Chapter 11- McGonagall's Revelations

In McGonagall's office, Harry and Bill were sitting in front of McGonagall, who was looking worried about something.

McGonagall said, "Now, the reason I called you two here is because of the condition Mrs. Weasley is in. Her injuries is very extensive, and Madam Pomfrey doesn't know how long it will take for her to heal. She took 6 Stunners straight to her chest. That's more than what I got hit in the chest."
Bill said, "Will Mum die?"

McGonagall sighed and said, "I don't want to tell you no, but it's possible. It's more serious than we thought it to be."
Bill said, "What about Ron?"
McGonagall said, "Your brother is fine. He just has some mild injuries, and should be up by tomorrow."

Harry said, "Professor, shouldn't we let Hermione and Ginny know about this?"
McGonagall said worried, "That's why I called you here to ask you permission to let Miss Granger and Miss Weasley know of the situation."

Harry nodded, and Bill did the same.
McGonagall rose from her chair, and went to the fireplace, and whispered in it. Professor Flitwick emerged a moment later with Hermione and Ginny.

McGonagall gestured for Hermione and Ginny to sit down, and she shakily told them about Mrs. Weasley's condition.

Hermione gasped, and Ginny burst into tears. Hermione patted Ginny's back to help her feel better.
McGonagall said, "Filius, if you will please, let Arthur know. He may want to come see his wife. Have him bring Fleur Weasley, too, because I'm sure Professor Weasley could use some moral support."

Flitwick left the room, and McGonagall said, "That's all for now, but if I need you again, I'll let you know. Potter, can you stay a moment, please?" Hermione, Ginny, and Bill left the office, and left Harry with McGonagall.

McGonagall said, "Dumbledore said you had something to share with me, Harry." She looked sternly at Harry through her spectacles. Harry didn't expect Dumbledore to tell McGonagall that Harry had something to tell her.

Harry said, "Yes, Professor Dumbledore feels I should tell you about what we were doing that night."
Professor McGonagall said, "I see…..Go on, Potter."

Harry began, " You see, Dumbledore was training me all last year with lessons on Voldemort's past, because Dumbledore thinks it's a key in defeating Voldemort. In Dumbledore's Pensieve, we saw different memories of Voldemort. One was of Merope Gaunt, his mother, and the other was when Voldemort was rejected the DADA position, and…" Harry paused to look at McGonagall, who seemed to be interested in this. "Horcruxes."

McGonagall gasped and said, "Horcruxes? Potter, don't tell me you were traipsing off with Dumbledore that night to look for a Horcrux."

Harry nodded, and said, "Professor, how do you know what a Horcrux is?"
McGonagall laughed and said, "As an ex-Auror, I should know what that is, and I was in school with Voldemort. I overheard him one day, asking Slughorn about Horcruxes."

Harry gasped, "You were an Auror before you came here to Hogwarts?"
McGonagall leaned over, and said, "Yes, that's correct, Potter. I was an Auror before Dumbledore approached me about the Transfiguration post. He had been appointed Headmaster, and needed someone to teach Transfiguration, and he heard about my work, and asked me to accept the post, which I did."

Harry said, "About the Horcruxes, Dumbledore said that Voldemort split it in seven parts." Harry explained about the diary, and the Slytherin ring, and what Dumbledore said was possibly the rest of the Horcruxes.

McGonagall sighed and said, "Well, Potter, thank you for telling me, though I don't know why you didn't tell me in the first place."
Harry said, "Dumbledore made me promise not to tell anyone, except Ron and Hermione."

McGonagall's eyes arched and said, "What about Remus Lupin?"

Harry said, "How do you know I told Lupin about the Horcruxes?"
McGonagall smiled wryly and said, "Dumbledore and Snape are not the only ones who knows Occlumency and Legilimency."

Harry realized something, and said, "Professor, is that why the night Mr. Weasley was attacked two years ago, you believed me, because you were reading my mind?"

McGonagall said, "Yes, that's correct, Potter."

"Which brings me to the next point of why I summoned you to my office," McGonagall paused, then continued. " This year, I think you should take Occlumency again."
Harry said, "Don't tell me, Snape is coming back to teach me!"

McGonagall said irritated, " POTTER! Snape's on the loose, do you think I would allow him back in Hogwarts? Use your brain, for once. Now…I'm going to be the one who teaches you Occlumency. You may share your lessons with Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley, but no one else. Is that clear?"

Harry nodded, and McGonagall said, "Ok, I'm glad that's settled. One more thing, you're not alone in this battle. You have many people who want to help you. For example, Professor Lupin, me, the Weasleys, Miss Granger and many others."

Harry sighed, and said, "Yes, but when everyone gets involved, they either gets injured or killed. Look at Dumbledore. He got killed, and now Mrs. Weasley's injured."
McGonagall said crisply, "They made that choice, because they love you, Harry. I do, too, and it's my decision to help you, whether I get killed or not in the process." She had tears coming out of her eyes, when she said this.
McGonagall said, "Which is why I feel I need to keep my word in training you to become an Auror, Potter."

Harry said, "I can't do that, Professor. I can't let you risk your life, like Dumbledore did for me. I'm sorry, but Hogwarts need you."
McGonagall looked disappointed, but didn't show it. " I see, Potter…Well, just know that I'm here if you need to talk, or need any help."

Harry said, "Professor, I hate to disappoint you, but I just don't want anyone else getting hurt."
McGonagall said, "I'm sure you don't, Potter. But it's my decision." She escorted Harry out of the office, and Harry heard the door lock behind him. He felt bad he had hurt McGonagall's feelings, but he felt he couldn't get anyone else hurt.
Harry heard sobbing from inside the office, then heard voices talking.
"Minerva, you did a good job in trying to help Harry, but it takes time for his feelings to sink in."
"Well, Albus, but if Potter keeps resisting help, I'm afraid it will get himself killed someday."

"I know, Minerva, which is why I want you to keep an close eye on Harry, and make sure he gets enough training this year, because he needs all the help he can, in order to survive the war. Now, Minerva, I'll tell you where the Horcruxes are, so you can help Harry find them on his journey."
Harry decided he had heard enough, and walked back to Gryffindor Tower.