A/N: Hello, I'm sure you noticed that I am fixing my earlier chapters. I'm doing this so I can go on without having to edit too much when I'm done! Please read from the top again... I might change a lot.
Disclaimer: First Chapter.
Maria McGonagall stood beside her mother, clutching the handle of her trunk behind her. Her eyes trailed every detail of the building in front of her. Unlike every other structure in the Wizarding World, the Leaky Cauldron almost passed as a Muggle creation. It didn't look magical, it seemed dull and lifeless. Perhaps, it was easier this way. It doesn't attract a lot of attention, making it simpler to conceal the world behind it.
"Mother, do I really have to go?" Her mother looked down at her through square glasses. Maria looked back at the emerald green eyes that gleamed under the light that cascaded down their faces.
"Darling, as much as I despise leaving you, I'm needed back at Hogwarts. Professor Slughorn is retiring, for good, this time." Minerva sighed, closing her eyes to ease down her upcoming headache.
"So, Hogwarts is losing another professor?" Maria asked, and Minerva only nodded. Two teachers retired this year. Another Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor and now a Potions Master.
"Who's going to take care of the Slytherin house now?" Maria added, a crease forming in between her brows.
"Don't worry, Maria. Your Aunt Pomona, Uncle Filius, and I are already searching for another Head for your future house." Minerva teased, a teasing smile on her lips. It took Maria awhile to understand, and when she did, she cringed her nose.
"Mother, I was seven then! How can you still remember that?" She whined, uncharacteristically. Little seven-year-old Maria said that she wanted to be Slytherin during dinner once, and her mother and the Hogwarts faculty never missed the opportunity to tease her about it. Minerva checked her golden watch before she looked back at her daughter and smiled sweetly.
"Magic…" She whispered before kissing her daughter's forehead. Maria leaned on her mother and wrapped her short arms around Minerva.
"I love you so much, Maria. Have fun…" Minerva whispered before she pulled away and apparated out of sight.
When Minerva apparated outside Hogwarts grounds, Pomona and Rolanda were already waiting for her inside the carriage.
"So, how is she?" Pomona asked, smoothing a wrinkle in her robe. Minerva sighed and leaned on the wall of the carriage.
"Maria? She can handle herself. The real question is: How are you, Minerva?" Rolanda exclaimed, placing a hand on Minerva's knees.
"It's not easy to let them go..."
No one spoke after that.
It seemed like Minerva wasn't only talking about Maria
When Maria entered, she saw a couple of girls and boys around her age eating dinner. At the sight of the food, her stomach growled. She decided to check-in and settle down first before eating. She approached the counter and rang the bell. Tom the Landlord smiled at her.
"Is there anything I can do for you, Patricia?" The small smile on Maria's lips slowly turned into a frown.
"I'm sorry, but I'm Maria McGonagall, and I'm here to for the seminar…" Maria trailed off, tugging her travel cloak in nervousness.
Tom's smile faded in confusion as well before he checked his records.
"Ah! Here it is. Excuse the old man. Your key is with your roommate. Do you need some help with your trunk?" He offered. Maria was too confused at the mention of sharing her room with another person.
"No, thank you." Maria inclined her head, and climbed the staircase, dragging her trunk behind her. She was assigned to Room 4 with Patricia Snape.
Snape…
Why did that sound so familiar?