2nd June 1952

The train whistled loudly and Minerva gently pushed some first years onto the train before entering it as well, along with her friend Augusta.

"I can't believe we are never going back to Hogwarts!" exclaimed Augusta suddenly, scaring the first years that Minerva had ushered onto the train who were walking in front of them.

"I know," answered Minerva, more to herself than anyone else.

"Come on let's find a compartment," said Augusta grabbing Minerva's hand and dragging her along the train.

As the two girls settled down in a compartment with Michael and Clare, Minerva watched the castle slowly diminish into the distance and sighed softly, her face resting on the palm of her hand.

"Anyone up for a game of chess?" asked Michael cheerfully. Clare shrugged and slid over the bench so that she was opposite Michael whilst Augusta and Minerva engaged themselves in an interesting conversation about their future plans.

It was only when the Hogwarts Express pulled into King's Cross did Minerva truly feel the sudden realisation that she was never going back to Hogwarts.

"We will keep in touch won't we?" said Clare, her eyebrows furrowed and expression sad.

Augusta pursed her lip. "Of course we will."


Having finally found Malcolm and Robert, Minerva walked at a brisk pace towards the barrier. With a glance at her watch, she gave an impatient sound and tightened her grip on her luggage.

"It's fine Minerva, Mum and Dad won't mind if we are a little late," sighed Robert who was now in his fourth year at Hogwarts.

Minerva just gave him a sharp look as they were pushed through the barrier by a wizard who had just checked to see if any muggles were walking past. "Hurry now Malcolm," said Minerva as her youngest brother trailed behind his other two siblings.

"Can we take the knight bus?" was the younger boys response as he hurried to catch up.

"Hush now, people are watching," she reprimanded him quietly, however, she gave a slight nod of the head and Malcolm beamed.

As the three McGonagall's trooped with the rest of the crowd, Minerva took hold of Malcolm's trunk as well as her own due to him having managed to annoy many of the people by rolling on top of their toes with it. Slowly they detached themselves from the crowd and followed a few other Hogwarts students down an alleyway where the Knight Bus was already waiting.

"Quickly now," repeated Minerva and her brother scrambled onto the bus while she and Robert pulled the trunks aboard. "And could you go and tell the conductor where we want to go please," she said as she managed to heave the last of the trunks on the triple-decker bus. Malcolm nodded and scurried away.

"When do we need to be back by?" enquired Robert who gave Minerva his hand to help her on the bus.

"In less than an hour," she answered. Minerva glanced at her watch for the second time and said, "In half an hour. I hope we'll make it on time," she added a puzzled expression on his face.

"We should do," reassured Robert.

"I hope so," answered Minerva as they tried to find Malcolm amongst the crowd, "Father has invited some of the other reverends for lunch and he told them we would be there…" Minerva looked left and right trying to find Malcolm, "Ah there he is. Robert could you go and get him please, I'll find us some seats upstairs."

Robert nodded and Minerva watched him weave his way through the many witches and wizards before turning around and walking up the stairs to see if there were any available seats.