Chapter 28
Màthair Knows Best!
Minerva scanned the sidewalk as she exited from Albus' most favourite jerky place in all of London, the Secret Smokehouse. She couldn't help but smile as she mentally ticked off the next item on her to-do list for the day as she quietly walked along the streets of London. Her long green wool coat jacket hung loosely from her tall form as she passed an alleyway...how familiar?
She turned into it, hearing the howl of the usual stray cats that begged for food. She couldn't help herself to say the least. She had felt guilty always walking past on every odd occassion she showed her face in London and walked passed stray animals with no homes, no families. Just themselves. Digging into her pockets of the brown paper bag and ripping apart some jerky as a scrawny looking adult black cat with bright green eyes approached her slowly and sat patiently waiting for it's feed.
"I hope you are staying away from those dogs?" Minerva had humphed to the cat staring at the cats half torn ear as she placed a few shredded pieces of jerky on the ground for it before turning to the next cat that approach, a ginger cat, young that looked like it had was on her third litter of kittens from the looks of it's sagging belly. She fed that next one and the next before she stood watching at the cats disappeared. She smirked to herself, a good deed for today and another tick off her to-do list. Still, she could feel the itching off something off in the back of her brain. She felt guilty. Something was off.
"Meow"
A small, almost pathetic mew came from the darkness of the alley. Minerva turned toward the small, scrawny, mangy kitten which practically dragged itself towards the witch. It looked very sick and unhealthy with rather large ticks jumping off of it as it crawled towards the woman. The guilt began to intense, she could feel a heavy weight on her chest but still did not understand why. Rather, she bent down and offered the kitten a few shreds of jerky. "Poor kitten are you out here by yourself too?"
She cooed as the cat began to eat slowly seeming to savour the taste. An silent confirmation was what Minerva had recieved as it begged for more food, it's golden eyes sparkling into Minerva's eyes. Minerva couldn't help but reached into her pocket and feel the wrapper of the jerky again before feeling around. She sighed, there was no more food left.
"Sorry dear" She cooed to the kitten. It sat there disappointed almost too tired to leave from it's spot next to the witch. Minerva stood tall, her guilt rising further as she dusted her jacket off and tried to force a smile towards the kitten, "stay strong dear. I'll be back next week"
And she apparated home.
The next time, she apparated back to London, walked into the jerky shop only next time ordering extra and as previous fed the strays to her. Only this time, the little brown cat never came to her. Minerva thought this strange and, after feeding the other cats approached the eery looking cardboard box which held an assortment of children's books and...a teddy bear. A ragid, blood and grime soaked teddy bear. Bile rose in the back of the witches' throat as she saw a small shadow ontop of the teddy bear. Minerva moved her hand forward reaching to nudge the animal but it made no move. It's body was as cold as ice. Her breathing picked up as she grabbed the animal in a panic and pulled it from the box before shaking it's limp body.
"Hermione?"
She shook it further, it's golden eyes never blinking.
"HERMIONE!"
Minerva was ripped awake from her nightmare's. She immediately sat up straight panting in a cold sweat before she felt something tumble down her upper body and onto her lap. She jumped thinking it was a dead body of the kitten of... until she heard the shocked mew escape the cats lips. Minerva immediately grabbed the animal and lifted it up to see the outline of the cat, "Change back" Minerva gasped gulps of air. "Change back now" She ordered in a harsh whisper. Despite the confusion of the 3AM wake-up the girl was able to make sense of at least a few words of what was being said and managed to change back into her human form, Minerva sighed in an instant before feeling tiny arms wrap around her an the small groan escape the girls lips, "mommy"
Minerva leaned back against the pillows, as she held Hermione in a bone crushing hug, Hermione body pressed ontop of her. Minerva felt the girl slump in her arms and knew she had practically fallen asleep again. Minerva wrapped the covers around both of them before hearing her husband's snores and the girl's deep breathing as she laid on top of her shoulder. Minerva closed her eyes and sniffed tears cascading down her cheeks.
It was a late morning sleep in for the family, well mainly Minerva who had spent the first half an hour of her wake stroking the locks of the girl's hair from in front of her droozling as she continued to breathe slowly and deeply avoiding waking the tired girl. As it stood, Minerva had barely slept last night after her nightmare and had mainly focussed on listening to the girl's slow heartbeat and breathing. It kept Minerva sane enough to fall asleep somewhere around 5AM which was fine by her standards given that she at least got to hold her daughter in her arms.
Albus had sat beside her reading his book with his half moon spectacles perched on his nose as he flipped through the pages of his most recent purchase. How to raise a witch in the 21st centuary by L. Raynorb. Albus sighed as he flipped a few pages with proper pure blood traditions of how girls should behave and dress. None of which was helpful to helping him bond with the girl.
"Anything interesting?" Minerva whispered as she continued to absentmindedly stroke the wild main of the girls hair of whom was currently drooling as she slept on the crook of her shoulder.
Albus sighed before placing the book down and kissing his wife, "afraid not my dear. However, I feel a spot of tea this morning should bring more perk to my day. Care to join me?"
She smirked before turning to the clock on the wall, 7:30AM.
"I'll be down in a few minutes. Would you mind asking the el-"
She stopped mid-speech as the girl stretched her body to change positions. Minerva pulled the girl further into her arms, cradeling her body as gently as she could. She took a glance over to her husband feeling guilty, her cheeks blushed red for a second. Albus couldn't help but empathise with her feelings at the moment. They had been avoiding using house-elves in front of the girl for several reasons, the main which being that house-elves lived to serve, similar to slaves and were not seen as equal, less than a beloved pet in some instances.
Albus pecked his daughter's cheek before leaving Minerva to wake the girl. Although, it may have seemed easy for some parents to wake their children up for the day, Hermione would have been considered one of the more difficult children to get ready for the day. Namely, Hermione was not an early riser.
Minerva rubbed the her adopted daughter's cheek, trying to coo the girl awake. As much as she could use another sleep, Hermione needed her potions and to be ready for the day.
"Breakfast dear?" Minerva asked gently as she sat up. Hermione groaned and shifted herself more towards the comforts of the blankets in order to avoid being woken.
"Ooch! come now! You cannot spend all day in bed"
She pulled the blankets away from the girl who groaned and curled further into a foetal position to avoid the sunlight's raise from the window. Minerva could only roll her eyes at the brown haired girl's stubborness. "You'll feel better once you've taken your medication. Now come down to the kitchen's. Your father's making your favourite" Hermione cracked one eye open before transforming into her cat form and crawling onto her mother's pillow for warmth as Minerva placed on her robes and stepped into her slippers. "Come dear, I won't ask again" Minerva said in a more stern tone. Bear trudged grumpily towards her teddy, laying strewn at the end of the bed and took it in her teeth before pattering after Minerva as she left out of the door. She still had not acquainted herself with the house and had refused to go exploring anywhere without her parents or Fawks. Hermione chased after her mother in her kitten form, trying to follow her and keep up as much as possible however she ended up disappearing around another corridor which Hermione had become confused about.
She sat still for a moment not knowing what to do or where to go. Her ears pricked up noises of small feet rushing around down the corridors with floor boards creaking. She heard the sounds of low whispers that didn't sound human. Bear immediately turned around and grabbed her stuffed bear again in her teeth before running for it.
'oof!' She immediately tumbled back onto the floor crashing into something rather large.
Ow!
Hermione could only whimper before sneezing on the floor boards, "Ay kitten, I had wondered where you had gotten off too" She felt herself being picked up by the scruff of her neck before placed into the crook of the woman's arm. "Did you miss your grandmomma?" She cooed to the brown kitten who seemed more than happy to be held by the older woman wearing a black witches hat on the top of her head.
Isobel immediately turned round for Bear to come face to face with three floating boxes which look packed to the brim full of items. The woman waved her wand towards the stair case making the boxes head towards the second master suite before turning back to the corridor and following after Minerva.
She found the two in the kitchen, Albus behind the stove cooking a morning breakfast and Minerva who had just picked up her morning tea from her husband's hands.
"Màthair?" Minerva arched her eyebrow in an almost suspicious greeting.
"Min" Isobel smirked at her daughter before flicking her eyes over to see her son-in-law wearing a pink, flower printed apron and holding a spatula. After years of knowing Albus she had given up expecting him not to wear such frivelous items.
Isobel felt the sudden onsought of magic and held her hands out, giving Hermione enough space to transform into her human self. "Papa!" Hermione cooed to her father, giggling in Isobel's arms. Albus smiled at her as he flipped an egg on the stove before placing his spatula down and picking his daughter up in his arms and kissing her cheek. "Good morning dear and good morning Isobel. I'm surprised to see you here so early. I was expecting your move much later during the week?" Albus asked as he placed his daughter down on the bench top before handing her the first of five small potions all lined up for her.
"I've decided to move back home to the manor-... Oh Minerva please stop trying to imitate a fish it doesn't suit you"
Minerva's eyes bulged in their sockets. "-M-move in! As in permanently? What about your home in France?"
"Oh, I have decided to keep it as a Summer home and considering ye' cannot find someone suitable to take care of the wee child whilst you are teaching; I volunteer"
"Maither, we have not even began looking for a suitable carer yet. Hermione has particular needs"
"My point exactly dear. I need to be close to my sick granddaughter and she needs a carer. She can't spend her whole time sleeping on professors desks or hiding under them to study or play all day. Honestly, I know ye' have your reasons for not using the house-elves to at least bare some of the weight of raising a child" Hermione arched her eyebrow at the creatures names but was ignored with Isobel plucking the small vial out of her hands and giving her her next potion.
Minerva sighed rubbing her forehead knowing her mother wasn't going to let up any time soon.
"...and what is this I hear talk about you going to a muggle school, girl. As much as I do like to gander in muggle culture I would not expect my only granddaughter to privvy herself in spending all summer at a muggle school".
"It's three day a week for a couple of hours" Minerva scowled at her mother.
"Nonesense, I will not have my only grandchild learning from some random muggles of whom I have not had the investigating their qualifications and experience. Hermione needs a proper tutor and I volunteer"
"Proper tutor? And what do you believe ya will be teaching the wee girl?"
Isobel smirked before picking up the book in Minerva's hands and closing it before moving over to her granddaughter. "Well, for one thing! She will need to continue her French and Gaelic lessons. She still has more of her English accent and what I suspect some American in her tone of phrase. The third," Isobel removed the third potion from Hermione's hand before pulling her small chin forward and straightening her posture before placing the book on top of the girl's head, "Pure blood etiquette"
Minerva rolled her eyes.
"And lastly, honestly Minerva I have a mastery in Arthrimacy. I can teach the lass all she needs to know of proper Mathematics, History and English. She will be fine with me whilst you are out teaching during the season".
"I- Albus you don't agree with this, do you? Hermione needs to learn to socialise with other children her age, not to mention we discussed that we specifically did not want Hermione to grow up in a pure-blood only society. We still want her to keep her connections to the muggle world"
Albus simply smiled at his wifes and mother-in-law, "it may be worth having two tutors not to mention ourselves and some of the staff at Hogwarts to educate our young daughter on all she needs to know"
Minerva stood up almost fuming making her husband cough nervously for taking her mother's side so easily.
"Of course, that is if she does not take warmly to a school full of students"
Hermione looked up at him slightly fearful, letting the book slide off her head. Isobel tisked before picking the book up and placing it on the bench. "I suggest she tries one day of school then if she does not like doing a Summer school program then we'll find a second tutor" Albus reasoned as he began to serve four plates filled with eggs, bacon, toast, sausages and baked beans. Isobel couldn't help but through an 'I-told-you-so' smirk towards Minerva.
Breakfast was a simple affair with the small family regailing their plans for today, what they planned to do for the week and what tutor would be appropriate for Hermione. For the second time they had broached the subject of Hermione's education with Isobel taking a forward stance on the proper pureblood tradition of a private tutor before telling the parents that she would not be in the least bit happy if the girl was even approached by a bully. The list continued to stack up against them, "and what about her medication times, her scars, her sensitivity to light not to mention her already hyper-alert state and what happens if she has an accident with her powers or is so petrified of other people she changes forms in front of them"
"yes, alright Màthair!" Minerva sighed before looking at the girl who had been absentmindedly prodding at her food with her fork much to Minerva's distaste.
Isobel took a few seconds to notice Albus' concerned looks he threw towards his young daughter who didn't really seem to be enjoying the conversation much either.
Isobel sighed befpre she coaxed the girl with a drink,"Pumpkin juice dear? I can get Mitzy to bring you some"
Hermione quirked her eyebrow as she looked over to her grandmother as Minerva spluttered her drink.
"Mitzy?"
"Ahum" Albus cleared his throat to catch his mother-in-laws attention. Isobel looked round to her son and arched her eyebrow before her realisation kicked in about house elves. Right!But she really felt that Hermione needed to at least learn they existed and enjoyed serving.
"She's an elf" Isobel smirked at Minerva who was starting to get annoyed.
"Like Santa's elves?"
"Yes, however house elves are Santa's Little Helper's of a families home?"
"Oh, do they also get paid in candy and live in ginger bread houses and wear green furry coates and have big, pointy ears and-"
"some of those things, my piseag"
"Like what? that they live in ginger bread houses?"
Minerva couldn't help but snort a laugh as she listened on to her daughter's innocent questions.
"Ay, like they 'ave big, pointy ears"
"But what about-"
"And live in a normal home, and they're about as tall as you dear, ay, maybe slightly taller" She pinched Hermione's cheek before chuckling lightly at the annoyed girl.
"Ow!" she rubbed her cheek before glaring at her grandmother.
Isobel chuckled harder before coaxing the girl to finish off her breakfast. No doubt the elves would be cleaning up afterwards. The morning progressed on with Isobel advising she was going to spend the morning unpacking whilst Albus attended to his appointments. Minerva had ended up grabbing both hers and Hermione's jacket's before they stepped outside, however it didn't go without some hastle regarding the girl trying to step outside without shoes on.
Hermione and Minerva began to walk slowly down to the lake in the meantime the woman couldn't help but watch her daughter enjoying the view, her beautiful, big brown and gold flecked eyes drawing everything into her surroundings. Minerva chuckled taking her daughter's hand and pulling her over to a nearby tree. "This was my favourite tree when I was a child, I used to love coming out here next to the lake and reading" She smiled happily as she pulled her daughter down onto the grass. Minerva couldn't help but run her finger's through the long green grass. "It's a lovely picnic spot" She stared out at the lake just behind the small girl imagining herself with her mother when she was just older than Hermione.
"Momma?"
Minerva blinked before focussing on her daughter who looked somewhat worried. She smirked at the small girl before instantly transforming into her feline self. Hermione's eyes buldged as she watched the grey striped cat begin to walk off only to stop and turn around and signal the girl to join her.
Hermione immediately giggled before turning and racing after her in her kitten form. Minerva couldn't help but bump her head with the small kitten knocking the unsteady kitten off her feet a little as the two continued to walk together.
Momma! Bear complained as she tried to regain her balance.
Minerva chuckled before she jumped up onto a log and waited for Hermione who tried to scramble onto the log only to fall back down again. Minerva chuckled internally seeing the kitten fall straight onto her backside pouting.
Ooch, come here dear Minerva grabbed the back of Bear's neck into her mouth before picking her up and jumping onto the log. Bear went instantly limp as her mother carried her across the log and stopped at the end before putting her down.
This is the edge of the forest. Bear shook her fur out as she stared at the forest's edge noticing the darkness that was lurking inside of the thickness of the forest.
It is important that you do not wander or run off in there even if you want to play. Your father has protective charms all across the boundaries so no animals or creatures can enter the grounds.
How come you don't cast spells in the forest? Minerva turned her head to see the kitten scratching her neck with her back leg. Bear instantly stopped knowing it was probably an inappropriate time to be doing that whilst they spoke about the situation.
Animals still have to live in the forest dear. However-
Minerva nodded her head for Hermione to move forward. Hesitantly Bear crept forward her nose up sniffing until she felt something nearby. She moved forward before yelping. Something had hit her nose. She jumped back falling off the edge of log and landing flat on her back. Minerva instantly lept for it, jumping off the log and racing to her daughter's side in an overly-protective, motherly panic.
Hermione! Sweatheart, are you alright? She bend down to sniff her daughter before pushing her with her nose for a response. Bear attempted to bat at the older cats nose playfully making Minerva sigh in relief. At least the ground was soft enough. Minerva sniffed back before watching as her daughter rolled onto her side and attempted to bat at her mother's nose.
Ooch, don't scare me like that!
Hermione shook her fur out before jumping onto her mother's batting tail. Minerva couldn't help but roll her eyes before deciding to indulge herself in her daughter's antics and force herself to bat her tail further. Bear pounced on her tail making minerva yelp before swiftly turning round and chasing after the smaller cat. She could hear the girl giggling internally as she chased her up the hill side. Minerva couldn't help but run after her, chasing her up the nearest hill. She could hear Minerva could hear her giggling as she ran after her.
Hermione! Come dear!
She called for her daughter as they raced up the hill. Bear looked over to her and raced after her up the hill. Minerva laughed as they reached the top of the hill and sat down to watch the morning sun shine hit the small town just over three kilometres away. She smirked as she watched as Bear quirked her head in curiosity.
What's that?
That is the town of Bally, it's cross between a small muggle and wizarding town. We can go there later when you're feeling ready.
Hermione nodded her head, her slit eyes narrowing at the town wondering if she would be able to see any people from this far away. Minerva chuckled before nudging her daughter to look to the left which contained a valley of landscape of beautiful Northern Ireland's hillside. Hermione gasped taking a step forward but was stopped by her mother.
Your father has placed an enchantment barrier just a few meters before you.
Bear looked back to at their home to see her father with another gentleman with a green bowler hat walking around the garden and chatting. She immediately walked over to her mother and pushed herself against her front legs attempting to hide.
Minerva rubbed her head against her daughters as she pushed herself under her.
Ay girl, there's nothing to be afraid of now. Your father changed his appointment times so it wouldn't intervene with our family time.
Hermione stepped out a little from under her mother to look up at her. She smiled at her daughter before beginning to walk back to the lake.
Momma wait for me!
Hermione pelted after her not wanting to be left alone.
They decided to stay under the tree for the next hour, Minerva watching/supervising her daughter as she attempted to do barrell rolls in her kitten form only to clumisly land on her back. She couldn't help but chuckle at the way she persisted in trying to learn how to roll.
Mienerva couldn't help but think back to the first time Minerva and Albus had attempted to have children. Time and time again going in and out of hospitals, seeing doctors, medics, specialists, healers even witch doctors until they were finally pregnant with their first child. She remembered rushing in to Albus' room after taking the test.
She ran up and instantly hugged and kissed her husband telling him the good news. They had immediately started planning and arranging a baby room with a crib, changing table and rocking chair. Time and time again they would discuss their new borns future wondering if they would inherit her nose or his eyes, whether they would be skilled in transfigurations. They were five months pregant when they went to see a healer. Albus had his hand rested in Minerva's bump. In truth, she had been nervous that day. She had not felt much kicking over the last few weeks. It wasn't until the medic waved her wand that everything went wrong. She waved it twice, three times. "I-I'm sorry!" Minerva and Albus were quiet. They had tried for years. Tried for so long. Minerva and Albus' hearts had broken that day. They had went home to Hogwarts that day, sitting on their settee holding each other. Albus whispering words of comfort in her ear. Telling her everything would be alright. They tried again and again. Years after years of repeating the cycle. They had given up after their fourth miscarriage and one stillborn. They couldn't do it anymore. It was too painful. They had lost too much over the years and finally decided to put their attention back into supporting the children of Hogwarts.
Until...
Until the day they decided to adopt. Right after the girl's surgery, Albus had come in and sat down with his wife as she gently stroked the girls hand. They had spoken about the girl, Albus going on about what records he could find on the Grangers having passed away and having one family member still living. Even then, Minerva had decided on keeping the girl in her desperation. She had known in that present moment that it was selfish to keep her from her family but she couldn't help but see the pain and suffering in every wheezing breathe the girl took into her lungs as she slept. It wasn't peaceful, it was restless exhaustion. She knew Albus had been reading her mind that day, considering the words that had slipped from his lips. "We can't keep her Minerva, if she does have family, we need to see before we made any rash decisions" he had told her warning her not to get too emotionally attached to the child in case they were forced to give her away.
She knew that. Deep inside she knew that but she couldn't deny the maternal pull towards the broken child. If gave her husband a rather defiant glare as if to say, If-you-don't-agree-to-take-her-in; I-alone-will.
Albus had not argued with her subtle statement and gently placed his hand over his wifes who had moved it away. He had sighed, pondering the moral consequences of keeping the child away from her only family. Strategically, he found more benefit in keeping the girl rather than giving her back.
In the afternoon, post Hermione's forgery of her birth certificate and informal adoption had been processed, Minerva and Albus had spent the evening with her. Poppy had spent the evening showing Albus how to bath the girl as well as giving them instructions on how to care for the girl "gentle strokes around the back. Her wounds are still healing!"
Hermione jumped as he placed his large paw of a hand on her shoulder and ran the sponge down her side whilst Minerva sat opposite the tub passing the girl back her ducky every now and again when it wondered off. "A-A-bus"
"Albus dear"
"Al-bus" Minerva smiled as she ran a cloth over Hermione's arm making Hermione squirm. Her left arm dangled out of the bath, with the IV attached. Hermione couldn't help but stare shake despite the calming drought in her system. THe lighting had been turned down as much as possible to help her light sensitivity.
At that time Hermione had only been in their lives for four days and she was still very scared of well...everyone.
"One...Two..Three" He pulled her up and out of the bath into Minerva's arms as she wrapped a soft towel around the girl. She squirmed harder in her arms, uncomfortable with the pressure being placed on her scarring. "Ooch, girl! Let's getcha back to bed dear" She cooed to the girl as they walked back to the hospital bed. Albus wheeling the IV stand and shaking the teddy bear in front of the girl's face as he cooed to her.
"Poppy said to make sure to check the bandages in case they're wet or rubbing" She gently placed her on the bed before attempting to dress the girl as she tried to reach for her teddy bear still held by her new father. "Ay dear, almost there and you can cuddle your teddy bear" Minerva pulled some of the gauze covering her rib cage down to check some of the healing gashes on her small body before buttoning her shirt up. "That's a good girl" She cooed as Albus pulled the covers of the bed down and placed a heating charm on the bed.
"Do you think she needs an extra pillow for her arm?"
Minerva pulled the small girl up and rested on the bed with her in her lap. Albus came and sat beside the two of them with a children's story book and a chocolate mouse.
"Albus, Poppy said no chocolates after five" Minerva whispered to her husband.
"Oh come now dear, she's been such a good girl today. Haven't you dear?"
Hermione looked up towards the spoon he was holding and immediately looked away nervously. Albus smirked towards his wife. "I think she deserves a reward for her efforts?" He pulled the lid open and spooned out some before placing it next to the girl's lips. She immediately backed away looking over to her new mother for acceptance.
Minerva ran her hands through the girl's hair before telling her she could have some. It made the girl happy to say the least. She was basically a skeleton the way her clothes hung loosely to her pale body. Minerva couldn't help but wonder who would hurt such as small child so badly. It was cruel and vile. She watched as her husband began to pretend the spoon was a train and feed the girl. She seemed very nervous and scarred until she began to rub her shoulder and coo to the girl to eat something. Somewhere in her bloodied brown eyes she could tell the girl was thinking she didn't deserve to be eating but after a few more tried of coaxing the girl, she took a bite and her eyes lit up like the fourth of July. Minerva smiled.
Even the smallest of gestures had made the girl nervous but happy in the end. They had read stories to her, telling her about their day and singing her a lullaby to sleep. It had truely been one of Minerva's most favourite moments and as she had laid there with the sick girl sleeping next to her in her arms. She realised all three of them had come a long way, faced so many hardships, pain and loss just to be together.
Ooff!
Minerva winced her eyes closed before blinking back to the present and seen the small kitten fail yet another head over heels roll.
Your going to hurt your head if you keep that up. Minerva informed her. Bear shook her fur before trotting over to her mother who bumped her head to hers.
Bear cuddled up in the stomach of her mother's fur as she looked out at the calm lake. I thought I was doing a good job? Bear asked almost shrugging her small shoulders. Minerva chuckled. You were dear. I'm just worried you are going to hurt yourself.
She will if you keep coddling her, Minerva!
Both turned their heads to see a skiny, old black cat with glowing green eyes walking towards them as in a strut. If Minerva could have rolled her eyes she would have. Instead, she ended up placing a paw over Bear's body.
Ay, come off it lass. I was only wanting to spend some time with my favourite grandchild.
Thought mother's didn't play favourites?
Only hippocrites say that!
Minerva stood up on her hindlegs as the black cat came and nudged her granddaughter on the top of the head.
Am I really your favourite, Gwandmomma? Bear's eyes were as big as the moon as she stared into the black cats eyes transfixed. Isobel couldn't help but smirk internally after winning her granddaughter's love and affection so easily.
Aye kitten, of course you're my favourite! She rubbed her head against the girl before beginning to gently play chasy with the small kitten. Minerva rolled her eyes as she continued to watch the two for a few minutes before Bear ran up to her and pawed her head, 'tag! You're it momma'
Minerva chuckled before racing after the kitten.
So this chapter was originally going to be 9090 words however I have broken this up into two chapters for your viewing. Next chapter will be out real soon and will a Hagrid and Hermione chapter.
Don't forget to leave a review!
