"Professor McGonnell!" "Yes, Potter?" The young boy had become quite endearing to her after the years and the war, and, frankly, just like his equally annoying albeit endearing father. She turned around, smoothing a horrifying crease in her emerald dress. The familiar mop of messy black locks came into view, and she was pleased to see that he had grown quite a bit, starting to patch up the height lost from his childhood.
And then she turned completely and saw more. A young girl around 16, with flame-scarlet locks curled and silky just over her shoulder, fierce and striking emerald eyes all too familiar. And the only tidy-cloaked one at that. Then another boy with a hot curl of rather long black locks and casual gray eyes that were a perfect innocent façade. McGonnell blinked once. Twice.
Harry's eyes were a mischievous, twinkling shade of sapphire blue.
"Professor, you were about to give Potter detention for joking and flirting too loudly in Potions class!" The girl reminded her with a slight frown, her arms crossed as she glared at the boys. Everything fell into place. Minerva stumbled back a bit in a nauseating wave of realization, horror, shock, and sadness. Wasn't she just grading the essays? How did this happen? It was but a blink! She felt nothing, and then this…
"Certainly." She managed, trying and failing to sound stern. Holy James Potter… How on Earth could she snap at the very boy who's lifeless body she saw? All she wanted was to rush to hug him and cry, the urge so overwhelming she could barely hold it back. So she managed a glare at him and pressed a finger to her forehead, turning back around, trying to remember where she put detention slips in her old office. She found it soon enough and slapped on a stern expression as she thrust it in the boy's hands.
"Lazy child! Write the date. Your penmanship is inadequate. You will be practicing that for detention with…Slughorn. For a week after school."
Confused blue eyes met hers. "Um…I write the dates? But don't you-"
"What, you don't know the date or can't write?" McGonnell snapped back, "I … have an appointment with the Headmaster." That wasn't planned, but she might as well find Dumbledore and tell him.
Oh gods, Albus… What would it be like to see him in flesh again? And then there's the problem of…oh. My. She doesn't even know the password to Albus's office.
Thankfully, she met the Headmaster while he was pacing in front of his office himself. He looked absolutely thrilled at the sight of her and rushed to her.
"Ah! Minerva! So…nice to see you." She nodded stiffly, wondering to self why he was pacing outside of his office. "Albus. I have something to discuss with you."
"Why, certainly!" Those eyes twinkled like ever, "After you."
She opened her mouth and closed it. "I-That is, I think I forgot the password." She managed out.
Albus's eyebrows flew up. "You? Hardly."
"An accident." Minerva lied, "With Potter and 'oblivious'." "I see-Minnie, are you shielding yourself from me?"
"Albus, are you using occlumency on me? " Minerva demanded, evading the question.
He shrugged. "It was a far-fetched excuse. And…I think I have the same cases. Just checking." Her heart dropped a stone. What?! Could it be possible? "Uh…but you're a painting." She made out lamely in the end. Albus beamed widely. "Then it is! I was rudely ripped from my painting and plopped outside my office. Been pacing for a while. " "Okay. I think I'll find…" "Slughorn is fine. I think I heard Madame Pomfrey telling me about a student with a potion accident that the muggle parent is concerned over." Minerva nodded shakily and walked briskly to the Potions master's dorm.
"Slughorn?" The man smiled pleasantly at her. "Ah, Minnie! Always a pleasure. What's up?" "Albus wants you, it's-" "Oh! Bout the accident, isn't it." At McGonnell's nod of confirmation, he smiled and continued, "Then let's go!" "Yes…I have personal matters with the Headmaster as well."
"Oh, those idiots…usually Remus isn't much of a trouble, but his brother…oh, Dumbledore never quite told me teaching is so. Much. Work." Slughorn heaved rather heavily, "Pratically the only upside are the parties. Also did you know, Potter flirted again in class with Evans. I myself am of the opinion that he does not deserve Evans, and Merlin's beard, they are a cute couple."
Minerva stalking behind swiftly with a cross expression. "Slughorn. You know as well as I that as staffs we aren't supposed to-" "Such dusty rules…Come on, Minnie, don't you ship them?" He replied playfully, grinning at her again,
"Oh look, we're here!" He turned and spoke to the gargoyle, "Iced mice!" Oh. That's what. Seriously? Iced mice? That sounds repulsing. At least lemon drops were tasty, if not far too sour and sweet. Minerva shook her head, amused at Albus' obsession over Muggle sweets.
"Albus! Quite a chance meet. Let us enter." Minerva said immediately, catching the old man's twinkling eyes, before Slughorn could wonder why Albus was outside his office.
"Why, I was about to check on the student! What was his name, again?" The Headmaster covered smoothly. "I think it was…Remus? Oh yes, the brothers, Remus and Regulus Lupin. Well, Minnie here said you called, but we shouldn't bother you…we can wait."
"Oh, no, since you're here, the Potion's master should be more qualified. After all, I didn't witness the scene." Albus smiled at him and said, "I was calling you to meet the parents anyway. Head along, old friend!"
Slughorn looked a bit confounded, but went along jolly anyways with a cherry wave. "Until next time, Minnie!"
After some quick spells to ensure their privacy, the two sank down onto the summoned couch and stared at each other. It still felt unreal.
"So, um, how did the time travel start?"
"Oh, I was just grading the Po-Harry's essay, looked up, then boom, suddenly I was supposed to give James detention for flirting on class with Lily."
Albus smiled gently and asked, "Was it hard? Seeing them again?"
Minerva swallowed. ""Y-yes. It was."
She sniffed a bit, and just then they heard a voice, quite familiar, yelling loudly, accompanied by what sounded like a blasting spell.