It was dawn before Minerva and Hermione was escorted back to the Castle by the centaurs. Severus and Harry were waiting for them by the door in muggle recliners of all things. Hermione snorted in amusement at the sight. "Have you been here since we left?" Minerva asked incredulously.
"We have," Severus responded dryly as he stood up and vanished his recliner. "What kind of husbands would sleep peacefully in their beds while their wives were galloping through the Forbidden Forest?"
"Sensible ones," Robbie said from behind them. "Your wives have sorceress statuses. They are more than capable of taking care of themselves. More capable than both of you in fact."
"Doesn't mean we aren't going to worry about them anyways?" Harry said with a shrug as he stood and vanished his recliner.
"Never thought I would agree with a Potter," muttered Severus prompting the others to laugh.
"Severus," Minerva drew his attention. "These are fresh potion ingredients for you to use but only towards healing purposes." She handed him the bag she carried. He raised an eyebrow in question. "One of the mothers died but we managed to save the colt. Alma gifted us with any salvageable potion ingredients for our efforts."
Severus and Robbie looked at the bag as if Christmas had came early. "Do you want these two bags as well?" Hermione asked with a smirk. She carried two larger bags than her mother. She watched as both nodded their heads. She rolled her eyes at them, passed them the bags and grabbed Harry's hand. "I'm going to take a shower, eat and then sleep," she said as she and Harry walked towards their rooms.
Minerva kissed Severus on the lips, ruffled Robbie's hair affectionately and started walking towards her own set of rooms. "Will you ask Albus to take my classes or cancel them for the day?" she called over her shoulder. "I'm exhausted. Hermione seemed to have the right idea."
Minerva McGonagall walked with purpose through Gringotts Bank. She had been elevated in status since her marriage to Arwen had been made public. It seemed her wife had touched the lives of more than she realized. She entered a private meeting room and greeted Sirius and Remus. She looked around and noticed a member from each race represented by the council. She took the seat offered and waited for the meeting to be started.
"We have started laying a trap for the being known as Lord Voldemort," the Goblin representative, Rognok, stated.
"Our intel has led us to believe final confrontation will be at Hogwarts," a dwarf said. "Voldemort believes his being an heir of one of the founders will offer him additional protection."
"How do we protect the children?" she asked automatically.
"We are laying the trap for summer after classes let out," the Goblin answered. "Dumbledore will be summoned to an ICW conference this summer. Filius has been working on the paperwork to take Harry and Hermione on as apprentices. He plans to start this summer and since the Headmaster will be away the Deputy Headmistress will be required to stay there."
"Have you spoken to Harry and Hermione regarding the apprenticeship?" Sirius asked suprised. Neither Harry nor Hermione had mentioned an apprecenticeship.
"We have and both agreed," Apolline answered. "Hermione only agreed if Filius promised to follow through on the apprenticeship once the battle was over."
Remus snorted in amusement at that. "Of course she would demand a true apprenticeship," he chuckled.
"Our intel will pass on the information regarding the apprenticeship to Voldemort," the dwarf said. "The British and French Ministries are on stand-by to assist when he attacks. Well, Amelia Bones is being kept in the loop."
"The Bellamy Family will be visiting this summer to spend time with their grandchildren," Apolline said. "Jean asked me to reassure you they would keep Robbie with them during the battle so you can focus on Hermione and Harry."
Minerva smiled gratefully at that. Her children would always be prioritized over all else!
Minerva watched Hermione at the leaving feast as the owls arrived with the post. A brown barn owl dropped a package in front of her daughter. Hermione looked suprised at the red wrapped gift. She smiled at the muggle tape holding the paper together. She opened and read the note. No good deed should go unrewarded Mya! We always pay our debts. She recognized the sloppy penmanship of Leland Kelley. She tore open the wrapping and gasped as she saw a couple of battered books. They were first edition William Shakespeare books.
It was obvious the man bought what he could afford but she instantly loved them. She knew Madam Pince could work miracles when it came to abused books. She gripped the books and rushed off to the library hoping to catch the librarian before she left for the summer.
Minerva watched as Harry smiled fondly at Hermione before winking Lee Jordan. Apparently Lee knew of the gift and had informed Harry beforehand. She was grateful the boys strived to make her girl happy. It was heartwarming to know Hermione would always be cared for when she was no longer alive to do so.
Meanwhile, Hermione had managed to catch the librarian and enthusiastically showed her the books she just received. Irma Pince gladly agreed to help restore the books over the summer. Hermione had offered to pay the witch; however, Irma waved her off. Irma did mention that she wanted to broaden the muggle section in the library. Hermione decided to visit second hand bookstores to find a few books to donate to the library. She had faith Madam Pince could restore and include any she found for the library.