chapter twentieth
4th of October 2008
Minerva was sleeping in her own room in her residence at Hogwarts.
Then the door of the room opened quietly and a person crept in on his tiptoes, and began getting closer and closer to the sleeping Minerva, until she was close to her face.
Then the person placed a kiss on Minerva's cheek and kept staring at her while smiling.
Minerva opened her eyes and smiled when she saw her daughter.
She said, "Good morning, my kitty. What woke you up so early?" and looked at the clock next to the bed. It was five in the morning.
Athena said, "Happy birthday to you, mother," and continued, "I wanted to be the first person to congratulate you on your birthday."
Minerva laughed and said, placing her hand on her daughter's cheek, "You are always the first person to congratulate me on my birthday, my child."
Minerva moved the bed cover a little and opened her arms and said, "Come, my kitty, why don't we get some sleep? It's still early."
Athena did not wait for her mother to repeat her request again, so she immediately entered her mother's arms and wrapped her small arms around Minerva's torso ( trunk ), and Minerva wrapped her arms around her daughter as well.
Minerva placed a kiss on her daughter's head, and closed her eyes.
Athena said, "I brought you a gift that you will like very much, Mama."
Minerva said with a smile, "You are the best gift I have ever received, my child."
Athena laughed and then said, "Mama, you are the best mother in this world, I love you so much, Mama ."
Minerva smiled. Today was Minerva's 63rd birthday, and then suddenly the thoughts that she had been thinking about a lot lately came flooding into her head, every time Arthur and Molly came to visit.
Athena loved Molly very much, and Minerva felt that Molly treated Athena with lovely as if she were a member of her family.
If she had told Arthur 9 years ago about her pregnancy, would the situation have been different? If she had given Athena to Arthur and Molly to raise her as their daughter, Athena would have been better off and her siblings would have loved her. If she had given Athena to a normal family, wouldn't this have been better for Athena than growing up with an old mother like her?
But just thinking that Athena was not present in her life made her feel panicky, her heartbeat increased, and some tears fell from her eyes, and she began to hold Athena in her embrace more, as if she feared (afraid) that these thoughts would turn into reality and Athena would disappear from her life.
Athena felt her mother's tears, so she looked at her worried and put her hand on her mother's cheek and said, "Mama, what happened, why are you crying?"
Minerva smiled at her to reassure her and said, "I am so happy, my kitty. I am very happy because you are my daughter."
Athena smiled and said, wiping Minerva's tears, "And I am very, very happy because you are my mother, Mama."
Minerva hugged her daughter, and the mother and her daughter slept for a while, as they had a busy day waiting for them, and an occasion to celebrate.
Two days later
In the Ministry of Magic
Minerva was at the Ministry of Magic to discuss a topic related to Hogwarts School with Minister Kingsley Shacklebolt.
Minerva was on the fourth floor. Minerva had decided to go to the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures.
Minerva came to the Ministry a little early for her appointment with the Minister, so she decided to use this time to go to the Department for Regulating and Controlling Magical Creatures to ask them about something.
After she finished, she went to the elevator to reach the first floor, where the offices of the Minister of Magic and support staff were located.
While she was in the elevator, before it moved, another person entered the elevator with her. This person was Percy Weasley.
Minerva sighed. She had been avoiding the Weasley family members recently, especially Ginny, but she knew that this avoidance could not last long, as the Weasley family members were spread across many work fields in the magical world.
"Good morning, Mr. Weasley," Minerva said.
"Good morning, Professor McGonagall," Percy said.
The silence continued between them throughout the elevator ride to the first floor.
Percy would peek at Minerva from time to time and look at her out of the corner of his eye, and Minerva was aware of his gaze.
The strange thing is that throughout the elevator ride, no one else rode with them, and they both remained alone.
Finally, the elevator reached the first floor, the elevator doors opened, and both Minerva and Percy exited the elevator.
Minerva took the path to the Minister of Magic's office, and to her surprise, Percy took the same path.
Minerva was sure that Percy was not following her, but he might also be heading to the Minister of Magic's office.
Minerva's suspicion was correct, as the two arrived at the office of the Assistant Minister of Magic to ask to meet the minister.
They waited five minutes until the assistant minister told them to enter the minister's office.
Kingsley Shacklebolt said as he stood up and went to Minerva, took her hand and placed a gentle kiss on it, "Hello, my dear Minerva, how are you?"
Minerva smiled at him and said, "I'm Fine, Kingsley."
Kingsley looked at Percy and smiled at him lovingly and said, "Hello, Percy."
Percy said, "Hello, Minister, I have brought the report you requested from the Department of Magical Transportation."
"Thank you, Percy," Kingsley said.
Percy handed the report to Kingsley and said, "If you have any notes , Mr, send them to me immediately."
"Well, my boy," Kingsley said.
Percy excused himself and left the office.
Kingsley and Minerva sat and discussed a number of topics related to Hogwarts School and some Ministry matters.
After Minerva's meeting with the Minister of Magic ended, she left the Minister of Magic's office and went to the elevator.
In the elevator, for the second time, she met a member of the Weasley family, but this time it was Arthur Weasley, the father of her daughter Athena.
When Arthur saw her, he smiled at her and said, "Hello, Minerva. Do you have work to do at the Ministry of Magic today?"
Minerva smiled at him and said, "Hello, Arthur. I had a number of topics to discuss with Kingsley. We're done. I'm on my way out now."
He said, "Really, I will give you a ride then, my dear."
Minerva laughed and said, "Don't bother, Arthur. I can go alone. I know the ways and corridors of the Ministry well. Have you forgotten that I worked at the Ministry of Magic for three years before I started teaching at Hogwarts?"
"I insist, my dear," Arthur said with a little firmness mixed with amusement.
"Okay," Minerva said.
They started talking among themselves and Arthur was coughing a little.
Minerva asked him, "Are you okay, Arthur?"
Arthur said, "Don't worry, Minerva. I'm fine. It's just a simple flu."
Minerva said, "Do not pressure yourself at work, Arthur, and rest a little. We are no longer young. We are getting old."
At the mention of growing older, the same thoughts that had occupied her mind and disturbed her on the morning of her birthday invaded her mind.
They had reached one of the fireplaces on the right side of the hall, which was one of the exits from the Ministry of Magic.
Arthur said while smiling, "We have not grown that much, my dear. And you are not supposed to complain, Minerva. You are still beautiful and you look much younger than your age."
Minerva laughed and said, "Oh, Arthur, you're just flattering me and praising me."
"I'm telling the truth, my dear," Arthur said. "Did you like the birthday present I sent you?" he continued.
Minerva said, "I liked it very much, Arthur, thank you."
Arthur said, "Don't thank me, my dear. This is nothing in return for what you did. You gave me a beautiful, healthy daughter, raised her well, and raised her in the best possible way. And you did not abandon her or run away from her responsibility. You are the best thing in Athena's life, and I am grateful to you, Minerva, and I am happy that you are her mother."
The thoughts that were bothering Minerva evaporated and she smiled at him and said, "Thank you, Arthur, thank you for everything."
Arthur hugged her and said, "Don't thank me, my dear friend."
Minerva smiled at him goodbye and entered the fireplace in order to leave the ministry and return to school.
Mid-October 2008
Minerva was sitting with Athena in the living room of her residence at Hogwarts.
Athena was trying to convince her mother to allow her to visit her sick father in his house the burrow .
Arthur had contracted the flu and had been resting at home from two days, so he was unable to visit Athens this week, and Molly was taking care of him.
Molly sent them a letter apologizing for Arthur and her not being able to visit Athens this week.
An idea occurred to Athena she would leave school early tomorrow and go visit her father at his house and check on him.
Minerva refused and Athena kept trying to convince her.
Athena said, "Please, Mama, please let me go visit him."
Minerva said, "It's complicated, my kitty. Also, what if you get the flu through infection?"
Athena said, "I will take a potion so I don't get the flu. Don't worry, mother."
Minerva sighed. How could she explain to her daughter, She does not know the position of the rest of the Weasley family towards Athena. Arthur keeps telling her that his sons are not yet ready to meet her, and Athena keeps asking when she will meet her brothers and sister.
Minerva said, "They may not agree to you going to them. We must not embarrass them, my child."
Athena sighed and said sadly, "Please, Mama, I want to visit my father, please."
Minerva sighed, she didn't like seeing her daughter sad.
Athena was eagerly awaiting the day of Arthur's weekly visit. She loved talking to him and sitting with him, and she loved the times when Molly would come over, too.
Minerva said, "Okay, my kitty, I will send them a message asking about the possibility of you visiting them tomorrow, but if they refuse, you must accept it, okay?"
Athena smiled and said, "Okay," and hugged her mother and placed a kiss on her cheek.
The next day
To Minerva's surprise, Arthur and Molly agreed to have her and Athena visit them in the Burrow, and they welcomed it.
Athena and Minerva were in front of the fireplace, Minerva looking frustrated and Athena looking excited and happy.
They were going to use floo powder to get into the burrow after Molly allowed them to do so.
Minerva said, "Remember, my cat, it will be a quick visit. We will check on Arthur's condition and wish him a speedy recovery, and we will return quickly."
"Okay," Athena said.
They entered the fireplace and reached the burrow. Molly was in front of the burrow's heater, waiting for them.
Upon seeing them, Molly welcomed them and said, "Welcome to the Burrow. Please come in."
Athena said, "Hello, Aunt Molly, how are you?"
Molly smiled at her as she hugged her and said, "I'm fine, my little one, and how are you?"
"I'm Fine," Athena said.
Molly smiled a small smile as she looked at Minerva, a sign of welcome, and Minerva returned the smile.
The three entered the living room, where Arthur was sitting in a chair waiting for them. He seemed tired and was wearing a transparent magic mask to protect those around him from infection.
Athena ran to him and gave him a bouquet of flowers and said to him, "How are you, Papa?" I wish you a speedy recovery."
Arthur smiled at her and said, "I feel better after seeing you, my child," and took the flowers from her.
"I wish you a speedy recovery, Arthur," Minerva said.
"Thank you, Minerva," Arthur said.
The four of them sat down, and Molly brought tea for herself and Minerva, and brought juice for Athena and gave it to Arthur water.
After an hour had passed, Minerva stood up and said, "Thank you for having us, but it is time for us to go."
"Can we stay a little longer?" Athena said.
"No, Athena," Minerva said. "Your father is sick and we must let him rest."
Arthur said, "Stay a little longer, Minerva, don't worry about me." He smiled at Athena and said, "Sitting with Athena makes me feel a lot better."
Minerva said, "I'm sorry, Arthur, I can't stay any longer. I have a meeting at Hogwarts with a student council member in half an hour."
Athena stood sad, she wanted to stay a little longer.
Molly had an idea and said, "Minerva, why don't you leave Athena with us until your meeting is over and then come get her?"
"A great idea, Molly," Arthur said. "What do you think, Minerva?"
Minerva began to think, she did not want to leave Athena in the Burrow without her, but she did not want to make her daughter sad, and she did not want Arthur and Molly to feel that she did not trust them.
Molly sensed Minerva's worry and said to her, "Don't worry, Minerva. I will take care of her until you come back and get her." She smiled at her and said, "I've taken care of seven children before. Athena is an angel to them."
Minerva looked at Athena and felt that she wanted to spend more time with her father.
Minerva sighed and said, "Okay, but Athena behave well and don't get your father tired, he's still sick, and don't bother Molly with you."
Athena smiled and shook her head and said, "Don't worry, Mama."
Minerva went to Athena and stroked her hair and said, "I will not be late. I will finish the meeting and l will come immediately."
Minerva looked at Molly and said, "Please take care of her, Molly."
Molly smiled at her and said, "Don't worry, Minerva."
Then Minerva used floo powder and left the burrow.
Athena, Arthur, and Molly remained in the living room talking.
After a while, Molly felt that it was time for Arthur to rest a little and take his medicine.
She said, "Arthur, my dear. You should go to the room and rest a little and take the medicine as well."
Arthur said, "I want to stay with Athena. She doesn't visit us every day."
"Just get some rest, Arthur," Molly said.
Arthur sighed. He knew Molly was right, he was starting to feel sleepy and it was time for his medicine.
Athena said, "Rest a little, papa, and I will wait for you until you wake up."
"Okay," Arthur said.
Arthur stood up and went to the bedroom to rest after Molly gave him the medicine.
Athena looked at the many pictures in the living room of Arthur and Molly's children and their grandchildren.
Molly came back after making sure that Arthur was asleep, and she went and sat in one of the chairs and watched Athena, who was watching the pictures.
Athena said as she looked at one of the pictures, "Aunt Molly, this picture has all my siblings, right?"
Molly smiled and said, "Yes, my little one. Bring the picture and come."
Molly consulted with each person in the picture and told Athena some things about them.
Then they took another picture and another until they reached the pictures of the grandchildren.
Molly said, "Now I will tell you about your brothers' and sister's children. It is not easy to remember all of them, as their number is quite large."
Athena said, "Don't worry, Aunt Molly, I brought the family map with me."
Molly said in amazement, "The family map?"
Athena went to her small bag and took out a notebook and a large sheet of paper folded to reduce its size.
Athena said, "My mother helped me a little in making it."
She gave them to Molly. Molly opened the paper and found a model of the family tree of the Weasley family.
A connection between her name and the name of Arthur, and branching out from this connection are seven names, which are their children, and a connection between Arthur and Minerva, and branching out from this connection is the name Athena.
The tree includes the names of her children, their partners, and her grandchildren.
In addition to Teddy Lupine, Harry Potter's godson.
As for the ŘŚnotebook, each page bore the name of a family member and some information about him.
Athena said, "I made them so that I could remember and preserve everything," so that I could easily deal with my siblings and surprise them."
"Well done, my little one," Molly said, placing her hand on Athena's cheek. "That's a smart idea."
They talked for a while, then Molly said, "I'm going to make some lemonade with herbs for Arthur and make a fruitcake for dinner. Do you want to help me, Athena?"
Athena smiled at her and said, "Yes, I want to help."
Molly said, "Okay, let's go to the kitchen."
Molly put on her own kitchen apron, and Molly helped Athena put on a small-sized kitchen apron that Ginny had used when she was little.
She tied Athena's long hair and put a handkerchief on it so that her hair would not get dirty or hair would fall out in the food.
They started making Arthur's lemon herbal drink, and then they started making fruit cake and some biscuits.
They were laughing and talking while doing this.
At the same time outside the burrow
George was on his way to the Burrow to bring some fruits and strengthening potions for his sick father.
He was going to check on his parents, give them these things, and go back to work.
He opened the door of the burrow quietly, he wanted to surprise his parents.
He went quietly so that no one would discover his presence to the living room, but he did not find anyone.
He heard some sounds coming from the kitchen, so he went there.
He entered the kitchen smiling, but he found his mother with a young girl with bright red hair and green eyes, wearing a kitchen apron, a handkerchief in her hair, and some white flour on her nose and cheeks.
Molly was surprised by George's presence and said, "George, you scared me. What are you doing here? Why did you come today?"
George was surprised by his mother's question. She usually welcomes the arrival of her children at any time, and is even very happy when they arrive.
"I brought some things," George said, "and I wanted to check on Father ."
George continued, "But who is this girl, mother?" Then his face changed and he looked shocked and said, "Did you bring a little girl to help you with the housework? She is a minor, mother, and too young to work. I did not think you would do something like this, mother." He started shaking his head in disappointment.
"No, George, it's not that," said Molly.
"I know, mother," George said while laughing. "I'm just kidding you. Is she the daughter of one of our relatives? Or the daughter of one of your acquaintances, mother?"
Molly opened her mouth to reply, but Arthur entered the kitchen.
Arthur said, "What's going on here?"
George turned his head to look at his father and wanted to say, "She has come, father," but the word "father" did not come out of his mouth. Rather, to his surprise, it came out of the little girl's mouth.
Athena said as she went to Arthur, "father, how are you doing now? Aunt Molly and I made you a lemon and herb drink."
"father?" George said and looked at Arthur and Molly, thinking.
George's eyes widened and his mouth opened in shock as he realized that the girl was most likely his father's daughter from Professor McGonagall. But what is she doing here?
After a little while, after George had composed himself, he thought that this assumption might be wrong.
George said, "Girl, are you Professor McGonagall's daughter?"
Athena, who did not know why everyone was nervous, said, "Yes, I am Athena McGonagall. You are my brother George, aren't you?" And I smiled at him
George's suspicion was confirmed that this little girl was his half-sister.
I made the chapter a little longer than usual.
I will continue the rest of the events of Athena and George's meeting next chapter.
Thank you for reading the story so far
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