Vivere

Chapter 2 - Decisions and Propositions

Minerva awoke the next day feeling refreshed and ready for the start of a new year. As she was dressing though she almost wound her hair up into her customary bun before she realised and left it down. She then heard the knock on her door; it would be Albus, ready to escort her to the Great Hall for breakfast as he had done for the past thirty years.

Albus was shocked when Minerva opened the door. Not only had she left her hair down but she was also wearing a very different robe. It was still emerald green but more fitted then what she usually wore.

Minerva stood awkwardly under his intense gaze, unsure of what he would think. Albus held out his arm as he said, "Minerva, you look beautiful. I take it this is another step in your decision to live."

Minerva blushed slightly as he said this, accepting his arm in the process. "Thank you Albus. Yes it is, I only hope that the students don't try to take advantage of me."

Albus laughed, "Minerva you may look different on the inside but you will still be able to control them. You are still Minerva McGonagall after all."

Minerva silently agreed. They quickly reached the Great Hall and after sitting they began to eat their breakfast, chatting with each other and those sitting next to them. When there was a lull in conversation Minerva thought about all the other things she wanted to do. One of the most important was telling Albus of her feelings for him.

Since Harry's fifth year Minerva began to feel more then friendship when it came to Albus, no doubt as a result of a near death experience. He was indeed her best friend but she also loved him in a more romantic way. She had never planned on telling him but knew that she should, she had promised herself she would live after all.

The only problem was whether she would be able to get the courage up to do it and to be able to accept the rejection it would surely bring. Despite this Minerva knew that really the only question was when she should do it.

Knowing this Minerva made her decision there at the Staff table, she would do it a week from Thursday, at their weekly chess game. It gave her time to prepare for it and she would also have something to distract her during the evening.

Her decision made, Minerva stood, said good morning to her co-workers and left for her study. She quickly gathered the lesson plans for her seventh years and walked to the classroom to prepare for the lesson.

This used to be the hardest class to teach, Gryffindor and Slytherin seventh years. Now though, after the war, there were very few Slytherin seventh years, in fact only two and the Gryffindors were two less in number.

The only obstacle Minerva foresaw for this lesson, apart from the difficulty of the lesson, was her appearance. The students would surely want answers and as seventh years they were no longer afraid of detention or of being in trouble. Still it would be the only difficult class, unless of course her sixth years wanted detention.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of three of her Gryffindors, the trio. Minerva smiled at them as they entered the classroom; they returned it though a little unsurely. Minerva was extremely happy with the change that had appeared in Harry ever since the Dark Lord's demise, he appeared more carefree and like a teenager.

Hermione and Ron appeared calmer as well; no doubt they no longer worried about Harry. As Minerva stopped scrutinising the trio she realised that the rest of the students had arrived and were talking.

She stood and cleared her throat, praying there would be no disobedience. The class quieted and looked to her, waiting for her to speak. "Good morning class and welcome to your last year of Transfiguration. This will most likely be your hardest year because you will be tested on all that you have learnt in your seven years here at the end of this year. You have covered the basics and are now prepared to learn the intricacies of this subject. This is why I must have complete attention in this class. We are moving on to the hardest types of Transfiguration that you can handle before further studying at University."

Minerva glanced over the class and began to speak about the day's topic, human to animal transfiguration. It was a complicated incantation and many of the students would take weeks to get it. After a short introduction to the topic, an example and clarification on the incantation and wand movement practice began in earnest. If there was anything Minerva was grateful for it was how the students would work when they were interested.

By the end of the lesson only three students had been able to transfigure their partner, Blaise Zabini, Hermione Granger and Harry Potter. Minerva congratulated them and quickly corrected the last few mistakes before assigning an essay on the topic and the mistakes they had made in class.

As the class was leaving however Minerva called to Hermione, "Miss Granger, please stay for a moment. I wish to speak to you."

She looked at Harry and Ron and they left after giving Hermione a questioning look and receiving a shrug in response.

"Miss Granger, I would like to offer you an apprenticeship in Transfiguration. I believe you would benefit from it as you are the best student in this year. You can tell me your answer now or in a week's time."

"Professor McGonagall I would love to apprentice in Transfiguration with you."

"Is that a yes then?" Minerva asked with a smile.

"Yes," Hermione said, returning the smile. "But please call me Hermione; it would make it easier if we're going to be working together."

"All right Hermione. You do know that the apprenticeship includes animagi training, right?"

"Yes, I can hardly wait to see what animal I am. It should also be a great challenge."

Minerva smiled at the girl's eagerness, remembering how excited she had been to begin training to be an animagus. "Well I look forward to spending the year with you Hermione. No doubt Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley will want to know what I wished to speak to you about so you best be off."

"Yes Professor, see you tomorrow." Hermione walked out of the classroom, her happiness evident.

Minerva smiled softly to herself, another task started; now it just had to be completed in time.

To be continued...