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"Nothing inspires forgiveness quite like revenge."
Scott Adams
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"So, what are you planning to do now?" Ginny asked once they reappeared near the Hogwarts front gates.

Harry sighed.

"I'm not sure, Gin. On the one hand I really want to find my godmother," he smiled at the word, "on the other hand, I don't want to bother everyone by asking too many questions and - "

"Harry." Ginny cut him off, smiled and gently touched his face with her hand. "I can promise you that everyone will be eager to help you. If it makes you feel better, you don't have to inform the whole wizarding world, only tell a few of your friends about her. Besides, you saved all of us. You deserve some happiness, too, you know."

"If you say so." He smiled, took her hand in his and kissed her cheek.

Hand in hand the couple walked back to the castle, enjoying each other's company.

"Ooohhh looky looky, what do we have here? Sneaking away from everyone to have some private time alone, are we?" Sounded a laughing voice through the corridors.

Harry and Ginny spun around, letting go of each other's hand instantly.

"Fred!" Ginny said exasperated, "stop doing this! You have been a ghost for less than two days and you are already getting on my nerves!"

Fred, who seemed to enjoy this immensely, laughed even more. Harry noticed that only his head was visible, the rest of his body still stuck inside the wall he had been floating through.

"But this is just too much fun! And I promised dad to keep an eye on everything and everyone, especially you, sister dearest!" He said and blew her a kiss with his ghostly hand. "To make sure you behave."

Both Ginny and Harry blushed.

"If you keep an eye on everything, then tell us, did we miss anything important while we were gone?" The redhead asked, clearly trying to change the topic.

"Nothing special, really. Snape, sorry Professor Snape still hasn't joined the world of conscious wizards, Hermione and our little Ronnikins were snogging in one of the old broom closets, Adian's taking a break at the table again and – "

"Ron and Hermione were snogging in a broom closet?!" Harry and Ginny shouted at the same time, starring at the ghost with wide eyes.

"Yes, caught them myself!" The ghost said with pride in his voice. "They looked quite flushed, and even a little embarrassed, can't imagine why though…"

"Of course you can't," Ginny grumbled so only Harry could hear it and he smirked.

They continued their walk, trying to ignore ghost-Fred following them, and entered the Great Hall again when they heard another voice.

.

"Mr. Weasley, may I have your attention for a moment?" The voice sounded stern, but Harry also detected a trace of exhaustion in it.

He turned around and saw Professor McGonagall coming towards them.

Aidan was right, she really didn't look good. She had dark circles under her usually vibrant emerald green eyes, her black robes were messed up and a few strands of her usually tied up ebony hair fell loose from its bun. Contrary to everyone else, she apparently didn't even rest for a single second since the end of the battle.

"Yes, Professor, like always, you'll have my full cooperation!" Fred said, brought his hand to his head and saluted to the approaching witch.

Said witch clearly tried to resist the urge to roll her eyes as she looked up at the ghost and shook her head.

"I am glad you enjoy your new – lifestyle – Mr. Weasley. Now, considering the order given by your father to keep an eye on everyone, I am sure you could help me find Doctor Gold? " She looked at him expectantly.

Fred's eyes widened in surprise. "Yes, he finished his check-up round and sat down on the big table at the end of this hall. But how did you know I said – "

"Let me give you some piece of advice – Mr. Weasley, wasn't it? Always be careful what you say when an animagus is around. They don't just hear a lot they are not supposed to hear, they also tend to get very edgy when they are overworked. Especially cats."

.

Harry had just noticed him, though he apparently had been here the whole time.

Next to Professor McGonagall stood a tall man in dark blue wizarding robes, also slightly torn apart and worn out. Harry assumed he had to be around the same age his transfiguration Professor was, considering the fact that his - what he assumed to be once brown - hair was now streaked with grey.

The most amazing thing was that his eyes had the colour of a light silver grey, something Harry had never seen before.

Ginny, too stared at the wizard. She, however was less amazed by the colour of his eyes but more by the way he dared to speak about their Professor.

Fred stared at the silver eyed man, a broad smile making its way over his face. "Thank you, Sir, these information are most appreciated! It seems to me you have quite the humerous side... You don't happen to know something about "The greatest Book of Jokes" written by Jonathan Giggles, do you? It is supposed to be – "

" - hidden somewhere in the restricted section of the library. Yes, I have indeed heard about that particular book, but unfortunately – "

"Unfortunately," Professor McGonagall interrupted, "the library is unavailable at the moment and - like most of the rooms of the castle - burried underneath a tonne of rocks."

Both men, well, one man and one ghost, looked quite disappointed.

"Oh, come on now, you old wizard! Leave the mischief to the actual pranksters," the transfiguration mistress continued to everyone's surprise.

"Was that an invitation to make trouble, Professor?" Fred asked excited.

Harry, Ginny and the elderly wizard looked at the emerald green eyed witch. Her mouth twitched and a small smile appeared on her face. "Not trouble, Mr. Weasley. But in these times we all need something that can make us smile once in a while."

They all stared at her open mouthed. "Awesome, Professor!"

"Now, we really need to see Aidan. Are you two coming with us?" She directed the question at Harry and Ginny.

"Yes, Professor, that was our intention."

"Then come along. And for the record, I am neither edgy nor overworked," she said the last to her companion, who gave a small chuckle, then took her arm and guided her to the table.

"Whatever you say, Min."

Smirking at each other, Harry, Ginny and a floating Fred followed their Professor and her friend.

The people on the table were almost the same as before. Apparently Slughorn had left and the only new addition was apparently Neville's grandmother, Augusta Longbottom. Harry had only seen her once on a picture his friend had shown him; and of course he still remembered the Boggart lesson in his third year, when Professor Snape stepped out of the cupboard, dressed with the same ridiculous head the witch was wearing right now.

But before either of them could say a word, Moody jumped up from his chair – the best way he could considering his leg – and pointed his finger at Professor McGonagall.

"Where you ever going to tell us that Snape's alive, Minerva?"

The transfiguration mistress waved her hand, causing Moody to forcefully sit back on his seat again.

"It appears to me that you are already perfectly well informed; so stop fussing around Alastor," she snapped.

Moody's magic eye rotated like crazy and one could see that he was about to get up again, when Aidan once again flashed him a look.

"We already talked about this, Moody, there is nothing more to say."

Moody still looked angry, but he seemed to be calming down. Aidan turned his attention to the newly approached group.

"Good. Now, why don't you all take a seat?"

Professor McGonagall shot Moody one last glare, then sat down along with Ginny and Harry. When her friend remained standing behind her chair, she looked at him questionably.

"Are you planning on standing there the whole time, Xemerius?" The witch asked with a smirk.

The silvery-eyed wizard shook his hand, smiling slightly. "Ah, you know me, Min... The old knee's causing trouble again."

"Tell me when it gets worse, I can give you a potion that might help," Aidan pointed out.

Hermione looked at Xemerius with new found interest. "Excuse me, Sir, I don't want to be rude, but who are you?"

Instead of Xemerius, Professor McGonagall answered. "I do apologize for not introducing him earlier, Miss Granger. This is one of my oldest and most trusted friends, Xemerius Brooks; we have known each other since our first year at Hogwarts."

Hermione's eyes widened. "As in Professor Brooks? The expert on muggle studies and Headmaster of the Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in America?"

Xemerius grinned at the young witch. "I see my reputation precedes me."

"Is it really true that the school is hidden on top of Mount Greylock?" Hermione got more and more excited with each passing minute.

And even Harry had to admit that he wanted to know more about Xemerius. He seemed to have a really funny side for holding such a high position in the best magic school in the United States.

"Yes, but it sounds more exciting than it really is." Was the swift reply. "It's like getting a new school book. Exciting at first, but really annoying when you have to study the contents."

"Of course you would say that, Xem! You were never really fond of books. I remember you didn't touch your divination book once back in school!" Augusta Longbottom laughed.

"Oh honestly, Augusta, no one ever read that thing," Xemerius grinned. "Not even Min. She only brought it to class to transfigure it into a pillow to be more comfortable during the lesson."

Everyone stared at the transfiguration mistress. She turned around to face her silver eyed friend, trying to give him her famous death glare, but failed when she saw the boyish grin on his face and decided to hit him playfully in the stomach instead, smiling.

"You really had to mention that?"

"Well, it was either that or the fact that most of the time we skipped the class anyways. Ah, now I told that, too! My, silly me!" He grinned even more when he saw his friend bury her head in her hands, trying to ignore the laugher around her.

When everyone was able to breathe normal again, Professor McGonagall looked at Aidan.

"Now, the actual reason I came here is because I need to show you something," she said and put her hand into the pocket of her cloak, searching for something.

Aidan sighed, and looked from one Professor to the other.

"And here I really thought Xem managed to get you to take a break for some time."

Xemerius shrugged. "Hey, I gave my best. You try it and convince this stubborn witch to rest."

Professor McGonagall, who apparently found what she was looking for, interrupted the two men.

"I am not stubborn and I will rest when my work is done. Now, would you please do me a favor and take a look at this poor thing? Xemerius and I found it when we came back from examining the quiddtch pitch – or rather what's left of it..."

She took her hands out of her cloak and Harry could see that she placed a small bat on the table, which – to everyone's surprise - didn't even try to escape.

"I think it's got a broken wing. I know you don't usually treat animals, but Poppy told me you finished your check-up round, so – "

Aidan smiled. "Don't worry; I don't think there is such a great difference between healing these and human bones. I'll take care of it."

Professor McGonagall smiled back at him, patted him on the shoulder and prepared to stand up from her chair. "Thank you, dear."

"I have, however, one condition." He looked at her expectantly.

"And what would that be?"

"You stay here for another 30 minutes and relax."

The transfiguration Professor seemed to consider it for a moment, then sighed and sat down again. "Fine."

Harry saw Aiden smile triumphantly and Xemerius gave him a thumb up.

.

"Can we name it?" Luna asked suddenly "I really think every animal deserves a name and it is way nicer than always calling it 'the bat'."

Everyone at the table smiled, Professor McGonagall included.

Leave it to Luna to lighten up the mood in every situation, Harry thought.

"I am open to suggestions, Miss Lovegood," the emerald witch replied and looked at the blonde girl.

Luna seemed to think for a moment. "Batty. I think we should call it Batty."

Professor McGonagall smiled. "Well, then Batty it is."

Luna beamed at her and Xemerius smirked; then patted his friend happily on her shoulder. "Congratulations, Min, it looks like you just got yourself a new pet!"

This said everyone broke into laugher again.

Harry turned to Mrs. Longbottom, curiosity getting the better of him. "Are these two always like this?"

"Xemerius and Minerva?" She asked. "Oh yes, they have been playing cat and mouse for years. Literally."

Harry had to hold back his laugher when he remembered that his Professor's animagus from was indeed a cat.

But his smile sadly didn't last long; it appeared as soon as it came.

The remains of the doors to the Great Hall were blown open. A mass of people dressed in black robes stormed in, wands in their hands, ready to attack.

.

Professor McGonagall reacted faster than Harry could think.

She flicked her wand and in what appeared to be a smooth combination of complex spells, she had everyone – witches, wizards, injured people lying in hospital beds and even Batty - levitated to the back of the hall within seconds and protected with a shield charm around them.

"What is the meaning of this?" She demanded to know, standing alone in the middle of the hall; facing the intruders.

Harry as well as his friends tried to get through the shield charm, but every attempt failed.

He could hear Xemerius cursing next to him. "Damn it, Minerva! Let us in there you bloody stubborn witch! You're getting yourself killed!"

For the first time since Harry had met the elderly wizard, he could see fear written in his silver eyes and also another expression he couldn't really place.

"I won't ask again, what the bloody hell is going on?" The transfiguration mistress cursed in a scottish accent, her wand ready in her hand.

"As I can see, you still have trouble controlling your temper, Minerva," sounded a somehow familiar, high pitched voice from the middle of the black crowd.

When the people in the first row of the mass stepped aside, Harry couldn't believe his eyes when he saw whom the voice belonged to.

Her wand pointed directly at Professor McGonagall, dressed in a ridiculous pink dress and wearing a - what seemed to be slightly burned - pink velvet bow in her hair, stood one Dolores Jane Umbridge, laughing hysterically.

.

Aidan's eyes widened in shock, several people paled instantly and Xemerius tried to break through the shield once again. "Minerva, let us in!"

Professor McGonagall didn't look at him when she spoke, her angry emerald eyes fixed on the pink toad in front of her.

"No, Xem. I refuse let anyone else get hurt tonight. She's here for me. This is my fight."

Umbridge laughed even more. "I have been waiting for this moment for a very long time."

"I'm sure you have..." she said almost casually.

Harry could see that Xemerius closed his eyes for a moment and taking a deep breath.

"Look around, Minerva," Umbridge laughed again and waved at the mass of people standing behind her.

"I wouldn't expect anything less from a person who kills an eleven year old girl without any magical education instead of coming after me yourself," she snapped, her eyes cold with anger and her body shaking.

"She did what?" Hermione asked, shocked.

Xemerius sighed, a sad look in his eyes. "This is not the right time for that story…"

"I see you're still not over your little sister's most unfortunate death… but, well, if it makes you feel any better... you'll join her soon," the toad laughed again, her followers doing the same and Harry felt sick.

He also observed that his Professor didn't show any kind of fear regarding the amount of wands pointed at her.

"Well, allow me to have some doubts, considering that all your previous attempts to kill me worked out so perfectly. You know, I am quite surprised you didn't tell your little black guys over there to attack the castle in the middle of the night."

"Merlin's beard, that's not right the time for sarcasm Min!" Xemerius shouted exasperated.

Harry turned around and gave his friends a confused look.

Judging by their facial expressions they didn't have any clue about what was going on either. Hermione continued to watch the scene playing out in front of them, standing there motionless, almost like stunned.

Then it hit him like a broomstick on his head, and he remembered something Madam Pomfrey told him years ago. 'I don't wonder you're shocked, Potter, as if one of them could have stunned Minerva McGonagall face-on by daylight! Cowardice, that's what it was… despicable cowardice.'

"The stunners!" Harry exclaimed, looking shocked at Xemerius. "It was a planned attack!"

The silver eyed wizard gave a grim nod. "Yes, and it wasn't the first."

Harry was about to reply when he suddenly heard one single word, that caused him to stop dead in his tracks and get goosebumps all over his body.

"Attack!" Umbridge shouted in her terribly high voice and sent her curse flying directly at Professor McGonagall.

.

To Harry's and probably everyone else's relieve she immediately blocked the spell with a flick of her wand. Within seconds, she had the first row of black guys disarmed and with just a wave of her hand she sent them flying against the castle walls; knocking them out all at once.

Harry, completely astonished by the skills his transfiguration Professor showed, heard Xemerius releasing the breath he apparently had been holding and a small smile made its way over his face.

"The bloody woman hasn't lost her touch," the silvery-eyed wizard said, shaking his head. Even Aidan chuckled when he heard that.

The duel went on for what Harry felt were hours.

Curses were sent in every direction, even causing the shield charm Professor McGonagall had set up earlier to crack slightly.

Harry watched his Professor in amazement. He knew she was a great witch, but now he could really see why she was considered to be the most powerful witch in the whole wizarding world.

She moved so fast to avoid several hexes flying towards her direction, one would think she was not a day older than thirty.

Apparently Ron, Hermione, Ginny and the others couldn't believe it either, for they were observing the scene wide eyed and open mouthed; with their hands pressed against the shield and unable to move.

Then it happened; they all saw it like the scene was played in slow motion, unable to do anything.

"Watch out, Professor!" Fred had shouted, but it was too late.

The transfiguration mistress efficiently sent counter-spells against the curses coming toward her from the front. What she hadn't seen was the spell directed at her from the side and Harry watched in shock as Umbridge's spell hit her unexpectedly, causing her to fly backwards and crash against her own protection charm in front of Harry and the others.

"No!" Aidan and Xemerius exclaimed at the same time when they saw their friend lying on the ground and Harry bristled with anger when he noticed that Umbridge was laughing like a happy little school girl.

"Game over, Minerva," she turned around to her followers. "Hogwarts will be ours!"

At the sight of his friend, Xemerius' legs gave in and he dropped to his knees. Arthur took a crying Molly in his arms, Hermione and Ginny had tears streaming down her face, Aidan slowly closed his eyes.

Harry – who in a way had always thought of the black haired, emerald eyed witch as some kind of grandmother – stared at the body lying in front of them, frozen in shock.

"Hold on a second," Xemerius whispered suddenly. "The protection charm... It didn't vanish!"

And all of a sudden, the witch on the ground moved.

She flicked her wand and daggers of fire shot towards her attackers; only missing Umbridge herself and some black guys standing too far away.

The emerald eyed witch slowly got up, pain clearly written on her face. Blood dropped from an open wound at her head as well as her chest. She wordlessly summoned a stick lying around and leaned heavily on it.

"She's probably got a heavy concussion, wounded chest and a broken leg," Aidan mumbled to himself, looking concerned as concerned as Xemerius and Harry. "And she's using much more magic than she should..."

"You want to give it another try, Dolores?" The transfiguration mistress asked, breathing heavily, "though I do have to admit that this was your best attempt so far!"

Xemerius rolled his eyes at her and had it been a less dangerous situation, Harry might have laughed.

.

Then he heard one small 'pop' after another and he looked around, trying to figure out what it was.

"It seems your little group is letting you down, Dolores," Professor McGonagall pointed out and Harry could see it too now.

One after another, the attackers disapparated and vanished from the hall.

"What do you think you're doing? Attack her!" Umbridge exclaimed furious.

"You can't make us! You never told us we were going up against her in the first place!" One of the remaining men shouted.

Harry noticed that he sounded scared and insecure and he couldn't help but smile a little. You have every right to be scared, he thought.

"This doesn't have anything to do with revenge for our fallen master. We're done here," this said he vanished; the other ones mirroring his actions immediately, leaving the pink toad alone in the middle.

Furious, she raised her wand, aimed it at the Professor and shouted "Avada Ked-"

But this time Professor McGonagall was faster. "Expelliarmus," was all she said, disarming Umbridge and with another wave of her hand, a broken chair transformed into a thick rope, which she securely tied around Umbridge's feet and shoulders.

Then, the transfiguration mistress took in a deep breath and limped towards her angry, tied up enemy, and picked up her wand.

"This is not over, Minerva," the pink toad shouted, and Harry couldn't imagine why she smiled.

"I think it is," was the cold reply.

Before anyone else could say anything, Harry could see another figure in dark robes entering the great hall from the side that wasn't protected by the charm.

"What in Merlin's name happened here?" The voice of a younger woman asked, clearly worried and Harry's heart skipped a beat when he recognized the soft voice of the woman.

.

Professor McGonagall looked at her and sighed in relieve; apparently lucky it wasn't someone else trying to attack the castle but she didn't answer the question.

Harry on the other hand turned around sharply, looking at Ginny with wide eyes. He didn't even notice that Aidan and Xemerius, too, sighed in relieve at the woman's appearance.

"It's her, Gin!" He exclaimed excited.

"Who?" Ron asked confused.

"None of your concern, Ron!" Ginny snapped at her brother, before taking Harry's hand in hers. "Yes, Harry, I recognized her, too!"

Xemerius banged against the shield again. "Damn it, Minerva, lower that bloody charm and let us in for Merlin's sake," he cursed.

"What?" The transfiguration mistress asked confused, turned her attention away from the woman and looked at her friend when she remembered.

"Oh, I apologize, Xem," and with yet another wave of her hand she undid the protego-maxima charm.

Harry was the first to make a move, grabbed Ginny's hand and began to walk straight towards Professor McGonagall, Umbridge and the woman.

"You know Minerva, I realize I may never be able to kill you. But causing you pain is far more enjoyable anyway. " Umbridge said in her high pitched voice and started laughing again. "And there is no better way to hurt you than killing one of your precious students."

The next things happened in split seconds. Harry saw too late that the toad somehow managed to wordlessly summon a small knife from one of her pockets and threw it directly towards him.

Professor McGonagall screamed something and the last thing Harry remembered was a swirl of black robes in front of his eyes, knocking him to the ground.

.

"Harry!" Ginny, Hermione and Ron screamed at the same time, running towards him with Xemerius and Aidan following them.

"Potter! Are you alright?" Professor McGonagall asked, white as a sheet of paper, as she rushed to his side as fast as she could ignoring the pain from her head injury and broken leg.

Harry slowly got up, coughing hard. He had hid his head during the fall, but apart from that nothing hurt.

"I – I'm fine Professor," the young wizard said, his voice shaking. "She - She pushed me out of the way," he pointed at the woman lying next to him.

"Harry…" The woman's voice was nothing more than a soft whisper. She had one hand over her chest and when she tried to move, Harry grabbed her arm; trying to steady her.

"S…Sorry," she whispered, breathing heavily and looking at both Harry and Professor McGonagall with a pair of beautiful bright blue eyes.

The black haired witch moved closer, laid a supporting arm around the woman and looked her up and down; concern clearly written in her emerald eyes.

"Dear, what are you talking abou – No!" She exclaimed and her eyed widened in shock; her whole body began to shake.

Harry also moved to get a better look and he saw the reason for Professor McGonagall's shock.

"I – I wasn't f-fast e-enough – " The blue-eyed witch stuttered.

Harry first looked utterly confused, then he saw it: Blood - a lot of blood - was coming through from under the hand she had placed over her chest.

Then her eyes closed, her head fell backwards against the transfiguration mistress' body.

With the last energy she could muster, she moved her now bloody hand to reveal Umbridges' knife that was stuck in her chest; only inches away from the woman's heart.

Harry's eyes filled with tears.

His godmother's heart.


A.N.: Hi everyone!

Again, thanks to all of you who fav/followed this story! Did I mention it makes me really happy? :)

Ok, here's the next chappie and as always, I hope you like it! I would really love to get some more reviews to hear what you think about it so far!

All the best, Lexi