11. Anna's Turn
A/N: For those of you who wondered if I was finished with the fic itself, please take a look at the summary: Glimpses of Minerva McGonagall's life up through OotP. In other words, I'm far from done. Anyway, Anna starts at Hogwarts.
Minerva watched anxiously as her husband led the first-year students into the Great Hall. Her eyes landed on a girl with long black hair pulled back into a braid, with bright blue eyes sparkling behind oval glasses. When her gaze met Minerva's, she grinned and winked. Minerva nodded to her, smiling slightly. The first-year students lined up in front of the High Table, facing the older students. Albus quietly set the Sorting Hat and stool in front of the students.
When it had finished singing, Albus stepped forward holding a scroll and began to call names. At long last, he called, "Potter, Anna!"
She stepped forward and sat down on the stool. What seemed like an eternity to Minerva was really about thirty seconds before the Hat announced, "RAVENCLAW!"
A cheer arose from the Ravenclaw table as Albus removed the Hat and murmured something to Anna before she joined her new Housemates. Minerva sat back in her chair with a quiet sigh of relief. She'd hoped her younger daughter would be a Gryffindor, but it didn't really matter anyway. She was just glad that the question of her daughter's House was settled.
"Minerva? Is something wrong?" Albus asked that evening as they prepared for bed. She'd been quiet and thoughtful all evening.
She shook her head, even as she stared thoughtfully into space. "No, Albus, nothing's wrong."
"Are you sure?" he asked, coming up behind her and resting his hands on her shoulders.
She nodded, covering his hands with hers. "I'm sure."
"Very well." He dropped a kiss on the top of her head and moved toward the bed.
He'd just settled under the covers when Minerva asked very quietly, "How do you think Anna is doing right now?"
"What?" He rolled over in the bed to look at her.
She'd turned to look at him, her hair still loose her brush idle in her hands. "Do you think Anna is happy with Ravenclaw?"
"My dear, Anna has always loved to read and learn," Albus reminded her. "She will be fine."
Minerva was still doubtful. "What if she wanted to be in Gryffindor?"
"Minerva." Albus rose and, taking the brush from her hands, began to brush out her hair. "You are worrying unnecessarily. Once the Hat has Sorted a student, they cannot change their House."
She met his gaze in the mirror. "That still did not answer my question."
"The Hat listens to what a student wants," he told her quietly. "If a student does not want to be placed in a certain House, the Hat will not put them in that House. If a student wants a certain House and no other, they will be put in that House."
Minerva nodded, feeling relieved. "Thank you, Albus."
"You're welcome, my dear," he replied, setting the brush on her vanity table before easing her to her feet. "Now it is time for bed, we both have classes to teach tomorrow."
They climbed into bed and gladly cuddled together to go to sleep. This was one thing Minerva had missed when they were apart during the school year. Sighing contentedly, she let sleep claim her.