The Journey

8. Mcgonagall's Tears

The eight year students had decided that they should all go and see their Headmistress to see if there was anything that they could help with concerning Harry.  Hermoine was feeling a little off because she hadn't told everyone the truth that was in her and Ron's letter, but she felt that their trust needed to be earned.  She wasn't about to go blabbing about Harry, only to have them insult him for it or pity him.  It was when she offered to go and see Mcgonagall first without them and then she would ask for a meeting where they could all talk to her that they all agreed.

Entering the office, she was met with a sudden warmth.  The office of the Headmaster or in this case Headmistress, changed when it had a new owner.  When Dumbledore had occupied it, it had been covered in little trinkets, and everywhere you looked there was a bowl of sweets.  His favorite, Sherbert Lemon, was on his desk, and the licorice bites were at the forefront of his office, just as you stepped inside.  But what she saw now was a welcome change.

There were no trinkets, and certainly no bowls of sweets.  There was however a fireplace and many comfortable chairs, one of each a house color.  Blue for Ravenclaw, Red for Gryffindor, Green for Slytherin and a Yellow for Hufflepuff.  Unity is all she had ever wanted, it seemed.  It felt like home in a sense, and Hermoine was glad that it was her that wore the title.  Gazing around the office, she lost track of time until there was a little cough to jeer her out of her thoughts.

She looked up suddenly and saw that Mcgonagall had raised an eyebrow in question.  "Your office is different Professor.  It looks nice", she said timidly.  

"Yes, I find it much more spacious like this, don't you?", she replied.  "To what do I owe this pleasure Miss Granger?".

Hermoine just came right out and said what was on her mind.  She spoke of the letters that everyone had received, she spoke of them calling a truce.  She told her everything, and when she was done, she had a question.  "I don't know if I should tell the others what Harry told me, I don't know if I can trust them yet", she cried.

"Miss Granger, you already know the answer to that question.  Why are you really here?", she asked kindly.  It seems there was no hiding anything from their new Head of Hogwarts.  She let all her barriers down and said what she had come to say.

"We want to help.  All of us.  We would like to invite you to our common room for tea or a brandy, whichever you prefer, so that we can talk about this.  Please Professor", she begged.  Minerva Mcgonagall was a very strict woman, and took no pleasure in handing out detention.  But rules were rules, even if your favorite grade A student intended on breaking them every chance they got.  But she was also fair and kind, and if her students were willing to do anything to help Potter, then who was she to stand in their way?

"I will be there shortly Miss Granger, arrange for brandy thank you", she said standing up.  Hermoine knew she had been dismissed and said a hurried thank you.

When she arrived back at the common room, she told them what was going on.  They had called on a house elf to provide brandy for them, and so they sat on the couches awaiting the arrival of the Mcgonagall.  It wasn't long before she showed up, looked at all of them, gave them each a small smile, and took a seat in front of the fireplace.  Neville placed a glass of brandy in her hands, and they all waited patiently for her to speak.

"Miss Granger, have you told the others yet?", she asked, referring to the letter and the abuse that Harry had told them about.  She shook her head no, and said she was waiting on her.  She nodded her consent, and Hermoine proceeded to tell them about the horrors that were in her letter.  It wasn't long before all of them were crying, Mcgonagall included.  Hermoine started to apologize, saying that she never meant to keep it from them, it was just so very personal, but in order for them to help, they all need to know everything.  And them calling a truce, had made it easier for her to decide.

Her words were met with understanding.  If any of them had gone through that, they wouldn't want anyone else to know about it, friend or foe.  How could this have been allowed to happen.  He was a magical child, and not just any child.  He had saved them from an enormous terror, and the world had seen fit to hurt him.  Throw him aside since the day he was born, and there were just no words.  

"Professor", said Draco with a sniff.  "It's no secret that Potter and I hate each other, but this is bullshit.  Did Dumbledore know?", he asked.  They all turned to look at her as one.

"That I do not know Mr Malfoy, perhaps you should ask Potter when he returns?" was the reply.

"Actually", said Hermoine.  And as one, they all turned their looks towards her.  "Harry seems to think that he had an inclination of what was going on, but not to what extent.  And I trust Harry's word and his instincts, because that alone, won us the war.  So if he says Dumbledore knew, then I agree that he probably did, although not everything", she finished.  They were disgusted.

"His exact words in his letter were - None of what I went through is your fault. I have told nobody about what happened at No 4 Privet Drive, although I am inclined to believe that Dumbledore let on more than he knew. He was an intelligent man, and in no way will I believe that he had no knowledge, other than to plead ignorance, and to groom me to win a war, which again is his cross to bear." 

Pansy, who was a cold hearted Slytherin bitch at the best of times, broke out in sobs, so much so that Hermoine had to hold her to calm her.  "That....that bastard....how could......how could he...?", she kept on sobbing.  "Now Miss Parkinson, watch your language.  While I am appalled at what I have heard today, I have to tell you all something.  I would like each of you to take hold of someone's hand, because what I am about to tell you will not be pretty.  And you all need to know", she stated.

They all braced themselves for what was coming, taking hold of hands was something that none of them ever thought they would do.  Harry would be proud.  "He has returned to the muggle family that raised him", started Mcgonagall, "to grant them forgiveness and to collect something that belongs to him.  Professor Snape has accompanied him, and will return shortly.  I don't know what it's going to do to him, but I am of the hope that he will survive this, and face a much better and brighter future", she finished.

"He's going back?", whispered Draco.  "Why would he do that?", he croaked, his throat dry from crying.  

"This is something he needs to do Mr Malfoy, Potter and I discussed it after he woke up in the hospital wing.  It's what's best", she replied.

"For who?", he shouted.

Professor Mcgonagall broke down in tears.  Something that she had promised herself she would never do in front of her students, but Harry Potter was an enigma, and all her emotions just rushed out.  She was there that night he had been placed on the doorstep, and when she told them this, they seemed to understand that it wasn't only closure for Harry, but for herself as well.  

Understanding everything, they said thank you for the chat, and she in turn thanked them for their understanding and brandy.  Smiling softly, she left.