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Minerva McGonagall was a woman with a plan. She aspired to always be prepared for any issues that may fall upon her desk, but to also have the quick thinking needed for when a situation changes unexpectedly. It was a mindset that she had developed through the years as students came and went, each more troublesome and filled with mischief than the last.
As she gazed down at the incoming first years, each one with an excited gleam in their eyes and a nervous grin, their hats bobbing along as they shuffled into the Great Hall, she couldn't help but to reflect on the many faces she'd seen in her time at Hogwarts. The many faces of Weasley children, all with that distinctive bright ginger hair and eyes filled with adventure. She could remember the many different children from the Black family, with those slate grey eyes and cool confidence.
She remembered Sirius even better, the whoop of joy he let out as he bounded towards the Gryffindor tables as gasps of outrage shook the room. James Potter followed behind him minutes later, wild hair in all directions and hazel eyes alight with glee and mischief. Lily Evans, followed years later by Harry, both with those sparkling emerald eyes filled with wonder at a world they had never known existed, yet slotted into so perfectly.
Those were some of the children she remembered the best, the ones that she watched grow in ways she had never expected. She could recall the others too, perhaps not their names, but their faces. Each child that walked through those doors, she felt the happiness flooding through her at another wave of children to teach and know. Every cub that entered Gryffindor held a place within her heart as one of her own. For seven years they became her children, and she cared for them and nurtured their souls as much as she could.
Her eyes twinkled as she caught a glimpse of turquoise among what she was sure would be the smallest group of first years they'd ever have at Hogwarts. Light amber eyes like his father, less shy than Remus had ever been, but definitely his son. The bright hair and bouncy nature of his mother (Minerva would never be able to forget Nymphadora Tonks and the excitement she had brought to the hall of Hogwarts).
Hogwarts was more magical than Teddy Lupin could have ever imagined. Magic seeped through the stone walls and he could feel himself being swept up with excitable cheer as he shuffled towards the hat sitting upon a small stool. Glancing up, his young eyes filled with wonder met a pair filled with wisdom and warmth that reminded him of his grandmother.
Yes, Minerva McGonagall always had a plan. No matter what, she always planned to provide a warm and welcoming environment for any child that entered the doors of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. She would fight for them to receive the education they deserved and give them the home that they needed. Hogwarts was a home for all, and Minerva would always be there to welcome them in.
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