Take Me As I Am

“That’s great that you got a position there,” Hermione smiled, “You’ll have to tell me all about it. I hope it’s not as dangerous now as it was when we were there. It did make it exciting though. Of course, I think this will be fun. They have a good selection.”

“Part of me never wanted to leave.” She admitted softly with a chuckle. “I’d always want it to be safer for our children one day, don’t really want them worrying about being on a kill list as teens.” She nodded. “You can always visit if you want.” Aquila teased as she headed off towards the medical section of the bookstore.

When she heard her question, her cheeks turned a bit pink. It was bound to happen, someone asking her about her name. She gave her a small nod, “Yeah. My mum was rather sentimental when she named me.”

Narcissa nodded with a smile. “I can understand that, my mother named me after my grandmother.” She chuckled softly. “My mother use to tell me stories about her time while at Hogwarts, she admired Professor McGonagall as well.”

Hermione smiled at her, nodding a bit, “I know how you feel. You leave school and the urge to be apart of the world, make a difference overwhelms you. I can help you look around if you’d like. I’d love to look through those as well. I don’t think I’ll ever stop wanting to learn.”

“Well I’ve been working at Hogwarts for the last year or so, my mother got me interested in healing at a young age.” Aquila explained softly. “We can look together, as long as things are safe to use in students.”

As Minerva watched the girl head over, she gave her a smile. When she introduced herself, she held out her hand, “Nice to meet you. My name is Minerva. I know this might sound presumptuous, seeing as we just met, but I think you and I are going to be good friends.”

Narcissa smiled and shook the other girls hand. “Are you named after Professor McGonagall?” She questioned softly not wanting to let the rest of the house know.

“No, it’s okay,” Hermione shrugged, “Honestly, if it wasn’t for Harry, none of us would have been involved anyway. We all had to do what we needed to. I completely understand.” She shook her head, “I’m just browsing at the moment. That is so sweet of you to offer. Is there anything you’re looking for?”

Aquila shook her head. “I was just looking at the newest books on healing.” She admitted softly. “Even though I’m out of school, I still enjoy learning the latest potions and spells to be able to help people.”

Hermione gave her a gentle shrug, “Well, people will have to get used to it. I’ve done a lot for the wizarding world and if they don’t want to acknowledge that, then that’s on them. You and I are friends and I am very excited to have lunch with you.” She thought for a moment, “There is a nice spot near by flat we could go to. It’s a good place I think to catch up.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t help you and the guys out more while we were in school.” Aquila apologised softly. She had to stand by her family back then. “That sounds like a nice idea.” She missed Hermione. “Is there a book you were looking for? I’ll buy it for you.”

Getting sorted had been an exciting experience. Seeing how excited the other first years were to get into each house, it was nice to see. She was feeding off of their energy, and was ready to see the Ravenclaw common room and see her dorm. It was unclear if she would even fall asleep that night, but she would try. When the final first year got sorted, she watched her go to the Slytherin table. She looked a bit familiar to her, remembering seeing some photos from her mother’s photo album. It wasn’t the exact girl, but someone she looked like.

Narcissa said hello to a few people at the Slytherin table before heading to her own house. She sat down next to a girl who looked like one of her mother’s old friends. “Hi, I’m Narcissa. Pleasure to meet you.”

Finally getting to go to Hogwarts was a dream come true. Minerva had heard all the stories from when her mother went there, and it made her all the more excited. Of course, she listened to her mother when she told her to be careful. The train ride was nice, getting to meet some nice new people. Now they were in the Great Hall, getting ready to be sorted. Honestly, she had no idea which house she belonged in. Would she be a Gryffindor like her mother? Or would she fall elsewhere?”

As she stood there and looked up at Professor McGonagall who was calling out each persons name. The more people who were sorted, the more nervous she got. She also knew she’d be one of the last to be sorted because of her last name. Her mother had told her about Hogwarts, she hoped that she would have an easier time than her uncle.

Narcissa continued to wait until she was the last student standing there. Her name was finally called and she went up to sit on the stool, she knew most would expect her to get into Slytherin but her mother didn’t mind as long as she was happy. She sat down and McGonagall placed the hat on her head, it seemed to take forever to decided when she heard it shout out “Ravenclaw.” She smiled and thanked the professor before heading off to the Ravenclaw table. She sat down next to another first year.

Finally getting to go to Hogwarts was a dream come true. Minerva had heard all the stories from when her mother went there, and it made her all the more excited. Of course, she listened to her mother when she told her to be careful. The train ride was nice, getting to meet some nice new people. Now they were in the Great Hall, getting ready to be sorted. Honestly, she had no idea which house she belonged in. Would she be a Gryffindor like her mother? Or would she fall elsewhere?”

As she stood there and looked up at Professor McGonagall who was calling out each persons name. The more people who were sorted, the more nervous she got. She also knew she’d be one of the last to be sorted because of her last name. Her mother had told her about Hogwarts, she hoped that she would have an easier time than her uncle.

“I think that could work,” Hermione smiled, nodding, “Some place we can really talk. I must admit, I don’t get stopped as much as I used to. I think my absence has finally made people take the hint.” She pushed some of her own hair behind her ear, “I am free on the weekend.”

“Name a place and time and I’ll be there.” Aquila smiled. “I have a feeling some witches and wizards would still have a problem with a Malfoy associating with a muggle born, I know my father would have a field day.” She rarely spoke to her father since he forced her to get married, and after her divorce he wanted nothing to do with her. Her mother still kept in contact with her though.

Her eyes watched as Minerva spoke, “Yes. This school holds many memories and it has been quite the adjustment coming back. I wasn’t sure if I ever would return. I am just thankful I get to have my own room rather than being in the dorms. It was a nice dorm, but it brings up a lot.” She gave her a bit of a confused look, “You’re the headmistress now and you still patrol the halls?

“Old habits die hard, dear.” She responded with a small smirk. She still enjoyed the duties she once had being a teacher and still taught Tranfiguration from time to time. “If you ever need someone to talk to, my door is always open.”

Hermione gave her a small shrug, knowing many people probably wondered where she had gone. Being as well known as she was, she needed to take time away for herself, “It’s a bit of a long story. Maybe we can sit down somewhere and catch up. I would love to hear about what you’ve been up to.”

“I have the weekend off, how about we go to the muggle side of London to a coffee shop? I mean you’re well known here and we might get interrupted quite a bit.” Aquila slightly teased. She hadn’t been to muggle London in a while, her father disliked when she did even though she was a adult now.