him," Halina replied with a light laugh.

Minerva smirked slightly and replied, "Fair point. There's a good chance he's in the library studying, anyway, since he has exams this week."

Her parents nodded, and William remarked, "We wouldn't want to interrupt that, especially with other students around."

"But he might also be outside, though, taking a break with that camera of his," Minerva added.

"In that case, we might have to say hello," William replied with a mischievous grin.

Shooting her husband a stern but amused look, Halina asked, "How's Pomona doing?"

"She's doing well," Minerva replied. "She's disappointed she couldn't help Professor Marsh harvest the Mandrakes, but she's proud to have helped towards her own cure."

Minerva and her parents continued making small talk all the way down from the seventh floor to the ground floor, and out the castle doors. They were walking along the path to the gates listening to Halina talk about her students at the Wizarding Academy for the Dramatic Arts when Halina stopped talking suddenly, looking towards the lake. William and Minerva turned to follow her gaze, and Halina asked, "Is that Michael?"

Sure enough, Michael was walking along the lake, trailing behind his friends Alfie and Keith. Minerva transformed and ran to meet her brother as he neared the big tree by the lake. She ran over his feet and then up the tree and into a large, low branch. Michael looked up at her, laughing, and pointed his camera at her. Once it flashed, she transformed back, still perched on her branch.

William and Halina watched from afar, understanding that Minerva meant to catch Michael's attention for them. William wrapped his arm around Halina's waist, and Halina rested her head against his shoulder, sighing, "How on earth did I end up with a daughter more like my sister than me?"

William raised his eyebrows and glanced down at his wife, "Does seeing her in a tree bring back memories?"

Halina huffed, "Yes, and most of them not good."

William chuckled, "I don't think that means she's more like Sylvia. She has your curiosity."

"You're curious," Halina countered.

"She has your work ethic."

"You have a strong work ethic."

"How do you know?" William teased with a small grin. "I'm not allowed to talk to you about my work."

Halina rolled her eyes, which elicited a soft chuckle from her husband.

"I think she's like both of us. She was a hatstall between both of our houses, after all," he maintained. "Anything you see in her that you recognize as Sylvia's might just be evidence that you married your sister."

Halina laughed out loud at that, drawing away from William slightly to grin up at him, "Oh no, did I?"

William shrugged, grinning. "Without the fear of commitment, perhaps."

"I'm grateful for that," she replied softly. He looked down at her with a soft smile before leaning down to give her a gentle kiss on the lips. When they separated, their eyes lingered on each other's for a moment before glancing back over to their children. They laughed, Halina covering her mouth, as they saw Michael grimacing in their direction. As they watched, Minerva transformed again and jumped down from the tree, drawing a panicked gasp from Halina. William smiled understandingly down at her, watching her drop her hand from her mouth to her chest. Minerva, though, landed gracefully on her four paws and transformed back. As a human, she walked with her brother back over to their parents.

Michael permitted his parents to envelop him in hugs, though once they drew away, he remarked, "You know you're going to see me at the end of the week, don't you?"

William laughed, "We weren't going to go looking for you, but we thought it would be rude not to say hello once we saw you."

Michael shrugged, though he gave his father a small smile. Halina touched his cheek affectionately and commented, "You've grown again, I swear."

Michael blushed and tilted his head away from her hand.

"Oh, we didn't want to embarrass you," Halina said gently, with laughter in her eyes. "We'll leave you alone. But, good luck on your exams. We love you."

"Thanks, Mum," he replied, permitting her to give him another hug. "I love you too."

William gave him one more hug, repeated Halina's sentiments, and sent him back to his friends. Minerva walked with her parents the rest of the way to the gates, where Ogg and Hagrid stood waiting for them. She greeted them as they neared, "Hello Ogg, Hagrid! Sorry it took so long. We ran into my brother."

"That's alright, I was taking the opportunity to explain more about key protocol to Hagrid," Ogg replied. He passed Hagrid the keys, "Alright, lad, go on."

Minerva felt more than a little uncomfortable as she watched Hagrid open the gate. She wondered if she would ever not feel guilty for knowing he didn't deserve this.

She was pulled out of her thoughts as her parents said their goodbyes. Minerva plastered a smile on her face as she hugged them both, and then waved once the gate shut behind them. She watched as her mother turned to her father and asked, "Would you have really climbed that tree?"

William's eyebrows shot up, "If I was a cat Animagus? Absolutely!"

Halina brought a hand to her forehead, though she was laughing. An amused smile quirked at Minerva's lips. Her parents waved one final time before stepping away from each other, turning in place, and Disapparating.

Minerva sighed once her parents vanished, and, feeling a little awkward around Hagrid at the moment, bid the two groundskeepers a good day before turning to walk back up to the castle alone. She smiled slightly to herself as she started reflecting on the two years that she had ahead of her as Albus Dumbledore's apprentice. Apprentice. Her smile grew into a grin, and she paused to admire the castle. Warmth and excitement filled her heart as her eyes roved the towers and turrets, the hundreds of windows shining with the reflection of the sun, and those familiar old stones. This was home for Minerva. She'd had her happiest days here, and had felt supported there during her worst moments. She couldn't wait for all she had ahead of her.

And so ends Minerva McGonagall and the Chamber of Secrets.

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