5th July 1952
"Minerva, your letter has just arrived!" shouted Isobel from downstairs.
Minerva's stomach flipped in anticipation. Quickly she finished tying her long black hair into a plait and hurried down the stairs and into the kitchen where her mother was waiting for her.
"Calm down sweetheart and breathe," Isobel said, noticing the anxious look etched on her daughter's face. "You worked hard for these exams," she added. "Nothing in here should come as a surprise."
Isobel handed Minerva her NEWTs results letter and Minerva took it quickly. However, as soon as she had the letter in her hand, she did not want to see what was inside. This letter would change her life completely. It would tell her whether she would be able to go to the Ministry, where she would work in the future and if disaster struck, no matter how much Minerva loved Hogwarts, whether she would need to go back again.
"Minerva listen to me," started Isobel who lifted her daughter's head with the tips of her fingers, "You will be fine."
Minerva gave a strange sort of movement between a shrug and a nod before looking back down at the letter in her hands. Then, breathing in deeply, she flipped it around and unsealed it.
"I couldn't be more proud of you lass," said her father when he returned from church. He beamed and brought her into a tight embrace. "Well done, lass."
Minerva smiled as he ruffled her hair affectionately. "Thanks, Dad."
"Robert?"
Minerva and Robert turned to see Isobel coming out of the kitchen.
"Arthur will be here soon," she said. Her eyes landed on the small slip and certificates Minerva had in her hands. Understanding dawning, Minerva nodded, feeling the smile slowly fade from her lips.
"I'll put this away," she said, quietly. She looked up again and tried to smile. "I'll be just a moment."
Minerva hurried upstairs and went towards her bedside table to carefully open the drawer. In it were several other certificates, her most prized one being the Transfiguration Today Most Promising Newcomer Award. Seeing as they had regular Muggle visitors, Minerva could never risk putting them in a place where someone may accidentally spot them.
Sadly, she slowly stowed away her results paper and closed the drawer. Then, composing herself and straightening her skirt, she walked back down the stairs in order to be ready to greet the guest who had just arrived.
"Hello Robert, Isobel," said Arthur, a close friend of Minerva's father.
"Good evening Arthur," said Isobel as she walked to close the door behind him.
"My word!" exclaimed Arthur as Malcolm and Robert entered the hallway. "Malcolm and Robert, how are you? I haven't seen you since you were babies, my goodness haven't you grown!" Arthur beamed and went forward to shake the hands of the two youngest McGonagall's who were trying very hard not to giggle.
Minerva walked down the stairs and also shook hands with the guest before he was directed towards the dining room. "Behave, boys," she whispered to her brothers as they started to laugh at the retreating back of Arthur Miggs.