And I'm back! Sorry for the irregular posts - I've been busy packing and moving to a new house after some issues with the last, as well as getting used to my new job and degree (which requires a 4 hours there and back commute!). I promise this story will get completed though it may take a bit longer.
1st September
The tell-tale sound of crutches against the stone slabs alerted Minerva to Filch's imminent arrival before he had even knocked on the door.
Minerva checked Elphinstone's pocket watch. "I think that is Argus coming to tell us that the Hogwarts Express has arrived at Hogsmeade," she said, beginning to stand.
Filius, whom she had been speaking with in her office, followed her lead.
"I think we have covered everything..." she said, frowning slightly as she looked towards Filius.
"The new Library Assistant?"
"Ah, yes, Florentine Wells will be arriving during the October half-term," Minerva said, "Not for a few weeks yet, but we shall have a staff meeting before then, and I will be discussing with Irma how Florentine's induction will be organised."
Filius nodded just as Filch knocked on the door.
"Come in," Minerva called and the door swung open of its own accord to reveal the caretaker leaning awkwardly on the crutches he had been using since May; under strict orders from Poppy.
"The Hogwarts Express has arrived, Professor McGonagall," he wheezed. "Hagrid is preparing the boats."
"Thank you, Argus. We shall be down shortly."
He nodded and then walked back down the staircase, Mrs Norris at his heels.
Minerva went to pick up the Sorting Hat from its customary position, which for over thirty years she had been responsible for at the Sorting Ceremony, and then handed it to Filius.
She did not regret choosing Filius as her Deputy. He had been at the school longer than she had, and longer even, than Pomona had. He was responsible and someone whose advice she had sought and acted upon many times before. He had seemed the natural choice, and Minerva was glad that he had accepted. Nevertheless, it felt strange handing over duties she had become so accustomed to in the 42 years she had worked at Hogwarts.
"Hagrid usually arrives with the students at ten to seven," she told him.
"Best get on then," Filius said, and they made their way out of the Headteacher's office.
Minerva was still not used to the watchful eyes of the portraits following her whenever she was in the office. It perturbed her slightly to be constantly watched and listened to, especially by Severus, whom she had found herself struggling to reconcile with. After a year of believing that he had murdered her closest friend, not to mention the many months he had overseen Hogwarts and the horrors that had taken place in the school, Minerva struggled not to be reminded of those thoughts whenever she set eyes upon his painting; despite, indeed, the fact that he had been 'pretending' to be on Voldemort's side the entire time.
She sighed and began to close the door, her eyes catching Albus' briefly. One day, she told herself, she would be able to hold that portrait's gaze without feeling like all the air had been sucked out of her lungs. The door clicked shut, and Minerva tried to compose herself as she followed Filius down the spiral stairs. Barely five months before, she would have found it hard to believe that Hogwarts would be welcoming any students at all through its doors.
Nevertheless, five months hence, Hogwarts was still standing, and ready to host a range of witches and wizards, eager to teach fairly and safely, and excited to learn. But the cost... Minerva's thoughts trailed away as she thought of colleagues and friends she would never see again, and students she would never teach again. The ghosts of witches and wizards she had once known, and who had stood side by side with her when their freedom and rights were being attacked, still haunted her. She could not look at a corner of the castle, without being reminded of its state during the battle, and the wounded she had seen lining the halls.
"Minerva!" Rolanda appeared at the end of the corridor, waving her hand in an attempt to catch Minerva's attention. "The coaches are arriving, and the new Professor is here. Are you—"
"On my way, Rolanda," Minerva replied. Rolanda nodded and disappeared again. Meanwhile, Minerva turned to Filius. "The enchantments will need to be put in place again once the students arrive," she said.
"Leave that to me." And, before Minerva could leave him, he reached out to put a hand on her wrist. "Everything is running like clockwork, Minerva. It's going to be a good year this year; I am sure of it."
He gave her a reassuring smile and, after a moment, Minerva felt herself relax slightly too. They had all been torn between looking forward to and dreading the start of the year - their most recent experiences at Hogwarts having tarnished the feelings of excitement and anticipation they had become accustomed to when September came around. But they had worked so hard to finish the castle, and prepare for new and returning students. And the castle had been repaired. The Dark Lord was no longer, and their students could now return to study in a safe and welcoming environment.
"I believe I am inclined to agree," Minerva finally replied. "Thank you, Filius," she added, sincerely. "I shall see you at the feast."
And as they parted ways, Minerva quite suddenly began to feel more like herself than she had ever since she had woken up that morning. It was a new year, with new students, new professors, and a newly refurbished castle. No more Death Eaters, sadists or secret chambers or giant basilisks to be afraid of, she thought, her mind wandering again to the Chamber of Secrets they had finally managed to seal for good.
Minerva rounded the corner where she had last seen Rolanda disappear behind and found herself looking at an almost empty corridor. Bill Weasley stood with his hands clasped behind his back. He wore a white shirt, brown tweed trousers, a jacket, and a tie - the smartest she had ever seen him.
He seemed to realise he was no longer alone before Minerva had even the time to speak, and turned around to face her. He smiled, looking pleased but tired at the same time.
"Professor McGonagall," he said, walking to her and extending his hand to shake hers. "It's good to see you."
"It is good to see you too. And it's Minerva, please." she corrected him. "Seeing as we are now colleagues, I think it makes sense to be on a first-name basis."
He smiled and nodded, his earring that Molly so hated, bouncing from side to side. "I've known for weeks and it still doesn't feel any less strange to be back here as a teacher."
"It's happened to us all. I promise you that it does get easier," Minerva said, and he smiled. "I know you will be commuting to and from the castle, however, you will still be provided with a classroom, office and living quarters. You will receive a proper tour, I assure you, but I'm afraid it will have to wait until after the students have arrived."
"It seems I chose a busy day to start my new job," he said, putting his hands in his pockets. Bill Weasley had always been quite a relaxed sort - much like his father. But Minerva could tell he was a bit nervous at this moment, something she remembered experiencing herself when she had first started at Hogwarts.
"The first of September is always a busy day," she agreed, "But exciting as well, I promise you. It will make your first day in the classroom feel like a breeze."
Bill chuckled. "Is that so?"
"Absolutely," Minerva replied without hesitating. "Now, Filius has gone to collect the first years from Hagrid. The older students will be arriving shortly so I think it is best if we go to the Great Hall and introduce you to your new colleagues before it becomes too loud for us to hear each other talk."
He nodded, and Minerva led Bill Weasley into the Great Hall, where everyone else was waiting.
"Oh, hello," Pomona said, standing up suddenly as Minerva entered the staffroom.
It was gone 10pm and, apart from a few prefects who were patrolling the corridors, all students were tucked up in bed. The Sorting Ceremony had gone more smoothly than anyone could have expected, and Minerva had been delighted to find that there had been a general sense of excitement and contentment in the Great Hall at dinnertime.
Since then, Minerva had checked on her Gryffindors more than once that evening. She knew Filius had checked his Ravenclaws multiple times, as had Pomona with her Hufflepuffs and Horace his Slytherins.
"Off home?"
"There's a reason I'm wearing a hat and coat, Minerva," Pomona teased softly. "And if I stay any longer, Albert will no doubt try coming here himself to see if I'm all right."
Minerva smiled, though something about Pomona's words made her think of Elphinstone, and how he had picked her up from Hogwarts whenever she had stayed late - she missed having someone look after her in that way.
"It's good that he cares," Minerva said.
"Oh, I do know that, dear. But he's almost 80 the barmy old man," Pomona said. "Walking in the dark like this would do him no good. Thank you," she added when Minerva handed Pomona her bag. "Walk with me?"
"You do like being pampered," Minerva said, and Pomona smiled wryly as they looped arms and left the staffroom. Instinctively, Minerva looked behind her just as she remembered that she was quite safe inside the castle. Neither Amycus nor Alecto would be jumping out from behind her, and she did not need to check for indiscreet eavesdroppers any longer.
"You're just like me," Pomona murmured. "Albert dropped some books on the stairs last weekend and I thought someone was trying to break into the house. I burst at least 3 lightbulbs, can you believe it? It's like I'm a child again, brimming with uncontrollable and accidental magic."
"I thought those days were behind me too," Minerva sighed. They reached the last staircase to the Entrance Hall, and Minerva waved her hand so that the great doors to the castle heaved open. "Restful weekend, please, Pomona."
"Is that an order from the highest authority?"
Minerva smiled slightly. "Don't be silly," she said, and she leaned in to give Pomona a quick kiss on the cheek goodbye. "But yes it is and I expect you to take my recommendations seriously. No work or thoughts about work until Monday morning, please."
"Goodness, you give me such difficult instructions," Pomona said, amused. "I promise, dear. And extend those same words of advice to you. However difficult that may be."
She stepped outside of the castle and waved her hand before disappearing into the darkness. Minerva watched for a few more minutes, before closing the door.