A/N: Okay, so I had intended to get Mothers done before I uploaded this, BUT, evidently I haven't. I'd already written this. Not much going on, other than more people need to go and like my Facebook page. Just add (slash)EmPoweredBeingsFanFiction to the end of the Facebook address and you'll be set ;)
Spin, as usual, has outdone herself. She's awesome, so make sure you all thank her!
That's really all I have today :D Peace out kids :D
-0-
Minerva McGonagall had always prided herself on being a devout Gryffindor. However, whatever banshee had secreted its way into her rooms in the middle of the night drew her from her bed with a yowl not unlike the one she made as a cat when someone stood on her tail. By the time she realised what was happening she was backed into a corner, her wand at the ready and her brain ready to suggest a multitude of spells capable of dealing with any number of foes.
And then she realised what the noise was.
"Oh!"
She moved towards the cot, cooing and clucking as she pondered how to get the flailing, screaming child from the cradle and into her arms. Rolling her eyes at herself, she took a deep breath and leaned over the bars, sliding one had under the little one's head and one under it's back.
"Easy little one, I have you," she said gently, as she carefully lifted the baby from the cot. "There now, I have you baby," she repeated quietly, wandering slowly over to the bed and sitting down while trying to rearrange her arms around the still wailing child. "There, there. What is it, what's wrong?"
She didn't really notice herself talking, she only knew that she had definitely had enough of the screaming. Remembering what had happened the night before, she offered the little girl her knuckle to suck on for a while, but that didn't work. Frowning, she simply stared at the child, wishing she could read her mind.
"Oh!"
Patting her padded bottom, Minerva suddenly remembered the other reason babies cried and she swallowed nervously.
"All right baby, let's see what we can do about this, shall we?"
Minerva once again carefully stood from her bed and walked into the bathroom, standing for a moment looking at the gleaming surfaces of the room and trying to make her slightly fuzzy brain work on what she needed.
"Right, this is what we're going to do," she said, rocking the little girl gently. "You are going to lay here for just one moment, while I work out where we are going to do this." Minerva placed the baby down on the floor and took out her wand, making the bench a little longer and a little more practical. Concentrating hard, she made sure to Transfigure everything she needed in order to change a nappy and sighed, looking down at the still crying baby.
"Come on then," she said quietly, smiling slightly as the little hand curled around her nightdress. "Let's give this a go."
Minerva was quite sure she had never done a more shocking job of anything she had turned her hand to once she had eventually managed to get the baby cleaned up and into a new nappy. She'd washed her hands three times and could finally ignore the baby's cries no longer.
"Easy, little one. Easy," she said tiredly. "T'will be all right," she murmured through a yawn, sitting against the headboard and leaning the baby between her knees and chest. "Are you hungry now?"
There was something primal about watching a child feed. Minerva was fascinated by those little lips wrapped around the teat of the bottle, sucking strongly.
"How could anyone let you go?" she asked aloud, starting when the little girl's eyes fastened onto hers. She smiled as she stopped feeding and simply looked up at her, her little mouth opening in a toothless grin as she waved her arms up at Minerva's face.
Glancing over at the clock she sighed, knowing that she would have to go to sleep, despite wanting to stay awake.
"You, little lady, will have to go back to your own bed, I have to get up early in the morning."
Minerva managed to slide off the bed and walk over to the cot, still rocking her gently, trying to lull them both into a sleepier mood. It didn't take long before the clean nappy, full tummy and warm arms started to take an effect, and those little brown eyes started to close. Minerva stood rocking her for another ten minutes before finally admitting to herself that she could no longer stand up without falling asleep. She placed the baby in the cot, stroking it's cheek gently with her finger before snuggling back into her own bed with a smile on her face.
-0-
Minerva blinked, wondering why she had awoken so shortly after falling asleep before realising that she had in fact slept in. Frowning, she checked and double checked the time before peeking at the still sleeping baby and completing her morning ablutions. By the time she stepped out of the bathroom the little one was awake and looking around the room in interest. She stood watching as the child waved her arms around and kicked her feet out in apparent excitement when she finally caught a glimpse of the Headmistress.
"Hello, baby love," she said, scooping said child into her embrace far easier in the morning light. She pressed a kiss against the velvety skin of the baby's forehead, nuzzling the tufts of auburn hair and smiling at the clean smell of baby. "Let's get you ready for breakfast, hmm?"
She wasn't sure when she had become so easy in the company of this child that she had simply started talking, but she no longer felt silly when she did. It felt right, as if the baby wanted to hear her voice. She shook her head at the absurdity of the situation as she perused the choice of clothes Poppy had sent in the box of sundry items.
"I think we can do much better than these gaudy outfits, don't you precious?" Holding up a pink romper suit Minerva tsked, waving her wand and muttering an incantation, smiling as she saw the new, deep emerald romper, complete with red and gold tartan inserts.
"That's better."
She only just made it to breakfast in time for the start of the meal, and made a mental note as she made her way up to the Head's chair to get up a little earlier now that she had a baby to care for. She ignored the mutterings and the whispers as she entered the Hall with the little bundle wrapped up in her arms, holding her head high, and glaring at anyone who looked like they were laughing. She graciously passed the baby off to Poppy and addressed the students who had remained for their Christmas holidays.
"Good morning. The only announcement today is that I require all the girls to remain in the Great Hall after breakfast. If you have a prior appointment make yourself known to one of the staff during our meal and we will do our best to make sure you finish here promptly, now, enjoy."
"Morning," she nodded to Filius, who was staring at her shrewdly as she impatiently took the baby from Poppy once more, feeling infinitely more comfortable with the weight in her arms than when she did not.
"Minerva, you aren't getting attached are you?" he asked gently, and she snapped her focus to him. "I, I simply do not want to see you hurt," he expanded, meaning it for her ears only.
"I am a big girl, Filius," she said quietly, her tone broking his argument. "I will be fine."
"All right, Minerva. All right."
The professors went back to their breakfast, Minerva nibbling at a few pieces of toast while she fed the little one with a smile, prompting another round of whispers to break out.
"You keep smiling like that Min and you'll lose your edge," Rolanda said with a chuckle as she leaned around Poppy.
"What better way to lull them all into a false sense of security, Ro," Minerva retorted, making them all laugh, startling the baby and making her cry.
"Shhh, shush now, it's nothing, you're all right," Minerva said, shifting her position so the baby was cradled against her chest, head on her shoulder. "There's nothing to worry about."
However, the crying only got louder so Minerva excused herself and stood, the Hall suddenly silent as the cries stopped and she looked down. Her eyebrow arched as she looked at the now sleeping baby, and the vomit running down her favourite robes.
"Perfect," she sighed before raising her voice. "Gentlemen, you may leave. Ladies, I would like you in your age groups, starting with First Years at the Gryffindor Table, Second and Third at Ravenclaw, Fourth and Fifth at Hufflepuff and Sixth and Seventh at Slytherin please. Quickly as you can so we may all leave to enjoy the last few days of our holidays."
The scraping of benches and general chatter disturbed the child once more and the crying started up again.
"Bother," Minerva whispered, nodding to Poppy to begin before walking to the annex room at the back of the Hall and placing the child gently in a Moses basket she Transfigured from a cushion, and also taking the time to scourgify her robes. She'd have to ask the house elves to help her clean them properly later. In a fit of amusement she Transfigured another cushion into a stuffed cat toy not dissimilar in appearance to herself, placing it in the basket with a smile.
"You sleep baby, I'll be here trying to find your Mummy."
Realising that she was going to have to put on the Headmistress act in a moment she collected her thoughts and prepared for the somewhat difficult task ahead. She would be handling the older students, along with Poppy and would be speak to each young lady individually until the child's mother could be found.
The first girl entered the room, her eyes drifting between the bassinet and the Headmistress, who was taking great pains to look exactly as she had for the last thirty odd years. Sitting quietly, the young woman waited for someone to say something, and after a moment Minerva spoke, quietly, gently, yet with iron in her tone making sure that everyone knew she was being deadly serious when she spoke.
By the time all the First Years had left the Hall, Minerva was exhausted – both mentally and physically. She was grateful that the war had reaffirmed the bonds of family and friendship between the majority of the Wizarding World as it had significantly cut down the number of young women she had been forced to have rather awkward conversations with.
One of the Second Years even had the temerity to offer her congratulations to the stern Headmistress before it was explained that the baby had been found in a corridor.
Minerva had glared at Poppy for quite a while, just in case the medi-witch forgot that she was not, under any circumstances, to laugh.
"I could use a drink," Poppy said finally, as they sat in silence, the baby firmly ensconced in Minerva's sure embrace. "Min?"
"Hmm," she said, her focus returning to the child that apparently had no mother. "How is it my darling, that no-one has come forth to claim you?"
"I still don't know how it is that none of the girls have given birth to a child in the last few weeks," Poppy said, peering over Minerva's shoulder. "Merlin, but she's gorgeous." Minerva chuckled as the little one wrapped her tiny fingers around her larger one.
"She is that."
"We will have to report it to the Ministry," Poppy said gently, and Minerva looked up sharply at her friend and colleague.
"I do not think so. Do you realise the backlog of children they have to home? How many children were left without parents? We do not even know if this child is magical – although," Minerva looked back at the baby, who was staring up at her so trustingly, "she would not be here were she a Muggle."
"So it needs reporting."
"No," Minerva declared, ending the conversation. "I will take care of the child until its parents come forth. I am the Headmistress; I do nothing aside from answer inane questions from Kingsley every single day. I am able-bodied and we are fine. If you'll excuse me Poppy, good day."
Minerva stormed from the Great Hall, hunching her shoulder as a cold wind swept past the giant entrance doors. She really must see to the still not-quite-right front doors. Filius had tried his best, but the child was hardly dressed for such a cold wind, and she would very soon need another bottle.
"We will come back to it, my love. Remind me, hmm?" she said giggling a little to herself at her ridiculousness.
She entered her office, finding a pair of twinkling eyes boring into hers and she shook her head at his soft smirk.
"I have it on good authority you might actually be enjoying yourself, my dear?" Albus said, winking at her when Severus snorted his amusement.
"I might be, although talking to eleven year olds about where babies come from is not my idea of a relaxing morning during the Christmas holidays," she frowned as she placed the child on the couch, making sure that she lay against the cushions just in case, as she slipped off her cloak and started the fire with a snap of her fingers.
"Did you find the whelp's mother?"
Minerva glared at Severus as she asked an elf for some tea, resettling the babe in her arms.
"No," she said with a frown, "we did not."
"What then, will you do with it?" Albus asked nonchalantly, causing Minerva's eyebrow to creep up her forehead.
"I am keeping her until such time as I can find a good and decent home for her, or her parents come forth."
"Miner–"
"What a splendid idea Minerva, I am quite sure you will not be bored for some time now," Albus said, cutting Severus' comments off before he could start.
"Yes, well we shall see how it goes. For now though I really ought to finish the doors to the castle. The wind whistling through there is like a hurricane, but I am quite sure she is due another feed."
"Minerva, your Molly Weasley is showing," Severus muttered drolly, making them all laugh.
"Molly Weasley I will never be, however, if I can bring a moment's peace to this child's life then I have done my job," she said with a smile as the little girl's arms started waving again. "Isn't that right, darling?"
"She will need a name Minerva," Albus said gently, ignoring the blistering look from his former colleague in the painting next to him.
"Hmm, I suppose she does. What is your name, little one?"
She glanced down at the tiny child, who looked so trustingly up into her own eyes that she couldn't help but stare right back. She leant against the back of the sofa, smiling when that little head pushed gently on her chest.
"Hungry, sweetheart?" Ignoring the looks from her two newest portraits she Summoned a bottle, warming it gently until it was perfect, before leaning back with a sigh as the baby took hold of it, sucking with gusto.
"I wonder if you had a name, when you were growing. I wonder if your Màthair thought about what she would call you, what you would look like, what you would grow to be."
Minerva frowned as she had a thought.
"Severus, this," she glanced down at the little miracle in her arms and swallowed. "This could not be a Death Eater's child, I suppose?"
"No, Minerva, I am quite sure that it could not be," he said with an awkward look on his face.
Minerva sighed again, nodding absently as she went back to watching the babe fill her tummy. She looked up, catching Albus' twinkling eyes again and she rolled her own as he smiled at her.
"I think you have found your peace, my dear friend," he said quietly. Minerva smiled, but something on her desk caught her eye. It was a photo of three of her dearest students, two of which were no longer studying, and the other she was quite certain would be studying all her life. She recalled the moment that had been captured. Hermione had been Petrified by a Basilisk and had finally been awakened in time for the final feast of the term, and the picture was of the trio's reunion in the Great Hall. Albus had left one to all three of them when he died, with a note reminding them to always hold onto happier times. Hermione had shown Minerva and she had gushed over it so uncharacteristically that Hermione had had it copied and fitted in a frame of her own.
"Hermione," she sighed sadly, thinking of the young woman who had retreated into herself and she made a promise to talk to her when she returned from her holidays. "What about Hermione?" she said her head tilting to one side as the sucking continued. "You have eyes like my, um, like Hermione, what if we borrow her name? It's a good name and the wonderful young woman who owns it might be in need of some comfort when she returns from her holidays. I'm sure she won't mind, what do you think?" she said, sending the bottle to the kitchens and manoeuvring the baby to her shoulder and rubbing it's back gently.
"The insufferable know-it-all will undoubtedly be pleased you think so much of her Minerva." He screwed up his nose, "in fact, I'd say it is perfect."
"Well, how about that, hmm?" Minerva said, remembering just in time that she needed a cloth under the child's head. "Hermione."
"Clearly she is grateful," Severus said, once again turning up his nose at the sickly-sweet scene before him.
"I think so. Well that is settled then," she said sitting with the baby on her knee. "Just you wait until you meet Hermione, little one. She has such a beautiful soul, just like you hmm, Álainn [beautiful one]." She frowned as she thought about what she had said, chewing her lip as she broke into a smile. "Actually, Álainn Hermione might work better," she said, running her hand over the baby's head. "This way we won't get so confused. My Álainn."
"An excellent choice, Minerva," Albus said with a smile as Minerva wiped newly-named Álainn's chin.
"Thank you Albus, but I think it is time for a bath," Minerva said, glancing at the mounting pile of post on her desk. "I shall leave that for a little later."
Minerva waved goodbye to her friends' portraits using Álainn's little hand and laughed gently as she heard Severus' concerned voice follow her into her rooms.
"Albus, I think she has lost her mind. That is not Minerva."
"Indeed it is my dear boy, just not the Minerva you were ever so utterly privileged to witness."
Blinking back a tear for her best friend, Minerva went about giving a bath to a baby. Something she had never done before.
"How hard can it be?"
-0-
Minerva groaned as Álainn let out an almighty wail, louder than Minerva thought was possible for such a small body. Bath time turned out to be an epic adventure for both Minerva and baby Álainn. Minerva's back was aching from leaning over the tub, and it was only after she had finished she realised she could have bathed the child anywhere.
"You're a witch," she said shaking her head. "Och Minerva, how ridiculous."
She turned her head to look at the little bundle of ridiculously soft towels that had appeared by her knees when she had realised she hadn't readied them. She had a sneaking suspicion the house elves were keeping an eye on her but instead of annoying her, it soothed her. Clearly she was doing her job well, else they would have stepped in and offered their services. She laughed as the towel fell about from the little wriggling body and the legs and arms starting kicking about enthusiastically.
"Gracious child, you have some energy this evening," Minerva said, groaning as she lay beside her and placed a hand on the warm belly. "Just don't go rolling away, or I fear you will never forgive me – these tiles are rather cold."
The room was cosy enough, and quite frankly, Minerva wasn't sure her back would manage standing upright just yet, so rolling slightly to the side she catalogued the tickling spots on Hermione. Her mouth would open wide when her fingers trailed over the little feet, and her belly was definitely ticklish, though if she ever heard rumours about her blowing raspberries on babies' tummies she would be removing Severus and Albus and putting them in the Owlery. She could clearly hear their chuckles from here. As she was counting all the little fingers and toes she noticed a strange mark. She squinted at it, but even with her glasses, she couldn't tell what it was. Sending her Patronus to Poppy she did not have long to wait until the medi-witch entered her room.
"What have you found?" she asked, her brow creeping up her forehead when she saw Minerva lying on the floor next to the baby and the destruction of the bathroom behind the partially closed door.
"That babies should be bathed at an angle that does not cause the acute spasms of one's back to reappear after three successful months without pain," she said drolly as Poppy passed her a potion. "Thank you. Now, I have noticed a mark on her left forearm. I don't imagine it is anything sinister, but it might help should her parents ever come forward."
Poppy rolled her eyes, but inspected the mark chuckling when the little one's lungs got another work out.
"She could be your child, Minerva. She doesn't like me poking and prodding either. I'll make a note, but it looks like a birthmark, a blemish. It will most likely go away as she ages."
"Thank you Poppy, I am sorry I snapped earlier, I just," she looked between her friend and her new charge, "I feel like she needs to be here, not necessarily with me, but here, at Hogwarts."
"Minerva, I have been your friend for many years, we will survive one sharp comment, because we have before, and as for you keeping the babe –"
"Álainn."
"Sorry?" Poppy asked.
"I have named her Álainn, Álainn Hermione. What better namesake to have than that of a beautiful and prominent Gryffindor –"
"And your all-time favourite student." Poppy added slyly, chuckling when Minerva grumbled.
"It is a fine name Minerva, it's just, as I have said before, do not get too attached. I know that it pains you, but her parents could return at any moment."
"I am aware of that, Poppy," Minerva said quietly, tracing the tiny button nose on the delicate face.
"All right, well I'll be off, I'll make your excuses for dinner, but you ought to get into some sort of routine for when the students come back. It will help both of you."
Minerva nodded absently and didn't look up as she heard Poppy leave, stopping on her way to exchange a few words with the former Headmasters.
Minerva groaned once more as her bones protested getting off the floor and bending down to pick up Álainn. After dressing her, Minerva ended up laying on her bed, her knees up and a very alert child cradled in them looking at her intently.
"You wouldn't leave me, would you beautiful?" she whispered, letting her head rest gently on her pillow as she gathered the baby to her chest. "Now I suggest a nap before dinner."
-0-
Winky sat swinging her legs on the chair next to the bed. She would watch over the two witches while they slept, as any good house elf would do when there was a babe to look after. The little one still puzzled her. It was definitely someone she knew, she just couldn't put her claw on who it was. Dobby would know, if only he were here. She sniffed quietly as the baby stirred, curling its hands into the Headmistress's robes and pulling herself closer, her cheek now resting on the bare skin of the woman's chest. Popping herself up onto the bed, Winky looked closer at the skin under the baby's head, frowning sadly as she realised what had caught her attention. The marks from the attack she had suffered a number of years ago. They stood out on her skin like a beacon, and Winky wished she could do something to heal them. The Headmistress had been more than generous in offering Winky a job with no wages at all. As the horrid thought of wages crossed Winky's mind, she thought back to a vague memory of a young girl with bushy hair. She frowned, wondering why she had thought that before shaking her head and returning her attention to her duty. With any luck her Mistress would stir soon and Winky could then get back to making dinner.