Dean and Hermione saw Jess furiously throwing rocks into the lake; each rock was thrown farther than it should have been.

" Jess. " Dean called, making her turn around

" Hey. " She just answered

" Listen, Jess. we're not going to tell you how you should feel, just that we'll still be there for you, no matter what. " Hermione stated, placing a hand on her taller friend's arm and Dean imitating her

Jess sat on the ground and started talking.

"When the dementor was near me, I heard Voldemort killing my mother and her begging him to kill her instead of me. And today, I learnt that her ex-best friend was responsible for endangering the three of us. And now, he has the gall to feel like the world owe him for how he was treated. I too grew up with abusive monsters and I was bullied and you don't see me sneering at anyone." Jess ranted

"Jess, you weren't serious about killing him, were you?" Dean asked.

"Okay, I was exagerating because I was furious. No, I'm just going to beat him within an inch of his life so much that no healer will be able to fix him." Jess answered

"That's not reassuring at all." Hermione said

( McGonagall's office, earlier )

Since today was Sunday, Minerva had some free time to prepare her schedule for the year. However, the more time passed, the more she thought about the last words Jessica Potter had let out of her mouth.

" Remember that I became like this because of your games, Headmaster. If you hadn't brought the stone here, and if you had closed Hogwarts when the chamber was opened, none of this would have happened. "

At first, Minerva had wanted to scold Jessica for this, but a part of her held her back. Now, in her office, she could finally think clearly and try to put herself in Jessica's shoes. It wasn't long before she realized that, beyond Albus's "because I said so," there was literally no reason to bring the Philosopher's Stone to Hogwarts, and even less reason to hide it behind protections that were now proven to be ineffective against three first-year students, let alone a dark wizard.

There was no reason not to close Hogwarts and call the DMLE and experts in monsters to investigate. Once again, Jessica had to do everything her own teachers couldn't.

But it was the words "your games" that struck a chord in Minerva. She spent some time analyzing them before realizing that Jessica believed that Albus didn't care about the students... And by extension, that Minerva didn't care about the students.

This horrified Minerva, but, looking back on the past, she realized that, at no point, had they ever punished real offenders; only victims defending themselves.

For now, McGonagall really needed to drink something; then she swore she would do something to rectify her mistakes.

After finishing her tall glass of firewhiskey, Minerva got out of her office and went to find Jessica. As she went to the entrance of the Castle, she heard her voice.

"I too grew up with abusive monsters and I was bullied and you don't see me sneering at anyone."

A wave of shock filled Minerva as she thought through all possible scenarios, all very horrific. She knew the Dursley's were the worst muggles, but to abuse their own niece? She would have words, first with Mrs Potter, then with Albus.

"Mrs Potter." Minerva called

Jess, Dean, and Hermione turned around to see Professor McGonagall approaching them.

"Professor, if this is about my outburst earlier, I apologize for doing it in public. But don't expect me to apologize to Snape." Jessica stated.

"No mrs Potter, I wasn't talking about this. On the contrary, I wanted to see you to offer my own apologies." Minerva said

This stunned the trio. Minerva McGonagall was apologizing for something ?

"Please, go on, professor." Jess said, curious

"I am sorry for not believing you when you warned me about the Stone; for not doing anything when you faced scorn from the entire school, twice. You were right, we shouldn't have brought that stone here, and we should have closed Hogwarts for a time during the attacks. I know you think we don't care about the students, and we didn't provide any proof to the contrary. But I swear to you, this will change." Minerva apologized

Jess looked intently at Minerva, who felt she was being judged. Jessica was indeed looking into her soul and felt nothing but sincerity in her words. She then turned towards her friends who nodded at her.

"Your apologies are accepted, professor. I know you're a busy woman with three posts and you can't do everything. You're only human." Jess said, extending a hand to her teacher

Minerva was stunned but relieved and she took Jessica's hand. When they parted ways, Minerva knew she had to discuss a difficult topic.

"Mrs. Potter, it wasn't my intention, but I overheard you say that you were abused and bullied as a child. If you aren't willing to discuss it, I will respect your decision and wait until you feel ready."

Jess sighed, knowing it would come one way or another and revealing her past: how she had been treated as a slave, being blamed for everything even when she couldn't possibly be responsible; how she had been bullied by Dudley and his parents encouraging it.

Dean, Hermione and Minerva were horrified by all of this. The former two hugged Jessica in comfort while Minerva seemed very calm, but she was actually furious – furious against the Dursleys for their treatment of Jess, furious at Dumbledore for placing the girl in this house, but most of all, furious at herself for not doing anything to prevent it.

"Just another failure on my part." Minerva lamented, "Jessica, I will have words with Albus on this. I swear, you will not return to this house ever again."

Minerva then walked towards the headmaster's office, said the password and climbed up the stairs. She knocked on the door and entered. She saw that Albus had assembled the main professors and Harkness and Severus Snape- what ?!

"May I ask why that man is still here ?" Minerva demanded

"Minerva, we were just discussing to find a way to bring Mrs Potter back to reason." Albus stated

"We both know that the only way is to deliver Severus to the DMLE. And it's a choice I will make without hesitation." Minerva retorted

"Hogwash," Snape said dismissively, voice laden with derision, "Just the brat grubbing for attention. No need to..."

SMACK

Snape's head recoiled from Minerva slapping him before she pointed her wand and gagged him and bound him with ropes.

"That will be quite enough," McGonagall said coldly "You are hereby sacked from all your posts. Your pathetic grudge against James had gone for far too long and your insistence on taking it out on his daughter is beyond inexcusable. I'll drag you to Amelia Bones by the ear if I have too."

"Minerva," Albus said eventually, his tone cautious, "We cannot afford to lose-"

"YES, WE BLOODY WELL CAN!" Minerva screamed, her face red as her head snapped around to face Dumbledore, every other member of the staff starting violently at her uncharacteristic outburst "JESSICA TOLD ME ABOUT HOW SHE IS TREATED BY HER RELATIVES, WHO TREATED HER LIKE SHE WAS NOTHING BUT THEIR SLAVES AND PUNCHING-BALL ! SHE NEVER KNEW HER REAL NAME UNTIL SHE STARTED SCHOOL, SHE WAS STARVED, SLEPT IN A CUPBOARD AND WAS BULLIED EVERY DAY ! I WARNED YOU, ALBUS SODDING DUMBLEDORE, THAT THE DURSLEYS WERE THE WORST KINDS OF MUGGLES, BUT YOU DIDN' LISTEN, WELL YOU'LL BLOODY WELL LISTEN NOW !" Minetva took a deep breath and continued " If you try to stop me from bringing those things to justice, I'll reveal to everyone what is really happening bebind those walls. "

During her outburst, everyone in the room was stunned, with Albus seeming to age and Harkness keeping a stoic face but gripping the chair tighter.

"Stephen, I'll pay any price you want but rid us of Severus and Mrs Potter's relatives." Minerva finally stated

"No need, Minerva. This one's on the house." Harkness stated, before dragging Snape by the hairs and going away.

"For too long, Albus," Minerva said, "You have been too soft, and allowed petty bullies and tyrants to run free within this school. This stops here, and now. If you will not get behind me on this, I will either see you removed from your position over the children, or see them removed from under you." Minerva stated " And it was Mrs Potter who made me realize that and yet, she still choose to forgive me for not doing my job properly. It is time I truly earn this forgiveness."


Small chapter I know but one to establish my version of McGonagall, who is inspired by the one from Lordsfire's 'Brutal Harry' story. I recommend you read this. This has a realistic showing of consequences of an abusive childhood and Minerva is such a well-developped and badass character in this.

Next time : during the first day of classes, a weasel try to make trouble and Minerva reveal a terrible secret to Jessica.