Title: Minerva's Advice

Chapter: One-Shot

Ship: Harry/Hermione, Mention of possible Ron/Hermione

Rating: T

Warnings: Adult Language, Adult Situations, Minor Ron Bashing

Time Line: Sixth Year, November

Summary: McGonagall knows she has failed her Lions repeatedly. But there is one mistake she can never, under any circumstances, allow to happen. H/Hr

[Author's Note:] Hidy hidy! I was reading an older story by Broomstick Flyer when the idea for this kind of scene popped into my head. Nothing planned for this except to say that this is an attempt at writing McGonagall trying to pay off a debt of honor to Harry for not helping him at all through his years in Hogwarts.

Recommended Story of the Chapter: "Seventh Year" by Broomstick Flyer

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"As you command, Miss Kitty," the house elf bowed low and popped away, leaving Minerva to stare out her classroom window with a large mug of steaming hot cocoa in her hands. The day outside was gray and cloudy and oddly dry for the time of year. It put Minerva into a state of bleak bleariness that had put her into a reflective mood, forcing her to look back on the last five and a half years.

She held several jobs at Hogwarts. She was a teacher to seven years of Transfiguration classes, Deputy Headmistress of the entire school and Head of Gryffindor House, being a den mother of sorts. As a teacher, she excelled at her job. All of her students learned the art, even if not to any great achievements, but at least passing to survive and do well on any tests. There were some she would never recommend if there were a retarded spider monkey available to do the work instead, but they learned what she taught them, even if they couldn't figure out more on their own. Some of her students would come out of her class after seven years only ever able to transfigure something she had taught them in classes, but that would allow them to pass their tests and get their careers. Still, she'd always keep tabs on that spider monkey, regardless.

As Deputy Headmistress, she was less stellar. Dumbledore rode roughshod over her for a good many of her duties, keeping her from being as effective as she would like to be and society as a whole kept her from stopping much of the worst elements in their school. Racial and derogatory slurs like those the Malfoy spawn spewed out almost daily was enough to make her grind her teeth, but with pressure from both Dumbledore and highly influential members of society, who pointed out repeatedly that there was nothing illegal about voicing one's opinion, punishments for such acts was simply not worth the trouble when all those other people could cause greater repercussions for the school as a whole. To say nothing of Dumbledore's passive attitudes towards almost everything. Only those he felt could never be allowed to stray in any way that resembled a dark path, namely Harry Potter, could be reprimanded for their actions. And even then, he kept those ones on extremely short leashes.

As a Head of House, however, Minerva McGonagall knew she was an utter failure. It wasn't that she chose to be. It's just that, as a general rule, all of her other duties had a tendency to be far more pressing and deserving of her time. But, she still listened to students when they came to her.

Usually...

Minerva's reflections centered around her favorite students when looking to gauge her own successes and failures. She knew it was unprofessional, but she knew it was inevitable. She played favorites. Or at least, she had favorites. She didn't play favorites. That was what Severus did, and she was nothing like that scum!

Hermione Granger, was easily put, her favorite. And, in a lesser, but almost evenly-tied slot for number two, was Harry Potter. Those two were close in a way that Ronald Weasley and food could only ever dream of being, which was saying a lot when you considered one was always inside the other.

Minerva sighed and sipped her cocoa, silently wishing she could add some good brandy into the mix.

Throughout the years, Minerva had failed spectacularly with her favorites, leading her to fear her status with the other students. In their first year, she had done well enough, if you considered a night of detention in the Forbidden Forest filled with dangerous, dark beasts against three children who hadn't barely begun to use their wands as a black mark against her. In her defense, limited though it may have been, she had forgotten that Hagrid would be going there that night. And then they tried to warn her against the theft of the Philosopher's Stone and she had basically told them to stay quiet and hadn't heard them out, leaving them to be the ones to take on a dark wizard and deadly traps because she was too shocked they had learned about it at all.

Their second year, poor dears, they had to deal with a bloody basilisk! Miss Granger had almost died by the beast and Potter by killing it! Admittedly, there wasn't much there she could have done, but the entire year, when students were calling Harry names, ostracizing him, blaming him ... she could have stopped that. Or fought for him. That was to say nothing of that fool Lockhart! Minerva had wanted to fire the man, but Dumbledore had put his foot down and refused her the opportunity to look for a replacement and the man had nearly wiped Potter and Weasley's memories!

Third year ... Minerva still didn't understand what had possessed her to give a family heirloom to a thirteen-then-fourteen year old to play about with time just to get to extra classes that the rules said she couldn't take all at once anyway! That alone should have had her sacked. But no one knew. She suspected Dumbledore did, but the man allowed everyone their games.

Their fourth year. Minerva shook her head and decided to go ahead and add a good shot of brandy to her mix. If she had had any self-respect, she would have resigned that Halloween night, or committed suicide for the shame she brought upon herself. Or just killed Dumbledore. So much went wrong that year. She knew, knew, Harry couldn't have been in that contract business if he didn't actually enter himself. Why hadn't she spoken up? Or given Harry hints to train on, or assigned homework relevant tot he tasks? He was too young for that damn fool tournament!

McGonagall had seen the signs then. Harry was growing nervous and restless, reaching a breaking point as his friendship with Ronald seemed to be at its end point, which many of the faculty had been looking forward towards since the boy held Potter back. A friendship was all fine and good, but not when Harry was obviously hip deep into things every single year, and that year it just could not be afforded. But Miss Granger had come to the rescue, bringing him back and helping him.

Minerva wondered, again, why she didn't point out to the school that Harry didn't enter himself. Why she didn't publicly stand by him as Miss Granger did or stop those foolish little brats wearing those buttons.

The only thing she was proud of herself for was in making Hermione Granger Viktor Krum's hostage in the lake. She had argued for hours about that action! That Harry had gotten into a fight with several mer-people in an attempt to rescue her, before going to Ronald Weasley(1), simply validated her thoughts.

The last year, however, was shameful in a way that Minerva still sometimes cried over. She had been bullied and turned into a scared, sniveling little girl by Delores Umbridge. That woman had tortured her students, leaving scars on many, used the imperius on yet others and ran the school like a warden would run their prison.

Hopefully, and Minerva couldn't be totally sure, with less unfriendly activities in the showers.

The obese, toad-like woman looked at some of the seventh-year boys with far too much interest.

But not only that. The Daily Prophet had been running a smear campaign through the year and Dumbledore in his oh-so-infinite wisdom, refused to let her make Harry a Prefect, when he clearly deserved it, and was really the only male who did. Then, to choose Ronald Bilius Weasley as a substitute! The man had gone 'round the bend! The boy had stolen everything he confiscated for himself! McGonagall had cleaned out his trunk the last day of all the nude witch magazines, liquor, stolen naughty pictures of witches that were originally meant for their boyfriends and had been forced to bear it all because Dumbledore chalked it up to boys being boys! And she had been forced to leave the prank items since she couldn't honestly claim them against the rules to have, merely use.

Harry Potter wouldn't have done that.

And then the worst thing Minerva could have possibly ever imagined. The one failure she could never allow to occur, even in retrospect of all of those other horrible failures. A new failure was nearly upon her, and Minerva knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that she had to finally stand up and do her job. Her Duty. If only to redeem some part of her humanity she had apparently long ago lost.

"You needed to see me, Professor McGonagall?" Hermione Granger asked as she entered the Transfiguration classroom.

"Yes, please sit down," Minerva said, indicating a soft chair she had transfigured to make the girl more comfortable.

Hermione sat, setting her bag of books on the ground beside her. It was simply too heavy to put in her lap.

McGonagall stood and looked longingly out the window for a minute longer, trying to commit the scene to her memory. As odd as it sounded, looking outside right now made her truly realize how old she was and how truly infinitesimal a human's life was. With a final sigh, the old woman walked slowly to her desk and sat down, feeling like conserving the energy her cocoa and brandy was providing her and thankful Hermione was giving her time to get comfortable. Such a kind-hearted girl.

"Miss Granger," Minerva began formally, her harsh mask shown to most students in its place like normal before her shoulders slumped and her tone turned warmer, softer. "Hermione," she corrected. "I have called you to my office, not in the capacity as your Deputy Headmistress, Transfiguration teacher or even your Head of House."

"Ma'am?" Hermione asked, confused despite herself.

"Hermione, what I have to discuss with you today is most likely going to change the way your life turns out. For better or worse, you need to hear what I have to say. What you do with our discussion is entirely yours, of course. If you want to listen and hear me out, then you will not be permitted to leave until I've finished. Otherwise, I offer you this chance to leave now."

Hermione was confused. Very confused, but also very curious. "I don't understand," she said after a short pause. "Why not just tell me and be done with it?"

"Unlike some, Miss Granger, I do not meddle in the lives of the students. I try to guide them when I can, but I feel their mistakes are their own to make. However, your case is slightly different in my eyes, hence why I feel I must speak up. I have failed you and Mister Potter in many ways over the years, and I feel that this is the only way I can redeem any semblance of my humanity."

Now Hermione was both intrigued, and a little scared. But curiousity won out in the end. "I'll listen," she said simply, jumping slightly as the doors to the classroom all shut and locked.

"Miss Granger, let me begin by asking what you want in life. What do you wish to accomplish in your life? What do you wish to do?" McGonagall asked, choosing to let Hermione figure out as much as she could on her own before being told what Minerva knew and saw.

"I ... I don't really know, Professor," Hermione admitted. "I mean, I would like to do something special with my life, but..."

"I understand, child," Minerva said softly. "When we are young, it is often very difficult to decide what we want the rest of our lives to mean. Perhaps it would be better suited if I asked what you did not want to do or become?"

Hermione thought for a moment. "I ... don't want to be just a stay-at-home mother," Hermione said, her first thoughts going to Molly Weasley. "It isn't that I have any lack of respect for them, it's just that ... I want to do more than stay at home and take care of children all day long with nothing else. Maybe a writer or researcher on the side, perhaps, but ..."

"Minister for Magic, perhaps?" McGonagall asked. "A spell crafter? I know you designed one for Mister Potter in your fourth year."

Hermione blushed, but nodded. "I would like that, I think. Or a potion's mistress, though I admit I don't see that being a field I would excel in. I could brew anything you give me, but not create a potion."

"What would Mister Weasley say to you to spur you on?"

Hermione frowned for a moment, seeing in her mind's eye as Ron asked her why she would care about those things. He always wondered why she cared about her studies and what she was learning without really bothering to think that she enjoyed them. It was much like his Quidditch fixation. She didn't understand it, but she saw his desire to play the sport.

Minerva, after about a minute, asked, "what about Mister Potter?"

"Hm?" Hermione asked, looking at her favorite teacher. "Oh, probably something like I'd be brilliant before asking if he could help and how."

Minerva smiled. "Miss Granger, how often, and please think before answering, has Mister Weasley belittled you for your muggle roots?"

"What!" Hermione asked, offended that McGonagall would ask such a thing.

"Miss Granger, I have noticed a disturbing trend with you and Misters Weasley and Potter. One that, normally, I would not bother discussing or bringing up to you. However, I ... I care for you, Hermione."

Hermione's back straightened. "Er ... Student-Teacher relationships aren't exactly-"

"Miss Granger! Please!" Minerva scolded, blushing just a little less than Hermione. "What I mean is I favor you as one would a grandchild."

"Oh," Hermione muttered, unable to look at her teacher in the eye. 'How embarrassing!'

"Miss Granger, what I'm trying to tell you is I see your attempts at pursuing Mister Weasley and I feel like I must ask you to truly sit and think before you ruin your life!"

"What's that supposed to mean?" Hermione asked dangerously, narrowing her eyes at the woman across from her. "Ron's a good guy and I don't see why it's any business of yours who I do or do not date."

"That example I just asked of you," Minerva began, looking unashamed for what she was doing, "had you unable to think of a response for Mister Weasley, and yet you were able to give me something for Mister Potter immediately even while distracted in attempting to think of one for Mister Weasley."

Hermione backed down a little, but was still rather peeved. "That doesn't mean anything, Professor. It-"

"It means everything, Miss Granger!" Minerva stated firmly, her own scowl on her face. "Mister Potter would help you become whatever you wanted and not only support you and your decisions, or even your career, but do everything in his power to help you achieve your dreams and goals. Mister Weasley might give you an encouraging word when you were down or when you succeeded, but would call you daft for even wanting it in the first place!"

Hermione frowned, still scowling at her teacher. However, before she could open her mouth again, McGonagall continued.

"Miss Granger, all I am asking you to do is come to your own conclusions without lying to yourself. If you choose to pursue Mister Weasley, I won't attempt to stop you. But I felt I had to talk with you about this. I have watched and sat back as student after student got together in these halls. I see how some girls desire the most reprehensible boys for reasons that make no sense to me and normally, I allow that to happen simply because it teaches life lessons that generally must be made so the people involved can grow and become better people. However, you are different in many cases, and thus this is the first time I've ever stepped in."

"Why?" Hermione asked, pleadingly.

"Miss Granger," Minerva said softly and with a heavy sigh loaded with regrets and sorrows. "From the very beginning, I have watched the three of you with my heart filled with joy. You are wonderful friends most of the time. To this point in time, I have watched as Mister Weasley berates you for your study habits, only ceasing when assignments are coming due. He is rude and obnoxious in regards to your muggle roots and even sees that world as mostly useless. He can't understand doing anything in a muggle fashion when there is already a wizarding one in place. You are familiar with this, are you not? Has he not consistently belittled you since you first showed up at Hogwarts? It may have lessened, but is it still not there?"

A tear trailed Hermione's left cheek as she looked down, her hands in her lap, but she didn't answer.

"In your third year, you came to me because you were scared for Harry with that broom. Was it not Mister Weasley who kept the animosity active between the three of you until the broom was returned? Did he not say several mean and hurtful things? Even after finding out you were still right about the sender, did he ever once apologize?"

"Why are you saying these things?" Hermione asked. "Ron's a good guy."

"Most of the time, yes, he is," McGonagall admitted with a nod. "The only exceptions are when his pride and jealousy come into play. Then he's a poor friend. Look at your fourth year. He only came back to Harry after the entire school accepted Harry once he out flew a dragon. He is a friend, but a fickle one. Can you honestly, honestly now, say otherwise?"

Hermione sniffled.

"And this year, you are throwing away a truly remarkable friendship over a book!"

"How-?" Hermione began, wondering how people always knew everything going on.

"Everyone knows," Minerva stated simply. "Foolish pride over a book?"

"It's cheating!" Hermione exclaimed. "He's using notes in the margins from who knows who and-"

"And what?" Minerva asked, truly wondering. "Most second-hand books have notes in them like that. Many people find it helpful to put notes there for little reminders or if a teacher prefers another method than the author, will write that in as well. I believe that's common even in your muggle universities."

Hermione scrunched up her face, trying to find fault in the logic, needing to.

"This isn't really about that, is it?" Minerva asked, cottoning on to something different. Hermione's face was growing redder and she wouldn't look the older woman in the eye. Not actions of a girl, even Hermione Granger, discussing school work of any sort. Her many years as a teacher had allowed McGonagall the ability to read different expressions for different thoughts. This expression was one usually for those caught at some point in their plans for illicit activities together. Could it really be that simple? 'One way to find out...'

"Is this about Mister Potter's attentions towards Miss Weasley?" Minerva asked, catching a flinch from the younger girl. 'Spot on.'

"Miss Granger, I have already told you I am not here talking with you in any official or school capacity. This is a discussion between women. And as I am sure you are aware with your roommates, women can discuss men with a confidence you aren't likely to get elsewhere. If this is because Mister Potter fancies Ginevra-"

"She isn't good for him!" Hermione bit out furiously. "She's always seen him as The-Boy-Who-Lived and her Knight in Shining Armor! She doesn't see him as Harry Potter! He's a trophy to her!"

"Then take him from her!" McGonagall exclaimed, just as loudly and much to Hermione's shock. "The boy cares for you more than anyone else! Hell, everyone knows he left a date last year for you!"

"Wa-wa-" Hermione mumbled incoherently. Did she just get told to do what she think she heard?

"Miss Granger, if you want to go for Harry Potter, then by all means, you have my blessing to find a quiet place in this school and do whatever you wish," McGonagall said, rather amused by the bright blush and wide eyes. "If you do not desire him, fine. I am not telling you to pursue him. What I am asking, even begging you to do, is not make a mistake you will regret for all of your days." McGonagall looked out the window and only because Hermione was so silent, afraid to make noise, did she hear the rest. "It could be a sad, painful thing that you could never come back from."

"But," Hermione began, "he's pursuing Ginny."

"And she's got a boyfriend right now, yes? One that she gets caught in broom closets with? What right does she have to any man other than her own?"

Hermione swallowed thickly.

"Miss Granger, may I ask you a serious question?" Hermione nodded, still shell shocked. "Is Mister Weasley a true pursuit or a safe and easy selection?"

Hermione jerked as if stung, looking down again. "Professor," she began, seeing this as an older, mentor rather than a teacher at the moment, "I know I'm not much to look at and no one's really showed any interest in me-"

Hermione looked up, affronted as Minerva McGonagall broke out into loud guffaws. Ones that took several minutes to cease enough for the aged woman to speak again. "Miss Granger!" Minerva said loudly, still amused. "Have you not seen the way Potter's looked at you? Or Weasley or several others? By the gods, girl! If it weren't for the fact that probably ninety percent of the school believes you and Potter will be married before school is let out, or not just simply terrified of Harry thinking that you're dating in secret, you'd have several suitors! You're very attractive!"

"What!" Hermione near shrieked. "I've never noticed anyone looking at me like that! I mean, Krum and Ron, but-"

"You know Harry's status in our world, Hermione," Minerva said simply. "His wealth, his prestige and his raw power. Almost every girl in this school would shag him in a heartbeat to get at any of that, or just for fun, but they're all terrified of you!" McGonagall broke out into loud guffaws again.

"It isn't that funny," Hermione stated, somewhat annoyed now.

"Miss Granger," Minerva poured a bit more brandy into her cocoa behind the desk so her student wouldn't see. This conversation was much easier as it wore on! She wasn't sure when the cocoa had all been drunk from her mug, though. "So many people in this school believe you two are already dating that the Weasley twins aren't even holding a wager on the two of you getting together."

"What!" Bushy hair poofed out.

Minerva nodded, giggling into her cup as she took a healthy dose of the stomach-warming goodness. "Mhm. The current wager is when Ron attempts something and you turn him into a eunuch."

Oddly, Hermione didn't blanch. "So..."

"Oh," Minerva waved her hand, unlocking the doors as she spun slightly in her chair. "Go find Potter and show him what he means to you or you'll end up married to the redhead ... er ... Ron, and forced into a life of mediocrity."

Confused and wondering when exactly this conversation when wonky, Hermione grabbed her bag and walked out the door, McGonagall's giggling voice trailing after her. "I hope to see you walking funny tomorrow, Miss Granger!"

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(1) – A very slight alteration to the Canon Event time line. Harry would first and foremost (at least in this reality) go for the one person that helped him and stood by him the whole time. Take into account a standard kid/teen mindset to help the damsel in distress, and possibly, he doesn't even notice Ron for a bit until it's pointed out to him.