Sorry it took me so long to update. I think this is the longest time I've ever spent working on a chapter, but I was really trying to edit out mistakes. I'm sure there will still be a few (I always miss something), but hopefully not as bad as previous chapters.
Anyway, I don't have much to say. And, yes, I know. This chapter has a pretty crummy title. But I just couldn't come up with anything else that fit. Sorry.
Now I will mention that I don't own Harry Potter and let you get on with story.
You know the drill, review comments at the end.
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Chapter 12
Love and Hate
"Harry. Harry, say something."
Harry continued to stare at Mindy silently. He couldn't bring himself to believe what he had heard come out of her mouth. She couldn't have said what he thought she had; that she was... Harry shook his head. He must have missed heard. That was the only reasonable explanation. "You're who?" He asked, sure that he would hear something entirely different this time.
"Minerva McGonagall."
That wasn't what he was expecting to hear. Yet he had heard it, again. But it couldn't be true. If it was true then he was in love with... No. It just wasn't possible. She must be kidding. Of course, that was it. She was kidding. This was a joke, a fairly cruel joke, but a joke. Harry laughed nervously. "You're kidding, right?"
Mindy shook her head. "I'm sorry, Harry." She said slowly. "I know this must be very, er, weird. But I am..."
"No." Harry said. "No. You're not. You can't be."
"Harry, please..." Mindy reached out to lay a hand on Harry's arm, but he stepped away from her, quickly putting some space between them.
Harry stared at Mindy. At her eyes and cheeks, her cute little nose. He had never taken a close look at Professor McGonagall, though he would know her anywhere. But now as he looked at Mindy, he could see a little of his old Professor. The way Mindy wore her hair pulled up into a tight ponytail, the way she moved and held her head; it was the same as Professor McGonagall. She could be a much younger version of the teacher. She could be, but Harry didn't want to believe it. He shook his head. "No." He said defiantly. "It's not possible. You couldn't...Professor McGonagall couldn't make herself young again. She'd need the Sorcerer's Stone for that and it's gone."
Mindy shook her head. "You should know by now there's more than one way to do something. The Sorcerer's Stone was meant to give life. Making someone younger is a lot simpler. A de-aging potion was all it took do the trick."
Harry frowned. "But aging potions aren't permanent." He argued.
"And neither is this." Mindy said, spreading her arms to indicate her present condition. "I have to keep taking the potion to stay sixteen. It'll wear off eventually and I'll go back to being..."
Harry felt slightly sick as he whispered, "Professor McGonagall." Mindy nodded. "You really are telling the truth?" Harry asked. Mindy nodded again, and Harry suddenly realized he was having a hard time breathing. He had really cared for Mindy, deeply. And he had thought she felt the same way about him, but it wasn't true. She had been pretending. Pretending the whole time to be his friend, and then to like him, and for what? "Why did you do this?" He asked, as the only explanation for this charade came to him. "To spy on me?"
"No." Mindy said, fidgeting nervously with the hem of one of her robe sleeves. "Not exactly."
"What do you mean not exactly?" Harry asked.
"Professor Dumbledore was worried about you." She answered, quickly. "He wanted someone to keep an eye on you."
"So he sent you to pretend to be my girlfriend." Harry said, dangerously quiet.
"No." Mindy whispered. "This wasn't supposed to happen. I didn't mean for it to happen. I just wanted us to be friends, but..."
"But you couldn't get close enough to me if we were just friends. You had to take it further?" Harry asked accusingly.
"That's not true, Harry." Mindy said fiercely. "I wish now we had stayed only friends, but I was afraid if I told you I didn't feel the same for you as you did for me, then you'd..." She shrugged, "Not want to be around me anymore."
Harry closed his eyes and raised shaking hands to cover his face. He realized he was shaking all over, and he was sure it wasn't from the cold. Harry took several deep breaths trying desperately to calm down, but every time he thought about the truth it brought another wave of shivering. He couldn't sort out how he felt. He was caught somewhere between shock, disbelief, and rage. 'Oh, God, I kissed Professor McGonagall' Harry thought and shivered again. Finally, as calmly as he could, Harry looked at the person standing before ('Minerva' he told himself) and asked, "Who all know who you really are?"
"Not many." Minerva answered. "Only Professor Dumbledore and...and Professor Snape."
"Snape?" Harry hissed.
"Well, he did make the potion." Minerva explained.
Harry took another step away from her, then turned around and started back towards the school. He knew what he was feeling now, and it was definitely rage.
"Harry, Harry wait." Minerva called, hurrying after him. "Where are you going?"
"What were you doing with Snape tonight?" Harry asked, never turning around. "Having a good laugh at me. At stupid Harry Potter, to thick to know his GIRLFRIEND IS HIS PROFFESSOR!"
"Harry, not so loud." Minerva pleaded. "And you know I would never do that."
"I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU WOULD DO!" Harry yelled, spinning in the snow. "YOU LIED TO ME. YOU LIED."
"Harry, I'm sorry. And please not so loud."
Harry felt his teeth grinding but he forced himself to speak quietly. "Were you pretending the whole time?" He asked. "Was Christmas night all one big joke?"
Minerva stared at Harry silently. Her eyes spoke volumes but Harry wasn't reading them. Her silence told him all he needed to know. She had pretended the whole time. The whole time. "I never want to see you again." Harry said, before turning around and trudging back to the school.
Minerva didn't follow him again, nor did she return to the castle immediately after him. But Harry didn't care. She could stand out in the cold and snow all night and freeze to death for all he cared. Harry refused to waste another minute caring about her. Not one single moment ever again.
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Minerva stood still, watching Harry disappear into the school, acutely aware that she had probably made a very big mistake. She just couldn't stand to lie to him anymore and now that she had told him the truth he hated her. She couldn't believe how badly that last statement had stung. "He never wants to see me again." She whispered. She felt she might start to cry, and screwed up her face as if that would stop the tears from coming. It didn't work and she angrily dashed tears away.
Minerva shivered and pulled her robes tightly about herself, then walked slowly into the school. She walked through the halls ignoring the students drifting away from the Great Hall, back towards their houses. She headed up the main staircase and walked almost in a daze toward Professor Dumbledore's office. She had to tell him what she had done. 'Harry hates me and Professor Dumbledore is going to kill me.' Minerva thought miserably.
Soon enough she found herself standing in front of the griffon guarding Dumbledore's office. "Chocolate coated carrots." Minerva said and watched the griffon come to life and spring out of the way. She stepped through the open portal and followed the stairs up to Dumbledore's office door. She stood quietly outside the door for a while, trying desperately to come up with a reasonable excuse for telling Harry all. She was still standing there when she heard footsteps on the stairs behind her.
Minerva turned around and was surprised to find Professor Dumbledore coming to a stop at the top of the stairs.
"Waiting on me, I see." Dumbledore said.
"Actually, Sir, I didn't know you were out of your office." Minerva answered.
"I'm usually out at this time." Dumbledore answered.
"This time?"
"Dinner."
Minerva closed her eyes. "I had forgotten about dinner time."
"A lot on your mind?" Professor Dumbledore asked, stepping past her and opening his office door.
"You could say that." Minerva answered. "Can I talk to you, Sir?"
"Of course. Shall we step inside?" Professor Dumbledore held his office door wide and motioned for Minerva to go in first.
Minerva stepped through the door and looked around. The office was slightly more disarrayed than usual. Stacks of books and scrolls covered his desk. A few piles were loaded into the chair and placed on the floor in front of the desk. Fawkes slept on his stand, behind the desk, his head tucked beneath one fiery wing.
"I see you've found Fawkes' stand." Minerva said.
"Yes, nearly all of my belongings have been recovered. Only my Pensieve is still missing. But Mr. Filch is scouring the school for it now. He assures me he will discover," he paused before saying, "where Peeves has hidden it." Professor Dumbledore pulled out his wand and waved it at the chair in front of his desk. The pile of books vanished and Dumbledore waved a hand at the chair. "Now, what is it that you would like to talk to me about?" He asked moving around to the other side of the desk and shifting the piles of books so that he could see Minerva clearly.
Minerva found herself playing nervously with the hem of her sleeve and forced herself to stop. Instead, she sat slowly and looked up at Professor Dumbledore. "I told Harry." She said quickly.
Professor Dumbledore looked at her curiously. "Told Harry what?"
"Everything." Minerva answered. "Who I am, really." She was silent for a bit, waiting to see what Dumbledore would say, but when he made no comment she went on. "He was pretty upset. He said he never wants to see me again." She looked at her favorite spot on Professor Dumbledore's rug and said, "I think I've made a very big mistake."
"Why did you tell him?" Dumbledore asked.
Minerva looked up, shaking her head. "I just couldn't lie to him anymore, Professor. I...I just couldn't."
Professor Dumbledore nodded.
"I'm sorry. I've really messed things up, haven't I? Harry wasn't supposed to know, after all." Minerva sat back in her chair with a frustrated sigh. "God, what was I thinking?"
"It's alright, Minerva." Professor Dumbledore said reassuringly. "There were many unforeseen factors at play here; the strange side effect of the potion, just to name one. Considering the circumstances, while I am a little surprised to hear you told Harry, it is not entirely unexpected."
"You thought I might spill, then?"
"You were becoming very close to him, Minerva, and close friends don't like to lie to each other, even if the lie is necessary. I had thought, or rather hoped, that you wouldn't say anything."
Minerva rubbed her temples. There was that headache again. "Do you think Harry will be able to get past this? Do you think he'll be able to," she shrugged, "accept me again."
"Perhaps. He may be angry now, but he'll see the logic of what we did soon enough. Perhaps with a little time he'll come to understand why we did it."
"You really think so?"
Professor Dumbledore shrugged, and with a slight smile said, "We'll just have to wait and see, want we?"
Minerva nodded, then said miserably. "I'm sorry your plan didn't work out the way you had hoped. I've done an awful job of keeping Harry out of trouble."
"I wouldn't say awful. And considering the turn things took, I'll say you did rather well, though I wish you had come to me about Ms. Parkinson earlier."
Minerva smiled apologetically, then said, "Maybe you're right, but we're still no closer to knowing who or what is in the school, and pretty soon I'll be...me again, and Harry hates me. I'm afraid it's impossible to find the answer now."
"From what I've learned from you, I've been able to draw some conclusions. Whether they are correct is a different story. But I assure you, your time as Mindy James has been most helpful for me. And whether he believes it or not, I'm sure you've been most helpful for Harry as well."
Minerva smiled though she didn't quite believe it. "Thank you for saying that." She said anyway. Then biting her lip, she asked, "Do you think I should take the potion one more time, just to keep an eye on Harry?"
"No, I do not." Professor Dumbledore answered, kindly. "As Professor Snape has said, the potion is having some rather peculiar effects on you. I believe it would be best if you not take it again."
Minerva nodded, not entirely sure she was relieved or disappointed. "I'd better get back to the tower." She said slowly, standing.
"Good evening, then, Minerva." Professor Dumbledore said, pulling a book from the top of one of the stacks. "And Minerva, during your little time left as Ms. James, keep looking out for Harry."
Minerva nodded. "I don't know if he'll let me, but I'll try."
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Harry sat on the bleachers watching most of the Gryffindor team swoop through the air on their brooms. His mind was half on the practice; the rest was still churning over what Mindy—'Minerva', he told himself for the millionth time—had said to him. He had gone back to Gryffindor tower last night rather miserable. When Ron and Hermione finally dragged what had happened out of him, Ron was just as thrown as Harry was to hear the news, but Hermione had remained guiltily quiet. Finally, she admitted to knowing already and Harry had spent most of the night being angry with her, until Ron had talked some sense into him. Even if Hermione had told him the truth before, he wouldn't have believed it. The only person he had a right to be angry with was Minerva, and if he could help it, he would never speak to her again.
Harry shook away the thoughts and turned back to watching the Gryffindors. Ron had decided to call a practice with the next Gryffindor match only four days away. He wasn't sure if the Hufflepuff and Gryffindor game would still go on as scheduled, but he wanted to be ready if it wasn't canceled. Professor Lupin had said it was all right, as long as a professor was present to keep an eye on them. He now sat next to Harry and Hermione, watching the team practice with great interest. Everyone was doing well under Ron's instruction, even though the team was one Chaser short.
"Where's Ms. James?" Professor Lupin asked, as he watched Tobias score a goal on a distracted Ron. "Shouldn't she be here?"
Harry frowned. He had gone almost two entire minutes without thinking about her. "I don't know." He mumbled and slunk down on the bench.
Professor Lupin looked at Harry curiously. "You don't know?"
"I think she's been ill." Hermione said quickly.
Professor Lupin looked at them both curiously, but thought better of continuing along that line of conversation. "The team seems to be doing well." He said, looking up just as Ginny made a dive for the Snitch.
Harry suddenly didn't feel like watching the practice any more. Being on the Quidditch field reminded him of her anyway. "I have some homework I need to finish." Harry said, standing. "I'd better get it done."
Professor Lupin looked at Harry again. "Homework over Quidditch?"
"He really does." Hermione said, as Harry walked away. "Loads."
Harry didn't know if Professor Lupin said anything to that. He didn't stay around to hear. He walked slowly away from the Quidditch pitch, hands in pockets and head down. He wasn't a full five steps past the changing rooms when he looked up and saw Minerva heading his way. Harry stood still, half wanting to run away, and waited as she approached him.
"Hi, Harry. I thought I might find you here." Minerva said, coming to a stop in front of Harry.
"What do you want?" Harry asked.
"To talk to you. I think we should, um, discuss what I said last night."
"I think we shouldn't." Harry said, and started past her. "I have nothing to say to you."
"Come on, Harry." Minerva said, grabbing Harry's arm. "Don't be mad."
"Why shouldn't I be?" Harry hissed. "What you did..."
"I'm sorry, Harry, I am so sorry. What more do you want me to say?"
Harry shrugged off her hand. "I'll be happy if you never say anything else to me again."
"I messed up, okay. But I thought I was doing what was best."
Harry didn't respond. He turned around, determined to ignore her, and started back for the school.
"Harry, please." Minerva called, following after him. "I understand that you're mad at me. I would be too, if I were you. But I never meant to hurt you, Harry. Things just got...out of hand."
Again, Harry said nothing. He didn't even glance back at the girl on his heals.
"Can't we at least try to talk about this?" Minerva went on. "We were friends before, right? Maybe we can be again."
Harry almost laughed at how ridiculous that sounded. The two of them—friends? "Why would you want to be friends with me?" He asked. "You're a professor."
Minerva was quiet for a moment before saying, "I'm not a professor at the moment."
"You will be again, eventually, and I don't think we should be friends or buddies or associates or anything for that matter." He looked back at her. He hated it, but he was still in love with that face. He quickly looked away. "It's weird."
Minerva stopped following him. "It's not weird." She said. "You're friends with Professor Lupin aren't you." Harry made no answer and Minerva went on angrily. "You're just being...difficult. But if you want to be ass, then go ahead and be one. Just walk away and leave me alone. It's probably better this way anyway. You're obviously so perfect and has never done anything that you regret. Just hanging around with some lowly girl like me is already tarnishing your golden halo."
Harry stopped and looked back. Minerva stood fuming, face red, hands on her hips. She may really be Professor McGonagall, but at that moment she couldn't look any further from her. "What?" Harry asked, both surprised and confused. 'Did she just call me an ass?'
"You heard me." She answered. "Just go."
"I never said I was perfect." Harry said.
"Well, you're acting like it." Minerva retorted. "I told you I messed up. I said I was sorry."
"But what you did..." Harry shook his head. "Damn it, Mindy..." He squeezed his eyes shut, "...Minerva, I really loved you." He opened his eyes again, shocked by his own confession.
Minerva didn't seem fazed. "Well has it ever occurred to Harry, that maybe I..." She stopped, and clenched her mouth shut.
"You what?" Harry asked.
"Nothing." Minerva said, quickly. "I have to go." She spun around, and hurried off towards the Quidditch pitch.
Harry stood in daze, watching her leave. His first thought was to go after her, to find out what she had been about to say. But then he shook his head. He had a feeling he knew already and he didn't want to hear those words come out of her mouth. Not out of Professor McGonagall's mouth. He turned around and started for Hogwarts once more, and was surprised to discover he wasn't angry with her anymore.
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Harry spent the rest of the Friday evening alone, either hiding in Gryffindor tower or the library. He ran across Lavender just before dinner, looking very out of place with arms loaded with books.
"I'm going to take Neville's place, working with Professor Snape." She explained. "It took some convincing, but he finally decided I might be useful."
"That's good." Harry said.
Lavender smiled weakly. "I suppose it is, depending upon how you look at it." She shifted the weight in her arms and asked tentatively, "How did things go with you and Mindy?"
Harry was quiet for a moment before saying, "We came to an understanding, of sorts."
"Oh. Well, I'd hoped things would work out for the two of you. You made the best couple."
Harry smiled sadly. "We did, didn't we?" He said almost to himself.
Lavender nodded, then awkwardly waved good-bye and headed off in the direction of the dungeons.
At dinner Professor Dumbledore announced that the upcoming Quidditch match would be canceled. Disappointed groans filled the hall, mostly from the Gryffindors' and the Hufflepuffs'.
"It's just as well." Ron said. "I doubt Mindy would play and there's no way I could find another Chaser by next Friday anyhow."
"Don't call her Mindy." Harry said, poking at the food he'd hardly touched. "Mindy didn't exist."
"Mindy. Minerva. Professor McGonagall. It doesn't really matter. We would've been one Chaser short." Ron answered, doing a very poor job of hiding his disappointment.
"Are you still angry with her?" Hermione asked, looking up at Harry.
Harry shook his head. "I don't know. Not really, I suppose. I don't think she meant to hurt me, and she seems sorry."
"You talked to her?" Ron asked.
Harry shrugged. "More like yelled some more. But she said something..." Harry shook his head. "I don't know. I don't know what I should feel anymore. Part of me still wants to be upset, but I'm starting to think that I shouldn't be. I wish I could just forget all of this."
"Forget what exactly?" Hermione asked.
Harry shrugged. "Forget who she really is, or forget that...that I loved her. It doesn't really matter. I just want things normal again." Harry was quiet for a moment before admitting, "I'm trying so hard not to, but I miss her."
"She's miserable without you, Harry." Ron said.
Harry looked at Ron. "Really?"
Ron shrugged. "Or she's very upset about what's happening. Either way, she's very unhappy. I don't know how, but I'm not wrong about her being crazy about you."
"You can't be right." Hermione shook her head. "There is no possible way..."
"No, Ron maybe right." Harry cut in. "She told me today. Or almost told me. She never actually said the words, but I knew where she was going."
"Really?" Hermione asked, surprised. She was quiet for a moment, obviously thinking something over. Finally she said, "Maybe it's the potion."
Ron looked at Hermione. "She wasn't taking a love potion."
Hermione gave Ron a look that said 'do I have to explain everything to you' and said, "She was taking some super modified de-aging potion that Snape whipped up. I'm willing to bet this potion has never been tested before, so they didn't really know what would happen. Snape probably figured it would just make Professor McGonagall look sixteen for a longer period of time than a normal de-aging potion. But what if that wasn't all it did? What if it didn't make her look sixteen, what if it turned her sixteen?"
"That would explain how she could fall in love with Harry." Ron nodded.
"And how she did such of good job of pretending to be a normal student." Hermione added.
Harry nodded. "She had all of us fooled. Except for you, Hermione."
Hermione shook her head. "If it wasn't for Christmas night, I would have thought I'd gone completely nutty for thinking she was anything other than a normal student."
Harry looked down at his plate. So Minerva was sixteen. And she really did care for him the way he had cared for her. The whole time they had been together hadn't been a show, after all. She actually loved him. Harry rolled a pea around on his plate, trying to decide what that meant. Love or not, she was still a professor—an old professor. And eventually she wouldn't be sixteen anymore. Maybe all of those feelings she had for him would go away when she was normal again. "What am I suppose to do now?" Harry asked, looking at Ron and Hermione for advice.
"Personally, I don't believe a relationship would work out for the two of you." Hermione said, with a half smile. "But maybe you could try and be friends with her. She did turn herself into Mindy James to keep you safe, after all. That has to count for something."
"Maybe." Harry said. "But I don't think she really wants to talk to me. I have been a little rough on her."
"Trust me, Harry, she understands." Ron said.
"Maybe." Harry said. "And maybe I'll talk to her. But right now it's just..." Harry shook his head. "...Weird."
"Don't do anything until you're comfortable." Hermione said. "Are you two ready to go, yet? You really do have loads of homework. You've both been slacking off in your studies." She stood, giving them both very disapproving looks.
"Well, I'm glad some things never change." Harry said to Ron as they followed Hermione out of the Great Hall.
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Minerva spent the next few days feeling completely alone. Harry had stopped giving her dirty looks, but he still wasn't speaking to her. Minerva got the feeling she made him very uncomfortable. She felt very uncomfortable around other students. It was fairly obvious Harry, Hermione, and Ron hadn't told anyone else who she really was, but she couldn't help but think everyone was looking at her oddly now. People constantly asking her what was going on with her Harry only increased her discomfort. She would never say anything, trying hard to keep rumors at bay, but she knew something had to be flying around by now. She couldn't wait to be her old self again.
Minerva sat on the couch in the Gryffindor common room trying to focus on her Divination homework. The class had moved on from reading trees to reading people. The only person making any progress what so ever was Ron, who had been working on that for months anyway. Apparently, the only way to learn to read another's emotions was to perfectly understand your own. They were to write their feelings down as a way of understanding their emotions.
Minerva stared at the parchment, trying to think of something that sounded about true. She looked up at Ginny, who was sitting across from her, scribbling, "I love Dean" in the margins of her history of magic notes. "How do you think I'm feeling at the moment?" Minerva asked.
Ginny looked up and shrugged. "I don't know. Why?"
"We're supposed to write down what we're feeling for Divination. Supposedly, that'll help us learn to read others."
"Oh." Ginny said. "Why don't you ask Ron?" She suggested. "He's always picking up on what people are feeling. The other day I had a little fight with Dean. Ron took one look at me and knew all about it. He wanted to go give Dean a good beating too. I think having a brother who's also diviner is going to be most annoying."
"Ron can see what other people are feeling that easily?" Minerva asked.
Ginny nodded. "It's one thing watching what I say around my brother, but now I have to watch what I feel too." She frowned and shrugged. "That's life I guess. So why don't you go ask him?"
Minerva looked across the room to where Ron and Harry sat, pouring over the same assignment. Ron's quill was moving very fast as he scribbled down line after line of his thoughts. Harry looked much the same way Minerva did, as if he was trying to think of something to write that sounded believable.
Minerva shook her head. "Maybe later." She said.
Ginny looked at her, then glanced back at Harry. "What's going on with two?" She asked, looking back at Minerva. "The both of you've been avoiding each other a lot lately. I know you broke up, but that doesn't mean you can't still talk to him."
"It's complicated." Minerva answered.
Ginny gave her a withering a look. "It's never that complicated. Besides, you look completely unhappy with out Harry. Why don't you try to talk him?"
"He doesn't want to talk to me." Minerva answered. "And I don't blame him, either, after what I did to him."
"What did you do that was so bad?" Ginny asked. "Harry wouldn't completely shun anyone, for any reason." Ginny laughed. "Unless you cheated on him with Malfoy or something."
Minerva looked up, surprised. She started to deny that, but then thought about it. That was it. That was the perfect excuse for why she and Harry weren't together anymore. Everyone would understand why Harry no longer wanted to speak to her, and when Mindy James disappeared from Hogwarts no one would miss her. She didn't have to say it was true; she could just let people believe it was true. She looked a Ginny, putting on a very guilty expression and then looked away.
"You didn't, did you?" Ginny asked, frowning.
"Draco isn't as bad as everybody thinks." Minerva answered, skating around the question.
"Mindy, how could you?" Ginny asked, looking completely horrified.
Minerva bit her bottom lip, turning up the guilty look a notch.
"I can't believe you." Ginny exclaimed, closing up her history of magic book and stuffing her notes into her bag. "And with Malfoy." She hissed. "To think I actually considered you good person." She huffed, grabbing her things and walking away.
Minerva watched Ginny leave, knowing she had just crucified her reputation. At least there was nothing else she could possibly do to make Harry hate her any more now.
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"How about I feel moderately okay?" Harry asked, his quill poised above his blank parchment.
Ron shrugged, looking up. "Sounds okay, I guess. Why don't just write the truth, though?"
"I'm not sure I know the truth." Harry answered, scribbling "moderately okay" down.
"I could read you." Ron suggested.
"No thank you." Harry said quickly. " 'I feel moderately okay' is good enough for me."
"Suit yourself." Ron said, going back to his homework.
"Good for you, Harry."
Harry glanced up, to see Ginny standing next to him wearing a very dark expression. "Huh?" He asked.
"Dumping Mindy." Ginny said, "I don't blame you one bit, after what she did to you."
"What she did to me?" Harry asked confused.
"She told me." Ginny answered, taking a seat. "I couldn't believe it at first, but why would she make it up." Ginny shook her head. "The girl must be completely daft."
Harry stared at Ginny. Minerva had told her who she was. Harry had thought Minerva didn't want other people to know. He certainly didn't want other people to know. He didn't want the school knowing he had dated Professor McGonagall. "I...I can't believe she told you." Harry stuttered. "I didn't think she would...when did she tell?"
"Just now." Ginny answered, nodding back towards the couch where Minerva still sat. "I got it out of her completely by accident." Ginny shook her head. "Of all the guys in school, she had to pick Malfoy. He's the rottenest Slytherine here."
Harry blinked, even more confused than ever. "Malfoy?"
"I can't believe she cheated on you with that—that git." Ginny folded her arms across her chest and mistaking the confused look on Harry's face as that of a person deeply hurt said, "But I won't talk about it anymore. I swear, this is the last I'll ever mention it."
Harry looked at Ron, who shrugged and turned back to Ginny. "Are you sure, Mindy said she cheated on Harry with Malfoy?"
"How could I mistake something like that?" Ginny asked, frowning. "I know what she said." She glanced at Harry. "I'm really sorry. But if Mindy wants to be with somebody like Malfoy, she's not worth your time anyway." Ginny pushed Ron's homework aside and pulled out her History of Magic text. "I have an exam tomorrow and I can't study over there anymore. You don't mind if I join you, do you?"
Harry shook his head, still trying to make sense of what Ginny had just told him. Did Minerva really start to see Malfoy? They had been spending a lot of time together. He glanced across the room to where Minerva sat. She looked at him, and smiled sadly, before packing up her things and leaving the common room. Harry watched her go. Maybe she had made up the whole story to explain why they were no longer speaking. Maybe.
"Forget about her, Harry." Ginny said, laying a hand on Harry's arm. "She's not worth it." Harry glanced at Ginny and she smiled reassuringly. "You could do better, besides, there are more important things you need to be worrying about."
"Like what?" Harry asked.
"Like what you're going to do about Pansy. She's still running about the school, so I assume Professor Dumbledore isn't going to expel her."
Ron shook his head. "He needs more proof before he can do anything to her. It's just as well. We may need her to find the Animagus."
"You know who it is?" Ginny asked, eyes widening. "You guys don't tell me anything."
"'Cause you shouldn't be involve." Ron said.
"When are you boys going to realize you need me? So, who is it, already?"
Harry glanced around, making sure no one was near their small table. "Bellatrix Lestrange." Harry answered, lowering his voice.
Ginny looked at him surprised. "Are you sure? Are really sure?" Harry nodded and told her how Hermione had come to that conclusion. Ginny listened carefully, then said confidently, "Professor Dumbledore will take care of it then. You did tell him, right?"
Harry shook his head. "No, I didn't"
Ginny looked at him as if he were out of his mind. "Why not? Isn't she dangerous? Shouldn't Dumbledore know?"
Harry shook his head. "This is something I have to take care of." He said.
"That doesn't make any sense, Harry." Ginny frowned. "I could understand what you did last year. There were no professors here to help. But there's a school full now. What good are doing by not telling Dumbledore?"
Harry frowned. "I have to do this myself." He repeated.
"But you're putting yourself needlessly in danger. And everybody else in the school, for that matter. What if she does to somebody else what she did to Neville and Colin?"
Harry remained stubbornly silent.
"Give it up, Gin." Ron said, "Hermione and I have already tried to talk Harry into telling Professor Dumbledore. He wouldn't change his mind then, and I doubt he'll change it now."
"But it's just...stupid." Ginny frowned. "Taking care of this sort of thing is what Dumbledore do. Harry, you've got to go tell him." She lowered her voice, leaning closer to him. "What do you plan to do against a Death Eater?"
Harry frowned at Ginny, annoyed by her insisting to talk to Dumbledore. He knew what he was doing. Hermione and Ron had agreed. Why couldn't she understand? "Don't you get it?" He hissed. "She killed Sirius."
Ginny sat back and blinked. "Oh." She mumbled, and remained silent for a while. Finally, she asked, "How do plan to find her?"
Harry rubbed his eyes before answering, "Polyjuice potion. Or that was what I was going to do, but I need Miner...Mindy to get the ingredients from Snape's cupboard for me. That isn't going to happen now."
"Why do need her? Can't you do it, or get somebody else to?" Ginny asked.
Harry shook his head. "Snape is too used to me sneaking about in my Invisibility Cloak. And I need someone who can go in out of Snape's class after hours without looking suspicious."
"Mindy spent so much time in detention with Snape, that no one would think twice of her going down there." Ron explained. "But now Harry can't ask her to do anything like that for him."
Ginny nodded. She was quiet for a bit, before saying, "Why not ask Lavender? She's helping Snape now so she spends a lot of time down there. I'm sure she'll do it if you ask her."
Harry looked at Ginny and grinned. "That's brilliant. I hadn't even thought to ask her." He looked at Ron. "What do you think?"
Ron shrugged. "Of anybody else I can think of, Lavender has the best chance of getting away with sneaking into Snape's office and borrowing a few ingredients."
Harry nodded. "You think you can you tell her I need to talk to her, Ginny. I hardly ever see her anymore and she has go back inside the girl's dorm at some point."
"Sure." Ginny agreed. "I'll talk to her tonight."
"Thanks." Harry smiled.
"What do you think Hermione will say about getting Lavender to get the ingredients for us?" Ron asked.
"I'll bet Hermione will think it's brilliant idea." Harry answered, confidently.
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"Are you crazy?" Hermione asked, frowning at Harry. "You can't ask Lavender. What if she gets caught? Who knows what Snape will do to her."
Harry frowned across the library table at Hermione. It was only a few hours after Ginny had left them to wait for Lavender. Ron and Harry had left the common room to hunt down Hermione, and had found her fairly quickly in the library working on Arithmacy. Harry had told Hermione Ginny's idea and to his great surprise, she didn't like it. "I think it's the best option." He said.
"I think it is, too." Ron agreed. "Lavender has the best chance of getting in and out of Snape's office. A better chance than anyone of us, anyway."
"Maybe." Hermione frowned. "But if she gets caught..."
"She won't get caught." Harry insisted. "Besides, it couldn't hurt to ask her."
"Fine." Hermione agreed reluctantly. "Have you decided where you plan on brewing the potion? We can't use he girls' toilet we used last time."
"The room of Requirement." Harry answered. "I think that would be best place."
Hermione pressed her lips together, but had to admit it was a good idea. "I found the potion instructions the other day. As soon as we get the ingredients we can get started." She looked at Harry. "Are you sure you want to do this. It's not to late to change your mind. Maybe you can talk to Professor Lupin."
Harry shook his head. "Every thing will be fine." He said.
"If you say so." Hermione answered doubtfully. She looked around and said, "Looks like Ginny found Lavender."
Harry looked past her and spotted Ginny leading Lavender towards them. Lavender looked tired, as if she had just left Snape's classroom. She smiled brightly, though, when she and Ginny sat down at their table. "Ginny says you wanted to talk to me." Lavender said, looking at Harry.
"Yeah." Harry answered. "I need you to do me a favor. I need to make a potion and to do that I need some ingredients from Snape's cupboard."
"And you want me to get those ingredients?" Lavender asked. Harry nodded and she looked at him warily. "What kind of potion are you trying to make, exactly?"
"Polyjuice potion." Harry answered.
Lavender frowned. "Doesn't that make you look like somebody else?" Harry nodded. "Why would you need that?"
Harry glanced at the others, trying to decide how much he should tell her. "I'm trying to catch the person who hurt Colin and Neville." He said, finally.
"Do...do you know who it is?" Lavender asked, cautiously.
"Maybe." Harry answered. "But to be sure, I need to make that potion."
Lavender shook her head. "I don't understand what the potion has to do with it."
Harry looked at the others for help. Hermione looked back at Harry blankly, refusing to say a word that might encourage Lavender to steal from Snape. Ron looked as if he really didn't know what to say.
"Isn't it enough that Harry's trying to help Neville?" Ginny said, finally. "You can help if you want, Lavender. If you don't, that's okay. We understand."
"I didn't say I didn't want to help." Lavender said. "I just want to know what it's all about."
"Harry doesn't know anything for sure." Ginny said. "And he doesn't want to start any crazy rumors. You just have to trust us, the potion he needs to make is for a good cause."
Lavender looked at Harry. "Fine. I'll help. What do need me to get?"
"Are you sure?" Hermione asked. "If you get caught..."
Lavender nodded. "I know. But you are trying to find who hurt Neville. If I can help you, I want to. What do you need?"
Hermione reached into her bag and pulled out a book. Flipping through it, she quickly found the page she was looking for. "Here are the ingredients we need you to get." She said, referring to book as she made out a list. She handed the parchment to Lavender and said, "Take your time getting them. Wait until you're absolutely sure you won't be caught, okay."
Lavender nodded. "Okay." She folded the parchment and tucked into her pocket. "I have to go. I have to meet Snape later tonight and I want to get some sleep before then."
Harry nodded. "Thanks Lavender. I owe you."
Lavender smiled, as she stood. "I'm going to hold you to that, Harry." She said, before leaving.
Hermione watched her go then looked at Harry. "No turning back now, Harry. I hope you're doing the right thing."
"I am." Harry said, though he wasn't nearly as certain as he sounded.
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Minerva took one look in the Great Hall, received more dirty looks than she could stomach, and decided she would skip lunch again. Over the last week, the information of her supposed love affair with Draco Malfoy had flown through the student body. She knew everybody in Gryffindor would hate her after it had become common knowledge, but she didn't expect every other house to react so negatively, as well.
"Who knew Slytherines were so hated." She said to herself as she headed out side. The only thing she had to look forward to was becoming her old self again. It was already the first of February and she should be reverting back any day now. Now that Mindy James was generally hated by all, she thought it was the perfect time to disappear.
Minerva stepped outside and approached the tree she and Harry had talked under so long ago. There they had become a couple against her better judgment. Minerva touched the bark, then turned around to face the lake. If she had never invited Harry out here maybe things would have turned out differently. Maybe they would still be friends. Maybe she wouldn't have fallen so deeply in love with him. Minerva sighed miserably and leaned against the tree.
"Mindy."
Minerva started and looked back. Draco stood behind her, his gray cloak wrapped tightly around him.
He smiled at her. "Not hungry?" He asked coolly, brushing a few strands of white-blond hair out of his face.
"You could say that." Minerva answered.
Draco walked over and leaned against the tree next to her. "I heard the strangest thing the other day." He said lightly, studying Minerva's face. "Pansy came to me in a bit of a huff. Apparently, some one is going around saying that Potter left you because you and I have been...spending some quality time together."
Minerva blushed and said quietly. "I had heard something like that." She laughed weakly. "It's crazy what people will come up with when they don't know the truth."
"You aren't working too hard to deny it," Draco said.
Minerva looked at him. "Maybe I don't want to argue with every single student here. People have already made up their minds as to what the truth is."
Draco glanced at her. "Maybe that's true." He said. "But I think you like the idea of an 'us'."
Minerva almost laughed out loud. "You think too highly of yourself, Draco. I've had enough trouble with cute boys this year. I don't need anymore."
"You think I'm cute." Draco smiled.
"I think you're trouble." Minerva answered.
"That's not necessarily a bad thing."
Minerva looked away, back at the lake. "I just broke up with Harry, Draco. I don't really think we should be having this conversation."
"Do you want me to leave?" Draco asked. "Just say so and I'll go."
Minerva looked back at Draco. He hadn't moved an inch and Minerva doubted he'd leave just because she asked him to. But she realized she didn't want him to go. It was nice to be talking to someone again; even if that someone was Draco Malfoy. She remained silent as she watched a cool smile slowly spread across his face.
"Are you really not hungry? We could go get lunch." Draco said.
"I really don't want to eat in the Great Hall." Minerva answered.
"We don't have to." Draco said. "Let's go raid the kitchen. The house elves practically give food away." He offered her his arm. "Shall we?"
Minerva pressed her lips together. The best thing for her to do would probably be to say no and walk away. She had enough problems as it was. Going anywhere with Draco would just add to them. But it was only lunch and she certainly wasn't in danger of falling love with Draco. And she was so very tired of being alone.
"Alright." Minerva agreed, taking Draco's offered arm. "Lunch does sound good."
"Potter is a fool." Draco said as he led Minerva back towards the school. "He didn't know how lucky he was."
"I broke up with Harry, you know." Minerva said.
Draco grinned. "Then you finally saw what an idiot he is?"
"He's not an idiot, Draco." Minerva frowned. "He's just not for me. And could we please not talk about Harry?"
"Gladly."
Minerva spent the lunch period with Draco. The boy could be very charming when he wanted. She let down her guard with him and for the first time in weeks found herself laughing. She couldn't believe he had such a bad reputation. She couldn't help wishing she had given Draco a chance sooner. They could have become good friends so much earlier. Draco walked Minerva to her afternoon class and left her with a kiss on the cheek. She knew other students saw them and that word of their being together would get around. But she found she didn't care. For a full half hour she hadn't felt absolutely wretched.
Minerva's evening had started relatively well, but by the end of the day she was feeling very bad again. She had to endure two more hours of nasty looks and cold shoulders, before she could go back to her room and stay out of sight. To make it worse, she was suffering with the worse migraine of her life. She had never felt so relieved to return to Gryffindor tower as she had when her last class was finally dismissed.
Half way back to the tower, Minerva suddenly felt incredibly ill. She stopped walking in the middle of the hall, causing several students to bump into her. "Hey, watch it." Someone said angrily, stepping around her. She ignored the students streaming past her and, leaning against the wall, fought down a wave of nausea. She pushed shakily away from the wall and, following her first mind, started for the hospital wing. She hadn't taken more than two steps when a thought suddenly struck her. What if she was turning back? Minerva stopped suddenly once more, to annoyance of several more students. It was possible that she was changing again. She had felt very sick when turning sixteen; why not feel sick when going back. She quickly changed direction and headed back towards the passage that would lead to the dungeons. She had to get to Professor Snape before it was too late.
Minerva was half way down the stairs leading to Snape's dungeon classroom when a strong sense of vertigo hit her. She pressed a hand against the wall, trying desperately to steady herself. She slid to the step and sat heavily. Fighting back another wave of nausea, Minerva closed her eyes and laid her head on her knees. Her head was pounding so hard, she was sure it would explode any moment now. She wished she would turn back already. She hated feeling this ill.
"Mindy?"
Minerva jerked her head up and immediately wished she hadn't as vertigo hit her stronger than before. She winced, then blinked up at the person standing before her. "Lavender?"
Lavender smiled slowly and asked, "Are you alright? You look really pale."
Minerva forced a smile. "I'm alright. It's just, I have a headache."
"Oh," Lavender said. "Why don't go see Madam Pomfrey? I'm sure she could give you something."
Minerva shook her head no. "It's not that bad, really. I'm going down to see Professor Snape, anyway. He probably has a potion or something that I can take."
"He's not down there," Lavender said, taking a seat on the steps next Minerva. "He left about an half hour ago and I'm not sure when he's getting back. But if you don't want to go see Madam Pomfrey, I have something that might help." She opened her bag, pulled out a small pill bottle, and handed it to Minerva.
Minerva turned it over and read the label. "Tylenol?"
"I know. It's pretty Muggle, but it works. Just take two with a glass of water and your headache should clear up."
"Um, thanks." Minerva said, eyeing the bottle of Tylenol suspiciously. She had never taken Muggle medicine before, and wasn't sure she wanted to start.
"Sure," Lavender said, standing. She picked up her bag without closing it first and several bottles spilled out, most of them tinkering down the stairs. "Oh, no. I hope nothings broken," Lavender moaned, hurrying down the stairs after the bottles.
Minerva looked down and spotted a vial spinning slowly next to her foot. She picked it up and frowned. 'What is Lavender doing taking ingredients out of the potions class?' Minerva shrugged and pushed herself up as Lavender came back up the steps. "Taking your work home with you?" She asked as lightly as she could, handing the vial to the other girl.
"It's not for me. It's for Harry," Lavender said then froze, eyes widening as if she had just said something she shouldn't have.
Minerva frowned. "What does Harry want it for?"
"I, er, I don't know," Lavender said, quickly taking the bottle and stuffing it into her bag. "He didn't really tell me."
"He must have said something." Minerva pressed.
"Not really." Lavender answered, avoiding Minerva's eyes. "I...I have to go." She said, stepping past Minerva and starting up the stairs. She stopped a few steps from the top and looked back. "Mindy, you won't tell Professor Snape I've been in his ingredients cupboard, will you. I'd be in so much trouble."
Minerva looked at Lavender, and then shook her head. "No. I won't mention it."
Lavender smiled. "Thanks, Mindy. And you can return that any time." She added, waving at the bottle of Tylenol Minerva still clutched in one hand. She turned around and quickly disappeared, leaving Minerva alone.
Minerva looked at the spot Lavender had been in for a bit, then started down the stairs towards Snape's class. She should have pressed Lavender for information. If she really tried, she was sure she could have gotten something out of the girl. But she wasn't in the mood for interrogation. Besides Lavender was probably telling the truth when she said Harry hadn't told her much. And she already knew the important thing: Harry was up to something—again.
Minerva pushed the potions classroom door open and stepped inside. It was empty of people, with the wall torches burning low. Minerva pulled out her wand and with a flick, caused the touches to flare brightly. She headed straight for the back of the class and retrieved her cauldron. She had to find out what Harry was planning. He could really get himself into deep trouble. Minerva knew Professor McGonagall wouldn't have a chance of getting any information. But as Mindy James she may be able to find out something, and possibly keep Harry out of trouble.
Minerva filled her cauldron with water and set a low fire. She quickly gathered up her ingredients and started to brew the de-aging potion. She knew she had promised Professor Snape and Professor Dumbledore she wouldn't take the potion anymore, but she had also promised to keep Harry safe. Right now, keeping Harry safe seemed a heck of a lot more important. Besides, taking the potion one more time couldn't hurt. Minerva was sure it couldn't hurt at all.
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Well, what did you think. Come on. Don't be shy. Tell me. I hope I lived up to your expectations. I know, you were expecting see Professor McGonagall again, but I couldn't turn her back now. Mindy James was just starting to get interesting. I hope nobody's disappointed. Anyhoo, here's comments:
On-A-Rainy-Day: I read over last chapter and you're right. I did leave out words. I currently fixing the chapter, but I haven't done much on it yet, I've been working on this one mostly. I'm glad you liked Lavender. I get so tired of reading her a shallow airhead. I just thought she should have more substance than that.
Penguin Lover 11: No. Not Minerva yet. As a matter of fact, I will be so bold as to say she will probably stay Mindy until the end of the year. Probably.
Crookykanks: I wasn't sure what Harry would say. I tried to put myself in his place and say what I would sa. I don't know If I managed to pull off the right reaction, but I think it came out okay. You have no idea how many times I had to re-write that section.
What?(): Sorry you hate my up-dating practices, but believe me, I've seen worse. I've read fics that are updated once ever six months or more. But the story is so great I don't mind the wait. I hate taking a long time to up-date, but sometimes I really just don't have the time to write. But if you don't think my story is worth the wait, then that's okay. I just hope everybody else understands and can forgive me for taking so long.
Korasei: I'm glad you like the story. It's great to get new reviewers who like what I've written. And your speculations are great. I want say anything about the nature of the de-aging potion; I don't want to give any part of the story away. As you more than likely can see, it is love. Now whether or not Harry/Minerva's relationship will end in tragedy I want say either. Though permanently aging Harry is something to think about. Thanks for the review.
blue transparent stapler: Thanks for your review, but mostly I just had to comment on your screen name. That is incredibly different, but in a good way. Do you own a blue transparent stapler?
Roxoan(): Thanks, I'm glad you like it. I've never read a Harry/Minerva fic before either, which is part of the reason why I went for it. Harry and Snape—together? Blah. I guess I'm not as well read in the fanfic world as I thought. I've never seen that (and I'm kinda glad I haven't). But I have read a Ginny/Snape. It started off a good fic, but after a bit I just couldn't stand the pairing anymore and stopped reading it (not to mention it was a bit x-rated and who wants to think of Snape that way?). I hope I don't cross the line from good to gross. If I do, please let me know.
Jack B Nimble(): First let me say, great review. Yeah, you're right, Ginny's appearance does seem a little convenient. I wasn't really planning on using her much in this fic and changed my mind half way through. I knew it would seem that way, but I didn't want to be one of those people constantly re-writing chapters so readers have to go back and re-read everything. I couldn't make her sudden appearance right without doing that, so I mostly hoped people would, um, over look it. Sorry. I guess that's what I get for writing this thing as I go. As for them catching Pansy in the act first time—they're incredibly lucky aren't they. Actually, I just didn't want to stretch that scene out too much. I want say what I'm planning with Harry and Minerva. I don't want to say I wasn't considering leaving them together, but I'm going to say I was. You'll just have to wait and see how it plays out. At the end of the story I'll tell all and explain why I did things the way I did them. I'm glad you like my characters. I try to bring out their best without eliminating their faults. I just hope I can keep it up.
sassie-fairie-child: I love your screen name. Does everybody have a better screen name than me? I'm glad you reviewed. Reviews are so wonderful (good ones that is).
Cat Feral(): Different people stop growing at different rates. Some girls continue to grow until they're eighteen. Yeah, really. I have a cousin who didn't stop until about eighteen or nineteen. She's supermodel tall. I unfortunately did not receive any of those genes. I hope you're still reading and like the rest of the story just as much as the first chapter.
Superhpfreak: Another deliciously long review. Do you know are my fav. reviewer? Just thought I'd tell you. You have to be the only one who didn't notice the incredibly long break between up-dates. But I'm glad you didn't. Now, on to comments. Glad you like the chapter title, and I'll tell you a secret. I name my chapters after I've written them. This story will be about 15 chapters long, give or take a few. I'm glad the truth coming out last chapter didn't seem soon. I was worried that it might. Capital "v" on Veritaserum, I had thought so, but wasn't entirely sure. From now on think I'll just capitalize everything. And yes, it is a wee bit illegal, but how else was Hermione supposed to be sure she got the truth. Otherwise, Minerva would have lied. No, no slow aging. It'll happen at once if and/or when it happens (I had always thought of Minerva being in her fifties. You think seventy? Maybe I'll go with sixty since (and correct me if I'm wrong) there's no mention of her age). Eleven was a pretty a long chapter, this one two for that matter. The earlier chapters were pretty short and I could get them up in about a week. But now that they are getting longer (and will probably continue to grow) I can't get them up as fast. I usually work on a chapter for a couple hours a day. The problem is I can't work on them several days consecutively. I usually write a bit. Take a break. And then get back to it a few days later. So I guess if I add the hours up, I could get a chapter done in maybe three days, not counting proof reading (which I obviously don't do enough). Except when I have writers block. Then it's longer. Read the mistakes list. Just can't seem to stop making them. You'd think as long as it takes me to up-date my chapters would pretty darn near perfect. Yeah, I did include Lestrange. May have left out some letters to make a name that makes sense. It was a long time ago when I made up that name I honestly don't remember. You know, you're right about Voldermort's name. I had never thought about it before, but it is kinda, well, nerdy. And I think "Pottyhead" was used in the book. I believe it was Peeves who called Harry that. And yeah, Harry is taking Lestrange on alone. You know our dear sweet Potter. Always taking on more than he can handle. Two and half pages for your review? That is long. You just got my name. I thought Qwest was pretty obvious. Believe it or not, I got that off the back of a mini-van. I just thought it was awesome way to spell quest, and decided to use it. Well, that's all, I think.
I hope everybody like the chapter. Tell me what you think. Come on. Don't be shy. Review everybody. Review.