Minerva's POV
As a professor, Minerva McGonagall had to know how to handle children. And she did. She was very good at what she did, though she knew there would likely be many students who called her strict or said that she favored her own house. To be fair, she did love her lions, but she made sure that her favoritism only showed during Quidditch.
Many professors that had come and gone during her time at the school had favorite and least favorite students. Minerva, as well, could say that there were students she liked over others and students whom she disliked over others. However, in her own opinion, she did not make her preference known to the students, unlike some others she could think of.
Minerva was very happy to say that Lily Evans Potter was one of her very favorites. The quiet, studious Muggleborn girl had struck her fancy the moment Minerva walked in the doors of the Evans household to introduce her to the wizarding world. James, too, was at the top of Minerva's list, but this was mostly due to his talent for Transfiguration, the subject she taught. James had been an unruly student, often causing mayhem and was the cause of most of Minerva's grey hairs. He and his friends, with the exception of Remus, had insisted on calling her 'Minnie', and she had given them multiple detentions for this, none of which seemed to do any good. Nevertheless, Minerva had been very pleased when she had been offered the role of godmother for the Potter child.
This particular evening, it was Minerva's turn to patrol the corridors. None of the teachers liked this job, and it was usually delegated to the prefects, but in light of the war that was going on, Albus had insisted that the teachers were to take over patrol, at least in the evening and after curfew.
Minerva sighed, having had to tell off another pair of students for being out after curfew. Granted, they were only ten minutes past curfew, but she felt that it was important to give equal amounts of punishment for the same crime, and she had already taken points from three other pairs of students, and she couldn't let it go for just two if eight were out at the same time.
Just then, as Minerva was turning a corner near the Headmaster's office, she almost ran straight into Lily Evans Potter, who was holding Minerva's baby goddaughter, Rosie.
"Lily!" Minerva cried, stopping abruptly so as to not bump into the other woman.
"Minerva," Lily said, smiling as she, too, stopped quickly, "I was looking for you, actually."
"Oh, really? And why was that, Mi- Lily?"
Lily laughed, "I feel like I'm a student again, and you just caught me coming out of the library after curfew!"
Minerva cracked a rare smile, "That did seem to happen, didn't it? Especially in your fifth and seventh years."
Lily looked down bashfully, "Well, what can I say? I was studying hard for my O.W.L.'s and my N.E.W.T.'s, Professor."
"You don't have to call me 'Professor' anymore, Lily."
"Ah, of course."
"Now, why was it that you were looking for me?"
"Oh, yes. Well, Professor Dumbledore called James and I for a meeting, and I thought you might love to take care of little Rosie for an hour?" Lily asked hopefully, "I really don't think Rosie would like to stay with us throughout the entire meeting, and you are her godmother-"
Minerva cut her off before she could say anymore, "Don't worry about it, Lily. I would love to spend time with my goddaughter."
Lily smiled, relieved, "Thank you, Pr- Minerva."
She handed the baby to Minerva and smiled again. She then offered a little wave to the pair, and walked back to Dumbledore's office, hoping that James hadn't done anything brash in the time she had been gone.
AAAAAAAAAAAA
Minerva smiled down at the babe in her arms, watching Lily walk back down the corridor, her long red hair falling down her back in little waves. Rosie opened her doe-like eyes and looked up at Minerva, a confused look on her face. Minerva smiled down at her, noting that the small amount of hair that framed her face was a deeper shade than her mother's. It was almost exactly halfway between the color of her mother's hair and her father's.
"Hello there, little Rosie," Minerva cooed, "I'm your godmother. You can call me Aunt Min."
And with that, Minerva swept off to her office with Rosie in her arms, hoping that no students would find her with a babe and think they could get off without chastisement.
AAAAAAAAAAAAA
Lily's POV
Upon her return to the Headmaster's office, Lily was surprised to find that James hadn't actually done anything, and the two had stayed where they were, waiting for her to come back.
"Well then," Dumbledore said, "Shall we get started? I have some news for the two of you."
Lily pursed her lips, "News, Professor?"
Dumbledore chuckled, his eyes twinkling, "Why, Lily, you must know you are not still a student! There is no need to call me 'Professor'!"
"With all due respect, sir," Lily replied, "I'd rather you just tell us what it is you called us here for."
"Of course, Lily. Won't you two take a seat? Well, I suppose James already has, but Lily, you are welcome to sit as well."
Lily gave her husband a look, but sat in the other chair in front of the Headmaster's desk whilst Dumbledore sat in his chair.
"It is not good news that I am about to tell you, I believe you already know. Earlier this year, I met with a prospective candidate for the Divination position here at Hogwarts. While I was there, the candidate gave a prophecy-"
"This is about a prophecy?" Lily asked, "Does it refer to us? Why haven't you told us this before?"
"It... did not truly refer to you until not too long ago. And even now, I am not fully sure it is talking about you."
"Wait, Lils, but what happened in the past week or so that would make the prophecy refer to us?" asked James worriedly.
Lily looked alarmed, "Does it talk about Rosie? Is that why?"
"...I am afraid so."
"What, exactly, does the prophecy say, Professor, that would refer to Rosie? And us?" Lily asked.
Dumbledore sighed, "The prophecy speaks of a child born at the end of the seventh month. As little Rosalie was born on the last day of July, that would certainly apply to her. As for you both, it is those that have thrice defied... well, thrice defied the Dark Lord."
Lily's eyes widened, "The prophecy talks about You-Know-Who? But have we truly defied him? And why does Rosalie come into this at all? She's not even two months old yet!"
"My dear, do not worry. Rosalie will come to no harm, not if I have anything to do with it. And still, the prophecy might not refer to you at all. There is another couple who meets the same criteria as you. I will ensure that you know all you need to keep yourselves safe."
Lily made eye contact with James, who had been sitting with his mouth slightly open for the past few minutes. All she wanted to do was find her little girl and barricade all three of them within James's family home until all the danger was gone, but she knew that would not happen. James was much too hot-headed for that, especially when Sirius was involved, or someone he loved had been threatened.
Lily sighed, "Thank you for telling us, Professor."
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled, "Of course, my dear. It is of utmost priority to myself to keep my students, and former students, safe. Or, I suppose, as safe as one man can keep them, even when that man is as experienced as I."
"James and I need to talk things over. I trust that you will contact us should anything change, yes?"
"Of course, Lily. Thank you for listening. You as well, James."
The couple stood up and bade farewell to the aged professor, James still looking slightly punch-drunk as Lily pulled him out of the office. They walked in silence to Minerva's office, where they collected Rosie from a very concerned Minerva, and then Flooed home.