Halloween Treat for Hannelore
Gift for: _hannelore
From: kellychambliss
Title: Samhain's Child
Characters: Minerva McGonagall, OCs
Rating: G
Summary: Minerva and her grandmother always spend Samhain together.
Notes: Hannelore, you asked for "fond childhood memories of holidays." I hope this suits. It was a pleasure to write for you. My thanks to my always-excellent beta, therealsnape . Happy Halloween, everyone!
Minerva's Nana Ross is a daughter of Samhain. She was born at sunset as the last day of October faded, as the souls of the dead began to return to earth, seeking succor from their kin.
Cousin Aengus claims that one of those shades slipped into baby Nana as she drew first breath. "Stole her newborn soul away and left its own," he whispers, trying to scare Minerva. "Nana is a dead man's ghost, and if you're alone with her on Samhain, he'll take your soul, too."
But Minerva doesn't believe Aengus: he's older than she is, but he's not smarter. So when Nana comes on Samhain to fetch her, Minerva gladly takes her grandmother's thin hand and follows her into the twilight.
"My October girl," Nana calls her, for they share a birth month and always meet on this holy day.
This year they walk to Father's churchyard, dark and safe and familiar. Nana squeezes Minerva's hand. "Next year you will go to Hogwarts," she says. "On Samhain night, my spirit will be there with you. I promise."
Minerva squeezes back. Together they stand in the starlight as a soft wind swirls among the graves: the souls are abroad.