Once again the school was buzzing about the mysterious disappearance of Professor Paton, for no-one knew of his death, except Dumbledore, Minerva, Penny and Tonks. The rumours were still also flying round about Minerva, who, by now, hadn't been seen by the students in nearly two weeks.
However, she was recovering well from the poison, which was more than could be said about Penny. She wasn't coping at all well with the news that not only was she the Angel of Adustum, but she'd died nearly thirteen years ago.
Minerva had tried to speak to her about it, but the young girl had just shut down about the situation, and Minerva was worried sick. She had no idea how else to deal with this.
Eventually Madam Pomfrey discharged Minerva from the hospital wing the next day, on the proviso that she have a further week of rest before returning to class. Although she missed teaching, she was glad of the excuse to spend the week with Penny and talk to her properly. She'd agreed with Dumbledore that this was for the best, to take Penny out of class for a week. They both knew that there were already rumours amongst the students about the nature of Penny's relationship with Minerva, but at this moment in time Minerva didn't care what they knew; her main priority now was Penny.
On leaving the hospital wing the first thing Minerva did was to find Penny, however, no one had seen her for a while. She hadn't come up to the hospital wing to see her great aunt, as Minerva had expected her to do.
'Albus, have you seen Penny?' She asked as she returned from the empty Gryffindor common room, with no sign of Penny on her way up to the Headmaster's study.
'No I'm afraid I haven't Minerva.'
Minerva felt her heart leap into her throat when she heard his words. Penny was missing, alone and in a great deal of distress.
'We'll find her Minerva.' Dumbledore replied as he swished out of his study and down his stairs.
They looked all over the castle for her and even went down to Hagrid's hut, but there was no sign. Minerva interrupted Snape's class to speak to Tonks to ask her if she'd seen or spoken with Penny, but with a worried look on her face she'd slowly shaken her head.
No-one had told her what was going on, but she'd noticed a change in her friend's behaviour and this new development concerned her greatly. However, Minerva assured her that everything would be alright and that she wasn't to worry.
With that Minerva returned to the entrance hall where Dumbledore was waiting for her.
'Tonks doesn't know where she's gone Albus, but she's as worried as we are. She thought she was with me when she didn't see her at breakfast this morning.' Minerva said with a shaky voice, and then, to add insult to injury, Peeves came floating into sight, cackling and jeering as usual.
'Oh our potty wee Penny is jolly wee Johnston no more. She ran from the castle, she looked quite a hassle, and wouldn't play, what a bore.' He cackled loudly.
Minerva looked up at him sharply, his words registering with her immediately.
'Peeves where did she go?' She asked urgently, but there was no use in trying to make sense of Peeves, he was never obliging at the best of times.
'Not telling you nothing.' He shouted as he zoomed off.
Minerva glanced at Dumbledore, who rushed out of the big wooden doors with her. When they got outside again they looked around once more, hoping to see her, but there was no sign.
'Oh Penny where are you?' Minerva said under her breath; and then it hit her. She couldn't believe she hadn't thought of it first.
'I know where she's gone Albus.' She said and led him down towards the Black Lake.
They both made their way down to the shore, towards the fallen tree where Penny was sat with her feet dangling into the cold water. Minerva gave an audible sigh of relief as she rushed over to her and embraced her niece tightly.
Dumbledore stood back from them and smiled when he saw his friend's reaction. He had noticed quite a change in Minerva's persona in recent months; her relationship with her great niece was changing and in turn it was changing her. She was more maternal now than he'd ever seen her.
'Penelope don't you ever do that again!' She said sternly, but she wasn't angry, just incredibly relieved.
'Sorry Aunt Minerva, I didn't realise you were out yet, or looking for me.' Penny replied quietly, her voice muffled slightly further by her aunt's robes.
Minerva sat next to Penny on the tree trunk and looked out on to the lake. It was another glorious day in the late autumn sun. She put her arms around Penny and held her close, afraid to let her go. Neither said anything for a while, they just sat in deep contemplation and were so caught up in their thoughts that neither saw Dumbledore leave. Eventually Penny was the one to break the silence.
'I'm sorry I frightened you Aunt Minerva, I didn't mean to. I just wanted to be alone. I've been thinking a lot about this Angel thing and about being dead, and…well…I still don't know how I feel about it; but I'm glad I've still got you Aunt Minerva.' She said with a tear in her eye.
'I'll always be with you Penny.' Minerva replied quietly and started when she heard a voice behind them.
'And me.' The voice said.
It was a female voice Penny had never heard before and one Minerva hadn't heard in a long time. The young woman standing behind them had been watching them for some time. She had long strawberry blonde hair, bright blue eyes and pale skin. She was wearing long light blue robes, with long flowing sleeves. She was corporeal but had a certain glow about her.
Although Penny had never seen her in person, there was no denying who the new arrival was, for Jenny and Penny were the absolute images of each other.
'Mum?' Penny whispered in complete disbelief.
'That's right Penny.' Jenny replied softly.
'I don't understand Jenny.' Minerva said.
'It's alright Aunt Minerva, you don't have to. Not yet anyway. For now I hope it's just enough that you can both see me. Magic works in very mysterious ways Penny and there's always a reason for everything. I know that recent events have been difficult for you, for both of you, but Penny I'm so proud of you, by beautiful baby girl. What I wouldn't give to be able to be with you properly.' Jenny replied sadly as she moved over beside them and ran her fingers through Penny's hair.
'You mean you're not staying?' Penny replied.
'No sweetheart, I don't belong to this world anymore; but you do. You might not be able to understand the purpose of your death now, you're just a child for heaven's sake, but know this: Although you may have lost your life before you had even entered this world, you have been given a second chance and a great gift. Don't try focusing on something you can't explain or understand now, it'll only consume you, but focus on what you do know.'
Penny looked up at her mother and felt as if her burdens were all being lifted at once, as if, somehow, the words her mother were speaking were taking away all her worries and pain. Although she didn't understand it all, she realised that that was alright, just like Jenny said. Whilst she might have died with her mother, she was there now, learning like everyone else her age, getting into trouble like everyone else her age and surrounded by people who loved her like everyone else her age. In affect she was living the life she was always destined to live and that was all that was important.
'You've got a great life ahead of you Penny, just trust in that and trust that, no matter what, I will always be with you. Look after each other and be safe.' Jenny said as she kissed her daughter's forehead and hugged her aunt closely, before disappearing in a bright white light.
Minerva looked at the spot where her niece had just disappeared and then down at her great niece who was still resting in her arms. They both had tears in their eyes but felt at peace.
The last few months had been an emotional time for them both and certainly not an experience either of them would be quick to relive, but they had each other which had taught them both that so long as they had that, they had everything they'd ever need.
Minerva thought about how she'd felt so alone all those months ago and how pained it had made her for years, but now that she had Penny permanently in her life, she was never going to be alone again.