Minerva McGonagall & Godric Gryffindor
The Forgotten Year
Yule was approaching fast, it was less than a week away and the most famous four in wizarding Britain knew what that meant. Only a week or two left with their newest family member. Minerva had hoped to have spoken to Senga before she left but thought better of it after Godric promised he would after growing close to the girl after Minerva made him promise to look after her. Minerva had a necklace made for the girl, identical to one her mother wore once or twice, telling her it was an heirloom. She had shown it to Rowena who knew most of the McGonagall clan but she had never seen it before. She enchanted it so no one except her mother can wear it unless they have McGonagall… She didn't want it getting lost from the family because one day she would own it. She had asked Ro and Godric to give it to the girl after she was gone and when the girl was an adult she asked them to give her a letter to explain who she really was and that she was proud of the girl and would always remember her.
Minerva had decided to stop teaching two days before Yule, giving herself time to process what was about to happen. Much like Rowena was a sister to Godric, she had become one to herself as well. She sat by the window and sighed. "Merlin, what am I doing… My time here is coming to an end and in many ways I don't feel ready, but I miss my friends so much. So much has changed in a year… I do hope Godric is right and somehow a part of him will be with me in my time." She talked to the moon and stars hoping someone could hear her fears and wishes. "I now understand why the hat had trouble placing me between Ravenclaw and Gryffindor… Getting to know Ro and Godric has only opened my eyes to that." She sighed again as she turned away from the window to her bed. "Goodnight, Hogwarts." She whispered as she slipped between the covers and fell asleep.
The morning of Yule Rowena decided to wake Minerva up, it wasn't celebrated the same in each time line but Minerva had explained her version of Yule which gave Rowena and idea and the other three founders agreed. She slipped into the woman's room and gently shook her. "Minerva, wake up." She whispered causing the woman to stir. "It's Yule." She added with a chuckle as sleepy emerald, green eyes met her own. "Come on, we have something planned." With that she left the bedroom and waiting in the sitting area for her friend. It was almost half an hour later when the woman entered the room now completely awake.
"Please tell me this isn't another one of Godric's childish plans?" Minerva spoke as she sat down next to Ro who shook her head with a smile.
"No, today was my plan, Godric and the others only helped getting everything ready." Ro smiled and pulled Minerva into a hug. "Merry Christmas, Minerva." She whispered in her ear before pulling back and revealing a small box in her hand. Minerva looked at the box confused before gently taking it with shaky hands. She lifted the lid and saw a beautiful silver necklace with a raven pendant that had sapphire for an eye. "It's beautiful, Ro. Thank you." Minerva lifted it from the box and put it on with a smile, now she would have something of her friend when she got home.
"Ro, did I ever tell you that I was a hat stall?" Minerva questioned knowing she hadn't but wanted to see her friend's reaction which didn't disappoint. Rowena's face scrunched up like she had just put a slice of lemon in her mouth but the look in her eyes let Minerva know it wasn't a bad thing. "I was." She nodded with a smile. "Between Godric's house and your house." She admitted looking for another reaction.
Rowena looked at her friend almost in shock, but pride lingered in her eyes. "You would've made me very proud if you had been in my house." She spoke in a whisper. "I am proud of you either way."
Minerva chuckled at this and shook her head. "I guess my bravery was slightly bigger than my brain." She joked as she touched the necklace. "Thank you for making me feel better, Ro."
After a small get together Rowena had already given her a gift that morning but now the other three founders were waiting with their own. Salazar had given her a tome containing important information the future forgot that she would only reveal if she thought it of upmost importance. Helga had given her a bracelet, it was simple leather though it had the Hogwarts crest on it that they had recently decided on. Last Godric had given her scrolls explaining her situation and that fate was involved and not just magic with his official seal on them, he had explained what they were so she didn't have to break the seals. They had also decided to include her alias Athena McBride into Hogwarts history by making her the first Headmistress of the school, even if she would only be so for no more than a week. She was grateful that in some way the world would remember who she was in this time.
At the end of the celebration Minerva hugged Rowena and left with Godric. "One last time?" She offered wanting to make love to him one more time before she went home, she needed one more memory. Once in her quarters they shared a bath before making their way to bed, but neither did much sleeping that night. No, they spent hours exploring each other's body's, remembering every scar, birthmark, freckle. Everything.
The next morning Minerva was curled up in his arms when she heard the door open and she knew it was Ro. "Godric, Ro is here." She shook him and he instantly woke up. "It's time, my love." She added before kissing him softly letting a tear roll down her cheek.
Silently they slipped out of bed and got dressed before meeting Rowena in the sitting room. Minerva had the book that Sal had given her and the scrolls in her hands, the bracelet on her wrist and the necklace around her neck. Rowena reached forward and wiped a tear from Minerva's cheek before kissing it softly. "You will always do us proud." She reminded as if Minerva was a child.
Together the trio walked down to the lake where it all began. Rowena and Godric stood next to each other facing Minerva. No one knew what to say, so they share one final group hug. "We love you." Ro whispered in her ear as they pulled back. Godric kissed her one more time before standing out of reach. Rowena was waving her wand and muttering something in Gaelic that Minerva couldn't make out but suddenly she felt the world rushing past her and only stopped after what felt like hours, but could've only been a few minutes.