Does cancer exist in the Wizarding World? McGonagall dismisses her sickliness as being related to stress about restarting school after the Battle of Hogwarts. Then she notices a lump. The St. Mungo's healers refuse to consider muggle solutions as Minerva gets sicker. Her friends rally to help as Harry's defeat of Voldemort has far-reaching consequences. Inspired by Maggie Smith!
Important Notes:
This is NOT an entirely accurate or authoritative description of any form of cancer. I am using the fact this story takes place in a magical world to explain certain elements of the story.
Maggie Smith was battling breast cancer while filming Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. I'm not overly fond of the films and some of the changes made, but the casting was amazing for so many of the characters, especially McGonagall. I was in love with the character before the movies, but I believe Maggie Smith's performance broadened her appeal. I just think the duel between her and Snape should have been more intense and the imprisoning of the Slytherins was another poor choice. Anyway, this story is a celebration of the character, the actress, and their shared resilience!
I also hope to give some tertiary characters a little development.
Lastly, to my CM fans mad they got a new story alert for this: I make no promises nor I do shut any doors on anything, is all I will say.
Prologue
From the August issue of History of Magic Monthly: "What Comes Next" By Guest Contributor Alicia Spinnet.
I always thought the History of Magic was the dullest course taught at Hogwarts. But then I learned this past year it was the teacher, not the material that was boring. Being on the run from Voldemort is exhausting and exhilarating at the same time. Snatchers were always on my heels so at one point I had to hunker down for a month in an old pure-blood residence. I found a stack of the HOMM magazines and started reading. It changed how I viewed magic.
I learned there is a science to magic and that history goes hand-in-hand with it. Every time a wizard amasses power and influence the forces of magic are destabilized. What I knew about the effects of Grindelwald's reign of terror could be written on the back of a chocolate frog card. I didn't know more muggle children developed magical talent as a result. I didn't know portkey transportation was difficult for ten years afterward. Devil's Snare became deadlier. I didn't know more flightless dragons were born afterward. I didn't know I didn't know so much!
So, the big question is: What now? Voldemort's reign of terror is over. What seemingly unrelated consequences will come from it? I'm going to become the first Defense Against Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts since the jinx broke. I would be lying if I said wasn't afraid of messing up, getting hurt, or getting a student hurt. With so much history of magic written, we still truly do not know what seemingly random part of wizarding life will change because Voldemort is gone. It is kind of terrifying and a tiny bit exciting…
Chapter One:
'I had been feeling a little rum,' she said.
~Maggie Smith in The Daily Mail 2009
Minerva:
It was a tedious task, but Minerva insisted on doing it herself: She wanted to go into every single classroom, corridor, bathroom, dormitory, the Room of Requirement, and the kitchens to make sure everything was set up right. Minerva had agreed to let Filius inspect the magical fortifications as that was more his field of specialty. Hagrid reported the grounds were in good condition but she still did a flyover by broom anyway. She had to inspect the Quidditch pitch herself. The term was set to begin in a week and everything had to be perfect.
As she made her way up the stairs to the third floor with a stack of notes under her arm, she found herself dizzy and short of breath again.
"I need to take better care of myself," she muttered under her breath. "I'll let myself sleep in any extra ten minutes tomorrow and grab an apple at breakfast."
"Professor?"
Alicia Spinnet was waiting at the top of the stairs for her.
"Do you need a hand?"
"I'm fine Miss Alicia," she said as she managed to get control of her breathing again. "I think I just need to slow down a little."
"If I can be of any help let me know."
"I appreciate your offer," she said as she reached the top of the stairs.
"You must be worried about starting your first term," Minerva said to change the subject.
"I won't lie to you professor, I am."
They walked towards her office.
"I have full faith in you. My sources tell me when you weren't raiding snatcher hideouts, you and Miss Bell were educating yourselves on all forms of dark arts."
Alicia turned pink. "They may have been too kind in their recommendations."
"I doubt it. You proved you were a skilled and studious student while here. I truly believe you will be an asset as a teacher."
"I am nervous about the jinx."
"And I commend you for applying nonetheless. I promise I will work to protect you."
"Thank you, Professor McGonagall. I can't call you Minerva."
"I get that a lot from recent graduates. But that may change in time."
They reached the next staircase that would lead to her office.
"Do take care of yourself, professor," Alicia said.
"You as well Alicia."
Slightly gasping for air by the end, Minerva said the password, and the stairs emerged. She felt a sense of vertigo for the first time.
She suddenly felt a twinge of pain in an odd place as she reached for the door. Minerva knew stress caused aches and pains in the body. But even when the castle was under occupation by the Death Eaters, she didn't feel like this. She truly wanted to believe this was nothing to worry about.
"It has to be," she said out loud as she entered her office.
