AN: Hope you enjoy the chapter, and as always if you like the story or can offer any advice then feel free to leave a review.
-MP-
Chapter Five: Pride and Happiness
Harry quickly whisked Minerva back to her private quarters near Gryffindor Tower, knowing that Minerva wouldn't want to be seen in her heightened emotional state. It was such a stark contrast to how Minerva usually presents herself, never seeming the type to weep so openly and unashamedly as tonight. She clung to Harry's shoulders, tears soaking his robes, it was then he knew he had to stay the night and watch over her.
Surprisingly, she didn't contest this, and instead agreed quietly as she shuffled her way into her bedroom and closed the door behind Harry. He nodded gently and wrote an owl to Ginny, letting her know where he as so she didn't need to worry, tying it to the leg of Minerva's rather impressive tawny owl which stood on its perch nearby.
He made his way to the leather chair near the fire and let himself sink deeply into it, his legs stretched out in front accepting the last licks of the once roaring fire. Now the initial worry of Minerva's return from Dumbledore's office had subsided, it made room for other thoughts to penetrate his mind. A voice similar to his own raking over the many feelings of the day.
With one arm against the rest he pushed his glasses upwards and pinched his nose, inwardly chastising himself for not realising that he wasn't the only one affected by the war against Voldemort, but had selfishly let himself believe that when he was hurting. He saw much more clearly now that it wasn't true, everyone around him was hurting too. Even those who are as strong as stern as Minerva.
Harry let his mind travel back to his last year at Hogwarts, after Dumbledore had died, after the funeral. He left Ron, Hermione, his friends and made his way to Dumbledore's office. Almost on autopilot, shuffling closer and closer to the stone gargoyle. At the time, it hadn't occurred to him how strange it was that it didn't require a password. Simply granting him access, he found himself opposite that door but instead of hesitancy, he flung it open causing it to thud against the stone wall angrily.
For a moment he fixed his eyes on the desk, adorned with trinkets and notes, all meaningless and daft in the grand scheme of things. The pensieve cabinet was tightly locked. No sign of the Horcruxes or the sword to be found. Harry didn't give a damn about any of that in the moment, instead he strode heavily to the desk and grasped the objects nearest to him and began to launch them violently around the room. One after the other, banging, crashing and shattering against any available surface.
A reaction similar to when Sirius had died. With one major exception however. The last time he was in the room and throwing things around there was someone there with him, remaining calm and patient, who tried their very best to emphasise with his grief, his anger. Permitting themselves to be a port of blame which Harry had gladly accepted and thrashed furiously against. This time he was alone, damaging objects without abandon because there would be nobody there this time, he had to push on alone, and with that he wrapped his fingers around a glass ornament which he sent flying angrily at the wooden door opposite.
It collided with the door sending tinkling glass across the floor. Harry was breathing heavily, tears flooding his flushed red race, wrestling with the terrible combination of both grief and anger. When the door opened revealing the woman who would find him inside for a second time - Minerva.
She looked at him with both sadness and understanding, and without judgement she walked over and clasped his hand. Proceeding to take him over to the corner where Dumbledore's portrait would be hung soon, but for now transfiguring two chairs for the pair to sit. Minerva began to talk about whatever asinine Hogwarts student issues she could think of, not because Harry wanted to talk or even to care about the subject but it was a means to distract him. Get him to engage in something else than just his anger, as she patiently watched for his chest to stop going up and down so rapidly.
Harry remembered fondly how long Minerva sat with him that day, now as an adult he could understand the feelings she must have put aside about Albus that day in order to help him. To realise that in her own way she always looked out for him and he hoped to repay her one day. He looked outside, it must have been late since the cornflower blue colour had dulled into darkness. Realising he was tired himself he withdrew his wand from his robes and used it to extend the leather chair into a bed for himself, complete with covers that wrapped tightly against him, turning inwards attempting to find sleep.
-MP-
It was a sleepy Saturday morning for Minerva who was spending more and more of her time at Hogwarts rather than her Hogsmeade home, but it felt right, like she was getting closer to her old self rather than being afraid of what the future could hold. Harry and herself had been in contact frequently since her visit to Dumbledore's office, letting him know how thankful she had been to discover him fast asleep in her office the following morning. Secretly, she was quite impressed at his transfiguration and could easily see where James had got his skills from.
Saturday mornings for Minerva these days meant her private tuition lessons and that brought joy to her life. Teaching brought joy to her life in general, but these advanced lessons put her back in touch with her love for Transfiguration and of course challenging young witches and wizards to perform their best.
She exited her private quarters and entered into her office, quickly selecting a deep maroon leather bound book from her collection before making her way to breakfast that was due to begin in the Great Hall. Eager to take her fill and set her classroom up ready for the day ahead.
As she strode through the centre of the great hall which was now filled with students from all four houses, almost like clockwork a familiar Gryffindor bounced quickly up from his seat and headed straight in her direction. She smiled lightly before replacing it with her typical stern expression that she was famous for.
"Professor McGonagall!" Called the enthusiastic voice, which came from a boy who was now taller than her with very familiar black scraggly hair.
"Yes, Mr Potter, and to what do I owe this pleasure?" She quipped, as the pair paused their stride to speak.
The straggly dark haired boy beamed in her direction. "Are we having our advanced lesson today, Professor? It's just I've been looking up all about..."
Minerva watched as the boy before her reeled off excitedly about his studies, demonstrating his evident enthusiasm for her subject. Truth be told, it reminded her a little bit of herself.
She raised her open palm to silence the boy. "Mr Potter. Rest assured our lesson will go ahead as planned today."
"Brilliant!" James exclaimed, turning on his heel to return to the Gryffindor table.
"Mr Potter." Minerva continued, causing James to turn his head to face her. "Meet me in my classroom at 10am."
James nodded. "Yes Professor."
Minerva tightened her grip on the book and parchment in her hand and made her way to the staff table for breakfast, leaving the excitable Gryffindor boy to his friends.
Shortly after breakfast had finished Minerva took the short walk to her classroom. She always maintained the same classroom, lined with various animal cages that Hagrid helped her tend to and a large chalkboard upfront for discussing theory with her students.
She cleared the chalkboard with her wand when she heard a knock at her classroom door. "Enter."
The door swung open to reveal James Potter bounding in eagerly, just as he had approached her earlier at Breakfast.
"Hello Professor." He said, taking his usual seat at the front. "What are we going to cover today?"
She clutched her wand tightly to her chest as she often did when beginning a lesson. "Well Mr Potter. After my most recent assessment I have decided to move you on to trans-species Transfiguration."
James's eyes widened immediately, their green hue taking on an excited glean which leaked into his voice. "You're serious?" He boasted excitedly.
Minerva couldn't help herself but smirk lightly as she nodded. "Yes Mr Potter, I am serious, in fact it is rare that I am anything but."
James quickly interjected. "Yeah, but this is the really hard stuff!"
"Exactly." She countered. "Now, have you had a chance to look at those books I gave you in the summer?"
He nodded. "I've done a bunch of reading but I haven't dared to experiment yet."
Minerva tucked her wand into her robes and selected the red book she pulled off her shelf earlier. "Wise man Mr Potter."
She passed him the book which read Advanced Transfiguration: Trans-Species the Small and Mighty by Theresia Dogwood.
"Turn to page twenty two."
Minerva proceeded to discuss the process of Transfiguring a spider into a beetle, emphasising that the branch of magic James was about to embark on was incredibly difficult and will require a lot of patience.
"Now Mr Potter. You will move your wand gently to the right and twist your hand inwards whilst saying the incantation." She modelled the wand movement for him as he watched her fascinatedly.
"Mr Potter! Your turn." Minerva snapped to gain his attention quickly. "Come on, please."
James practiced the wand movement just as Minerva had shown him and she nodded in approval.
She turned around to her desk, and took out a large glass door from the bottom door which housed a rather menacing looking spider. Placing it on James's desk ready for him to practice upon.
"Now. Watch me closely."
Minerva withdrew her wand again and pointed it at the spider moving her wand expertly as she said the words "Aranea Insectum" and immediately the spider spun around and transfigured into a beautiful green scarab beetle.
James looked on in wonder. "That's amazing Professor!" He beamed as he looked up from his desk.
"Thank you, Mr Potter. Now it's time for you to try." Minerva reversed the transfiguration so the spider was ready to be used again.
James took his own wand out and aimed it at the spider. "Remember Mr Potter. Rome was not built in a day. This will not be perfect the first time around."
With that Minerva watched James closely as he practiced, occasionally interrupting to give him extra pointers and towards the end of the lesson he was able to shrink the spider and make it into a small black beetle.
When he finally was able to complete the transfiguration James jumped up from his seat from the sheer excitement. "Professor! Look! Did you see?"
Minerva permitted herself to smile then, he had indeed done exceptionally well with the task set and she was impressed by his work.
"Dad will not believe it when I tell him this!" He carried on, marvelling at what in reality was a rather simple looking beetle, but was still an achievement nonetheless.
After glancing at her watch she had to remind James that it was time to pack up so she could get ready for her next lesson of the day.
He quickly obliged and thanked Minerva as he made his way to the door sporting a slight spring in his step.
As she watched him head to the door, his cloak billowing around his ankles she couldn't help herself but feel a surge of pride in her student. "Mr Potter." She called after him.
James had just caught the sound of her voice as he passed through the doorway, he turned around with one hand casually on the frame. His hair all over the place much like his fathers and a huge smile on his face. "Yes, Professor?" He questioned.
She pursed her lips in typical Minerva fashion and looked down at her desk before lifting her head up towards James. "I would just like to say..."
Minerva left her desk and met James in the doorway, ignoring the gaggles of students passing by them on their way to various activities for the day. She placed a gentle hand on his shoulder and squeezed. "Well done for today James. You should be proud."
He continued to smile back at her, his face lit up from his achievements. "Thank you Professor."
The two parted ways and James turned around to head into the corridor and off to meet his friends on the grounds. Minerva watched him go, feeling just as proud of him as she did of Harry during his time at Hogwarts. Marvelling in the similarities and differences, just as bold as Harry with the talent of Ginerva mixed in.
"Oh and 10 points to Gryffindor Mr Potter" She shouted over the crowd. One last time James turned around and gave Minerva a wave in thanks. She retreated into her classroom and flashed a rare grin to herself before carrying on with the rest of her day.
-MP-
Minerva had decided in recent months to prioritise herself more. Her whole life had been dedicated to Hogwarts and its students, and she wouldn't have had it any other way. But in recent times she had learned how important it was to spend time with her loved ones.
Today was no exception. The day's classes were over and as she was no longer the Gryffindor Head of House and Professor Longbottom was much more confident in his role. She had set some time aside to meet her nieces and nephews in The Three Broomsticks and then she would retire for a rare evening in her cottage.
She walked into the bustling pub leaving the cold wind behind, even without a mirror she knew her hair had been thoroughly tousled on the walk over so she tucked the loose strands behind her ear as she caught sight of them all.
"Alistair! Toren! Elspeth!" She called happily, extending her arms wide to greet the three of them.
Minerva quickly gave all three of them a hug and the group made their way to a table in the corner where her two brothers Malcolm and Robert were seated. They chose a large table out of the way in the corner, leaving them just enough room to squeeze the whole family around including everybody's partners. She quickly forgot about the loudness of the pub behind her, the students who were inevitably ogling and dove head first into a catch up with her family. As the family had been estranged for a while, and Minerva certainly had a strained relationship with her brothers but she hoped this reunion would be the start of a new chapter in their lives.
Robert offered to buy a round of drinks, Minerva opting for Gillywater, whilst the rest of the group exchanged rapid conversation. Starting with Minerva's long absence from their family gatherings.
She apolgised for not reaching out sooner and made them very aware of how much they all meant to her, and how she hoped they would understand her absence. To her delight Elspeth stood up, her strawberry blonde hair around her shoulders, and announced quite loudly a toast to Minerva.
"We missed you Min! and just so everybody is clear you are most definitely my favourite McGonagall!" Elspeth raised her glass of firewhiskey in the air, and the entire table mirrored her in gleefully.
The group then spend the rest of their evening catching up on each other's lives. Learning that Elpsbeth had made the team for Wigtown Wanderers as a beater, Malcolm had recently accepted a promotion at the Ministry, and Alistair was working in a muggle garage as a mechanic as he loved tinkering away at a project and finding ways to fix things.
The whole time Minerva couldn't have felt more proud looking at them all, marvelling in their happiness, but simultaneously a twisting feeling formed in her stomach when she thought about all the memories she had missed out on. All the time fettered away over the years. She promised herself she would not miss anymore, and couldn't wait to tell Harry her plans going forward. For the first time in a long time she was beginning to feel lighter, she could envision the future instead of resigning herself to her office, marking homework and endless parchment. Thinking privately to herself as her family laughed and drank, that she was finally getting to the other side- inching ever closer towards happiness.
