As Noctua gave back the Sorting Hat to her aunt and slowly walked to the loudly cheering Gryffindor table, Minerva could hardly oppress a happy smile. Noctua was a Gryffindor! Her beloved Noctua was to be part of her beloved Gryffindor!

Yet, she did oppress her wide grin and placed the old hat on the head of a clearly very nervous little redhead, "Monsoon, Freya", whom was immediately sorted into "Hufflepuff".

But as she took the Hat off Miss Monsoon's head again, she realized that the strange feeling of warmth under her skin was pure happiness. And she realized that he past month had been one of the saddest as well as the happiest time of her life. Alfred and Katie were dead, of course, and she would never forget those two, those two people whom she'd adored so much. But their death- and she felt slightly guilty for that thought- had also made it possible for her to have Noctua near her, Noctua, whom she not only adored, but whom she loved with all her heart.

Noctua, who now was a Gryffindor.

***

Ron, Harry and Hermione cheered louder than anyone else at the Gryffindor Table when the Sorting Hat had sorted the new, "interesting", girl into Gryffindor.

As she was looking for a place to sit down, Hermione beckoned her and pointed at the empty spot next to her.

"You can sit here, if you want to."

With a friendly smile, the tall girl gratefully accepted the offer and sat down.

"Hello," she said, as she saw the curious looks of both Hermione and the boys. "I am Noctua. Noctua McGonagall."

"Hello," answered Hermione with a smile. "I am Hermione Granger, and they are…"

"Ron Weasley…" interrupted Ron, cheeks fiery red.

"And Harry Potter." added Harry.

Now it was Noctua's turn to look at the boys curiously. At Harry in particular. At Harry's scar in particular.

"The Harry Potter?"

Harry nodded slowly... but secretly he cursed his scar, again.

"Oh." Noctua muttered, feeling slightly uncomfortable about her impulsive question.

She turned to Hermione again. "Well, what year are you in?"

"Sixth." Hermione explained. "And you? I- well, I think you aren't a first year, are you?"

Noctua laughed. "Oh no… I am in sixth as well."

"Are you related to McGonagall?" Ron suddenly asked boldly. His cheeks turned into an even deeper red as Hermione rolled her eyes and sent him a disapproving look.

"Ron… you are the most…"

But Noctua interrupted her new friend.

"It doesn't matter… Hermione. It isn't a secret. Yes, Professor McGonagall is my aunt."

"And why haven't you come to Hogwarts in first year?"

Hermione glanced at Harry furiously.

"My god, have you boys appointed this day as the Official Day Of Rude Questions, or…"

But again, Noctua smiled, but it was not a happy smile.

"Another thing that isn't a secret. I am at Hogwarts now, because Auntie Minerva is my last living relative. My parents- mom and dad have been killed by Death Eaters a month ago… I- well, that is why…"

Noctua felt slightly ashamed as she felt a tear on her cheek.

"Oh, I am so sorry for you." Hermione spoke quickly and sincerely. And with another angry look at the boys, she hissed under her breath

"See what you accomplish with your nice questions?"

But Noctua smiled again and stroked her tear away.

"It is okay. I am alright."

But she wasn't. There was one thing the Sorting Hat had said…

She had to speak to Aunt Minerva.

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