Waiting Room

September 1, 1971.

Minerva wasn’t worried about her first year as head of Gryffindor. She’d already risen through the ranks of Hogwarts, starting obviously as prefect, soon later head girl, teacher and lastly, head of transfigurations. She believes she’s seen the totality of the worst she’ll have to deal with as a conditioned teacher. I mean muggle teachers have seen a lot but it’s next level when there’s magic involved. At first she was surprised at students not misunderstanding directions in class, but rather… messing up spells and charms and potions so bad it was almost amusing. Minerva enjoyed seeing the kids. They reminded her of her own days as a student. The first years reminded her of her bliss of ignorance. Yes they were rowdy at times but they were also eleven and they deserved to have a few more years were they didn’t have the weight of the world on their backs. There had been some turmoil going on for a few years now. Minnie believes some of the sixth and seventh years might know about it, or some of it. But at least the younger kids didn’t know yet. There’s a wizard named Tom Riddle. He’d went to Hogwarts. He was a Slytherin. He’s been trying to start up some thing using dark magic. He wants dark magic to rule Minnie supposed. It was still early days about it and as far as she knew it could get shut down tomorrow.

Minerva peered around the walkway and carriages to the castle. Most of the first years had gotten in carriages with kids they’d gotten on the train with. She’d recognized most of the non-first years. Although the absence of the kids that left is always very strong. That never changes each year. Minnie’s seat hadn’t changed at the staff table even though now she was head of Gryffindor. She was excited to see which new students she’d be teaching and watching over. There was James Potter. The son of one of her bestest friends, Euphemia. Of course she also knew Fleamont. She didn’t have to hope much for him to end up in Gryffindor. The son of Euphemia and Fleamont, there wasn’t another way. It was strange seeing him. She thinks even if she hadn’t seen him when he was little she would still know who he was. Effie and Monty didn’t particularly look alike but at the same time James look exactly like both of them. There was another boy. Another Black. Millions of them, Minnie would claim. All Slytherins have a bit of Black blood in them. Sirius as well, bound to end up there. His little brother only a year behind them, so she’ll meet him next year. Another friend of hers, Lyall has a son that’s a first year. She hadn’t known Lyall quite well. She remembers him kind, shy. He never did well under pressure though. He always seemed more of a fit for Hufflepuff rather than Gryffindor to Minnie.

Although there was one particular thing about his son, Remus. While the boy was in a sweater and khakis the poor boy was littered with scars. At first she thought she was going to have to no longer call Lyall a friend. But before that, she recalled that since Remus had been about five years old, Lyall has seemed more… scattered, one could say. Now she understands there was a reason. Even if she didn’t know the reason. It had gotten to the sorting ceremony. As girls, Effie and Minnie had always made bets on what kid was going to get sorted into what house. During their fifth year they were tied and the last boy was Cygnus Black, and they were both correct answering Slytherin. Although Effie allowed Minnie to take the win, Minerva couldn’t since she knew it was a tie and was always quite competitive in her Hogwarts years. As she’d grown she’s more and more regretted that as she seemed more likely to made enemies rather than friends this way. Which is probably why she always dreaded having to talk to Poppy Pomfrey, the healer of Hogwarts. As they were both incredibly smart and talented in all aspects of their lives, they were both in the running for head girl their seventh year. Minerva won. But had said some horrible things to her the year before as she herself was worried, knowing it was entirely possible Poppy would get the title. She knows she should address it with Poppy, but Minerva never had been good at starting conversations.

Minnie found it hard to shake the tradition of guessing students houses even as a teacher. The first boy was Sirius Black. Easy, Slytherin. She didn’t know why the hat was taking so long. Didn’t the hat know? Although as a hatstall herself, she shouldn’t be talking. “Gryffindor!” The hat roared, and the room went silent. It took a few moments before some of the kids at the Gryffindor table slowly began to clap. Everyone quickly wanted to move onto the next child. She was a short girl with wild, curly blonde hair named Sybil. The hat didn’t take much time to ponder over her house. It quickly shouted, “Ravenclaw!” A couple students had to pull their heads away from staring at Sirius to clap. Minerva didn’t know what to think of it. Maybe she was disappointed. Having to deal with him. Maybe knowing he was most likely bound to end up on Tom Riddle’s weird cultish upbringing. Maybe happy. Maybe he wouldn’t grow up like the rest of his family. She almost wanted to help him. Effie was always one to act on a savior complex. And Minnie was the doubter. Sometimes Minnie wanted to be optimistic and try to help kids like him. She wanted to believe and help people to change. But she when Effie was so disappointed she couldn’t save everyone. Minerva knew it would be hard to save one boy never mind a whole school.

The next boy was Remus. He had been standing with James and Sirius, and another blond haired boy Minerva knew she would soon learn who he was. Remus stood like his father. Based on it she could tell he could be like him. Kind, shy. Maybe the hat won’t make a mistake this time and put him in Hufflepuff. The boy sat on the stool, and with the hat on his head. He, like Sirius was starting to become a hatstall. Minerva could sometimes start to make out what it was thinking. The faces it made when it was thinking of the different houses. Normally, when the hat takes it’s time it’s between two and on the rare occasion, three different houses. But this time, this time was different. The hat was pondering how well the boy would fit any of the four houses. This certainly was a special boy. Time and time went on. Some children were even starting to grow concerned. Minerva never met anyone who has sat on the stool longer than her own five minutes and ten seconds. However, as time neared the 4.5 minute mark, Minerva was wondering if Remus would be the first she’d meet to beat her time. However, her thought was cut off but the sound of the hat screaming it’s answer, “Gryffindor!” Remus went and sat next to Sirius at the Gryffindor table. There weren’t many other exciting things that ceremony. Minerva continued to ponder over Sirius Black. His friends. He’d already become friends with many people. Before his sorting, he was talking with everyone. His cousin, Andromeda who was unsurprisingly sorted into Slytherin had also become friends with others in other houses. Maybe this was a clean, fresh new generation of the Black family. Sirius had seemed to grow concerned as the night went on after his sorting as he too seemed surprised about his house placement. James was sorted into Gryffindor as Minnie wasn’t surprised. The blonde boy, Peter Pettigrew was the same. All four boys ended up in the same dorm and Minnie could see herself in them. Maybe Remus the most, as she too maybe too awhile to open up to her roommates. James was of course Effie. With his excited eyes and smile. So kind and full of life. She couldn’t figure out if Peter or Sirius was Ann MacDonald. She’d always been somewhat reserved. Always kind and able to come up with quick jokes. The last surprises of the day came when Poppy told her she’d needed to speak with her.

Minnie maybe wouldn’t mind if it was about their Hogwarts days. At least she wasn’t starting g the conversation and maybe she did deserve it. Poppy walked with her to the infirmary, both of them staying quiet. After they had entered the room, Poppy had closed the door behind them and harshly inhaled as she sat down. She pointed to a chair across from her for Minerva to sit. Minerva complied, and looked around. It was a nice room. Tall ceilings, matching g the rest of the castle. While it wasn’t a particularly bad room to look at, she was grateful for her lack of attendance to this room. The emotions of some of peoples worst days being spent here suddenly hit her. Her brief wave of panic was drowned out but Poppy.
“So. Minerva. How’ve you been?” Poppy asked, politely.
“I’ve been well, and yourself?”
“I’ve been well,” Poppy paused. “So there’s a student, Remus Lupin.” Poppy started to say, not knowing how to phrase her next words. “He’s not very well. He has Lycanthropy.” Poppy explained. Minerva knew of the condition. Of course she’d studied it a bit in school. But never met someone with it. However, it did also explain his scars.
“Ah alright.” Minerva muttered, not wanting to be silent.
“I was made aware of it about a week ago and planned on telling his head of house. I’m letting you know as if anything were to come up and unfortunately he may miss some classes. The abandoned shack the connects to the old willow tree. I’ve charmed the tree so it should attack anyone who tries to enter it that isn’t me, you, Remus or Dumbledore. I had little time for it so it’s possible some small animals to get in but i don’t think we should worry much about a few rabbits here and there.” Poppy looked at Minnie. “You understand?” She made sure. She knew Minerva would. Just wanted a way to end the conversation.
“Yes.” Minerva answered. She suddenly had a wave of guilt. “Poppy,” Minerva started. “When we were in school.”
Poppy raised a hand, cutting her off.
“Minerva. that was years ago. You haven’t anything to worry about.”
Minerva sighed a sigh of relief. She quietly got up to leave.
“Good luck as Head of Gryffindor.” Poppy told her. Minnie nodded to her. Closed the door, and left.

Their half- conversation left Minnie confused. Did Poppy tell her it was alright because it was? Just to not make things awkward? Hopefully not cause she felt as though she had to.