Minerva's POV

Minerva McGonagall sat in her chair in her quarters behind her office and began taking her hair out of its bun. Her reputation as the strict Transfiguration professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry could be seen in her stern facial features, neat emerald green robes, and the tidy bun her hair was always tied in. She looked into the mirror, making sure she hadn't missed any pins before shaking out her long grey-brown hair. She sighed, cursing Potter, Black, Lupin, and Pettigrew for her grey streaks.

Minerva sighed and put her brush down, loosely braiding her hair before going to her wardrobe to get ready for bed. Whilst searching for her nightgown, her hands brushed past a gorgeous emerald gown covered in gems and glittering in the light. Her eyes grew misty as she looked at it, remembering the last, and only, time she had worn it. *It had been a beautiful evening, warm with a slight breeze, and there was soft music playing as she swayed with her husband, Elphinstone, oh, Finn! her hands around his neck and his encircling her waist. He smiled down at her as the song came to an end, capturing her lips in a sweet kiss. He had bought that dress for her just for this event, knowing that it would fit her perfectly. His arms enveloped her in a hug, and she rested her head on his shoulder, trying to embed this moment in her mind forever, not knowing it would be the last evening like this she would ever experience.* Minerva shook her head, trying to stop her melancholy thoughts. After all, it wasn't like she would never see her Finn again. Just, maybe not ever in the living world. How cruel of the world to rob her of her true love only three years after they had finally got together. Minerva's eyes drifted to her left hand, noting the light line the encircled her ring finger, reminding her of the delicate diamond ring that she kept safe in her vanity drawer, not having worn it in many years.

'Maybe, just maybe, it's time to wear it again.' She thought, lightly caressing the spot it once laid. But, for now, she slipped into her nightgown and went to bed, smiling as she remembered her new goddaughter. 'That little baby girl,' she mused, 'she will be the one who keeps me going.' And with that, she drifted off to sleep, a soft smile still on her face.

-HP-

The next morning had Minerva sighing into her pillow as the alarm went off. She knew that she had to get up and get ready, but she just really didn't want to. She knew that technically, she didn't have to be in the castle yet. It was summer, after all. She could go and spend time with her brothers, or visit her new goddaughter. She wasn't expected or needed in Hogwarts. And yet, there she was. Minerva sighed and turned onto her back, staring at the ceiling. Why was it that hard mornings always come after good days? She took a deep breath and waved her hand, turning off the alarm. She rolled out of bed and put on her dressing gown, which was hanging on a hook next to her bed, like it always was. After getting ready for the day, Minerva looked at her schedule. Nothing...as usual. Summer months were always free, with the exception of having to prepare lesson plans. But, after 25 years of teaching Transfiguration, Minerva always had her lesson plans ready and updated. Always. Not knowing what else to do, she prepared to go down to the Great Hall and get some breakfast, only to get distracted by the latest issue of Transfiguration Today, which was lying on her desk.

Dumbledore's POV

Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore sighed. He had just gotten some news. At the moment, he wasn't sure whether or not it was good news. Albus was fond of Lily and James Potter, but the timing of their child's birth, well, it could have been better. The couple had been prime candidates even before their daughter was born! But of course, the child had decided that the very end of the seventh month was the best time to make its appearance. Albus sighed again. He would have to meet with Lily and James. Not yet, of course. It had been less than a day since their child was born!

'Goodness knows what goes on when that happens,' Albus thought, 'Yes, it would be better to wait. And I'm not even sure that Tom is going to go after them! He might not even know they have a child that was just born. Let's just hope he never finds out.'

Lily's POV

Lily sighed. All she wanted was to get out of bed and go pick up her child, yet she knew that probably wouldn't be a good idea. If she tried, James and the Healers would probably yell at her, and she would most likely regret it afterwards. But she really wanted to see her little Rosie!

"James?" she called, hoping he could hear her.

"Yeah, Lils?" he answered promptly, sticking his head into her doorway.

"I want to hold Rosie. Could you grab her for me?" Lily asked.

"Of course," James replied, walking over to where Rosie lay.

"Hurry up, James! I've been sitting here for hours with nothing to do."

James ignored her, and picked up their daughter, walking over to Lily. He carefully handed her Rosie, making sure that both mother and daughter were comfortably situated.

Lily smiled down at her baby girl, and then up at her husband. Once I can get out of this bed, she thought, everything will be perfect.

-HP-

The next day, Lily was still confined to the hospital bed, much to the dismay of everyone. Lily just wanted to get out of bed, James hated seeing his wife distressed, and the Healers were at the end of their wits trying to keep Lily from getting out of bed.

"Please, Mrs. Potter, just a few more hours!" one Healer pleaded, "We just have a few more potions and spells to administer. If you get out of bed now, you'll be setting us back at least a day!"

Lily groaned, wincing as she did so. She pursed her lips but eventually conceded. After what seemed like an eternity of being prodded with wands and told to swallow potions, she was finally given leave to get out of the bed.