Minerva McGonagall & Godric Gryffindor

The Forgotten Year.

As the weeks went on, Minerva was settling in well but her mind kept going back to her own time and what her friends were doing, how was the school, were her students okay. She sighed as she prepared herself for another day. She was lucky that her quarters were already built and she was able to use them for her stay.

"Athena!" Rowena called as she entered the woman's room with a smile. "I was hoping I could sit in on your lessons today?" Over the last week or so Minerva and Rowena had become friends, much like her and Albus were.

"That would be welcomed." Minerva smiled. "Merlin knows it isn't easy to teach in the first place, but when it is your own ancestors that refuse to listen to you." She shook her head and chuckled. "Any news on getting me home?"

The other woman chuckled at the comment about teaching family. "One day they will thank you for it." She commented before moving next to her friend. "I am still working on that I'm afraid." She had been spending most of her free time trying to help her new friend. "We better get going, McGonagall's wait for no one." She teased as she linked arms with Minerva.

"Aye, that we don't." She shook her head as they walked together. "I believe Senga McGonagall is one to watch out for." Minerva had grown fond of her ancestor the thirteen-year-old reminded her of herself at some point, the girl didn't know they were related but had come to her asking several questions about Transfiguration. "It is still hard to believe both sides of my family are magical."

Rowena nodded as they walked into the classroom together. "Senga is a very talented young lady with a troubled past." She admitted noticing the classroom was still empty. "Her parents passed away shortly after her seventh birthday; she has been raised by her uncle."

Minerva sighed as she remembered when her own family parents were killed, though she was an adult already it still shocked her enough to take time from work. "My parents were killed when I was twenty, I took care of my brothers after that. Malcom was already of age but still in school and Robert was around Senga's age." It was at that moment a few of the fifteen students started to file in and take their seats.

Minerva was proud of how fast the students were picking up the work she had given them, sticking to the times limit of Transfiguration, part of her now understood why she was so proficient in it as well. While the Ross side of her family seemed to be better at Charms which was her second-best subject at school.

Once the day was done, she found herself by the lake once more with Godric talking about the day and other things that were happening. She had grown close to him in a sort time and her with being a private person, this shocked her, but she was thankful to have at least two people helping her.

Weeks turned into months, it was now summer and according to Rowena there was still no way for her to get home. She had found a quiet spot in one of the courtyards as there were no more classes and she had a lot more free time. She sat on a bench reading a book when someone sat down beside her, causing her to mark her page and look up. "Godric, how may I help you?" She inquired with a hint of amusement.

"Rowena said that we could get you home by February." He told her softly. "She is working on a spell." He added with a small smile. Part of him didn't want to see the woman go, but he knew she was needed in her own time.

Minerva was taken back by the news she could be home in several months. "Thank you, Godric. I am excited to return home, though I am sure I will miss being here." Her voice was soft as she turned her body to look at him better. "I will miss you and Rowena the most."

His smile grew bigger when she admitted that she would miss him, even if it seemed she wanted to hex him half the time. "I will miss you as well, Minerva, but I know you will be alright." Placing a gentle hand on her shoulder he was still amazed by her striking green eyes, yes he knew McGonagall's before and was use to their ocean green eyes, but Minerva's were different. "I am sure part of us will always be here at Hogwarts."

"You are right, Godric." She nodded as she held her book in her lap. "We will all be alright." She smiled at him. Somehow, he reminded her of Albus but he wasn't as manipulative as her longest friend. "Part of you and Ro will always be with me as well." She added softly.

Godric looked at her for a moment and found complete honesty behind her words, he had noticed though she never told him about her life completely, she never really lied to him either. "As the same is for you." He admitted before slowly leaning in and placing a shadow of a kiss against her lips, pausing for a moment before pulling back. "I care about you, Minerva." He whispered.

Minerva's eyes fluttered close as she felt his lips ghost her own, only for them to flutter open when he moved away. "Godric…" She breathed moving a hand from her book to caress his cheek. "I'm not sure we can… The future and all…" She breathed wanting to find any excuse not to fall for a dead man.

"I understand." He nodded with a half-smile as he took her hand from his cheek and held it in his own. "Remember you are Athena McBride here, not Minerva McGonagall… When you go back we will say you died in your sleep." He explained softly.

She thought for a moment weighting up her options. She had always been afraid to let anybody in after she broke off her engagement with a muggle man she grew up with, and now she was falling for someone she would have to leave soon. Taking a deep breath she looked at him once more with a gentle smile. "I think I will try to enjoy the rest of my time here."

Gryffindor didn't even ask for her to clarify what she had said before kissing her once again, but this time it was more than the ghost of the last. He felt her hand cup his cheek almost pulling him closer as she returned the kiss. Yes, he had flings with Rowena and a few other witches, but something sparked in him when he met Minerva, and something in him told him that her being sent back wasn't an accident but was fate. Gently he pulled back with a smile as his green eyes caught her own. "I plan to make sure you do."