Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. Period.
A New Headmistress
Minerva McGonagall walked through Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry on the pretense of doing some last minute checks.
But, it was more than that. With Dumbledore gone she was now Headmistress. And she wanted to see Hogwarts just once more like it was before everyone came back.
She stopped at every place where the Marauders and the Weasley twins pulled a prank, knowing each one by heart. She paused by the places where she spent time as a student. She walked up each tower and down every corridor.
When she finally came back to her office she stopped, tears coursing down her face. Memories of the past overwhelmed her as she realized this was the final time she would be seeing the school before she was truly the Headmistress.
In charge of all the children she knew so well. If anything happened to any one of them she would never forgive herself.
She walked up to the gargoyle and choked out 'Lemon Drop' before stepping into the office. Her office. There was something slightly different she realized as she looked at the walls. And there it was. Just a small difference that had changed the world.
The picture of Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore was placed on the wall among the other past headmasters and mistresses.
Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore. Order of Merlin First Class. Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards. Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot. Defeater of Grindelwald and discoverer of the 12 uses of dragon's blood. Former headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The only one Voldemort ever feared.
But, most importantly, a good and honest man who had commanded respect.
It would be hard for her to live up to such a standard and she knew it.
She looked up and the picture again. The twinkle was still in his eye as he looked at her with a look of concern and reassurance. A fresh sob broke from her a she sunk into the chair behind the desk. And only after the tears subsided did she put a charm on her voice and called for all professors to report to her office.