The Office
2nd May 1998
8:19am
Headmistresses Office
The room was bathed in a golden glow, sunlight pouring through the windows as Minerva McGonagall, Hogwarts new Headmistress sat down on the large throne in the centre of the office. Her face was numb, battle scars evident on her aging cheeks. A hand reached up to her face and lightly smeared the blood oozing from a cut above her eyebrow. Removing her hand, she gazed down at it and sadly smiled.
It wasnt fair.
How come she had “earned” survival?
Hundreds of formal pupils, current pupils, friends, colleagues and creatures were lying dead several stories below where she was standing.
Minerva sighed and wiped her hand on her robes, reaching into the desk drawer. Her mind was swimming with guilt.
What had she done that they hadn’t?
She pulled out a piece of parchment and reached for a nearby quill. Her hand shook as she dipped it into ink and began to write. The tip of her quill anxiously met paper, and slowly made words.
What if it was different?
Moments later she had finished writing, some sort of letter to the minister, who had already left the battlefield and had requested a letter confirming that she would take on the role of Headmistress. She sighed again, handing the note to her owl, who took it and fluttered out of the window.
This isnt what she wants.
She was born to teach. Not to sign papers and be in meetings all day. Although she was deeply honoured and proud to be in charge of this historic school, her heart burned with jealousy when the new transfiguration teacher was appointed. The classroom that is no longer hers, the office that lies abandoned on the first floor corridor. It makes her sick.
She used to envy Albus. The fact he didnt have to deal with sorting the first years, taking the third years to Hogsmeade, writing the admission letters, dealing with Lee Thomas’s inappropriate commentry at the Quidditch games, giving every Gryffindor fifth year careers advice and teaching them how to dance before every annual ball.
Albus used to always envy her. She never used to understand why. Her job was always harder than his.
Once the bird was out of sight, she turned around and looked around the top of the room. All of the past headmaster portraits were gazing at her admiringly.
Minerva spotted Albus and Severus instantly. They were tucked into the corner directly in front of her desk. She didnt look directly at them, because she could feel there eyes on her. None of the portraits spoke, they just watched her.
Suddenly, she was knocked out of her thoughts by a knock at the door.
“Come in.”
The door slowly opened, revealing a very tired looking Poppy Pomfrey. Her robes were torn and her hair was down, she too had scars littering her face.
“Headmistress. I was just wondering what you wanted us to do with the bodies. Some of the familys have claimed them but there are a few left unclaimed.” Poppy said, her eyes brimming with tears.
Minerva’s face dropped. For the first time ever, her opinion was first. It was up to her what happened to these people. Not Albus, her. There was nobody before her, criticising her choices.
“I will come down and check. How many would you say are left?” Minerva asked, a tear slipping down her cheek.
“I counted. Seven.”
Minerva’s heart throbbed. Several new tears formed as her mouth opened as though she was going to say something, but words failed her. She swallowed hard and muttered,
“Show me.”