The Dumbledore-McGonagall family arrived a week before the students would. The house elves kept the castle in tip-top-shape over the summer, negating the fact for teachers to stay over the summer and clean.
"Wh-wh-when are the other professors going to arrive." Hermione asked, as she bounced around Minerva in their quarters.
"Kitten, stand still." Minerva chuckled, grasping hold of Hermione's shoulders to keep her in one place, "They will start arriving in a few days."
"Min, do you know when Uncle Severus is going to be here?" Hermione asked of her favorite, 'uncle'.
"I think in three days." Minerva sighed; she knew that she shouldn't be jealous that Hermione had been 'adopted' by most of the Professors.
"Oh and is Aunt Hooch showing up at the same time?" Hermione looked up with hopeful eyes. Surprisingly Madam Hooch was Hermione's favorite aunt, even though she taught Hermione's least favorite subject.
Minerva gave a sad smile. "I think she is going to be here in two days."
"What's wrong, Min?" Hermione asked.
"Oh, it's nothing, just an old woman's musings." Minerva waved it off.
Hermione smirked, and gave Minerva a hug, "They may be my aunts and uncles, but you and Albus are my parents."
Minerva smiled down at Hermione, with tears in her eyes, "What did we tell you about using Legitimacy?"
"I didn't, Min." Hermione gave Minerva a big smile.
While Hermione had yet to call Minerva and Albus 'màthair' and 'dad', admitting that they were her parents was a huge step.
The Welcome Feast went by without a hitch. Hermione stayed in the quarters she shared with Minerva. The first day of classes also went by rather well, everyone was still getting used to the routine. It wouldn't be until the next week that student started acting up.
That evening, Minerva carried Hermione to Albus' office via the secret passages.
"Where are we going, Min?" Hermione giggled, her eyes were covered so she couldn't see where they were headed.
"You'll see in a minute, Kitten." Minerva chuckled at Hermione's impatience.
As they exited the passage and entered Albus' office, they were greeted by a chorus of, "Surprise!" and "Happy Birthday!"
"You can open you eye now, little one." Albus smiled as Hermione eyes opened, betraying her surprise.
"What is this?" she asked.
"It's a surprise birthday party, little Min." Hooch teased, pinching Hermione's check.
Giggling, Hermione slapped Hooch's hand away, "Don't do that, Aunt Hooch."
"Yes, Hooch, refrain from injuring our niece." Severus drawled, smiling at the girl in Minerva's arms.
"Uncle Severus!" Hermione cried, and launched herself out of Minerva's arm and into the Potions professor's.
"I think you are getting a little big, don't you?" Severus smirked.
"Nu-uh" Hermione shook her head, "Healer Mathews says I won't be normal size until I'm about twelve and even then I'll be small for my age."
"Well, then I guess I can still pick you up." Severus winked conspiratorially.
"Since this is Hermione's first birthday party, I saw we have cake and then she can open her presents." Albus announced as he carried the cake with ten candles in.
"I have presents!" Hermione smiled wide, "I thought presents were just for Christmas. But I get presents for my birthday too!"
"Yes, squirt, you get presents." Sprout assured her, "We all got you a present."
"Oh, you didn't have to do that." Hermione hide her face in Severus' shoulder.
"Hey, we wanted to get you presents." Severus assured her. "You're our niece, which means we get to spoil you."
"So can we have cake now?" Professor Vector asked, causing the whole room to burst out in laughter.
After they had demolished the cake, Albus announced that it was present time and he would hand them to Hermione.
Hermione sat on the floor, at Minerva's feet, beamed at the fact that she was receiving presents.
"Here you go; this one is from Professor Sinistra." Albus handed Hermione an oblong package.
Hermione carefully opened it to reveal a telescope with crystal refractors***, "Thank you Aunt Aurora." Hermione gave her a big hug around the neck.
"You are quite welcome. This way you have the finest telescope for your first year." Sinistra smiled.
"The next one is from Professor Vector." Albus said, handing Hermione a book-like package.
Hermione tore open the package, inside was the newest edition of Arthmancy: Predicting the Future.
"Thank you Aunt Septima." Hermione gave the witch a hug around the waist.
"I know what you think of Divination, but this is a different read. I promise." Professor Vector said.
"And next is from Professor Babbling." Albus handed Hermione a small square package.
Hermione opened the package revealing a rune carved into stone.
"It's up to you to figure out what it says." Professor Babbling informed her.
"Thank you." Hermione gushed, hugging the witch.
Charity Burbage gave Hermione a journal, "So you can right important things down." She got a "thank you" and a shy smile.
Filius gave Hermione a book Charms and Transfiguration "Thank you so much!" Hermione bowled the shorter wizard over when she gave him a hug.
"Easy there, Lassie. I am shorter than you." Filius chuckled.
"Sorry." Hermione grinned.
His wife, Professor Sprout, gave Hermione a beautiful locket. "So you can put pictures of your family in there."
Hermione gave Sprout a hug around the neck, "Thank you." She whispered.
Kettleburn gave Hermione a The Encyclopedia of Dragons.
Hooch gave Hermione a broom cleaning kit, much to Hermione's amusement.
Severus supplied Hermione with enough basic potion ingredients to last her two years.
Hagrid had tried to give her a Cornish Pixie; but Minerva had shot that down, so he gave her a book on Cornish Pixies instead.
Whinny, who had insisted on getting the 'Little Miss' something, gave Hermione a silver bracelet tied together with an intricate Celtic knot.
Albus gave Hermione two pair of socks, because "You can never have enough socks, little one."
Albus handed Hermione Minerva's gift with the utmost care. Hermione carefully tore the wrapping paper off and opened the box. Nestled inside was a beautiful, wiry, silver headpiece with an intricate Celtic knot with a sapphire in the center..
Hermione spun around and grasped Minerva in a hug. "Thank you, màthair." She whispered, not even aware that she had called Minerva 'màthair'.
"You are most welcome, Kitten."
"Now, that Hermione has gotten her presents and we have all had cake; I think that it is time we all headed to bed, considering it is well past midnight." Albus smiled, "Some of us have to teach tomorrow."
After Hermione thanked and hugged her adopted family one more time, Minerva carried the tired witch to bed. Hermione barely managed to change and crawl under the covers before she passed out.
A/N: I felt like a fluff chapter.
Màthair is Gaelic for mother.
*** I know absolutely nothing about telescopes.