Thank you for your lovely reviews. sorry its taken so long to update, I'm not a natural writer so it takes a while! So here you are... :)
Chapter 4: Explanations
Minerva apparated back to the Hogwarts and slowly walking up the drive, she cast her patronus with a message to deliver to Albus. Minerva hadn't felt this light in a long time and all because of this child. She laughed at herself "what is happening to you Minerva you're losing your touch!"
"I don't know my dear, but whatever it is I believe it to be possible, I haven't seen you looking so radiant since before the war!"
Albus was lent against the arch of the great doors to the castle. He offered his arm to her, which she gratefully accepted as they walked through the castle to Albus' quarters. He opened the door with a wave of his hand and ushered her in before making a cup of tea for both them. He sat looking at her for a while with a sparkle in his blue eyes.
"Och for goodness sake Albus" she said rolling her eyes in frustration
"You say nothing and yet you can still get what you want out of people how you do it I will never understand!"
Dumbledore just raised an eyebrow and cocked his head to one side. McGonagall threw her hands in the air in fustration
"I went to the girl's house she will be a spectacular witch she is powerful and intelligent, Albus she already knew a lot I left her a book to read about transfiguration…"
"And?"
"And what? Albus?" she said sternly peering over her glasses
"There is something more?"
she sighed before continuing
"The child is outwardly smiling but her eyes , beautiful green eyes, have a sadness. I think her mother is dying but her father seems indifferent to the child she seems to be ignored by him and her sister I think once was very close with her but there seems to be a lot of resentment now. Albus she's hurting emotionally, and I have to help her but for once in my life I don't know how."
"Maybe you could do her first diagon alley trip and have her stay with you for a few days introduce her to the magical world, make the transition easier for her"
"Thank you so much Albus. Now I feel I must retire it's been rather a long day and I am more than I little tired!"
"Goodnight my dear"
"Goodnight Albus"
When she finally reached her rooms she opened her tin and had a few ginger newts before curling up with The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie when a beautiful tinkling sound caught her animagi senses. Minerva looked round her room confused, what an earth could be making that sound. It took a few moments before she realised it was her mirror.
"Lily?"
"Oh professor I thought you would never answer. I thought I might have been dreaming or that I'd done it wrong. Nobody has been kind enough to give me anything not since mother got ill about 3 years ago... sometimes I wonder if they even know I exist"
"Oh Petal… Have you started on that book yet?"
Lily's eyes lit up at the mention of the book
"Yes I have I've learnt all about switching spells, and transfiguring objects into other ones , and I have just finished the chapter on ani… ani ma.."
"Animagus?"
"Yes that one"
"And what do you think about it?"
"it sounds very complicated and not many people seem to do it, but one day I would like to try. I was thinking about it I think I would be feline of some kind but I don't think I'm clever enough to do magic like that"
"One day I shall teach you myself because I believe that you are powerful enough and I'm an animagus myself"
"You are? What animal are you? Can you show me? Would you really teach me? I promise I would work really hard. When can I start?"
"Breathe Petal, I shall show you another time. First I am going to write to your parents and ask if you could stay with me for a week so we could get your supplies for school and other things. If you would like to that is?"
"I would love to Professor….Thank you … Maybe address the letter to mother she's not well but she still reads her letters and my father well umm he.."
"Petal, I understand. If all works out then I shall pick you up next Monday yes?"
"Thank you…..Goodnight …Professor"
"Goodnight Petal"