AN- Hey Everyone! This is my first story. So please be nice. Flames will be used to bbq chicken!!! Disclaimer- I clearly don't know Harry Potter or else it would have been set back in Minervas time and full of fluffyness between Remus and Minerva. (whahaha) Oh! I would like to thank all the peps who helped me in ne way with this fic. thanx!!
The year was 1978 and Minerva McGonagall was 17. It was her last night at Hogwarts. They were having a graduation party, invitati0n only.

In the Great Hall, the teacher's table had been moved away and replaced by two podeums. One occupied by Deputy Headmister, Will McEnery and the other by Professor Dumbledore. He was reading names off a list, the people graduating that night.

"Mike R. Calls.." as he read the names, the people came up onto the stage, shook hands with Dumbledore, grabbed their certificate, and had their picture taken with the headmaster by a little witch dressed in white robes.

He read farther down the list, "Bryn E. Ellermann." ...

Continuing, he annonced: "Kendy C. Harding. Salutatorian." A little witch with blonde hair wearing gold dress robescame up on stage. She grabbed Dumbledore's hand and then with her left hand grabbed the certificate. Turning toward the crowd to have her picture taken, she saw her best friend, Minerva, smiling at her, clapping hard. She gave her a wink. Minerva winked back. Then she saw her boyfriend, Sirius, blowing a kiss at her. She blushed. He was a year younger than her, but to her age didn't matter as long as you were in love. She continued down the stage when they had finished taking the picture. Retreating back to her seat right next to Minerva, her best friend.

The regular house tables were gone and replaced by antique chairs. The first three rows were closed off especially for the students. The rest were for the families, friends, and teachers of the students.

Dumbledore continued down the list:

"Melissa M. Mertz."

And then he annouced in a louder voice than the other names:

"Minerva B. McGonagall. Valedictorian."

A tall, black-haired witch wearing red dress robes stood up from her chair. Her hair was to her shoulders, and she had square glasses framing her eyes. A pin flashing 'head girl' was pinned to her breast pocket.

She looked up at the enchanted ceiling as she walked up the steps to the stage where Professor Dumbledore was waiting for her. A smile planted on his face as one of his favorite students came up on stage. Extending his hand to her. She took it, returning his smile.

"Minerva." he whispered to her, his eyes sparkled. She took the certificate, and then turned toward the crowd.

She had seen all her friends look at their parents. She looked to her friend Kendy's mom, she was crying. Minerva looked around. She knew that her mother wouldn't bother to come. It was an empty search, but she still looked. Then her eyes looked to a familar, smiling face. It was the face of Remus Lupin. They caught eyes and both smiled even more. Then she continued her search. Her eyes catching the eyes of her friend, Kendy.

"you look great." her lips mouthed as she put two thumbs up. She looked past her at the rest of her classmates, but she was interrupted by the old, little witch.

"look here, dearie." she said in a croaking voice. Minerva looked into the camera, and smiled wide....

~~~~~FLASH~~~~~

The chairs that been set down were now cleared and over to the side. Also the podeums were gone, and now a band was setting up on stage. The lights were beginning to dim as Minerva ran into Kendy's embrace, still clutching her certificte in her hand. She wrapped her arms around Kendy burrying her head into her shoulder. They broke apart looking at each other. Smiling, Minerva wiped the tears streaming down her face.

"I can't believe it! It's over", Kendy whispered. Her mom came up behind her.

"Hey! Congradulations. Both of you", Kendy's mom said hugging her daughter. She looked to Minerva.

"Did my mom show, Mrs. Harding?" Minerva asked slowly not really wanting to hear the answer. Mrs. Harding gravely shook her head.

"No, Iam sorry, my dear." Mrs. Harding said mourningly, "Can I see you a moment, hon? Your father is dieing to see you." she said to Kendy. Sadness was still in her eyes, but she was smiling.

"Yeah sure. Min, wait here for me, k?" Kendy asked, but she didn't wait for Minerva's answer. She turned and followed her mother, leaving Minerva standing in the middle of all the pandemodium in the Great Hall.

Yet as the noises surrounding her grew louder, her mind wasn't there. She wasn't thinking about the diming lights, or the band beginning to play. She was thinking about her mother.