The years passed quickly with muggle school, muggle sports, dance classes, music classes and wizarding tutoring. The children grew up knowing about both worlds and learned how to navigate both. Minerva, Remus and Sirius worked on learning the Founders' history and magic and then teaching it to the Founders' heirs. It was painstakingly hard to separate the children weekly to teach family magic secrets to them and then explaining why they couldn't share it with the others. Fiona and Duncan were rather put out that they couldn't show their brother Harry what they learned.
Much too soon for Minerva's liking, Fiona was standing on the platform to load the Hogwarts Express that would take her to Hogwarts for her first year. Minerva had forgone the strict Professor McGonagall look and had dressed simply as Minerva McGonagall McGregor, the witch sending her eldest child to Hogwarts for the first time. "You ready love," she asked her child.
Fiona smiled at her mother but shrugged her shoulders. Minerva crouched down even with her child and drew her close. "It doesn't matter what House you are sorted in or what friends you make," Minerva reassured her daughter. "As long as you are true to yourself and try your hardest than I shall be proud of you."
"Thank you Momma," Fiona whispered as she hugged her mother tightly.
Minerva kissed her cheek and pushed her towards the train. "You best board the train and find a seat," she said. "I shall see you at Hogwarts."
Minerva smiled as she watched Fiona step off the boat that she rode across the lake on. She had been so caught up in the magic of Hogwarts at night that she hadn't noticed her yet. Minerva cleared her throat to gain the first year attention and then gave her Four House speech that she gave each year. She winked at Fiona before turning her back and leading the group to the Great Hall.
Minerva steadily read the names on the list and watched as nervous first years were sorted into their Houses. "Fiona McGregor," she called and watched as her daughter walked confidently to the stool.
Minerva placed the hat on her daughter's head and waited while the sorting hat made its decision. "Slythrein," it finally called out.
Fiona looked nervously at her mother who merely smiled at her. Unable to contain her excitement at her mother's unyielding support of her, she quickly hugged the witch's waist tightly. "I love you Momma," she cried happily. Minerva was suprised but hugged her daughter back just as tightly.
"You should address Professor McGonagall as her rightful title," an older wizard from the Head table bellowed in a disapproving tone.
Before Minerva could say a word, Fiona moved forward and glared at the wizard. "I am Heir Slythrein and according to the charter I am allowed to address anyone in the school as I see fit," she said. "This witch opened her home and heart to my brother and me. She has selflessly learned our family history and magic in order to teach us what we needed to know. This witch is the most important witch in my life and I shall not degrade her place in my heart by calling her anything other than Momma. You, sir, should learn to hold your tongue when you have no say in such matters."
"You should learn to respect your betters," the older wizard said spiteful.
Minerva started to open her mouth to verbally strip the hide from the prompous pureblood bigot but snapped it shut when her daughter held up her hand to her. Fiona stepped closer to the Head table and glared dangerously at the wizard before her. "Lady Hogwarts," she called out. "I, Heir of Slythrein, request the removal of this Board of Governors member from Hogwarts' property."
"Password please," a feminine voice boomed from above.
Minerva watched as Fiona hissed a phrase in Parseltongue and then summoned a danger and sliced the palm of her hand. She made a fist and allowed her blood to drip onto the stone floor. "I await your answer Lady Hogwarts," Fiona said fiercely.
"Granted Heir of Slythrein," the voice said the floor glowed brightly and absorbed Fiona's blood on the stone. A ribbon of green shot out of the stone and surrounded Fiona's hand. It healed her before moving to the Head table and wrapping around the wizard who had spoken out of turn. With a pop, the wizard disappeared from sight. "Lord Avery has been deposited in Hogsmeade and shall not be allowed back on Hogwarts' grounds."
"Thank you Lady Hogwarts," Fiona said calmly as she walked back to her mother, hugged her once again and gracefully made her way to Slythrein House table with her head held high.
Minerva grinned proudly at her daughter before reading the next name on her list. She couldn't wait to share this story with the rest of the family.
Minerva stopped by Diagon Alley and purchased a memory viewing crystal before she returned home. She wordlessly went to the living room and pulled the memory of Fiona's sorting from her mind. She inserted it into the viewing crystal and settled back on the couch. "Start it Remus," she said simply as she kept her face blank of emotions.
Remus, Sirius and Dougal watched the memory in shocked suprise. "That little wildcat can't be my little Fiona?" Dougal gasped out.
Minerva smiled and nodded her head. "It seems Fiona is extremely protective of her famy and her place in it.," she said extremely proud of Fiona's fiercely defying actions.
"The Parseltongue and use of blood will assure her easy acceptance into Slythrein House," Sirius said as he glanced at Minerva. "Probably will have Slythrein House offering more respect towards you in general as well."
Minerva nodded her head. "I thought the same," she admitted.