Legal Disclaimer: I own my stuff, but not the original source material. That belongs to whoever. Also, the opinions and interpretations I use here may not reflect the same in said whoever that owns the source material. Look, I'm just a poor college librarian. Suing me isn't going to get you anything but tears.

Warning: This work may be offensive to some readers. There is also a gentle onscreen death. Feel free to back out if need be. Also, feel free to check the FAQs on my FFN profile before leaving reviews about anything you dislike (including characterization or length).

Author's Note: [holds a candle aloof for Dame Smith] Sorry. The prompts just came up for me to do something that. Also, I'm attempting a NaNo-ish challenge for one of the forum's I'm in. For fiction, I'm more of a short-story writer, so yeah. It's just that the commission spammers suck so much energy.

Submitting Info:
Stacked with: Hogwarts 2.0 (T04); RAVEN (2024); MC4A (Fa-Yr7)
Individual Challenges: Moderated; Ber; Watts; Condiment Shelf; Flexible; Major (Y); Kettle (Y); Delilah; Feather Head; Stacking Fool; Single Location; Royal; Blood; Blush; Shield; Hogwarts MC; Hogwarts MC; MoD It; Magical MC; Magical MC; Sandbox (Y); Cinematic; Reader; Tossed Chum; Elder Berries; Immortal MC; Ethnic & Present; Rian-Russo Inversion; Short Jog; Bucket Listing; Eating Cake (Y); Exchange; Outer Limit; Two Cakes (Y); Vial Collector; Outer; Zed Era; Hold the Mayo; Rainbow Connection
Hogwarts House: Ravenclaw
Assignment: Term 04 - Assignment 05
Subject [Task (Prompt): Muggle Literature [Task#4 (someone who can commune with those on the other side)]
Other Hogwarts Challenges: Library [DH](Master of Death); Frenzy [Dune#5](Introspective); Center [89 - Mort](Sacrifice); Pokemon [Dianice](periwinkle); Nov Stardew [Abigail](Midnight Blue); In Memorium[23](Dialogue); Bargain [Wireless Headphones] (reaching for someone)
RAVEN Challenges: A [53](Napping); Traits [83](Stern); Colors [89](Strawberry); Items [86](Tea); Settings [31](Dusk)
Other MC4A Challenges: Chim [Sheddy](Protection; "Isaac" - Bear's Den; Outside); Fire [Bright Light]; Garden [Remember (Autumn)]; Hang [Phrase#01](n/a);
Representation(s): Old Minerva McGonagall & Desi Harry Potter; Master of Death Harry; Chim Song Fic
Primary & Secondary Bonus Challenges: Under the Bridge; Jet Fuel; Second Verse (Ladylike; Not a Lamp; Persistence Still; Found Family; Unwanted Advice; Brooms Only; Most Human Bean; Rock of Ages; Bad Beans; Morrigan's Tentacles); Chorus (Machismo; Peddling Pots; Fire Song; Tomorrow's Shade; A Long Dog; Eternal Boredom; Larger than Life; Creature Feature; Wind Beneath; Abandoned Ship; Forked Path; Some Beach); Demo 1 (Triton's Domain; Easy Zephyr); Demo 2 (Sailor's Delight)
Tertiary & Generic Bonus Challenges: SN (Rail; Spare); O3 (Oust); Once (Under the Sea; Santa Fe); CM (Notch; Navigate); TY (Slainte); Mea (Ennui); Wings (n/a)
Space Address (Prompt): FaB 5C (Telescope); Set 1E (Kitchen);
Word Count: 1227 words

(Ø)
By the Sounding Sea
(Ø)

Minerva McGonagall sat in her old rocking chair, the one that had been passed down from her mother. She had placed it in front of the large window in her small cottage, facing the vast expanse of the North Sea beyond the cliffs that her house sat atop. It had become her favorite spot in the house, where she could sit for hours on end, sipping tea and watching the waves crash against the base of the cliffs.

As she rocked back and forth, the creaking of the chair and the sound of the waves were the only noises that filled the room. The sun was setting, casting a warm orange glow over the sea, and Minerva couldn't help but feel a sense of peace and tranquility wash over her. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, savoring the salty sea air.

At eighty-nine years old, Minerva had lived a long and fulfilling life. She had spent most of the last decade in this cottage, her little haven by the sea. Her late grandfather had built it for her parents when they were newlyweds, and she had never wanted to leave, even if she had for much of her life. It was where she had retired to after the war, and where she had spent countless days taking walks on the beach and collecting seashells.

Minerva was content with living alone. She had grown used to the quiet and the solitude, and she cherished the memories that filled every corner of her cottage.

As she opened her eyes, she caught sight of a figure walking along the hill that connected the beach below to the area around her cottage. It was a young man, maybe in his late twenties, with dark curly hair and a lanky frame. He stood out against the gray sky in his bright periwinkle jumper and jeans, both of which seemed barely adequate for the biting November evening that was upon them. Minerva watched as he stopped to pick up a seashell, examining it closely before placing it in his pocket. She smiled to herself, remembering how she used to do the same thing when she was younger.

The man continued walking, eventually making his way up the small hill towards Minerva's cottage. He hesitated for a moment before knocking on the door. Minerva slowly got up from her rocking chair and made her way to the door, wondering who could be visiting her at this hour.

When she opened the door, she was surprised to see the young man from the beach standing in front of her. He gave her a warm smile and Minerva barely recognized him as the boy she had once taught.

"I'm sorry to bother you, Professor McGonagall, but it felt like it was time for a visit," Harry said. He held up a strawberry red biscuit tin and gave it a little shake. The contents made a familiar rustling sound. "I was wondering if you wouldn't mind me joining you for some tea and biscuits?"

Minerva couldn't say no to such a polite request, especially not from the son of James Potter. She welcomed him inside and led him to her small kitchen, where she put the kettle on to boil. As they waited for the tea, Harry explored the cozy little room, admiring the old photographs that adorned the walls and the knickknacks that filled the shelves.

"It's been a long time since I've been in a place like this," Harry said, taking a seat at the small wooden table. "It's so peaceful here."

Minerva smiled and poured the tea into two delicate cups. The fragrant steam rose in delicate curls. Once upon a time, her mother had used the tiniest of wandless spells to make similar steam clouds into animals. Minerva had been thinking of her mother more and more lately. Was this how she had felt in her last years in this very same cottage? Minerva shook her head to clear the melancholy.

"I've always loved the quiet and the simplicity of this place," she said, handing Harry his cup. "It's been my home for most of my life, when I was not at Hogwarts."

They sat in comfortable silence, sipping their tea and enjoying the Ginger Newts that Harry had brought with him. For some reason, Minerva felt at ease with Harry, as if she had seen him just yesterday instead of years ago. They chatted about the weather, the beauty of the sea, and eventually, Harry asked about her life.

"I've had a good life," Minerva said, looking out the window at the setting sun. "But sometimes, I do miss the hustle and bustle of the castle and the company of my students." She gave him a stern look. "Even the ones who couldn't stay out of trouble."

Harry nodded, understanding the feeling of nostalgia and longing for the past. "I can imagine that you are thankful that it's someone else's chaos to deal with now."

As they finished their tea and cookies, Harry picked up their dishes and took them all to the kitchen. Minerva would have followed him, despite how he had brushed aside her reminder that guests shouldn't do any chores. She was just so tired. She had been just so exhausted lately that it seemed like she did nothing other than rest and nap.

So she sat in her rocker by the window and watched the full moon rise in a dark midnight blue sky dotted with stars. A green ribbon of the aurora etched its way across the sky as well. And in the background, the gentle music of Harry doing the little bit of washing up that had been needed made a sense of contentment wash over her.

A gentle touch to her hand made her open her eyes again. She hadn't even been aware of closing them. How dreadfully rude of her to doze off while she had a guest in the house. She turned her gaze towards Harry. He was crouched beside her rocker. Funny how she couldn't remember Lily's eyes ever being such a dark green, like an endless forest waiting to sacrifice the unwary.

"It's time to go, professor."

It was in that moment that it dawned on her that this was not a normal visit from a past student. Once again, the universe had placed a heavy burden upon the Potters' little boy. It was amazing how the lad had stayed so very kind when fate was determined to be so cruel.

"Why is it, when something happens, it is always you?" Minerva asked in the same hushed voice she had used as a child talking with her friends in the back of her father's church. Harry gave her a wry smile before adjusting his glasses with a fingertip to the nose bridge.

"Just lucky, I guess," Harry answered. He stood and held out a hand.

Grasping it, she rose with an ease that she had not felt in over a decade. In fact, all of the little aches and pains that had bothered her were gone. She tightened her fingers around Harry's. He squeezed back.

"Better if you don't look back," he told her gently as he began leading her out of the cottage.

As if they were the oldest of friends, they walked away into the night.