Disclaimer: Athena and all children during Athena's time belong to me. The
rest belongs to J.K Rowling.
Thank you for all your reviews! Whoa, this is the longest chapter I have ever written!
Note to Child-of-the-Dawn: The killing curse affect Athena differently is because the blood flowing in her veins is so powerful that she will not die from it. And yes, you will see not only Harry in this chapter, but also the Weasley twins, Oliver Wood and Draco Malfoy.
Chapter 15: Punishment, Quidditch and a Decision
"Athena! You are all right!" Elizabeth cried as she and the Gryffindors came into the hospital wing a few days later. She flung her arms around Athena and started sobbing. "I thought you are going to die!"
"Thanks goodness you are all right, all of the Gryffindor students are so worried about you." Lethe added, giving Athena a bouquet of fresh roses.
"Yeah, and all of us didn't listen attentively to our lessons." Eric admitted.
"We heard about Malfoy writing you a note to get you to the third floor corridor..." James started and Damon cut him off by saying: "We are pretty mad and guess what James did?"
"What?" Athena asked, putting the roses on the side table.
"Punch Malfoy, in front of Professor Snape during Potions!" Philip grinned.
"You are joking!" Athena exclaimed.
"No, he's not. Everyone saw and heard about it, right?" Peter asked and the Gryffindors nodded.
"And guess what Professor Snape did?" Eric asked.
Athena shrugged.
"Nothing! Can you believe it? He just sits there watching James and Malfoy fighting." Frederick exclaimed.
"Wonder what's wrong with him?" Lethe said. "Anyway, you survived in the chamber and that's great. What's in that place anyway?"
Before Athena could think of a good answer, Madam Pomfrey cut in saying: "All right, it's time for your lessons, now go."
"But...." James protested.
"GO." Madam Pomfrey said firmly.
"All right, all right..."
***
Later at night, when Madam Pomfrey checked Athena's injuries, she announced that she had visitors.
"Who?"
"Come in!" Madam Pomfrey called and Madam Hooch, Professor Snape and Professor McGonagall came in. Madam Hooch grinned. "Hi there, Athena, how are you feeling?"
"Better." Athena smiled faintly and Madam Pomfrey helped her to sit up. "Hi Professor Snape, what a surprise."
Professor Snape just gave an embarrassed smile. "I think it is my duty to pay you a visit. After all, it is my House student's fault that you ended up like this."
"It's all right, but thanks to him, I know who's my father now. Professor, I heard that James beat up Malfoy during your lesson, is that true?" Athena asked.
"WHAT?" Professor McGonagall shrieked.
"Yes." Snape said dryly.
"How's Malfoy now?" Athena asked in concern when Madam Hooch rolled her eyes. "Oh please! That slimeball doesn't need your concern." She said when she saw Snape looking at her. "Oops, sorry Severus, it just pops out from my mouth."
Snape didn't say anything. Madam Hooch continued, "Anyway, that boy has been expelled."
"What?" Athena asked in shock.
"For sending you to the third floor corridor. The third floor corridor is strictly out of bounds to any one who doesn't wish to die in the most painful death, you know." Madam Hooch said matter-of-factly.
"Who expelled him?" Athena asked.
"Professor Sprouts did." Snape said. "I know, I know, it's a surprise that I let Professor Sprouts to expel him but it's the school rule and I am pretty mad at him for sending you to the corridor. Good thing that the blood in your veins is powerful enough to protect you from the killing curse, otherwise we may send him to Azkaban. Even through he is a bit underage...."
"But what will he do now?" Athena asked. "He can't study in Hogwarts and he is too young for a job.."
"I think his father will send him to Durmstrang, the school that teaches Dark Arts." Madam Hooch said casually. "Anyway, get well soon, okay? I am waiting for you in the Quidditch pitch to play Quidditch."
Athena beamed and nodded while Professor McGonagall sighed. "How I miss Quidditch, how's the Gryffindor team?"
"Bad." Madam Hooch and Professor Snape said in unison.
"How bad?" Professor McGonagall asked slowly.
"Very bad." Both of the teachers said.
Professor McGonagall sighed. "I will give anything to watch the Gryffindor team to play Quidditch."
"With a team like that? I doubt that you will stay throughout the whole match, they really bad." Snape said.
Athena looked at her mother and thought deeply. Suddenly she smiled. "Mandy, can you stay after the rest have left?"
"Why?" Madam Hooch asked, puzzled.
"Just stay."
When Professor McGonagall kissed her daughter goodnight and left, Madam Hooch dropped down on her chair and crossed her legs, showing her long, black boots. "All right, shoot."
"Mandy, was the Gryffindor team powerful during Mom's time when she was teaching in Hogwarts?" Athena asked.
"Very powerful. They won every time. All right, most of the time. According to the Wood twins' father Oliver, it was the best ruddy team in Hogwarts. It had three superb Chasers, two unbeatable Beaters, one Seeker who will never failed to win them a match and himself."
"Who were in the team?" Athena asked in interest.
"Let's see...Oliver Wood, Katie Bell, Angelina Johnson, Alicia Spinnet, Harry Potter, and the Weasley twins, Fred and George."
"Which team is the second best?" Athena asked again.
"The Slytherins. But the Slytherins always lose to the Gryffindors." Madam Hooch grinned.
"Do you have the ex-Slytherins' and the ex-Gryffindors' addresses?" Athena asked excitedly.
"Gryffindors, yes, Slytherins, no, you have to ask Snape for that. Why?"
Athena smiled and whispered in Madam Hooch's ear.
"Hey, that's a great idea! I am sure that she will love it!"
***
A month later, Athena finally recovered and discharged from the hospital wing and the next day, she dragged her mother out of the castle.
"Athena, what are you doing? I really have to go back to the Muggle world...." Professor McGonagall said helplessly.
"No way. Not before this. Take this." Athena said and gave her mother a long piece of cloth.
"What for?" Professor McGonagall asked.
"Blindfold yourself. Please." Athena begged and Professor McGonagall smiled. She blindfolded herself and Athena led her to the school stadium, which was packed with noisy students.
"Athena, what's all that racket about?" Professor McGonagall asked. "Can I take the cloth off?"
"No." Athena said firmly and led her mother to a seat. She looked around her and smiled. She took off the cloth and yelled, "Ta da!"
Professor McGonagall gasped. She was in the school stadium! Half of the students were cheering, waving their red and golden flags, yelling, "GO GRYFFINDOR!" while the other half of the students were waving their green and silver flags yelling: "GO SLYTHERIN!"
"Hi Professor! Long time no see!" A familiar voice greeted and Professor McGonagall turned. "Miss Granger!" She gasped.
Hermione smiled. "I am not Miss Granger anymore, I am Mrs. Potter. Isn't that right, Lily?" She asked, turning her head to a young girl with black hair and brown eyes. The girl nodded. Eric leaned forward to see Athena and Professor McGonagall. "Hey there, Athena and Mrs. McGonagall, this is my Mom and my sister, Lily."
"How are you lately, Miss Granger? I think I am more used to call you that..." Professor McGonagall asked.
"Hi Professor!" Another voice called out and Professor McGonagall saw Ron, grinning at her. Professor McGonagall looked around and found that she was surrounded with her old students. Hermione, Ron, Neville, Ginny, Lavender, Dean, Seamus, Colin, Lee Jordan, Percy and Penelope, all sitting around her and all of them have grown up.
"What are you all doing here?" Professor McGonagall asked amazement. Is she dreaming?
"Didn't Madam Hooch and Athena tell you? We are here to watch a Quidditch match." Neville said cheerfully.
"Dad! It's supposed to be a surprise!" Lethe said suddenly.
"Really now." Percy said, rolling his eyes.
"Oops." Neville said, "Sorry, Professor, I can't talk anymore." He said and turned his attention back to the Quidditch field.
***
"I wonder if my skills are rusty.." Angelina Johnson said as she tossed a ball in the air and tried to catch it in the changing room.
"I'm worried that we can't win the match." Katie Bell said nervously, clutching her broomstick tightly.
"It's not just you, I bet all of us are worried." Alicia Spinnet said, tugging her Gryffindor Quidditch robes.
"All except the husbands of ours." Angelina said, giving a sideward glance at Fred and George, who were playing sword fighting with their bats.
"And Oliver too, this match is nothing comparing to the match against Chudley Cannons." Katie said, watching her husband chatting with Harry.
When Wood finished talking with Harry, he clapped his hands for his old teammates' attention. "All right, team, this is it....HEY STOP IT YOU TWO AND PAY ATTENTION!" He bellowed at the twins.
"Just like the good old days." Alicia said happily.
Wood turned to the teammates. "All right, this is it. We are playing against the Slytherins again and this time it is different. We are all adults now and this match may be even more brutal than the time we were in Hogwarts. So we must do our best and...."
"Kick the Slytherins' butts." Fred piped in.
"Yeah, and Harry, you are our best Seeker, don't lose to that slimeball." Wood said.
Harry nodded.
"All right then, any questions?" Wood asked.
"I have one! Why do we have to wear our old Gryffindor Quidditch robes?" George asked.
"Because we were proud Gryffindors and we must wear our old uniforms with pride!" Wood answered proudly and took his broomstick, which is Nimbus 2017. "Everyone got your broomsticks?"
Everyone held up his or her broomsticks.
"Right, let's go!" Wood yelled excitedly and all of them marched out of the changing room.
***
"What is so special about today's Quidditch match?" Professor McGonagall asked Athena among the loud cheers.
"You'll see." Athena said mysteriously.
Professor McGonagall stared at the Quidditch field curiously when Lee Jordan suddenly grabbed the megaphone and yelled: "Hello! Welcome to the Hogwarts special Quidditch game! In today's game it is ex-Gryffindor versus ex-Slytherin! Dedicated to our beloved Professor McGonagall! " And the stadium exploded in cheers.
"For me?" Professor McGonagall asked in bewilderment.
"You will love it, Mom..." Athena said.
"And here they comes, the ex-Gryffindors!" Jordan yelled and the Slytherins booed. "Wood, Bell, Johnson, Spinnet, Weasley, Weasley, and Potter!" The Gryffindor cheered and waved their flags happily as they watched the ex- Gryffindors zoomed out in their broomsticks.
"Surprise! I get Madam Hooch and Professor Snape to call all of them back to play a game just for you. The Slytherins are not willing to play at first but then they give in when Professor Snape threatened to give them the killing curse. " Athena said happily as Professor McGonagall clapped her hands in delight, watching Wood's team in interest.
"Oh, how I miss them!" Professor McGonagall exclaimed.
"And here comes the ex-Slytherins! Oh, look at Malfoy, he has changed so much." Ron said in disgust. "Hey, is it true that his son have been expelled?" He asked his son.
"Yeah." Damon said, grinning.
***
"Captains, shake hands." Madam Hooch said.
As Wood and Flint shook their hands seriously, Harry studied Draco closely. Draco has long blond hair, which has been pulled back into a ponytail, and his eyes are a lot colder than before. Draco glared at Harry and gave him a nasty look.
Madam Hooch released the balls and Jordan reminded the crowd, "Now just in case all of ex-Hogwarts students can't remember, the Golden Snitch worth 150 points. Once it is caught, the game is over."
"On my whistle, 3, 2, 1..." BEEP!!!!
"And they are off!" Jordan roared and the stadium roared loudly as 14 brooms soared into the air.
"Now it is Gryffindor in possession, Alicia takes the Quaffle... LOOK OUT ALICIA!" Jordan yelled.
Alicia's eyes widened and she ducked as a Bludger flew past her.
"Go, Alicia!" Professor McGonagall yelled and Athena backed away from her a little. Boy, her mother is sure behaving differently during a Quidditch match.
"Whew, that is close! Really close!" Neville shouted along with the rest of the Gryffindors.
"Hey, Alicia is throwing the Quaffle over her shoulder, and...passes the Quaffle to Angelina Johnson! Go Angelina!" Jordan yelled hysterically.
Angelina caught hold of the Quaffle and zoomed in a high-speed zigzagging movement towards the goalposts with Flint chasing after her.
"Oh no, you don't!" Fred yelled and WHAM hit a Bludger towards Flint.
"WHAM! Buwhahahaha!!!! Take that, you gigantic snakehead!" Jordan yelled happily.
"Jordan, I want to listen to the commentary!" Professor McGonagall protested.
"Ah, the memorable scolding from Professor McGonagall! Anyway, excellent Bludger work by Fred...or is it George? I still can't tell the difference between those two, I wonder if Angelina and Alicia married the wrong guy.."
"JORDAN!" Professor McGonagall growled.
"All right, all right! Angelina is now free from Slytherin players and ducks another Bludger and...SHE SCORES! TEN POINTS FROM GRYFFINDOR!" Jordan bellowed.
The stadium cheered as loud as possible as Angelina gave a high five to Alicia.
"Looks like Angelina's skills are as good as before! Now it is Slytherin in possession..."Jordan reported.
Katie flew toward Flint and Flint responded by hitting Katie's chest using his elbow.
"Oh. That's gonna be hurt! Wood, are you paying attention, your wife is hit by Flint!" Jordan howled into the megaphone.
"FOUL!" Elizabeth and James bellowed along with the rest of the Gryffindors. What Oliver could do was scowling darkly at Flint.
Madam Hooch blew her whistle. "Foul! That's cobbing! Gryffindor penalty!"
Katie rubbed her chest and snatched the Quaffle from Flint.
"SHE SCORES! ANOTHER TEN POINTS FOR GRYFFINDOR!" Jordan yelled.
Elizabeth and James cheered happily. "GO MOM!"
Oliver Wood grinned happily and turned his attention to a Slytherin player coming towards him with a Quaffle.
"COME ON, WOOD, SAVE!" Professor McGonagall bellowed.
Wood swerved around all the three goal hoops at a very high speed and caught the Quaffle immediately.
"GOOD SAVE, DAD!" James yelled as Oliver grinned and threw the Quaffle to Angelina.
***
The match went on and on for 4 hours. The score was now 200:100 and Harry still had not seen the Snitch yet.
"Now it is Gryffindor in possession...wait, is that the Golden Snitch?" Jordan asked.
Harry turned his head sharply and saw the small glittering light near the Slytherin goalposts. He zoomed immediately towards it and unfortunately Malfoy noticed it too and rushed to it as fast as he could.
"Back off, Potty!" Malfoy yelled when he arrived beside Harry.
"No, you back off!" Harry snapped.
Malfoy scowled and punched Harry, trying to knock him off the broom. Harry hit Malfoy back by using his elbow. Malfoy gave Harry another punch across his cheek and Harry yanked Malfoy's ponytail. Malfoy yelped. "HEY GET OFF!" Harry let go and both of them zoomed together to the Snitch. Harry reached out his hand and Malfoy slapped his hand out of the way hard. Harry scowled and knocked Malfoy off course by using his body, when Malfoy was steering back, Harry reached out his hand and....
"YES! HARRY POTTER GOT THE GOLDEN SNITCH!" Jordan yelled and Madam Hooch blew her whistle. "GRYFFINDOR WINS!"
The stadium exploded once again with cheers and Harry landed with the other Gryffindor players. Fred and George danced around, yelling: "We won! We won! We won once again!" Oliver kissed Katie happily and put his arm around her shoulder. Angelina and Alicia hugged each other with tears in their eyes. Hermione and the other ex-Gryffindors ran to the field and congratulated Harry and his team.
"Oh my, this is the best match I have ever seen!" Professor McGonagall said to Harry as he kissed Hermione.
"You bet, Professor!" Fred said happily.
"Too bad you have to leave, Professor." Percy said suddenly and Penelope stomped her foot on his. "Ouch!"
Professor McGonagall smiled sadly.
"On come on, Professor, stay." Harry pleaded.
"Let me think about it." Professor McGonagall said.
"PROFESSOR!" All her students protested.
"I don't get it! Why do you have to leave Hogwarts and live with the Muggles?" Wood protested.
BEEP!!! Madam Hooch blew her whistle and parted the crowd with something in her hands. She arrived to Wood and handed Wood a big golden trophy with the teammates' names on it and the words: "WINNERS OF THE HOGWARTS SPECIAL QUIDDITCH MATCH" on it.
"For the captain." Madam Hooch said proudly.
Wood smiled at the trophy, then he signaled to all his teammates. They gathered around and whispered something. When they stopped, Wood stepped out and offered Professor McGonagall. "This is our gift for you, Professor. We know that we can't stop you from leaving, so...take this with you. So that you can always remember us."
"But you won it..." Professor McGonagall started.
"You can have it." Wood said. "Besides, my twins can give me as many trophies as I want if they make it into the team." Wood grinned proudly, still holding the trophy to Professor McGonagall.
Professor McGonagall smiled and took it.
"All right! Now let's party!" Fred and George yelled. "To the Gryffindor Common Room!"
***
"Minerva? Why don't you stay?" Professor Sprouts asked in the staff room later. "If you stay, I can give back the Headmistress' position to you. You are the only one who is supposed to take that job."
"And you can watch Quidditch anytime you want." Madam Hooch said. "Oh come on, Minerva, admit it. You don't belong in the Muggle world; you belong here with us, in the wizarding world."
"Look, McGonagall. You stay away from Hogwarts and what happen? Athena nearly got killed. She will be a lot safer here if you stay. You can protect her for 24 hours." Snape said reasonably.
"And watch over her." Madam Pomfrey added.
For all this while, Professor McGonagall was silent. She stared at the trophy then at her friends. (Yes, and that included Snape)
"Mom, stay." Athena said, holding her mother's arm. "Please. This is where we really belong."
Professor McGonagall had her head low and still, she didn't respond.
"Stay Minerva, we miss you." Madam Hooch begged, her sharp eyes were filled with tears.
Professor McGonagall stood up suddenly. "Athena, let's go back to the Muggle world."
"MINERVA!" The teachers cried.
Professor McGonagall held up her hand. "I have not finished."
The teacher went silent.
"I said, let's go back to the Muggle world..." Professor McGonagall smiled at her daughter. "And pack our things."
"You mean..." Athena started excitedly.
"We are going to move," Professor McGonagall said, "Back to the wizarding world."
Madam Hooch screamed for joy while Madam Pomfrey hugged Professor McGonagall as tight as she could.
"Georgia, mind if Athena skips her lessons for a day to go back to the Muggle world with me?" Professor McGonagall asked when Madam Pomfrey released her.
"Why should I? You are the Headmistress now! I have to admit, this position is pretty boring, and I can't get to teach Herbology!" Professor Sprouts admitted happily.
Athena hugged her mother lovingly. Her mother is coming back to Hogwarts!
* The End *
Thank you for all your reviews! Whoa, this is the longest chapter I have ever written!
Note to Child-of-the-Dawn: The killing curse affect Athena differently is because the blood flowing in her veins is so powerful that she will not die from it. And yes, you will see not only Harry in this chapter, but also the Weasley twins, Oliver Wood and Draco Malfoy.
Chapter 15: Punishment, Quidditch and a Decision
"Athena! You are all right!" Elizabeth cried as she and the Gryffindors came into the hospital wing a few days later. She flung her arms around Athena and started sobbing. "I thought you are going to die!"
"Thanks goodness you are all right, all of the Gryffindor students are so worried about you." Lethe added, giving Athena a bouquet of fresh roses.
"Yeah, and all of us didn't listen attentively to our lessons." Eric admitted.
"We heard about Malfoy writing you a note to get you to the third floor corridor..." James started and Damon cut him off by saying: "We are pretty mad and guess what James did?"
"What?" Athena asked, putting the roses on the side table.
"Punch Malfoy, in front of Professor Snape during Potions!" Philip grinned.
"You are joking!" Athena exclaimed.
"No, he's not. Everyone saw and heard about it, right?" Peter asked and the Gryffindors nodded.
"And guess what Professor Snape did?" Eric asked.
Athena shrugged.
"Nothing! Can you believe it? He just sits there watching James and Malfoy fighting." Frederick exclaimed.
"Wonder what's wrong with him?" Lethe said. "Anyway, you survived in the chamber and that's great. What's in that place anyway?"
Before Athena could think of a good answer, Madam Pomfrey cut in saying: "All right, it's time for your lessons, now go."
"But...." James protested.
"GO." Madam Pomfrey said firmly.
"All right, all right..."
***
Later at night, when Madam Pomfrey checked Athena's injuries, she announced that she had visitors.
"Who?"
"Come in!" Madam Pomfrey called and Madam Hooch, Professor Snape and Professor McGonagall came in. Madam Hooch grinned. "Hi there, Athena, how are you feeling?"
"Better." Athena smiled faintly and Madam Pomfrey helped her to sit up. "Hi Professor Snape, what a surprise."
Professor Snape just gave an embarrassed smile. "I think it is my duty to pay you a visit. After all, it is my House student's fault that you ended up like this."
"It's all right, but thanks to him, I know who's my father now. Professor, I heard that James beat up Malfoy during your lesson, is that true?" Athena asked.
"WHAT?" Professor McGonagall shrieked.
"Yes." Snape said dryly.
"How's Malfoy now?" Athena asked in concern when Madam Hooch rolled her eyes. "Oh please! That slimeball doesn't need your concern." She said when she saw Snape looking at her. "Oops, sorry Severus, it just pops out from my mouth."
Snape didn't say anything. Madam Hooch continued, "Anyway, that boy has been expelled."
"What?" Athena asked in shock.
"For sending you to the third floor corridor. The third floor corridor is strictly out of bounds to any one who doesn't wish to die in the most painful death, you know." Madam Hooch said matter-of-factly.
"Who expelled him?" Athena asked.
"Professor Sprouts did." Snape said. "I know, I know, it's a surprise that I let Professor Sprouts to expel him but it's the school rule and I am pretty mad at him for sending you to the corridor. Good thing that the blood in your veins is powerful enough to protect you from the killing curse, otherwise we may send him to Azkaban. Even through he is a bit underage...."
"But what will he do now?" Athena asked. "He can't study in Hogwarts and he is too young for a job.."
"I think his father will send him to Durmstrang, the school that teaches Dark Arts." Madam Hooch said casually. "Anyway, get well soon, okay? I am waiting for you in the Quidditch pitch to play Quidditch."
Athena beamed and nodded while Professor McGonagall sighed. "How I miss Quidditch, how's the Gryffindor team?"
"Bad." Madam Hooch and Professor Snape said in unison.
"How bad?" Professor McGonagall asked slowly.
"Very bad." Both of the teachers said.
Professor McGonagall sighed. "I will give anything to watch the Gryffindor team to play Quidditch."
"With a team like that? I doubt that you will stay throughout the whole match, they really bad." Snape said.
Athena looked at her mother and thought deeply. Suddenly she smiled. "Mandy, can you stay after the rest have left?"
"Why?" Madam Hooch asked, puzzled.
"Just stay."
When Professor McGonagall kissed her daughter goodnight and left, Madam Hooch dropped down on her chair and crossed her legs, showing her long, black boots. "All right, shoot."
"Mandy, was the Gryffindor team powerful during Mom's time when she was teaching in Hogwarts?" Athena asked.
"Very powerful. They won every time. All right, most of the time. According to the Wood twins' father Oliver, it was the best ruddy team in Hogwarts. It had three superb Chasers, two unbeatable Beaters, one Seeker who will never failed to win them a match and himself."
"Who were in the team?" Athena asked in interest.
"Let's see...Oliver Wood, Katie Bell, Angelina Johnson, Alicia Spinnet, Harry Potter, and the Weasley twins, Fred and George."
"Which team is the second best?" Athena asked again.
"The Slytherins. But the Slytherins always lose to the Gryffindors." Madam Hooch grinned.
"Do you have the ex-Slytherins' and the ex-Gryffindors' addresses?" Athena asked excitedly.
"Gryffindors, yes, Slytherins, no, you have to ask Snape for that. Why?"
Athena smiled and whispered in Madam Hooch's ear.
"Hey, that's a great idea! I am sure that she will love it!"
***
A month later, Athena finally recovered and discharged from the hospital wing and the next day, she dragged her mother out of the castle.
"Athena, what are you doing? I really have to go back to the Muggle world...." Professor McGonagall said helplessly.
"No way. Not before this. Take this." Athena said and gave her mother a long piece of cloth.
"What for?" Professor McGonagall asked.
"Blindfold yourself. Please." Athena begged and Professor McGonagall smiled. She blindfolded herself and Athena led her to the school stadium, which was packed with noisy students.
"Athena, what's all that racket about?" Professor McGonagall asked. "Can I take the cloth off?"
"No." Athena said firmly and led her mother to a seat. She looked around her and smiled. She took off the cloth and yelled, "Ta da!"
Professor McGonagall gasped. She was in the school stadium! Half of the students were cheering, waving their red and golden flags, yelling, "GO GRYFFINDOR!" while the other half of the students were waving their green and silver flags yelling: "GO SLYTHERIN!"
"Hi Professor! Long time no see!" A familiar voice greeted and Professor McGonagall turned. "Miss Granger!" She gasped.
Hermione smiled. "I am not Miss Granger anymore, I am Mrs. Potter. Isn't that right, Lily?" She asked, turning her head to a young girl with black hair and brown eyes. The girl nodded. Eric leaned forward to see Athena and Professor McGonagall. "Hey there, Athena and Mrs. McGonagall, this is my Mom and my sister, Lily."
"How are you lately, Miss Granger? I think I am more used to call you that..." Professor McGonagall asked.
"Hi Professor!" Another voice called out and Professor McGonagall saw Ron, grinning at her. Professor McGonagall looked around and found that she was surrounded with her old students. Hermione, Ron, Neville, Ginny, Lavender, Dean, Seamus, Colin, Lee Jordan, Percy and Penelope, all sitting around her and all of them have grown up.
"What are you all doing here?" Professor McGonagall asked amazement. Is she dreaming?
"Didn't Madam Hooch and Athena tell you? We are here to watch a Quidditch match." Neville said cheerfully.
"Dad! It's supposed to be a surprise!" Lethe said suddenly.
"Really now." Percy said, rolling his eyes.
"Oops." Neville said, "Sorry, Professor, I can't talk anymore." He said and turned his attention back to the Quidditch field.
***
"I wonder if my skills are rusty.." Angelina Johnson said as she tossed a ball in the air and tried to catch it in the changing room.
"I'm worried that we can't win the match." Katie Bell said nervously, clutching her broomstick tightly.
"It's not just you, I bet all of us are worried." Alicia Spinnet said, tugging her Gryffindor Quidditch robes.
"All except the husbands of ours." Angelina said, giving a sideward glance at Fred and George, who were playing sword fighting with their bats.
"And Oliver too, this match is nothing comparing to the match against Chudley Cannons." Katie said, watching her husband chatting with Harry.
When Wood finished talking with Harry, he clapped his hands for his old teammates' attention. "All right, team, this is it....HEY STOP IT YOU TWO AND PAY ATTENTION!" He bellowed at the twins.
"Just like the good old days." Alicia said happily.
Wood turned to the teammates. "All right, this is it. We are playing against the Slytherins again and this time it is different. We are all adults now and this match may be even more brutal than the time we were in Hogwarts. So we must do our best and...."
"Kick the Slytherins' butts." Fred piped in.
"Yeah, and Harry, you are our best Seeker, don't lose to that slimeball." Wood said.
Harry nodded.
"All right then, any questions?" Wood asked.
"I have one! Why do we have to wear our old Gryffindor Quidditch robes?" George asked.
"Because we were proud Gryffindors and we must wear our old uniforms with pride!" Wood answered proudly and took his broomstick, which is Nimbus 2017. "Everyone got your broomsticks?"
Everyone held up his or her broomsticks.
"Right, let's go!" Wood yelled excitedly and all of them marched out of the changing room.
***
"What is so special about today's Quidditch match?" Professor McGonagall asked Athena among the loud cheers.
"You'll see." Athena said mysteriously.
Professor McGonagall stared at the Quidditch field curiously when Lee Jordan suddenly grabbed the megaphone and yelled: "Hello! Welcome to the Hogwarts special Quidditch game! In today's game it is ex-Gryffindor versus ex-Slytherin! Dedicated to our beloved Professor McGonagall! " And the stadium exploded in cheers.
"For me?" Professor McGonagall asked in bewilderment.
"You will love it, Mom..." Athena said.
"And here they comes, the ex-Gryffindors!" Jordan yelled and the Slytherins booed. "Wood, Bell, Johnson, Spinnet, Weasley, Weasley, and Potter!" The Gryffindor cheered and waved their flags happily as they watched the ex- Gryffindors zoomed out in their broomsticks.
"Surprise! I get Madam Hooch and Professor Snape to call all of them back to play a game just for you. The Slytherins are not willing to play at first but then they give in when Professor Snape threatened to give them the killing curse. " Athena said happily as Professor McGonagall clapped her hands in delight, watching Wood's team in interest.
"Oh, how I miss them!" Professor McGonagall exclaimed.
"And here comes the ex-Slytherins! Oh, look at Malfoy, he has changed so much." Ron said in disgust. "Hey, is it true that his son have been expelled?" He asked his son.
"Yeah." Damon said, grinning.
***
"Captains, shake hands." Madam Hooch said.
As Wood and Flint shook their hands seriously, Harry studied Draco closely. Draco has long blond hair, which has been pulled back into a ponytail, and his eyes are a lot colder than before. Draco glared at Harry and gave him a nasty look.
Madam Hooch released the balls and Jordan reminded the crowd, "Now just in case all of ex-Hogwarts students can't remember, the Golden Snitch worth 150 points. Once it is caught, the game is over."
"On my whistle, 3, 2, 1..." BEEP!!!!
"And they are off!" Jordan roared and the stadium roared loudly as 14 brooms soared into the air.
"Now it is Gryffindor in possession, Alicia takes the Quaffle... LOOK OUT ALICIA!" Jordan yelled.
Alicia's eyes widened and she ducked as a Bludger flew past her.
"Go, Alicia!" Professor McGonagall yelled and Athena backed away from her a little. Boy, her mother is sure behaving differently during a Quidditch match.
"Whew, that is close! Really close!" Neville shouted along with the rest of the Gryffindors.
"Hey, Alicia is throwing the Quaffle over her shoulder, and...passes the Quaffle to Angelina Johnson! Go Angelina!" Jordan yelled hysterically.
Angelina caught hold of the Quaffle and zoomed in a high-speed zigzagging movement towards the goalposts with Flint chasing after her.
"Oh no, you don't!" Fred yelled and WHAM hit a Bludger towards Flint.
"WHAM! Buwhahahaha!!!! Take that, you gigantic snakehead!" Jordan yelled happily.
"Jordan, I want to listen to the commentary!" Professor McGonagall protested.
"Ah, the memorable scolding from Professor McGonagall! Anyway, excellent Bludger work by Fred...or is it George? I still can't tell the difference between those two, I wonder if Angelina and Alicia married the wrong guy.."
"JORDAN!" Professor McGonagall growled.
"All right, all right! Angelina is now free from Slytherin players and ducks another Bludger and...SHE SCORES! TEN POINTS FROM GRYFFINDOR!" Jordan bellowed.
The stadium cheered as loud as possible as Angelina gave a high five to Alicia.
"Looks like Angelina's skills are as good as before! Now it is Slytherin in possession..."Jordan reported.
Katie flew toward Flint and Flint responded by hitting Katie's chest using his elbow.
"Oh. That's gonna be hurt! Wood, are you paying attention, your wife is hit by Flint!" Jordan howled into the megaphone.
"FOUL!" Elizabeth and James bellowed along with the rest of the Gryffindors. What Oliver could do was scowling darkly at Flint.
Madam Hooch blew her whistle. "Foul! That's cobbing! Gryffindor penalty!"
Katie rubbed her chest and snatched the Quaffle from Flint.
"SHE SCORES! ANOTHER TEN POINTS FOR GRYFFINDOR!" Jordan yelled.
Elizabeth and James cheered happily. "GO MOM!"
Oliver Wood grinned happily and turned his attention to a Slytherin player coming towards him with a Quaffle.
"COME ON, WOOD, SAVE!" Professor McGonagall bellowed.
Wood swerved around all the three goal hoops at a very high speed and caught the Quaffle immediately.
"GOOD SAVE, DAD!" James yelled as Oliver grinned and threw the Quaffle to Angelina.
***
The match went on and on for 4 hours. The score was now 200:100 and Harry still had not seen the Snitch yet.
"Now it is Gryffindor in possession...wait, is that the Golden Snitch?" Jordan asked.
Harry turned his head sharply and saw the small glittering light near the Slytherin goalposts. He zoomed immediately towards it and unfortunately Malfoy noticed it too and rushed to it as fast as he could.
"Back off, Potty!" Malfoy yelled when he arrived beside Harry.
"No, you back off!" Harry snapped.
Malfoy scowled and punched Harry, trying to knock him off the broom. Harry hit Malfoy back by using his elbow. Malfoy gave Harry another punch across his cheek and Harry yanked Malfoy's ponytail. Malfoy yelped. "HEY GET OFF!" Harry let go and both of them zoomed together to the Snitch. Harry reached out his hand and Malfoy slapped his hand out of the way hard. Harry scowled and knocked Malfoy off course by using his body, when Malfoy was steering back, Harry reached out his hand and....
"YES! HARRY POTTER GOT THE GOLDEN SNITCH!" Jordan yelled and Madam Hooch blew her whistle. "GRYFFINDOR WINS!"
The stadium exploded once again with cheers and Harry landed with the other Gryffindor players. Fred and George danced around, yelling: "We won! We won! We won once again!" Oliver kissed Katie happily and put his arm around her shoulder. Angelina and Alicia hugged each other with tears in their eyes. Hermione and the other ex-Gryffindors ran to the field and congratulated Harry and his team.
"Oh my, this is the best match I have ever seen!" Professor McGonagall said to Harry as he kissed Hermione.
"You bet, Professor!" Fred said happily.
"Too bad you have to leave, Professor." Percy said suddenly and Penelope stomped her foot on his. "Ouch!"
Professor McGonagall smiled sadly.
"On come on, Professor, stay." Harry pleaded.
"Let me think about it." Professor McGonagall said.
"PROFESSOR!" All her students protested.
"I don't get it! Why do you have to leave Hogwarts and live with the Muggles?" Wood protested.
BEEP!!! Madam Hooch blew her whistle and parted the crowd with something in her hands. She arrived to Wood and handed Wood a big golden trophy with the teammates' names on it and the words: "WINNERS OF THE HOGWARTS SPECIAL QUIDDITCH MATCH" on it.
"For the captain." Madam Hooch said proudly.
Wood smiled at the trophy, then he signaled to all his teammates. They gathered around and whispered something. When they stopped, Wood stepped out and offered Professor McGonagall. "This is our gift for you, Professor. We know that we can't stop you from leaving, so...take this with you. So that you can always remember us."
"But you won it..." Professor McGonagall started.
"You can have it." Wood said. "Besides, my twins can give me as many trophies as I want if they make it into the team." Wood grinned proudly, still holding the trophy to Professor McGonagall.
Professor McGonagall smiled and took it.
"All right! Now let's party!" Fred and George yelled. "To the Gryffindor Common Room!"
***
"Minerva? Why don't you stay?" Professor Sprouts asked in the staff room later. "If you stay, I can give back the Headmistress' position to you. You are the only one who is supposed to take that job."
"And you can watch Quidditch anytime you want." Madam Hooch said. "Oh come on, Minerva, admit it. You don't belong in the Muggle world; you belong here with us, in the wizarding world."
"Look, McGonagall. You stay away from Hogwarts and what happen? Athena nearly got killed. She will be a lot safer here if you stay. You can protect her for 24 hours." Snape said reasonably.
"And watch over her." Madam Pomfrey added.
For all this while, Professor McGonagall was silent. She stared at the trophy then at her friends. (Yes, and that included Snape)
"Mom, stay." Athena said, holding her mother's arm. "Please. This is where we really belong."
Professor McGonagall had her head low and still, she didn't respond.
"Stay Minerva, we miss you." Madam Hooch begged, her sharp eyes were filled with tears.
Professor McGonagall stood up suddenly. "Athena, let's go back to the Muggle world."
"MINERVA!" The teachers cried.
Professor McGonagall held up her hand. "I have not finished."
The teacher went silent.
"I said, let's go back to the Muggle world..." Professor McGonagall smiled at her daughter. "And pack our things."
"You mean..." Athena started excitedly.
"We are going to move," Professor McGonagall said, "Back to the wizarding world."
Madam Hooch screamed for joy while Madam Pomfrey hugged Professor McGonagall as tight as she could.
"Georgia, mind if Athena skips her lessons for a day to go back to the Muggle world with me?" Professor McGonagall asked when Madam Pomfrey released her.
"Why should I? You are the Headmistress now! I have to admit, this position is pretty boring, and I can't get to teach Herbology!" Professor Sprouts admitted happily.
Athena hugged her mother lovingly. Her mother is coming back to Hogwarts!
* The End *
