A/N: Here's the second chapter. Sorry for the short delay in posting. Thanks for the reviews, I really appreciate them. I'm working on the next chapter and it'll be up once it's done and BETA'd.

I'd like to give a big thank you to my BETA PsyhcoSweetness for doing such a good job with this :D

Enjoy!

Chapter Two: The Philosophers Stone Part 1

Three years after Minerva and Albus married, Harry Potter, the chosen one, was due to come to Hogwarts. Minerva was anxious about his arrival and Albus had picked up on it.

"Don't worry about it love, it'll be a normal year."

Minerva shook her head. "Draco Malfoy joins us this year too."

Albus smirked. "I'm sure Harry will be fine."

Shaking her head, Minerva closed the student ledger. "I'm still worried about what this year is going to bring, Al."

Albus stood behind her and rubbed her shoulders. "Relax, love. I'm going to be here the whole time."

Minerva leaned back into his touch. "I trust you Al, doesn't mean I'm not going to worry. Not just about Harry, but the rising of the Dark Lord, too." She sighed and closed her eyes. "Hold me," she whispered and Albus did so, right through the night.

~0~0~

The next morning Minerva head to her office, only to be caught by the hand by her husband.

"I want you to go on the train this year."

"Why?"

"Because I would like for someone to be there in case Harry meets Mr. Malfoy early and things explode."

"Why not Severus?"

"Because I trust you."

Minerva nodded. "Let me pack a small bag and I'll head off."

"Thank you love."

Minerva smiled and embraced him. "You'll have to make it up to me though," she whispered in his ear.

"Your wish is my command," he whispered back.

Minerva laughed and pecked his lips. "I'll be back with the children."

~0~0~

An hour later and Minerva was sat in an empty compartment on the Hogwarts Express which was sat at the London Platform. She was reading a book as she listened to the students walking past and chatting to each other. She watched out the window for a little while at all the parents saying goodbye to their children. She spotted Harry potter hanging around with the Weasley's and smiled, knowing that they would look after him and keep him 'out' of trouble. She also spotted a young girl; seemingly a first year as Minerva had never seen before, heading towards the train with her head down. From what Minerva could see, she was all on her own. She memorized the face and made a mental note to keep an eye on the girl. The train headed off on its long journey twenty minutes later and once the train had gathered speed, Minerva relaxed back into her seat and kept one ear out for trouble. She was brought out of her book by her compartment door opening and closing. She looked up and smiled at the girl she had seen on the platform on her own.

"I'm sorry, would you mind if I join you?"

"Of course not." Minerva smiled at the girl and she smiled back weakly. "What's your name?"

"Hermione Granger. This is my first year."

"Pleased to meet you Miss Granger. I'm Professor McGonagall."

Hermione's eyes lit up. "Really? What do you teach?"

"Transfiguration."

"I've read about that. It sounds really interesting. I've even tried a few simple spells."

"Did they work?"

Hermione nodded. "I only had to try once or twice."

Minerva was shocked; the girl in front of her must be really powerful. Even she had problems for a short while in her first year. "What ones have you tried?"

"I can turn a match into a needle, turn a beetle into a button, I turned a pair of rabbits into slippers (which are really comfy) and I turned my teapot into a tortoise and back again."

"That's really impressive, Miss Granger. Are there any other you've tried?"

"Just two more; a hedgehog into a pincushion and back, and a mouse into a snuffbox and back."

"That is very impressive."

Hermione blushed. "Thank you." She paused a moment. "Can you call me Hermione please? My parents call me Miss Granger."

Minerva filed that bit of information away for later. "I'm afraid that all the teachers at the school will call you that. We call every student by their title and last name, out of respect." Hermione nodded and looked a little saddened. "But in private I'm more than happy to call you by your given name. You can come to me whenever you want to, okay?"

"Thank you, Professor."

"Not a problem, Hermione."

Hermione smiled a little and reached for a book in her bag. It was a book on transfiguration and Minerva recognised it to be one that most students wouldn't need until their third year. "Good book?" she asked.

"Yes. I'm finding it interesting. It's much more in depth than the other two I brought."

"How many books did you buy, Hermione?"

"I'm not sure. My parents let me buy any book I see that I like."

"Why is that?"

"I don't think they love me so they give me money. I've never wanted for anything. They even said that they're going to put money each month into my bank account at Gringotts and transfer all my money from my bank in London to there."

Minerva felt for the girl. "I take it you're parents aren't magical?"

Hermione shook her head. "Professor Snape came to give me my letter. I liked him and he gave me a list of potions books that I should get. He saw my personal library."

Minerva smiled. "You're a sweet girl."

She blushed again. "Thank you Professor. Is you're book good?"

Minerva nodded. "It's an old book on transfiguration that I've been trying to get my hands on for year, finally a dear friend manage to get it for me and gave it to me on my birthday. It explores all of the olden ways of transfiguration that are no longer practised."

"That sounds really interesting."

"I'll teach you some when you're older if you keep up with the good work." Minerva winked at her and Hermione knew that Professor McGonagall was now her favourite and probably always would be.

For a few hours the pair lapsed into a comfortable silence, both immersed in their books. A commotion in the corridor a little while later brought both 'girls' out of their own worlds and into the real one.

"I'm going to go and patrol the train for a few minutes. Will you be okay?"

Hermione nodded. "I'll be fine Professor."

"I won't be very long."

"Okay." Hermione watched the Professor go before turning back to her book. Why is she being so nice to me? Hermione thought to her self. Similar thoughts went through her mind when Professor Snape came to see her to tell her about Hogwarts and give her, her letter. Shaking her head, Hermione got back to her book and didn't look back up until the Professor came back into the compartment. It was getting dark outside and Hermione's stomach made a noise of protest.

"Sorry," she whispered and reached for a sandwich from her bag. She rested it on her lap and looked at it.

"Would you like something a little different?" Hermione nodded a little shyly. "Give me a moment and I'll be back."

"Okay," Hermione whispered. She was a little worried with what the woman would get, but when she looked down at the poor excuse of food in her lap, she decided that nothing could be worse.

Minerva went to the Trolley Lady, as she was called, and got a couple of pastries and some chocolates for the pair of them to share. She was hungry too and didn't want Albus on her back for not eating, and that had happened enough in the past that she didn't want it to happen again any time soon.

"Here you go." Minerva handed Hermione a couple pastries and chocolates.

"Thank you," Hermione whispered.

Minerva and Hermione ate in silence and Hermione even managed to eat her chocolate frog. Minerva smiled at her as she picked up the card after finishing her meal and looked at it.

"This is the Headmaster, isn't it?" Minerva moved to sit next to her and nodded. "Can you tell me about him?"

"What would you like to know?"

"What did he do before becoming Headmaster?"

"He was the Transfiguration Professor and Head of Gryffindor when I was at Hogwarts. He then taught me almost everything I know and I took over for him when he became Headmaster. He's also written a few books and articles in his time. He's got a section in the school library if you want to read more about him." Minerva felt a pang in her heart at not telling this wonderful girl that he was also her husband, but knew that it was a secret that no-one could know, at least for now.

"A library! How big?"

"Bigger than you could imagine. But, I'll let you in on a secret...my personal collection is bigger, and the family collection even bigger than that." Minerva chuckled at her expression.

"Once you've read all of the books in Hogwarts library, then I'll let you have look at mine. But not until you've finished the entire school library."

Hermione nodded and hugged Minerva. Minerva hugged her back and when they broke apart, both were smiling happily.

The rest of the journey flew by and before either of them knew it, they were getting of the train and heading their separate ways.

"Remember Miss Granger. You can come to me any time, day or night if you need me, okay?"

Hermione nodded. "Thank you Professor McGonagall."

"Not a problem dear, now off you go."

Hermione waved as she headed into the crowd. Minerva waved back and once she had disappeared and she could see that Harry was with Hagrid, she sighed and apparated to the Headmaster's office.

~0~0~

Albus stood and brought Minerva into a warm embrace. Minerva leaned into him and sighed.

"How was the trip, my dear?"

"It went well. Mr Malfoy caused a minor problem with Mr Potter and the youngest Mr Weasley, but other than that it went well. And I can safely say I enjoyed the company too."

"Company?"

"A first year student, Miss Hermione Granger joined me in my compartment. She's quite a bookworm and already seemingly advanced in her magic. She says she's perfected five or six transfiguration spells which she tried out at home within the first or second try."

"That's very impressive."

"It is. Oh, I do so hope she's in Gryffindor."

"It sounds to be like you finally found your favourite student." Albus chuckled at the look on her face. "Don't worry love; I treated you no different then the others, did I?"

Minerva shook her head. "Well then, as long as you treat her no different in front of others, then you have nothing to worry about."

Minerva smiled and nodded. She lovingly kissed her husband before checking the time. "We better head down to the Great Hall; the students will be arriving in the Hall soon."

Albus checked his pocket watch which not only told the time but also told him where Minerva was at all times. "Ah, so they will be. Come on then, my dear."

Minerva smiled and linked her arm through his. They often walked the corridors like this and almost always arrived to meals like this. No-one questioned it and even after they started keeping their marriage a secret they arrived to meals like this, and they weren't the only members of staff to do so, so nothing was ever said about it.

Yes, there were rumours, but neither had ever said anything to go with or against them. Smiling slightly the pair walked to the Great Hall and greeted the other teachers before Minerva went to collect the first years. They were slightly late upon arrival and she internally groaned when she saw the mixture of slightly familiar faces. Many of which she knew would end up in Slytherin house. After giving them the yearly speech on behaviour, she led them into the Great Hall and the to front where a stool with a old hat sat on top was stood.

"When I call you're name, you will come to the front and I will place the hat on your head. It will decide which house you belong to." Minerva started calling out names.

"Hermione Granger!"

Hermione slowly walked up the stairs and sat on the stool. Minerva placed the old hat on her head and briefly brushed her hand against her shoulder as she took her hand away. Albus noticed this and smiled slightly to himself. After a few minutes the hat declared Gryffindor and Hermione bounced over to the cheering table. Minerva's eyes sparkled and smiled lightly when the girl looked at her. Minerva carried on calling out the names of the first years and both she and Albus, along with the rest of the staff were extremely happy that Harry Potter was put into Gryffindor with the Weasley's. Minerva knew that this would cause a few problems, but she didn't dwell on them for long as she sat in her seat next to her husband and placed a hand on his knew and squeezed before he stood and gave his welcoming speech.

"Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our feast, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank you!" He sat back down and looked at his wife sat beside him who was struggling to keep a straight face. "What?"

"You changed your words."

"I did."

"I like those ones."

"They did take me a rather long time to come up with and I do rather like them myself, so I'll probably keep them for a while." Albus smiled at Minerva then turned to his meal.

Minerva did the same and watched over her cubs. They were all eating to the hearts content and even Hermione was eating a little. Smiling and happy with the way that the year had started Minerva engaged Rolanda Hooch in conversation. She looked at her husband a few times and also looked at her cubs a few times, meeting the eyes of Hermione every now and then. Minerva and Albus chuckled when they both noticed Hermione speaking to the Gryffindor House Ghost, Nearly Headless Nick.

When the pudding finally disappeared from the long tables, Minerva tapped her spoon against her glass and got the attention of the hall and Albus stood up to address everyone one last time.

"First years should note that the forest in the grounds is forbidden to all pupils. And a few of our older students would do well to remember that as well." He looked at the Weasley twins briefly before carrying on. "I have also been asked by Mr Filch, the caretaker, to remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors. Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of term, anyone interested in playing for their house should contact Madame Hooch." Rolanda stood and nodded to everyone so they knew who she was before taking her seat again and letting Albus carry on. "And finally, I must tell you all that this year, the third-floor on the right hand side, is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a most painful death. Now, off to bed, all of you" Albus nodded and the prefects from each house led everyone to the common rooms where they will live while they are at the castle, and to also give them the password so that they are able to get into the common room and dormitories.

Hermione looked at Professors McGonagall and Snape before heading off to bed for the night. Lessons would start the next day and Hermione wanted all the sleep she could get.

~0~0~

Once all the students and staff had left the hall, Minerva turned to Albus and he opened his arms. She stepped into them and he held her close. He pressed a kiss to her crown before linking their arms and heading up to their quarters. The walk was silent as always and when they arrived at their quarters Minerva sank into the sofa in front of the blazing fire while Albus went and made them both some hot tea. Minerva snuggled into Albus' side and he held her close as they drank their tea in a comfortable silence. Albus broke the silence with his usual question at the beginning of every year.

"What do you think this year is going to bring us?"

"A whole load of trouble," Minerva chuckled then became serious, "How are we going to manage not being open with our relationship, Al?"

"We'll have to make sure that we don't see each other throughout the day when the students are around. The staff know of our marriage as they were all there. We'll just have to make sure that Quirrell doesn't catch wind of it. There's something I don't like about it."

Minerva nodded and closed her eyes. "I came so close to telling Hermione about our marriage today."

Albus rubbed her back. "I know love. If she's still your favourite in a couple of years, then we'll tell her, okay?"

"Okay," Minerva whispered.

"Good. Now, what do you want to do tonight before we retire for the night?"

"Chess."

"Muggle or magical?"

"Muggle."

"I should know by now shouldn't I?"

Minerva laughed and pecked his lips as he placed the board on the table. "I'll change my mind one day."

"I'll hold you to that." Albus kissed her lovingly before taking his seat opposite her behind the black pieces. "Start us off then, my love."

Minerva grinned and did so.

~0~0~

Two weeks passed and everything was going well, even if the Gryffindor Quidditch Team still didn't have a seeker. Theirs had left last year and no-one had been to the trails as one. Minerva was stood in her office looking out over the grounds from her large window.

First year Gryffindor and Slytherins had their first broom lesson with Rolanda and Minerva decided that she could watch to see if she saw any talent. As a rule first years weren't allowed to play on the Quidditch teams, but Minerva decided that she had probably had no choice if she wanted her house to be able to take part in the sporting events. She gasped when she watched as Neville Longbottom fell from one of the weather vines that stood on one of the small towers. Sighing she watched over the other while Rolanda took the boy to the hospital wing. She smirked to herself when Mr. Malfoy started causing trouble. She knew that this year and the following six would bring untold amounts of trouble and detentions and she had told Albus that when he asked what she thought the year would bring back on the very first evening with the castle full of staff and students. She watched in amazement at the skill that Harry had of flying, it was truly amazing to watch him in the air, especially as this was his first time ever on a broom. She watched and her heart missed a beat as he nearly crashed into her office window and she took a step back. He had caught Mr. Longbottom's rememberall and landed without getting hurt at all.

Smiling she transformed into her animagus form and ran down to the court yard where they were having their flying lesson. She turned back before she walked out and looked stern and angry; wanting to scare everyone so what she had planned would be unsuspecting and feel that much better when she saw all their faces when the teams would be announced the next day at lunch.

"Harry Potter(!) never in all my time at Hogwarts..." She stopped mid-sentence nearly, congratulating him on his performance and her eyes flashed seemingly in anger. The other Gryffindor started to defend Harry. "Be quiet, all of you. Potter, follow me, now." Minerva led Harry quickly up from the court yard to the charms classroom.

"Excuse me, Professor Flitwick, could I borrow Wood for a moment please."

"Of course, Professor."

Minerva stepped away from the door and a tall fifth year student walked out of the classroom.

"You wanted to see me Professor?"

Minerva smiled widely. "Wood, I've found you a seeker."

"Welcome to the team."

The trio stood and arranged time for Harry to learn about Quidditch and practice catching the snitch before she let Harry go to his next lesson and Let Wood back into his charms lesson. She all but skipped off to her classroom to teach her last lesson of the day.

To Be Continued ...