Inside Dumbledore's office:
"You called for me Albus?" Maria asked. She was quick to note the slight change in the office. A smile lit up the fairies face as she took in the sight before her. "My my, the headmaster's chair really suits you" she complimented.
Albus merely shook his head at the young woman's antics but couldn't help the proud grin that stretched on his lips. Ever since he arrived at Hogwarts as a small eleven year old boy, he was fascinated by the school. Albus made a vow to come back as a teacher and now that he was offered the position as Headmaster- he couldn't have been happier.
Since day one, Maria and Albus have gotten along well. In fact, they got along so splendidly, that at times their closeness gave the illusion of an actively dating couple. But to Maria that couldn't have been further from the truth- her heart already belonged to someone else.
"I have asked you to come here as I wish to introduce you to our new transfiguration professor: Minerva McGonagall. On a second thought," he added, "I'm sure that you already know her."
Just as Albus had suggested, the name did seem to sound familiar to Maria. It suddenly occurred to her that she had indeed known a Minerva from her time at Alfea. "Yes she was a few years younger than me. I believe she attended Cloud Tower, but I've heard great things about her. Apparently she was a very gifted student. You were lucky to hire such talent" she stated, directing her compliment to Minerva, who had been keeping to herself in the corner of the office.
Minerva blushed slightly at the kind praise but smiled gratefully nonetheless. "Thank you. And you are correct in saying I attended Cloud Tower. It wasn't until later that my parents transferred me to Hogwarts."
Albus smiled at the pair, glad that his colleges were getting along. He was slightly worried when he hired Minerva, as he feared for Maria to reject her due to complications in the past regarding Cloud Tower- but it seemed the two got on well. "Well, now that introductions are over, could you please show professor McGonagall to her living quarters?" Albus asked, directing his question to Maria.
"Certainly headmaster." Maria replied giving him a curt nod in response. She beckoned Minerva to follow her, and swiftly left the office, heading towards the transfiguration section where her college was to reside in.
As the two professors walked down to Minerva's chambers, the topic of school and Magix came up. Maria couldn't help but be curious about what she had missed during her absence.
"So, any major changes in Magix over these twenty years?" She inquired, wanting to know the details.
Minerva gave her question some thought before replying. Not much has changed during Maria's absence, but there were some minor changes in authority when it came to Cloud Tower and Alfea- ones that no doubt would interest the fairy. "Griffin has become the headmistress of Cloud Tower" she hummed, still contemplating. The witch watched Maria closely for her reaction, wanting to know how the fairy would take the news.
Maria stared blankly ahead of her and merely shrugged her shoulders, but the slight grimace was enough to inform the past pupil of Cloud Tower, that the resentment was still present from that horrible incident.
Minerva sighed sadly before placing a comforting hand on Maria's shoulder. She truly did feel remorseful for what happened."I'm sorry you had to go through that." She spoke in a barely audible whisper.
Maria smiled and laughed it off, seemingly happy again. "Oh don't worry. It has always been that way. You could say me and Birdface don't particularly see eye to eye." She stated, a devious smirk appearing on her features.
"Birdface?" Minerva asked with evident confusion.
"It was the nickname my friends and I came up with for Griffin back in Alfea."
The witch looked amused by her statement. Seems as though fairies weren't so innocent after all. "Well in that case, I'm sure you'll be pleased to hear that Faragonda has become headmistress of Alfea."
Maria couldn't help but fist pump the air as a sense of victory sprouted from within her. To say that she was thrilled for her friend was an understatement. "Ha! One point to fairies! Take that, Birdface!" She exclaimed, doing a little victory dance. Minerva snickered in amusement as she watched Maria skip around in joy. But as quickly as the enthusiasm came, it seemingly diminished, as a wave of sadness hit Maria once more. She hadn't seen her friends in so long, and the fairy begun to realise just how truly lonely she had been for these past twenty years. She stared wistfully out of the window, wishing for nothing more than to elope right at that moment, and pay a surprise visit to her waiting friends. She imagined the looks of shock she would receive before they would envelope her in loving and ecstatic hugs, especially made to welcome her back home- to Alfea. A soft sigh left her lips as she shook her head free from nostalgic thoughts, refusing to brood on this topic much longer.
Minerva glanced at the woman before her in pity. It was rather clear that the subject hit close to Maria's heart. "You haven't seen them in awhile, have you?" She asked almost apologetically.
Maria turned to face her, with a bitter look in her eyes. "The last time I saw Faragonda and Grizelda was when Valtor attacked Hogwarts."
Minerva choked on air, as she processed what was just said. "Valtor attacked Hogwarts!? When did this happen? Surely I would have heard of it?" She exclaimed outraged, not believing what she was hearing.
"Yes he did." Maria gained a solemn look as she explained. "It happened around the time when I left Alfea for Hogwarts to ensure my own safety, because, as you know, Valtor practically had most of Magix under his control at that time." Maria paused as she reached the room Minerva was to stay in. "But that's a story for another time, this is where you will be staying and if you need anything, just let me know" she informed the witch.
Minerva nodded at her in gratitude about to enter her chambers to get settled. However, just as Maria was about to depart a voice caught her attention.
"Maria?" Called Minerva, peeking her head out from inside the room.
"Yes Minnie?"
"If you ever want to talk, just come by my office. I always like to keep some tea and biscuits with me just in case" she smiled in a friendly manner. Maria couldn't help but grin back in return. It was clear that the two were becoming fast friends.
"Thank you. I'll be sure to drop by when I don't have classes." She replied. Minerva shot Maria one last smile before disappearing into her personal chambers. Maria sighed as she headed back to her classroom. She still had lessons to prepare this afternoon but was already much too tired to do so.
The fairy left, knowing she had made one new ally today. If she continued along this path, it won't be long before her friends would start outweighing her enemies. With that in mind, Maria unlocked the door to her classroom and made her way to the chair behind her desk. Looks like things could work out after all.