The Long Game

Chapter 2.

The lists of students and staff chaperones for the 5th year field trips had been posted, to some consternation. Each group of sixteen pupils contained four from each house and no two chaperones were from the same house. This was an unwelcome surprise to almost all the students, although Dumbledore had hinted at it in his announcement. The Ravenclaws felt they would be held back by Hufflepuff who meant well but were slow on the uptake; Gryffindors and Slytherins wanted nothing to do with each other at the best of times; Hufflepuffs felt that, as usual, they would be caught in the middle of the other houses' often vicious rivalries when they just wanted to be left alone to get on with things. The staff were even more tense. Having to keep a constant eye on the behaviour and well-being of unruly pupils away from the security of Hogwarts was enough to give several of them sleepless nights. Severus Snape was being kept busy providing potions to aid relaxation and sleep. Severus, himself, had no concerns about his ability to keep sixteen brats in line under any circumstances. He knew they were terrified of him and he made sure that they stayed that way. Xiomara was relieved to see that she would be chaperoning with Minerva; they worked well together and this trip would provide ample opportunity for late nights, trying out muggle junk food and gossip. In short, half a week of girls' nights in! Minerva was an excellent disciplinarian and Xiomara was no shrinking violet so there would be no student-related problems.

The first group of 5th years had been chaperoned by Severus Snape and Pomona Sprout. Both Professors got on remarkably well as they had a healthy respect for each other's talents. Severus knew that potions ingredients grown by Pomona were amongst the best quality in the country and she, in turn, appreciated his broad knowledge of plants and their applications. This field trip went off without a hitch; the only damage being the heavy loss of points sustained by Gryffindor, but that was only to be expected when Severus Snape was in charge. The second group of students were chaperoned by Auriga Sinistra and Sybil Trelawney. Auriga had to request a nerve tonic from Severus to help her keep calm and not hex Sybil into St Mungo's. Upon their return she took to leaving any room that Sybil entered and avoiding dinner if Sybil should choose to eat in the Great Hall. Apart from that, there were neither casualties nor major incidents and there was also a noticeable boost in motivation amongst the OWLs students. Minerva and Xiomara took the third party down to London. Pupils' luggage was consolidated, reduced in size, and pocketed by Minerva. Transport for such a large group of people was effected by portkeys in the form of umbrellas with the Hogwarts crest carved into the handle. The pupils formed into two groups of 8 and, with their chaperones, grabbed their umbrellas and disappeared.

They arrived, tripping over each other, at the delivery bay of an ornate but slightly shabby art-deco hotel. El SueƱo was a muggle hotel in the heart of London and conveniently close to the Ministry but it was owned by a Spanish witch who kept the entire thirteenth floor for guests from the Wizarding community. This arrangement worked particularly well as muggles using the main lifts thought that the thirteenth floor had been left out due to a muggle superstition that it was unlucky.

Minerva took charge immediately, doing a head count and forming the pupils into a crocodile with Xiomara bringing up the rear. They entered the hotel and marched up to the desk. Madam Borges was expecting them. Her sparkling black eyes, olive complexion and generous mouth gave beauty to her softly lined face.

'Good day, Accalia. You're looking well' Minerva and Accalia had spent a lot of time together during the fight against Voldemort and had forged a strong friendship.

'This is my colleague, Xiomara Hooch, she's our flying instructor and a retired professional Quidditch player'

Accalia's laugh was as warm and welcoming as her smile.

'Oh, I know very well who Xiomara Hooch is,' she said mysteriously, 'But I mustn't keep you all waiting.' She lead her Hogwarts guests into her office where she shook hands with each of the pupils and welcomed them to her hotel. She then clapped her hands summoning house elves to lead the pupils to their shared rooms, restore the luggage to its rightful owners and unpack. Xiomara and Minerva, by contrast, were seated in comfortable chairs and offered glasses of a Spanish elf-made wine. Accalia made sure that a muggle receptionist was on duty and then came and joined them.

'I am so sorry to tease you like that Madam Hooch but my son Xavier has been an ardent follower of your career. He will be delighted to have an opportunity to talk Quidditch with you.'

Xiomara couldn't have been happier 'Please call me Xiomara and may I call you Accalia?'

Accalia smiled her assent and turned to answer Minerva who was enquiring after Xavier. 'He is well, thank you. These days he works in the research laboratories at the Ministry specialising in potions. In fact I have arranged it so that he escorts the pupils to the Ministry with you. I can tell you that Auriga was most grateful for an extra pair of hands!'

All the hotel rooms on the 13th floor had ensuite facilities. The fifth years were four to a room and since girls and boys were not permitted to share, houses were mixed in together. Blissfully, Xiomara and Minerva had separate rooms with ensuite bathrooms. The set-up was perfect, thought Xiomara as she lay in the bath, with any luck this Xavier would take after his mother in both charm and looks and she would finally have the fling she'd given up on. Girls' nights in were fun but she needed a fling rather more. She would be meeting him at dinner that evening and had decided to go all out to look her radiant best. Minerva, having no such plans, was engaged in a good gossip with Accalia.

Dinner was an informal buffet of foods from across the Mediterranean region. The pupils were all happy and excited but behaving themselves impeccably. They seemed rather in awe of Accalia Borges. At first sight Accalia appeared to be an attractive woman who was ageing gracefully, each line in her face a testament to a life lived with humour and courage. However, just occasionally one caught a glimpse of something harder underneath. Xiomara had no doubt that Accalia could be both cold and ruthless if required. Her forceful personality and the way she could dominate a room reminded Xiomara of someone but she couldn't think who. This reverie was interrupted by the arrival of a beautifully turned out young wizard with chocolate brown robes that set off the golden tones in his skin and complemented his dark eyes.

'Xavier, you're late' his mother scolded.

'I'm so sorry Mother, we're working on a particularly tricky potion for the control of chizpurfles and time just got away from me' he apologised as he hugged her.

'You remember Minerva, don't you?' Xavier and Minerva met as old friends and, after a brief chat, Accalia steered him across the room 'And I don't think I will need to introduce you to this teacher,' Xiomara held out her hand and Xavier gallantly kissed it.

'Madam Hooch, I am so pleased to meet you. When I heard that you would be staying here I couldn't believe my luck. I am such an admirer that I am afraid you will be sick of me before your stay is up.'

'Please call me Xiomara, and I very much doubt that I could become sick of your company, Xavier.'

They were inseparable through the rest of the meal and still engrossed in an animated conversation long after the children had gone to bed. Eventually Minerva dragged Xiomara away to bed, with the dire warning that she would need all the sleep she could get, to chaperone the over-excited pupils through the streets of London the next day.

The next day dawned wet and miserable and Xiomara's head throbbed from the over-indulgences of the night before. She was usually a morning-person and liked nothing better than an early morning flight at high speed to clear her head. However, that was impossible in town and she had work to do. She decided against going down to breakfast and joined the group in Accalia's office at 8.30. Xavier, Minerva and all the pupils were already there. He flashed her a quick smile and a wink and she felt herself grinning stupidly at him. Suddenly the day didn't look so bad. Xavier led the pupils out, with Minerva walking alongside them and Xiomara bringing up the rear. The Ministry was not far and Xavier was ensconced in his lab and the Hogwarts group settled at an introductory talk about careers within half an hour. The pupils were then split up into groups and taken to meet witches and wizards from different departments and professions. Xiomara and Minerva spent the morning in departments that interested them and caught up with old friends. In Xiomara's case autographs were signed. Just before lunch they met up again in the staff canteen to await the arrival of their charges.

'You seem to be getting on well with Xavier,' Minerva fished.

'Wouldn't any witch in her right mind?' Xiomara retorted 'Do you know, it is so lovely to just openly chat and flirt and admire and be admired without mind-games or sub-text? There's nothing to think about. I can just be in the moment.'

'Oh? I thought it was the mind games that you enjoyed; what did you say? Oh yes, "the thrill of the chase before boredom sets in".'

'Well I think I could have a pretty thrilling chase in the next day or so and then see where it goes from there. A long-distance relationship might be just perfect for me, no neediness, clinginess or claustrophobia.'

Minerva 'hmmm'-ed non-committally.

'Look, I know your pet project was to see me with Severus but I thought that you'd given up on that by now,' Xiomara said crossly, 'He's a self-centred, over-intellectual, unemotional, miserable old man with no appreciation for anybody but himself. Xavier is a dishy, charming, attentive young man. Let's face it Severus doesn't even compare to Xavier.'

'No he certainly doesn't. I'll grant you that' Minerva smiled at her 'All I want is for you to be happy and if you are, then I'm happy for you.'

At that moment a young witch came running in.

'Oh Professor McGonagall, thank goodness' she panted, trying to catch her breath. 'We've just received an urgent owl from Professor Dumbledore and you're needed back at Hogwarts right away'.

Both of the older witches jumped to their feet in shock.

'What has happened?' Minerva demanded.

'It seems that the enchanted quills that write the Hogwarts letters have gone hay-wire and started writing to every witch and wizard that ever lived. Professor Flitwick tried to modify the charms on them but then they started to write abusive letters. Since they are your department, Professor Dumbledore felt that your input would be helpful. He will send another Professor to take over your chaperoning duties here'

'Right, please get on the floo network and tell the Headmaster that I will be with him shortly. I shall floo directly into his office fireplace for speed'

The young witch ran off. Xiomara and Minerva both started to laugh. They could just imagine the uproar when distinguished witches and wizards started to receive abusive letters from Hogwarts.

'Enjoy your time with Xavier, Xiomara, and don't do anything I wouldn't do.'

'From what I've heard Professor McGonagall, in your day, there wasn't much that you wouldn't have done' Xiomara responded archly.

Minerva just smiled, gathered her belongings and sped off to the nearest Floo point.

'I trust that went according to plan?' Dumbledore asked Minerva as he helped her out of the fireplace.

'Perfectly' she replied, kissing him warmly. 'She doesn't suspect a thing. Now it's up to Accalia'