1st September 1956

Minerva straightened her long green robes and fetched her hat, the one that Annabelle had given her last year for Christmas. Sighing she combed her hair, making a mental note to trim it soon, before twisting it into a tight bun at the nape of her neck. Scooping up the stray hairs she carefully attached them with pins before placing her pointy hat on her head.

Her hand was trembling every so slightly, however, apart from that Minerva was not nervous, in fact, you could go as far as saying that she was perhaps a little excited.

Shaking herself she walked towards her desk and picked up a brooch her mother and father had given her and pinned it to her chest in order to keep her robes in place. Her eyes settled on a small box located on her desk and she felt her heart give a painful twinge as she the image of Dougal's unopened letters swirled in her mind..

"Forget about it Minerva," she reprimanded herself and resolutely turned around before giving a sharp intake of the breath, hand now placed onto her chest eyes closed shut, "Pomona," she said sharply once she had regained composure, "Don't do that!"

The witch standing at the door chuckled, "Talking to yourself now Minerva, bad signs. You can only get away with it if you're old," she added as Minerva walked towards her, her lips pursed. "My you will scare the first years if they see you like that," she added smirking as she took in Minerva's new and rather severe look.

"Hm," responded Minerva however, the corners of her lips twitched slightly and Pomona chuckled. "How did you get in?" asked Minerva who had given up trying to look stern.

"You left the door open, silly," answered Pomona and Minerva vaguely remembered not closing the door when she had returned from Hogsmeade.

They walked out of the office, Minerva making sure she locked the door behind her before they set off.

"So are you ready to meet your new students?" asked Pomona as both she and Minerva made their way to the Great Hall.

"I think so, mind you I haven't told my brothers who the new Transfiguration Professor is so I wonder what they will say," answered Minerva smiling slightly. Pomona chuckled as they rounded the corner and into the Great Hall.

"Ah Professor McGonagall, Professor Sprout!" greeted Albus Dumbledore beaming broadly, "Well rested I hope?" he asked, a knowing twinkle in his eyes.

Pomona inclined her head as she and Minerva approached the staff table where many of the other professors were already standing by.

"Good, good," said Dumbledore, "Before Ogg arrives with the new students, I would like to wish you all a successful year of teaching," he smiled, "I am sure this year will be as good as any other, good luck to you all!" he finished, at exactly the right moment because seconds later the doors of the Great Hall opened admitting hundreds of students chatting and giggling with each other.

Pomona patted Minerva on the shoulder and they both ascended the steps to the staff table where Dumbledore had left two seats to his left for them to sit on. As she took her seat, Minerva allowed herself a small smile at the sight of the groups of students milling into the Hall, laughing and shouting at the sight of their friends.

The sorting was quite brief and Minerva looked up to her old Professor who had stood up, raising his hands for silence. However, there was no need for this gesture as the second Dumbledore had raised himself from his chair, the chatting instantly stopped.

"Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts, " said Dumbledore in a loud yet warm voice, "I hope you have all had a pleasant holiday. I would like to introduce a new addition to the staff," he started and Minerva felt her heart beat quickly against her ribcage, "Professor McGonagall will be your new Transfiguration Professor for what I hope to be for many years to come. Please give her a warm welcome," he finished turning to Minerva and gesturing for her to stand up.

Minerva stood and tried not to show how nervous she really was. Briefly she glanced over the many heads in the Hall until her eyes fell upon her two brothers, sitting at the Ravenclaw table, staring open mouthed at her. As the Hall erupted with much clapping, Minerva supressed the urge to laugh at the shocked expressions on her brothers faces. Sitting back down, she straightened her hat, feeling the ball of anxiety disappear: this was where she belonged.

"They look overjoyed to see you," said Pomona patting her friend's shoulder as she followed Minerva's eyes.

Minerva chuckled, "I have them first thing tomorrow morning, I hope they're not too bad," she said looking over at Pomona who had leaned forwards to get some potatoes.

"Good luck," said Pomona jokingly then looking back at Minerva, "They're not that bad truthfully, although I do remember that last year they managed to set fire to the stands in the Quidditch Pitch," she finished frowning as she tried to remember the exact details of Malcolm and Robert's little adventure.

"Hm, they did manage to leave that out of their letters home," said Minerva glancing over at the Ravenclaw table where her brother's sat laughing.

Pomona laughed, "Well, I don't think they'll get away with any of that with you as their teacher," and she chuckled again at Minerva's expression.

The feast was an enjoyable one and Minerva felt the happiest she had felt in months, as she sat talking with Pomona and Professor Dumbledore.

Thanks for the reviews; they were very nice. Sorry for the short chapter I'll try and write a longer one for next time