As the first years travelled across the black lake gasps escaped the lips of the excited new students. The candle lit turrets emerged out of the distance at the far side of the lake. In that one second Minerva fell hopelessly in love. She had never seen a more beautiful sight. The dark shadowy turrets contrasted with the bright oranges, pinks and purples of the cloudy sunset. Pricks of light shone from the lit windows of the towers. The moonlight and the reflections from the castle's windows glittered on the great expanse of dark water they were floating across.
Her love of the castle would last a lifetime and the only stronger love she would ever feel was that of the man that was at that moment waiting to greet her and the other first years.
Minerva had met Albus on her first day at Hogwarts. He emerged into view as the nervous group of first years climbed the staircase towards the great hall. The tall thin man caused a number of gasps from the group of new students, some who recognised him as one of the most famous and powerful wizards of the day. Others were surprised by his appearance. He had long auburn curly hair and equally long matching beard, his robes were bright purple with glittering stars upon them and his bright blue eyes were sparkling.
Minerva grinned at a young girl to the left of her. She was a little shorter than Minerva, with dark curly hair which rested just below her shoulders; dark brown eyes and pale skin. This fellow first year was Poppy Pomfrey, Minerva's oldest and closest friend. They linked arms and beamed up at the deputy headmaster, eager to hear what he had to say before entering the great hall for the sorting ceremony.
'Welcome to Hogwarts!' he said raising his arms in a welcoming gesture, as if offering the small crowd of excited scared students before him a hug. 'In a few moments I will take you through into the Great Hall, where the rest of the students are waiting. There you will be sorted into you houses, of which there are four; Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. While you are here, your house will be your family, achievements and good deeds will earn you house points, mischief, rule-breaking and failure to complete homework, will lose you points. Is that clear?' he paused. 'Good. Follow me please.'
Minerva's eyes darted around the Great Hall as they entered her mouth dropping open slightly in awe at the enchanted ceiling; which was midnight blue and completely clear, so tiny twinkling stars shone through.
'McGonagall, Minerva.' Albus said at last. Minerva stepped forward and perched herself on the wooden stool, which stood before the rest of the house tables.
'Hmm…' said a voice by her ear, making her jump. 'Well…yes…interesting. There's plenty of honesty there, but plenty of brains too…and talent, yes, there's talent. You'd do well in Ravenclaw.' Minerva's heart skipped, her mother had been a Ravenclaw; she would have liked to be in that house, the hat however continued: 'But there's loyalty and courage, yes, powerful courage too. The thirst for knowledge is strong…yes… and to need to protect those you love…GRYFFINDOR!' The hat shouted across the hall and the table of students directly in front of her erupted in cheering and applause. Minerva grinned, standing as Albus took the hat from her head. He gave her a small smile that only she saw and a wink with one of his twinkly blue eyes. She skipped down to the table of waiting students, who all enthusiastically introduced themselves to her. A few moments later she was grinning again and hugging the newest Gryffindor Poppy to her. She was going to enjoy school, she could feel it!
Tucked up in her bed in Gryffindor tower later that night Minerva couldn't stop smiling, she was desperately excited to begin her lessons the following morning. She had transfiguration first thing with Professor Dumbledore, she had already read their textbook through twice and she could complete almost all of the transfigurations already. She didn't like to show off to others, their opinions didn't hold a great deal of meaning for her, but she did like to succeed for her own personal pleasure.
Albus had instantly spotted the talent in his young student; on her first lesson she had completed the simple transfiguration he set them on her first try. In fact, within the first hour, she completed all six transfigurations in the first chapter of the book with very little effort. Possibly more astonishing to him was her ability to explain all of the methods and theory behind them as well. He had often encountered students who possessed a raw talent and progressed quickly in his subject, but very few had the academic knowledge to achieve highly alongside it. The presence of this new student particularly excited Albus, he had no doubt she would be an outstanding O.W.L and N.E.W.T, probably much earlier than she should be.
Albus set the class off on the relatively simple task of transfiguring a matchstick into a needle.
'Miss McGonagall?' he called across to the front desk. 'May I have a word?' She nodded, raising herself from her seat and walking across to the teacher's desk. 'I assume you could manage this transfiguration in your sleep?' he asked, the small smile and twinkle returning.
'Yes, sir.' She said simply. 'I'm happy to carry on though, I don't mind helping Poppy.'
'Indeed, you may if you would prefer. However, I see very little point in it. Have you attempted transfigurations with any animate objects yet; Insects, beetles, small mammals and the like?'
'Yes, I can do most of the ones in the text book you set. I had a few problems with the mice because they wouldn't stay still, but I got there eventually.'
'Very impressive.' He stated, with a small nod. The excitement was building in him now. 'And do you like transfiguration?' Minerva grinned.
'Yes. I love it!' she enthused. Albus' eyes twinkled again.
'Then may I suggest that you move on to the second year text, I have a copy here.' He said, fishing the battered book out of his desk draw. 'I would like you to complete the essays I am setting for each of the transfigurations, in the grade one text, but I would presume you would be bored working through it at the same pace as the rest of us.' Minerva gave a small smile and nodded. 'If there is anything you don't understand please come and see me, and if you wish we can arrange personal tutorials each week or so to review your progress. Are you happy with that?' Minerva nodded.
'That would be great, sir.'
'Good. I am very much looking forward to seeing progress. I think we can expect great things from you. Who knows, you might be in my seat one day!' he teased. Minerva blushed.
'Maybe, I'd like that. I would only hope that means you would have been promoted, sir.' She replied. She felt uncomfortable with taking Dumbledore's place, however, she would love to teach, and she had always hoped she would.
'We will have to wait and see. For the time being I suggest you return to Miss Pomfrey, she seems to be having a little difficulty.' Albus commented, nodding his head back to the seat next to Minerva's empty one. Minerva smiled.
'I better do then, she'll have to return the favour later in potions anyway.' Albus nodded.
'I'm happy to assist there too, I don't aim to suggest I have Professor Slughorn's abilities, but I've not unintentionally exploded a cauldron in years.' Minerva laughed.
'I will be taking you up on that offer as well then.' Albus nodded and Minerva returned to her seat; giving her wand a flick as she went, putting out the flaming match that sat before a horrified Poppy.
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Minerva the student had been a quiet, talented girl. She had long, dark hair which snaked down her back in a neat plait. Most of the students had thought her odd and she was often teased by the girls in her year. She was devoted to her education, spending hours in the library, browsing every volume they had. She had taken up Professor Dumbledore's offer of extra transfiguration lessons and support with her potions. She was far excelling her peers in all of her subjects, this didn't bother her and she was not big headed or boastful with her talent.
Most of all she adored Hogwarts, her home life hadn't always been happy, but Hogwarts offered her a sanctuary and she was forever grateful for the letter that had arrived on her eleventh birthday.
She had a small group of close friends, whom she shared her abilities with. She supported them with their school work, but never did it for them. She was quickly referred to as 'Hogwarts Mummy' by this close inner circle, looking after all of them like their mothers would have, had they been at school with them. Poppy Pomfrey, whom she had known since she was a child, was the closest of these friends. Both shared a love of the castle in which they lived and both would later return, spending most of their lives there.
She was not very popular with the rest of the girls in her year, but she had a very different effect on the boys. She was beautiful, none of them could deny that, but she never expressed an interest in any of them. This seemed to spark their interest further. One boy, in the year below Minervas', was particularly interested in the enchanting witch. He was sure she had not noticed him and he fully intended to change that. This boy's name was Tom Riddle.
The fifth year Slytherin stood by the door to the great hall, waiting. He didn't like to wait. He was an impatient young boy, and he wanted his own way. But against all his will he was waiting, and for a girl at that. He didn't like his actions, but he wanted something or rather someone, and this was the only way he saw of getting his wishes. A tall thin sixth year Gryffindor girl stood from the dining table, a prefect badge glittering on her robes in the candle light. She collected up her book and the parchment she had been making notes on and her quill, before heading towards the door. She smiled across the table at another fifth year girl, who waved back, her own nose buried in a book of advanced healing potions. Tom approached her as she came through the open doors into the entrance hall.
'Minerva McGonagall' He said, startling her from her thoughts.
'Mister Riddle' she responded, coldly. 'Is there something I can do for you?'
'Actually, Minerva, it's more what I can do for you.' She curved her eyebrow. A look many of her students over the years would come to fear, for it meant Minerva McGonagall would be difficult to convince of whatever they had just suggested. Tom completely missed this subtle cue. 'The Yule Ball is coming up and I would like to offer you an evening with me.' He stated with some satisfaction. He was proud to say a girl had never turned him down yet and as such oozed arrogance. Minerva's eyebrow curved further and her gaze stiffened.
'I see.' She stated coldly. 'And what makes you think I would like to attend with you?' she continued.
'Well, this is me Minerva. Why wouldn't you want to with me? Why wouldn't anyone?' Minerva's stare hardened, the 'death glare' that would later become infamous with her students. The look that meant they had gone too far and would likely result in greatly undesired consequences. This cue Tom also missed. She took a deep calming breath.
'I can think of a number of reasons I would not want to attend the ball with you, your arrogance being only one of them. I shall therefore decline your offer, Mr Riddle. Now, if you'll excuse me I have a meeting with Professor Dumbledore.' She stood tall and walked briskly towards the staircase, not looking back.
A group of Gryffindor and Ravenclaw girls emerged from the great hall laughing at Tom's rejection. He sneered at them and looked back up to the staircase.
'You'll regret that, McGonagall!' He called after her, anger seething in her eyes. No one turned him down; especially not a Gryffindor, especially not a girl. He stalked off towards the Slytherin dungeon common room, plotting his revenge.
Sadly for him, by the time his revenge came, Minerva had the strength to recover. He did hurt her and badly, but the same professor she was in that moment heading towards would be the same man who would save her. Giving her the greatest strength and love she would ever know. Something Tom Riddle would never be able to understand and would be his greatest downfall.
