(A/N Because of the awesome review I've received, I've decided that I would write two chapters for every year, unless I change my mind or come upon a thread that I like writing about. This story will be from years 1-6, and year 7 will be a separate story, a cross-over that's gonna be mentioned here and there, but won't specifically point it out until the next story.

Disclaimer: As always, I don't own anyone. I see Minerva as a younger 40-older 30ish looking version of Maggie Smith with dark ebony hair. This will become a Harry/Hermione and i have never liked Ron, so yay Neville! don't know who i'll pair him with in later years... wanna give an idea in the review?)

The Lioness' Pride

Hermione Granger sat in the Gryffindor Common Room with a book propped up on her knee. It was the Saturday of her second week of school, and she already found herself utterly alone. Even in her muggle school she had a bit more time before she was alienated, at least. No one was accepting her offers to help with homework; she was practically ignored by all but the teachers. She wiped the tears from her eyes before they could fall, gathering her books into her bag as she stood to head for the library. No one said anything as she left the Common Room, and when she reached the fourth floor, she decided to change directions and head outside to read her books. She found an old oak tree by the lake and leaned against it, watching sadly as a group of Hufflepuff played at the shore with a ball of some sort. She sighed and looked at her book.

Hermione was never any good at sports, so she compensated with books and cleverness. She looked up at the sky and noticed the Ravenclaw Quidditch team practicing. She shuddered. Hermione was terrified of heights, had a phobia of it from a childhood experience. She did know for a fact, however, that the new Gryffindor Seeker from her year was cute.

She heard someone near her and was surprised when they moved to sit next to her. She saw the sheepish grin of one Harry Potter and smiled softly in return, unsure of his motives. Harry gave a shy grin as he rubbed the back of his neck, knowing she was waiting. He looked at the book in her hand. He couldn't help but think she was cute, even with her large-ish teeth and bushy brown hair.

"I was kinda hoping that you could help me with History of Magic. I've read the book but can't understand what's going on." Hermione brightened immediately. She started chattering and he pulled out a notebook and took notes as she dictated.

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Minerva, as a Tabby Cat, strode out of the castle, hoping to find her tree untouched. She liked sitting on one of the lower branches and stretching out to sleep in the daylight. She found it with no problem, and fell asleep almost immediately. The next thing she knew, she was awake and heard voices below her. She purred as she stretched. She looked down and was pleasantly surprised when she noticed her son socializing with her favorite student. She had been worried he wouldn't seek the girl out. Seeing both animated faces chatting, she was glad that the kindred souls connected. She jumped down from the tree and hopped into Harry's lap, purring contentedly when he grinned and scratched behind her ear.

"This is your cat? I recognize you!" Hermione's eyes scrunched up as she tried to place the cat professor. Harry laughed.

"No, I have Hedwig. Tabby here is no one's cat. She is a force of her own." He giggled as Minerva butted her head against his hand. Hermione's widened.

"Professor?" She whispered. Minerva stared unblinkingly at Hermione and gave her a catty grin. Hermione didn't know that a cat could grin like that. Minerva stood with her tail straight up like her head, and she strutted back towards the castle. She heard Harry laugh behind her before standing.

"She wants us to follow. Hurry, she doesn't like being kept waiting." She noticed them joking behind her and realized her plan worked far better than she planned. When they reached the Great Hall, Professor McGonagall resumed her normal form and strode to her seat, forcing Harry and Hermione to realize they had seat chatting, missing lunch until supper. They sat at a random part of the table, Harry next to Neville, and Hermione between Harry and Seamus. Neville smiled faintly at them and Seamus resumed chatting with Dean after greeting the duo. They noticed Ron glaring at Hermione, how she seemed to have stolen his 'best friend'. Harry decided then and there that he didn't like the red head anymore.

"Hi Harry." Neville muttered. Harry remembered what his mother told him and gave Neville a genuine smile, which took the boy aback.

"Hi Neville! Hermione and I were planning to try working on our Potions homework after dinner. Do you want to join us?" Hermione poked her head around Harry.

"It would be delightful. We were going to sit outside again to do it, it is so pleasant." Neville smiled, and wiped his eyes so they wouldn't see him cry.

"I'd love that. Thanks guys. So I have a question about the spell in Charms from yesterday?" Hermione smiled as the boys both looked at her pleadingly. She had never felt so part of something.

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Xiomara nudged Minerva slightly, drawing Poppy and Pomona's attention to the Gryffindor when she pointed at the laughing trio.

"Potter, Longbottom and Granger. The last time I saw a group band together as strong as that that quickly, we were pulling the Marauders off of the ceiling. This group will be quite a force to be reckoned with." Pomona leaned forward when Xiomara finished.

"Longbottom will be strong like his father. He had guts, he did." Pomona sighed, and Poppy chuckled, reminiscing.

"I saw Potter's father ever other day, bad results of pranks and getting in fights with that one Slytherin." They didn't need to mention the name, he sat at the Head table with them. Minerva smiled.

"With Granger's wit, Potter's mischief, and Longbottom's temerity, we may have another era of Marauders." She looked fondly at the trio, a smile playing on her lips. Xiomara rolled her eyes, muttering to Poppy and Pomona loud enough that Minerva could hear.

"She'll go easy on them too, because she's in the process of adopting Harry." Minerva chuckled when the ladies tittered.

"I won't go easy on them, they'll just have to learn early to not get caught." She looked at her best friends and they all shared a smile.

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Albus had been against the adoption; logically he said Harry should be with his aunt for the blood protection, though he knew Minerva would be a better guardian. They had both been shocked when the ministry, surprised themselves, notified Minerva with the information that Lily Evans-Potter had actually been her great-niece, the granddaughter of one of Minerva's younger sisters.

Minerva was the eldest of three girls. Miriam was the baby, probably in her early fifties, now in the Fashion business in New York, married for the final time to the girl of her dreams. Minerva hadn't met her new sister-in-law yet, they were going to visit this summer with Miriam's twins from her first marriage. Margaret, Harry's great-great grandmother, was the middle child. She married right out of Hogwarts and had a child with a muggle to Minerva's parent's puzzlement. Her family was neutral towards Muggles, which was confusing to the family when they immediately moved away. Miriam thought Margaret assumed she'd be disowned for dirtying the bloodline and decided to leave first. Her husband didn't know about the magic, so when she died in a hit-and-run a few years later, estranged from her family, her son was raised, born a squib, as her family thought she was childless until now.

Minerva merely sat in the Headmaster's office, staring at Kingsley (the matter of the guardianship of Harry Potter was of utmost importance) as she absorbed the news. She swallowed as Dumbledore grinned.

"I guess you won, Minerva. The Blood wards should also work for you." Minerva nodded numbly, and then blinked, smiling slowly.

"So, this means?" She looked at Kingsley who offered her papers to sign.

"We've already visited his aunt and uncle to prevent a scene, so once you sign these, Mr. Potter-McGonagall is officially in your care." They were all smiles as the documents popped back to the Ministry. Kingsley nodded as he stepped towards the fireplace.

"I wish you luck, Minerva." She could only nod, too shocked that this was actually happening. It only took two months; it was the day before her sons, mo ghac's, first Quidditch game. She knew that this would only spur him on. After all, he was his father's son. With a smile, she headed towards her rooms so she could tell him over their nightly tea before curfew, which Ms Granger and Mr. Longbottom joined almost immediately after the Golden Trio was formed. They had a lot to celebrate.

(A/N Please R/R!)