OWL: To Minerva McGonagall

[shh_hermione]

Date: November 2, 2004
Character: Harry, Hermione, Ron, Minerva, Oliver
Location: Wales (Trio); Stoatshead Hill (Minerva and others)
Status: Private
Summary: After seven long years, it's finally over
Completion: Complete

Comments

[shh_minerva]

"Oh sweet Merlin..." Minerva stared at the page and just blinked. Her hand trembled somewhat, and she readjusted her glasses. She wheeled herself closer to the window - surely the light wasn't quite right. No, the message was still the same. "Voldemort is dead. War is over." There was no doubt this was genuine. The paper crackled and glowed when she touched it. It was a spell she had developed with Hermione, and it meant the message was genuinely from her and had not been intercepted.

Seven long years - she was beginning to lose hope that she would ever live to hear those words. She had placed all her faith in Harry, Hermione and Ron, and knew they would do what had to be done. But after so many years... it seemed inconceivable. She gripped the paper, not wanting to take it out of her sight. This was no hoax. Voldemort was truly dead.

This was exactly the sort of excitement Minerva had been warned to avoid, as she took a deep breath and tried to relax her racing heart. Cumulative spell damage had weakened it severely, and it was never going to be perfectly healthy again. She took another deep breath, and found herself dabbing at the corner of her eyes with her handkerchief. Surely she wasn't crying?

The news was beginning to sink in. Voldemort was gone. It was all over. The entire wizarding world could now get on with the task of rebuilding. With every single bastion of the wizarding world destroyed or decimated, it was going to be a long struggle. But Minerva's eyes fell on the last line... We're coming home. It was those few words that brought true tears to her eyes. She would not admit it, but she felt somewhat responsible for the trio, and it would be good to finally see that they were alive, not just random cryptic messages every few months to say they were alive.

The owl that delivered the letter hooted indignantly, not happy about being ignored. All she had to offer was half a shortbread biscuit, and the bird gave her a scathing look as if to say that news of such great importance should earn higher payment. "I'm afraid you won't find any mice in this place," she spoke absently to it, "but if you head over to the other side of the hill, I believe that there is a field that is teeming with plenty of tasty treats." Finally, the bird flew off with a satisfied hoot.

She noticed people passing by in the street, and was suddenly all in a fluster. There were times when she didn't give a fig about what the mediwizards said about staying in a wheelchair, and she got up and rushed out the front door. "He's gone. He's truly gone. It's all over! Voldemort is dead!" she yelled from the front door, her hand waving the letter in triumph.

A few faces turned to look, and she repeated herself a couple of times. She thought she recognised Rita Skeeter making a beeline towards her, and that looked like Oliver Wood walking down the street.

Her heart was racing with excitement, and she faltered on the front step, clutching at her chest. Okay, so perhaps she wasn't so agile after all, but if this was the news that killed her, then it could only be the best way in the world to die.

[shh_oliver]

It seemed to be a nice day, and Oliver wasn't really interested in unpacking any of his things. Boxes littered his flat and he was restless. They could wait. Searching about for his shoes, he found some and tugged them on before deciding to go for a walk.

Grabbing a light jacket, Oliver raked his fingers through his hair and grabbed his keychain and his wand, checking his pockets for a bit of money. Oliver never really knew just where he might end up, so he figured he'd be prepared for just about anything.

He had been walking down the street, chewing his gum and humming a little tune. His attention had been wandering when he saw a woman darting across his path and he stopped, blinking. What on earth was that? Shrugging it off, he shook his head and continued on his way.

Not ten steps down, he heard the shout. Looking to the voice, he completely stopped his his tracks, his eyes wide. Was that.. "McGonagall?!" He wasn't sure he'd ever heard the woman yell, let alone be excited about anything. What the bloody hell was going on?

This wasn't something he could shrug off. Now a bit confused, Oliver ambled in the older woman's direction. He approached her with a smile and a wave. "Er..what exactly's going on?"

[shh_minerva]

"Oh dear me, It's such good news, Mr Wood!" She waved the parchment in his face. Her racing heart had started to settle. The adrenaline rush was enough to keep her going, but she would have to go and sit down very soon.

"Harry's done it - they've killed Vodelmort! It's all over, he's gone! The war is over!" She shouted again, and knew it would be wise to go and sit down... this was all too much.

"Oh, thank you, dear, for helping me," Oliver gave her an arm and led her back inside. "

Minerva's head was all in a spin as she sat back down. Who did she need to tell? Moody? Kingsley? This was massive news, and they all needed to know.

There were letters to write. Lots of letters.

[shh_oliver]

Oliver blinked. Good news? Oh! He smiled brightly and did a little jig before he saw just how she looked. Oh, Merlin!

He offered her an arm and led her back in, taking half a step back when she sat down. "You're welcome. Can I get you anything? You are alright, aren't you?"

[shh_minerva]

Minerva waved him away as he helped her back into her wheelchair. "Oh, of course I'll be fine. I was just a little... overexcited."

She smiled, a genuine smile. "Oh do excuse me, Mr Wood. How rude of me. Thank you for your help. I'll be right in a few moments."

He gave her a quizzical look and she nodded towards the sideboard.

"Would you be so kind as to get me that bottle over there. I'm sure the mediwizards won't begrudge me a small... medicinal glass of whiskey. Be sure to pour yourself one, won't you dear?"

[shh_oliver]

Oliver blinked. This overly excited McGonagall was new; he wasn't quite sure what to make of it. But he shrugged it off and turned toward the sideboard, pouring them each a glass. Bringing it and the bottle back to her, he offered it, sitting down in a nearby chair.

"Thank you," he said, swirling his whiskey around in the glass. "So it's true, then? It's all over?"

[shh_minerva]

"Well this letter is from Hermione, and well... just see for yourself." She handed the letter over to Oliver.

"Oh, it's finally over!" She was talking nonsense now, but trying to wrap her head around the fact that this whole mess was gone. Voldemort wouldn't be hurting anyone else. Her hand shook, but the whiskey did help calm her down.

She finally realised that Oliver seemed a little awkward. "Oh, relax, Mr Wood. I'm not your professor any longer. It's good to see you again."

It was good to see any of the Order members and assistants in full health, and now that there was no more war, she hoped they would all return in one piece. Which reminded her - how was everyone going to learn the news. She had no doubt the whole town knew by now, but it would be best if the rest of the Order had confirmation from her.

"Oh dear, I haven't got time to celebrate, Mr Wood. I'll have to write some letters, but after that, then we can all go and celebrate."

[shh_oliver]

"Sorry," he replied with a sheepish smile as he took the letter from her. He looked down to read it and he couldn't stop his smile from brightening. "Hooray!"

He couldn't contain his excitement. He handed the letter back to his former professor and downed his whiskey. Which really wasn't all that impressive, seeing as he hadn't poured himself too much, but he finished it and got up to hand Minerva the letter and bring his glass back to the sideboard.

"I've got to owl my parents. And..Is there anybody else you'd like me to tell? I imagine most of the town has heard by now."