AN: Thank you for the review and follows!. It's much appreciated. I fear this chapter may be a little boring, i'm sorry if it is!.
Minerva had woken at the break of dawn, as usual. Since she could remember she had always been an early riser. From the start of her days at Hogwarts Minerva had spent the hours before the rest of the castle would be waking walking around the grounds, she knew she wasn't technically allowed but after so many years she knew each and very passage way. With her book in her hand and her robes rapped tightly around her she padded softly along the ground, the leaves and twigs crunching from the crisp weather. As she sat by the black lake she took a deep breathe, the water was so still and so calm. The smell of the Scottish highlands filling her lungs, god she would miss this. Sitting against the trunk of the tree she opened her book and began reading.
Albus had been sat at his desk in his chambers, he had never been one to sleep much and no matter what time of the morning he was always a happy chap. He had a symphony playing on the record player, he sat with his eyes closed and a smile on his lips. He stood and wondered to the window opening it, this time of the morning was his favourite, the air undisturbed and the chill so refreshing. He had a great view over the Scottish mountains and the lake, he could see in the distance someone walking toward the lake, he smiled instantly. He recognised her dark lock flowing freely in the gentle breeze. He watched as she sat and read, he nodded to himself and with a flask of cocoa he decided to head to the lake.
Making his way across the grass he hesitated. 'Come on Albus, this isn't like you' he said to himself. As he approached he cleared his throat. Minerva almost jumped out of her skin, attempting to stand up.. "Oh please stay sat. I didn't mean to startle you." She looked at him "That's quite alright.. I.. I know I'm not supposed to be.." He spoke before she could finish. "Oh don't worry yourself my dear.." he had a sparkle in his eyes. "May I sit?." He pointed to the ground, with a nod from her he sat beside her. "Lovely morning isn't it?.". She put her bookmark on the page she was reading and closed it. "It always is.." She looked over the lake. "Would you like some cocoa?." He offered her a cup of it.. "No and neither should you, that stuff will rot your teeth" she said matter of factly. He couldn't help the gentle laugh that left his lips. "An old man needs some treats here and there" he said sipping. "You don't look like an old man.." Minerva said softly, a smile playing on her lips too. "You're too kind" he looked at her again, she diverted her eyes to the lake, her beautiful eyes. "Animagus.." he eyed the book in her lap. She instinctively touched the book. "I'm hoping to perhaps, master the spell, I would love to become an animagus." He was impressed, "That's quite advanced magic, especially for somebody your age.." Her eyes shot to him, taking offence to the 'age' remark, he had noted the look in her eye, she sure was a Gryffindor.. "Please dear don't take offence to my comment.". He took another sip of his cocoa, his manner seemed to calm her slightly, his voice soothing. "Well I will do it, i'm very capable". She had sat up a little more straight and her grammar was perfected to a 't', her Scottish lilt was very much present, she didn't need to try and convince him, he was quite sure she was capable. After a few moments of silence she spoke up.." Oh, alright, I'll have a sip.." she said with a slightly playful smile, his eyes sparkled as he handed her the flask. She wrinkled her face.."You added sugar?!".. His eyes widened, "Please do not tell Madam Pomfrey..". With a quirk of her eyebrow and her lips in a tight smile.."We'll see..". She handed him back the flask with a thanks and began to walk back to the castle. He stood and followed, "excuse me.." She turned to him, her eyes meeting his and for a moment neither could speak. Her long loose hair starting to float and with one movement go the hand she had pulled it all over her shoulder. He was lost in her beauty. "I didn't catch your name..". She looked down for a moment and then back up she began to walk "Minerva.. Minerva McGonagall." "Pleasure to meet you dear!" he called after her. With one last look at the lake he turned and headed for his chambers.
"Good morning class, I know this may be tiresome but I haven't seen your abilities, Professor Pottermore has left magnificent reviews of you all, so I hope to not be disappointed." He stood at the front of the class.. "I want you to turn these mice into the creature that you think represent you. Now, I don't want to see dragons or lions, as impressive as that would be. Something small and simple.." The class drew their wands and began to cast the spells. He leant against his desk, observing, well actually just observing one student in particular. "Miss McGonagall, what will you be turning your mouse into?.." With a purse of her lips she said the spell and the mouse turned into a tabby cat. "Very impressive.." she replied quietly "You sound surprised?". He just smirked slightly and continued to wonder around the other student. With a few other tasks assigned and homework given it was nearly the end of the lesson. "Now, I want your homework into me by Thursday" he could hear a grumble of 'that's only two days'.. Choosing to ignore it he continued "Does anybody have any questions for me?.". With none had dismissed them. "Ah Miss McGonagall, do you have a minute?." She nodded "I have a free period next so I don't have to be anywhere. Is there something I could do for you Professor?." She definitely wasn't shy. "I wanted to discuss something with you. After our conversation this morning I had gone to see the headmaster and I told him that you would like to learn how to become an animagus." She held her breathe slightly not really knowing what to expect. "He has agreed to let me teach you, if that's what you so wish for?". She could barely hold back her excitement, she did of course "That would be wonderful, yes please professor." He nodded "It's going to be a lot of work and a lot of determination. Are you sure you're ready for this?" she beamed at him "More than ever, I can do it, I know I can, just let me prove it to you." he smiled at her passion and enthusiasm. "We shall begin practise tomorrow after dinner. If you aren't busy?." she nearly snorted. "Professor I'm either at quidditch practise or in the library, nine times out of ten i'll be in the library." she responded with a slight blush. "Well that's settled then. I shall see you at dinner, good day Miss McGonagall".
Minerva had sat at the gryffindor table and ate quietly. She had gone over her conversation with professor Dumbledore a hundred times, each time getting a little more excited. She was somewhat disappointed that he hand;t shown up for dinner that evening. She went to the library after dinner to get three, yes three more books out of Animagus and took them to her dorm. Tomorrow couldn't come quick enough.
