1st September 1956
Minerva straightened her long green robes and fetched her hat, the one that Annabelle had given her last year for Christmas. Before placing it on her head, she combed through her hair, making a mental note to trim it soon, before twisting it into a bun at the nape of her neck. Scooping up the last few stray hairs, she then carefully attached them with pins before placing her pointy hat on her head.
Her hand was trembling ever so slightly, however, apart from that Minerva was not nervous. In fact, you could go as far as saying that she was perhaps a little excited. It was an unusual sensation, almost alien to her at this point. With her new start at Hogwarts however, Minerva hoped that she could put the past in the past and keep it there. She wanted this to be a new beginning, a new start to her adult life.
Minerva looked at her reflection for a moment longer before shaking herself and picking up the brooch her mother and father had given her a few years ago. She then pinned it to her chest in order to keep her robes in place. Once she had got the pin in place, she stood back from the mirror and her eyes unwittingly settled on the reflection of a small box located on her desk. Despite her attempt to push those thoughts immediately out of her mind, Minerva still felt her heart give a painful throb as she the thought of Dougal's unopened letters still locked in the box, came back to haunt her.
"Forget about it Minerva," she reprimanded herself and resolutely turned around before giving a sharp intake of the breath, hand now placed onto her chest eyes closed shut, "Pomona! Gracious, don't do that!"
The witch standing at the door chuckled. "Talking to yourself now Minerva. You know that can only get away with it if you're old," she added.
Minerva rolled her eyes. "How did you get in?"
"You left the door open, silly," Pomona replied, coming to link arms with her friend. "Ready?"
Minerva picked up her wand from her desk, then nodded. Together both witches walked out of the study; Minerva making sure she locked the door behind her before they set off.
"Ogg will be bringing the students across the lake. The rest of the students should be arriving in a few minutes," Pomona explained, as they approached the doors to the Great Hall. "What did your brothers say when they learnt you were going to be their professor this year?"
"I have not told them yet," Minerva admitted. She smiled as Pomona chuckled beside her. "I do wonder what they will say."
"I'm sure they will be thrilled knowing they might be able to get out of certain punishments," Pomona teased.
Minerva smiled, though she shook her head. "I wouldn't be so sure," she said, just as Albus Dumbledore approached them.
"Ah Professor McGonagall, Professor Sprout!" he greeted them warmly. "Ready for a new year, I hope?" he asked.
"As always, Headmaster," Pomona replied.
Albus smiled. "That is good to hear," he said. His unusual watch chimed 3 times marking 7 o'clock. "I believe Ogg will be arriving at any moment," he said. "Horace?"
Horace Slughorn nodded, already getting up from his seat and leaving no doubt to greet the new first years in the Entrance Hall. As he opened the Great Hall doors, he was met by large groups of fifth years, fourth years, third years, second years and seventh and sixth years, all waiting to get inside.
Minerva could just about make out her brothers Malcolm and Robert. Robert was the first to notice her. His jaw dropped and he nudged Malcolm who also made the same expression. Pomona followed Minerva's gaze and chuckled.
"Come on, dear," she said, giving Minerva's arm a gentle tug. "Let's get a seat."