Filius and Pomona drew next to their friend who was speaking with Galinda and Fredrick Masterson about how their daughter was killed; and Pomona involuntarily squeezed her husband's hand for comfort at Galinda's harsh tone.

"Mitchell will not be attending Hogwarts next year, as we will not send another one of our children to an institution that encouraged underage children permission to engage in a war that was beyond their grasp."

Minerva didn't blink an eye as she met the furious, pain filled gaze. "I am quite sorry to hear that Mitchell will not be rejoining us next year; he has a bright future…"

A loud crack resonated outward, and it was Pomona's turn to stop Filius as the remaining witches and wizards stared wide-eyed at the grieving mother who had just slapped…Minerva McGonagall across her cheek. "Marion did to." She choked out. "Until you let her believe she was capable of stopping Death Eaters."

"The first casualty in any war; is the loss of innocence and the death of our youth; because they still harbor hope and believe in the possibility of goodness and the foolish notion of invincibility. And as the war ravages onward, that innocence is stripped away; leaving only a handful of people who remain embolden for what they believe in; and that takes a tremendous amount of bravery. A quality your daughter possessed by volunteering to help our younger students flee to safety as the Professors were busy engaging the Death Eaters on the front lawns. Your daughter was killed by a Death Eater that broke through our lines, after the death of my colleague, Aurora Sinistra. She battled the wizard, protecting her fellow classmates and saving a young first year, Sarah Evans by using her body to shield hers from the Avada Kedarva curse. I am truly sorry for your loss Mr. and Mrs. Masterson and can honestly say that if it were within my power, I would trade places for any one of my students if it meant that they would be afforded another chance at life." Minerva delicately reached into her robes, pulling a folded piece of parchment out and handing it forward. Emerald eyes unwilling to permit Galinda to glance away from her. "Mrs. Evans asked that I give you this; as she is with her daughter at St. Mungos."

Tentatively, Galinda reached out; her voice matching the aghast expression upon her face. "I…am….I didn't know."

"I am truly sorry, and I wish both of you and young Mr. Masterson a safe year. Good day." Minerva turned away; only to feel the presence of her two colleagues trailing beside her.

"Are you alright?" Pomona asked as they stepped farther away, her brown eyes scanning Minerva's face; easily able to ascertain where Mrs. Masterson had struck her. The hand print a stark contrast to her normally light complexion.

"Fine." Minerva stated as they continued to glide away from the handful of remaining guests. Only three more… She silently thought before turning to the stout witch. "And nothing that a glamour charm won't cover for the rest of the day."

"Minerva," Filius' small hand resting and subsequently halting his far taller colleagues brisk walk. "That is not what Pomona was referring to, as you well know."

Rays of the morning's light cascaded across her marred cheek as she tipped her head, eyes carefully guarded. "I am aware, my friend. And I am fine. She is in pain and trying to understand how her only daughter was ripped from her life and wishes to affix blame."

"She cannot think that you or any of the Professor's are responsible for her daughter's death…" Pomona began, but Minerva's piercing stare brought a halt to her rebuttal.

Minerva buried her own thoughts on the subject, for she had three more obligatory funerals to attend; and instead stated what she needed to, helping to begin the healing process for her two dear friends. "We did what we needed to do to protect all of our students and as much as we wish we could have saved them all; it was beyond our ability. Anyone's for that matter."

Xoxo

A/N: Well…here's another morsel. Hope you enjoyed…