Minerva watched the clusters of seventh- and eighth-year students scattered around the four tables in the Great Hall on the first day back to classes and sighed. It was as powerful a proof of the possibility of inter-house unity as anyone could have ever fathomed, and she wistfully thought of Albus. He would have loved to see the survivors of the war transcending the lines of their Hogwarts houses, their family expectations, and the purity of their bloodlines.
Of course, if she were being honest with herself, the sight was a bit…unnerving in ways. Her eyes were drawn to the Gryffindor table where the largest cluster of adult students were gathered. Blaise Zabini sat so closely to Ginny Weasley that the witch was nearly in his lap. Ron Weasley was next to his sister, one arm thrown possessively across Pansy Parkinson's shoulders while his other hand idly rubbed over her as-of-yet-undetectable baby bump. Daphne Greengrass sat with an indulgent smile on her face as she stared intently at Neville Longbottom, who was explaining something to her in a very animated fashion, arms flailing as he talked. Harry Potter sat beside Tracey Davis and while the two were the least overt in their affections, she could see their hands clasped tightly together as they rested on the tabletop. Hermione Granger's head was thrown back as she laughed at something Mr Zabini had said, and Draco Malfoy sat beside her with an indolent smirk on his face and his hand pressed firmly to the small of Hermione's back.
Her eyes narrowed as she watched the last couple closely. Minerva had been following the Daily Prophet closely since the bombshell that had been dropped on Wizarding Britain at the Malfoy's New Year's Eve Ball, and she was well aware of what had happened at the most recent Malfoy Manor gathering.
While parents were not supposed to have favorite children, teachers most definitely had favorites…and Hermione had long been Minerva's. She knew the witch probably better than anyone other than Harry and Ron – and perhaps now Draco – ever had. She certainly knew the witch better than the dunderheads at the Ministry who had decided on this cursed Alpha/Omega awakening scheme. She had known the second that she had been informed that Hermione would take grave offense to their audacity. If the fools had really believed that they would get away with their actions without consequences, they had clearly forgotten who they were dealing with.
She was proud that Hermione had gotten her revenge upon the Ministry. The government was now looked upon with scorn by almost the entirety of the wizarding population. She had a feeling niggling at the back of her mind, however, that Hermione wasn't satisfied yet.
She began watching the students even more closely than she had all year. She had been monitoring them for any potential adverse reactions or responses to their newly awakened selves. Now, however, she looked deeper. While the couples that were nearly inseparable as they roamed the halls seemed content with the way things turned out, she saw flickers of resentment occasionally in a pair of eyes when she swept over her students faces during classes.
The most notable was Hermione. The witch had always been somewhat of an open book. Oh, she could most certainly hide her intentions as well as any other student, and Minerva knew just how often she had successfully lied or deflected attention to keep herself and the boys – mostly the boys – out of trouble. But Hermione had always been open and honest and easy-going. Now, however…when Minerva looked into those familiar brown eyes, she saw determination and a razor-sharp edge. There was a hint of ruthlessness about her mouth when she smirked in a way that was so reminiscent of Draco Malfoy that it was a bit eerie at times.
The witch was up to something, Minerva was certain. She just…wasn't sure what it was, exactly.
She decided to keep an even closer eye on Hermione. The witch had a bright future ahead of her…could easily become the Minister for Magic by the time she was twenty-five if she stayed the course. The public already adored her, it would take near to no prodding to get them to elect her to the office. However, her plans for revenge could easily take her down as well.
After all, the first head of the school for magic in China had said it best:
Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.
Minerva only hoped that the girl she loved like a daughter didn't find herself buried along with those she sought to destroy.
Okay, so I know this one was super short! I'm going to try to get another proper chapter out sometime Saturday or Sunday...I don't want you all to feel like I'm holding back on you! LOL
I sat down to write, and Minerva just starting flowing onto the page, so I had to let her take the lead just for a bit. Hopefully you all enjoyed a bit of a perspective from someone who isn't so intricately involved in what the Ministry did, just to get a bit of an outside perspective of how things are going between all of our couples at school!
See you all again later this weekend!
*Mwah!*
P.S. Extra hugs and smooches to all of you amazing readers for continuing to leave comments and likes, as well as favoriting and following the fic! You all are the absolute bee's knees! ;)
And the quote was said by Confucius (I did indeed make him a wizard for this fic...just because I can LOL)
