Minerva & her mother landed in their living room. Her mother quickly went to go put her wand away and take care of Malcolm and young Robert. Minerva headed up to her room, dragging her school supplies & owl with her. Sitting on her bed, she released Raven from her cage. The black owl flew once around the room to stretch her wings, then perched on the post at the end of the bed, beside Minerva. The girl reached up and absently stroked the owl's feathers. She sighed. "Now I have to wait till next year until I can go to school and learn all about magic. Mum says that she and Da are proud of me, but I think Mum's sad that I can use magic when she gave it up. Da is sad because all of us are magic, and he wanted Muggle kids." The young girl sighed again, then a look of determination crossed her face. "I'm going to do well at school, regardless of how Mum and Da feel." With that pronouncement, she proceeded to pack all of her Hogwarts things in her trunk, except her school books. After she had packed, she opened her window so Raven could leave when she pleased, the curled up on her bed with one of her new books.
Months passed, and soon it was September 1st. Minerva had spent the time studying her magic books, finding Transfiguration the most interesting. After saying goodbye to her family, she took a portkey to Platform 9 & 3/4. She quickly boarded the train and found an empty compartment. As she was reading her Transfiguration book for the hundredth time, the door to her compartment opened, revealing a short, somewhat chubby girl who introduced herself as Pomona Sprout. She was a few years older, a Hufflepuff 6th year, but she was nice. Pomona and Minerva spent the entire train ride, talking about their homes and Hogwarts. Pomona was interested in Herbology, and wanted to teach it someday. Minerva learned a lot about the different plants in the Wizarding world, and she filed that knowledge away for later reference. It could be useful on the end of the year exams.
When the train finally stopped, both girls exited, dressed in their school robes. Pomona waved goodbye as she went towards the thestral drawn carriages, promising to find Minerva at breakfast the next day if she wasn't in Hufflepuff. Minerva nodded, and headed toward the tall young man who was calling for the first years. As she approached, Minerva observed the man. He was tall, with long auburn hair. His beard was the same color, though not as long. He had the most unusual eyes she had ever seen. They were blue, and sparkled like stars behind his glasses, which were perched on his slightly crooked nose. She and the other first years followed the man to a small fleet of boats, which took them to the castle. Once inside, the man introduced himself as Albus Dumbledore, and instructed them to wait in the entrance hall for a few moments. With that, he exited through a pair of double doors. Minerva caught a glimpse of the inside of the hall filled with students. Her anxiety, which had faded while talking to Pomona and following Albus, returned full force. What if she was in Slytherin? What if she wasn't in Hufflepuff? Would Pomona still talk to her? They had just met, but she already liked the older girl. What if she wouldn't want to be friends with someone from another house?
Albus returned, cutting off Minerva's internal rambling. He told them to follow as he opened the doors of the great hall wide and reentered, carrying a parchment containing their names. As she walked into the Great Hall, instead of the awe that filled the other 1st years, Minerva was filled with dread. They were approaching the front of the hall, and she could see the Sorting Hat on its stool. As the Hat began its song, Minerva's eyes wandered around the hall, observing the beauty and magic she had been too nervous to notice before. Her anxiety faded as her courage returned. She had vowed months ago to do well at school, no matter what. As Professor Dumbledore began to read the names and students were sorted, Minerva fixed her glasses, which had slipped down her nose. She listened as he got closer to the M's, and her courage didn't waiver. She stood proudly, head held high.
The other students, and the staff as well, wondered about the odd young 1st year. She wasn't nervous like the others, and her eyes gleamed with intelligence. Albus Dumbledore noticed the change in the girl as he carried out his duties in the Sorting. He watched as she lost the nervousness that the others felt, courage and determination chasing it away. He could see the intelligence in the girl's eyes. If she is as smart as she looks, he thought, then she will be a Ravenclaw, without a doubt.
Everyone in the hall watched as Albus called out "Minerva Mcgonagall," and the young, dark haired witch they had been gossiping about approached the stool and took her place. As the hat deliberated, they whispers began again. What was taking the Hat so long? Why hadn't it shouted out what house she belonged in?
Minerva wasn't worried. The hat spoke to her, deciding whether her Ravenclaw wit overshadowed her Gryffindor bravery. The two discussed, the Hat reading her thoughts and feelings. You are very bright my dear, the Hat said in her ear, But you are also very brave. You also value bravery, so that means the only place for you is GRYFFINDOR.
As Minerva handed the hat back to Professor Dumbledore, he gave her a small smile, which she returned. She hurried to the Gryffindor table, enjoying the rest of the Sorting and the feast.
As she lay in her bed in the girl's dormitory that night, she finally felt like she belonged. She was no longer looked down upon for her magical outbursts nor was she envied because of her powers. She was with people who understood her, and that felt wonderful.