1 September 1997

It was 4 o'clock in the morning. The wind was whistling loudly as it fought its way between the gaps of the rattling window panes in Minerva's rooms. Trees creaked and leaves rustled as the storm picked up in intensity.

Minerva couldn't sleep.

The Hogwarts Express was arriving in less than 24 hours. That thought alone caused a faint wave of nausea to wash over her. Panic and fear came next and were then followed by the heavy sense of dread and sorrow that had plagued Minerva ever since she had set eyes on Albus' tangled body in the courtyard.

At that last memory, Minerva breathed in sharply. She sat up in her bed and turned to place the soles of her feet on the floor. She counted to five, then to ten - taking care to try and breathe in and out at a measured rate.

But her efforts were in vain. Although her anxiety about the impending arrival of students that evening had eased somewhat, the pain in her chest had only intensified as she struggled to rid her mind of the image of Albus on the floor.

Minerva felt her eyes prickle but she shed no tears - there were none left. The sudden loss of her best friend was something she was unsure that she would ever be able to come to terms with. Like with Elphinstone, Albus' similarly sudden death meant closure was as ever elusive.

It did not help either that Amycus and Alecto Carrow, who had been there that fateful night up the Astronomy Tower, as well as Severus Snape, were all currently living inside Hogwarts. Snape was even living inside Albus' office.

The irony and unfairness of it all made Minerva's blood boil. She could not count on one hand how many times she had been on the brink of storming into Albus' office and turning her magic, unrestrained, on Snape. And term had not even started yet.

Minerva pressed her lips together and pushed herself up from her bed. There was no use trying to get back to sleep - she knew all hope was lost for any more rest. Instead, she walked to the window and pressed her forehead against the glass. She could see dementors moving eerily across the grounds. They had only been there for a week and already Minerva felt herself becoming more susceptible to their powers.

She closed her eyes and breathed out slowly.

"Come on, Minerva," she said. "Come on."

She took another deep breath, opened her eyes and turned to go back into her room and get ready for the day.

"I was thinking—"

"An admirable exercise, Amycus, I must say. However, in this case, it will be entirely unnecessary," Minerva interrupted, reaching out to put a hand on Longbottom's shoulder.

Longbottom looked as though he was on the verge of speaking as Minerva moved him a little behind her, but she gave him a warning look and he closed his mouth again. Minerva was still somewhat surprised that it was Longbottom who had spoken out on the train earlier on. If Ginny Weasley and Luna Lovegood had not come to report the incident, Minerva doubted she would have known to find Longbottom in the dungeons with Amycus—waiting no doubt, to receive some form of punishment from the new 'correction officer'.

Minerva cleared her throat. "I understand that you wish to exercise your newfound powers, Amycus, however, I will remind you that you are in charge of the sorting this year," she said. "It would not do to be late. I can assure you now that Mr Longbottom will receive proper punishment for thinking it was within his right to—erm—speak on the train."

Picking up on Minerva's sarcasm, Amycus' features morphed into an expression that could only be described as hatred. "The Headmaster will hear about this."

"If you believe that is necessary, then I shall not stop you," Minerva replied, reaching forwards to open the door. She gave him a thin-lipped smile. "After you, Amycus. I believe the first years are eagerly waiting for the sorting ceremony to begin."

She raised her eyebrows pointedly and, with one last dark look in her direction, Amycus turned on his heel and marched towards the Great Hall. Once he was safely out of sight, and earshot, Minerva's shoulders dropped slightly and she closed her eyes for a fraction of a second before turning to face Neville Longbottom.

"I can only assume that you spoke ill of—"

"I only said the truth," Longbottom interrupted. He then blushed, having surprised himself as much as he had Minerva by speaking so confidently. "Sorry, Professor."

"I was not reproaching you, Longbottom," Minerva replied. She pursed her lips slightly as she considered the boy before her and what she could tell him. "However, while many here no doubt share your views, it would be wise to remember that Hogwarts is not the same as it was when you were last here."

Longbottom nodded. "I understand."

"I hope you do because your new professors—" she stopped herself, and paused before continuing, "You may not be so fortunate should this happen again, Mr Longbottom. Do you understand what I am saying?"

She looked at him significantly over her spectacles and Neville Longbottom nodded once more.

"I do, Professor McGonagall."

Minerva reached out to open the door again. "Good. Now, let us rejoin the rest of the school."

They walked side-by-side to the Great Hall. Minerva was about to open the doors when Longbottom cleared his throat.

"What about my punishment, Professor?"

"Erm—" Torn between giving the boy a punishment or not, Minerva hesitated for a brief second before finally settling on a decision. "I think you demonstrated enough regret over your actions," she said, avoiding his eyes. She pushed open the door. "Come along, Longbottom."

She held the door open for him and, as he walked past, Minerva was certain that she heard him whisper, "Thank you, Professor McGonagall."