Thanks for the reviews :)
12 July 1998
Minerva massaged her temples.
"Enough," she said, speaking to Phineas Nigellus. "The decision has been made. If you do not stop bickering I will have you removed from the wall."
"You wouldn't dare," Phineas said.
"Oh, she would," Albus helpfully interceded.
Phineas seemed about to retort but another portrait spoke up. "If you will excuse Phineas, dear. He has always enjoyed being incredibly argumentative for no apparent reason." Dilys smiled kindly at Minerva before proceeding. "The Chamber of Secrets was opened during the battle and it was left open. I agree with Minerva that we must take this opportunity to close it once and for all."
"The Dark Lord has no heir."
"Be that as it may, it would do no harm taking a few precautions," Dilys said measuredly. Her calm composure was betrayed by a slight purse of the lips and a warning look directed towards Phineas. "Whether they be necessary or not."
Phineas harrumphed but no one paid him any more attention. Not only was the man, or portrait, bitter that another Gryffindor had taken the role of Headteacher, Phineas was also thoroughly disgruntled that Hogwarts was now being run by a woman instead of a man. Minerva had decided that it was best to leave him alone so that he could mourn the loss of a Slytherin Headteacher and a male one at that.
She was somewhat mollified as well, by the fact that he had, perhaps grudgingly, praised her for her 'exemplary' work supporting the reconstruction of the castle. Aside from that rare note of high praise, he had since made it his goal to argue with anyone and anything. After several weeks it was getting rather tiresome.
Minerva was reminded yet again of the few times Albus had come to her office to discuss his grievances with some of the portraits - it had not been difficult for Minerva to deduce 'some of the portraits' predominantly translated to Phineas Nigellus' portrait. That was when he had just become Headmaster and Minerva Transfiguration Professor at Hogwarts. Decades ago now. Minerva thought of those days fondly. She was glad Albus' experiences were not too dissimilar from her own.
Minerva got up to get her new reading glasses - Poppy had dropped them off earlier that day and Minerva had not yet had the time to swap her old glasses for the new ones. She passed Albus' portrait.
"I am rather jealous you received a warmer welcome from Phineas than I," he said quietly.
A faint whisker of a smile tugged at Minerva's lips. "Hm," she said, catching his eye. She then resumed her position at her desk and swapped her glasses. Instantly the world became ten times sharper, which made Minerva vaguely wonder how she had managed to get through a whole academic year with her old spectacles. It explained the migraines she had been getting when marking essays.
She made a move to tackle the next item on her to-do list when a knock sounded at the door. Minerva cleared her throat, straightened some files on her desk, and called, "Enter."
The door swung open.
Minerva had been expecting Malcolm as he had made it his life's purpose now to check up on her whenever he could. Instead of Malcolm however, she was faced with a tall, thin, blond-haired boy: Draco Malfoy.
"Might I have a word, Professor McGonagall?" He looked nervous. He hadn't even stepped into the office yet. Instead, he was hovering in the doorway seemingly having an internal flight or fight debate.
Minerva swallowed. "Certainly," she said. She waved her wand and a wooden chair appeared opposite her desk. "Do take a seat."
Malfoy entered the room. He made a deal of closing the door behind him, quietly, before moving to her desk and sitting down. All the while he was avoiding her eyes.
"How might I assist you, Mr Malfoy?" she said when it was clear that Draco was not going to speak first.
The boy seemed surprised by her words. Yet, he was still looking at his shoelaces rather than at Minerva. "I—erm—I heard some students were being given the option to come back to finish their seventh year? The ones who weren't able to come last year, I mean."
Minerva nodded. "That is correct," she said.
"Right." Draco blushed a little more, and he cleared his throat. "I was wondering if erm—well, what the rules are for those wanting to come back? Is it limited to mu—muggleborns who were banned from returning to Hogwarts? Or—or anyone?"
"Anyone and everyone is welcome to return, Mr Malfoy. Should they wish to do so, of course," Minerva added. "Is this an option that you are considering?"
"Well, I already finished my seventh year," Malfoy said quickly. "I didn't do badly in all my exams."
"No, I do not think you did," Minerva said. "Nevertheless, I am sensing a 'but' here, Mr Malfoy."
He looked up this time, and Minerva could detect a glimmer of fear and apprehension in his eyes. "There is a but," he admitted. "I think I could have done better."
Minerva's eyebrows went up instinctively - she had never once witnessed Malfoy being so candid.
"Whatever people say about me, I actually do care a bit about my education," he said defensively. "And," he said, more calmly, "there were subjects I could have performed better in last year. If circumstances had been different."
"I am sure," Minerva replied. "If you desire to return to Hogwarts to retake the year then you may, Mr Malfoy."
"Even after—after everything?"
They held their gaze for a moment - Minerva looking at Draco and Draco looking back at her. Minerva recalled that she had never spoken to the boy on a one-to-one basis before. Much less, on an occasion when he was seeking her advice. But despite the fact that he was a student and she his teacher, or had been his teacher at some point, their relationship was not simply teacher-student.
In front of her, sat a 17-year-old boy who had to some extent, whether willingly or unwillingly, participated in and supported communal acts of violence and aggression against those Minerva cared for. Without enough time to grieve and mourn the death of her best friend, Albus' loss still felt raw to Minerva. She had not forgotten who it was who had allowed Death Eaters into the castle which had led to Albus' death.
Regardless of the new and somewhat confusing facts she had learned over the last few weeks surrounding Albus' plan to be killed, Draco Malfoy had supported the precipitation of events leading to the tragedy at the Astronomy Tower.
Minerva cleared her throat as she tried to remind herself that Malfoy was just as much of a victim as a lot of others who had suffered at Voldemort's hand. "If it is my permission you seek, Malfoy, then consider it granted."
"I understand if you rather I did not come back," he said. "I know many won't be particularly thrilled to see me."
Minerva sighed. She placed her hands on her desk, with her palms touching the mahogany. "I will not deny that terrible events did take place, and many were affected," she began. "That includes families, teachers, your classmates, and myself. That also includes yourself, Mr Malfoy," she added significantly.
Malfoy caught her eye. All of a sudden he did not look like a 17-year-old. A wizard who was of age and ready to move on into the real world. Instead, he looked like a young and frightened little boy who needed someone to hold his hand and tell him that everything was going to be all right.
Minerva took a deep breath in. "Family is a strong motivator, Mr Malfoy," she said eventually. "History has seen countless people place their family's safety above all else. It is natural and—and the choice you were offered two years ago was not a fair one."
"I've done other things."
"Perhaps you have," Minerva conceded. "But people can learn and people do change, if they are willing. And there comes a time when we must forgive ourselves in order to move on with our lives."
A silence stretched out in the small circular office. Malfoy seemed to be digesting Minerva's words. Minerva, meanwhile, thought of Albus. She was still angry, sad and frustrated about the circumstances of his death. If those who had been at the Astronomy Tower on the night of Albus' death were standing in front of her now Minerva would happily have hexed or jinxed them into next week. But a young boy scared for his life and the lives of his family, could not be put to blame for choosing to do what he could for his family rather than an old man he barely knew.
Malfoy cleared his throat. "I have a lot to learn, then."
"Don't we all, Mr Malfoy," Minerva said, and she went quiet for a moment until she noticed the troubled look etched on Malfoy's face. She sighed and retrieved a small piece of parchment from her desk drawer. "Sign here so that I know you are keen to return to Hogwarts this September," she said.
He took the parchment and the pen Minerva was offering him, then scribbled down his name underneath Hermione Granger's. "I am sorry, Professor McGonagall," he said quietly. He looked up and caught her eyes when he returned the parchment to her.
Minerva swallowed and broke eye contact for the briefest of moments. "I appreciate your candour, Mr Malfoy," she said, but she did not go as far as to say that she forgave him completely. These unspoken words hung heavy in the air, and Minerva felt another touch of guilt as she thought of what her father, a reverend, had preached for the whole of his life - forgive those who ask for forgiveness.
Malfoy nodded and cleared his throat. "Thank you for agreeing to listen to what I had to say," he said quietly. He stood up, his clothes hanging loose on his thin frame - an appearance that many who had undergone similar ordeals now shared.
Minerva stood up too and walked the boy to the door. Though their conversation had not been long, she felt drained and needed a few moments to herself before she met Pomona for dinner. "Not at all, Mr Malfoy. Expect a letter from myself or Professor Flitwick, next week regarding term start dates."
He nodded and then left the office. Minerva sighed and pressed a hand to her forehead.