III

Magic Is Befitting

September of 1992

Hogwarts School

Of

Witchcraft and Wizardry

Minerva woke from her slumber to find Luna adjusting a blue-black tie, and her other roommates already gone, it was the two of them left, the sun glared from her bedside.

Alarmed, she shot out of her bed with a start, and rushed to her trunk, unbuckling it, and fumbling for her fresh set of school robes her mother had packed for her, it was her first day and she overslept, what would she be writing in her next letter, that she was late to Transfiguration because of sheer laziness?

Professor McGonagall was not fond of her, it only took Minerva mere moments to find out the woman's inherent distaste to something about her, in any way though, she should be trying to subtly convince Minerva that she was not some hopeless first year but being late was not the best start.

Finding the plain school robes, identical to what she wore last night on her venture here, Minerva harshly yanked it from the pile of clothes that it was submerged under, with the trunk finally giving up its tug of war, she went to dash into the dorm bathrooms when Luna spoke, wispy and calm.

'You forgot your socks, Minnie.'

Pausing, Minerva looked at the set of robes and indeed one article of a sock was missing from its other pair. 'God!' exclaimed she, feeling stupid, she turned and ran back to the suitcase.

'Why are you rushing so? We have plenty of time,' said Luna, finished with her tie. 'It's not the end of the world.'

'What do you mean?' cried Minerva, her young face wrinkled, hurling clothing after clothing behind her in an attempt to find the twin of the sock she had, she did not want to wear the same pair she did for the whole day, from the train station to the dormitories.

'It's only a quarter past seven, the others woke up to make a good impression, but really, it is quite unnecessary, we have so long to eat breakfast, the prefects will be escorting us to classes.' Luna continued, plopping herself onto Minerva's bed.

'I think you should know by now that I am trying to make a good impression, Luna!' sighed Minerva in exasperation. 'Can I borrow one of your socks? I can't seem to find mine.'

'You don't have to, they already gave us a pair of socks along with our robes, didn't you see – oh, you were too busy with your socks, I'm sorry.'

Minerva tarried her assault on her trunk, and looked to Luna incredulously, 'What robes…?' asked she.

'Our Ravenclaw robes, of course.' Luna answered, her tone indifferent and friendly, as if she did not notice how stupid Minerva appeared to be, or she did and simply must have ignored it.

It was then that Minerva noticed the eagle crest embroidered into the left chest, the navy-blue tie laced with black hanging neatly around her neck, as well as the thin woolen socks of the same colour schemes.

'Remember Mina, the house elves will be placing your house robes into your personal wardrobes with proper measurements given to them by Madame Malkins, it all happens while you sleep on your first night, I was quite surprised too on my first day.'

Her father's words echoed, and Minerva's face prickled with heating embarrassment; how could she forget something so important? She felt glad that it was merely Luna in the room then to see her drama unfold.

'How did I get sorted into Ravenclaw?' mumbled she, and lifted from her knees, her dash was now a saunter, Luna's words of them not being too late though did little to calm her, she was resigned.

'Not all Ravenclaws are smart,' said Luna, her face curled upwards. 'They are extraordinary.'

'I think you've met the first exception to that here,' scoffed Minerva, her tiny finger clasping around the wooden knob, a part of her was expecting to be fooled about house elves in her dorm, but surprised she was, Luna was right, suspended in the air and facing her was a crisp and unwrinkled Ravenclaw robe.

'For a second, I though it was another student when I opened mine.' Luna mused from her bed, but Minerva barely heard it.

Her friend was right, but Minerva was too absorbed with the fact she, indeed was now a student of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and was a learning witch, that none of this was a tall tale from her parents, or worse, a dream.

'You can go to the bathroom to change, I have to say, the tie is quite a menace, it's even trickier than finding Nargles,' said Luna. 'I'll wait here.'

'Thanks,' smiled Minerva. 'I have a feeling I might need your help with the tie, even Mamma hates it.'

'Hello, I'm Penelope Clearwater, are you the other Minerva the seventh years call?'

Minerva Greened paused midway, her soup filled spoon inches from her mouth, blue-grey eyes zoned in on the girl opposite to her, she had a short blond bob, blue eyes, and a freckled face, she seemed nice if not obviously nosy.

'Yes, Minerva Greene, nice to meet you,' answered she, albeit awkward and hesitant, and dipped her spoon back into her bowl of soup, stirring it, her gaze lowered.

'Do you like Quidditch then?'

'I have never seen a match before.'

Minerva had never looked much into the sport, she was not interested in playing, so why bother? She shared the views of her parents in that, but never realized that Quidditch was so important as it was from the reaction of her peer.

'Oh, Merlin! How come you haven't?' gasped Penelope, then in a lowered voice, whispered. 'You're a muggleborn aren't you?'

'Both my parents are magical,' replied Minerva, 'make what you will with that, what about your parents?' asked she, brow raised.

Penelope's eyes brightened at the question, it did not need much time to figure out Minerva would likely be here for many hours listening to Penelope ramble about varying topics, now beginning with her parents.

Wrong question indeed.

'Oh, mum's a muggle and dad's a wizard, you know how they met? Of course, you don't, I'll tell you, so you know how the Ministry officials, some of them I suppose, flush themselves in a toilet-

'Minnie, are you expecting something today?' asked Luna from beside her, Minerva was glad for the interruption, though Penelope continued, a second year next to her having to pretend to listen.

'I did write a letter to Pappa and Mamma, maybe their reply? I don't think I have anything else besides that. You?'

'Maybe a new edition of the Quibbler? – oh, my book on Nargles! I'll give it to you tonight, remind me about it, will you?'

'Of course, Luna.' Minerva replied.

The loud flapping of wings accompanied with chirpy cries rumbled through the Great Hall, owls flew in from the opened windows, soaring over the students and staff, Minerva's face mirrored the first years that of awe, but the older students, the sixth and seventh years perhaps, looked nonchalant, some even annoyed with the interruption.

'Oh, mail!' exclaimed Penelope, stopping her already ignored story midway, she too seemingly forgetting about it, was now invested in watching the birds drop packages, some landing on the heads of unfortunate students, and others, on their food.

The black feathers of Nox became clearer to Minerva as the bird flew to the Ravenclaw table, a letter and a small package held in its talons, a smile lit her face as Nox dropped her mail, right in front of her, skillfully avoiding the bowl of soup, she knew there was a reason her father picked him.

Minerva's hope risen when she saw the neat cursive writing of her father, perfectly aligned and spaced, not a single smudge on it.

'I think your wish came true,' said Luna, peering a glance.

'It was not a wish or anything, just – an unquenchable desire?'

'A wish.'

'Yeah, it is a wish.'

Luna turned away, letting Minerva read in privacy, a small gesture that she did not miss, and appreciated, 'What did you get?' asked she in a soft tone, her letter still unopened.

'Oh, as I expected, another edition of the Quibbler, and a letter from father, I haven't opened it either.' Luna explained.

'Well, why don't we open ours together then?' suggested Minerva, shrugging her shoulders, a shy smile painted on her swarthy face.

'Is there any reason not to?' smiled Luna. 'We have to be quick though, otherwise the Nargles will come? Or so I've been told.'

'Then what about the others?' asked Minerva, gesturing around where all other students, even the ones sitting close to them at the Ravenclaw table reading letters or opening packages.

'It only happens to people who believe in them, like you and I.' She explained in a low voice, yet still, the softness lingered.

Minerva could not seem to find an appropriate reply to that.

'Alright, quickly then … should we have a countdown?'

'A countdown? – like one, two, three?'

'Yes, but I usually say three, two, one.'

'Really?'

'I'll explain later, now we have to open this, on one – three…'

Both girls watched each other's movements and grabbed their respective envelopes.

'…two…'

Their fingers clutched the waxed seals, one shaped with the skull of an eagle, the other a set of unusual spectacles that the former did not recognize.

'…three…'

Minerva Greene and Luna Lovegood tore the wax seals and pulled the flaps of their envelopes, and snatched the folded piece of parchment inside it, once again, keeping her silent one-sided promise from before, Luna turned away.

Minerva was stifling giggles at their childishness, she loved it secretly, and told herself to write about it to her next letter along with Nargles.

'We're lucky, the Nargles didn't get to us this time.' Luna mused, reading her letter.

'You're right.' Minerva mumbled; her eyes moved to scan the contents of the letter.

Our dear Mina/Minnie,

Minerva was smiling already, before the letter had even begun yet, when would the debate over her nickname ever end?

(I do not know why you doubted that I would not be satisfied with the revelation of your House, I found Ravenclaw a tolerable brilliant House, and that Rowena Ravenclaw shall have an extraordinary addition to her beloved House, though I did have half expectations for you to end up in Slytherin, as you know it being a great House of the Noble Salazar Slytherin, one of the greatest wizards of all time, even where Merlin was descended from and I too as you know, Slytherin is the house of the cunning, the ambitious and resourceful, Salazar would have been so lucky to have you, but I suppose I am not surprised) - Minnie, this is your Mamma, ignore everything that your Pappa just said, you are intelligent and wise, if not a little naughty, and you are right, that is one step closer to our Order, if you wanted to know, I was sad that I was not sorted into Ravenclaw, but instead Gryffindor, but I realized no matter my house, I will strive to become better.

'RONALD WEASLEYY!'

Minerva flinched in her seat, the shriek that interrupted her as well as her fellow schoolmates and teachers came from the Gryffindor table, where a red-headed boy, second or first she did not know, was being yelled at by a flying letter, for a second, she though it sounded like Granny Maya who once scolded her father when he accidently burned her tapestry work during a petty argument with her mother.

Not liking the interjection, she decided to listen to the poor boy getting scolded presumably by his mother, she could not find it in her to sympathize with him and desperately tried to hide the smile forming on her lips.

'-I AM ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTED! YOUR FATHER'S NOW FACING AN INQUIRY AT WORK AND IT'S ENTIRELY YOUR FAULT! IF YOU PUT ANOTHER TOE OUT OF LINE, WE'LL BRING YOU STRAIGHT HOME! — Oh, and Ginny dear, congratulations on making Gryffindor. Your father and I are so proud.'

The Great Hall was lined with laughter, from first years to seventh years alike, teasing the boy, though none meant any offense until she noticed the Slytherins calling him names, one particular blond boy seemed to be enjoying the show the most of all.

Minerva, after one final look at the Gryffindor table, dissolved her grin, and continued to read, not before mentally noting to describe the howler incident. Minerva hoped that she would not have to be face the end like the red-headed boy.

As for the name, yes Minnie, I know of Professor McGonagall as does your father, she taught both us and was also a wonderful professor, but your naming has nothing to do with that, we named you Minerva because it was a strong name, fit for the Goddess of War and Wisdom, and the latter, I know you are. Professor Snape was your father and I's classmate believe it or not, and he was a good friend of mine too.

As for Luna, I know her father very well, he was rather peculiar but still a good student and wizard, I would not be surprised if his daughter is just as eccentric and fairy like as he is, you seem to have made a great friend, please do not lose her Minnie.

Finally, your mother gave me the pen back, though she has crossed off nearly half of what I wrote, I cannot stay angry albeit a bit annoyed. She is glaring at me behind my back as I know. And yes, your mother has caught a rather slippery Templar in Lambeth. Remember my words, Hogwarts is unlike any other, I am considering a chance to see it, though it being allowed it quite low, do not worry, four more months and we get to see you. Your mother packed some chocolate in there, your grandmother made it; Diana believes you won't be liking the candy at Hogsmeade (even though you are not permitted there for two more years) or at dinner.

Do not forget Mina, don't let anyone find out about your sight, not now at least, they won't treat you the same then, if you have no choice but to use it, do it from some place hidden, where no one can see your eyes, if anything happens, do tell Dumbledore.

With love,

Father and Mother (you're mother wishes for me to change it)

Mamma and Pappa (and I got what I wanted - like I always do)

Minerva's package was indeed a box of chocolates, that too in her favorite heart shapes, she would never admit this to either of her parents, but Granny knew her the best.

'Chocolate?' asked she to Luna, who seemed to be staring off into space.

'Thank you.' replied the blonde, only taking a half of the piece she was offered.

Minerva continued with her soup, thinking about the last paragraph, she really wanted to test it out with Luna, maybe she could tell it to her friend, she really felt as if she could trust Luna, she would understand, and besides, Minerva was slowly starting to become a believer of Nargles.

The bells chimed from the Bell Tower, signaling the end of her first breakfast at Hogwarts, now Minerva realized, sneaking a glance at the Staff Table where Professor McGonagall stared at her with hard eyes, she was off to her first class.