The healers whisked Tessa away into a room and immediately began picking IVs and drains into her. There was a curtain between her and her little sister, but whenever the healers moved about, she could catch a glimpse of her lifeless body.

She felt her blood being pulled out of her system as a healer was dripping potions into her other arm to replenish her lost supply.

She felt dizzy and weak, and the healer pressed a gentle head on her forehead. "Relax. This will take a while."

She didn't want to just sit there and sleep while her sister fought for life, but as each drop of blood left her system, she knew she couldn't fight it for long.

Xxxxxx

"Rolanda Hooch. Time of Death, 1:48 am, November 15. Cause of Death- exsanguination due to extensive injuries. Next of Kin- None."

Xxxxxx

Minerva sat in the hallway, staring out into nothing, unblinking, not feeling.

Percival wrapped his arm around her, trying to comfort her, though he knew his efforts were in vain.

She would not be comforted. She had just lost her best friend and now her daughter's life was hanging in the balance.

Not that he wasn't anxious or worried. Quite the opposite. But he, like his father, was stoic and steady during the hard times.

And even if he wasn't wired that way, one look at his mother told him that he needed to be her rock for her, for she didn't have anyone left.

Xxxxxx

Esmerele saw a light in the distance. Soft, gentle… just hovering off in the distance.

She walked forward towards it. It seemed to move away but as it moved away it grew bigger, too.

She felt warmth from the light spread over her body. She raised her arms and spun around, enjoying the feeling against her skin.

She kept running forward… running… running… until she was engulfed by the warm light.

Xxxxxx

"She's coming out!" The healer called. "She's coming out! Quickly, unhook the drains!"

xxxxxx

Minerva heard the commotion as several healers rushed into her daughters' room. She stood up and rushed forward, fearing that the worst was going to greet her.

From the window she saw the drains and tubes being removed from their arms and as a healer gently shook Esmerele, her eyes opening groggily.

Her skin looked pale. Never before had Minerva seen anyone look so fragile and ill lying in the bed.

Esmerele turned her head gently and caught her mother's emerald eyes that matched her own.

She gave her a small wink.

Minerva's heart soared.

She knew her daughter would live.

Xxxxxx

Tessa blinked. There was a flurry of movement around her, and she felt the tubes being pulled form her arms.

She turned her head to the side and saw her baby sister smiling back at her.

Xxxxxx

Kingsley paced anxiously around the lobby. Two hours and no word on how Esmerele was doing.

He knew that Rolanda's death would spark a lot of questions, and he had no idea how he was going to even begin answering them.

One thing that bothered him- how had she known? And another thing- how had Donal gotten in?

Questions that, he was sure, wouldn't be answered soon or easily.

He wanted to stay off the critical ward because he just couldn't face Minerva. She had warned him that this would happen, and even though he had tried to stop it, her daughter had still been hurt.

What's worse than failing at your job? Failing when you had been given a heads up.

Finally a healer walked into the lobby. She gave Kingsley a quick nod and a smile and walked back to finish her job.

With a sigh of relief, he apparated back to the ministry.

He had a long day ahead.

Xxxxxx

Minerva had pulled a chair between her daughter's beds and sat holding their hands.

Esmerele was sleeping peacefully, her system still weak from all that had happened.

Tessa was falling in and out of sleep, still dizzy and a bit confused from her rapid blood loss.

The healers assured Minerva that both girls would be fine, though Esmerele wouldn't be allowed to work for several months. She was also not allowed to use her Animagus form for at least 6 months.

Minerva knew that would irk her daughter to no end.

But as she sat holding their hands, she knew that she was lucky, to say the least.

But she was going to have a few words with the Minister.

She had warned him that this would happen. And what did he do? Absolutely futile attempts to stop it.

She should have just come here herself. Had she been on guard at her daughter's door, no way Donal would have made it anywhere near her.

When both girls were more stable, Minerva had already arranged for them to be transported to Hogwarts. Poppy would have to open the Floo for healers to come and go, but Minerva wanted her girls where she was sure they would be safe.

Because if she knew anything, she knew that Poppy would never let anything happen to her girls.

And when the healers had asked on what authority Minerva had to demand their transport, she had told them that she was their aunt.

They looked at her with suspicion, because Minerva didn't have any records of nieces or nephews. But when they glanced between her and Esmerele, it was obvious they had some sort of genetic connection.

At Minerva's annoyed expression, they didn't press the matter.

Xxxxxxx

My ten o'clock the girls were safe in the hospital wing, and Minerva left them to head to the Ministry.

She was dreading this visit all day, but she knew it was unavoidable.

Arriving at Kingsley's door, she found that it was already opened, and with a gentle knock she entered.

He sat behind his desk, turned slightly as to not look Minerva in the eye.

"I'm sorry." He weakly said. "I'm sorry I didn't prevent this from happening. And now Rolanda's dead because of me."

"Rolanda's dead because she was the one who gave Donal the information needed to break in."

Kingsley spun around and gave her a look. "What?"

Minerva sat down and sighed. "She and Donal were lovers before he went to Azkaban. When he escaped they reconnected, and she was the one who told him were to find Esmerele."

"I thought you were friends?"

"We are. But when she was younger, I told the Quidditch board about her cancer. That's why she couldn't play professionally."

"She held a grudge."

"So it seems. But her guilt caught up to her, and that's why she went to the hospital tonight to intercept Donal before he could hurt Esmerele."

Kingsley's face showed he was trying to process what he'd just heard. "So…"

"So she saved her. And that's all I want told. Rolanda died a hero, Minister, not a traitor."

He shook his head. "But if she…"

"Minister, I do not judge people on their past mistakes, only the actions they take afterwards. She died a hero."

Kingsley sighed and leaned back. "If that's what you want,"

"It is."

"Minerva, she has no family, and her will gives no instructions on where she is to be buried."

"I would like her buried at my family plot in Scotland."

"You can arrange transport?"

She nodded.

"What will you tell the school."

She stood up. "Only what they need to know."

Kingsley rose and shook her hand. "I trust you. And, Minerva, I really am sorry."

"Just keep looking for him. I hope this is the last strike he makes."

Xxxxxxxx

The Great Hall was filled with students and teachers, all sitting somberly in their house and staff robes.

The seat where Rolanda used to sit was empty. The staff had placed two crossing brooms diagonally across the seat along with a bouquet of Baby's Breath, her favorite flower.

"Students and teachers," Minerva began. "As you all know, we have lost a dear friend and staff member. Rolanda Hooch was more than just a Quidditch professor. To many of you she was a mentor, friend, and challenger. She always pushed her flyers to be the best that they could be.

She longed to play professionally, but her cancer prevented her from doing so. Despite her body's unwillingness to heal, she still persevered and went on to teach young witches and wizards the art of flying. Of her students, 79 of them have gone on to play Quidditch professionally, 34 of which are World Cup champions.

Her flyers were her family, and she was devoted to every single one of you. Don't ever think that she didn't love you. And know that she is looking down on you, flying with you, soaring with you.

We will never forget Professor Hooch. She was as much a part of Hogwarts as the very stones that hold up these hallowed halls.

She will be missed. And she will always be loved."

Xxxxxx

Minerva had arranged for the body to be taken to the family plot and buried that night. She didn't go with it, not because she didn't want to, but because she just didn't think she could handle it. And right now, her children and the students of Hogwarts needed her.

Xxxxxxx

The next day, the Prophet ran the story on Rolanda's death.

HOGWARTS PROFESSOR DIES IN VIOLENT BATTLE

ROLANDA HOOCH PROCLAIMED A HERO

Late last night, the escapee from Azkaban, Donal Bregger, broke into St. Mungo's hospital. His actual target has not been released, but according to officials, it was Rolanda Hooch, the famed Hogwarts' Quidditch Professor, was there to stop him.

According to the Minister of Magic, Hooch's heroic efforts saved the life of one of the patients at the hospital.

The hospital sustained damage on the critical ward, and teams are working now to repair the damage.

As a token of appreciation for Hooch's efforts, she has been awarded the highest honor for bravery, the Silver Phoenix.

A memorial was held yesterday at Hogwarts. The location of her burial is not being released.

Minerva closed the paper and smiled. It was a short, sweet article, nothing short of what Kingsley had promised.

She was still answering questions of the Auror teams as to how exactly she and Esmerele were related, but Kingsley had managed to created documents that stated Minerva was her aunt.

Was it lying? Yes. But if Kingsley was on her side, she wasn't worried about the repercussions.

Percival was sitting beside her, now thoroughly enthralled in the fifth Defense Against the Dark Arts book.

She patted his leg and he raised his eyebrows in acknowledgement.

"I'm going to see your sisters. You staying?"

He nodded and she got up and left.

The students were all saddened by Rolanda's death, and down the hallways there were little candles floating around with letters and drawings lying on the floor.

The students who had taken the news the hardest were her seventh year flyers, all of whom spent at least two hours a day practicing with her.

She rounded the corner to the hospital wing and Poppy gave her a small smile.

"How you holding up?" She asked Minerva gently.

Minerva shrugged. "As best as we must, I suppose."

Poppy nodded and left.

Moving towards the beds, Tessa turned her head and smiled at her mom. "Hey."

"How are you?"

"I'm fine. Tired. Ready to stop taking these nasty potions. How much longer do I have in here?"

"Only until tomorrow night."

Tessa rolled her eyes. Though a drama queen, she was never one to play patient.

"And your sister?"

Esmerele was sleeping soundly, her blankets tucked tightly around her thin frame.

"I think she's fine. Weak, but fine. She wakes up for a little bit and then sleeps for another couple of hours. How long is she in here for?"

Minerva shrugged. "No clue. It's up to Poppy."

Tessa rolled her eyes again. "Mom, I swear to god, she's worse than you are. Making me eat this and drink that. I swear, I've gained like 50 pounds since I've been in here."

Minerva laughed and shook her head. "Doubtful, but you do need to eat."

She hit her mom playfully and moved a bit closer so her head rested on her mother's lap.

"Momma,"

"Hmm?"

"I love you."

Minerva stroked her fingers across Tessa's perfect auburn hair, "I love you too."

Xxxxxxx