Minerva followed her mother through Diagon Alley, excitement and nervousness building up inside her. They had just finished buying all of the items on the First Year's supply list. Tomorrow, Minerva would board the Hogwarts Express and leave her family for the first time. She had already said goodbye to her father and brothers, as her mother thought it was best to accompany Minerva alone. Robert being a muggle, would have felt very out of place in the heart of the British wizarding world and the boys were simply too young for such a long train ride from Scotland to London.
"Min, would you like to have ice cream? Fortescue's is just over there," her mother said, gesturing toward the ice cream parlor up ahead.
Minerva gave a bright smile and nodded. Isobel put an affectionate arm around her daughter as they walked toward the crowded parlor.
Once they payed for their ice cream, Minerva got a generously sized sundae and Isobel a small scoop of strawberry, mother and daughter sat down at a table near the window, away from everyone else. Once her ice cream bowl was empty, Minerva yawned widely, putting a hand over her mouth.
"You should go to bed early tonight, dear."
"Yes, Mum," replied Minerva. "Er, Mum? I- will you be alright while I am away at school?"
Isobel looked at Minerva with a confused expression on her face. "What do you mean?"
"Well, I just don't want you to feel like I'm abandoning you or..."
"Oh, Minny, I am your mother. It is my duty to look after you, not the other way around," Isobel said with a small smile. "And you are not abandoning me, you are simply growing up."
"I just worry about you. Who will help you with Malcolm and Robbie?" Minerva looked down sadly. Covering up her brother's accidental magic was difficult work but Minerva and her mother made a great team. Together, they were able to conceal much of the magical mishaps from her father.
"I will all be just fine, Minerva," Isobel assured her. Silence fell between them. "You're a good girl, Min," her mother said suddenly. "I don't know what I did to be blessed with such a lovely daughter."