Who They Really Are
By: EmeraldTabby
A/N: This is my first fanfiction. It is written in a somewhat professional tone and is like a info book. I need help in first names and ages and all that about the professors so please review.
Disclaimer: All of the characters, settings, etc. belong to J.K. Rowling
A/N: Some of the ideas in here are in other stories I read, like the prank on Binns, which is in "The Goddess of the Troublemakers" and the Chamber of Secrets thing which is in "When Disaster Strikes"
Chapter 3 (Professor McGonagall)
Professor McGonagall groaned loudly as she entered the staff room the next night to see all the staff members in their usual spots, with Madam Hooch holding the book. "Cruel and unusual punishment is against the law Albus!" Albus chuckled under his breath as Madam Hooch put on a mask of innocence, "Minervaaaaa, would I do anything mean to you?" "YES!" snapped McGonagall. She strode over to her usual chair and began her chess game with Albus who was sitting across the chess table as she said, "You can start, because the sooner you do, the sooner you will be done!" Madam Hooch grinned ear to ear, cleared her throat (It became a tradition), and began,
"Minerva Ann McGonagall was born to James Henry and Mary Catherine McGonagall on May 12, 1921."
"Happy belated birthday Minerva!" joked Madam Pomfrey. "Thanks Poppy!" replied Minerva as she studied the chess board, "Hem, hem!" coughed Hooch. "Please, No toad imitations!" Minerva insisted as she moved her pawn. "OK, OK, Now lets go on!"
"She was accepted into Hogwarts in 1932. She was a model student a.k.a. prefect, later head girl, and quidditch captain, but she surprisingly was behind most of the pranks pulled."
"WHAT?" Yelled about everyone in the room. Minerva just chuckled, "Yes, just ask Poppy, she knows most of them, but Xiomara (Hooch) and Alicia (Sprout) only know a few, because I was a few years ahead of them. Binns knows my most famous one though."
Every person in the room turned to see the ghost professor floating by the fire nodding and said, "How could I forget my deathday?" Everyones jaw dropped. "Minerva recorded the sound of a muggle cannon-" started Binns. "- and she brought it to History class-" continued Pomfrey. "-and as he finished his lecture on goblin rebellions-" stated Sprout, "BOOM!" finished Hooch with a mischievous smile. "How was I supposed to know he would get a heart attack and die?" said Minerva in her defense. Everyone except for those who already knew just stared at the person who minutes ago was the woman who was believed to have been a angel and was now the biggest prankster they knew.
Minerva grinned at the look on her fellow teachers faces as she moved her queen, "Are you going to continue reading or staring at me?" "Reading!" replied Hooch quickly and she then started where she left off.
"When she graduated in 1939 she received top marks in her OWLS and NEWTS, and thus top in her class. In her speech at graduation she ended with words that no one could forget, "After being here seven years we all now are educated, have many friends, and know the quickest route to the kitchens, without getting caught by our professors. We have rejoiced in our gains, mourned in our losses, but today we must rejoice for we have gained many memories in these seven years in this castle, which will be hard and practically impossible to lose.""
"That was a really good speech Min! There was not one dry eye in the Great Hall when you finished" Said Pomfrey remembering. "Thanks Poppy, and don't call me that!" thanked Minerva. "Touching words Minerva." Albus quietly stated across the chess table as he moved his bishop. In response to his attack she moved her rook, as she mouthed the words "Thank you Albus!" Hooch continued.
"She researched to become a animagus for one year after her graduation, and successfully became a cat. After that, in 1940 she became a auror, passing the tests with flying colors-"
"You were a auror?" asked Hagrid in disbelief. "How else would I have been hired to investigate the Chamber of Secrets and be with Albus when he defeated Grindelwald?" was the reply. Hagrid shrugged and nodded towards Hooch silently telling her to continue.
"She met her future boss, Albus Dumbledore, when she was recruited to find out who opened the chamber of secrets in 1942, but she was never able to complete that case, (Reasons are said in previous chapter)."
"That was the only case I failed." Minerva muttered quietly, then in a louder voice she apologized to Hagrid, "I am sorry Hagrid, that I was unable to catch Riddle before he framed you, but I want you to know that I never thought it was you." "Thanks Professor.." muttered Hagrid as he wiped away a tear. Taking in the fact that Hagrid might flood the staff room with his giant-size tears, if they stayed on the subject, Hooch picked up where she left off.
"When the war against Grindewald broke out, McGonagall joined as a experienced fighter and healer, where she served in many battles on the front line. When the final battle arrived, she ran around the field healing people to where they could be transported to a hospital without risk, and casting curses, hexes, and stunner's at the enemy whenever she had the chance. When Dumbledore began his duel with Grindelwald, she was some distance away, but she fought her way through and was able to witness the final moments of the duel beside Dumbledore. When Grindelwald died, Dumbledore was injured and thankfully McGonagall was able to cure his wounds in time."
This time Hooch stopped herself. "I never knew you were a healer, let alone what you did in the final battle!" "You wouldn't! When I got to you, you were unconscious with a dislocated shoulder and a broken leg near the beginning of the battle!" McGonagall shuddered remembering the state one of her close friends had been in, "You were lucky I was able to heal you. Other than that you were beat up pretty bad, because you suffered from the cruciatus curse on top of that! 20 more minutes and I don't know if you would of made it! The only person I spent more time on healing was Albus!" Hooch's jaw dropped as she stared at her friend who practically saved her life without her knowing. Pomfrey, trying to lighten the mood, said, "Well it looks like we finally have a teacher who knows what to do when someones hurt, but if I remember correctly you were a terrible patient when you were hurt last month!" "Poppy!" exclaimed Minerva, "You have HAD another teacher who knew what to do when someone was hurt for almost 40 YEARS! And you know the saying, a doctor makes a worse patient!" Hooch was still in shock, so Sprout who had not said anything yet took the book out of her hands and said, "I think I will continue reading for Xiomara." She continued the tradition and cleared her throat before reading on.
"After the battle the list of causality's sadly included the names of both of her parents. The Ministry gave her one months leave before sending her to France to guard diplomats representing the English wizard community."
Minerva's face grew sad at the mentioning of her parents deaths, and all of the staff noticed. "I am so sorry Minerva!" squeaked Flitwick. She wiped a tear from her eye and said strongly, "It's o.k. It has been 50 years, but thank you for your concern Filius!" She then nodded towards Sprout much in the way Hagrid did.
"She exchanged owls with Dumbledore as she toured the globe on cases the Ministry assigned her to do, but she still found time to write articles for Transfiguration magazines. In the year of 1966, Dumbledore asked her to take his place as Transfiguration Professor when he was made Headmaster. She accepted the offer and quit her job at the Ministry and joined the Hogwarts staff, happy to be with her childhood friends (Hooch, Sprout, Pomfrey) who were and are currently on the Hogwarts staff."
Sprout looked up and grinned as she said, "I will never forget the look on Minerva's face when she saw us at the table in the Great Hall when she walked in to eat lunch on her first day here!" Hooch and Pomfrey both laughed remembering their best friends reaction. "I still don't know why you didn't tell me you all became professors for 1 YEAR!" complained McGonagall, who was trying desperately and failing to keep from grinning, "Alicia can you continue before we get off track again?" "Certainly!" replied Sprout happily.
"In 1970, when Dumbledore started the Order, McGonagall was among the first to join. She was and still is a active member of the Order, fighting and spying, until Voldemorts fall in 1981. She was present when Harry Potter was left on the steps of his Aunt and Uncle's, and afterwords she continued to teach at Hogwarts. In the school year of 1996 to 1997, she was hit with four stunner's in the chest by four men under the orders of Deloris Jane Umbridge, when she tried to protect Hagrid as he was attacked."
Like the previous night, when Fudge's name was mentioned, everyone had muttered "Jerk" but tonight at the sound of Umbridge's name they muttered "Toad." Minerva muttered it the loudest, and anxious to lighten the mood, Sprout continued.
"She was transferred to St. Mungos because of the seriousness of her condition. She remained there and was released after the incident at the Ministry. She still had to use a walking stick, which was "borrowed" by Peeves when he used it to chase Umbridge out."
Everyone including Snape and Filch grinned at the memory.
"She is the role model of many, a amazing seeker, a true Gryffindor, and a person no one can forget."
"That is the highest praise those two have ever given me, after all of those detentions I gave them!" remarked Minerva smiling. Sprout, Pomfrey, and Hooch (who found her voice) all chorused, "You deserve it!" For the first time, they saw the "Stern Professor McGonagall" blush at such high praise. "Thanks..." she said staring at her feet. "Alicia, who is the next chapter about?" questioned Albus. Sprout flipped the page and announced that Binns was next. "Joy!" muttered Binns in his boring voice, before floating through a wall out of the room. The staff all said goodnight to each other before heading towards their own rooms, as Minerva and Albus finished their chess game, which ended with stalemate.
Minerva was walking down the long, stone, corridor to her rooms when she heard someone calling her name. "MINERVA!!!!! WAIT UP!!!!" She turned to see here longtime friend Hooch running up to her. When she caught up to her she paused for a moment to catch her breath, Minerva exclaimed, "Yes, 'Mara?" Hooch looked up into her friends green eyes and said what she wished she could of said 50 years ago, "Minerva, I just want to say thank you for healing me in the battle." Minerva felt a teardrop escape her eye, as gave her a hug before saying, "Anytime, 'Mara, anytime."
A/N: Here is the update! Sorry it took a while. I hope you like it! PLEASE REVIEW!