AN: For the last three days, my two siblings who I live with, have been driving me crazy and diverting my attention. The fact this chapter exists is a victory after days of screaming and mostly empty threats.

Minerva:

She and Pronomus took a walk along the waterfront early in the morning. Only fishing boats were out.

"How are you feeling?" Pronomus asked.

"Foolish," she said. "For wanting to take the easy way out."

"That's not what I meant."

"I know. Physically, I am healing well. Mentally, I feel weak for wanting to end things."

"You have been through a great deal, and most of it alone. It's not healthy for you humans."

Minerva looked at the water. "There was a time when I could confide in Albus, but then Harry started at Hogwarts, and his attention was divided."

"Dumbledore was a legendary man. Legendary men have big egos and bigger fatal flaws. He saw a brighter future for the world, but he had no idea how to implement it."

"Am I a legendary woman?"

"It is a rule in human schools, the deputy does the real work. You're the one trying to keep students safe from the bullies, while Dumbledore was trying to keep the world safe from Riddle. Since you've spent so much time monitoring the halls, you can bring that experience to the next level."

"When I get back, I want to write a new code of conduct for students," she said thoughtfully. "I also want to look into changing how Slytherins are treated and how they treat others."

"Sounds like a start."

"What of the red witch? She does not seem to want to let go of me or Hermione."

"She hasn't faced a real challenge like this since you rescued those kids under a bridge."

"How do we stop her though if she refuses to abide by the rules she set up?" she asked.

"Think about what she wants. I think all roads are directing you back to Niagara Falls."

Minerva sighed. "I know."

"You're welcome to stay until tomorrow. Ignus will be offering a few more dueling pointers. I wish I could give you more time, but the only way we maintain this paradise is by restricting access."

"I understand."

"Don't be so hard on yourself. You've done nothing but try to protect everyone in your orbit for so long, you don't know how to accept help. You're taking the right steps."

"Thank you, Pronomus. I really needed to hear that."

"I invited Dumbledore to come here after he was done with school. I didn't know he had matters at home to attend to."

"There were many things he did not wish to share about his private life. I can relate."

"I know."

Minerva stopped and let the breeze off the water shift her hair.

"Am I good enough? Will I be able to make tough decisions when the time comes? Will I make the right ones? Or will I crumble and look for an easy way out?"

"There are no easy answers to those questions. You have gained a new perspective on your actions. You will not make the same mistakes again."

Pronomus offered his hand. "You're not weak. Just a survivor trying to process some truly awful events. I won't say everything is going to be okay. Only that it will get better."

Minerva took it. They stood together looking out at the water in silence.

…

Minerva, Harry, and Hermione stood on the sidelines while Ignus dueled Ron.

"The trick to the yo-yo spell is to focus on a spot to avoid dizziness," Ignus said as Ron spun. "Once you identify the spot, you will be able to orient yourself and get out of the spell."

Ron struggled for a couple more minutes, before aiming a spell at Ignus. It was a stun spell. He dropped Ron and put up a shield spell.

"Ow," Ron said as he got up.

Ignus aimed a lightning spell at him. Ron absorbed the spell and converted it to fire.

"Brilliant!" Ignus shouted as he doused the fire with water and aimed it at Ron.

Ron turned the water into ice and shot it back at Ignus in daggers.

"Excellent!" he said and melted it.

They aimed spells at one another for a few more minutes until Ron grew tired.

"I yield!" he shouted from the ground. "I don't want to end up in a hospital."

"I understand," Ignus said and offered him a hand.

Ron pulled him to the ground and aimed an electric spell at his chest. He shook violently.

"Ron, that cheating!" Hermione shouted.

"The red witch cheats," he said.

Ignus stopped shaking and slowly got to his feet. "No, that was actually quite brilliant. Feigning defeat or weakness, might actually work to your advantage, Hermione. The witch loves seeing weakness and likes to gloat. She will be caught by surprise when you recover quickly."

"Good to know," Hermione said.

Ignus addressed the group. "You three did a brilliant job. It's been a while since I have faced such strong opponents of your age. You should be very proud of what you've accomplished over the past couple of days."

"Ignus is right," Minerva said. "You three were excellent today. Especially you Hermione, after dueling me only several hours earlier. I would trust you with my life in battle, again."

"Are you going to add points to Gryffindor in our honor when the term starts?" Ron asked.

"No."

Harry smiled. "Don't ever change."

"I don't plan to."

They walked out of the dueling lab and went to an outdoor eating area. Plates of food were set up with their names on the table.

"I think I owe you three an apology," Minerva said. "I have been acting recklessly in the name of protecting you with little regard for my own safety on purpose. I am sorry for scaring you."

"There's no need to apologize, Professor," Harry said. "You've done a good job in looking out for us as always. You've also been through a lot like us."

"You're human," Ron said. "Sometimes, I forget that. But you're not perfect. That's okay. It makes it easier to relate to you."

Hermione stepped over and hugged her. "I don't need an apology. I just need you to be here for me and Ron and Harry."

Minerva hugged her back. "I have no plans of going anywhere."

"Good," she said and wiped a tear away.

They ate in silence for a few minutes. Dueling at that level led to a need for calories.

Minerva looked up and saw Anat approaching them. Greetings were exchanged.

"I understand you wish to go to Niagara Falls. I can get you a port key to Victoria Waterfall. The two waterfalls are connected."

"I did not know that," Hermione said.

"That sounds good," Minerva said.

"The portkey will be ready tomorrow morning. I will find you when it's ready."

"Thank you for everything," Minerva said.

"It is a pleasure to serve the cause of defeating the Red Witch," she said and stepped away.

"Professor, I've been thinking about something," Harry said. "What about the fact that the three of us each destroyed a Horcrux? Can that be used somehow to defeat her?"

"That's an avenue worth pursuing," Minerva said.

"The red witch loves suffering," Hermione said. "Who loved the suffering of others more than Voldemort?"

"We use it like a sex spell," Ron said excitedly. "We let her indulge in the joy of Voldemort's evil and then attack while she's distracted."

"These all sound like very promising ideas," Minerva said. "We have until tomorrow still. I say we head to the library to formulate a plan."

"You definitely are Hermione's grandmother," Ron said with a smile.

Hermione and Minerva exchanged a look of pride. Libraries were where they felt the most at home. It was one thing they knew they had in common as they go to know one another better.