Minerva McGonagall prided herself on knowing many things that she wasn’t supposed to. For example, she only took a few seconds to realize that Hannah King had cheated on her third year Transfiguration final. She only had to look for a moment before she knew that Barty Crouch and Evan Rosier were trying to sneak dungbombs back from Hogsmeade last weekend. She knew for a fact two Ravenclaw sixth years were always scheduled to do prefects’ rounds together because they were dating, and she also was very well aware that Sirius Black and Remus Lupin were both pathetically pining after each other. In fact, she and Poppy had bets placed on who would share their feelings first, and when it would happen.
So it was rare that she was surprised. Especially like this.
She had been walking along a dark corridor late at night– past curfew, mind– when she’d heard the telltale sounds of two students in the throes of…er…passion. And, a bit grumpy, she chose to stop and bang on the door. “Let’s go!” she’d yelled firmly, rolling her eyes even as her own memories of doing exactly the same thing flooded through her brain. “It’s well past bedtime!”
But her annoyance and sentimentality had quickly disappeared when, a moment later, the door had opened to reveal two very red and embarrassed-looking boys that she would have recognized anywhere.
“Shit!” she gasped, forgetting her normally closed-off demeanor as she took in the full scene and the meaning behind it. “Potter? Black?”
Because there, in front of her, were James Potter and Regulus Black, both looking distinctly disheveled, ties askew, hair ruffled, lips red and kiss-bitten. Regulus had the good sense to look mortified but James broke into a cheeky grin.
“Professor!” he said in a chiding tone, “did you just swear?”
But Minerva was still so shocked she couldn’t even properly reprimand him. “I…” she blinked, considering. She stared at the unlikely pair again and thought about both boys’ circumstances, both at home and in the castle. Perhaps this was a secret that should stay a secret. “Go to bed. Now. Before I change my mind,” she ordered, trying to keep a stern face as James and Regulus both broke into disbelieving smiles.
“I-” James started to say, but Minerva was quite done with the entire thing.
“Now!” she repeated, voice louder.
Instantly, both boys ran off, leaving her to stand there, reeling. But she didn’t stay long. Soon, she was walking again with purpose towards the Hospital Wing. Poppy had to hear this.
