Minerva often thought back to her anxiety at the Sorting as the years passed. She was at home in Gryffindor, though many joked that she should have been in Ravenclaw. She was definitely smart enough, having the top grades in her year, and mastering the skill of becoming an Animangus under Professor Dumbledore's teaching. While she was the best in every class, her real skill lay in Transfiguration. It was her favorite class, and also her best class. She respected Dumbledore, and he trusted her skills enough to teach her to be an Animangus.
This year, though, something was different. Minerva Apparated to the train station on the first day, her shiny Head Girl badge gleaming on her robes. It was the first day of her 7th year at Hogwarts, and while she felt the usual excitement to return, she felt a certain anxiety. Her long, dark hair normally cascaded down her back in waves, but now it was pulled up into a bun. It was mostly a matter of convenience, as it was nearly long enough to touch the ground, but it was also the result of a comment from her professor last year. She smiled as she recalled the memory, leaving her practical Potions exam, her hair pulled up so that it wasn't in her way. As she passed Professor Dumbledore, he commented that she looked pretty with her hair up.
Shaking her head, she tried to conceal her blush as she thought about Dumbledore. He had been her favorite professor since she had first met him, and she loved his class all the more because of it. As she got older, she realized that she had developed a crush on him. Now, as she sat in her compartment on the Hogwarts Express, she realized that her feelings were more than a mild infatuation. You might as well admit it to yourself if nobody else, Minerva thought, you love him, and he barely knows you exist.
Minerva may have been exceptionally bright, but she was wrong about Albus Dumbledore. He had taught her, feeling an odd connection to the young girl since he saw her at the Sorting. As the years passed, he made up reasons to see her. He realized that he loved her, but said nothing. She is your student, he reproached himself bitterly. She is 17. She deserves to be with a man her age.
The year passed with neither acknowledging their feelings for the other. Minerva graduated at the top of her class, and was offered a job with the Ministry of Magic. While visiting her family in the summer, she met Dougal Mcgregor. After a few months he asked her to marry him. She initially said yes, but realized that her feelings for Dougal were not as deep as her feelings for Albus. She told him that she changed her mind, realizing that it was unfair to marry one man while you love another.
She left Scotland after a few days to start her new job. She worked in Magical Law Enforcement for two years, before deciding to return to Hogwarts. She had heard that there was a new Headmaster, and that the position of Transfiguration teacher was open. She applied, wondering what happened to Albus. He's probably off doing great things, now that he defeated Grindewald. It must have hurt to have to battle his best friend. Minerva was one of the few people who knew of Dumbledore & Grindewald's friendship, and she felt sorry that the two former friends had to meet for the first time in years on the battlefield.
She Apparated outside the gates of the school, feeling a wave of nostalgia as she saw her former school. Appollyon Pringle, the caretaker, opened the gates, greeting her warmly. She remembered the way to the Headmaster's office, so after obtaining the password, which was Lemon Drops, she set off. Giving the password to the gargoyle, she stepped on the revolving staircase. When it stopped at the door, it was already open. Entering the office, she said, "Hello, my name is Minerva Mcgonagall and I..." she trailed off as the new Headmaster entered his office. Her eyes widened in surprise, and her heart beat faster. "Professor Dumbledore," she said quietly, "You're the new Headmaster?"