18 December 1998

"Are those new glasses?"

"Don't try and change the subject, Minerva McGonagall," Pomona said, and Minerva had the good grace to try and look a little guilty. "But they are new glasses, as it so happens."

"They suit you."

Pomona looked slightly mollified. "I thought no one had noticed," she said, touching the colourful beads of her glasses chain which, to no one's surprise, and least of all Minerva's, were decorated with small illustrations of plants. "They're quite strong, actually. Almost rival yours, dear, but that is really beside the point."

Minerva suppressed a sigh as she and Pomona continued down the Charms corridor. "Go on, then. Continue telling me what the point actually is?"

"Well, I think we're well deserving of a break—you most of all. Irma, Poppy, and Filius have agreed. Even Sybill is on board, , the person who never leaves her tower if she can help it!" Pomona said, her steps hurried as she tried to keep up with Minerva's long strides. "Do please say yes, dear. I think it would do us some good."

She looked imploringly at Minerva, and Minerva rolled her eyes.

"I never said that I did not want to come," Minerva insisted. "I am just—"

"Tired, Professor McGonagall? Or is it Headmistress McGonagall?"

Minerva pursed her lips.

"You have too much on your plate, Minerva," Pomona continued. "As soon as we get a new Transfiguration Professor, the better."

"Believe me, Pomona, I am as keen as you are to find a replacement."

"Really?"

They turned a corner, and now the Transfiguration classroom was in sight at the end of the hallway.

"Really," Minerva confirmed. "I cannot remember the last time I did anything other than work. Do you think I enjoy doing two jobs?"

"No, I can see that you are swept off your feet, and would like the rest," Pomona said. "But—"

"But?"

"But I also remember Albus dilly-dallying when he was appointed Headmaster. He did not want to let the Transfiguration class go. Until he hired you, of course."

They stopped outside the classroom, and Minerva sighed. "I am not Albus, Pomona," she said. "Granted, I can't say that I will not miss teaching, but I cannot keep doing this forever, either. My only aim right now is to find the most suitable replacement."

"Well, please go a little easier on our next interviewees, then," Pomona said pointedly. "You can't expect them to know everything. And don't look at me like that," she added. "Albus had exceptional skills and so do you. Not everyone can live up to those standards."

Minerva tutted. "Pomona, all professors here have exceptional skills otherwise they would not have been hired to teach. But if you are telling me that I should have employed the man who managed to transfigure his wand into an uncontrollable wild boar during our interview, I might start questioning your abilities to make proper judgments."

Pomona tried to purse her lips, but her attempt to remain serious failed very quickly, and she snorted. "Fine, point taken. I don't even know how he managed to do that. We didn't even ask him to demonstrate his skills. He just sort of—"

"Did it," Minerva said. In a style much too like Gilderoy Lockhart, she finished privately.

Pomona giggled. "It could have ended quite badly really, if you hadn't intervened. I couldn't look at the poor man in the eyes again when I walked him out of the school."

"Yes, well," Minerva said, "At least it did not happen in a classroom full of first year students." She sighed. "I need to tidy my classrom, dear. But I will join you at the Three Broomsticks this evening."

"Have I just managed to convince the most stubborn and hard-working witch in this castle, to relax for a few hours?"

"Not if you continue saying such ridiculous things," Minerva said.

"Then I shall say no more until this evening. I'll wait for you in the Entrance Hall, and we can walk to the Three Broomsticks together. If you're punctual, I'll treat you to a Gillywater," Pomona added.

"I will be sure to remind you of that promise later," Minerva said.

Pomona smiled. "No later than 6.30, Professor McGonagall," she called, beginning to make her way back up the corridor they had walked down—no doubt on her way to the Greenhouses. "I will not be forgiving if you're late."

Minerva rolled her eyes and waved Pomona away. "See you soon, Pomona," she said, and she turned to open the door to her classroom.

To her surprise, the room was not empty. Hermione Granger jumped off the table she had been perched on, and the book that had been on her knee only moments previously was now face flat on the floor.

"Oh—Professor McGonagall, I'm so sorry! I should have asked before using your classroom."

"Miss Granger, please do not distress yourself. I have said this before, and I will say it again, any 6th year and above, can use my classroom when it is empty. I should have given you more of a warning before interrupting your studies, that is all," Minerva said, and she stiffly stooped down to pick up the book from the floor. She frowned at the title. "Spellman's Syllabary?"

Hermione blushed a deep pink. "I just thought I should make the most of my last study day to prepare for my exam. I don't think I'll have much time to work over the Christmas holidays."

"I see. Well, one is meant to relax when one is on holiday," Minerva said, and she gave Granger a knowing look as she handed the book back to the girl. "I am sure that you are more than prepared for your exam, Miss Granger."

"I don't know about that, Professor. I've fallen quite behind and—and I don't think I understand all that I should."

"Well, there is no need to struggle in silence," Minerva replied, in her usual ever-practical way. "Particularly if it is something we can help you with."

"It's the last day of term, Professor," Hermione said weakly, "and the train leaves in the morning! And Professor Babbling is sick. I can't say it bodes very well."

"I would be happy to assist, Miss Granger. I may be your Transfiguration professor, but I did take Ancient Runes when I was at school. There is also much crossover with the Transfiguration alphabet. If it is beyond me, however, I know that Professor Flitwick would help."

"Aren't you busy?"

Minerva smiled and went to sit behind her desk. "Miss Granger, a good friend once told me never to question someone when they offer you support. I am happy to help you. I do not have any commitments right now. It is also what I am here for," she added pointedly.

Hermione's worried expression cleared, as though a huge weight had been lifted from her shoulders. "Thank you, Professor," she said, her relief visible.

Minerva waved the thanks away and gestured instead for the girl to come and sit opposite her. "What is it that you are struggling with in particular?"

Hermione opened her book and pulled out the loose piece of parchment on which the translation she had been working on was written. So full was the page with Hermione's own annotations that deciphering the original text was nigh on impossible. With a wave of her wand, Minerva duplicated the translation without Hermione's additional notes, and scanned the page.

Though she had expected her talents to be somewhat rusty in this department, given how it was almost half a century since she had left school, Minerva found that she recognised quite a few of the runes. In fact, once her eyes had reached the bottom of the page, she was certain that she could translate the piece.

"What do you notice here, Miss Granger?" she said, pointing at the bottom of the page where the Transfiguration symbols were.

"Erm..." Hermione squinted at the page. "Something to do with transformations?"

"And?"

Minerva pointed at another symbol and Hermione pressed the middle of her forehead with her palm.

"Oh, I've been so stupid!" she said. "It's the avifors spell."

Minerva nodded. "Indeed, it is," she said. "I think now that you have identified the spell, it will make the translation much simpler. The steps to conduct the spell might very well be different from how we use the spell now, but there will be similarities that will make things easier for you now."

Hermione winced. "I feel a bit silly now. I've been staring at this for hours and you solved it in a matter of minutes."

"Staring and trying to translate runes for too long will make it hard for anyone trying to decipher them," Minerva pointed out. "I suggest casting your eyes away from a particularly troublesome translation and working on another problem before returning to your original translation. You will find that most of the time, your block will have disappeared, and things will become much clearer."

"And if it doesn't?"

"Miss Granger, you do have a track history of being quite a good problem solver," Minerva said, observing, not for the first time, how much Hermione Granger reminded her of her younger self at school: Minerva had always doubted her own abilities. It had been Dumbledore and, later on, Elphinstone, who had taught her that she should trust herself more. "You have the skills and the ability to solve any translation Professor Babbling offers you. Keep your nerves in check, and I am confident the exam will be smooth sailing."

"You sound very sure Professor McGonagall," Hermione said, sounding faintly amused.

"That is because I am. A lot of the time, I find, that we can be our own worst enemy. It is a waste of time, not to believe in yourself. Particularly if past experiences have shown you that you are more than capable of tackling most problems thrown your way." Minerva smiled, and she stood when a loud bell sounded. "It is time for dinner, Miss Granger. Time to put the books away, I think, and start preparing for a relaxing Christmas break."

"The first in a long time," Hermione said. She was smiling, though there was weight in her words, and both remembered all that had happened over the last few years. Hermione seemed to shake herself after a moment, and then they left the Transfiguration classroom which, Minerva somewhat regretfully noted, she still had not tidied as had been her intention that evening. "We're going to the Burrow. I thought my parents wouldn't want to after—but they do."

"That sounds like it will be an enjoyable Christmas," Minerva said. "I assume Mr Potter and Mr Weasley will be taking some time off as well?"

"Kinglsey—I mean the Minister—almost pushed them out the door," Hermione said. "They're off for two weeks, and then back for their Auror exams."

"I am glad they will be taking some well-deserved rest," Minerva said, as they reached the Great Hall.

Hermione stopped suddenly in the doorway. "Professor McGonagall?"

"Yes, Miss Granger?" Minerva said. She noticed Pomona standing a little way off, and caught her eye to indicate that she would be with her in just a moment.

"I just wanted to say—I never thanked you properly, Professor, for your help over the summer. Restoring my parents' memory, and then coming with me to explain to them what had happened and—and why." Hermione paused for a moment, composing herself, it seemed. "This Christmas might have been quite a different affair for myself and my parents if you had not been so helpful. I can't thank you enough, Professor McGonagall. Truly."

A little overwhelmed by such heartfelt gratitude, Minerva struggled to know what to say. "It was the least I could do, Miss Granger," she said truthfully. "And I am glad that you were reunited in time for Christmas."

"Come on Hermione!" called a voice Minerva recognised to belong to Ginny Weasley, from the Gryffindor table. "I need reinforcements here!"

Hermione rolled her eyes. "They've taken to playing chess and Ginny is determined to beat Seamus." She smiled. "Merry Christmas, Professor."

"Merry Christmas, Miss Granger. I shall see you in the New Year."