September 1st found Minerva waiting patiently for Tom. He was supposed to meet her at King's Cross Station before she boarded the train. More and more students filled the platform and she still hadn't seen him. "Tom will be here shortly," her mother reassured her.

"I should of insisted on a time," Minerva muttered as she continued to scan the crowd.

"Hey now," a male voice said. "I promised I would see you off."

"Tom," she squealed in delight as she launched herself in his arms. He caught her easily and spun her around enjoying her laughter. "I was afraid you wouldn't make it."

"I was delayed," Tom said honestly. He grasped her hand and placed a ring on her pointing finger on her right hand. It was silver and emerald, a Heart Cut Emerald Green Claddagh ring she noted. "Gringotts just finished with it this morning."

"Goblin made," Minerva asked with a frown. "It must of cost a fortune."

"No frowning," Tom said with charming smile. "When they found out it was for you, it cost significantly less. I did some jobs for them and worked it out."

"Still marking your territory son," Robert McGonagall asked with a chuckle. "Isn't it a bit much considering you wear betrothal rings?"

Tom grinned at him and nodded his head. "I am protecting our girl. This ring has a charm on it that will stun any other males that touch her inappropriately."

"Tom," she whined. "I am capable of taking care of myself."

"Of that I have no doubt," he said with a smile. "Its the male population I don't trust. What's wrong with wearing a token of my affection?"

Isobel McGonagall laughed out loud at that. "He has you love," she said with a smile. "Just enjoy he thought enough of you to work extra hours to be able to purchase that lovely ring for you."

"It is lovely," Minerva agreed quietly. She smiled up at Tom and grinned knowingly at him. She raised her eyebrow up and asked, "What other charms does it have on it?"

He looked sheepishly and muttered, "It will alert whoever is nearest you at the time between Dad, Isobel or me that you need help and your exact location."

"Oh Tom," Minerva said with a sigh. "Whatever shall I do with you?"

He grinned mischievously and suggested, "Love me forever!"

She was still smiling as Tom hoisted her onto the train into Rebeus Hagrid's arms. "I will take care of her for you Tom," the half giant said.

"Of that I have no doubt my friend," Tom called as he waved goodbye to his little love. He was glad Hagrid was taking an apprenticeship in Care of Magical Creatures so that he could watch out for Minerva this year.

Minerva breathed a sigh of relief as she stepped into Hogwarts and walked into the Great Hall. She was finally home. It was hard to describe it but she believed Hogwarts would always be her home. She assumed it was because of her past lifetime or that she knew she was destined to run Hogwarts in her future. Either way, she knew she was home.

Finally, her name was called and she walked to the stool and waited patiently for Albus to put the Sorting Hat on her head. She listened as the Hat spoke and smiled when she realized the hat was having the same conversation as last timeline just so she would be considered a hat stall. She had held the record until Harry Potter arrived. Before you call out Gryffindor, will you send a message to Helena Ravenclaw? Intrigued, the Sorting Hat agreed. Please let Grandmother know I am finally here and would like to speak with her at her convenience. The Sorting Hat agreed with her request.

As Gryffindor was called out loudly, Minerva moved to the Gryffindor table and enjoyed the feast.

Albus came and requested she follow him after the feast. Although she was confused by the request, she did as he asked. He lead her towards the Gryffindor common room but continued past it and to the portrait that guarded her rooms in her past life.

"Why are we here Albus," she asked curiously.

Albus winked at her before giving the password and entering the room. Minerva shrugged and followed behind him. "The Grey Lady became upset once the elves put your belongings in the Gryffindor dormitories," he explained. "She informed Headmaster Dippet you were entitled to private rooms since you are betrothed to a Founder's heir."

"She did," Minerva asked suprised. "She didn't mention me being Ravenclaw's heir?"

"Not a peep," he answered calmly. "It seems your secret is safe until you decide to broadcast it. As I was saying, Dippet ignored her because he felt you needed to be with the other Gryffindor first year girls," Albus confided. "The Grey Lady ordered the castle itself to ignore all commands of his until you were issued your own rooms as protocol demands. It was rather amusing watching him figure out she held more sway than he did."

"Oh my," Minerva replied. "It should be interesting when I see him then."

Albus smiled at her, his eyes twinkling merrily. "He was warned to leave you be or face his forceful eviction from the castle. The Grey Lady informed him you would be protected by the castle before any others. Dippet even argued that Tom hadn't had his own chambers but The Grey Lady explained it was because he didn't take his Lordship until he was of age. She continued that since Tom had now taken control of his Lordship then you, regardless of your age, should and would be treated like a Lady of the House."

Minerva chuckled at the amusement she saw on the wizard's face. "Well who I am to argue with that?"

The McGonagall family was enjoying breakfast when an owl swooped in the open window and landed in front of Isobel. "Good morning Solomon," she cooed at the regal eagle owl. "What do you have for me this morning?"

The owl hooted happily and stuck out his leg. She untied the letter and fed the bird a piece of bacon from her plate. "Is it from Minnie," Robert asked.

Isobel nodded and opened the letter quickly. She read the letter silently, her eyes widening as she went. She met her husband's gaze and summarized it. "Minerva was sorted into Gryffindor after the longest recorded hat stall. She also managed to get a private set of rooms. Apparently the Grey Lady, that's the Ravenclaw ghost, insisted Minerva was entitled to a private set of rooms because of her betrothal to a Founder's heir. Albus told her Headmaster Dippet was threatened with a forceful exit from the castle if she was denied. The castle is apparently protecting her as well."

"A magical castle with ghosts and elves protective of Minnie?" Robert clarified. Isobel nodded yes. Robert studied it for a moment before commenting, "I find that appealing and I am sure Tom will agree with me." Isobel snorted in amusement at her husband's take on the situation.