A/N: First and foremost, thank you all SO much for the reviews. I'm absolutely thrilled that you are enjoying my story so much, and that "Mary" has been charming the pants off of all of you. She's charmed me as well. :-) In this chapter-a few blush worthy moments, an introduction to that famous Scottish tempers, and some news regarding Minerva's "Ailment". I hope you enjoy!
Minerva found herself smiling as the alarm sounded the following morning. Odd, considering that the two women had gone to bed only five hours before, yet something about their adventure had awakened something in her.
She moved quickly from the bed, gathering up her uniform pieces before calling to Hermione, "Mind if I use the bathroom first?" With a tired groan of agreement, Minerva disappeared into the bathroom. Apparently Hermione hadn't felt quite as well rested as she did.
Taking a brief shower, Minerva found herself momentarily shocked by her own appearance. While she certainly wasn't one to moon over her own looks, she hadn't actually had a good look at her body, and was stunned by how different she looked. Not a single wrinkle. Her skin was firm and tight against her fairly toned body.
"Eighteen years old," she whispered to herself, shaking her head slightly. All of this was absolutely unbelievable.
Stepping out of the shower she dressed quickly and, after casting a quick drying charm, took a brush to her long hair. She smiled to herself, that was one part of her which was entirely familiar.
Despite her age, her hair had never turned the expected grey—not yet at least. So her long dark hair looked just like it had any other morning. Running her hand through it, she felt like herself. You can do this, Minerva. Just stop worrying and enjoy the moment's while you have them. She nodded slightly at her reflection before leaving the bathroom.
She entered the room, and jumped quickly, turning around to return to the bathroom. "I'm sorry," Hermione squealed, "I thought you would be in the bathroom longer. All of the other girls always took ages."
"It's fine," Minerva answered, hands in the air, her face blushing darkly. She had walked in on Hermione getting dressed, and had seen far more than is appropriate for a professor to see of their student. She's not your student now, Minerva. That didn't matter though, she still deserved her privacy, and she certainly didn't deserve to have her roommate ogling her naked body.
"I'm dressed now," Hermione said softly, and Minerva turned around. Hermione's scarlet face matched Minerva's and she couldn't help but laugh slightly.
"I really am sorry, Hermione. I'm sure we'll figure out each other's routines soon enough."
Hermione shrugged, "It takes time. I was mostly surprised. I really shouldn't be so bashful. You would think that six years with my dorm mates and a year in a tent with two boys would have taken that away."
Minerva shook her head as she sat on her bed, carefully braiding her hair, "You shouldn't let that be taken away, privacy is important, and people should only be able to enter that sphere of your life when you choose to grant them access, never before."
Hermione laughed softly, "You and I really do think so very alike, Mary."
Minerva smiled to herself, "So, what classes do we have today?"
"Double potions, first thing. Then Charms and History of Magic in the afternoon. I have Muggle Studies and Care of Magical Creatures, after potions, but you should have a free period at that point," Hermione recited quickly, looking over at Minerva she must have noticed the greenish tint on her face. "What's the matter?"
"Potions," Minerva answered quickly, "I've never been very good at potions, and recently I've found myself rather—averse to the whole subject. I had hoped to start my first day on a more pleasant note."
"I wouldn't worry," Hermione consoled, "Snape isn't nearly as bad as most of the students make him out to be, as long as you follow his class rules, and I'll help you out as much as I can."
"I'm sure it will be fine, just a bit nervous," Minerva answered with a small smile, but inside she was in a panic. Severus would know who she was, and would be forced to treat her like any other student. That was a terrifying prospect in itself, she was fully aware of how he treated his Gryfindor students—something they had argued over endlessly.
And she wasn't exaggerating when she told Hermione of her difficulties with potions. She had never understood why an area which came so easily to some people was entirely lost on her. She had only barely passed her own Potion's Newt; she didn't look forward to trying to pass again. And on top of all of that, she didn't want anything to do with any potions after her own recent misfortune.
This morning would certainly live up to its Monday morning reputation. Groaning, she shoved her books into her bag and followed Hermione half-heartedly out of their dorm.
After a short breakfast, Hermione, Harry, and Minerva arrived at the Potions classroom. Harry quickly took his seat in the back of the classroom, and Hermione stopped briefly next to him. "Harry, would you mind terribly if I partner with Mary today?"
Harry just shrugged, "Don't worry about it Hermione, I'll pair up with Dean as long as you want."
"Thanks, Harry," she replied with a smile, and took Mary's hand, pulling her towards the front of the class. "Sorry, Mary, but the only free workspace is in the front."
Minerva nodded lightly as she followed the Gryffindor, "Hermione, I don't know that you want to be paired, with me, really. I don't want to damage your grades."
Hermione smiled widely, "Don't worry so much, I've been Neville's partner for years now, and even that couldn't give Professor Snape an excuse to give me anything less than an A. I do perfect work, and he can't argue it."
"Ah, Miss Granger. Mistaken again, I see," a deep voice rumbled from the back of the classroom, "10 points from Gryffindor for exceptional arrogance."
The Slytherin's across the aisle smirked obviously as Hermione blushed, "That's entirely uncalled for; she was having a private conversation which in no way invited your commentary!" Minerva snapped unthinkingly.
Hermione gasped, eyes wide, and Minerva blushed deeply, inwardly chastising herself for her temper.
"Ah, Miss. McSweeney, if I'm not mistaken. It's good to see that you are fitting in so very well with your fellow Gryfindors. 50 points for talking back to a professor, and detention this evening, 8:00."
Minerva began to reply when Hermione grabbed her knee desperately, she bit her lip and took a breath. "Yes sir, my apologies," she said, her words sounding strangled even to her.
Severus simply raised an eyebrow at her, and she stared back defiantly.
"Today we will be brewing Amortentia. This potion is fairly simple to brew, exceptionally illegal to use, dangerous to injest, and completely frivolous in nature—yet the Ministry insists it is necessary to your education. Who can tell me the purpose of Amortentia?"
Hermione's hand darted into the air, causing Minerva to chuckle slightly, "Anyone?" Severus asked, scanning the group. "Amortentia is, most simply, categorized as a love potion. Can anyone tell me why this is considered illegal?"
Again Hermione's hand rose without hesitation, and again Severus ignored her. Minerva furrowed her eyebrows; this was no way to teach. She raised her own hand, and he glared towards her, "Miss. McSweeney."
"It can be used as a method for committing date rape, as well as being dangerous to the person who is the target of such infatuation. There are several recorded incidents of Amortentia drugging which ended in rape, murder, and even arson," she answered clearly, adding as an afterthought, "Though I believe Hermione had her hand up first."
Snape frowned ever so slightly deeper. Waiving his wand, the instructions appeared on the board behind him. "Each student will submit a completed potion at the end of class. If you do not submit a completed potion, you will fail. If I catch anyone taking potion with them, I will alert the Ministry and legal ramifications will follow. Begin."
Minerva shook her head as she began gathering her supplies. She had always heard her Gryffindors complain, but she never thought he was this unfair to the students. He didn't leave room for questions, didn't encourage those students who had completed the assigned reading, and was blatantly rude to several of his least favorite Gryffindors. She would certainly be having words with him this evening.
"Mary," Hermione whispered towards her, "You need to crush those scales before you add them—it says in the instructions."
"Oh," Minerva said, blushing darkly. "I skipped that step. Thank you."
Hermione nodded, and Minerva found herself looking at the woman curiously, "Are you alright Hermione? You seem rather…different."
"I'm fine," she whispered back, "It's just best to stay quiet in here, I should have warned you earlier. He will take points for anything which he can—and often times things he can't. The class isn't so bad once you've grown accustomed to it, and he's a very talented potions master—but you still have to be careful."
Minerva nodded silently as she crushed the scales.
"I'm sorry he gave you detention," Hermione said quietly, "But thank you for defending me, it was kind of you."
Minerva smiled softly, "It was the right thing to do."
Hermione sighed to herself, "Just, don't do it again, please. Trust me; it's more trouble for you than it's worth."
Minerva looked at her again, what on earth had Severus done to the poor girl? A loud noise from the back of the classroom drew Minerva from her train of thought. Looking back she saw a red faced Harry, drenched in lavender potion.
"Mister Potter, how, may I ask, did you manage to score an Acceptable and join this class if you can't even manage to brew the most simple of potions?"
"Sir," Harry attempted to interrupt.
"You will receive a failing mark for your potions today, and 10 points from Gryffindor for vandalizing my classroom," he snarled.
"Sir, it wasn't my fault. Robby McNulty threw in three extra scales—uncrushed. That's why my potion exploded," Harry explained desperately.
"Your evidence?"
Dean Thomas piped in, "I saw him sir."
"Unfortunately, rumors do little to prove guilt or innocence, Mister Potter. You should know that."
Severus slithered back to the front of the classroom, leaving Harry to wash the potion off of himself, and hope that no damage had been done to his person. Minerva frowned again.
"Mary," Hermione was whispering desperately, and Minerva looked back quickly. "If you don't add the essence of rose quickly, your potion will be ruined."
Minerva jumped, adding the three drops immediately. Turning to thank Hermione she heard the voice from over her head, and cringed. "Miss Granger, once again I have caught you cheating in class. And once again I am forced to expel you from this period. You will receive a zero for your potion."
"Please, sir," Hermione tried, but he interrupted her much as he had Harry.
"Be thankful I'm not giving you detention, Miss. Granger."
She nodded stiffly and packed her belongings, escaping through the door quickly. Minerva glared at Severus, entirely unimpressed with his teaching style. Not even allowing students to help each other as they work? That was entirely unnecesarry.
"Professor," she called quietly, he looked back at her. "She had already perfected the potion before leaving, would you like it?"
Severus sneered at her, "No, Miss. McSweeney. I have no need of it."
Minerva shook her head disapprovingly, but continued with her potion. She finished slightly before the end of class, and exited the room quietly, hurrying towards the library. She hoped to find Hermione there, and make sure she was alright.
Hermione sat coldly on the bottom step to the dungeons, patiently waiting for Mary to finish. She may have been entirely humiliated, but that wouldn't stop her from keeping her promise to Mary.
Mary.
That girl was—different. Hermione didn't know another word for it. She seemed to have all of the same bookish tendencies as Hermione, but also an unexpected love for Quidditch, an uncontrollably tempermental tongue, and desire for adventure incredibly similar to Hermione's own.
If Hermione didn't know any better, she would think they were related.
Hermione was humiliated to have been kicked out of class—again. But she couldn't stop the small smile that Mary's defense brought to her face. As much as she didn't want the new student to get in trouble, she appreciated that someone seemed moved by the unjust treatment. Even her closest friends didn't defend her like that most of the time.
She smiled slightly and shook her head; it wouldn't do for her to obsess over the girl, that didn't make for great friendships. Pulling out her transfiguration text book, Hermione began to read.
She was so enveloped in her studies, that she didn't even hear Mary approach. "Hermione?" she called and Hemrione jumped.
"Mary, you made it out!"
Mary nodded, "I wasn't expecting to find you here. I was actually going to go look for you—try and find the library," she smiled.
"I thought I would wait for you, I did promise to show you around, I couldn't leave you stranded in the dungeons," Hermione blushed.
"Thanks," she replied, holding out a hand to help Hermione up. Starting up the staircase, Mary sighed heavily, "I'm sorry that I got you into trouble. I should have been paying closer attention."
Hermione just shrugged, "I could have kept my mouth shut. I'm the only one who is in control of what I do. And while I happily obey all of Professor Snape's other rules, I actively disobey that one regularly. None of his students are going to learn anything if someone isn't willing to teach them. He teaches the Slytherins, and I teach the Gryffindors. We may all fail his class, but I am getting an O on my Potions Newt, and I know it. So really, he can't hurt me all that much."
Mary nodded, "It isn't right, the way he teaches that class. I had no idea it was that bad."
Hermione laughed, "How could you have? Most of the time, the rumors students spread about Professors is bullocks. Snape is just a rare exception to that rule."
"If it makes you feel any better, your potion came out perfectly. As did mine, with your help," Mary told her gratefully.
Hermione grinned widely, "That does make me feel better. Though I had hoped to smell mine, apparently the potion smells differently to everyone, and I was curious."
Mary smiled, "Mine smelled of parchment, thick wool, and something unidentifiably outdoorsy."
They reached the library, and Hermione stopped. "I have to head to Care of Magical Creatures, but I figured you would want to get to know the library sooner or later. And your study hall will be in here anyways."
"Thank you, Hermione. I really do appreciate all of your help."
Hermione smiled, "You should have Harry and Ron in your study hall next period. I'll see you at lunch?"
Mary nodded, and waived as she walked into the library. She disappeared into the stacks, and Hermione took off sprinting in the opposite direction. Glancing at her watch she saw that she only had five minutes to get out to Hagrid's for class.
She knew that she should have just given Mary directions, but she so enjoyed talking to her. As much as she adored her boys, it was nice to have someone else to talk to for a change. As she skidded to a halt at Hagrid's hut, he nodded at her in greeting, "Sorry, I'm late, Hagrid—er—Professor Hagrid."
He grinned widely, "Not a problem Hermione. I know you've been helping the newest student, so don't worry about it."
"Thanks." Hermione sighed. It would be nice to go to Hagrid's after her double potions, refresh her for the rest of the day. She wandered towards where Harry and Ron were standing, "Hey guys," she smiled.
Harry gave her a hug immediately, "Are you okay? Snape is a slimey bastard; he shouldn't have kicked you out."
Hermione just shrugged as Ron gaped, "He kicked you out again? Damn, Mione. You're breaking some sort of record now."
"Harry you shouldn't call him that, you could get in trouble. But yes, I got kicked out again. I couldn't help it though; I couldn't just leave Mary to flounder on her first day. I think she was a bit distracted by Snape's teaching methods."
"Nice how she stood up for you, wasn't it?" Harry said with a smile. "I think she'll fit in just fine in the tower."
Ron balked at the two of them, "Hold up a moment, shy, stares-at-her-feet, new-girl, Mary took on the Bat of the dungeons?"
Hermione laughed quietly, "Yea, she told him that taking points away from me was uncalled for."
"And, in a very polite way, that he should keep his abnormally large nose out of other people's business," Harry added.
"She didn't say anything about his nose," Hermione giggled. "She's far too polite for that."
"Is she now?" Harry asked, "She didn't seem quite so polite when she was sarcastically asking him if he would like your perfectly completed potion or not."
"She did what?!" Hermione squeaked.
"You left the room, and she bottled up your potion for you. Asked the greasy git if he would like it, seeing as you had completed it perfectly and all," Harry said with a grin.
Ron laughed loudly and applauded, "Oh I like her. She's like you, Mione, but more willing to mouth off to Snape."
"Did she get in a lot of trouble?" Hermione asked.
Harry just shrugged, "He seemed to let it go, but then again, she already has detention tonight, and lost 50 points."
"Ouch," Ron said with a frown.
"Oh!" Hermione remembered, "Harry, have you held Quidditch try-outs yet?"
Harry looked at her confusedly, "No, they're next Saturday… why? Suddenly catching the Quiditch bug, Mione?"
"No thank you," she laughed, "I took Mary flying last night, and she's spectacular. As good as you, if not better. You should have her try out; you need a new chaser, right?"
"We do," he answered, glancing at Ron unsurely, "But I don't know, Hermione. Quidditch can be a rough game; it isn't really a bookworm's sport."
"Harry, trust me. I know I don't love Quidditch, but I've been hanging out with you two for long enough that I know real talent when I see it. That girl is good. She took a running dive off of the Professors Stands, and then jumped on her broom about 10 feet from the ground. She was doing dives that I've never seen you do, and she did them on a Cleansweep."
Ron's eyebrows shot up, "Wow."
"Just get her to try-out, Harry. You won't regret it."
"Wait, wait, wait," Ron interrupted, suddenly catching up with the conversation, "Did you say you took her flying last night?"
Hermione blushed darkly and chuckled, "Yea—we couldn't sleep, so we went for an adventure. She even got me on a broom."
Harry laughed loudly while Ron just gaped, "We've been trying to do that for seven years, what did she do?"
Hermione just smiled mischievously, "Well she didn't take off as high and fast as she could go, that's for sure. She just took me for a fly over the lake. I'm still petrified, but it wasn't so bad."
"Alright," Harry said, "This girl is obviously something different; I'll give her a try out."
"Oh thank you, Harry. It would make her so happy, I just know it."
"Absolutely not," she said without a hint of hesitation.
"What?" Harry asked, confused.
"I'm not trying out for Quidditch, it would be a terrible idea," Minerva said firmly.
Ron frowned, "But Hermione said—"
"Well Hermione was incorrect, obviously," Minerva interrupted, her mouth a thin line of disapproval. Hermione had somehow gotten it into her head that Mary should try out for the Quidditch team, and convinced Harry and Ron to give her a try-out.
As much as Minerva may have loved to play again, her time for that had passed, and there was no use focusing on it. She would just be heartbroken all over again when she reclaimed her previous crippled age. Besides, the Gryffindor team would be in trouble if their Chaser just disappeared midway through the season, which would likely happen when she was cured.
No. Going flying with Hermione was one thing, and she could even allow herself to make some friends, but Quidditch was something else entirely. She simply couldn't do it.
"Are you sure?" Ron asked, disappointed.
"Yes," Minerva answered, apologetically. "I really am sorry, guys. I just have to focus on my studies. But if you ever want to play a game or go flying, or something, let me know." There, that should satisfy them; it sounded quite Hermione-like, and offered an olive branch.
Surely an afternoon flying with friends would be alright, that wouldn't be as much of a problem.
Ron grinned, "That sounds brilliant!"
Harry smiled less enthusiastically, "Alright, if you're sure. But if you change your mind, let me know. And you've got to show us that dive."
Minerva's face turned scarlet, "She told you about that?"
"Of course!" Ron exclaimed, "She couldn't not tell us about that, now could she?"
"I suppose not," Minerva said with a soft smile.
The rest of the day passed with little excitement. Professor Flitwick had recognized her right away, but had held his tongue, and Professor Bins was entirely oblivious.
Minerva quickly settled in to her old know-it-all lifestyle, giving Hermione a run for her money in answering questions. Minerva was mildly aggravated with herself, as she had long ago taken control of that particular sect of her personality, but her aggravation did nothing to stop her hand from automatically raising at the sound of a question.
Still, she was able to earn back the points she had lost in potions, so that was something.
Hermione had tried to talk to her about Quidditch at dinner, but Minerva had completely avoided her attempts, and had hurried away afterwards for her detention. She didn't know how to explain her hesitation to Hermione, and knew that she would have to come up with some lie—but she didn't want to worry about it right now. Right now, she had something else entirely to focus on, and that was the teaching methods of a man who was previously her employee.
She entered the classroom with her head held high, and her hair pulled back. Something about it made her feel far more in control and like her old self.
She found the professor bent over a notebook at his desk, and was relieved to see that she was the only student in detention tonight.
"Severus," she greeted sternly, pulling a chair up to his desk, and taking a seat.
"Mary," he said with a smirk.
"I think we need to have a conversation," she said sternly, causing him to roll his eyes.
"I think you need to get to work cleaning out those cauldrons, by hand."
Her eyes flared open, "How dare you? You think that because of a silly potions accident you have the right to treat me like a child? I may be eighteen again, but I could still kick your ass in a duel Severus Snape, and I could still file a formal complaint to Albus."
"I'm so sorry, Minerva. I was under the impression that you were my student for the time being, and that I should treat you the same as the rest of them, perhaps I was mistaken," he sneered. "You openly disrespected me in class today—had it been Granger who had said those things I would have given her a week of detention. My respect for you made it only a night."
"You can give me as many detentions as you want, Severus, but as long as I am here alone, I will not be performing any tasks you assign me," Minerva snapped, "As for disrespecting you, I apologize. When I spoke my mind I didn't realize quite how closed off your teaching methods are. Otherwise I surely would have been more polite."
"Minerva," he argued, "This is my classroom, and as such it is my decision how I teach in it."
"Perhaps, but if you continue teaching like that, you will no longer be in charge of that classroom, Severus."
He glared at her, "I wasn't aware that you had the right to do that."
"I have every right to report exactly what I've observed to Professor Dumbledore," she answered quietly. "Severus, I understand that you dislike teaching. I understand that you are frustrated by the students, and that you are unhappy. But there is a reason why most students are forced to take Potions all seven years. It is necessary in nearly every branch of our society, and these students must have that skill. You are the most talented Potions Master that our world has seen in many a decade, but your closed off attitude and fear tactics are crippling your ability to share it with those students.
"Do you realize, that Hermione Granger has been teaching all of your Gryffindor students for years now? That is the only reason they have managed to pass their OWL and NEWT examinations! That isn't acceptable as a professor at this school," she said carefully. She didn't want to argue with him, but he needed to understand.
"That girl could brew a perfect batch of Polyjuice Potion in a toilet in her second year. Don't you think that your time as a teacher could have been better spent nurturing that gift, rather than insulting her into submission? You have several students like that, and you are wasting them Severus.
"I may be in the body of an eighteen year old again, but I'm still me. And you must know that I will spend the rest of my time here in detention with you, if I must. But I will not sit by and let you harass the students of this school. I made an oath to protect them, and I will do that—even if it is from you," she finished.
"Minerva, you know I respect you, but I cannot treat you any differently from any of the rest of the Gryffindors," he said after a moment, he almost looked sorry.
"I don't want you to treat me any differently from the rest of the Gryffindors. I want you to treat all of your students differently," she said simply.
"Minerva—"
"Severus! You have no reason to be such a curmudgeonly old badger anymore!" She exclaimed, "Goodness man, if you don't want to teach, don't. Merlin knows you have more Galleons than you can spend. You have no reason to torment anyone. Voldemort is dead; you've been hailed as a hero, move on with your life and buy something in a color other than black!"
He just sighed heavily, rubbing his temples as if she had given him a headache.
"I hearby declare this detention finished. I'll be sure to look effectively chastised when I return to the tower," she said finally.
"Wait, Minerva, I did have a matter which required discussing," he called, stopping her at the door. "It's about your accident."
"What do you know," she asked quietly, returning to her seat next to his desk. He sighed, having apparently decided to ignore their argument for the time being.
"The Weasely twins, as much as they annoy me, have created a flawless potion. They have literally discovered the fountain of youth. Unfortunately, that is not something which can be shared with the world; it would be far too dangerous. Over the last week, we have worked tirelessly to modify the potion and they have succeeded in limiting how long it will be effective. The problem is, you have already been dosed with the full strength potion."
"I'm aware," Minerva said tiredly, "Do you have anything new?"
"Minerva, we are going to continue looking for a way to fix this, but—it doesn't look optimistic. You have been turned eighteen again entirely. You're not a sixty year old in an eighteen year old body—you are eighteen."
"I know this, Severus. But how do I fix it?" Minerva asked desperately.
Severus closed his eyes in frustration, "The only cure we know of is a toxic amount of aging potion. You have lost too many years. If we doused you with enough potion to bring you to your previous age, your body would go into shock and shut down. We could bring you to thirty without killing you, but even that would likely cause serious internal damage. The oldest we could make you, according to research, without damaging you at all, would be 24 years old."
Minerva sat back heavily. "There's nothing we can do?" she whispered, and Severus sighed.
"I don't think so, I'm sorry, Minerva. Despite our disagreements, you certainly don't deserve this," he said sympathetically. "I'm going to continue researching it, see if I can invent any sort of solution, but there doesn't seem to be much research to go off of."
Minerva nodded numbly, "I'm going to go, Severus. Thank you for your attempts."
"Minerva, do you need me to accompany you? Are you sure you'll be alright?" He offered, and she shook her head.
"I"ll be fine, Severus. I've lived here most of my life."
She stood from her chair and made her way to the hall, closing the door swiftly behind her. She took a quivering breath, willing herself to leave all the panic behind her. As she walked blindly back to the Gryffindor tower, she listened to the quiet humming voice in the back of her mind, trying to persuade her.
You are Minerva McGonagall.
You are eighteen years old.
You do not have panic attacks.
You can do this.
Thanks for reading! Please shoot me a review if you have the time, and tune in for the next Chapter!