THE REPLY

Office of Deputy Headmistress,Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft And Wizardry
Professor Minerva McGonagall was sitting in her office, checking and rechecking the schedules which she was going to give to her fellow griffindors this year. She had just finished sending letters to,the upcoming group of first year students. Most of the letters were written by a quill,which she had bewitched to write on their own. So she did not even know who and all were coming this year. She was nearly finished with her work, and she thought to have a much needed rest after weeks of work. She had one month of rest,before she will be busy with schoolwork again. She loved her work ,and the children she was teaching. She could identify most of the students even after they left hogwarts. In her student days ,she was a rebellious troublemaker though now she was a strict disciplinarian as the Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts. She always missed those days ,and if given a chance she would gladly go back to those days. Even though she was 65 years old , she could still duel with younger students and had even beaten Severus Snape,her fellow co-worker and former student in a friendly duel. Severus Snape was in many ways her rival in the school , as the head of her rival house Slytherin. She was the head of Gryffindor.

The two houses had a age old rivalry which can be traced back to the time of the founders. The house cup was most of the times won by either of these houses, and both of the heads took every effort,sometimes even played dirty to win the cup. They both even placed bets,when there was a quidditch match between the two houses. As the captain,and the star chaser of the Gryffindor quidditch team of her time,she knew all the tricks and cheats of the game. Unfortunately the Gryffindor house had not won either the quidditch cup ,or the house cup for the past 7 years ,much to the disappointment of Minerva. Severus uses that to taunt her every time. This year she has to try harder,she thought.

She heard a knocking sound near the window, she saw that one of the school owls was there with a letter. She opened the window,and let the owl in. She took the letter from the owl,and place it on the table. She gave some owl treats to it, and the owl flew away. Minerva sat back on the chair,opened the letter ,and started reading. It read:

Dear Professor McGonagall,

My name is Natasha Potter. This morning i had received a letter from you,stating that i have received admission , in Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft and wizardry. I accept the invitation and I am glad to come there. But because of the fact that, i have lived with my aunt and uncle,i have a very little knowledge about this world. My aunt told that someone had came to help my mom , to help her introduce the world. It would be very helpful if you could send someone like that for me.

Thanking you,

Natasha Potter

"Natasha Potter!",Minerva exclaimed. How could she have forgotten her,she thought. 10 years, nearly 10 years have passed,since that fateful night at godrik's hollow. The night in which two of her favorite students were killed by a madman. 10 years since they left the girl ,at her aunt's and uncle's home. She has to bring this to Dumbledore's attention ,she thought. He will decide how to proceed .She went out of the room ,and started walking towards Dumbledore's office. Cockroach Cluster. She told the gargoyle, and stepped on to the platform ,which went up. She went into the office . The headmaster was going through some papers,as she went in. "Well professor ,what brings you here ?",Dumbledore asked. "Albus i have an big news to tell you. This year we have Natasha Potter,as one of our students.",Minerva replied.

"Aaah... I wondered when her time will come. It appears the time has come.",Dumbledore told."Yes ,Albus. I sent her,her letter today morning,and i got this letter as reply.",She handed headmaster the letter. Headmaster read the letter seriously and asked,"Would you like to go,Minerva? You were the one who accompanied her mother,weren't you?". "Yes Albus. I was the one,and i will gladly take her daughter too",Minerva replied. "The matter is settled then. When are you planning to go,Professor?",Headmaster asked. "31st of July is her birthday, isn't it? I think i will go on that day. Even buy her a present, to make up for the past 10 years.",Minerva replied. "Yes ,that would be the best time. But dont give her the impression of favoritism coming from you ,Minerva. Don't want her to become like her father ,do we?",Albus asked jokingly. "Oh Albus, both of us know that,she's more like her mother than her father. I am sure she will not be a big troublemaker", Minerva argued.

"Yes . yes. You do have a point, she has most of lily's features ,and hopefully she won't become a rival to the Weasly twins.",Dumbledore said with a slight chuckle. "If she does become a rival, we are going to have a long year. I better go and give the girl a reply, Albus. I don't want to go to the house unannounced.", Minerva said. "OK. Good Night ,Minerva", Dumbledore said. "Good Night ,Albus", Minerva wished back and walked back to her office,for writing a reply.

Ms Potter,

We are glad to know that,you have accepted our invitation to join Hogwarts. We will be glad to send someone for your assistance in shopping for school items,and getting to know about the wizarding world. You can expect us on 31st of This month by 10 in the morning.

Wishing you well,

Professor Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft And Wizardry

Minerva took the letter , and went to the owlery . She gave the letter to a school owl. The owl accepted the letter ,and flew away. Minerva watched the owl ,as it flew away happily. She knew this year was going to be more exciting than the last.