Chapter Eighteen
In which Minerva considers the past
Albus and Minerva strode from the dungeons and into the main corridors of the castle. It had done them both good to see that the missing members of the school seemed to be only a little worse for wear. Dumbledore's eyes sparkled behind his glasses as he chuckled. If he had known the being thrown together like that would put Miss Granger and Severus on such good terms, he might have consider arranging something like that sooner, not that he wished Snape any hardship or pain, but he had never seen the man happier than when Hermione dragged him toward the looking glass. And Remus and Ginny had looked to be getting on together nicely as well.
Albus chuckled again and shook his head. It was an unexpected turn of events. He had expected to find a group of intensely frightened people on the other side of the mirror, but with the exception of injured Severus, they seemed to be handling themselves ideally.
"What are you laughing at, Albus! This situation is still very serious!" protested Professor McGonagall who had been listening to him chuckle as they walked.
She had been very pleased to see that her students were doing sufficiently well in their predicament. She was quite proud of Hermione Granger in particular. It required some special mettle to be able to stand up to Professor Snape and to deal with him effectively. Hermione had that in spades, it seemed.
Glancing at Albus and trying to keep at bay the blush that threatened to rise into her cheeks, she thought of the headmaster and herself when she had been only a bit younger than Miss Granger. Minerva had treated her transfigurations' professor's cuts and bruises after the capture of Grindelwald as she waited for him to decide the Dark Wizard's fate. Albus Dumbledore had been very powerful, very formidable even then.
But in those long past days as he had sat, wand in one hand and the other resting on his knee, watching the stunned and bound form of their enemy, Minerva had looked into the slightly haunted eyes of her mentor and teacher, whom she held in high esteem and yet for whom she felt also a desperate longing. She couldn't remember his exact words, something about imprisoning foul things with other things of the same nature. Minerva had glanced at Grindelwald's broken wand and nodded as she shivered. The battle had been horrific. She had said something to Albus about his bravery. And he had smiled at her. Then she had kissed him.
"Was I laughing, Minerva? I must watch that. People really will think I'm a barmy old codger, won't they?" he said, chuckling again.
"Why didn't you mention that only one person could come through each mirror?" she inquired suddenly.
"I didn't? It must have slipped my mind, though I certainly wouldn't have wanted to worry anyone unnecessarily. No need to do anything like that." Albus told her. "Besides, only half the castle has been searched so far. The other gateway mirrors will turn up sooner or later." he added.
"I hope you're right, Albus. I would hate to think that we could only rescue one of them." said Professor McGonagall.
"You heard Remus. I don't think any of them would leave their companions to face the horrors of that world alone."
"You're right about that, Albus." she sighed.
Meanwhile, Harry and Ron had left the dungeons and were checking the corridor near the library where a few mirrors were set in forgotten niches and recesses along the hallway. Their spirits had risen when they had found the magical mirror in Professor Snape's private rooms. They had half expected Snape to blast them both from the other side of the looking glass for having the audacity to enter his rooms, but instead the professor had laughed. Harry couldn't remember ever seeing him do so. The evil potions' master had been standing there with his arm around Hermione and laughing. It was all so very strange.
As though reading his mind, Ron asked, "What do you suppose was the matter with Snape? Hermione said he had been hurt and all, but he looked, well, happy to me, except when she told Dumbledore about him being injured."
"I was thinking the same thing."
"And?"
"They've been trapped in there for sometime now. Maybe it's getting to them... mentally. I mean Hermione was looking at him like ..."
"Ew! Harry! I know, I know. But Ginny was all right."
"Are you sure?"
"Of course I am. She can't smile like that if something's bothering her or if something is wrong. She just can't."
Harry smiled and nodded. Ginny was smiling when they saw her and that smile could not have been fake.
"Strange things happen in desperate situations." Harry shrugged. "Maybe they all reached an understanding."
"You know, Harry, that's nice thought, Snape being able to get along with three Gryffindors." mused Ron as they tested another looking glass. "Maybe he won't take away so many points when they come back. That would be very nice, don't you think?"
"If they come back, you mean." said Harry, growing frustrated with their nearly fruitless search.
"What do you mean 'if', Harry? It is only a matter of time before we track down those mirrors." said Ron stubbornly.
"The Founders created them a thousand years ago. One has been broken. What if the others ..."
"I see your point, but we can't give up on them yet. I'm sure the Founders put protection spells and stuff on the mirrors. I bet one of them breaking was only a fluke or something."
"I hope you're right." said Harry as they made their way down the corridor.
Minerva McGonagall walked away from the hearth in her apartment in Gryffindor Tower. She had just spoken with Molly Weasley, informing her that her daughter seemed to be just fine and that the matter of bringing her and the others home was being attended to with all possible diligence. Molly was quite relieved to hear that. Minerva wished that she could have given her more. She wished that the four of them were already safe, but that was something that might be days away, depending upon the success or failure of the search for the mirrors.
She had just finished checking the mirrors in her own apartment for the second time. If one was located in the rooms of the Slytherin head of house, why not one in the Gryffindor equivalent? But it just wasn't so simple. Minerva had not expected it to be, but no stone was to be left unturned in the quest to bring Ginny, Hermione, Remus, and Severus home again.
Minerva sighed softly, walking from mirror to mirror, as she remembered what happened after Dumbledore and herself had brought Grindelwald back to the castle during the dark hours of the evening on the last day of April during her sixth year. It had been her wand the kept him under the Mobilicorpus spell as they took him to the dungeons of Hogwarts. In both the past and present she shuddered as she remembered the dangerous look in Grindelwald's eyes and his distracted mumbling. He had gone mad near the end of his reign of terror, but his was still a force to be reckoned with.
A young and handsome Ministry Auror named Alastor Moody had been waiting for them in the most secluded part of the dungeons with Professor Reynard Krohn, the head of Slytherin house and potions' professor. Krohn, a towering man with blond hair that obscured his eyes from view, had loomed over a bubbling cauldron, adding ingredients and paying no attention to anything but his craft. Albus had instructed her to put Grindelwald in the corner of the room farthest from the Auror and the professor while he had a discussion with his colleagues. She had done exactly as he had asked, guarding the mad wizard until Albus returned.
He had laid a hand on her shoulder. She knew that he could feel her trembling beneath her dirty, blood besmirched school robes. The day and night had been long and horrific. She had only endured one other that compared in her entire life, the night when the Potters had been killed. Albus's eyes were sad as he looked at her, sad and knowing. She did not lower the wand she had pointed at Grindelwald, an incoherently mumbling form bound by magical cords. She wanted to continue to be strong and brave for Albus. She wanted him to be proud of her. Minerva didn't know that he was already incredibly proud of her and would be for as long as they lived.
"Professor Krohn is almost ready to begin. I would like you to leave now, Minerva." he said in a low voice in her ear.
"Why?"
"You've seen so much. I want to protect you from witnessing this at least."
"You're going to kill him." she said. It was a statement, not a question.
"No, we are going to send him into the Founder's prison world."
She had gasped. She had been unable to stop herself. In those days records of the demons' imprisonment were still kept in the history books. They had been removed later to decrease the likelihood that students would experiment with methods of taking things in or out of that realm. It had worked for half a century.
"It is the punishment that has been agreed upon. It is for the best." Albus told her.
"I understand."
"Then return to your dormitory, Minerva. You have been a great help tonight. I am grateful for your assistance."
"Thank you, Albus." she had said, finally lowering her wand.
As she left the dungeons, McGonagall could hear the cries of Grindelwald as he realized what was to become of him, and she had run the rest of the distance to Gryffindor Tower.
Her mind returned to the task at hand as she gave the mirror in the bath two sharp taps. There was no magical mirror in the chambers of the Gryffindor head of house. It was time to move her search elsewhere, perhaps to the classrooms or the other offices.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A/N: That was a lot of flashbacks/ memories.
HunnySnowBunny: An elementary education major? I tip my imaginary hat to you. I love the movie "Sense and Sensibility". I swoon for Col. Brandon each and every time. And Alan Rickman does a good job reading Shakespeare's "My Mistress' Eye Are Nothing Like the Sun" or whatever it's called - I have a sound file of it somewhere. Thank you very much for the review!
Idamae: Thank you!
Hermia: I'm glad that you are enjoying the story. Thank you for reviewing!
Aine Deande: Bickering is fun. Well, not so much in real life, but in fiction it can be. I am pleased that you liked Severus' question. I was worried that it might have been a little over the top. Thanks for reviewing!
Honey666: I always have trouble figuring out how to make a review in any way helpful to the author. It's tough, but I try to at least offer encouragement - like your review did. Thanks!
Helen: Hmm ... a bit bold. I never thought of that. Thank you for reviewing!
Black Sparkles: Thanks for the review!
Rhapsody: I'm glad you are enjoying the pairings. Dumbledore and McGonagall are cute, aren't they? I hate to say it, but they are the only pairing I like that even has a chance in the books (though not a good one). Thank you for reviewing!
BLV: I appreciate all of your compliments. I am very pleased that you find my story logical. Parallel worlds are an interesting topic. I try to handle it reasonably. The 'friendship' between Snape and Remus has a lot to do with the way I see Remus, which is as forgiving and understanding. The pairings are among my favorites and are a pleasure to write. I thought your review was very nice. I could not tell that English is your second language. Thanks again!
plastic: Obviously that wasn't the end. I still have a few things up my sleeve. Thanks for reviewing!
Michelle: I hope I didn't put that off too long. Glad you liked it. But I have to ask, what does kawii mean? Thank you for the review!
JoeBob1379: Thank you very much for the reviews!
Rhianna: Thanks for the review!
Ginny Riddle: I was worried that the line might come off as a little too melodramatic. It's nice to know that it didn't sound that way to other people. About the line of sight from the mirror ... when I picture the bedroom, the mirror and bed don't line up because of the wardrobe. I never thought about that though, which is really hilarious. Thanks for mentioning that and for reviewing!
Albus and Minerva: Infinite Incantatum
In which Minerva considers the past
Albus and Minerva strode from the dungeons and into the main corridors of the castle. It had done them both good to see that the missing members of the school seemed to be only a little worse for wear. Dumbledore's eyes sparkled behind his glasses as he chuckled. If he had known the being thrown together like that would put Miss Granger and Severus on such good terms, he might have consider arranging something like that sooner, not that he wished Snape any hardship or pain, but he had never seen the man happier than when Hermione dragged him toward the looking glass. And Remus and Ginny had looked to be getting on together nicely as well.
Albus chuckled again and shook his head. It was an unexpected turn of events. He had expected to find a group of intensely frightened people on the other side of the mirror, but with the exception of injured Severus, they seemed to be handling themselves ideally.
"What are you laughing at, Albus! This situation is still very serious!" protested Professor McGonagall who had been listening to him chuckle as they walked.
She had been very pleased to see that her students were doing sufficiently well in their predicament. She was quite proud of Hermione Granger in particular. It required some special mettle to be able to stand up to Professor Snape and to deal with him effectively. Hermione had that in spades, it seemed.
Glancing at Albus and trying to keep at bay the blush that threatened to rise into her cheeks, she thought of the headmaster and herself when she had been only a bit younger than Miss Granger. Minerva had treated her transfigurations' professor's cuts and bruises after the capture of Grindelwald as she waited for him to decide the Dark Wizard's fate. Albus Dumbledore had been very powerful, very formidable even then.
But in those long past days as he had sat, wand in one hand and the other resting on his knee, watching the stunned and bound form of their enemy, Minerva had looked into the slightly haunted eyes of her mentor and teacher, whom she held in high esteem and yet for whom she felt also a desperate longing. She couldn't remember his exact words, something about imprisoning foul things with other things of the same nature. Minerva had glanced at Grindelwald's broken wand and nodded as she shivered. The battle had been horrific. She had said something to Albus about his bravery. And he had smiled at her. Then she had kissed him.
"Was I laughing, Minerva? I must watch that. People really will think I'm a barmy old codger, won't they?" he said, chuckling again.
"Why didn't you mention that only one person could come through each mirror?" she inquired suddenly.
"I didn't? It must have slipped my mind, though I certainly wouldn't have wanted to worry anyone unnecessarily. No need to do anything like that." Albus told her. "Besides, only half the castle has been searched so far. The other gateway mirrors will turn up sooner or later." he added.
"I hope you're right, Albus. I would hate to think that we could only rescue one of them." said Professor McGonagall.
"You heard Remus. I don't think any of them would leave their companions to face the horrors of that world alone."
"You're right about that, Albus." she sighed.
Meanwhile, Harry and Ron had left the dungeons and were checking the corridor near the library where a few mirrors were set in forgotten niches and recesses along the hallway. Their spirits had risen when they had found the magical mirror in Professor Snape's private rooms. They had half expected Snape to blast them both from the other side of the looking glass for having the audacity to enter his rooms, but instead the professor had laughed. Harry couldn't remember ever seeing him do so. The evil potions' master had been standing there with his arm around Hermione and laughing. It was all so very strange.
As though reading his mind, Ron asked, "What do you suppose was the matter with Snape? Hermione said he had been hurt and all, but he looked, well, happy to me, except when she told Dumbledore about him being injured."
"I was thinking the same thing."
"And?"
"They've been trapped in there for sometime now. Maybe it's getting to them... mentally. I mean Hermione was looking at him like ..."
"Ew! Harry! I know, I know. But Ginny was all right."
"Are you sure?"
"Of course I am. She can't smile like that if something's bothering her or if something is wrong. She just can't."
Harry smiled and nodded. Ginny was smiling when they saw her and that smile could not have been fake.
"Strange things happen in desperate situations." Harry shrugged. "Maybe they all reached an understanding."
"You know, Harry, that's nice thought, Snape being able to get along with three Gryffindors." mused Ron as they tested another looking glass. "Maybe he won't take away so many points when they come back. That would be very nice, don't you think?"
"If they come back, you mean." said Harry, growing frustrated with their nearly fruitless search.
"What do you mean 'if', Harry? It is only a matter of time before we track down those mirrors." said Ron stubbornly.
"The Founders created them a thousand years ago. One has been broken. What if the others ..."
"I see your point, but we can't give up on them yet. I'm sure the Founders put protection spells and stuff on the mirrors. I bet one of them breaking was only a fluke or something."
"I hope you're right." said Harry as they made their way down the corridor.
Minerva McGonagall walked away from the hearth in her apartment in Gryffindor Tower. She had just spoken with Molly Weasley, informing her that her daughter seemed to be just fine and that the matter of bringing her and the others home was being attended to with all possible diligence. Molly was quite relieved to hear that. Minerva wished that she could have given her more. She wished that the four of them were already safe, but that was something that might be days away, depending upon the success or failure of the search for the mirrors.
She had just finished checking the mirrors in her own apartment for the second time. If one was located in the rooms of the Slytherin head of house, why not one in the Gryffindor equivalent? But it just wasn't so simple. Minerva had not expected it to be, but no stone was to be left unturned in the quest to bring Ginny, Hermione, Remus, and Severus home again.
Minerva sighed softly, walking from mirror to mirror, as she remembered what happened after Dumbledore and herself had brought Grindelwald back to the castle during the dark hours of the evening on the last day of April during her sixth year. It had been her wand the kept him under the Mobilicorpus spell as they took him to the dungeons of Hogwarts. In both the past and present she shuddered as she remembered the dangerous look in Grindelwald's eyes and his distracted mumbling. He had gone mad near the end of his reign of terror, but his was still a force to be reckoned with.
A young and handsome Ministry Auror named Alastor Moody had been waiting for them in the most secluded part of the dungeons with Professor Reynard Krohn, the head of Slytherin house and potions' professor. Krohn, a towering man with blond hair that obscured his eyes from view, had loomed over a bubbling cauldron, adding ingredients and paying no attention to anything but his craft. Albus had instructed her to put Grindelwald in the corner of the room farthest from the Auror and the professor while he had a discussion with his colleagues. She had done exactly as he had asked, guarding the mad wizard until Albus returned.
He had laid a hand on her shoulder. She knew that he could feel her trembling beneath her dirty, blood besmirched school robes. The day and night had been long and horrific. She had only endured one other that compared in her entire life, the night when the Potters had been killed. Albus's eyes were sad as he looked at her, sad and knowing. She did not lower the wand she had pointed at Grindelwald, an incoherently mumbling form bound by magical cords. She wanted to continue to be strong and brave for Albus. She wanted him to be proud of her. Minerva didn't know that he was already incredibly proud of her and would be for as long as they lived.
"Professor Krohn is almost ready to begin. I would like you to leave now, Minerva." he said in a low voice in her ear.
"Why?"
"You've seen so much. I want to protect you from witnessing this at least."
"You're going to kill him." she said. It was a statement, not a question.
"No, we are going to send him into the Founder's prison world."
She had gasped. She had been unable to stop herself. In those days records of the demons' imprisonment were still kept in the history books. They had been removed later to decrease the likelihood that students would experiment with methods of taking things in or out of that realm. It had worked for half a century.
"It is the punishment that has been agreed upon. It is for the best." Albus told her.
"I understand."
"Then return to your dormitory, Minerva. You have been a great help tonight. I am grateful for your assistance."
"Thank you, Albus." she had said, finally lowering her wand.
As she left the dungeons, McGonagall could hear the cries of Grindelwald as he realized what was to become of him, and she had run the rest of the distance to Gryffindor Tower.
Her mind returned to the task at hand as she gave the mirror in the bath two sharp taps. There was no magical mirror in the chambers of the Gryffindor head of house. It was time to move her search elsewhere, perhaps to the classrooms or the other offices.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A/N: That was a lot of flashbacks/ memories.
HunnySnowBunny: An elementary education major? I tip my imaginary hat to you. I love the movie "Sense and Sensibility". I swoon for Col. Brandon each and every time. And Alan Rickman does a good job reading Shakespeare's "My Mistress' Eye Are Nothing Like the Sun" or whatever it's called - I have a sound file of it somewhere. Thank you very much for the review!
Idamae: Thank you!
Hermia: I'm glad that you are enjoying the story. Thank you for reviewing!
Aine Deande: Bickering is fun. Well, not so much in real life, but in fiction it can be. I am pleased that you liked Severus' question. I was worried that it might have been a little over the top. Thanks for reviewing!
Honey666: I always have trouble figuring out how to make a review in any way helpful to the author. It's tough, but I try to at least offer encouragement - like your review did. Thanks!
Helen: Hmm ... a bit bold. I never thought of that. Thank you for reviewing!
Black Sparkles: Thanks for the review!
Rhapsody: I'm glad you are enjoying the pairings. Dumbledore and McGonagall are cute, aren't they? I hate to say it, but they are the only pairing I like that even has a chance in the books (though not a good one). Thank you for reviewing!
BLV: I appreciate all of your compliments. I am very pleased that you find my story logical. Parallel worlds are an interesting topic. I try to handle it reasonably. The 'friendship' between Snape and Remus has a lot to do with the way I see Remus, which is as forgiving and understanding. The pairings are among my favorites and are a pleasure to write. I thought your review was very nice. I could not tell that English is your second language. Thanks again!
plastic: Obviously that wasn't the end. I still have a few things up my sleeve. Thanks for reviewing!
Michelle: I hope I didn't put that off too long. Glad you liked it. But I have to ask, what does kawii mean? Thank you for the review!
JoeBob1379: Thank you very much for the reviews!
Rhianna: Thanks for the review!
Ginny Riddle: I was worried that the line might come off as a little too melodramatic. It's nice to know that it didn't sound that way to other people. About the line of sight from the mirror ... when I picture the bedroom, the mirror and bed don't line up because of the wardrobe. I never thought about that though, which is really hilarious. Thanks for mentioning that and for reviewing!
Albus and Minerva: Infinite Incantatum