Thanks to all who have reviewed :-)
A couple more chapters for you wonderful people!
Thirteen year old Minerva McGonagall sat calmly in a compartment of the Hogwarts Express with her two best friends, fifth years, William Bones and Kim McKinnon, sharing sweets from the trolley.
Suddenly they heard a thud outside the compartment and the sound of mocking laughter.
"Stupid mudbloods," a voice hissed.
The three friends exchanged glances and leapt up, pulling the doors to their compartment open. Outside, they discovered a group of fifth year Slytherins attacking a group of second years.
"Malfoy," growled William, at the ringlead of the Slytherins, "Leave them alone."
Malfoy laughed "Are you going to make me, Bones?"
William produced his wand and beside him Minerva and Kim did the same.
"Expelliarmus!" shouted Malfoy, wand aimed at William.
As William's wand flew towards Malfoy, Minerva softly murmured, "Virgawasi."
The wand immediately returned to William's hand.
"You're a filthy blood traitor, McGonagall," Malfoy hissed his eyes filled with rage.
Minerva simply tossed her long dark hair dismissively and sighed, "You really are pathetic, Malfoy."
Malfoy raised his wand again, and Minerva and William did the same in response.
"No duelling on the train," said a stern voice, "You wouldn't want to be in detention before you even reach school."
They all lowered their wands and as Malfoy turned to walk away the three Gryffindors headed back into their compartment.
"Tremocrur!" yelled Malfoy over his shoulder before running away down the train.
Kim's legs gave way beneath her and began to tremble uncontrollably, much to the amusement of a couple of Slytherins still standing outside the compartment.
"Finite incantatem," said William.
Kim's legs recovered and Minerva helped her to her feet and back inside, whilst Minerva slammed the door to their compartment shut.
Later the trio walked into the Great Hall together and Kim eagerly commented, "I can't wait for Hogsmeade trips.You can come this year, Min, so we'll be able to show you everything."
Minerva's face fell but both William and Kim failed to notice as William whispered, "First one to hex Mansur Malfoy gets all their Honeydukes supplies and butterbeer bought by the others for the rest of the term."
Kim shook her head as she giggled, "William Bones," she said in a falsely stern voice, "You should know better than to challenge Min like that."
William just grinned, "He's in our year, Kim. We have classes with him. Something tells me one of us will get him first!"
Minerva turned to William and murmured quite seriously, "Not if I get him tonight."
He laughed as they sat down, "You won't. Even you wouldn't try it in the Great Hall."
Minerva merely raised her eyebrows and gazed at the Slytherin table where Mansur Malfoy was taking his seat. Malfoy was talking enthusiastically with his friends and had produced his wand, obviously intending to demonstrate some spell.
Minerva produced her own and held it carefully under the table.
"Mobilivirga," she muttered.
The wand flew out of Malfoy's hand and drifted lazily around his head. He tried to grab at it as William and Kim struggled to conceal their laughter.
"Evanesco," Minerva murmured.
Malfoy's wand suddenly disappeared. He looked all around him in confusion and then turned to stare angrily at the Gryffindor table, where Minerva was carefully replacing her wand in her pocket whilst William and Kim could no longer contain their laughter and were giggling uncontrollably.
"You win, Minnie," William said delightedly.
"I can't believe you did that!" exclaimed Kim, "Across the Great Hall with all the teachers in here."
Minerva glanced towards the staff table and her eyes met Dumbledore's. A small smile played with his lips and he shook his head slightly at her before muttering something under his breath. Malfoy's wand reappeared on the table beside him. Minerva smiled back at Dumbledore and nodded slowly before turning her attention to the sorting.
The first years had now entered and the time had come for the sorting ceremony. The sorting passed as usual, Minerva cheered with the rest of her house for each new Gryffindor she received. However, the student she remembered most in the sorting was not a Gryffindor.
"Riddle, Tom," the deputy headmaster called.
The boy stepped up to the stool proudly, and with no hint of nervousness. As he sat down his confident green eyes surveyed the Great Hall, and at one point gazed directly into hers. She held his gaze determinedly, and was relieved she had when the boy was sorted into Slytherin. She would never show weakness in front of a Slytherin, even if he was only a first year.
For anyone who is interested...most of the spells I mention are taken from HP lexicon or variants of those from HP lexicon. The ones I have created, along with the elements that vary have been made using an online latin dictionary (why is it that latin sounds so magical!)
Anyway...please R&R