I make my way up the stairs to the astronomy tower.
( Headmistress of Hogwarts )

I glance between Madame Poppy and Horace Slughorn.

As I had started to take my ususal stroll through the halls, a portrait had stopped me in my tracks, informing me that Horace and Poppy were arguing and they thought I should be there.

The two had gone silent the moment I appeared in the Infirmary. Off to the side, asleep, is Miss Jessica Fry.

"Two arguing adults near a sleeping student?" I question.

"I gave her a sleeping potion," Poppy said frostily. "Right after I gave her the antidote to that dreadful potion!"

Horace's face turns beet red. "I told you Poppy, I don't teach my students that potion and I don't know how they would be able to, since that potion is in a book in the Restricted Section of the library!"

Before Poppy can burst out with her own answer, I hold up a hand. "Can someone please inform me of what has happened?"

Poppy takes a deep breath, obviously trying to calm down. "One of the prefects, a Ravenclaw, came upon Miss Fry hiding behind a statue. About a half hour ago, Miss Fry apparently somehow drank a potion that caused her to see, while awake, nightmares."

I feel everything in me still. "Someone must have put it in her drink during dinner."

Poppy nods. "Yes. The prefect brought her in, and Miss Fry was reasonably calm, at least with her eyes closed. The moment she opened them, she saw her nightmares, so to speak. Luckily, knowing how things can happen in this school, I had an antidote. I gave it to her. The prefect of course went to find Horace."

"I asked her who did it," Horace says stiffly to me.

"Did she say?"

Horace scowls. "No. Poppy is right. She knows who did it, but she wouldn't say who. Even if you asked her, Headmistress, I doubt she would say."

Typical Slytherin, I think, glancing over at the sleeping Miss Fry. She won't tell on anyone in her House, even though there are some that don't think she belongs there.

"I suppose I should ask Severus to help with this," Horace says, his tone less pompous. "Or she might tell him. She did tell me she enjoys his Defence classes."

"Try him out then Horace." I turn to Poppy. "How long will she be asleep?"

"Just an hour. Enough time for her body and mind to recover," Poppy tells me.

"Good. Horace, you better have a nice long chat with your whole House," I say to him sternly. "Actions such as what happened earlier will NOT be tolerated. See if Severus can help you find out what happened." I take a look at Miss Fry one more time, and walk out of the Infirmary.

Merlin help that student who did. Because that is an expelling offence.

The decorations are up. The carved pumpkins floating, the lit candles.

The House-elves are ready to serve the food, and students are about to come in and eat their Halloween feast.
( Headmistress of Hogwarts )

My tail swishes as I sit near the pillar and watch the students come and go.

And I think about the past couple days.
( Headmistress of Hogwarts )

Seven weeks of school.

And a new rivalry has started.
( Headmistress of Hogwarts )

I am still getting owl from angry parents.

However the Howlers are no more, along with letters that burst into flames the moment I open them.
( Headmistress of Hogwarts )

I simply watch as the letter on my desk bursts into flames.
( text )

I had sent summons to all the professors to come to the staff room ten minutes before dinner.

Kamina Kappa has quietly left the school. We spoke briefly one more time, and I wished her best of luck with her and her sister. Terrible what happened to her family.
( Read More )

I look at the distraught young witch, trying her best not to break down in sobs.
( Read More )

Now that I have sent Mr Baddock and Miss McDonald back to Hogsmeade, I can get a better look at one of my former students.
( Read More )

"Well, you showed up," I hear a sharp voice call out to me as I enter Three Broomsticks. At first it sounds so like my mother's that for a few brief seconds I feel like I'm a teenager but then that feeling fades and I know where I am and who called my name.

I walk over to the big round table.

"Diana," I say stiffly.

A woman, who looks so eerily like my mother, just gives me a look. "Oh drop the fearsome Headmistress act and sit down, Minerva," She says, the sharpness gone. It was odd how all of us have similar voices like our departed mother. I look around the table to see a few others. My brother Gawain, two of my nieces, Athena and Ceres (named after our mother and my other sister who died in the seventies) and one of my nephews, Tristram (named after my brother that died in the seventies as well).

"Since a few of my students are here, I think I will keep it up," I say dryly as I sit down.

"Come on, Aunt Minnie," Ceres says gently, moving into the seat next to me. "You need to have one day where you relax."

Oh dear Merlin, they are already starting with the Aunt Minnie. I have half a mind to put up a silencing charm around us so the patrons in this place cannot hear what is going on. I glance over at my youngest niece, who's long dark hair and hazel eyes resembles her namesake so clearly. She smiles at me and I feel a little of myself give in.

"Well I could not very well stay in the school, what with all the many owls that were being sent to me."

"I told you that we were going to celebrate your birthday wether you like it or not," Gawain growls gruffly.

"The others couldn't make it Aunt Minnie," Tristram speaks up, and once again I sincerely hope no one else hears that, "but they all sent gifts." He points to the pile stacked on the table. Soon several mugs are placed all around.

"Small gillywater for you, Headmistress," the server puts down in front of me.

"Thank you."

"All right, so we have been hearing things about Hogwarts," Ceres speaks up. "Professor Flitwick told me in a letter to barrage you with the questions."

"Such as... Severus Snape returning to Hogwarts?" Diana asks sharply, her eyes, as sharp as mine, stare directly at me.

"Come on, Mother. Do we have to talk about something unpleasant?" Tristram huffs. "This is Aunt Minnie's day, so let's keep it that way."

I resist the urge to smile. I do believe Tristram is the only one that dares to stand up to his mother. Diana and I have somewhat similar reputation. "There hasn't been much going on in Hogwarts. Believe me. A couple surprises this year, but that is it."

"No Weasley's this year?" Athena grins as she takes a sip of her drink.

"Except for a professor. You should know him Ceres. You and Charlie were in the same year I believe."

Ceres eyebrows raise. "Charlie Weasley? The Golden Gryffindor?" She grins. "Wiped the floor with me during that last Ravenclaw and Gryffindor match."

Tristram and Athena laugh.

"Still playing Quidditch, Ceres? Last I heard you were playing for Falmouth Falcons."

Ceres nods. "Still am. Had to sit out the entire season last year thanks to the Kenmare Kestrals's seeker deciding to take a beaters bat from one his beaters and use my head as batting practice."

"All right, lets talk about something else other than Quidditch," Gawain interrupts. "Otherwise you and your Aunt will end up discussing nothing but Quidditch."

"Well it's Aunt Minnie's birthday--"

At that Gawain shoots off something else, and I lean back in my chair slightly as he and his daughter trade barbs back and forth.

Diana leans in close. "Did you hear about the Wimbourne Wasps?"

I shake my head. "No. What?"

"New seeker. I think. Rumour from what I understand."

"Well we'll see when the season starts."

I raise an eyebrow. "Well you will have to keep me updated Diana, as I will be concentrating on the Quidditch season at Hogwarts."

"Slytherin or Gryffindor."

"Gryffindor," Tristram, Athena and I say at the same time.

"Ravenclaw," Ceres speaks up.

"You wish cousin," Athena speaks up.

After a few moments, Diana decides to add to the fire.

"Slytherin," My die hard Gryffindor sister says.

Finally as Tristram, Diana, Ceres and Athena descend into the time honored tradition of which House will beat who, while Gawain plays referee, I sit back and let myself smile.

****20 Minutes Later***

"Okay, Aunt Minnie which do you want to do first?" Tristram asks as the House arguement dies down. "Presents or cake?"

I frown. "Must I have a cake this year?"

"Yes." Everyone choruses. Ceres and Tristram stand up and head over to the back where I see them whispering briefly with Rosmerta. A few seconds later I am stifling a groan as Rosmerta bringing something over, something that looks like a cake.

"Ta, Minerva," She says softly as she places it down in front of me, the cake the shape of Hogwarts, and the candles in the form of an H. "Happy birthday," She whispers. "And may you have many more with your family." She smiles, squeezes my shoulder and walks back to the bar.

And then...

"Happy Birthday to you..."

All of them.

At the same time.

I close my eyes and place a hand at my temple. I can handle the presents, (which I haven't opened yet) I can handle the cake, but this?

"Happy Birthday Aunt Minnie..."

The song I cannot handle with the grace of a McGonagall.

At long last the last line dies, and I do my best Headmistress of Hogwarts scowl at all of them, but as with family, it has no affect.

"Can't blow out the candles, Min, by a scowl," Gawain teases.

I purse my lips and glare at him.

"Used to work when we were younger, not now."

I turn my attention to the cake and do what is needed to candles. I blow them out.

"All right, so that makes you what this year? 78? 79?" Gawain teases.

I scowl. "Bite your tongue. 75."

He just grins. Little brothers.

"Okay. Candles are out. First presents, then the cake."

Everyone just grins and soon I start opening up presents. It appears the staff also came here while I was getting ready and dropped off their gifts. Filius decided to give a WWW product: Fireflies, encased in a birdhouse like case. Dear Filius. Well the twins are ingenious. Good thing they were Gryffindors.

Other presents from the staff was an Astronomy book, a new book on Transfiguration, a scarf knitted in my clan's colours, a new set of quills, and a book on cats,(The Mating Habits of Domestic Felines, by I. M. Phuree) attached with a catnip mouse. It. Never. Ends. Someone ALWAYS does something like THIS. I look at tag and note that is from Charlie Weasley.

Then the gifts from family. Tristram, the family genealogist, created a plaque of our clan's crest and also gave me a copy of the book he wrote: The History Of The McGonagalls. Proud of his family's history, the boy. Ceres gave me a signed photo of the Falmouth Falcon's team and a book on the team's history, Diana gave me a new set of journals, (I keep running out) and so forth. I opened up about four more presents until Diana handed me a package from her bag.

"Adaira Cameron sent this," Diana whispers to me. "She would have come but she wasn't feeling well."

I nod and open the package, to see what resembled.. a shoe box? I lift off the piece of parchment that was spellotaped to the lid.


Minerva,

My daughter found these a few days ago, rooting through the basement. It was among Tage's things that were sent back to us after.

They were all addressed to you, and even though it's been a few decades, you should have these.

Best wishes to you

Adaira.

Best wishes to you Adaira.

I lift the lid and see...

Many, many old envelopes.

"What are they?" Diana whispers. The others have already gone to the bar to speak to Rosmerta and perhaps get a few more drinks.

"Letters," I say softly. "Old ones. Addressed to me. From Tages."

Diana inhales. "Should I not have...?"

"Diana," I say quickly, putting the lid back on. "It's been over 50 years. It's not a touchy subject, you know that."

"I know Minerva, but--"

"But nothing, little Di."

Diana scowls. "You know I hate Di."

"You know I don't like Minnie."

She smiles. "We're even then."

****A couple hours later***

I parted ways with everyone with a promise to try and gather again, possibly in Christmas. It takes a few minutes, but I get myself and my presents to my quarters. I quietly put everything away, my new books in my bookcase, and my latest catnip mouse on my dresser. After I put everything away, I go over to my bed with the shoebox and lift the lid, taking one letter out.

It's somewhat a shock to see Tage's handwriting after not seeing it for so long.



Min,

It's Sunday and it's raining. I hate the rain, as you well know.

But the good thing? It's your birthday, so I am doing what I can right now.

Writing to you.

I had four people to choose from for the Quidditch announcer.

I was not going to let the one from last year continue. I almost fell asleep during them and I am a Quidditch fan. I prefer to be awake during the matches.


I glance down at the parchment where I wrote all four names. I look at the first two and mentally scratch them off. Monotone voices. No need to continue trying to put the students to sleep during matches. Including the players either.

The two names left... Dennis Creevey and a Hufflepuff third year.

Considering the Hufflepuff in question has been lagging in her classes already, I think I know who the best choice is.

Dennis Creevey. A bit like his brother. Has energy. Won't put anyone to sleep at least.

I get up from my desk and leave my office, just as class let out. I stop as students start milling around, and I run the schedules for sixth years through my head.

I nod to some of the students that greet me, and when no more are milling near my office, I decide to track down Mr Creevey the easy way.

Becoming a cat makes it easier to move through the halls.

I watch silently as Miss Jessica Fry walks through the halls. Lunch had been over for twenty minutes. I had gone in to briefly speak to Charlie and then gone back to the halls, watching the others.

( Read More )

Minerva,

I don't want to hear any excuses.

I am coming to Hogsmeade. I will be at the Three Broomsticks on the 4th.

We ARE celebrating your birthday.

And if you are not there at precisely seven pm, I will harangue you with many, MANY owls.

Your loving, annoying little sister,

Diana. ( Read More )

I spin my wand in my hand for a moment.

Severus is coming.
( Read More )

Severus Snape will soon be arriving.

The Minister of Magic has agreed to come, along with one Auror.
( Read More )

Being an animagus certainly does have its advantages.

Being the Headmistress of Hogwarts as well as an animagus is even more of an advantage.
( Read More )

Another year.

I sit at the head table, looking out at the House tables, and at all the students coming back for another year at Hogwarts. All the Professors have been filing in, taking their respective seats as the older students claim their places at their House tables.
( Read More )