4 May 1998

Minerva and Pomona had just been in a meeting to discuss the castle reparations. It had been quite a large meeting - most of the teaching staff had been present, Ministry workers had been there, and students and some of their family members had also offered to support the efforts to rebuild Hogwarts. Minerva had been surprised when she had seen how many had turned up at the castle that morning, but she was grateful for the support.

"I think we can manage it before September," Pomona said, as she and Minerva made their way out of the Great Hall. "If we will be opening again for the 1st, that is."

"Of course, Hogwarts will be open!" Grace said indignantly, pushing herself between her mother and godmother. "You're not going to make me wait another whole 12 months before beginning seventh Year. Right, Minerva?"

"Right," Minerva said, distracted slightly as she tried to scan the hallways for Hermione Granger. Minerva was certain she had seen the girl in the meeting only a few minutes ago now. But between the conclusion of the meeting, and leaving the Great Hall, Minerva had managed to lose sight of her student.

Pomona cleared her throat and made Grace let go of her arm. "Go find your father, poppet. It will just look like a pile of rubble to him, and he'll be confused."

"The castle already looks like a pile of rubble anyway. Muggles won't be seeing anything different to us," Grace grumbled. But she did not protest and instead went off down a corridor to find her father.

Once she was gone, Pomona put her hand gently on Minerva's arm. "Who are you looking for, dear?"

"Miss Granger," Minerva said. "I have some news I need to share with her — good news," she added quickly, when Pomona's expression grew anxious. "But I am sure she will surface somewhere."

Pomona nodded. "I am sure that she will," she agreed, frowning slightly as they continued to walk. She blinked several times and brought a hand to her temple, attempting to do so in a discreet manner but Minerva noticed the gesture all the same.

"Is something the matter?"

Pomona shook her head. "No, not at all." She sighed when she saw the determined look in Minerva's eyes. "I have a bit of a headache, that is all. Really, there is nothing to worry about, Minerva," she added, leaning in to kiss Minerva on the cheek. "I'm going to go and begin work on the greenhouses. Albert, Grace and Longbottom have offered to help me fix up greenhouse three. Malcolm too."

"I will join you later, perhaps," Minerva said. Indeed, she had put her name down to help with the reparations of several of the moving staircases that had crumbled during the Battle. She also had an appointment with Irma, who, despite having been sent to St Mungo's by Madam Pomfrey following the Battle, was planning on returning to discuss the reparation of the Library. And, she still needed to find Miss Granger.

Minerva sighed.

"If you see Kingsley, could you let him know that I am looking for him?"

Pomona nodded and it was as she left the corridor that Minerva finally spotted Hermione. The girl was speaking with Potter, their eyes glancing over at Bill and Percy talking quietly in a corner.

"Miss Granger," Minerva called, embarrassed slightly at the way she was interrupting what was no doubt an acutely private conversation. But what she had to say was important, and it could not wait.

"Might I have a word, please," she added when she gained Granger's attention. "In private?"

"Of course," Hermione replied. She reached out to squeeze Harry's hand, said something to him too quietly for Minerva to catch, and then followed Minerva down the corridor.

"This will do," Minerva said, stepping into a classroom that was still somewhat upright. She gestured for Hermione to enter first, then followed inside and closed the door behind her. "I have news about your parents. Do sit down."

Hermione did. "Have you found them?"

"Yes, they have both been found," Minerva replied. "We booked them a flight from Australia to London again. They arrived early this afternoon and we have seen to it that they were escorted back to your home.

"So, they're all right? They have their memories back?" Hermione sat forward, her eagerness clear. It made Minerva feel bad for having to disappoint the girl.

"Not quite," she said, easing herself down into a chair too. She tried not to wince. "We have organised for Obliviators to come and assess them. They will do so this week if not this afternoon, and we hope that this will provide us with enough information to see how we can move forward."

Hermione nodded, sniffed and then averted her gaze in the hope of hiding the tears in her eyes. "Can I see them?" she asked.

"As soon as we smooth everything over, then you will of course be able to see them, Miss Granger," she said gently. "But for the moment, and from what I have been told by the Healers and Obliviators I have spoken to, it seems wiser if we delayed contact for a few days."

Hermione wiped her eyes with the hankie. "I understand," she said. "I can wait."

Minerva noted how close Hermione's voice was to breaking. With a gentle wave of her fingers, she produced a white-laced handkerchief and offered it to the girl, her former student

"It will not be for long, Hermione," she said. "Very soon you shall be reunited with both your parents. In the meantime..." Minerva paused momentarily before proceeding, "It would be best if you stayed where you are currently staying. If that is manageable?"

Hermione nodded. "Mr and Mrs Weasley have let Harry and me stay with them since—well since everything that happened here. Everyone has been so kind, despite Fr—" she stopped, and she wiped her eyes again with Minerva's hankie. "I can't thank you enough, Professor McGonagall," she ended up saying. "I'm sure you have plenty of other things to be worrying about now. I should never have bothered you about—"

"Miss Granger," Minerva interrupted softly. "Let me decide what I should or should not be worrying about, please. I believe the matter of your parents to be of great importance, and we are very close to successfully having their memories safely returned. Do not tell yourself that you should not have confided in me about your situation, because I am glad that you did."

Hermione nodded and sniffed. "Thank you, Professor," she said, and then she stood up. "Can I help you with any of the reparations this morning?"

Minerva followed her student's lead and stood up. "I need to speak with Madam Pince about the Library," she began, "but I do believe Professor Flitwick or Professor Slughorn might need help with the Great Hall and a few of the classrooms on the first floor. But do not feel obliged to participate, Granger. You have done more than enough—"

"I think I need something to distract myself for the time being," Hermione said quietly. She smiled, but she still looked sad.

Minerva regarded the girl carefully over her spectacles. "It is important to try and rest, as well," she said.

Hermione paused in the doorway. "Couldn't I say the same to you?" she said, and this time the smile tugging at her lips was more genuine. "I'll see you later, Professor," and she slipped out of the classroom.