Formulas were shouted from one side of the class to the other. Wands split the air. There were a few students, as always, who spoke about something else than the Transfiguration spell they had to practice.
It was Wednesday afternoon and Minerva McGonagall was observing her students trying to change a small piece of wood into parchment, a pretty basic transformation. As usual, her students were struggling to succeed. They approached the end of the class. As a result, she had to be more severe and careful than ever, pushing her students to try again, and again, and again until the last second. As the last course of the day, maintaining their focus was even harder, and the fact they were first-years didn't help either. She had already sent two to the infirmary, Neville Longbottom who mistakenly turned the flesh of his index into wood, and Seamus Finnigan who touched the wood and caused it to explode in his face. Another student had also put the fire to his wood, which she ended quickly without anyone being hurt.
Accidents were a standard at Hogwarts, but sometimes Minerva wondered how Finnigan managed to make everything he touched, or rather everything he touched while trying to cast a spell, explode. As for Longbottom, she failed to understand how the boy, with the two parents he had and the grandmother who raised him, all exceptional wizards Minerva personally knew, failed at everything he attempted.
Not that family mattered much when it came to the mastery of magic. In thirty-five years of teaching, she had seen wizards from pure-blood families become disasters and others turning to be the greatest wizards of their time. The same could be told of half-bloods such as herself and Muggle-borns. The perfect example was Hermione Granger. She was among the few who had already managed today's transfiguration, and the only one who succeeded at every class. That girl earned more points to her house than anyone else, and Minerva was more than happy to give them to Gryffindor. Not that she would have given more or less points if the girl had belonged to Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff or Slytherin, but she was happy it went to her own house.
She told Miss Patil to hold her wand more firmly as she let it slip on the floor after another attempt, warned Mr Thomas to not agitate his like he did, unless he wanted to share Mr Finnigan's fate, admonished Miss Bones for doing more talk than work, encouraged Mr Finch-Fletchley to resume his spellcasting after half the wood turned to paper, and berated Mr Weasley so he continued to work. He was the sixth she had to handle in this generation, just as red haired as all the others, but at least he seemed to be only lazy, not a troublemaker like the twin brothers.
"You still have some work to do, Potter, if you want this to be a whole parchment." She pointed the small corner in the upper right, a square barely one inch by side, that was still made of wood.
"Yes, Professor. I'm trying."
"Keep trying. And harder."
"Yes, Professor."
Well, this boy might the spitting image of his father, at the exception of the eyes, but he behaved much better than James Potter at the same age. Harry Potter's father had been a talented student from the very beginning, and he had known it. It wasn't rare that he put his feet on his desk and feigned to sleep in the middle of the class after he performed the charm, and sometimes before he performed it, just then to show teachers he could do it when they asked him to get to work. This earned him many detention periods from McGonagall, and she knew he was looking forward for these sometimes. In comparison, his son was the image of his mother's calm, focus and goodwill.
Lily Evans had been a very good student from the very beginning as well. McGonagall still recalled her first day in Transfiguration. She had succeeded in changing her match into a needle, but in her excited state, she had hurt herself with the needle she just created when she took it into her hand. McGonagall had been pleasantly surprised, just like with Miss Granger. Although there were good and wonderful wizards among Muggle-borns just as among pure and half-bloods, it was very rare to see a Muggle-born perform so well in his first day of class. Lily Evans and Hermione Granger were exceptions, water drops in the ocean.
She watched Granger, who was about to duplicate her earlier exploit with a second piece of wood, then Potter, who still tried with all the focus in the world to complete his own transfiguration. But it was too late.
The class ended with the bell and Minerva ordered all the students to leave, giving them homework to do on a chapter in their Transfiguration book, and gathering their attempts with a single spell which made the pieces of wood and half-parchment fly over to her desk, the names of each student writing itself on their respective piece in the process.
The class was quickly empty. The children would not linger for long at the end of the day, but one of them took his time and approached her office when everyone was gone.
"Yes, Potter? You had a question about today's lesson?" she asked the boy. He seemed quite shy and hesitant.
"No, Professor McGonagall. But... I have something to ask you."
"Go on."
"Well, I know this is Halloween next week."
"It is. There's a banquet in the Great Hall that evening. I'm sure you and your comrades won't miss it for anything else in the world."
"Well, the thing is... I was wondering if I could leave the castle for this day."
"Potter, the students are not allowed to leave the perimeter of the castle during the year."
"I know, but... This year, at Halloween... it will be ten years since..."
Realization dawned upon McGonagall. How could she have forgotten that? "I'm really sorry, Potter."
"My mother and I... we always visit my father's grave on this day. I just... I would like to accompany her like I do every year."
The boy gave her a pleading look. McGonagall may be strict, but she was also human. "I will talk about this with Professor Dumbledore and see what we can do. I'll come back to you with an answer very quickly."
"Thank you, Professor."
The boy left the class with his bag on the shoulder. Minerva followed him with her eyes until he was out, her gaze fixed on the door frame a long moment after he was gone.
"Lily Evans is lucky to have a son like this," she muttered to herself.
She left her classroom and, after ordering her student's works back to her office with another spell, she headed towards Dumbledore's office in the Headmaster's Tower. After giving the password to the gargoyle keeping the entry, she climbed onto the spiral staircase that moved upwards until she arrived before the oak door, which proved insufficient to mute the loud conversation taking place on the other side. Severus Snape was shouting so loudly that Minerva heard him while the staircase was still bringing her up.
"He is mediocre, arrogant as his father, a determined rule-breaker, delighted to find himself famous, attention-seeking and impertinent..."
"You see what you expect to see, Severus," Dumbledore's voice resonated, even from the other side as McGonagall approached the door. "Other teachers report that the boy is modest, likeable and reasonably talented. Personally, I find him an engaging child."
She knocked as the Professor Dumbledore was finishing his sentence. She made sure she knocked loud enough for both of them to hear.
"Come in," the headmaster's voice said, and Minerva obeyed. "Professor McGonagall."
"Professor Dumbledore. Professor Snape," she saluted both. "I'm sorry if I interrupted your discussion. I heard a student was causing problems. Should I be aware of who that is, just in case?"
"I doubt it would do any good," Severus Snape softly said, in contrast with his previous tone. "It seems all the other teachers in this school have fallen under the charm of the Boy Who Lived."
"Anyway, this discussion was coming to an end." Dumbledore sent a sustained gaze to Severus who walked away without giving any attention to Minerva. "Don't forget to watch over him, Severus," Dumbledore added as his interlocutor loudly closed the door.
"Is there any problem with Potter? Since he is a student of the House of Gryffindor, I should be part of any discussion pertaining to him," she pointed out.
"Not too many problems. I'm just afraid that Severus is allowing his long hatred for the boy's father to influence his opinion on the son."
"Well, physically, he is the very image of James Potter, but he shares much more with Lily Evans than her eyes."
"Something most teachers agree on."
"But not Severus?" she asked, unsurprised about this.
"Not Severus. And the fact Harry Potter is a Gryffindor doesn't make things better. But outside of this incident during the flying lessons, no teacher had anything to complain about, and the complaining teacher in this case chose not to pursue the matter."
The teacher in question was herself. "Considering the circumstances, I thought it would be better to let water fall under the bridge. I wasn't about to expel a student only for trying to recover something another student stole."
"Especially when he can be an excellent Seeker." She returned the amused smile he sent her. "But while we're talking the Head of a House complaining about the student from another house, what is your opinion about Draco Malfoy?"
Minerva didn't expect such a question. She answered as politely and truthfully as she could. "Not to echo the conversation I just surprised, but Malfoy proved to be neither modest, nor likeable, nor an engaging child. But he is reasonably talented. I cannot deny his aptitudes."
"The difference between you and Severus is that you didn't tell me."
"Being mean is not against our regulations, nor is being arrogant. As long as he doesn't attack, hurt or cause any kind of harm or prejudice to another student, I can't reprimand Malfoy, at least not by removing points to his house or holding him in detention."
"What about that Remembrall he stole from another student, and the fact he took flight against Madam Hooch's warning? It did deserve some reprimand."
"Which I would have needed to bring to Severus. I think he rather liked that I just let this first infringement go. Furthermore, the Remembrall was given back to Mr Longbottom in the end. Anyway, judging from his reaction when Potter received a Nimbus Two Thousand, Draco Malfoy has already been punished."
"Let's hope it will be enough. But let's put that aside. I suppose you didn't come here to talk to me about those two students."
"Well, I came to talk about the first. Potter came to me with a request. About the day of Halloween."
"Ah." Dumbledore's face turned sadder. McGonagall deduced that, unlike her, he remembered very well what day that was. "Of course. Ten years since that fateful night. He must want to accompany Lily to Godric's Hollow."
Minerva frowned. "You know about this?"
"Of course, I do, Minerva. You really think I wouldn't watch over Lily and her son after what happened to James? I've followed their movements and their lives over the years. And every year, on October 31, Lily Evans and her son Harry go to Godric's Hollow, to visit James' tomb."
Minerva sighed. "Normally, we don't allow students to leave the school, except for emergencies, but in this case... Although this is not an emergency, perhaps we should think about the mother as much as about the boy."
"I agree. This day is always hard for Lily. And for the tenth anniversary of her husband's death, it will be especially difficult for her if Harry is not with her."
"I agree. But at the same time, can we really allow Potter to miss his classes? He's got courses in Charms and Transfiguration on this day."
"If possible, we should avoid it. Perhaps we could just let him leave for the evening. Even though this is an event to not miss, the Halloween banquet is not compulsory. There's only one obstacle I can see here."
"Which is?" The truth was, she had thought about this possibility of allowing Harry Potter to leave for the evening, but she wanted to confirm with Dumbledore before telling the boy. She wanted to be sure before saying to this begging child whether or not he could go to Godric's Hollow on the day of Halloween.
"I don't believe Lily Evans will want her son to miss Hogwarts' Halloween party. Even if it is to accompany her to her husband's grave."
Minerva had not thought about that. "The best thing would be to send her an owl and ask her right away."
"Maybe. Or better, you go see her yourself and you ask her the question."
She was caught by surprise at the suggestion. "You want me to visit Lily Evans in person just to ask her if she wants her son to come visit her on Halloween?"
"Yes, I do. When was the last time you saw her?"
The last time she saw Lily Evans? McGonagall knew and remembered it very well. It was in the early hours of November 1st, 1981, the day after the horrible tragedy that hit the Potters. Hagrid had brought Lily and her son back from Godric's Hollow on the flying motorcycle he borrowed from Sirius Black. She was there when they were brought to the hospital wing, Lily being carried hastily on an improvised stretcher, her clothes torn apart, her whole body covered with bruises, cuts, lacerations, burns, and most obviously blood and dust. It was a miracle she was still alive. Her baby, in comparison, was unharmed except for the scar on his forehead, as if a shield had been created around him, protecting him from everything, from the crumbling house to the Killing Curse He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named cast.
"You only saw her while she was unconscious at the infirmary." It was as if Albus Dumbledore was reading her mind. "I think it might be time to reunite with this former student of yours."
Minerva McGonagall had always maintained a professional distance between her and her students. She was their teacher, and although she had her favourites, students she liked more than the others, she made sure she never became friends with them, especially while they were at school. It was inappropriate for a professor to show favoritism towards any one of her pupils, and to ensure it remained that way, she needed to maintain that distance. She was strict and hard as a teacher, but only so her students would put all their efforts in their studies, helping them to become accomplished wizards and witches one day. Lily Evans had been one of those.
Minerva was already deputy headmistress and responsible for the Sorting Ceremony when Lily Evans arrived at Hogwarts. She put the Sorting Hat on her head, and the Hat sent her to Minerva's own house, Gryffindor. She came from a family of Muggles and was the first witch in her line. As soon as her first class, she showed her magical abilities, her talent, her seriousness and her determination. In this time more than today, it was hard and dangerous to be Muggle-born, as He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named was at the peak of his power. Lily Evans had to endure mockeries and hatred from many students, and not only from Slytherins, her talent and origins both making her a target. Still, she persevered. McGonagall saw her mature to a young woman through the years, becoming a popular student and attaining the rank of Head Girl in her last year at Hogwarts. She joined the ranks of the Order of the Phoenix as soon as she left school, and it wasn't long before she got married to James Potter barely a year after her school years were over. People got married early in that time, as the threat of the Dark Lord made life quite uncertain and they wanted to enjoy it the most while they could. Lily was pregnant the year she got married, and her son was born the year after.
Minerva had appreciated Lily as a colleague in the Order of the Phoenix, which she was a member of as well. She and her husband James were only active in the fight against the Dark Lord for a short period but, living on James' fortune, they dedicated their whole time to this fight and inflicted severe damage to Voldemort and his followers. That must be why he targeted them and their child when Harry was born. When McGonagall saw Lily severely hurt after that night in 1981, a girl who had been her student only three years ago, something broke inside of her. She taught these children for seven years, only for them to be harmed and slaughtered, or for them ending up joining the forces of evil. She almost had a breakdown after this, but Albus helped her get through this and Minerva resumed her work.
Now, an hour after her discussion with the headmaster, she was standing in front of her chimney in her office, with a small pinch of Floo powder. What she was about to do was not very polite, entering into someone else's home without asking for permission first. But well, it was better than Apparition, which might attract unwanted attention. She threw the powder in the fireplace, turning its flames into emerald green, and walked into it.
"26 Elm Street, Northampton," she declared very clearly.
Minerva felt the usual spinning proper to this sort of transportation. She watched the chimneys streaming in front of her, until she reached the one that was her destination. Then she stepped forward.
She landed into a small living room that was definitely furnished in a Muggle style. And standing in the middle of it, Lily Evans stared at the intruder, looking shocked when she realized who it was.
"Professor McGonagall? What are you doing here?"
"Hi, Lily." She continued speaking as she threw spells to dust herself off and the surroundings of her arrival, putting back everything into place by the same occasion. She didn't think Lily would appreciate if she left her living room in ruins. "You surely regard it as rather unorthodox, my pushing into your apartment uninvited. But I needed to speak with you."
"Has something happened to Harry?" she immediately asked. It was the first question a parent was expected to ask when their child's teacher showed up at their home late in the middle of the evening.
"No. Let me reassure you, he is fine."
Her expression shifted from worry to exasperation "Don't tell me he's violated the rules, again?"
Minerva refrained from smiling. "No. In fact, he's quite conscientious and respectful of the rules. No one had to complain about that." No one but Severus Snape, of course. "No, I just wanted to talk with you. The matter which I must address is unrelated to your son's behavior at school."
Lily Evans seemed surprised. "Oh, well. In this case... You may take a seat if you want."
"Thank you."
"I may prepare you something if you'd like. Tea?"
"No," Minerva kindly replied as she took her place at the table. "I will not abuse your hospitality with the way I arrived."
"Okay."
She sat down in front of McGonagall. The teacher took a quickly deeper look at her former student. Years had been kind to Lily Jane Evans Potter, at least in the physical sense of the word. She was only thirty-one years-old, still in the beauty of her age. If she had wanted, she definitely could have remarried after her husband's death and have other children. Of course, she didn't do it. Minerva, as a woman who sacrificed her first love many years ago, could understand why Lily Evans didn't feel the need to remarry. On the emotional side, however, Minerva found that she had lost a great deal of the determination and strong will she displayed as a student and as a member of the Order of the Phoenix. She seemed tired, sad... alone.
"So, why are you here?" Lily asked her.
"Your son has come to me with an unusual request. He's asked me to let him spend the day of Halloween with you."
If Minerva expected any reaction of shock or surprise or even delight on Lily's face, she was disappointed. The woman just looked down with a resigned look. "I should have expected that." She said no more for quite a while. "Are the Halloween celebrations at Hogwarts still famous?"
"Yes, they are," Minerva confirmed.
"I was hoping he wouldn't think about that. I still remember my first Halloween there when I was eleven."
Lily smiled, probably by remembering the fond memories of her childhood that Minerva remembered as well. There had been a food battle in the Great Hall in her first Halloween at Hogwarts, which happened so quickly and developed into a full-scale war across the whole room before the professors could control it. They had managed to take back control of the situation and to punish those who started it, but most students had loved the experience, and Albus Dumbledore himself had found it quite funny. Minerva had to admit their students were quite happy to be covered from head to toe by pumpkins of various tastes.
"You don't want him to come?" Minerva asked Lily.
"I would like him to enjoy his time at Hogwarts. To enjoy Halloween. He didn't have this chance while living with me. We never did anything for that day."
Minerva nodded. "He almost begged me to let him go."
She sent a sustained gaze to Lily, who looked down again at the table. She sighed. "I could just... bring him with me to Godric's Hollow early in the morning, then he could go back to the castle and..."
"I'm sorry, Lily, but he has classes in the morning and the afternoon. We are ready to let him leave the castle in the evening after they are over, but we cannot let him miss a course. He will not be able to be with you on this day if he goes to the banquet."
She was firm on that point. They could make an exception for the evening, but nothing more. Lily seemed lost in her thoughts for a moment.
"Okay," the mother finally said. "I'll pick him up at the end of the day in front of the castle's gates. What is the latest hour he could return?"
"We're giving you until ten o'clock in the evening. He must return to the castle before this hour."
"Okay."
She didn't seem very happy about this. Minerva was concerned about her. She really looked miserable.
"Are you fine, Lily?" she asked, out of concern.
"Yes, I am." She didn't look like it. McGonagall was at a loss. She understood better why Harry begged her to let him spend that day with his mother.
"Lily, there's another reason why I came. I wanted to apologize. I know I haven't kept in touch with you after... that night. I'm sorry about that."
"Don't be. I needed to take my distance with the world of magic. It wouldn't have worked if my former teachers and friends came to visit me all the time."
Minerva had to agree. She didn't stay for long afterwards. Like she said, she didn't want to abuse Lily's time. When she returned to her office, intent on correcting the works her students gave her today, she thought about how the Lily she just saw looked like a shell of the seventh grade student she used to know. The happy woman she used to be, even through the worst days of the last war, seemed gone, replaced by a lone woman living in an empty apartment among the Muggles. Harry Potter's scar was famous. He received it the night the Dark Lord tried to kill him. But Lily Evans was scarred as well on that occasion, and Minerva was afraid the scar, while not visible, went far deeper than her son's