I. The Beginning
"Are you excited, Min?"
Minerva looked at the train with bright green eyes. "It goes on forever, doesn't it?"
"Well, then you won't have a problem finding a seat!" her mother said cheerfully. "I'll send you an owl as soon as I get home, so you'll have some mail on your first day tomorrow."
"All right. Well, I guess I'll see you for Christmas then." Minerva began lugging her cart towards the train.
"Min!" Her mother stopped her. "Don't I get a goodbye…er…anything?"
Minerva sighed and gave her mother an awkward hug. "Don't annoy dad too much, okay? That research is important."
Her mother laughed, and Minerva didn't have the heart to tell her that it wasn't a joke. With a sigh, she once again began dragging the luggage cart towards the train.
She, as her mother had said, had no problems finding a seat. She was considerably early, and probably could've spent more time with her mother if she'd the urge. Instead, she shoved her trunk under her seat and began reading her history of magic book for approximately the fifth time. She was just getting to the goblin rebellions when she was interrupted by a quiet voice. "Is anyone sitting here?"
Minerva knew there must've been dozens of empty compartments left, but she didn't want to be rude. "No, go ahead."
The girl to whom the voice belonged was very small, with long blond hair and innocent blue eyes. "Is this your first year, too?" she asked.
"Yes," Minerva said, knowing she could avoid conversation no longer. "I'm Minerva McGonagall."
"I'm Nicole McGregor," she said, "Are you from Scotland also?"
"Yes, near Edinburgh. Is your father by chance Heath McGregor?"
Nicole nodded. "Then your father is John McGonagall."
Heath McGregor was her father's research partner. Minerva had never met him, but her father always spoke very highly of him, saying he was the most skilled wizard in transfiguration short of Albus Dumbledore himself. "So, what house do you want to be in?" Minerva asked.
"Ravenclaw," she said proudly, "My entire family has been in Ravenclaw."
"Mine too. That's where I'd like to be, as well."
There was a short pause. "If you don't mind, I'd like to read my book," Nicole said a bit timidly.
"Oh thank Merlin. I wanted to read mine as well," Minerva sighed with relief.
"We really do belong in Ravenclaw," Nicole said with a little laugh.
Minerva delved back into the goblin rebellions, not even noticing when two more people came into the compartment. They didn't bother asking if they could sit there, so Minerva didn't bother in making small talk.
Eventually, it became too dark to read and Minerva was forced to put her book away. She considered using lumos, but she didn't know if magic was allowed on the train, so she didn't risk it.
Everyone was changing into their robes, but Minerva had worn hers to the station. Before long, the train was slowing to a stop. Minerva fought her way through the crowd and stepped out onto the station.
"First years, this way," came a rugged voice. Minerva looked around and saw a short man with greasy grey hair and a distinctly crooked nose. "Hurry up, you lot!"
A crowd of nervous-looking first years, including Minerva, gathered around the grizzled man. "I'm Mr. Pringle, caretaker of Hogwarts. First years go to the school by boat." He jabbed a hand towards a large lake. "Well? What are ye waiting for?"
Minerva hurried with the others towards the lake. She climbed in a boat with Nicole and two other students. No sooner had the last student entered, the boat began to glide effortlessly across the lake. Several of the students could be heard whispered excitedly about this – Minerva was not one of them, and neither was Nicole.
"I expect your father told you all about this as well?" Minerva asked.
"Yes. I do wish he'd left some sort of surprise for me to look forward to."
Minerva nodded, but she disagreed. She liked knowing what she was getting into. All surprises caused were stress. Still, many students looked positively gleeful about the whole experience…Minerva wondered if she should envy them.
The trip across the lake was made without incident. From the opposite shore now, the students followed Pringle through Hogwarts great stone gates. They were led to a chamber off of the Great Hall.
"You kids wait here," Pringle said gruffly, and he left the students alone.
Everyone started talking. Most of the conversation, Minerva noticed, was on how the students were sorted into houses.
"I heard you have to take a test."
"I heard they make you do magic."
"Really, because I heard they strip down your wand and – "
Minerva wanted to say that all you had to do was put on a hat, but she didn't want to appear as a know-it-all. Also, she knew that no one would believe her until the Sorting Ceremony had actually began. Putting on a hat did not sound nearly as exciting as some of the things everyone else was suggesting.
The chatter was cut short by the door opening once more. This time, it was a tall man with long auburn hair and a beard to match. Blue eyes twinkled from behind half-moon spectacles. "So, are you quite ready to ride the hippogriff?"
Dead silence. The man chuckled.
"I am Professor Dumbledore, transfiguration professor here at Hogwarts. I'm also Deputy Headmaster, but you aren't supposed to know that yet. I assure you that no hippogriff riding will take place in the Great Hall, as Mr. Pringle would spend forever cleaning up the mess. The Sorting Ceremony, in which you are about to participate, involves nothing more than putting on a hat. Rest assured it is nothing to fret over."
There were many relieved faces around the room.
"Now, if you'll all follow me…"
So this was the genius behind modern transfiguration. Minerva couldn't help to think that she had imagined him somehow more studious. Still, she thought it best not to judge from one short meeting.
The Great Hall was larger and more impressive than Minerva had imagined it. Especially the sky – Minerva had read that it was bewitched to look like the night sky, but this by far exceeded her expectations. It was like there was no ceiling at all. She tore her eyes away from the heavens to inspect the rest of the hall. All the older students chatted nonchalantly, not even noticing the first-years' entrance. It was not until the Headmaster stood up that a hush fell over the crowd.
Headmaster Dippet was very nearly bald, and looked distinctly feeble. All he said was, "Let the sorting now begin."
At this point, the Sorting Hat began singing.
The hall burst into applause. Professor Dumbledore unrolled a long scroll of parchment and began reading names.
"Ameson, Gregory."
Ameson, Gregory was sorted, followed by many, many more students. It went on and on…until finally, "MacElroy, Sylvia," (who was a Hufflepuff) and, "Minerva McGonagall."
Minerva walked up to the stool and sat down. Professor Dumbledore smiled at her and placed the hat upon her head.
Oh, you have an excelled mind…I expect that you want Ravenclaw, just like the rest of your family. But wait…there's something else…courage, unsurpassed courage. Tell me, how important is it that you get into Ravenclaw?
Minerva thought for a moment. My whole family are Ravenclaws, but if I don't belong there then that's your decision.
No, the decision is all on you. Gryffindor or Ravenclaw?
Minerva was starting to feel a little uncomfortable; the hat had not taken this long with anyone else. She tried to weigh the decision, but it was hard with hundreds of eyes staring at her.
Hmph. Maybe you aren't as brave as I thought.
There's a difference between being cautious and being a coward, thank you very much! And if the choice is still open to me, I'd like Gryffindor!
That's the spirit. Welcome to Gryffindor!
The last word was said loud enough for the entire hall to hear. There were many cheers from the Gryffindor table, and Minerva went to find a seat.
"McGregor, Nicole!"
No sooner than the hat was placed on her head, it shouted, "Ravenclaw!" She smiled and took her place with her house. Minerva felt a tiny twinge of regret. Nicole looked to Minerva from the Ravenclaw table, her eyes very confused.
The sorting dragged on. Finally with, "White, Erik!" who was sorted into Slytherin, did the list end. Dippet stood again, and a forced silence (brought on more by the desire to eat than Dippet's authority, Minerva surmised) fell upon the hall. "I have a few start-of-term announcements," he said, his wand held to his throat to amplify his fragile voice. "First, I would like to announce that this year I am creating a new staff position at Hogwarts. Professor Dumbledore will be taking on the role of Deputy Headmaster."
There was enthusiastic cheering here, and Minerva joined in. Apparently, Professor Dumbledore was well-liked here at Hogwarts. She stored that piece of information in her mind for her later assessment of him.
"Also, Mr. Pringle wishes for me to inform you that any items from Zonko's Joke Shop are henceforth banned."
There was some assorted snickering, which Minerva took to mean that this announcement would not be taken very seriously.
"And now, let the feast begin."
Food magically appeared on the tables, and all of the students began to eat eagerly. Minerva wasn't very hungry – she was already imagining the look of disappointment on her father's face when he read her letter that she'd have to write, saying how the Sorting went. Gryffindor…what was I thinking? She looked around the table as she nibbled on a bit of ham. All the Gryffindors seemed very excitable and outgoing, two character descriptions that did not fit Minerva in the least bit. It didn't matter to Minerva whether she fit in or not, but studying in the common room could prove difficult with this lot.
Maybe I'm just stereotyping based on what I've heard from dad, she thought idly. After all, he would want his house to sound best…
But as she looked around the table, her feeling of disgust only intensified.
Before long the feast was over, and Dippet was instructing prefects to lead the students back to their dormitories. Well, this will be a surprise. I certainly don't know where the Gryffindor dormitories are. She followed a prefect (the one most of the first years were following) up several flights of stairs until they came to a portrait of an overweight woman in a pink, frilly dress.
"Password?" she asked.
"Toad spawn," said the prefect, and the portrait swung open to reveal a wide opening. Inside was the cozy Gryffindor common room, with plush velvet armchairs and a fireplace, currently not in use.
"Boys to the left, girls to the right," said the prefect. "The year and name of the students occupying should be above each door, and your luggage should already be inside. If you feel necessary, you can talk to me or any prefect and we can change your rooming assignment. The same can be said of us if you need anything else. By the way, my name is Ronald Smith."
He nodded, and Minerva took that as they were dismissed. She found her room quickly, as it was the first dormitory on the right. She was rooming with three other first years – Wilhemina Grubbly-Plank, Poppy Pomfrey, and Aurora Sinistra. They had not made it to the room yet, so Minerva searched for the bed under which her luggage was located, and began pulling out her class books to place on her bookshelf. Soon after, her roommates began arriving.
First was Poppy Pomfrey. She was quite nice, introducing herself upon her entry to the room. She was a short witch, with curly blond hair and a studious expression. Then was Wilhemina (who asked to be called Mina), who had frazzled dark hair and an adorable half Kneazle, Gladys. Last was Aurora, who seemed most like Minerva. She seemed very studious and serious, and her bright red hair was pulled up into a bun. They talked very little that night, as all were tired by the events of the day. One by one, they all drifted into unconsciousness.
When Minerva awoke the next morning, she found a roll of parchment stuck to one of the posts of her bed. Still in a bit of a stupor, she unrolled it and read its contents.
First Year Schedule – Gryffindor
Monday
Charms 9:00-9:50, with Ravenclaw
Herbology 10:00-10:50, with Hufflepuff
Transfiguration 11:00-11:50, with Slytherin
Defense Against the Dark Arts 1:00-2:30, with Ravenclaw
Tuesday
History of Magic 9:00 – 10:15, with Hufflepuff
Potions 10:30 – 11:45, with Slytherin
Astronomical Theory 1:00 - 2:15 with Ravenclaw
Astronomy Lab 8:00-10:00 with Ravenclaw
Wednesday
Charms 9:00-9:50, with Ravenclaw
Herbology 10:00-10:50, with Hufflepuff
Transfiguration 11:00-11:50, with Slytherin
Defense Against the Dark Arts 1:00-2:15, with Ravenclaw
Thursday
History of Magic 9:00 – 10:15, with Hufflepuff
Potions 10:30 – 11:45, with Slytherin
Astronomical Theory 1:00 - 2:15 with Ravenclaw
Friday
Charms 9:00-9:50, with Ravenclaw
Herbology 10:00-10:50, with Hufflepuff
Transfiguration 11:00-11:50, with Slytherin
Minerva was beginning to feel the slightest bit nervous about her classes now that she saw them in writing…and as she read on, she saw the classroom and teacher listings at the bottom of the page. A pit began to form in her stomach. Had she studied enough? What if everyone else knew more than her and her supposed amazing spell work was nothing more than a joke? Her father had let her practice magic under his supervision, but she was starting to feel maybe that wasn't enough…
Feeling slightly nauseous, she checked the clock. 7:45. Plenty of time to get breakfast and head to class.
So that's what she did.
Minerva was slightly apprehensive as she sat in her Charms class, waiting for someone to arrive. She'd been there almost a half-hour, and it was now 8:45. Surely someone would be coming in soon…
And there she was – Nicole McGregor. She smiled at Minerva and came to sit by her.
"Nasty shock, you getting in Gryffindor."
Minerva nodded fervently. "I don't know why, or how…"
"Do your parents know?"
She shook her head. "No, mother was supposed to send me an owl for this morning asking me, but I didn't get one. I haven't the courage to send them a letter yet. I wish some of that Gryffindor courage would show up about now."
Nicole shrugged. "Well, lots of great wizards were in Gryffindor too…Professor Dumbledore, I hear, was a Gryffindor."
"Hmm," said Minerva, not knowing what to make of that information. "Well, at least it's not Slytherin."
Nicole nodded and got out her Charms book, Spells for the First Year. Both delved into their books, until Minerva's roommates came in.
"Minerva, you left before I'd even woke up!" said Poppy, plopping down on the other side of Minerva.
"Sorry, I was feeling a bit antsy," she said. "How do you think today will go?"
"Oh, they'll probably just go over the course guidelines and such," said Aurora, sitting with Mina at the table in front of Minerva. "Or that would be my guess."
Everyone got out their books, quills, and parchment. Slowly other students began filing in, as well as Nicole's roommates, whom she pointed out. "So, were you expecting to get in Gryffindor?" asked Aurora.
"Actually, I expected Ravenclaw. Yourself?"
"I expected Slytherin…the whole lot of my family was there, but here I am." Aurora gave a short laugh, and Minerva wondered if she'd told her family yet. In the end she decided it imprudent to ask.
A short man with frizzy black hair walked into the room. "Ah, first years, always so much excitement on the first day. And this is your first class, as well! I am Professor Flitwick, welcome to Charms class, and Hogwarts, for that matter! We'll start off today with a general list of what you'll be learning in this class, to hopefully build up some excitement for what's to come!"
And with that simple statement, Minerva felt much more at ease.
Herbology was messy. Minerva did not care much for it, but Mina seemed to like it. She seemed very much the outdoorsy type. They had begun working with simple plants the second they walked into class, and Minerva hated getting her hands dirty. It wasn't that she didn't like to work, it was simply the fact that it messed with her order of things.
Minerva was looking forward to Transfiguration. That was her father's expertise, and she desperately wanted to learn precisely what it was that fascinated him about the subject. Of course, the notion of changing one thing into another lie at the very heart of what Minerva considered magic. The theory though, held her highest interest and she was very eager to begin learning it.
She sat in the front of the class (as opposed to her first two, where she had sat in the middle) and waited patiently with her roommates, to whom she had clung all day. However, they seemed to be clinging as well, so it was a mutually beneficial relationship. Mina and Poppy were still talking about Herbology; Aurora was silent (she didn't seem to talk very much). Minerva was silent as well; she wrung her hands together on top of her copy of A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration. A few minutes after she arrived, in walked Professor Dumbledore.
He was smiling (did that man ever stop smiling?) and he sat at his desk quietly. Very quickly the classroom chatter died down. "I will say this, though by no doubt you have heard it many, many times today and you are due to hear it many, many more – welcome to Hogwarts."
"By the end of this year, I hope you all have a better idea of Transfiguration than when you entered today, though we must not get our hopes up. The more we know, the more we forget. You won't need your books today."
Everyone shuffled to put their books under their desks. "Transfiguration requires precise wand movement and the precise incantation to work correctly. Today we will be learning the simplest of the simple."
He went on to explain (very clearly, much more clearly than her book) the movement and incantation required to turn a match into a needle. Minerva understood this and indeed, had already performed this spell several times under her father's supervision. However, Professor Dumbledore's voice was compelling – indeed, though she knew the lesson she found it impossible not to listen. The time came shortly when matches appeared in front of every student, with the instructions to attempt the spell.
"Now…begin."
The air began thick with incorrect spells and loud noises, usually accompanied by heavy smoke. Minerva, however, completed her task effortlessly. She was slightly upset when she realized that Professor Dumbledore had not seen her spell – he was busy trying to lift the heavy smoke from the room. After he had done so, he began walking around the desks and finally came back to the front, where he saw Minerva's needle.
"Excellent work, Miss McGonagall," he said softly, "I would expect no less from the heir to the McGonagall research. Tell me, how far ahead in the book can you complete?"
"Up to Chapter 5, sir," she said, trying hard not to sound like she was bragging.
"Amazing indeed." His smile was infectious. "10 points to Gryffindor."
Next to her, Aurora had managed to make her match very shiny. "Oh, and you're catching on quite nicely as well, Miss Sinistra," said Dumbledore. "This will be an interesting class indeed."
By the time class ended, Minerva was no longer having the first-day jitters.