It was the hour past dinner when Raine Almasy found herself approaching their Headmistress' office, leisurely climbing the twisting steps to its door and feeling more like herself than she had in months. Professor McGonagall had been there to welcome her back to Hogwarts in the early hours of Friday morning but they had not stopped to talk about reasons or motives.

No direct questions at the time about why she appeared at the castle with her old school trunk, Maurice, and a look of quiet desperation.

So it did not surprise her as such to be asked to meet with the older witch this night, after having had the weekend to adjust to being home (and to celebrate being reunited with friends!).

"Professor?" Raine knocked lightly, pushing the door open and peering inside - she always felt three years too young around McGonagall. Living legends were intimidating even if you saw them everywhere in school. She stepped through with a polite smile, looking cheerier than on Friday in her Quidditch sweatshirt and jeans.

With the kidnapping victims back as well it did seem like some form of normalcy was returning to everyone.

For once, the dwellings of Minerva McGonagall were completely silent – save for the sounds of the crackling fire and the scratching of the nub of a quill. A frown was prominent in the Headmistress’s face, furrowing her already deeply lined face. Hogwarts had faced terrors and tribulations much worse than these, but that fact never made any situation any easier. How her predecessors had managed to run the school so competently Minerva had no clue, it felt to her that every day was a struggle.

The elegant raven-feathered quill moved gracefully across page after page, adding Minerva’s signature to the bottoms of the parchment. A simple spell on the writing instrument animated the quill to sign of its own accord – leaving Minerva’s hands free to do as she pleased. At the current moment, they were placed lightly atop the desk as the elderly witch stared off into the fire.

Dark thoughts had plagued the Headmistress’s mind for quite some time and it was getting more and more difficult to keep her head above water. Thankfully she had an amazing staff behind her, and the students were as resilient as ever. As the door was pushed open and the young Gryffindor padded into the room, Minerva was once again reminded of why she chose to continue a career in education when it would have been much easier to slip back into retirement.

Raine Almasy was an extremely gifted witch, at least in Minerva’s eyes. The potential her children showed was enough to keep her struggling along even in the worst of times. The change in the Headmistress was immediate and obvious. The frown was replaced by a warm and welcoming smile, her tense shoulders relaxed, and the sharpness in her gaze softened quite considerably.

Perhaps Minerva should have pressured Raine a bit more upon arriving back at Hogwarts, but was this not the plan all along? Raine would return to Hogwarts to sit her examinations, a NEWT level examination would be imperative to the Gryffindor’s future after graduation and Minerva was determined to help every student that walked through the doors of Hogwarts, whether they stayed the entire time or not. She trusted Ira to teach Raine properly and it was her right to do so – Hogwarts had never been mandatory. That said, Minerva was glad to have Raine back.

“Welcome back, Miss Almasy,” She said warmly, “Please, have a seat. I trust you’re settling back in well?” As the witch spoke, she waved her wand and a platter of biscuits and a tea tray appeared upon the surface of the desk. Minerva’s paperwork was pushed aside and she was ready to give Raine the attention she deserved.

McGonagall didn't look mad or irritated, which was reassuring. Not that Raine had expected her to be either - it was an irrational fear to do with authority figures. Or perhaps she had grown too used to Ira's brand of reproach.

"Thank you, Professor..." she sat primly across the desk and tried not to laugh nervously at the idea of having tea with the Headmistress. The office, with its high ceiling and ancient portraits, was intimidating enough. "Connor Todd called me his fiery freckled goddess [1] yesterday so I suppose I must be settling in again," her nose wrinkled above a wry smile.

She missed the frivolity of Hogwarts. Not everything here had to make sense; least of all her classmates.

"May I?" The Gryffindor decided to serve, drawing her wand in a muted and tasteful flick to gesture at the tea pot. It came to life and began pouring a deep amber tea into their cups. She didn't help herself to a biscuit just yet.

Reassuring McGonagall that all was well took precedence. "Everyone has caught me up on what we've been doing in lessons." Raine carried her cup and saucer to rest on her lap, "I shouldn't have any trouble. "

If anything she was overprepared for lessons. Aunt Ira had taught her what was necessary - and then some. The illegality of certain spells had been less troubling before she'd discovered the truth. "It feels good to be home," she paused before adding in a careful tone. "Even with everything that has been happening."

1.	Thank you Sly

The small smile on the Headmistress’s face turned quickly into a wide grin. It wasn’t often that anyone, student or otherwise, had the courage to take initiative in Minerva’s dwellings. The fact that Raine Almasy felt comfortable enough to take charge made Minerva’s heart swell with pride. More experienced and accomplished witches than the young Gryffindor were too intimidated to make the first move in Minerva’s presence. This was something Minerva had worked hard at over the years – commanding respect and total obedience, and it had worked out well.

“That is, indeed, good news,” said the Headmistress in response to Raine’s explanation of her return, “and we can use all the good news we can find these days,” Her expression darkened just a tad as thoughts of recent events washed over her anew. She reached forward and took the second cup of steaming liquid and raised it to her lips. Warmth seeped through her body as the liquid made its way through her frame.

She realized how foolish it was to serve tea and biscuits so soon after dinner, but it was important to Minerva that Raine be at ease, at least for this particular meeting. It was obvious, at least by Maiko’s standards, that food and drink help tremendously at keeping people relaxed and with Minerva in particular, there was less of a chance of a negative outcome if she was willing to give you something.

She placed the cup back atop the saucer and pushed them both back atop the desk. “I’m sure you’ll do well,” she said, opening the top drawer in the ancient desk. She pulled out a small folder and pushed it across the desk toward Raine. “Here is a copy of your course schedule, in case you’ve forgotten. I’ve also asked your professors to give me a list of common NEWT topics covered in your examinations. I highly suggest speaking to your peers about seeing their notes – even I have no idea what your exams will cover,”

“I, personally, would like to see you pass every one of your tests. I know the difference between classroom learning and individualized training, so if you need any additional tutoring know that my door is always open to those who seek to learn,” she said, “Thankfully you still have a couple of months to prepare,”

“On another note: I am very happy to have you home,” She finished, eyes bright and shining through her spectacles.

Raine accepted the folder with her free hand, tilting it open slightly to get a quick glimpse of the schedule inside - it did not seem to have changed much although she noted that there was a new Charms professor she didn't recognise. The thought was filed away for later and she glanced back up at the Headmistress.

The Gryffindor was, without realising it, smiling. McGonagall personally wanted to see she passed her tests. Raine hoped to do more than pass.

And honestly, she was so touched by the older witch's sentiment that she nearly told all about Aunt Ira right then. But that would have been... unwise. When you gave other people information - especially adults with influence - you no longer controlled what they would do with that information.

"Thank you," she said softly and cleared her throat of any emotionalism. "I'll give it my best. I may resume my personal lessons with Professor Storm, if he doesn't protest."

More than most, Storm might understand where she was coming from. His morality had an ambiguous quality that Raine liked - she was fiercely intent on being an Auror but she had always known the grey area to be larger than either black or white combined.

"Professor, I was wondering if my aunt has been in touch with you?" Raine sipped her tea, then placed it aside to anxiously hold the folder in both hands. "You see, I've come back without her express permission so..." she trailed off meaningfully and then, as a precaution, finished: "Hot tempers run in my family."

Not that their Headmistress didn't know that. Raine had all but burnt off her classmates' hands in a fury when Kesali was teaching Charms.

As Raine spoke, Minerva sipped her tea contentedly. It had a nice, robust flavor – a perfect complement to the conversation being enjoyed. Any moment of happiness when the world was tilted off its axis was a relief, and the Headmistress was grateful for every single one. She wasn’t sure how Storm would feel about continuing private lessons, especially with a new family, but if any student could convince the school’s deputy, it was Raine Almasy.

As the mood in the room shifted, Minerva looked curiously over her cup toward Raine – and by the time the younger witch had finished speaking, the smile had quite vanished from the Headmistress’s face. It was almost as if someone had chucked a bucket of stinksap on the witch, even the portraits along the wall seemed affronted. Indeed, Minerva had to shoot them a glare before several of the paintings settled back within their frames.

Ira Almasy had always been cordial to Minerva, but she was a guarded witch and Minerva had always gotten the distinct feeling that being on her bad side was not a good idea. This, in itself, didn’t bother Minerva in the slightest – she’d faced much stronger adversaries, but what could have been bad enough for Raine to have ditched her aunt without a proper goodbye? Her features softened slightly again, looking upon Raine’s face – though there was still a sternness to her voice when she spoke.

“Well, be glad you’re of age, Miss Almasy, or I’d be sending you straight back. Hogwarts is not in the business of harboring runaways. As it so happens, I have not yet heard from your aunt, though I’ll certainly be sending her an owl this evening. I must express to you the severity of your actions, Raine. Hogwarts has been lenient, allowing you to leave school and return for your examinations. We rarely allow that, and when we do, there is a certain amount of maturity we expect – maturity like letting your tutor know when her services are no longer desired,” Minerva knew well the high tempers in the Almasy clan, Raine would have to grow out of that eventually. Having a high temper was something Minerva herself struggled with – she managed to control it, so could Raine.

Raine had a brief second of internal panic as their Headmistress lost all trace of good humour upon hearing that she had returned to Hogwarts without Aunt Ira giving leave. The feeling disappeared on learning that at least McGonagall wasn't about to send her back to London.

That would have been hell - the colour had almost drained from Raine's face, though she had kept an even expression.

"I did leave her a note," she explained in a small voice and tried not to laugh inanely at the curt message[1] she recalled leaving behind for her relative to discover. "And I really do appreciate being allowed back in school, Professor."

She reached for one of the biscuits on the table, turning it over in her hand as she thought about how much of an ingrate this situation made her out to be. Raine's cheeks burned at the idea, both with anger and a kind of shame that society women had always been told to afford (but that she constantly resented). Ira had been generous - this looked like a proper slap to the face.

Her aunt wore the best armour against suspicion: public opinion.

"It really is the safest place to be..." the Gryffindor added unconsciously before biting into the biscuit, despondent in realising Ira's game of manners. "I'm sure my Aunt will be fine with it, if she hasn't already written."

1.	"I know and I have to go back," featured in Do I Not Bleed? - Feb 17th

Feeling as if Raine had been properly chastised, Minerva leaned forward and mirrored Raine by grabbing herself a biscuit. Technically, Raine had done nothing against the rules - she wasn't a student at Hogwarts when she chose to leave Ira's care, and so there really wasn't much Minerva could do in terms of punishment, even if she wanted to. The look on Raine's face was enough to ease Minerva's worries, surely Raine wasn't that good of an actress, that she could seem genuinely ashamed of her actions whilst hiding her true feelings. That came from skill and age, and Raine might have had the skill, but she certainly didn't have the age nor experience to match McGonagall's.

Her voice was kind when she spoke again, absently dunking her biscuit into her tea, "You must understand, Miss Almasy, that Hogwarts is the safest place to be, but it can't continue to be that place if we aren't diligent. Hogwarts is safe because we have excellent resources and powerful witches and wizards, but also because we are respected. In these dark times, our reputation is even more important than ever. If we appear weak, we are weak,"

There was a pause, as Minerva placed her cup back upon the desk, biscuit laid upon the saucer uneaten, "Your aunt has great pull within the community. Should she take slight to us bringing you back, our reputation could be damaged. That would make Hogwarts not the safest place to be any longer," Raine was old enough to understand and grasp what Minerva was telling her, and the Headmistress trusted the younger Gryffindor with the insight, if only to help her grow as a person.

"I trust you'll not be leaving Hogwarts with only a note to remember you by?" She asked finally, picking up the soggy biscuit again and taking a bite.

Raine was relieved when the Headmistress decided not to press on the subject - instead going on to remind her of their school's reputation in what was a tumultuous era. If we appear weak, we are weak.

That was... debatable. The Gryffindor would rather that Ira underestimate them at this juncture. Appearing weak could be a strategy as well, though she knew how important it was to keep morale high in Hogwarts. But that was besides the point. McGonagall didn't know what she knew, yet, and keeping quiet was the best thing to do until they knew what her aunt was capable of doing in retaliation.

"Yes, Headmistress." Raine smiled weakly after she had swallowed the rest of her biscuit - it was tasteless in the way food always is when one is nervous. "I understand."

       "I trust you'll not be leaving Hogwarts with only a note to remember you by?"

Her smile widened, showing a glimpse of tooth. The insinuation did not sound unpleasant. Even if she did suspect there was a real question somewhere behind it. Raine took a gulp of hot tea to clear the dryness in her throat before she answered.

"I don't intend on leaving until the summer.... and I will be very sorry to go," she assured the older witch with a mixture of serious and wry tones. The cup of tea was placed back on the desk before she glanced up at a clock in the office. "Will that be all, Professor?"

The hour was early yet but they had lessons the next day. Raine still needed to catch up on their syllabus, even as practiced as she was.

Lost in her own thoughts, Minerva almost missed Raine’s admission that she’d be sad to leave Hogwarts, a sentiment the Headmistress certainly shared with the younger Gryffindor. Though Minerva had left Hogwarts happily after graduation, the ancient castle pulled and called to Minerva every time she even contemplated leaving. She had, in fact, left the school – happy to sit in retirement, basking in her old age. Everyone could plainly see how that worked out for the witch as she sat poised and stately behind the ancient desk many strong leaders had used in the past.

The comment didn’t need a retort, and Minerva didn’t give one – though her beady eyes twinkled behind her spectacles. When Raine asked if the Headmistress needed anything else from her, Minerva realized that there was actually nothing else she needed to address, and it was rather obvious that Raine would want to reconnect with her peers and friends.

Though Minerva was rather enjoying the company of the young Almasy witch, it would be rude to keep her when she had no real reason to do so, and it wasn’t as if the Headmistress could spare more time than she already had on pleasantries. “Go ahead,” Minerva said, “and do try and keep celebrations to a minimum tonight, please,” a wink followed the statement, then finished with a wave toward the door in dismissal.