that feeling of cauldrons and June
*January 27th 1973*
Minnie had awoken the cold winter morning with a strange feeling. She knew what the feeling was… unknowingness. She just wasn’t used to it. She could study for nearly anything. But not friendship.
January 27th. Poppy Pomfrey’s birthday. She figured they could be considered friends and her and Edie have always gotten each other gifts for each other’s birthdays. Minerva wasn’t sure how but Effie always got something Minerva loved. Sometimes Minnie could figure something out for Effie, but other times she bought her drinks to celebrate her birthday at the leaky cauldron. She really didn’t know how to go about this dilemma knowing she couldn’t buy her drinks.
Her only solution wasn’t really one but was rather more… getting help. She sent an owl to Effie.
~~~~
Effie,
It truly has been too long since we’ve last chatted. Don’t worry, i’m not writing you about James. In case you were unaware, I now work with our previous classmate, Poppy Pomfrey. It is her birthday today and i’m afraid i’m not great at getting gifts, however I know you have a talent for it. I was hoping you could help me.
best,
~Minnie
~~~~
Minnie sent the owl desperately hoping for a fast reply.
Minnie’s best wishes came true, finally when she received the owl back from Euphemia.
~~~~
Minnie,
I much agree it’s been too long since we’ve last seen each other. As for your question, possibly think back to times she’s mentioned wanting something. Or simply, be kind. I am greatly glad to hear you’ve made friend.
with love,
~Effie
~~~~
Minerva truly loves Effie. She has two biological brothers, and one sister, Effie Potter. But at this moment Minnie wanted nothing more to an to snap her neck. How was that response to be helpful.
oh.
A new cauldron.
~~~~
December 8th, 1972
“Minerva, how must you make this potion again? It doesn’t seem to be working and in all honesty I truly don’t wish to ask Severus.”
Minnie heard this as she was sitting one morning after a full moon reading in the infirmary.
She got up to go look at the potion and it’s directions. All seemed to be correct, at least to Minnie.
“Yes it seems it should be alright.”
~~~~
May 27th, 1972
“Minerva, what shop in hogmwade would you say has good cauldrons?”
“Hmm not quite sure, you might want to ask Severus or Trewlany.”
~~~~
Minerva felt nothing but pure dread as she climbed creaking steps later that day. The pit in her stomach grew as she grew closer to professor Snape’s classroom. As she approached the door, she finished rehearsing what she was going to ask him, although it was a simple ask, he wasn’t known for not judging. She knocked two short, sharp times before slowly opening the door. She was greeted by the sight of the man with greasy, shoulder-length black hair looking up at her from his his desk.
“Minerva.” He groaned, greeting her.
“Well,” Minnie took a breath. “It’s nice the see you.”
“hmm. certainly.”
It wasn’t obvious based on the man’s usual tone, however she could pick up on his phoniness with the statement.
“i need your help with cauldrons.”
~~~~
Minerva twitched at dinner that night as she sat next to Poppy, anticipating her reaction to her birthday present. She had picked out a mostly black, with a thin gold block line going around the rim cauldron. The shopkeeper said it was perfect for healers making healing potions. The sides were smooth and made out of a thick, sturdy wood. She wondered if she would enjoy the present. She wasn’t sure why she was quite so anxious about impressing her with this present, as most likely any witch or wizard would probably enjoy a new cauldron regardless of the quality of their current one.
After dinner, Minerva walked to the infirmary with a twisted stomach. She gently and slowly cracked open the door and peeking in and seeing Poppy helping a fourth year student who had seemingly dropped their books on his hand. She walked over to her desk and patiently waited for her to finish helping the student. She didn’t know what to do with herself she found so she stayed still and started counting in her head to ten before starting again and again, while her eyes shifted back and forth from between looking at the floor and ceiling. She lost count a few times but she thinks she counted to ten 13 times before Poppy startled her out of her trance.
“Oh!,” Minnie jumped, startled by her talking. “Sorry I didn’t see you for a moment. I brought you a a birthday present.” Minnie picked at her fingers behind her back.
“Oh, Minerva you really didn’t have too.”
“No, really and please, you know you can just call me, Minnie.” Minerva said, reassuringly.
She took a breath before Accio-ing the cauldron to where in between he two of them.
“Oh! This is truly wonderful, thank you so much!” Poppy exclaimed.
Minerva swatted away, and wished her a happy birthday. The two of them embraced in a hug and Minnie could feel the sunshine of Poppy Pomfrey seeping into her skin. It was getting late, and it was late January, but this hug felt nothing different from soft grass and warm sun and soft skin in June. Minerva found it a little ironic that a girl born in January felt exactly like a clear blue, warm June sky.