Minerva McGonagall's heart nearly jumped out of her
chest when she saw James' and Lily's house. She had never been to that
house while they were alive. In fact, she hadn't even seen it until
after they had died. She wished she had visited earlier, then she would
have found out that Pettigrew was their Secret Keeper. But there was no
sense in worrying over the past. Nothing could be done about it now.
Not even Dumbledore had been able to prevent that.
Now they had the chance to save Harry.....again. Trouble clings to that boy like wet fur. she thought, almost evoking a slight grin. Then she cast a glance at Remus and just about started laughing, remembering that it had poured all night during the last full moon. But now was neither the time nor place to go into hysterical fits of laughter, no matter how nice of a release it would be.
Minerva had been unable to aid in the last battle with Voldemort due to her injuries obtained from that horrible Umbridge's goons. She hoped that woman rotted away as a vegetable for the rest of her life! Okay, that was harsh. she reprimanded herself. Nonetheless, she would hex that woman into next year (if not oblivion) if she ever saw her again. What a glorious day that would be! Until then, she would have to settle for maiming some of Voldemort's flunkies. Not a bad alternative. And with the build up of stress over the past few day, she was not going to go easy on anyone. Dumbledore always said to take them alive whenever possible, but Minerva was tiring of this. Especially with the seasoned Death Eaters like Malfoy. He continued to prove that he was evil and manipulative. And to make matters worse, he was molding Draco in his image. That boy held so much potential, Minerva couldn't stand to see it squashed by Lucius. She had already witnessed Lucius transform Narcissa from a "generally" sweet girl into a hateful, snobbish woman. Though not all the blame laid with Malfoy, Sr. Narcissa's parents had done their best to instill pure-blood prejudices into her at an early age. But behind their backs, she had befriended a muggle-born witch while at Hogwarts. Upon graduation, however, Narcissa was betrothed to Lucius and married soon after. Even then she maintained the friendship, unbeknownst to Lucius, until her friend accused Lucius of joining the Death Eaters. Narcissa defended her newly wed husband, and eliminated all contact with her friend. She didn't even attend her funeral when she was murdered by Death Eaters a month later. Even when she found out Lucius was indeed a Death Eater shortly after that, she refused to admit her mistake, and forever became the snobby aristocrat who adopted her family's views of muggle-born wizards.
Minerva sighed inwardly at the thought of this. Partly in mourning at the loss of innocence for Narcissa and partly because she knew that even if Voldemort was defeated, another like him would take his place as long as the hatred and prejudice was still taught at home. It might not be centuries, but there would be another Voldemort as long as there was pure-blood/ muggle-born nonsense.
This realization brought Minerva back to the present. It was time. She never knew whether or not it would be the final battle, but she, like most, hoped it was. She was eager to return to the days when you didn't have to glance over your shoulder constantly, out of fear of a sneak attack from a Death Eater. Of course, they say you can never go back, which is true, but the worst would be over if Voldemort was gone forever. And who knows, maybe Harry could lead an almost normal life. Almost. Minerva suspected that there would always be some fanatic out there hoping to avenge Voldemort. But Minerva knew Harry would be able to handle himself. It was his acquaintances she worried about. That boy had a knack for endangering the lives of others. It was a gift that he had so many loyal friends, but a curse to them for it was practically a death wish. Speaking of death wishes, she thought as she realized that the Weasley children were begging Dumbledore and their parents to let them help.
"Absolutely not!" Shrieked Molly Weasley, who had turned white at the mere thought of it. "It's bad enough that Bill and Charlie are coming. The rest of you (being Fred, George, Ron, Ginny, and Hermoine) are forbidden to leave this house until we return with Harry. And no 'buts'." She was beginning to turn red now that the shock had worn off.
"Hagrid is staying here to protect you. I expect he will have no problems or any trouble with mischief." Dumbledore added quite matter-of-factly. Hagrid looked disheartened at the idea of not going to rescue Harry, but he knew that stealth was imperative and his towering figure was difficult to overlook. He was happy to watch the children (or perhaps more appropriately, the teenagers), though. He cared greatly for them all, and knew that it would be a tremendous help to Dumbledore and the Weasleys if he was watching over them.
"Mum, do you have to go?" Ginny pleaded with tears in her eyes. She was terrified at the thought of losing any family member, especially her mother. Being the only daughter, they had developed a special bond with each other, one that could never be replaced.
"Luv," Molly replied, embracing the girl. "It will be all right. We're just going to rescue Harry. We'll do it as quickly as possible. Professor Dumbledore had already alerted the Aurors about the situation, and they will handle the Death Eaters. I just need to be there to attend to Harry's immediate health. As soon as I've got him, we will apparate to wherever is necessary." She released Ginny from the embrace and stepped back to pick up her outer robes. Molly took extra care in placing them over her shoulders as they now contained various potions and salves in anticipation of many different scenarios. With that, final good byes were said, and the Order members diapparated, determined to rescue Harry.
Now they had the chance to save Harry.....again. Trouble clings to that boy like wet fur. she thought, almost evoking a slight grin. Then she cast a glance at Remus and just about started laughing, remembering that it had poured all night during the last full moon. But now was neither the time nor place to go into hysterical fits of laughter, no matter how nice of a release it would be.
Minerva had been unable to aid in the last battle with Voldemort due to her injuries obtained from that horrible Umbridge's goons. She hoped that woman rotted away as a vegetable for the rest of her life! Okay, that was harsh. she reprimanded herself. Nonetheless, she would hex that woman into next year (if not oblivion) if she ever saw her again. What a glorious day that would be! Until then, she would have to settle for maiming some of Voldemort's flunkies. Not a bad alternative. And with the build up of stress over the past few day, she was not going to go easy on anyone. Dumbledore always said to take them alive whenever possible, but Minerva was tiring of this. Especially with the seasoned Death Eaters like Malfoy. He continued to prove that he was evil and manipulative. And to make matters worse, he was molding Draco in his image. That boy held so much potential, Minerva couldn't stand to see it squashed by Lucius. She had already witnessed Lucius transform Narcissa from a "generally" sweet girl into a hateful, snobbish woman. Though not all the blame laid with Malfoy, Sr. Narcissa's parents had done their best to instill pure-blood prejudices into her at an early age. But behind their backs, she had befriended a muggle-born witch while at Hogwarts. Upon graduation, however, Narcissa was betrothed to Lucius and married soon after. Even then she maintained the friendship, unbeknownst to Lucius, until her friend accused Lucius of joining the Death Eaters. Narcissa defended her newly wed husband, and eliminated all contact with her friend. She didn't even attend her funeral when she was murdered by Death Eaters a month later. Even when she found out Lucius was indeed a Death Eater shortly after that, she refused to admit her mistake, and forever became the snobby aristocrat who adopted her family's views of muggle-born wizards.
Minerva sighed inwardly at the thought of this. Partly in mourning at the loss of innocence for Narcissa and partly because she knew that even if Voldemort was defeated, another like him would take his place as long as the hatred and prejudice was still taught at home. It might not be centuries, but there would be another Voldemort as long as there was pure-blood/ muggle-born nonsense.
This realization brought Minerva back to the present. It was time. She never knew whether or not it would be the final battle, but she, like most, hoped it was. She was eager to return to the days when you didn't have to glance over your shoulder constantly, out of fear of a sneak attack from a Death Eater. Of course, they say you can never go back, which is true, but the worst would be over if Voldemort was gone forever. And who knows, maybe Harry could lead an almost normal life. Almost. Minerva suspected that there would always be some fanatic out there hoping to avenge Voldemort. But Minerva knew Harry would be able to handle himself. It was his acquaintances she worried about. That boy had a knack for endangering the lives of others. It was a gift that he had so many loyal friends, but a curse to them for it was practically a death wish. Speaking of death wishes, she thought as she realized that the Weasley children were begging Dumbledore and their parents to let them help.
"Absolutely not!" Shrieked Molly Weasley, who had turned white at the mere thought of it. "It's bad enough that Bill and Charlie are coming. The rest of you (being Fred, George, Ron, Ginny, and Hermoine) are forbidden to leave this house until we return with Harry. And no 'buts'." She was beginning to turn red now that the shock had worn off.
"Hagrid is staying here to protect you. I expect he will have no problems or any trouble with mischief." Dumbledore added quite matter-of-factly. Hagrid looked disheartened at the idea of not going to rescue Harry, but he knew that stealth was imperative and his towering figure was difficult to overlook. He was happy to watch the children (or perhaps more appropriately, the teenagers), though. He cared greatly for them all, and knew that it would be a tremendous help to Dumbledore and the Weasleys if he was watching over them.
"Mum, do you have to go?" Ginny pleaded with tears in her eyes. She was terrified at the thought of losing any family member, especially her mother. Being the only daughter, they had developed a special bond with each other, one that could never be replaced.
"Luv," Molly replied, embracing the girl. "It will be all right. We're just going to rescue Harry. We'll do it as quickly as possible. Professor Dumbledore had already alerted the Aurors about the situation, and they will handle the Death Eaters. I just need to be there to attend to Harry's immediate health. As soon as I've got him, we will apparate to wherever is necessary." She released Ginny from the embrace and stepped back to pick up her outer robes. Molly took extra care in placing them over her shoulders as they now contained various potions and salves in anticipation of many different scenarios. With that, final good byes were said, and the Order members diapparated, determined to rescue Harry.