the_debt_of_time

Remus nervously rubbed the back of his neck as though he had been caught out
after curfew and she was going to give him detention any minute now.
Eyes turned toward Mia, Minerva took a deep breath and curtly said, "Right then,
which one are you?"
For a moment, Mia looked stunned into silence by Minerva's appearance, but she
slowly let a devious smile take over her features as she muttered, "Nice to see
you... Minnie."
Minerva grimaced at the nickname bestowed upon her by Sirius. "Well, Miss Potter,
I can't say that I'm extremely pleased to see you. It was only last week I was discussing with
Hermione Granger about her return to Hogwarts to complete her seventh year."
"Oh." Mia waved a hand. "Yeah, go ahead and cancel that. I completed my seventh
year already."
"I'm well aware."
Mia smirked, rocking back and forth on her heels. "Still upset that I beat your
record?"
Minerva sniffed, her eyes narrowing just a smidge. "Considering you'd gone through
Hogwarts twice, I'd hardly consider it fair."
"You should be proud. You educated a Muggle-born well enough that she one day
passed off as a pureblood and became better at Transfiguration than you," Mia said before
quickly amending her words. "I mean... when you were a student at Hogwarts. I don't
think I'm better than you now."
Minerva let out a heavy sigh. "I will miss Hermione Granger. She was a lovely,
polite, and hardworking girl. But... I am very glad to see you standing here and alive, Mia,"
she said, emphasising her name and reaching out to embrace the younger witch. "Please
know that you will very likely have a rough road ahead of you, readjusting, but I am here
should you need me for anything."
"Thank you, Minerva," Mia whispered, holding onto her.
"Now, you'll not be Apparating," Minerva continued briskly, looking at Mia's
clothes. "Especially in that. Merlin, I've forgotten how ridiculous the fashions were twenty
years ago. Never mind, it's freezing outside. You can use the Floo in my office."
Mia stayed rooted to the spot, her face frozen.
"Something wrong?" Remus asked, concerned.