A few weeks had gone by and Minerva's mother and brothers had come by to visit often. Much to the annoyance of Minerva.

As the the summer was coming to an end with only two weeks left, Albus and Minerva were preparing to go back to Hogwarts. One evening Albus and Minerva were sitting in their office, Minerva writing up lesson plans for the upcoming year and Albus was answering letters from the Minister of Magic. The manor had been quiet all day as Arianna had gone to Hermione's for the day so Albus and Minerva were able to get quite a bit of work done.

"What time are we to pick up Arianna from Miss Granger's house again Tabby?" Albus asked after finishing his letter.

"We'll leave in about 15 minutes Albus." Minerva replied looking at the clock on the wall.

"Ah." he said.

"What's the matter?" Minerva asked sensing there was something bothering him.

"Nothing my dear, why would you think there was something wrong?" he answered quickly.

"Well by the speed in which you answered me for one. That and you've been fidgeting with that quill and avoiding my eyes. What do you need to say that I won't like?"

"It's seems you know me far too well, darling. it's just well I've filled the Defence position at the school. With the only offer we received, I might add.."

"And? who is it?"

"Gilderoy Lockhart." He said with a slight cringe at the expression Minerva had made, as he knew very well just how she felt about him.

"You hired Gilderoy Lockhart to teach our students Defence Against the Dark Arts." Minerva said, it was more of a statement than a question.

"The bloody self-centred, mendacious, author, is going to teach the children Defence Against the Dark Arts." She said in a dangerous tone, her eyes blazing.

"He was the only applicant this year Minerva, you know how difficult it is to fill that position every year." Albus said trying to reason with her.

"Don't 'he was the only applicant' me, we both know that you could have pulled a few strings to get at least a qualified person to fill the position, but you decide to take the easiest way out, because Merlin forbid that you don't answer the bloody Minister of Magic right away, who by the way cannot seem to do his job without asking you're advice on everything first, so that you could find a suitable teacher for the next generation of witches and wizards who will get poorly educated this year because of your simpleminded decision." Albus sat quietly while her Scottish temper flared. He watched as she stood and began to walk out of the room.

"I'm going to go and get Arianna while you sit here and think about what you've done." she said and apparated out of the room. Albus sighed and popped a sherbet lemon into his mouth, knowing better than go disobey Minerva, and besides, he had another letter to answer from the minister.

"And she behaved well I hope?" Minerva asked Mrs. Granger as she stood in the doorway waiting for Arianna to put on her shoes.

"Oh yes, a bit shy at first but very well mannered." Mrs. Granger answered with a smile. Minerva waited until Arianna had said her good-byes then the two walked out of the house and headed down the street to a quiet place for them to apparate.

"Where's daddy? I thought he was going to come with you?" Arianna asked as they walked.

"Your father is in trouble." she answered.

"What sort of trouble?" Arianna asked curiously.

"The detention sort of trouble."

"You gave him detention? What did he do?"

"Well, your father hired a horrible man to teach defence this year, alright this should be good, hold on tightly sweetheart." Minerva said before they apparated home.

"Who did daddy hire?" Arianna asked as they got in, she hardly felt sick anymore after apparating.

"Your father hired Gilderoy Lockhart." Minerva said through clenched teeth.

"You mean the author?"

"He was the only applicant this year," Albus said coming down the stairs, "how was your day with Hermione Sherbet?" he asked, quickly trying to change the subject.

"It was so much fun!" She began, and launched into a full explanation of everything they did that day, as the family all went into the dinning room for dinner.

"Mum, are we going to go to Diagon Alley? To get my new school books?" Arianna asked.

"Oh, Merlin! I nearly forgot about that! Yes darling, we'll go tomorrow," Minerva said with a smile, and then looked to Albus who was avoiding his vegetables, "For Merlin's sake Albus! Eat you're vegetables, or no dessert!" The look of horror on her father's face at that comment made Arianna burst out in laughter! Even more so when Albus began to wolf down his veggies. Minerva sighed and shook her head, a small smile coupled with a chuckle escaped her lips.

The next day Minerva and Arianna went to Diagon Alley. Minerva had explained to Arianna that she was to be called Professor McGonagall while they were out in public. Arianna understood. It was to keep her safe as her parents had explained before, the same reason why at Hogwarts, no one could know who her parents were, and why her last name would remain Winters.

As they walked down the busy streets of Diagon Alley, Arianna felt the excitement of day begin. Arianna loved Diagon Alley, it was a place full of magic, full of history and excitement! The business of last minute school shopping only added to the atmosphere.

"It's very busy today Miss Winters, so stay close, we wouldn't want you to get lost." Minerva told her, doing her best to restrain herself from grabbing her daughters hand to keep her close.

They first stopped at Madam Malkin's for new robes as Arianna had grown a few inches over the summer. Next they gathered her potions supplies, scales, phials etc. The next place they were going was to Flourish and Blotts, to get her second year books, but when they got to the store they found out that it was packed! It was so busy that Minerva told Arianna to wait outside while she went in and got her books, as she figured it would be faster.

Arianna stood with her back to the shop, watching all the people bustling about. Suddenly she was knocked to the ground, when she looked up she saw someone familiar though she didn't know his name. She took his hand and he helped her up.

"I'm so sorry!" he said, he had dark hair and nice eyes, his teeth were perfectly straight, like he had just gotten braces off, and he smiled shyly at her.

"It's alright, thanks. Hey, you're one of the boys from the boat, the one up to castle after we got off the train at the start of term last year, sorry, I have a really good memory." she said and blushed.

"Yeah, I'm Henry." he said extending his hand once again but this time for a hand shake.

"Arianna." she replied with a smile.

"Well I'll see you at school then." He said after he had been called by, who Arianna had guessed to be his father.

"Yeah, bye." She replied with a wave, just as Minerva came back out of the shop, looking livid.

"What happened?" Arianna asked, hoping it wasn't something she had done.

"Gilderoy Lockhart. The reason the shop is so busy is because that detestable man is giving out autographs. As if his selection of books for his class aren't ridiculous enough, he's signing everyone's copy."

"Did you get mine signed?" Arianna asked in a joking manner, Minerva just glared at her.

"He took them from my hands, saying a reputable teacher such as myself should be rewarded and he signed them. I have never been so annoyed." Minerva ranted as she shrunk the stack of books and handed them to Arianna, who was laughing. Minerva shot her another glare and the two continued shopping.

When they got home, Minerva had Arianna go and pack her things, as she would be going with Minerva and Albus to Hogwarts the next day. She could hardly wait. Another year learning magic, how could her life get any better?

And here we go, the second chapter I promised for today! Hope you enjoy, I cannot tell you when I'll be able to update again, but soon I hope!