AN: I do not own any HP or Wicked characters! This chapter is longer than the others, but I couldn't find another sufficient place to end it. Sorry to those of you that don't like long chapters, but hopefully it's worth it!

Albus Dumbledore sat alone in his office pondering the mystery that was Minerva McGonagall. It'd been a few weeks since she'd appeared in front of him in Diagon Alley. He'd been spending a great deal of time with her, teaching her Transfiguration among other things she'll need to know for her first week of classes. Much to his surprise, Minerva seemed to pick up the subjects remarkably fast, but she was particularly adept at Transfiguration. Albus gave her many books on the subject, but she sped through those within a few days. At this rate she'll master the subject by the time the term begins. He wouldn't be surprised if she finished all of the subjects taught at Hogwarts by then. She was almost through the 7th year's charms material as it was.

She intrigued Albus a great deal. She was a very powerful witch, that much was certain, but it was almost as if her magic was in some way… different, than his. Most likely different from all of theirs. He could sense something about her magic that he'd never come in contact with before meeting her. A power that almost made even him uneasy. Poppy could sense it too, and she remains nervous around Minerva, though it became obvious to Albus early on that she was not a threat. Guarded, yes, but no threat. Armando seemed to sense it in her too, but he could not see any reason why she would be a danger to them.

It was obvious though; that she had her secrets that she hadn't shared, although she often hid it well. Something that kept her at arm's length from everyone around her. This frustrated Albus, because he wanted her to trust him. He wasn't quite sure when he realized this, but it was there all the same.

The clock on his wall chimed, pulling him out of his thoughts. Today was the first staff meeting with every professor, including Minerva. He sighed. He was nervous about how his colleagues would react to Minerva, but there was only one way to find out.

I pace back and forth in my living room thinking about my first staff meeting. I've learned that the anxiety that accompanied being around others has not lessened despite the fact that I no longer have the abnormal green skin. I sigh, going back into my bedroom and picking up the brush. I falter for a moment looking at my reflection in the mirror.

I still haven't fully gotten used to the changes. Surveying myself, my eyes catch my attention once again. They are no longer the muddy brown they were back in Oz, but instead a bright emerald green. A few days after I was released from the infirmary, I reluctantly went back after I discovered an issue with my vision. According to Poppy I have somehow become far-sighted, and she gave me glasses. Perhaps the water Dorothy threw on me affected my eyes more than anything else.

I only really need them when reading, but the brightness of my eyes is actually rather unsettling when I don't have the glasses on. Sometimes I think my magic acting so strangely upon arrival caused the green tint of my skin to retreat into my irises. It's a fanciful thought, really, and one I rarely entertain, though I have no other explanation.

I turn toward the dresser and see the Transfiguration books Albus lent me. I really must get those back to him. I find the subject very fascinating, actually. It seems to relate a bit to a few of the spells I've studied in the Grimmerie, and it turns out I have quite the talent for it. Albus seems to believe that I remember it from before the "amnesia", and I didn't tell him any differently. To be honest, I'm not even sure he believes my story, but I'm certainly not going change it now.

I look over at the clock on the wall, realizing that if I don't leave now I'll be late. Wouldn't that be quite the first impression?

I quickly pick up my glasses and put them on before walking out of my rooms and toward the staff room. When I get there, I take a deep breath before opening the door. Everyone turns to look at me, but I keep my expression blank.

Albus smiles at me, "Ah, Minerva. Welcome."

I nod. "Albus."

I walk to the empty seat beside him, and much to my surprise he gets up and pulls out the chair for me.

"Thank you." I say as I sit down.

He smiles and sits back down. "Let us begin. Before we get to normal business, let me first introduce our newest staff member and Transfiguration Professor, Minerva McGonagall."

I glance around the table. Some look surprised, a few smile kindly at me, but there are others that look rather uncomfortable with his news. One in particular, who speaks up first.

"Are you mad?"

Headmaster Dippet looks at him with wide eyes. "Pardon me?"

"No one knows anything about her! Why in the name of Merlin would you allow Albus to hire someone of such questionable origin? For God's sake, she could be one of Grindelwald's spies and you want her around the students?"

My eyes narrow. Yes, I can hardly blame him for questioning me, but I don't like the animosity in his voice nor what he is implying. I've done my research on Grindelwald since I arrived, especially since he is now apparently part of my identity here. He's a horrid man, a tyrant that reminds me in many ways of the Wizard. And he thinks I am one of his followers? Ha!

"Now, Silvanus, Albus found her and trusts her. As he is my second in command, I trust his judgment, and consequently trust Miss McGonagall. I have seen no reason why she would not make an excellent addition to the staff."

I stare at him a moment. His vote of confidence was largely unexpected, but I manage to hide the shock well.

"Armando, you can't be serious. Normally I would agree with you regarding Albus's judgment, but in this instance, I believe he's rather short-sighted."

Albus speaks before Armando can, "Is that so, Silvanus? Well, do enlighten me." His voice is cold, and I notice a few of the professors fidget a bit in their chairs.

"Very well." He says, completely disregarding the warning in Albus's voice. "For one, she-"

"Excuse me." I interrupt. "Silvanus, was it?"

He glares at me. "Professor Kettleburn."

My jaw clenches in anger, and I return his glare ten-fold.

"Very well, Professor Kettleburn. I would very much appreciate it if you have something to say about me, particularly concerns about me, that you address me directly rather than speaking of me as though I am not in the room."

Albus turns to me with a shocked expression. "Minerva, really, I can-"

I put up a hand to cut him off without taking my eyes off of the man on the other side of the table.

"Well? I believe you were in the middle of something, Professor."

It's silent for a moment or two. I can see a few shocked faces around the table out of the edge of my vision, but I still don't take my eyes off of him. For a moment it looks as if he's not going to continue, but then his glare returns.

"Alright." He says. "For one, you appear in the middle of Diagon Alley carrying only a book and shoes. No one knows where you came from and you claim amnesia. Rather convenient, is it not?"

I remove my glasses before smirking at him. "I'm sorry, do you for some reason doubt this, sir?"

"Indeed. Among other things, Minerva McGonagall does not exist."

Everyone at the table turns to look at me. Despite myself, I find myself laughing at his statement, much to everyone's surprise.

"Silvanus, please, is this really necessary-"

"No, no, Headmaster. It's quite all right. Let him finish, he seems to be enjoying himself."

"There is no record of a Minerva McGonagall in the ministry. I checked. Nor a McGonagall family. Care to explain that?"

"Gladly." I answer in my frostiest tone. "My records are not in your ministry, this is true, because I was not born here. The little family I had left is dead. Casualties of war, you could say. I myself escaped Germany after multiple failed attempts at killing me. Which, I believe Professor, answers the question of my sudden appearance in Diagon Alley. Transported there by those red shoes you mentioned; the last gift from my dead father to my dead sister."

I pause before continuing. "Now then, I can understand your confusion. I concede that this may seem strange to you, all of you. A young woman suddenly appearing out of nowhere with no known background. But make no mistake, Professor. I may be young, but I am in no way naive, and you cannot begin to imagine the things I have seen and experienced even at my 'young' age. Never in my life would I support a man like Gellert Grindelwald. Such evil and abuse of power disgusts me. The fact that you would make such assumptions about a woman you yourself claim to know nothing about, seems to make you the short-sighted one."

I finish, still glaring at the man. The room is deadly quiet. They all look shocked, sympathetic or sick to their stomachs. Kettleburn, who was so confident only minutes ago, is, remarkably, at a loss for words.

"If you are quite through questioning both my family and my motives, I suggest we allow Professor Dumbledore and the Headmaster to continue with the normal business of a staff meeting."

Kettleburn refuses to look at me now, seeming thoroughly embarrassed. At least he has that much sense, I suppose. The silence is interrupted with Headmaster Dippet clearing his throat.

"Quite right, Professor McGonagall, thank you. Let us continue then." Everyone seems to snap back to attention, pulling his or her eyes away from Kettleburn and I to look at the Headmaster. Most of them, anyway.

"Well," Dippet concludes, leaning back into his chair. "If no one has anything else to discuss, this meeting is adjourned. Professor Kettleburn, if I could please see you in my office for a moment…"

The staff trickles from the room, me being one of the first to leave. They all keep giving me these amazed and sympathetic looks, which is actually extremely discomforting.

"Minerva! Hey, Minerva!"

I turn, seeing a woman with short, spiky greying hair running to catch up with me. "Yes?"

She smiles when she reaches me, holding out her hand. "Rolanda Hooch, flying instructor."

I take her hand, "Minerva McGonagall."

"Listen, don't worry about Kettleburn, he's a git. He always gives new professors a hard time, but that was a bit extreme even for him. I just wanted to tell you the way you handled it was amazing. Not many people would have the guts to talk to him like that, let alone newbies. You really put him in his place."

"Well… thank you?" I don't really know what to say in response to something like that.

She smiles. "You probably noticed most of the professors aren't quite sure about you. If anything, today showed them you aren't one to be trifled with."

I nod, feeling oddly proud of this. It may make things easier down the road.

"I like you, though. I have a feeling we'll be great friends." She winks at me before looking over my shoulder and running past me.

"Poppy!"

I stand there stunned for a moment, not quite sure what to make of the woman. I walk over to the window overlooking the grounds, thinking about what she'd said. I'm so caught up in my thoughts; I don't even notice Albus coming up behind me.

"Minerva-"

I jump, spinning around with my hand halfway to my sleeve where my wand is stored before I realize whom it is.

"Oh, for the love of…" I mutter, trying to calm myself down. "Albus, I nearly hexed you into next week!"

"I'm sorry my dear, I did not mean to startle you. May I walk you back to your rooms?"

I nod, turning to go in that direction. I can feel Albus looking at me as we go, but I pay no attention. Thankfully, it doesn't take long to get back to my rooms.

"Nessarose." The portrait immediately swings open, and I lead the way into the living room, motioning for Albus to sit.

"I'll make us some tea." I tell him, going into the kitchen. I come back a few minutes later with the tray, smiling slightly at Albus.

"Sugar?"

"Please!"

I turn back toward the tray to make his tea. "Minerva, are you alright? I'm truly sorry about Silvanus. I've never seen him act like that before. He was way out of line, and I will make sure Armando deals with him accordingly. He will apologize to you. "

I scoff, giving him his tea without looking up at him, "Really, Albus, don't concern yourself with it. I agree that Professor Kettleburn was far out of line, but he's going to believe what he wants. It's not the first time I've heard it."

"Nevertheless-"

"Albus, I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself!" I snap at him before I can stop myself. "I've done it long enough. It isn't as if he was wrong, was he? No one knows anything about me, which includes you. If I were him I'd probably think you were crazy. Hell, I did think you were crazy when you offered me the job that day in the infirmary."

"Then why would you accept my offer?"

"Because I had no other option!" I sigh, turning back toward him.

"I'm sorry. I'm… on edge after the meeting. I shouldn't have snapped at you, it was unprofessional."

"Minerva, I am not just your boss, I am also your friend. At least I would like to be. You don't have to worry about things like that. It's understandable for you to be upset after the events of the staff meeting."

Albus could tell she didn't really believe him, but she didn't say anything to argue otherwise. "You didn't have to defend yourself. You owe no one any explanations. I could have easily dealt with Silvanus myself."

I sigh. "Albus, I am very grateful for everything you've done for me. The job, everything. But it doesn't make it any less crazy. And it also does not make it your job to protect me, nor fight my battles for me. As I said before, I can take care of myself."

Albus sighed, obviously knowing he wasn't going to win this fight; she was becoming more guarded from him by the second. He gave a nod of understanding, finishing his tea.

"I'll leave you to get some rest, then. I'll see you tomorrow."

I start to follow him to the door when a sudden thought occurs to me. "Oh, hold on a moment." I quickly go back into my bedroom and pick up the books he'd lent to me before coming back out.

"Here, I finished these a few days ago and keep forgetting to give them back to you."

He takes them, looking at me a moment before he decides to speak. "Who's Nessarose?"

I tense, my eyes immediately snapping back to him. "What?" It comes out much sharper than I'd intended.

"Your password. Who is she?"

I look away from him for a second before answering. "My sister."

He nods, handing the books back to me. "Keep these, they're a gift. I have too many as it is."

I take them as he opens my door and steps outside, looking back at me. "Goodnight, Minerva."

"Goodnight, Albus."

"Ah, finally finished." Armando Dippet leaned back in his chair, looking across his desk at his Deputy. They had been spending all morning filling out paperwork for the ministry.

"So, Albus, how do you think Miss McGonagall is adjusting?"

"Well enough, I believe. She's understandably… uneasy around the other staff members, particularly after our last staff meeting. She was quite on edge, though she would rather die than admit it to anyone. I only know because I was there for it."

Armando sighs, "Yes, I expected as much. I really should apologize to her on Silvanus's behalf. Unfortunately, Kettleburn is continuing to be stubborn-"

At that moment, Silvanus Kettleburn came bursting into the room with a triumphant look in his eyes. Albus immediately got up from his seat, but was forced to close his eyes to avoid rolling them in irritation. What now?

"I've got it!"

"Pardon?"

"Proof! I've got proof that this Minerva McGonagall is an impostor!"

Armando pinched the bridge of his nose. "Silvanus, we have already discussed this-"

"She doesn't exist in Germany either! That's where she claims to be from, and yet there is no trace of her, or her so called family anywhere in Germany. No trace in any magic schools either. What did I tell you? She must be a spy! I suggest she be escorted from Hogwarts immediately-"

Albus's eyes sparked with anger, but he did his best to keep himself calm. "Now, Silvanus, you are being rash. Have you forgotten that there is a war going on in Germany? There are many records missing from the German ministry, and I doubt Professor McGonagall's will be the last."

Kettleburn snorts. "Really, Dumbledore, don't be daft. Her story is amateur at best; don't tell me you've actually fallen for it? Open your eyes, man! She's a danger to all of us! Just because you fancy her doesn't mean-"

Albus had heard quite enough, and he slammed his fist on the Headmaster's desk.

"Enough!"

Professor Kettleburn had been effectively silenced, and Albus glared at him furiously. "How dare you! Professor McGonagall is a very powerful and respectable witch, and I refuse to sit here and allow you to paint her in such an unfavorable light, nor disrespect me in such a manner! Your evidence, as you call it, is amateur at best and is based solely on some immediate dislike for a girl you barely know."

The temperature in the room seemed to lower as he spoke, his voice getting lower and deadlier every moment.

"You have no idea what Professor McGonagall has gone through, and your behavior since she arrived has been disgraceful. This is not how a professor of Hogwarts is supposed to behave. I suggest you get over your childish vendetta, and that includes making ridiculous accusations. I respect Professor McGonagall and I expect you to do the same. And you will personally apologize for your ignorance and abysmal behavior. Do I make myself clear?"

Silvanus stared at Albus for a moment or two before looking at Armando for support, but he was surprised to see him glaring at him as well.

"Professor Kettleburn, the way you have behaved toward both Professor McGonagall and Professor Dumbledore is disgraceful. I expect to see a marked improvement in the very near future. Whether or not you like her is your affair. But you will respect her as a fellow Professor. I want to hear no more about this."

"But-"

"Was I not clear?" He did not raise his voice, but there was an authority behind his words that most people knew not to question.

Silvanus looked back and forth between the Headmaster and his Deputy. "Fine." He finally spit out. He glared at Albus before turning and storming out of the office.

Armando sighed as the door slammed behind him, "I don't understand him."

Albus shook his head in agreement before looking at the Headmaster. "I'm sorry I lost my temper."

He raised his hand and waved him off, "Not to worry, I understand. Albus… May I ask you a question?"

"Of course."

"What is your opinion of Professor McGonagall?"

"As I told Kettleburn, I respect her a great deal. She's taken everyone's criticism rather well, considering. She is very powerful, that much is certain. But I know where you are going, Armando. Let me again ease your conscious. She is not dangerous, not in that sense. She would be an extremely formidable opponent, but she is not a spy. Of that, I am sure."

Armando nods. "I believe you. However, we do need some sort of records for her, as she will be employed as a Professor at Hogwarts. Regardless of the war, the Ministry will not be satisfied."

Albus had to agree with him. "I'll see what I can do." He said as he made his way to the door, bidding Armando goodbye as he went.

A/N: Okay, so I'm a bit stuck after this part, but hopefully I'll get over the block and be able to update soon. If anyone has any suggestions please let me know. And as usual, PLEASE REVIEW!