A/N: Hi all, I'm sorry it's been a while. Spin is here in Australia and we're having a CRACKING time! :D
I posted a message on Facebook just to let you know I was busy, not disappeared, so I shall repeat it for everyone who doesn't facebook... I'm REALLY busy lol so please be patient. I haven't abandoned any fics at all, and I'm trying to get a few more chapters done as we speak. Next will probably be Mothers, Sons and Lovers, followed by a Christmas Down Under if I can work out where I am in the story lol
Organisation really is underrated. You don't realise how important it is until you realise you haven't got ANY!
Hope you all enjoy. Eternal thanks to Spin for being amazing...and a really good beta ;) Send her some love people!
-0-
Minerva sat stunned looking down at the baby before her. It suddenly all made sense as to why she couldn't find the baby's parents, and why she had that blemish on her arm. She felt so stupid to have noticed it before and not done anything about it. Her heart clenched and she couldn't help but feel cheated. This was not her child, it was never her child, and suddenly, it wasn't even a child.
"How could you do that to me?" she whispered, looking up at Albus, wondering whether she was feeling more hurt or angry.
"Minerva, my dear, I didn't know it was Hermione, truthfully. Winky expressed her concerns to me when she first saw the baby but you were so happy. I, I only wanted you to have a little joy in your life," he said sadly, and despite her burgeoning anger she could see he was remorseful.
"Why would my happiness matter when this baby, this baby," she said turning Álainn - Hermione - around, "is not even a baby, it's a grown person Albus. Why must you always meddle, why can't you leave well enough alone?"
She got up, grabbing Álainn's favourite toy and took it with her into her bedroom, slamming the door behind her and making sure that under no circumstances was she to be disturbed. She sat on her bed, looking sadly down at the baby she had come to love as Álainn, now both heartbroken and elated to find that it was in fact Hermione.
She had no idea how Hermione had come to be so small and she felt a modicum of embarrassment to know that eventually she would have to look Hermione in the eye and tell her that she'd looked after her and also keep from her that she had loved every minute of it.
"Um, Professor?"
She looked up at whoever had dared to enter her room and found Draco Malfoy standing at the door, looking awkwardly between her and the portraits behind him that she could hear warning him off.
"What is it Draco?" she inquired tiredly, putting the baby on the bed. As she waited for Draco to speak she couldn't help but drop her head head in her hands, wondering how it had all come to this.
"Um, well, Severus sent me in here. He said to tell you that he warned Albus and he had no part in this, but, well, mainly I came to see if you were alright."
Minerva lifted her head and looked at the former 'bad boy', searching his eyes for something, anything, but finding only genuine concern.
"I am fine Draco, thank you for asking."
"Severus told me what happened," he said simply, leaning against the door jam with most of his body outside knowing that this room was completely off limits to all Minerva's visitors. "And that Harry doesn't have to keep looking for Hermione."
"Yes, well."
"Sorry Professor, but, isn't it good news? I mean, at least you know where Hermione is, and that she's being well taken care of, in my opinion at least," he said with a shrug.
"Thank you Draco, I do appreciate the words but I just -" She groaned, and started pacing beside the bed, refusing to look at him while she spoke her mind. "I know she wasn't my child, but I can't help but think about how," she sighed, "never mind, I'm just a silly old woman, please shut the door on your way out."
"I didn't know her very well Professor," he admitted as he reached for the door, "but even when she didn't look like a baby she idolised you. I don't imagine she would be upset to have you as a mother for a little while. In fact, from what Harry has said about her, I imagine she'd be quite pleased about it. I would be," he said, smiling shyly. "Good day, Professor."
She didn't see him go, but she heard the door close behind him as she took a few deep breaths and tried not to cry. She continued the deep breathing exercises until Álainn gurgled behind her and she turned to find the little girl waving her arms, asking to be picked up.
"Oh my darling girl!" she said, feeling the first tear roll down her face. "I, I love you little one, no matter who you are inside."
The little baby that was now Hermione cooed and cuddled into Minerva, as if she could understand, though Minerva knew it was only because she could no doubt feel how upset she was.
"What a mess," she sighed, wiping the tears from her face. "Thank you my darling, Hermione, Álainn, thank you for saving my life."
Hermione gurgled some more until Minerva could do nothing but smile as the little girl continued to babble as if she was having a conversation that only she knew about, giggling every now and then and making Minerva's heart break.
"You'll be unstoppable before you know it," Minerva mused sadly. "I shall go and talk to Severus about what to do to bring you back."
-0-
Once Hermione had dropped off to sleep, no doubt exhausted after her magical display earlier in the day, Minerva sat at her desk, deliberately ignoring Albus and talking to Severus.
"So I cannot just give her a potion and make her the same age as she was?" Minerva asked with a sigh. She rubbed her temples wondering why she had to be the one to fix this - she was absolutely terrible at potion-making.
"No, if you give her a potion to bring her back to the same age that she was, it could damage her body and mind. It will have to be done gradually, and even then, I imagine there would be some pain."
"I don't want to hurt her," Minerva said, looking worriedly between the cot and Severus.
"Unfortunately I don't see that you have any other choice, Minerva. She cannot stay as a baby, not now we know who she is, but the problem is knowing what she was working on, what she spilled on herself in order to get this way in the first place," he said, rolling his eyes. "Dunderhead."
"Severus!" Minerva chided absently.
She knew she could not be the one to brew the potion, particularly if it was something that required on the spot thinking.
"Who do you suggest brew the potion then Severus?" she asked, glaring as Albus started to speak.
"Well, you have a Potions Mistress, why not use her?" he suggested snidely, making her wince as her head started to thump just a little louder.
"Because while she is a competent teacher, I have it on good authority that she actually doesn't like Potions," Minerva groaned. "We need someone else."
"Well, I shall think about that and let you know Minerva." His normal scowl fell as he looked at her shrewdly, and she frowned under his gaze. "In the meantime I suggest you get some rest, you look tired."
"I have to owl Harry, and then let Ginny and Neville know that we have found Hermione."
"I shall get back to you over who should brew the potion. Good day, Minerva."
Severus disappeared from his portrait and for a moment she wondered where the other portrait of him was. She got up with a sigh, shooting a silencing spell onto Albus' portrait who was still attempting to get her attention and took a headache potion. When she felt it begin to work, she Floo called Poppy.
"I'm sorry about the short notice, but could you watch Álainn for a while?" she called through the green flames. "I have to go to the Ministry; I shouldn't be more than a couple of hours, but I don't really know how long exactly."
"Of course, Minerva, what is going on?" she asked as she stepped through, smiling gratefully as Minerva Banished the soot.
"I do not have time to explain now, but if Severus comes back before I do, ask him," she said, pulling on her cloak and fixing her hat.
"But Minerva, you are alright aren't you?" she asked, stopping Minerva before she could leave the room. "I didn't get a chance to even look at you down in the gully."
Minerva paused, softening a little at her friends worry and patted the arm that had gripped hers.
"I am perfectly unharmed," she said genuinely. "I won't be long, thank you for doing this. Call Pomona or Winky if you need someone to take over."
Walking out of her quarters and down through the castle, Minerva stopped for nobody. Draco had been right in one aspect; they no longer had to worry about finding Hermione. On the other hand, she was absolutely beside herself.
The child had become hers. It wasn't ever meant to be like that, nor had she set out to make it so, but she loved that little baby more than she'd ever loved anything else, and now, it was all a lie. She didn't know what to feel. She sighed as she approached the school gates, knowing she had to have her full focus on apparating to the Ministry if she wanted to arrive in one piece.
-0-
She stalked down the corridors, taking solace from the fact that people moved out of her way when they saw her coming. A few acquaintances nodded respectfully at her, but didn't stop to chat. They could clearly see she meant business and she was not in the mood to dally.
"I need to see Mr Potter," she said at the Auror Administration desk.
"Please make an appointment in the book and the assistant will contact you with an appropriate time," the woman on the desk said indifferently, clearly more intent on filing her nails than paying any attention to who was doing the asking.
"Oh, for Merlin's sake!" Minerva said, startling the girl into action.
"Professor McGonagall, ma'am, um, yes, um, right, I'll just -"
Minerva rolled her eyes and pushed past the woman, who was still floundering for a quill and ink.
"Do not bother, I will go myself," Minerva said, throwing open the doors and entering the Auror training rooms.
It was a little exhilarating to be back. She had spent a lot of time here before the war with Grindelwald and then again during the first war with Voldemort as well. When she had left school the whole world was in the grip of war and quite a number of graduating students had gone straight into the Auror programme. Minerva herself had risen fast, thanks to a quick understanding of defensive spells and an extraordinary understanding of Transfiguration. She allowed herself a small smile as she saw a group of first year Aurors getting put through their paces. That was one thing she didn't miss.
"Professor McGonagall?"
She turned at her name and found herself eye to eye with a young woman she had not seen in many years.
"Annabelle Williamson, how are you?"
"I'm very well Professor, can I help you?" she asked, surreptitiously looking around.
"I'm afraid your administration officer wasn't much help, so I had to help myself it seems," Minerva said with a grin. "I was just doing a spot of reminiscing but I am actually here to speak to Auror Potter. It is a matter of great urgency."
"Ah, no doubt to do with his missing friend," Annabelle said with a wink. "I'll take you to him if you like, follow me."
"Thank you," Minerva said, falling into step beside her former student. "Tell me about your life, I have not seen you since I shook your hand and handed you your certificate," Minerva asked, genuinely interested in the former Ravenclaw who had a knack for Transfiguration and Ancient Runes. "You had mentioned that you were headed to do some research, but I'm not sure I've read any journals," Minerva said awkwardly.
"Ah, well no, you wouldn't have," Annabelle beamed. "I did go off to do some research. I ended up in Africa, but then, well, I fell in love."
Minerva could feel her smile growing as she listened to the woman talk about finding the love of her life and settling down.
"I didn't even know the war was on until it was almost over, otherwise I would have come back to help," she said sadly, causing Minerva to pat her arm.
"It is over now, do not be disappointed you missed it."
"I'm not," she admitted. "Not really."
Minerva glanced sideways as the woman pulled out a small purse of some sort and opened it with a spell that Minerva had never heard before.
"I was a little busy," she laughed, handing the wallet over.
Minerva gasped. Inside was a photo of three beautiful children, all quite young, with wide smiles and sparkling eyes.
"Annabelle, they are beautiful!" she gushed, completely entranced by their dark skin and their happy faces.
"They are indeed. As you can see, they take after their daddy, but my youngest, Amali, she has my countenance."
Minerva laughed, truly happy that such a wonderful student had such a lovely family.
"I am so glad to have caught up with you, Professor. Ajali and I have already been talking about Hogwarts for our eldest. I would be so happy if you were still Headmistress while my child was there."
Minerva smiled, taking Annabelle's hand.
"As I tell every prospective parent that worries about their child - I and the other Professors will treat your child as one of our own," she said with a wink. "Just like we did for your parents."
Annabelle laughed and opened a door, taking her inside and knocking on a rather well worn one, smiling as an invitation to enter was given.
"I'll leave you to it Professor, it was good to see you."
"And you Annabelle, and you," she said, watching the woman walk away before opening the door to find Harry bent over a table with a quill, scratching out crosses on what looked like a large war map.
"Harry."
"Minerva?" he said, standing up so quickly that she could hear the bones in his back click from where she was standing.
"I need to speak to you, but I would prefer it to be outside of these walls," she said tight lipped, desperately wanting to tell him that Hermione was found and safe, as she had been all along.
"Um, yeah alright, I'll just grab my cloak."
They walked in silence from the Ministry, stopping at the first Muggle cafe they found. After they ordered their drinks, Minerva took a deep breath and faced the young man.
"I don't know how to tell you this Harry, but I, I've found her," she said quietly, hoping that the somewhat calm and gentle voice she used would stop him from over-reacting.
"WHAT? Where?" he yelled, getting up and yanking his cloak back on.
"Harry, Harry, sit down, please, she isn't going anywhere, believe me."
She frowned as he stopped and dropped back into his chair, his face all of sudden void of colour.
"You mean it was as we thought then, she's dead?" he whispered, tears forming in his eyes.
Minerva suddenly realised how stupid her wording had been and she reached across to take his hand.
"I apologise Harry, she's not dead, I just mean she cannot go anywhere right now. She will be in exactly the same place that I left her before coming here."
"Well what spell did you use?" Harry said, getting antsy again and looking as if he was about to run out of the door. "Do you realise how good she is at breaking wards?"
"Harry, really, sit down and let me explain," she said, pulling him back down again.
He took a deep breath and didn't smile even as the waitress set down their tea. She took a sip before launching into her tale about trying to fix the bridge, the incidental magic and then finding out that the baby was Hermione. She could see him getting progressively more stunned as her tale went on and by the time she was finished he was sitting with his mouth agape, looking at her like she had suddenly turned into a Blast Ended Screwt.
"You mean to tell me, we've had her the whole time?" Harry said, still astounded. "This whole time, that little baby was actually Hermione?"
"It appears so," Minerva affirmed, feeling no less amazed than she had when she first found out.
"Wow," Harry said with a frown. "I changed her nappy."
Minerva couldn't help it, but she burst out laughing as she realised just how utterly ridiculous the whole situation was. It seemed as if Harry eventually saw it too and they spent a good few minutes laughing hysterically before they could bring themselves under control.
"Can I see her?" Harry asked, his eyes ablaze with a new excitement.
"Of course," Minerva said, letting Harry pay for the tea as she waited outside for him, before taking his arm and moving behind a large bin, turning on the spot and apparating them both back to Hogwarts.
Minerva let him race ahead, only catching up to him as he was arguing with the gargoyle, trying to gain entry to her rooms.
"Honestly, don't you recognise Mr. Potter?" she said, shaking her head as the gargoyle huffed and revealed the revolving staircase.
She followed Harry up, watching him swoop straight towards the play mat she had on the floor and pick up the very much awake baby who laughed and giggled at being thrown into the air.
"Oh Hermione!" he said, holding the baby just a little too tightly for her comfort.
"Harry, be gentle," Minerva said, rubbing his shoulder.
"I just -"
Minerva smiled and kissed the baby's hair without thinking.
"I know."
"How do we get her back?" he asked, peering intently at Álainn's face, as if searching for Hermione in her features.
"Severus has a plan to brew a series of potions to age her gradually, thereby reducing the risk of damaging her."
"Oh," he said with a small sigh. "Okay."
"I do, however, need to find someone to brew the potion."
"Oh," he repeated, passing the baby to her as he paced in front of the window.
Minerva left him to it and turned to Poppy, who was smiling expectantly.
"I apologise," Minerva said, shaking her head at how rude they had been. "Thank you Poppy, I really am very grateful."
"Nonsense Minerva," she said, waving off the praise. "I'm very glad you asked me. Once she realised that I was all that she was going to get, we settled right in. I've changed her and she's due for another bottle in half an hour."
"Thank you again," Minerva smiled, looking back at Severus' portrait, which was still empty.
"He was here, but he has disappeared again. He told me what happened, and I admit that it makes sense now," Poppy said quietly, clearly having thought a lot about it while Minerva had been gone. "I examined her, and compared the results with Hermione's charts. They are indeed the same person, but I had no reason to do that until now. If it wasn't so serious it would be an incredible opportunity to do some study," Poppy admitted absently.
Minerva felt her ire rise and drew herself up to her full height, staring down at Poppy.
"You will not be doing any research on my child!" she hissed, completely overwhelmed by her intent to protect Álainn.
"Oh, no, Min, I know, I wouldn't. I apologise for bringing it up."
"I'm sorry also," Minerva said scrubbing her face tiredly.
"You're exhausted. Why don't you get some rest? Harry and I can continue to watch Álainn, sorry, Hermione," Poppy offered, rubbing Minerva's bicep.
"I confess to also have issues with what to call her now," Minerva whispered, looking down at the small child playing happily on the mat. "I, I don't know what to do," she admitted, glancing at Poppy.
"We'll work it out Min, you know we will. We'll get Hermione back, but you will always remember this, forever. When she's back to normal maybe you two can discuss it, and you can tell her how you absolutely fell in love with her tiny self and that it was the best thing that has ever happened to you," she said knowingly.
"How can I do that?" Minerva asid, verging on feeling so overwhelmed that she could practically feel the sobs working their way up her throat.
"Because she'd want you to," Harry said from her side, causing her to turn to him and finding him holding Álainn again, who was smiling serenely as she leant against his shoulder tiredly, looking at her with those big brown eyes that now looked so familiar. "She has loved you for so long, admired you, wanted to be like you. She is going to love that you took care of her. Really," he said, passing the baby to her. "Spend more time with her, after all at some stage she's going to have to grow up."
MInerva's heart, which had been soaring at Harry's words, started cracking again as she realised that she would only have maybe weeks, days even, with baby Hermione. She took the babe in her arms and kissed her lovingly, rocking her from side to side and smiling as she uttered a small sigh, her hands gripping onto Minerva's robes like they always did.
"I've made up a bottle for you," Poppy said, passing her the item in question. "Go, feed your child and enjoy some time with her. But take it easy."
"I'll stay here and talk to Severus I think, I have a few ideas about who to brew the potion."
"Oh Harry, please don't rush," she whimpered.
"No Min, but Hermione needs to be Hermione, no matter how gorgeous she is as a baby."
"Well, I know that," she snapped, apologising immediately but continuing to feel rather petulant. "I just want more time."
"I know," Harry conceded. "Go, I'm staying anyway."
Minerva accepted their advice and retreated to her room, once again ignoring Albus on her way past. She sat on the bed, propping up the pillows and settling down with Hermione in her arms. Her tiny fists waved around for a moment and Minerva perched Hermione between her knees and her chest while she undid her hair, pulling it over her shoulder so Hermione could hang onto it. She had always liked to do that.
"Oh baby," Minerva sighed, smiling as Hermione sucked strongly on the bottle. "I know Harry is right, but I don't want to lose you," she whispered, trying to ignore the tears on her cheeks. "I just, I need you to remember this Hermione, because, I'm not sure I could tell you again. I'm your teacher, I'm not your friend, nor your mother, I'm just your Professor but if you could remember, well I could work with that," she murmured, shifting so that her little head was resting near Minerva's. She pressed a kiss on Hermione's temple and whispered against her skin. "Please remember, sweetheart."