This is a sequel for the oneshot I wrote in memory of Richard Harris, Alan Rickman, Robbie Coltrane and Michael Gambon. We'll see if I'll succeed with the idea I have right now.

Thanks to Rebecca-in-blue for reviewing on that one.

It's told from Minerva McGonagall's point of view.

My room at Hogwarts had many things to be and do. But it was all I needed.

Here was my desk where I could, in silence spread the childrens' assignments' papers all over without it bothering anyone with the mess. Here was my arm chair by the window, from which I could see the quidditch pitch. Here was my bed, which Hogwarts' house elves always made sure to have made every morning to evening.

It was quite small, but I had never needed one of the bigger offices. And during the while I had had the headmaster's office with all of the old headmaster's looking at me and on whatever I did- so much space to fill up. It had just never felt like me.

The day I had let Professor Flitwick take over as headmaster to go back to what I loved in teaching and the big office, my small, old room came as a relief.

And the best of all- the wall with pictures, all kinds of pictures with my old students for more than fifty years back.

There were pictures of students I had had since the first war, and before. Harry Potter and his generation, their kids and grandkids. Even the one who had been named after myself- Ruby Minerva who had seemed to inherited her grandfather's ways with pyromania…

I might still love my job as a teacher and I was planning to do it for years forward. But it was always with a special kind of relief that I watched the students leave Hogwarts for the summer.

Just like I did right now, it was with my old and stiff limbs I went to sit by my window just as I could see the Hogwarts express leave the grounds for the end of another year…

Flashback

So this was it! Voldemort was dead and the second wizarding war was over.

And everyone that hadn't been killed or hurt too badly were all around the grounds to put Hogwarts back together again.

Here was Harry Potter too. I had seen him going around the place every here and there, and one of those times I had had to go hide away in my office when tears had risen in my eyes and started streaming down my cheeks.

After everything that had happened, everyone that had died, that kept dying- just seeing Harry's limp body (or so we thought) in Hagrid's arms became too much…

I didn't even know such a scream could rise from my throat. I probably hadn't known until I heard it myself…

"Oh. Mr. Potter." Harry walked by just as I stood and dreamed away. "Mr. Potter…"

And for one moment, one very unusual moment I couldn't figure a single word to say. Instead I stepped over and wrapped my arms around him.

"Oh…"

I guess it was just, for this I would have to accept that I couldn't find any words. Neither did I when I held on while Harry slowly moved to hug me back.

At last I took a step back, but kept my hand towards Harry's cheek. Could I be his mum? Or Harry, my son? I wasn't Lily! But I couldn't put into any words how much I had worried for this one little boy through the years. And that was just what he was- a little boy!

"I'm glad you survived…" I was pulled back from my thoughts when it was obvious someone was talking to me. "…The war I mean." I had to give a small smile- the first one in months, but I guess that after tonight a teenage boy was always going to be a teenage boy. "But then, if anyone here or anywhere turns out to be immortal it will probably be you."

I didn't want to say it out loud- but so had I thought about Albus!

"Mr. Weasley…" I nodded at him, but with everything that was going on I lost my words. Seeing these two reminded me of something. "…Have any of you seen Miss Granger?"

"Well…" Ron said, then he smirked if only ever so small. "You know her! Whenever in doubt- go to the library."

End of flashback

I had sat down in my arm chair, then- all of a sudden. Before anything else I felt myself slipping away.

And then, all of a sudden I was standing on King's Cross' Station. '

Or at least something that looked awfully much like it.

"Minerva?"

I had barely gotten a second to think. Then I heard my name being called from behind me. I span around and there was my husband who I hadn't met since last year and so very, very long time before then.

As I felt myself slipping back again I was standing in the middle of my room. Where I could see myself sitting in my arm chair so unbelievably still. Someone was due to come and find me, so maybe I shoulkn't go with my love Elphinstone this time either.

I took a last couple of deep breaths, my last I realized when I watched myself slip away and went back to the station and the love of my love.

"Am I dead?"

"Not quite." Elphinstone answered me. "You can still choose. Do you want to become a ghost?" I shook my head- stuck in the world of the living and the dead forever was nothing for me. "You were always going to do what you wanted… As you did last year. So what do you want to do now? This year?"

I just didn't want to end up changing my mind. Maybe this was my time to go after many, many years. Two wars, many students. Injuries and quidditch games. All of the ones that had died in the wars, including the battle at Hogwarts..

"By the way." Elphinstone was, and had always been so very curious about weird things, "What happened to that little girl who was named after you… The one you stayed behind for. You spoke about her the last time we… met…"

I remembered about a year ago when I had met my love Elphinstone the last time, maybe he hadn't been ready to take me with him. Or maybe I hadn't been ready. Maybe I just needed to find a reason to stay behind.

"Oh yes. Ruby Minerva, she's only been at the school for her first year. But she had the time to set a few fires. just like her grandfather…"

I saw for me the first class I had had with this year's first year's. And I had no idea how, but right in front of me Ruby had managed to make that metal needle explode into a flame of fire.

It was the first, but not the last fire she had started this year only. She had six years left as of now.

I smiled slightly to myself when I knew. With all of the people at Hogwarts…

…."I don't have any doubt that they can all be okay. Even if I'm not there anymore."

"Not a doubt in my mind either…"

I returned to my room for another second, watched myself as I sat still- very still in my arm chair for someone to find.

"Does this mean you are coming with me this time?"

We both smiled, carefully as if a big smirk would send me right into a heart attack. Then Elphinstone held out his hand towards me.

And then, for the first time in so many years I reached mine back and took it to go with him.

Random fact

I was trying to figure who would have been headmaster after Professor McGonagall. And decided for Professor Flitwick to fill that role. I just couldn't see that Professor McGonagall would work as a headmaster until the day she died… She does love teaching so she probably could do that but maybe she and Flitwick could work together…. Anyway. I decided to keep it like this rather than make an OC.

Not really since I have deleted quite a few stories I've written before. But with all of my stories up. This is story number 200.