It had been a few days since Minerva had arrived at Hogwarts, she had spent the majority of it arranging her classroom, she had been to Hogsmeade to buy a few odds and sods to make her classroom a little more personal, the rest of the time was spent with Albus, it had been a wonder thing, getting reacquainted with an old friend, yes he was like an old pair of slippers.

The day had arrived where the students returned to Hogwarts. The ceremony was well under way, the sorting hat had made it's decisions and everybody was tucking into the feast. All but one.

He had spotted her the instant he walked into the Great Hall, her magnificent bone structure, her slender frame, her laugh, albeit directed toward the one man he couldn't stand, Albus Dumbledore. He sat at the Slytherin table, not much interested in the conversation around him or the food for that matter. He was in his last year at Hogwarts and couldn't wait to leave, he had gathered a rather large following in his years at the school and well he could do whatever he wanted, when he wanted and he didn't fault to let people know.

"Before we all head to bed." Albus stood and walked in front of the head table so he could address everyone clearly. "There has been a change to the teaching positions, I would all like you to welcome Professor Minerva McGonagall, who has wonderfully accepted the job of Transfiguration Professor. I hope you will join me in saying that it is a great pleasure to have Professor McGonagall join us and we hope she will be very happy here". There was a pause and he already knew Minerva would have turned a shade deeper than her usual pale face. "Now, off to bed. Tomorrow is the start of a fantastic year".

'Oh I'll make sure she's welcomed' he thought with a vindictive smile. He was one of the last to leave the hall, pretending to mingle with the other students. He watched as Albus and Minerva walked side by side in a content conversation. He watched the way she moved, the way she didn't break eye contact until she had to. He saw her happiness toward the Headmaster and hated it. What he hated most is that she didn't seem to even notice him.

He followed them out of the hall and kept himself hidden as he walked behind them.

"Well I look forward to our chess match tomorrow night and also to hearing about your first day as a professor". Albus' eyes twinkled as he looked into her eyes, a caring smile and a warm friendly hand placed on her elbow. "Goodnight Minerva, my dear." He went to walk away but turned back to her "Ah, I almost forgot", his eyes gleaming again he reached into his robes and pulled out a small box, inside was a small brooch with a brilliant emerald stone. "I hope it brings you luck". He winked and offered her his charming smile.

"It's wonderful, thank you, really. Goodnight, Albus" she said his name ever so gently. She wondered off to her chambers.

"For homework, I would like you all to write me a parchment as to why Mr Cunnigham's spell went wrong." She stated as she glanced over her shoulder, at the half miniature horse, half rat, sat in front of said student. Her lips tightly together and her glasses on the end of her nose, the look of pure sternness about her. "Now, how wants to turn..it, back" She looked around the classroom, only one had was raised. "Ah yes, you. Seeing as everyone else seems to have misplaced their brains". Her eyebrow raised. She watched as the wizard muttered the smell and the rat returned to it's usual self. "Very well done.. Mr?"

He walked back to his seat and sat down. "Tom, Tom Riddle" he said rather proudly, although he detested his father's muggle name, people had come to respect it and he would keep it, for now.

"Right. Well well done Mr Riddle, ten point to Slytherin." The rest of the class had gone much as she had expected, a few misshaped creatures and a Hufflepuff girl that was aiming for her runaway pet when she cast the spell to transfigure it into a small willow tree, however the pet moved and the student in front seemed to have grown a branch for an arm. After transfiguring it back to normal she sent the student with a note to the matron.

She was rather glad by the time the lesson had ended. As she stood with her back to the classroom, placing books back on shelves and rearranging sections of miscellaneous objects she heard someone clear their throat. Turning she saw the Riddle boy with a smile on his face. "Can I help you Mr Riddle?".

He stepped forward a few steps, his smile never leaving his lips. "I just wanted to welcome you. It's about time they bought in someone suitable and your reputation is rather favourable. I hope you settle in nicely. If there's ever anything you need, please don't hesitate to ask". With a gently smile from her and a thanks, he turned on his heels and walked toward the door, just stopping shy, he turned to her again "That's a beautiful brooch Professor". He turned and left.

She didn't know exactly what made her feel slightly uneasy about Tom but his smile, it wasn't a genuine one, well not fully anyway and there was something about his eyes, they made her feel he was looking right through her. Like they were empty, soulless.

Minerva took her seat beside Albus at supper, conversation was flowing as usual. "I understand if you would wish to reschedule our chess game, it must have been a rather tiring day for you?." Albus looked slightly concerned, she had looked rather withdrawn, perhaps even peaky.

Minerva smiled at his thoughtfulness, he had always been a gentle man. "No, I would like to, although I may have to pause the game at some point".

Albus smiled "Of course my dear, it'll only prevent the inevitable anyway.." he winked and sipped his pumpkin juice.

"Oh yes, and what's that?" her eyebrow arched in amusement, she knew full well what he meant.

"Minerva, my dear, we both know I will be losing. You've got a remarkable score against me. However that doesn't lessen the fulfilment and joy I get from out evenings.".

Her cheeks began to feel rather warm, turning back to her dinner she tried to hide the blush.

Throughout dinner Minerva got the nagging feeling that she was being watched. She glanced around occasionally but could never put her finger on whom.

Minerva had shared the days events (especially the branch incident), which had gotten quite a lot of laughter from Albus, (to her bemused expression). All in all she had enjoyed her first day as a Professor at Hogwarts, she of course had a very different demeanour from how she was with Albus as to teaching. She would never want any student, or adult at that, thinking she was soft, she may be young but she wouldn't want to have to prove herself to anyone. She had confidence, she had an inner power that demanded respect and she was given it.

"Well it pleases me dearly to hear your day was such a success." he looked peered over his mug of butterbeer to a small smile placed on her lips. She looked so much more radiant with a smile. He felt the tension shift and knew something was on her mind.

"Albus, I have a student whom i'm rather intrigued by." her pursed her lips in concentration as she moved her chess piece. She sat back awaiting his move as she continued. "Tom Riddle.". She saw Albus look over his half moon spectacles and stared at her rather blankly for a moment. She began to regret bringing it up.

He took a moment to ponder his thoughts. "Tom Riddle came from an orphanage. As you know he was here whilst you were but he was quiet, withdrawn, until his fourth year, the professors began to notice something about him, he enjoyed using dark magic and would always be terribly cruel to other student. Muggle born and half blood usually." He moved his chess piece, however when he saw she didn't even contemplate on moving he assumed the game was paused. "He has been under observation. Why do you ask Minerva?".

She had stayed silent throughout, her eyebrows the only tell-tale sign she was taking it in. "I just.." She thought again, she was sounding a little pathetic, it was her first day and she was already complaining to the headmaster about a student, that made her feel slightly uncomfortable. "It's nothing, i'm just being silly." she commented softly.

Albus leant toward her slightly, "Minerva, if something is bother you, if Tom has said something.".

He was cut off by her head shake "No, no, he hasn't. Actually it's just the opposite. I just felt a little uneasy earlier. He was welcoming me to Hogwarts, he was friendly enough.." She shook her head "What am I saying, a student has been kind enough to welcome me and i'm speaking ill of him. You must think i'm unkind" she felt slightly ashamed of herself at this. "Well if you'll excuse me Albus i'm feeling rather tired." She stood and made her way toward the door.

"Minerva, you know I am always here to listen, nothing is to big or too little." He watched as she opened the door. "Goodnight dear".

The corridors were empty, it had gone half past ten and the castle was in darkness, except the moonlight breaking through the windows. She began to short distance to her chambers, her arms wrapped tightly around herself. The feeling, she got the feeling again, the uneasy sickness filling her stomach. She didn't stop but looked around her, she was being watched. Her hand moving to her wand. Her walking pace had increased, she wanted to run but she wouldn't show mercy.

She jumped and put her hand over her mouth from the shout that was about to emerge. "Bloody… cat!" she stopped and looked at Mrs Norris, the caretakers cat. She almost laughed at herself. She stood in front of her portrait and muttered her password, taking another look around she stepped in.

He emerged from the shadows, watching her every move. He could feel her heart beat quicken with every step she took. He got pleasure from the feeling of making her blood pump faster around her body, her adrenaline heighten, he had gotten her worked up, the blood in his own body rushing around, fuelling every part that ached after her.

Mm yes. He ached for her.

Next chapter: Pretty little thing: What will she do with unwelcome words?.