I hope you enjoy the chapter. Thanks to all who have left reviews! They are greatly appreciated and always put a smile on my face :)
20th December 1991
The incident with the troll, added with the incident at the Quidditch match, had shown almost for certain that Quirrell had ill intentions both concerning the stone as well as Harry Potter. And although it had not been mentioned explicitly during the many harried evening talks between Minerva, Severus, and Albus, it was an unspoken truth that Albus' suspicions at the start of the year may have been correct.
Despite this, however, Albus was keen on keeping Quirrell inside the castle. And even though Minerva agreed that having Quirrell under their noses would allow them to keep a closer eye on his activities, she was not too partial to the idea of having someone dangerous among the staff.
This meant she was now patrolling the corridors almost every evening until the early hours of the morning. She was tired and worried quite a lot of the time, and overall she was seeing less of her family than she really would have liked for fear of leaving the castle for too long a period.
Not to mention that while she was busy ensuring the stone was safe and Quirrell was being kept an eye on she also had to fulfil her duties as Deputy Head as well as Transfiguration professor. All that being said, Minerva was now sporting a rather irksome and persistent headache that even Poppy's spells and potions could not cure.
Yet despite the headache and general feeling of unwell, Minerva was resolute on finishing the task at hand. With a shake of her head, she looked back down at her work and continued to easily transfigure the pincushions from her fourth-year class back into hedgehogs. She had almost finished when there was a knock at her door. Assuming it was either Albus or Severus, Minerva didn't look up immediately and continued what she was doing.
"Enter."
She heard her office door creak open and then a nervous cough.
"Erm—Professor McGonagall, could I have a word please?"
Minerva looked up, her eyebrows rising slightly when she noticed Hermione Granger shifting nervously from foot to foot by her door. She stopped and put her wand down.
"Of course, Miss Granger. Please, come in."
Hermione bowed her head and closed the door and hurried in.
"Now, how can I help you?" Minerva asked as the first year slipped into a wooden chair opposite Minerva's desk.
"Well, it's not so much help I need, more—erm—your advice," Hermione began. "I-I don't know if I should stay for the Christmas holidays or go home?"
Minerva frowned. "Do you want to go home?"
"I do," Hermione said earnestly, "this is the longest I've been away from my parents and it would be lovely to see them again but…"
"But?" Minerva prompted when Hermione trailed away; she had a vague idea where this was going.
"But I don't want to put my studies at risk. With mocks and end of year exams, I thought maybe it best if I stayed and revised here?"
"Miss Granger, we are in December. You have still 6 full months until your exams, " Minerva reminded her.
"I know," Hermione said quietly. "I just-I like to be prepared."
Minerva sighed and shook her head slightly. She pulled out a small tin from her desk drawer, removed the lid, and offered it to the girl. "Have a biscuit, Granger."
Hermione looked surprised, her eyes flicked to Minerva's as though to make sure she wasn't joking. When she realised Minerva was being completely serious her hand inched towards the tin and she picked up a ginger newt, still looking confused.
Minerva folded her arms on her desk. "I can assure you, Miss Granger, that your studies will not be at risk if you take a few weeks rest," she said. "Christmas is a time to spend with family. When you come back you will have plenty of time to revise."
"What about mocks?"
This time Minerva smiled slightly; the girl reminded her very much of herself when she was that age. "You will have several weeks before your mocks which is more than enough time to prepare yourself," she said. "For now I highly advise that you use these two weeks to rest. You have worked hard this year and you have done very well in all of your classes. You deserve to take a break."
Hermione flushed bright red as though this comment had made her day. She then nodded and glanced at the hedgehogs roaming happily in their crate.
"Fourth-year work," Minerva explained, sitting back in her chair. "Tricky spell."
"Can I see?"
Minerva looked amusedly back at the girl then transfigured the pincushion back into a hedgehog. Hermione stared transfixed at the small animal.
"I read about this spell last week," she said. "Could I try?"
Minerva raised her eyebrows. "I don't see why not," she said, slightly intrigued to see Miss Granger's abilities. After all the girl was clever and capable and knew spells most of her classmates were not even aware of.
Hermione cleared her throat and took out her wand. She looked intensely at the last pincushion, waved her wand, and then muttered the spell. The pincushion transformed back into a hedgehog however its paws and underbelly kept the cushion pattern instead of fur.
"I'm impressed," Minerva said, tapping the hedgehog lightly and restoring its light brown fur. "That is very advanced magic."
Hermione smiled looking very pleased.
"Now, have you come to a decision?" Minerva asked.
Hermione took a deep breath then stood up. "Last day before the holidays," she said, "I think I had best go and pack."
Minerva smiled and stood up too, picking up the wooden crate containing hedgehogs. "I think that is a wise choice," she told the girl as they walked out of the office. "Could you hold the—thank you," she said as Hermione held the door open for her.
"Do you need any help taking them to Hagrid's?"
"I believe I can manage," Minerva said, locking her office door. "Now, I will wish you a Merry Christmas Miss Granger and I will see you in the New Year."
Hermione smiled just as someone called her name.
"Hermione!" yelled Ron. "Are you coming?"
Hermione looked at Ron then back at Minerva. "Merry Christmas, Professor," she said, before turning and leaving at a run to catch up with Weasley and Potter.
Minerva watched the trio for a moment as they set off in the direction of the library. It seemed strange that at the start of the year they hadn't got along when now they were almost inseparable. Minerva watched their retreating back for a few more moments before shaking herself, her arms now sore holding the crate, and left for Hagrid's hut.
