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Completely caught off guard by Professor McGonagall's sudden apology, I froze, my eyes widening instantly.
The sight of this woman — always severe, responsible, and unshakable, yet possessed of a kind and loyal heart — bowing before me was, without a doubt, one of the most unbelievable and unexpected things that had happened to me this year.
For a full second, my mind simply shut down.
I didn't know what to do, nor how to react. At one point, I even began to doubt whether what I was seeing was real or merely a product of my imagination.
The situation was so absurd that I seriously wondered if this wasn't just another well-crafted prank by Fred and George.
Out of caution — and perhaps sheer shock — I heightened my senses and even activated my Magic Vision, trying to confirm whether the woman in front of me truly was Professor McGonagall.
And to my absolute astonishment… she was!
'What the hell is going on here!?' I asked myself, completely stunned.
But then, with a quick shake of my head, I forced myself out of this dazed state.
Pushing aside the growing confusion and doubt hammering inside my mind, I refocused on Professor McGonagall.
She remained bowed, completely silent, as if awaiting my forgiveness. Her eyes were fixed on the floor, refusing to meet mine… as though she were ashamed or afraid.
Her posture, though still firm, also revealed a clear fragility and weakness — something that did not suit her strong and imposing personality in the slightest.
This woman, who was one of the people I cherished most in this world, was acting in a completely abnormal way.
That deeply worried me.
Even more so because I could feel the heavy, negative emotions emanating from her.
Seeing that she had no intention of moving, a sense of distress rose in my chest.
Unable to endure this scene for even another second, I immediately stepped forward.
Placing my hand on Professor McGonagall's arm, I quickly helped her straighten up.
"Professor, please, stand up!" I asked in a hurried tone that did nothing to hide my inner panic. "And why are you apologizing to me? You didn't do anything wrong to me."
"That's not entirely true," she murmured, still keeping her head lowered.
Hearing that, I paused.
"What?" I asked, confused.
Then I shook my head again.
"No! That doesn't matter!" I declared firmly. "What matters is that you don't need to — and shouldn't — apologize to me… much less bow before me."
"So please… let's drop this. Let's go back to talking normally, like we always do."
I practically pleaded, looking at her with genuine concern.
Only then did Professor McGonagall lift her head.
Her eyes, which had been fixed on the stone floor at our feet, finally met mine.
At this very moment, I saw the intense guilt and deep sadness dwelling in her gaze, making my chest tighten painfully.
"You say I don't need to apologize to you… but that isn't true," Professor McGonagall said softly, before continuing.
"When I began working at Hogwarts, I made a promise to myself: to protect every student in this school and to ensure that nothing bad would happen to them."
"And on the day I went to your house to deliver your acceptance letter… I also promised your parents that, while you were under the roof of this castle, I would keep you safe."
"But in the end, I failed all of those promises…" she said, her voice self-deprecating and heavy with remorse.
"I couldn't stop you from participating in that dangerous tournament… I couldn't stop you from being kidnapped in the maze… and I couldn't protect you from the Death Eaters in that graveyard."
She closed her eyes for a moment, her voice wavering slightly.
"I failed the students of this school… I failed myself… and, most of all… I failed you, Ethan."
When Professor McGonagall looked at me again, her eyes were filled with guilt and emotions that were difficult to put into words.
She took a deep breath.
"So please… forgive me for failing to protect you. Forgive me for not being there for you when you needed me the most."
As she said that, she tried to bow again, but this time I stopped her before she could.
"Professor McGonagall… Minnie," I began gently, supporting her carefully, "don't say that. You're not at fault for anything."
"I chose to take part in the tournament, even knowing the dangers involved. And besides, there was no way you could have foreseen Barty Junior's and Voldemort's plan."
My gaze hardened. "If anyone is to blame for this entire disaster, let it be those two dark lunatics and the incompetent organizers of the tournament."
"No one can — or should — blame you. You've always been a dedicated, caring professor who does everything possible for this school and its students."
"So no one has the right to place all that blame on you… not even yourself, understood?" I finished, fixing the witch before me with a firm, serious look.
My expression made it clear that I would not accept anyone disagreeing with or contradicting my words.
"…"
After hearing everything I said, Professor McGonagall remained silent for several seconds, watching me closely.
Various emotions and thoughts passed through her eyes, and I could feel her tense, heavy emotions slowly begin to settle.
Of course, a trace of guilt and remorse still lingered, but it was no longer as intense or alarming as before.
"Well…" she cleared her throat, looking away as she adjusted her glasses, "even if you say that, there is another matter for which I would like to apologize."
"I want to apologize for not coming to see if you were all right after you returned from the graveyard," she confessed. "At that time, you were with your family… and I didn't want to intrude on your moment with them."
Hearing that, I shook my head immediately.
"Professor, you don't need to apologize for that… and you wouldn't have been interrupting anything," I replied sincerely. "In fact, it would have been really nice if you had been there as well."
A gentle smile appeared on my face.
"After all, if I remember correctly, I already told you that I consider you part of my family."
For a brief moment, the impeccable Transfiguration professor was left speechless. She blinked a few times, clearly surprised.
Then her expression softened, and a small smile formed on her lips.
"Thank you," she said at last, her voice slightly thick as her eyes grew moist.
Raising an eyebrow, my smile widening.
"I don't want a thank-you," I said, opening my arms. "I want a hug."
Professor McGonagall let out a soft, affectionate laugh, tinged with happiness and relief.
Not leaving me waiting long with my arms open, she decisively stepped forward and wrapped me in a firm, warm embrace.
If any student were to witness this scene, they would certainly be shocked.
The professor known by all as rigid and professional now looked like nothing more than an ordinary woman, full of emotion, showing affection and care for someone dear to her.
"I'm very happy that you're all right," she murmured against my shoulder, genuinely moved.
"Well, that's a coincidence, because I'm also very happy to be all right," I joked, easing the mood even further.
Professor McGonagall could only shake her head and smile at my antics.
'Silly boy…' she thought.
Then, as she continued to hold me, an unexpected thought crossed her mind.
The feline witch realized, with mild astonishment, that I was now taller than her.
That surprised her, and at the same time brought back an old memory: the day she saw me for the very first time.
Back then, I had been a child who, despite being more mature and intelligent than most, was still just a child.
But now she realized that time had passed.
I was becoming a grown and responsible young man.
'They really… grow up so fast,' she thought, with a maternal feeling, tightening her embrace.
After a few seconds, Professor McGonagall pulled away, regaining her usual firm posture — though her gentle, caring gaze was still evident.
"You know… for someone who spends so much time pulling pranks and getting into trouble, you're actually quite good at comforting others," she remarked.
"That's what everyone says… I'm an exceptional and exemplary multitasking man," I declared arrogantly.
"Uh-huh," she muttered softly. "I'm sure that's exactly what people say about you."
I looked at her suspiciously.
"Why do I get the feeling you're being sarcastic?"
"That must just be your imagination," she replied, waving her hand dismissively.
Then, before I could say anything else, she blinked, as if remembering something.
"Oh, I almost forget," she added, "Actually, I had another reason to come looking for you... the Headmaster asked me to remind you and the others not to be late for dinner in the Great Hall. He wants the entire school present today."
I nodded.
"Okay, we'll be there."
"Good. Then I'll be waiting for you there," she said.
With that, she gave me one last brief hug before taking her leave, heading off to continue fulfilling her duties as a professor and Deputy Headmistress.
As I watched Professor McGonagall walk away — now with lighter steps and surrounded by an aura that was visibly more serene and happy than when she had arrived — I began to wonder what the Headmaster was planning.
'Hmm… he's probably getting ready to announce Voldemort's return.' I reflected.
Thinking that, I couldn't help but make a slight grimace, finding the decision somewhat risky and hasty.
But then, letting out a sigh, I shook my head.
'Well… I just hope that this time, after everything I did, the Ministry won't be so stupid and cowardly… and that people won't doubt him or turn against him.'
End.
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