A/N: Hey guys! Please forgive me for the shameful amount of time this took. I've been working on it this whole time, I promise, but I've been so busy and haven't had much time for writing. Thank you to everyone who stuck around, and hopefully I don't disappoint!
Please review!
Enjoy!
Poppy Pomfrey considered herself to be a capable witch and dedicated healer. Merlin knows she's been doing it long enough. Part of being a medi-witch-particularly at a place like Hogwarts-meant being easily approachable. She couldn't expect frightened first years, stubborn teenagers and highly independent professors to be comfortable coming to her otherwise.
Poppy didn't figure she had problems with any of this, until the other day when a particularly timid house elf came to her with a problem regarding "Miss Minerva."
From the first day she arrived, Poppy could tell Minerva didn't accept help easily nor came looking for it often. She did think, however, that the woman would at least come to her with a problem that seemed to have gotten as bad as the elf said it was.
Evidently not. Apparently, McGonagall is as stubborn as they come.
Poppy called her into her office the day after seeing the elf. Though it didn't happen often, house elves have come to her with concerns for their masters. She knew that Minerva was not Pipsy's mistress, but the elf seemed determined nonetheless. Poppy hadn't even realized they'd been spending time together.
The moment the woman knocked on her door and poked her head in, Poppy understood Pipsy's concern. Her striking and somewhat unsettling green eyes looked exhausted. She was decent at concealing it, but Poppy could see the dark circles under the makeup. It was obvious to her the poor thing hadn't slept in ages.
"Hello, Professor McGonagall."
"Good morning. You wished to see me?"
"Yes, thank you for coming." Poppy waved her in and Minerva sat in the chair across from her.
"I wanted to see how things were going, are the glasses I gave you working?"
Minerva nods. "Yes, perfectly. I still don't understand how I came to need them; I never needed them growing up."
"Ah, well, that happens sometimes. Things like that can sneak up on you."
Poppy observed the professor for a few moments. On the surface she seemed fine enough, most people probably couldn't even tell something was wrong. Poppy wouldn't be surprised if even Albus, as observant as he is, couldn't see it.
"You look tired, Minerva."
The woman looked back up at her, "What?"
"Are you getting enough rest? You don't look like you've been sleeping well."
"Yes, of course I am." it would have sounded convincing to anyone else, but Poppy smirked and rolled her eyes.
"Now, Professor. I'm a medi-witch. You can fool many in this school, but I've had a lot of practice telling when someone is lying to me."
She sighed, rolling her eyes too. "Fine. No, I haven't been sleeping well at all. Happy now?"
Poppy smirked again. "No, but I'm glad you stopped lying."
She could see a hint of a smile on Minerva's lips, and she got up quickly. "Follow me."
Minerva looked confused, but she got up to follow nonetheless. Poppy walked them into the infirmary and to a cupboard in the back of the room. She pulled it open and starting looking through the many different containers and vials of things. Minerva watched curiously until Poppy finally turned around with a vial of purple liquid in her hand.
"This is a potion for Dreamless Sleep. The drinker becomes drowsy at once and it helps them get a peaceful sleep, meaning no more nightmares."
Minerva looks from the vial to Poppy. "Nightmares? Who told you that?"
The medi-witch paused, but Minerva quickly sighed. "Pipsy."
She nods. "Yes, but she was only concerned about you. And she had a right to be, you look awful."
"Thanks." Minerva said sarcastically, but she didn't look offended, so Poppy shrugged.
"Please don't be upset with her. She's only looking out for you. Besides, I would've noticed it eventually, but luckily I was told before it got too out of hand."
McGonagall sighed. Normally she would be very upset over something like this, but she couldn't bring herself to be upset with Pipsy. After all, she was just looking out for her, and Minerva knew she ought to be grateful.
"I suppose you're right."
"You'll find that happens often. And you listen to me, if you ever let a problem get this bad again without telling me I will drag you to the infirmary myself and make you stay here for a month whether it's necessary or not. I don't care how stubborn you are. Is that clear?"
Although Minerva was pretty sure the woman was joking, there was a 'no nonsense' look on her face that made her pause.
"I understand. I'm sorry." She thinks for a moment. "Is that all, then?"
"That's all, Professor."
"Minerva, please." she was getting used to more of the staff using her name. Poppy nods, and just when Minerva is about to leave she turns back to the healer.
"Is it really that noticeable?"
"To most people, no. I've been well trained and have years of practice spotting these things, so you had no chance of hiding it from me. If Albus hasn't noticed, that's something. But Minerva, if you don't start taking care of yourself you're going to have a problem."
She nods, "I understand."
"Good. Take the potion before bed, and if you need more let me know. But be cautious, Minerva. It can be a highly addictive potion."
With one more nod, Minerva leaves the infirmary with the potion in hand.
The potion Poppy gave me is fantastic and works wonders. Several days have passed without a single nightmare; only blissful, dreamless sleep just as she promised. I feel better than I have in weeks. Poppy gives me knowing smiles when I see her at breakfast, and thankfully Albus never seemed to catch on.
Even so, I remember Poppy's warning that the potion can be addictive if one isn't careful, so I can't let myself rely on it every day. I'll have to come up with a better solution very soon, although I honestly have no idea what that could be. Poppy would have told me if she had any ideas, and I'm certainly not going to ask Albus. I' d rather keep him in the dark about the nightmares for as long as possible. Perhaps some research in the library is in order. If I'm going to come up with anything, it'll probably be there.
The week before the start of Christmas break, a knock on my door startles me. Seeing what time it is I assume Albus is a bit early for our weekly chess game. I quickly close the Grimmerie and banish it back to it's secret hidden space in my room. I didn't find anything helpful in the library, and resorted to breaking out my old spell book, but it doesn't look like even that can help me get rid of these dreams. I quickly open the door for Albus. I'm surprised, however, to see Madame Pomfrey standing there instead.
"Poppy?"
The witch smiles at the confusion I know she sees in my face, "Hello, Minerva. May I come in?"
"Yes, of course." I respond quickly, stepping aside to allow her entry.
"Thank you." Poppy comes in and sits on the couch with me following behind her.
"Would you like some tea?"
"Oh, no. This will only take a moment." Poppy pauses, then says, "I trust the potion has been working well? You certainly look better, and I haven't had any visits from a certain overprotective house elf recently."
I smile at her description of Pipsy. "Yes, very well indeed. But I know I can't take it forever. I've…" I clear my throat. "I've been trying to find a more permanent solution, though at the moment it is unsuccessful."
Poppy nods, "I figured you'd be looking, and I think I have one. I hesitated to bring it up before, because I wasn't sure how you'd feel about it. Did anyone in your family ever use a pensieve?"
I sigh inwardly. More terms I don't know. "No, not that I recall. If so, I was never told about it."
"I had a feeling you would say that. A pensieve is an object used to store and review memories. Witches and wizards often use a pensieve to collect memories they wish to remember later, or sometimes just to get the memory out of their minds. I think that it could be the answer to your problem."
I stare at her in confusion, "So you want me to put the memories of my nightmares into this pensieve?"
"Partly. The nightmares themselves and whatever memories might be causing them. I think we can both agree the nightmares aren't random."
She's certainly correct, but I still tense when she says it, and Poppy smiles kindly at me. "Don't worry Minerva, I'm not asking. But I know whatever happened in the past is most likely the reason behind these nightmares, and this would definitely help you. The memories wouldn't be gone. You'll know about them, they just wouldn't be able to affect you as much."
I think for a moment. She certainly has a point, and from what she described putting my memories in this pensieve would probably stop the nightmares from coming so often. But storing my memories of the things that happened in Oz? The possibility of anyone finding them is terrifying.
"I don't know, Poppy. I see your point on the benefits, but having all those memories in one place? Someone could easily discover them, and I can't risk that."
It's more than I wanted to say, but I need to make sure Poppy understands.
She nods, "I figured you'd be wary of it, which is why I didn't bring it up before. But Minerva, there are many ways to safeguard one's pensieve away from prying eyes. With that being said, I believe it's better than making you suffer. "
Minerva doesn't respond, so Poppy continues. "Just think about it, okay? As far as a long-term solution, this is it. You need your sleep, Minerva. If you keep on like you have been you're either going to make yourself ill or become addicted to Dreamless Sleep. I don't favor either of those options, nor would Albus or Pipsy."
As if on cue, there is another knock on my door, and Albus steps into the room. He's smiling until he sees Poppy, and then his expression changes to one of confusion and concern.
"Why, hello, Poppy."
"Hello, Albus."
"Is everything alright? Minerva, are you ill?"
I shake my head, but Poppy speaks for me. "Not at all, Albus. I just fancied paying Minerva a visit to see how she was adjusting to everything here. After all, these things take time. But I think she's going to be just fine."
Poppy smiles and gets up from her seat, "I was just leaving."
"Oh please, don't leave on my account." Albus says quickly.
"Don't be silly, I've got work to do anyway. Good evening, Albus." She smiles as she walks past him, and looks over at me. "Minerva."
"Good night, Poppy." She had this look in her eye that left little room for argument, and I can almost hear her demanding me to think about what we just discussed.
When the door closed behind her, Albus smiled at me as he went to go set up the chessboard.
"It seems you've made a friend, Minerva. First Madame Hooch and now Poppy. I'll warn you though, when Poppy decides she likes you, she'll become invested in your well being. Seems to me that's already begun."
Albus smiled again, his blue eyes twinkling like mad. I smirked, because he had no idea how right he was.
A few days later, I'm still struggling with the idea of a pensive. Getting rid of these nightmares is beyond tempting, but the very possibility of anyone here finding out about Oz or my life as Elphaba Thropp is much worse.
Even so, I'm even more aware of the fact that I can't simply continue living with these nightmares. Not only is it highly unpleasant, but also no matter how hard I try I know that it will eventually become noticeable to more than just Poppy Pomphrey.
I yawn suddenly, a sign that my body agrees with my thoughts. I was concerned with how much of the Dreamless Sleep potion I've been using, so I took a break these past few days. Of course the moment I did, the nightmares began again. I sigh, and raise my wand higher.
"Lumos." I whisper, allowing light to burst from the tip of my wand, illuminating my way as I get to a particularly dark section of the castle.
All professors take turns patrolling the halls. I suppose it's to make sure there are no students milling about, but at three-thirty in the morning I would assume that anyone who was out of bed after curfew would certainly be in bed now. Usually I wouldn't mind patrol duty, but I'm just so tired it was the last thing I wanted to be doing tonight. Thankfully the students will be leaving for Christmas Holiday the day after tomorrow, so I'll have plenty of time to rest then.
A noise ahead of me pulls me out of my thoughts, and I stop in my tracks in the corridor. I listen closely, but I don't hear or see anything at first.
A few moments later, a small thud reaches my ears, as though something just hit a wall. Oh please let it just be a rat. I'm too tired to have to give out detentions this early in the morning!
I walk further down the hallway, but I only walk about ten more steps before I hear something that sounds a lot like hissing. A rat may have made sense, but a snake?
I walk further, this time hearing a voice.
"Dammit! Where is it?!"
The voice is hushed and frustrated, but it also sounds desperate.
"Nox." I whisper. The voice is closer now, and I decide to conceal my presence as long as possible.
The light on the tip of my wand goes out immediately, and I squint, trying to help my eyes adjust to the sudden darkness.
Not even a minute later I see movement ahead of me, a boy in a small alcove in the wall, knocking on stones and making many wand movements that don't seem to be having any effect. I watch him as his movements become more hurried and erratic, his banging on the wall more insistent.
I raise an eyebrow, almost amused by it, until I hear the hissing again. This time, it's very obvious that the sound is coming from this boy, not a snake.
I quickly light the tip of my wand again, making my presence known.
"Mr. Riddle!" My voice comes out higher than normal, but the sternness in it is clear.
Tom Riddle turns quickly, his back pressed against the wall. He doesn't look nearly as put together as he usually does. The look on his face is intense and it's obvious that I startled him.
"P-Professor McGonagall! What... What are you doing here?"
"I think the more pertinent question is what are you doing out of bed, Mr. Riddle? It is well pastcurfew and no students should be wandering the castle at this time of night!"
The boy shakes his head, "No, you don't get it!" He doesn't yell, but he's obviously frustrated and angry that I interrupted him. "It's almost Christmas holiday, I need-"
"There is nothing you need at three-thirty in the morning, Mr. Riddle, except to be in bed asleep like everyone else in the castle." I tell him firmly, pointing my wand so that the light shows more of him.
To my surprise, I see his hand close to where his wand is stored, his fingers twitching toward it. Certainly he doesn't intend to try using it on me?
I take a step closer to him, and I see him puff out his chest defiantly. He isn't panicked anymore, but the look in his eye is still a bit crazed.
"Not everyone, Professor. You're still awake."
It takes quite a bit of self-control not to let my mouth drop open in shock at his arrogance. I can't believe no other professors have noticed anything odd about his behavior.
"I am a professor, and have the ability to be up whenever I wish to be. You, however, are a student and are required to abide by the curfew we set for you. A curfew, I might add, that passed many hours ago."
Riddle openly glares, but he doesn't say anything.
"Now, I expect to see you tomorrow after classes to serve your detention, and 30 points from Slytherin."
"Detention?! But that's the day before break!"
"I don't particularly care what day it is. Breaking curfew has its consequences, not to mention your cheek and utter lack of respect for a professor."
He opens his mouth to argue, but I cut him off quickly. "Careful, Mr. Riddle, or you'll be serving a month's worth of detentions with me the moment you return from holiday."
He clenches his fists, and he's still glaring at me, but he chooses not to dig his hole deeper. Instead he nods.
"Yes, Professor McGonagall."
"Good. I'll expect you in my classroom tomorrow night then. Good night, Mr. Riddle. Try not to get lost going back to the dormitory."
He storms off quickly, and I watch him, making sure he goes in the direction of the Slytherin common room.
When he's gone, I let my rigid posture relax, sighing deeply. If I wasn't tired before, I certainly am now.
The next day after classes, I'm still sitting in my classroom. I've got some papers to grade before Mr. Riddle comes to serve his detention. I'm not looking forward to it at all, but I couldn't very well allow him to walk away without consequences.
"Who the hell do you think you are?!"
I look up, startled by the sudden outburst. Silvanus Kettleburn is storming full force toward my desk.
Oh, hello, Kettleburn." The words come out nonchalantly, as if I was somehow expecting this.
"You can't do this! I'll report you!"
I raise an eyebrow. "And what have I done that you find so offensive?"
"You took house points from Tom Riddle!"
I stare at him, a smirk making its way across my face. "You cannot be serious." I can't hide the amusement in my tone.
His facial expression doesn't change, and he's still glaring at me fiercely.
"Kettleburn, think rationally. You cannot think that reporting me for taking house points from a student will go over very well."
"It will when you had no reason to do it!"
"Oh, really? What makes you say that?"
"Mr. Riddle told me what actually happened, McGonagall."
"Oh? And what did he say?"
"That he was on his way to the dormitory two minutes after curfew, and you lectured him, took thirty house points and gave him detention."
I can't help it, the moment the words are out of his mouth, I burst out laughing. Forgetting the fact that it's a blatant lie, it just sounds utterly ridiculous!
I look back up at Kettleburn, who does not look amused.
"I'm sorry Kettleburn. Let's pretend for a second that this is a serious conversation. Do you honestly believe that I would give such harsh consequences to a student when they are only two minutes past curfew?"
"I have no idea what you would do. Maybe you're just prejudiced against Slytherin!"
"Absolutely not! My personal feelings play no role in my decisions and I resent the insinuation. As a professor I am perfectly within my right to take house points when the situation deems necessary."
"You did it for nothing!" He screams, now resorting to banging his fist on my desk.
I glare at him now. I slowly get up from my chair and speak quietly, my voice much lower than just a moment ago.
"Listen very carefully, Kettleburn. I found Mr. Riddle out of bed at 3:30 AM, well past curfew. He was attempting spells and banging on stonewalls. Not to mention his attitude and complete lack of respect for me as his Professor. That is why I gave him those consequences, even though I don't have to explain anything to you. We both know perfectly well that if this had happened with anyone else in this castle they would have given a student the same, if not harsher punishments, for such an infraction. And we also know that you most certainly wouldn't come storming into their office screaming at the top of your lungs and banging on desks like a child having a tantrum. Slytherin isn't even your house, so I fail to see why you seem to be taking this so personally."
He chooses not to comment on the last two statements. "Why on earth would Mr. Riddle lie?"
I scoff. "Why wouldn't he? Honestly, have you ever known a student who gets in trouble that doesn't try to cover it up? Especially by blaming the teacher. Of course Mr. Riddle wouldn't admit he did anything wrong.''
"He did not do anything! You're just vindictive and basing this simply on your immediate dislike for a student."
It takes every ounce of self-control I have not to roll my eyes at this comment. Oh, the irony.
"For Merlin's sake Kettleburn! I'm fairly certain you just described yourself. With that aside, I already went over that particular issue with you. I am an adult, not a child that you can just come and reprimand whenever you feel like it."
Silvanus doesn't say anything, so I continue. "Now, Mr. Riddle will be serving detention with me, and I will not be giving back those house points. I'm sure you'll manage. If you'll excuse me."
I sit down again, glaring at him one last time. He's still glaring at me even after I've gone back to my work. I'm starting to wonder if he's planning on staying here until Riddle comes.
"If you're just going to stand there, please do it elsewhere." I say without looking up at him.
Kettleburn huffs. "You're making a mistake, McGonagall."
"I doubt that." I respond. "Besides, there's not much you can do about it. Feel free to try."
Kettleburn finally seems to realize that he's not going to get anywhere with me, because a few seconds later he's storming out of my classroom, much to my relief.
A/N: Please review! Thank you so much for reading, I hope you enjoyed it. Thank you for the reviews so far. I love you all.
Until next time...
~Neve