Albus came- or, no, that's not true. Albus had been there all along. Professor Dumbledore, Transfigurations Professor, and my favorite teacher since the very first day. That was, of course, quite logical- I had a natural talent for his subject and it had always interested me. But especially in that 7th year. That doomed 7th year, as I sometimes put it, though I also know that it was a blessed 7th year as well.
Because if I had not been through it, I would not be the person I am now.
But do I want to be the person I am now?
And here she sits, Professor McGonagall, notorious know-it-all and always having an answer for all questions. But for the one question that matters, for the question of her life, she doesn't have an answer.
Perhaps there just is no answer.
~*~
The reason for that particular interest in Transfigurations during my 7th year was, I believe, my sudden dream of becoming an Animagus once. I knew they were very rare, and I knew it was advanced magic and I was, of course, very young, but that exactly formed the challenge for me.
I had never known much challenges in school life. Though Transfigurations was obviously my best subject, I was a very good student- I learned very quickly. I still do, for that matter.
But this- this was a challenge. If I managed to transform into an animal before my Graduation, I would be the youngest Animagus ever known of. It was not the fame that attracted me- I've never cared about fame- but it was just… something new.
And Minerva McGonagall has never, never ever in her entire life, denied a challenge.
~*~
So she, I –because it's ridiculous to speak of yourself in the 3nd person-, accepted.
Professor Dumbledore was very supportive. He was more convinced I could do it than I was myself. Because even though I knew I was good –I have never been the person to brag, but some things one does now- things didn't came as quick as I had expected them to come.
Animagus training was hard. Not only because of the high-level magic, but also because of the will-power which was certainly needed. The self-control. The inner strength. And I had, and have, always been a very strong-headed woman, but it is truly disappointing when all Transfigurations you had ever tried just- worked- and suddenly, you met something you couldn't do.
I finally realized how difficult my favorite subject was.
But Professor Dumbledore- Albus, as I grew to call him on all those training nights- supported me. He told my I could do it, and though, after months of work, my self-esteem was not exactly great, his words indeed helped me in a lot of ways.
I think it was then I fell in love with him.
Because if I had not been through it, I would not be the person I am now.
But do I want to be the person I am now?
And here she sits, Professor McGonagall, notorious know-it-all and always having an answer for all questions. But for the one question that matters, for the question of her life, she doesn't have an answer.
Perhaps there just is no answer.
~*~
The reason for that particular interest in Transfigurations during my 7th year was, I believe, my sudden dream of becoming an Animagus once. I knew they were very rare, and I knew it was advanced magic and I was, of course, very young, but that exactly formed the challenge for me.
I had never known much challenges in school life. Though Transfigurations was obviously my best subject, I was a very good student- I learned very quickly. I still do, for that matter.
But this- this was a challenge. If I managed to transform into an animal before my Graduation, I would be the youngest Animagus ever known of. It was not the fame that attracted me- I've never cared about fame- but it was just… something new.
And Minerva McGonagall has never, never ever in her entire life, denied a challenge.
~*~
So she, I –because it's ridiculous to speak of yourself in the 3nd person-, accepted.
Professor Dumbledore was very supportive. He was more convinced I could do it than I was myself. Because even though I knew I was good –I have never been the person to brag, but some things one does now- things didn't came as quick as I had expected them to come.
Animagus training was hard. Not only because of the high-level magic, but also because of the will-power which was certainly needed. The self-control. The inner strength. And I had, and have, always been a very strong-headed woman, but it is truly disappointing when all Transfigurations you had ever tried just- worked- and suddenly, you met something you couldn't do.
I finally realized how difficult my favorite subject was.
But Professor Dumbledore- Albus, as I grew to call him on all those training nights- supported me. He told my I could do it, and though, after months of work, my self-esteem was not exactly great, his words indeed helped me in a lot of ways.
I think it was then I fell in love with him.