A Cat's Tail: Minerva McGonagall Fan Fiction

Chapter 29

A/N: I have a little surprise planned for chapter 30 ;)

"Thank you, Miss McGonagall," Minerva handed Professor Dumbledore her subjects list. As well as the core subjects (Potions, Transfiguration, DADA, Herbology, Charms, History of Magic and Astrology,) Minerva picked Arthimancy, Ancient Runes and - mostly because Hagrid had picked  it - Care of Magical Creatures. Yes, she would have a tight schedule next year, but she could handle it. 

"Now, using the techniques we have gone through, stop me from entering your mind," Minerva was doing Occlumency with Professor Dumbledore, and she still hadn't realised he was a Leglimens. Minerva could feel a sudden force in her head like there was some kind of wall and bricks were being thrown at it. "Keep going," Minerva focused on the wall and the wall alone, emptying her mind of all thoughts. The pressure in her head was mounting, and suddenly a stream of memories was released. she could feel Professor Dumbledore in her head, and her memories being read like a book.

The toddler cried, sitting next to a Christmas tree, shouting in the background.

"Daddy I 'ploded a frog," A little girl laughed. Her dad frowned.

A child riding a bike, dark hair streaming behind her. "Mummy! I riding! Mummy!" The girl fell when her mother didn't come.

"Well done, you lasted three minutes, which is a major improvement," Minerva awkwardly fiddled with a loose lock of hair at the thought of what other memories the professor would see. "May I ask, what was the first memory? Not to intrude," Minerva bit her lip, but he was her favourite professor after all.

"The first one was when my mum finally told my dad she was a witch. I was three, and it was Christmas. The second one was one of the times I showed signs of magic, and my dad didn't like it. At all. The third was when I learnt to ride my bike when I was about four. She had been holding the bike, and then she let go and started arguing with my dad I think. I have a scar on my knee from it," She pointed at a pearly white squiggle on her knee. "Professor, why was it only sad memories from I was very young that...well...you know?" Professor Dumbledore frowned.

"Peoples' minds are easiest to read when they are hurting," He looked at her through his half-moon glasses. For the first time, Minerva noticed strands of silver in his auburn hair. That made her feel odd for some reason as she walked back to her dorm.

"Minerva!" Hagrid's gruff voice pulled her out of her thoughts.

"Hagrid! Have you been crying?" Hagrid's lip wobbled slightly.

"No," Minerva pulled him into a tight hug.

"Yes you have. What's wrong?" She asked as they walked to the common room.

"Slytherins," He muttered. "And I feel...I feel like I've let my dad down," Minerva stopped, and put her hands on his shoulders. She looked deep into his deep hazel eyes that held so much suffering instead of so much joy. 

"Your dad would be so proud of you, Hagrid. Never forget that," They linked arms as they continued to walk up the stairs. "By the way...why don't you like people calling you Rubeus? Only Professor Dumbledore does," Minerva could sense he didn't want to answer, and instantly regretted it. "Sorry, you don't have to an-"

"It's ok. It's just that my dad used to call me Rubeus. He was already sick in first year, so I...I didn't want to be reminded of it," Minerva didn't know what to say. Suddenly she felt her foot falling.

"Ah!" Hagrid grabbed her, stopping her from falling any further. With his help, they pulled her foot out of one of those flipping trick steps. Minerva almost swore under her breath.

"Sorry," They both blushed and walked in an awkward silence until they got to the Fat Lady. 

"Peppermint-" They started in unison.

"Peppermint humbugs," Minerva finished quietly. They were still both blushing when they reached the common room.

"Hey, could yer help me wi' my Transfiguration and Charms revision?" Minerva nodded, relieved the awkwardness had passed. Hagrid could NOT know that she liked him. Ever. It would completely mess up their friendship.

"Engorgio!" The button in front of her began to swell.

"Well done Miss McGonagall! I see you've revised! Now shrink it," Professor Flitwick was a new teacher that year. The last professor had been really boring, whereas Flitwick was young and energetic. 

"Reducto!" The button returned to its usual size, earning her a clap from the class.

"Levitate it,"

"Wingardium Leviosa," The button floated gracefully. 

"Very good. I hope you'll all learn from Miss McGonagall's excellent performance!" She smiled slightly, not really enjoying all the eyes on her.

"Nerd," Someone muttered.

"At least I'm going to pass my exams," She smiled at Emilia Scott, who scowled. 

"Are you sure about that?" The indifferent voice of Tom Riddle came from behind her. She could tell he was smirking without looking. Emilia Scott sniggered and turned to her giggling friends. Minerva walked (well tried too, she didn't want to storm off in a huff) off, cursing the cold hand that he placed on her shoulder. She shrugged it off, still not turning around, and walked off to find Pomona.

"Witch! Witch! Witch!" A tear fell down the little girl's pale cheek. The other children ran from her outstretched hand. In it was an autumn leaf turned green.

Blood seeped across the front of her white dress. She turned the jagged rock over in her hands, red drops of shining blood were splatted over the spikes.

"Yes! Push me out of your mind! Well done!" The burning anger of the memory gave Minerva the strength to put the mental wall back up. She was in Dumbledore's office, reliving painful, half-forgotten childhood memories, or should I say occlumency? She really didn't want to have to explain more trivial things that she'd got over years ago. "Good, we'll wrap up for today! You're improving fast. If you don't mind, I can owl you tips?" She nodded.

"Thank you, Professor," He smiled at her.

"It is my pleasure. I would like to say one thing, though. Sometimes you should really talk about...about things that are going on, or have happened in the past. Get it off your chest, as some would say," Dumbledore's knowing gaze through his half-moon glasses shoo Minerva to her core.

"Well...the first one was obvious. Kids in my village used to call me a witch. I lived in a reclusive house, I have a mother that has been the topic of gossip since she moved there and I have an odd appearance. I'd turned the brown leaf I'd been holding green. The second was about a week later. They threw a rock at me and it cut here," She gestured to just below her collarbone. She really hated telling people these things. They made her feel...weak. 

"Anything else?" She was almost compelled to tell Dumbledore about Tom, but she didn't.

"No, Professor. Thank you for the lessons," He seemed almost hurt by this, but also looked understanding.