You open the doors like every year, welcoming the little first years as they tremble their first steps into Hogwarts.

You lead them to the sorting hat, you still remember when you yourself tried on the hat, barely tall enough to reach the stool.

You wink at Dumbledore, still the sassy queen of Hogwarts from when you were at school. He chuckles in return, and you place your poker face back on for the sorting.

As the names are called, you watch hopefully to see which children will enter Gryffindor, your own house. The first to succeed surprises you - a Black in Gryffindor! - but you smile kindly at the nervously smiling boy just the same.

You observe Lily Evans closely. Her cheeks are faintly streaked with tears, and the expression on the upturned little face is an odd combination of determination, fear and hope. You see the look of despair as she is sorted into Gryffindor, and you smile extra widely at her, trying to sooth her worries.

You nod approvingly when Alice Fortescue is sorted into your house. She looks kind, but stubborn and determined, and a worthy Gryffindor.

A thin, peaky boy with intelligent honey-green eyes hurries to the red and gold table next. He was especially nervous, but not jittery at all you note.

A gold head of hair swans up to the hat, and you allow yourself a tiny smirk when she is placed in Gryffindor. Clearly this girl Marlene would be just of a badass as you had been.

You raise your eyebrows just a tiny bit when a plump boy with a rat-like face is sorted into your house. He is not exactly a typical Gryffindor, but you remind yourself not to judge him quite yet.

Inwardly you groan when James Potter swaggers up to the front. Memories of his father's mischief-making spring to your mind... you two were the best of friends a long time ago, along with James' mother Dora. James could not be more like his father in looks, and you long to find out how similar the two truly are.

At last the sorting is over, and you take the hat back into the ante-chamber, where a house elf will move it to the headmaster's office later. You rub your eyes, breaking your barriers down for a moment, and think back on the new Gryffindors. This is certainly a unique year, with obviously strong personalities, and you grin secretly to yourself as you return to the great hall.

*

"SIRIUS BLACK!!" You bellow, practically spitting in the face of the sheepish boy.

"Yes Professor Minnie?" He says, still smirking a little.

"What on earth were you thinking, making everyone turn RAINBOW and make UNICORN HORNS SPROUT OF OUR HEADS???" You scream, and Sirius has the grace to look a little abashed.

"Well, Professor, everyone is so gloomy all of the time, and well, I wanted to, you know... cheer them up a bit?"

"Detention, every night this week," You groan. That will probably be more trying for you than him in the end, but you can't just let him off now. "Get out, go and be quiet for a bit."

"Great! Toodles Min-Min!" That blasted boy grins, and before you can reply he has run out the door.

Unable to control it any longer, you sink into the chair behind your desk and howl with laughter, just as you do after most encounters with the marauders, and you are found there later by an incredibly confused Bilius Weasley when he comes in with a question about his prefect duties.

You scold him sharply, and remind him to knock before entering a room, before wearily offering the boy a biscuit.

*

You beam when the seven Gryffindors finally turn mice into teacups. Their pride is so obvious, so sweet, and you enjoy teaching them, making their faces light up with astonishment.

Every other teacher comes to you with tales of the 'Marauders' not paying attention in class, terrorising other students, pranking everyone in sight.

But at the end of the day, you know that they are just children, whose faces still carry that glow of naive happiness, and you vow to shield them at all costs from the terrible world outside the walls of Hogwarts.

*

A wise man once said to you, "When something is a complete secret at Hogwarts, everyone of course knows everything about it." Ok, ok, it was Dumbledore, that sentence practically reeks of the daft headmaster. But still, it is very true in its essence. It is, after all, a well known fact that all the teachers take great interest in the students' love lives, and bets are often placed on particularly intriguing couples.

One such pairing of course is Lily Evans and James Potter, both infamous throughout the school with their strange relationship. Their shouting matches are legendary, and everyone ducks for cover when Lily catches James hexing Severus Snape. However, James asks the stubborn girl out ever single day, multiple times sometimes. And you are always amused to see how Lily is oddly jealous when James is found snogging a different girl. You are convinced they will be together by seventh year, Dumbledore believes sixth year, and Slughorn has decided on fifth year. There are long debates on it in the staffroom every Thursday lunchtime.

Another couple is Remus Lupin and Sirius Black. Dumbledore first informed you of his ship in their second year, talking excitedly over a cup of jasmine tea. At first you were doubtful, as the two boys are complete opposites, but now you are firmly convinced. The pair are made for each other.

*

You watch the children grow. As the years pass, they change, but still remain the same. The Marauders' egos grow to the size of hot air balloons, and the girls mature into young ladies, some boy-mad and some still scornful of every male on two legs. You try not to be hurt when they seem no longer to need you as much. However, you are the one they come to when things go wrong.

Remus comes crying heavily to you when three Slytherin boys stamp the words HALF-BLOOD FAGGOT onto the back of his jumper.

You help Sirius when his depression sinks to the point where he is downing a bottle of firewhiskey every night.

Lily and Marlene come to you when they were almost raped by Avery and Mulciber after potions one day, still shaking and sobbing.

James pours out his troubles about Lily to you, pleading again and again for you to explain why she can't love him when he loves her so much.

You are there for each and every one of them when they need you. In the end you know it will hurt you most to let go.

*

The Fiasco of '76. It's all anyone talks about for days, all the way to the end of term. How Severus Snape finally called Lily Evans a mudblood. How the two kids, once best friends, are now separated for ever more. How Lily is shut up in her dormitory, refusing to speak to anyone, except Alice Fortescue, and strangely enough Sirius Black.

Dumbledore has a field day when it happens, ranting for almost an hour about how his 'favourite ship was going to sink' and 'Mr Snape had acted very rashly' and even 'Jily has to happen, even if we all go down with it.'

You privately agree with the sentiment, but tell him briskly to stop repeating nonsensical gossip and go back to his work.

*

When Lily and James walk into the Great Hall holding hands on the 1st of September 1977, it is like someone has dropped a bomb into the midst of the crowded room. There is utter silence, only broken by Dumbledore quietly chuckling.

"I told you Minerva!" He whispers to you happily, surveying the two young adults over his half-moon spectacles with pride.

You are too busy being gobsmacked to answer him.

"Guys, we got together, ok?!" Lily yells at last. At once everyone explodes into applause, cheering and screaming with delight. Both Lily and James' faces are both as red as the Gryffindor banner, and Sirius and Alice lead the chant of Jily, Jily, JILY!

Janes swings Lily round, dipping her down, and before she can ask what he's doing, he kisses her full on the mouth. If it was possible, the cheers get even louder.

You wipe a secret tear away, before Dumbledore can catch you. That man would honestly never let it go.

*

Graduation finally arrives. NEWTs are finished. So is the school year. While the sun beats down on the idyllic morning, you hand diplomas to the students as they graduate, tears falling down your face. This group of kids... You have always told yourself not to get too attached, it wasn't right. But these children were always more than just your students. You have grown to love them like your own, and to see them all squinting in the sunlight as they graduated is breaking your heart.

When the ceremony is over, and all the parents congratulate their kids, you stand to the side, just watching it all with a sad, wistful smile on your face.

Sirius Black ambles over to stand beside you, and you are struck once again on how much taller and older he looks. "Hey Minnie," He greets you, a quiet smile playing on his lips.

"Mr Black," You acknowledge him stiffly. If you are any more gentle, you'll break down all over again.

"Aw Minnie, I'm not your pupil anymore am I? You'll have to call me Sirius now! But don't worry, I'll still prank you every April Fools, and send you shortbread on you birthday, ey?" His face is grinning, but his eyes are thoughtful, and for the first time you notice that he looks a trifle scared.

"No pranks if you will, Mr Bl- Sirius," You catch yourself hurriedly before you say Mr Black. "And kindly make the shortbread..."

"...Gold for Gryffindor, and in the shape of cats," Sirius finishes for you, smirking.

"How...?" You ask, bewildered as to how he knows what shortbread you like.

Sirius sighs. "Min-Min, you have always been my favourite teacher, of course I know how you like your shortbread!" He says with an exasperated amusement.

This is too much for you, and you throw your arms around him, sobbing uncontrollably.

*

"Have you heard?"

"Last night..."

"The Potters..."

"Harry Potter..."

"You know who defeated..."

"James and Lily..."

"Dead..."

You apparate outside the gates of Hogwarts. It's nearly midnight, and you shouldn't really have come here, but all you want is to feel at home. The little cottage in Faere Dhu feels too empty without Dou and Malcom buzzing round the house.

You rush into the castle and up to your office. You close the door firmly, and wave your wand to ignite the fire and make a cup of tea.

At the sight of the tartan pattered tea cup, with little cats scampering around the rim, you halt. You pick up the cup... and then put it down again.

You go over to the large shelving unit on the wall... a cup for every student you taught, the very first ones they ever transfigured from mice in their first years.

Your eyes run over Remus Lupin's Ivory cup with the golden phases of the moon, Alice Fortescue - no, it was Longbottom now - her delicate mug of pink and yellow stripes, Sirius's simple pattern of two bold black lines...

And you spot James and Lily's cups, side be side on a shelf. Lily's a pretty pattern of pink roses and ivy, James' gold and blue with a stag antlers running round the rim.

And as you recall the meeting with Dumbledore, you weep for the Potters, who left only a green-eyed baby boy, and a pocket full of unfulfilled dreams.

*

You open the doors for the first years. It is a cold September this year, and the little children scurry inside without much hesitation. At once your keen eyes spot the unruly mop of jet-black hair, and your heart pounds as for a second you think that James Potter is alive. But then emerald green eyes look up and you realise that it is his son Harry, who has of course finally come to Hogwarts.

You aid the sorting as cool and unruffled as ever, though of course keeping an eye out for the new Gryffindors.

Lavender Brown is the first, a blithe young girl who skips happily off to the table dressed in red and gold.

Seamus Finnegan is next, his hair showing faint singes of soot from where he'd been playing exploding snap on the train.

Hermione Granger looks very bright, and she walks very precisely as she steps up to the hat, determined to make a good impression.

Neville Longbottom trips forward, looking absolutely terrified. However, through the worry you can see the old bravery and defiance that had once been on both Frank and Alice Longbottom's faces.

Parvati Patil is sorted away from her twin into Gryffindor, and you watch as the dark haired girl hurries over to your house table, a beam on her pretty face.

Harry Potter. The one everyone has been waiting for, and even you wait with baited breath to see where he is sorted. However, after two minutes of tense silence, the Hat shouts out, "GRYFFINDOR!" And the room applauds madly.

Dean Thomas is a tall, dark skinned boy, who who has a long talk with the sorting hat for over four minutes, before the hat decides to place him in Gryffindor.

Inwardly you sigh as Ronald Weasley is called up. Merlin's beard hadn't the Weasleys had enough children? At least this one doesn't look like a troublemaker like the twins...

As the feast begins, you watch Harry and the other first years pile food onto their plates, beginning to chatter with excitement.

And you silently wish these children good luck as they begin their journey at Hogwarts.

*

"Trolls! At Hogwarts! Really, Severus, even in your day this was unheard of!" You exclaim crossly to the potions master. "And where were you, may I ask, when we were all in the dungeons?"

"Minerva-"  the insufferable man starts to reply curtly, when Mr Filch shuffles up to them.

"'Scuse me, Professors, but you was wanting to see me, Professor Snape, sir?" Filch muttered lowly, and the two men quickly stride down the corridor together.

You stare after them. Severus Snape was bad enough as a boy, but Severus Snape the man is possibly worse.

What's more, he cheats with house points, and when acting as referee at Quidditch matches. Hmm...

You decide to fill his morning coffee with cockroach clusters the next morning, and be a little nicer to Gryffindor for good measure. Snape was just so... Snivelly sometimes.

*

Ginny Weasley. That quiet, mousy little redhead in Gryffindor... taken. You purse your lips firmly. Any more and they will practically disappear.

You did hear scrabbling in the wardrobe as you came in, but you let it be. These curious things were best left to sort themselves out.

You admit to yourself that it wasn't really fair to do that to Lockhart. You did take your anger out on him a little. But honestly! Anyone who has pictures of themselves on their walls is not someone worth bothering with.

"Dumbledore... where are you when you're needed?" You whisper to the empty staffroom, then walk out, closing the door sharply behind you.

*

"You've searched the Astronomy Tower?"

"Twice. There's no possibility of him being there at all."

You sigh. "Very well, thank you Filius."

As Professor Flitwick marches off again, you frown. It would have been so nice just to see Sirius Black again... even if he was a murderer.

Even now, after twelve years, you never think of Sirius as a murderer. To you he will always be the stormy eyed boy who fell in love with a werewolf and pranked you every single birthday without forgetting.

*

"Albus! He is just a boy, how can you even think of letting him compete??" You rage at the headmaster once the door closes behind Igor Karkaroff.

Dumbledore shakes his head sadly. "I would if I could, Minerva. But you heard Barty, it's a binding contract. Rules are rules."

"RULES WERE MADE TO BE BROKEN!" You scream at the old man. "CAN YOU NOT FIND A LOOPHOLE OR SOMETHING?"

"Minerva..." Dumbledore starts to say, but you stop him.

"I JUST WANT TO PROTECT HIM, ALBUS, I COULDN'T PROTECT LILY AND JAMES, BUT I WILL PROTECT HARRY!!"

There is a ringing silence while you realise what you just said. Tears roll down Dumbledore's long nose.

You abruptly walk out of the room, and slam the door behind you.

*

You place a small parcel on the bedside table. "Merry Christmas, Molly, Arthur," you say, gently putting a hand on Molly's shoulder.

"Thank you Minerva, will you be staying at Hogwarts as usual?" Molly asks.

You nod. "I haven't really got any family to go to... my brother is dead now, you know, as is Elphinstone, and Charlus and Dora..." You shrug slightly.

Molly pats your arm comfortingly. "You'd always be welcome to join us, dear," She says quietly.

"I wouldn't want to intrude... besides, I'm needed at Hogwarts," You reply slightly stiffly. "In fact I must go, I only meant to drop this off."

As you say your goodbyes and walk away, you wonder briefly what a Christmas with the Weasleys would be like... but this soon reminds you of your own childhood Christmases, and you shake your head quickly to rid yourself of those foolish thoughts.

*

You stand in the middle of the great hall. Though sunlight is pouring though the empty window frames in a beautiful day, you aren't smiling. The castle is silent.

You pick your way though the shards of glass littering the floor. The usual house banners are replaced with black mourning drapes. The tables are completely bare.

Gingerly, you sit down at your old place at the Gryffindor table. The place where you chatted with Charlus, Elphie and Alastor at mealtimes. The place where you could pull faces at Dora Black at the Slytherin table. The place where you could secretly ignite Filibusters under the teachers table.

You look up at the podium. The magnificent gold wings seem... crude. Like they were made by a child. They are nothing without the great man behind them.

A bird begins to sing in the tree outside the great hall. A blackbird, you think. You remember the song that James and Sirius loved to sing...

Blackbird singing in the dead of night...

You sit there for hours in the sunlight, listening to the birdsong, surrounded by shards of memories and glass.

*

You double lock the door to your office. The Carrows don't need to be barging in.

You pour yourself a cup of tea. Milk, no sugar at all. It's warmth helps the pounding ache in your skull a little, and you fold your hands round it, shivering.

It's one of the coldest winters you've ever experienced, and the fire has burned down low in the grate. The room feels like ice.

You point your wand at the fireplace, making it brighten. However you are still cold. It's always cold these days.

A couple of minutes ago, you were trying to distract Filch, hoping to draw them away from the students you knew were at that moment 'decorating' the defence corridor. But then you tripped over that awful cat, and while Filch hurried off to nurse the dreadful feline in his office, you decided to return to your office.

You still aren't warm, so you pick up your cup and place it on the mat by the fire. You transform into the tabby cat, curling round the cup and relishing the warmth of the flames. You fall asleep a few minutes later, curled protectively round the teacup, quiet and content.

*

You stare at Harry. "Excuse me??"

"We'd like you to be James' godmother," Harry repeats, grinning all over. You are struck for the hundredth time how similar he is to James.

"But why me?" You stutter, bewildered.

"You've been part of this family for years, Minerva, you taught my dad and me, and you were best friends with my grandad. I think it's time we made it official." Harry says, his emerald eyes glowing with warmth.

"Besides, you were like a second mother to both me and Harry at Hogwarts, and we couldn't think of anyone better," Ginny adds, smiling gently.

"So, what do you say?" Harry asks.

You swallow. Come on, Minnie, Gryffindor courage...

"I'd be honoured," you choke out at last, not even trying to hide the teary smile.

*

You stand in a graveyard. Summer has almost ended, but you wanted to make this last trip before leaving for Hogwarts. You have put it off for too long.

You move over to the first gravestone. It sits beneath an apple tree, a joint grave of cool marble.

You lay down the bluebells, Dora's favourites.

"Charlus, Dora... thank you for making me who I am today. You were two of the best friends I could ever ask for, and I am... so very proud to have known you both." You say quietly. It is all you need to say.

Moving on... you stop beside another joint grave, this one of grey slate. A withered wreath of roses lies on the headstone. You conjure a fresh one made of wildflowers to sit beside it.

"Lily, James... I loved teaching you very much, and I loved being your friend even more. You were continually surprising me. I am very proud of both you and your son. It was wonderful to know you."

Lastly, you make your way to the little stone bench, drenched with evening sunshine. You sit, your toes curling at the warmth of the last rays of sun.

"Dou, Malcom and Elphie. I can't be at your graves, but I want you to know that I love you all so much. I shall never forget you, my friends and brother."

You stand slowly, walking unhurriedly toward the little gate, unlatching it and swinging it open.

You pause on the pretty lane, painted pink and gold from the sunlight, and in a half whisper, you say to yourself, "I am Minerva McGonagall, and I am not afraid."

Then you stroll off down the street, and disappear round the bend in the road.

One shot of our absolute queen Minnie ❤️❤️❤️

Tagging abbilovegood for the beetles awards ❤️

*Update on above: Minnie won third place!!!!! I can't believe how happy I am, thank you so, so, so much for reading it and showing your support it means the absolute world ❤️❤️❤️*

Melodie xxx