Minerva's first 5 years at Hogwarts flew by for her and she found herself preparing for OWLs. She loved the challenge of using only currently known information. She had forgotten how far these fields of magic had came in the last 50 years or so. She found herself enjoying the review and made a mental note to keep the NEWT classes more active in the research of each field once she came back to teach.
Minerva walked into the Great Hall and settled down for her Transfiguration Owl. The tests were passed out and she noted she was given an extra one, well a NEWT exam as well. Frowning she looked at the man that passed the exams out. "Just curious on your skill level after hearing Albus talk of your abilities," he answered. "You will have an additional hour if you require it."
Nodding her understanding, she started her tests. She breezed through both of them and sat quietly while the others were were still working. "You don't want to check over your work," a witch asked.
"I find initial thoughts and answers serve me better," Minerva answered politely.
"Very well," the witch replied and took Minerva's exams. "Please go to the Transfiguration classroom. We are doing the practical testing there."
"Yes Madam," she said and headed that way.
Minerva noted she was the only student there. There was a witch and wizard there talking quietly with Albus Dumbledore. "Good evening Minerva," he said cheerfully, the ever-present twinkle in his blue eyes caused her to smile at him. "The examiners don't quite believe me when I talk of your skills. Will you be so kind as to prove your future father-in-law correct?"
Minerva snorted at his request and decided to help the old man out. "Sure Albus," she answered and waited for further directions.
For an entire hour, Minerva was asked to do task after task. She realized she was asked to do well above OWL level work but felt comfortable doing so since Albus was smiling in the corner. Finally they asked her jokingly if she had any hidden skills. Minerva winked at Albus before she answered cheekily, "As a matter of fact I do!"
She smiled brightly and flawlessly transformed into a silver striped tabby cat with square spectacle shaped markings around her eyes. She jumped onto a nearby desk and sat patiently as they walked around her and took notes. "Lovely," the witch said as she asked Minerva to transform back. "Beautifully done Miss McGonagall! I assume you haven't register yet."
"No madam," Minerva answered politely.
"I had no idea she was capable of that," Albus said, amazement in his voice.
"I have a form with me," the witch said. "Let me grab it and we will fill it out. I will register it once I register your OWL results."
"Thank you," Minerva said happily. She had missed transforming into her Tabby cat and was grateful she now could do so. She originally thought she would have to wait until NEWTs before she could find an excuse to show her animagus ability. She left the room happy with her achievements.
Minerva was sitting at the kitchen enjoying breakfast when Albus and Tom made an appearance. "Tom," she shouted excitedly as she jumped up and launched herself into his arms. The gentle kiss sent a jolt of reaffirmation through the soul bond. "You're just in time for breakfast."
"Make yourself seats," Robert commented to Albus as the man in question did just that. "What brings you by this early?"
"Fill your plates first," Isobel demanded as she gestured to the heaping plates of food.
Albus and Tom did as ordered by the witch of the house. They ate a few bites before Albus answered. "I brought Minerva's OWL results."
Minerva smiled and held her hand out for the envelope. Smiling she opened it and quickly read the letter. "Nine OWLs," Minerva said excitedly. "All perfect scores." She handed her mother her letter and smiled at Tom.
"Those test results deserve an award," Isobel offered delighted with her daughter's achievements. "You earned yourself a trip to Flourish and Blotts!"
"Thank you Mother," Minerva said happily. She was never going to turn down a trip to any bookstore!
Albus cleared his throat and gained everyone's attention once again. "I may have signed you up for your Transfiguration NEWT on purpose but I didn't want you to overthink it," he confessed and held out another envelope.
Suprised, Minerva opened the envelope and read her letter. "A perfect score," she breathed. "A task that has never been done in Transfiguration!"
"You took your Transfiguration OWL and NEWT together," her mother asked suprised. "That's unheard of!"
"It is," Albus said. "I made a calculated move to help Minerva become a household name when it comes to education. If she wants a position at Hogwarts and wants to make changes to the curriculum then she needs the public's approval. Perfect scores should help with that."
"Thank you Albus," she grinned as she ate a bit of her breakfast.
"You're welcome," he responded, the pleased look on his face intrigued her. "Your perfect scores, your practical demonstration and your flawless, animagus form caused quite the stir with the Wizarding Examinations Authority. They debated between themselves for over a week before they decided on a course of action. They wrote you a letter."
Confused Minerva took the offered letter and opened it slowly. She read it silently, looked up at Albus sharply and then reread it. "They granted me a Level 1 Transfiguration mastery," she breathed in shock. "I'm the youngest ever recipient."
"That's wonderful news," Isobel praised. Minerva remained silent in her shock throughout the remainder of breakfast.
A barn owl soared into the window and delivered the Daily Prophet to Isobel. She offered a piece of meat to the owl and then laid the paper to the side to read later.
"You may want to read the front page story," Albus gestured to the paper.
Isobel raised her eyebrow in silent question but did as he suggested. She gasped as she saw the front page. Hogwarts' Fifth Year Student Awarded Transfiguration Mastery! Isobel noticed a lovely picture of Minerva smiling brightly in her Gryffindor uniform, a picture of her animagus form sitting on a desk and then a picture of her completing a complicated Transfiguration. All three pictures were amazing and showed Minerva's undeniable beauty. Isobel read the article out loud much to the embarrassment of Minerva. Isobel smiled at Minerva, pride evident on her features. "I guess your achievements might deserve more than just a trip to the bookstore," she said smirking at her daughter.