Oops sorry for the late update! Busy day (as always) and I completely forgot that it was Wednesday! I hope you enjoy this chapter - and again, thanks so much for the lovely reviews! :)
20 September 1996
"Miss Lovegood and Miss Weasley," Minerva said, coming to stand in front of the two students at the back of the classroom. They immediately jumped apart and blushed.
"Sorry, Professor McGonagall," Luna Lovegood said calmly. "Ginny was just explaining the wand movement for Crino Muto, you see?"
Minerva pursed her lips slightly. "If you are facing any difficult casting the spell, then it is me that you should be asking for help, Miss Lovegood," she replied, quite sure that neither Ginny Weasley nor Luna Lovegood had been discussing the human transfiguation spell she had set the class the practice. "Human transfigurations can be dangerous if not done correctly. Which step is it that you are finding difficult?"
Luna's porturberant eyes flicked to the blackboard where Minerva had neatly written each step. "Step five," she said. "The non-verbal spell."
"You must be confident casting the spell verbally before you move on to non-verbal incantations. Practice is key, Miss Lovegood. Perhaps Miss Weasley can demonstrate," Minerva said and Lovegood nodded. They turned to Ginny Weasley. "Might we see an attempt, Miss Weasley?"
Ginny nodded, scrunched up his eyes in a fashion not unlike most students who had only just started practsing non-verbal spells, and her mouth moved to say, without making a sound, the words, "Crino Muto." Instantly her hair turned bright grey.
She opened her eyes and look in the mirror. "Oh," she said disappointedly. "I was aiming for blonde."
"You must not get distracted when casting the spell, Miss Weasley. You must concentrate on the colour you wish to change your hair to," Minerva said. "Miss Lovegood, perhaps you can try?"
Luna Lovegood's eyebrows twitched to form a very light frown, then she flicked her wand and her hair became a dark red that was almost identical to Ginny Weasley's usual hair-colour. She smiled. "Ooh, I've done it," she said.
Minerva considered the girl who had cast the spell flawlessly—something told her that Luna had never struggled casting the transfiguration spell in the first place. "Excellent, Miss Lovegood," she said instead. "Miss Weasley, you could do with some more practice."
Ginny nodded and Luna looked dreamily away towards the window. The bell rang soon after and Minerva set some homework before she sent the students out of her classroom so that they could get to their next class.
The rest of the day passed almost uneventfully. Rather than reassure her, however, Minerva found herself becoming increasingly worried. Yet by the time nine o'clock came and went, she began to feel less nervous.
"I am still surprised that they have not asked a thing about Albert," Pomona said. She was craddling her tea between her hands on her lap. Minerva was sat opposite her doing the same. They had been talking for the last half an hour in Pomona's chambers.
"They might not know that you are married. Grace does not have your second-name."
"Severus knows," Pomona said. She bit her lip gently. "I know he does because I've spoken to him about Albert in the past—Merlin knows why."
Minerva thought for a moment before speaking. "Well, it has been several weeks since they have arrived at Hogwarts, Pomona," she said eventually. "We know that Albert cannot be found, and if Severus has not already asked about Grace or Albert then we must only hope that is stays that way."
"That's leaving a lot to chance."
Minerva sighed. "I know. But the longer Severus does not ask about Grace then the better, I think," she said. She finished her tea and got up. "I had best get back unless I want to get caught breaking curfew."
Pomona put down her mug and walked Minerva to the door. "I feel like a child again," she said, while she gave Minerva a hug, "being told not to leave my room after ten o'clock or else."
"I would like to know what the or else refers to," Minerva said. "I have a feeling that Amycus was not referring to a detention."
"I agree."
They broke apart and Pomona opened the door. She frowned suddenly then closed it again, quietly.
"I caught Macmillan and Longbottom speaking during class today. I know that that isn't truly odd," she added quickly, "but Longbottom is always very attentive during Herbology and today he was not. I remember you saying Weasley and Lovegood were distracted this morning..."
Minerva nodded slowly.
"Filius told me that Miss Abbott and Miss Chang were also whispering during his class. Something about a meeting tonight," Pomona added. She looked at Minerva significantly. "It's the usual crowd... That group that Potter formed back when Dolores—"
Minerva groaned and brought a hand up to cover her eyes. "This is all we need," she said.
"You can't be surprised, Minerva," Pomona said seriously. "And it might not be true... though I rather think that it is."
"I am sure that it is," Minerva said. "We must—"
"Keep an eye on them," Pomona cut in gently. She kissed Minerva on the cheek. "I know, dear. I intend to speak with my Hufflepuffs tomorrow."
She opened the door and Minerva stepped outside.
"I think it would do to speak with your Gryffindors too, Minerva."
"Believe me, I will," Minerva sighed.