Disclaimer: I do not own anything dealing with Harry Potter, nor do I own anything dealing with Cinderella. They own to J.K. Rowling and the Brother's Grimm respectively.

A/N: Okay, so everyone has been asking me to do another story. I'm doing like six or seven others right now, but still… Everyone wants another ADMM fic, although I am doing like three others right now. LOL. But those of you who know me know that I can't stay to one fic for too long. LOL! Thanks so much for dealing with me. Now, on with the show! Exeunt stage left!

Chapter One: Once Upon A Time…

Once upon a time, in the beautiful, green hills of Scotland, there lived a man and his daughter. Now the man, whose name was Aires, was a kind, gentle, loving man who doted upon his only child, offering her all the luxuries possible. His wife, Athena, had died when the child was only a year old. Aires had grieved the loss of his lovely wife. The girl was all he had left in the world. He showered her with presents, and every time he went away for an extended period of time, he would bring home a book. He educated her in all forms of magic, as well as science and philosophy. He loved her with all his heart, and it was clear he was the only man she allowed in her heart.

The daughter, whom they had named Minerva, was also kind, gentle, and loving. She had been beautiful from the start, just like her mother. With long, silken, black locks and vibrant green eyes, Minerva Katherine McGonagall had everything a young girl could want… except a mother.

Aires felt his daughter needed a mother figure in her life. After all, a father's love could only go so far. A young lady needed a woman to look up to. So when Minerva was eight years old, he married again. The woman he married was a woman rather high up on the social ladder. Her name was Eleanor Dupont, a French woman who had recently moved to Scotland in the hopes of avoiding her past. She spent money as though it grew on trees, though she never let on with her new husband. She needed him financially, and to let him know of her true nature would ensure that she remained in debt for the rest of her life.

The small family lived quite harmoniously for two years. But it was evident that Eleanor was jealous of the hold Minerva had over her father, and her daughters, Lucinda and Griselda, grew more and more jealous of Minerva's beauty, kindness, and intelligence with each passing day. Often times, Minerva would end up as the joke to her step-sister's cruel pranks. But through it all, Minerva continued to remain kind and gentle, as she always was.

Then, the worst happened. One night, when darkness had crept over the house and a storm hit violently in Edinburgh, Minerva awoke to a horrible struggle. It was a few weeks before she and Lucinda, the eldest of her two step-sisters, was to begin their education in Hogwarts. Slowly creeping out of her bed, Minerva padded her way across her room and peered out of her bedroom door. She could see her step-mother and step-sisters across the hall, cowering in fear. Minerva peered around a corner and saw, at the bottom of the staircase, her father fall to the floor. Before he could stand back up, a curse rang out and a string of green light ran through her father. Minerva's scream of pain and agony were lost as thunder cracked outside and she saw her father, whom she had loved and adored all her life, fall limp. He was unmoving; not breathing.

Aires Topaz McGonagall was dead-killed by the wand of Grindlewald. That night would forever remain in Minerva's memory. Why hadn't someone helped her father? Why did he have to die? After Grindlewald had left, Minerva ran down the stairs and clutched to her father. His eyes were open, but he could see her. He was still warm, but he could feel her. She lifted his hand and kissed his knuckles. He was dead and she was left with her step-mother and step-sisters. The same question resounded over and over in her head. Why? Why? Why?

Ooooooooooo

Minerva sat solemnly in her chair. The funeral was over with and her step-mother's true nature was revealed-cold, unkind, bitter. She took everything she could. She only kept Minerva because as long as she was kept safe, Eleanor would have a home and things to have and sell as she pleased. After the reading of the will, Eleanor walked up and glanced down at Minerva.

"Get your things," she said. "You will not be attending Hogwarts this year, or any year, for that matter." Minerva looked at her, puzzled.

"Where am I to go, then?" she asked meekly.

"Beuxbaton's Academy for Girls… In France…"

Thus begins our story of tragedy, romance, life, courage, and, above all, love!

A/N2: Cue the lighting flash! Thunder and rumble! Hahaha. We have now entered the realm of "A Happily Ever After"! What shall happen? Cue crazed laughter from the author! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! And here come the fur balls. Hahaha. Read long and prosper, Always Hopeful