Waiting Room

*December 20th 1971*

Minerva has a rule. She’s gives exams right before the Christmas holiday. She has her reason for this. If she doesn’t, then all the students come back and don’t do well, upset with her for letting them forget. The students are still upset with her this way, them not wanting to take a test right before a holiday, but at least this way the students do well. She always just have to get through the protests and students trying to push it off.
“Madam McGonnagall, why not wait till after the holiday for us to take the test? I don’t know if i’ll do my best this close to the holiday.” Lilly Evans questioned her. Lilly Evans was sweet, red headed Gryffindor girl who seems to have already caught the eye of James Potter and undoubtedly would study for the exam over the holiday.
“Ms. Evans, there are some students who may prepare for the exam of the holiday however, there are many who would not. So, it is best we take it now.” Minerva told the girl.
Minnie passed the pieces of parchment around the class for the students to take the exam. Minerva went back to her desk to read a book as the students took the exam, and occasionally looked up to make sure there was no whispering or passing of notes. However, with about fifteen minutes left of class there was an owl at the window. Assuming it was for her, Minerva went to grab the letter. Surprisingly however, it wasn’t. It was for her student, Sirius Black, and from the boy’s mother. She put the letter on her desk to give to him after class.

As the students can up to hand her their exams, she stalled Sirius Black to hand him the letter.
“Mr Black. This letter came for you.” She said, extending her hand with the letter.
Sirius’s face went paler than it already was with more light shades of green, as if he were about to be sick. But he still continued to take the letter and turn around to his friends before leaving the classroom. Minerva didn’t really wonder or care about the contents of the letter. But did wish for the best with Sirius’s health.

Minerva stayed late in her classroom that day to grade the exams and by the time she finished it was time for dinner so she went to the great hall for her meal. She took her seat next to Poppy and chatted with her co workers around her, mostly about the upcoming holiday. Many of the people who had family near by were going to visit while others who didn’t were staying at Hogwarts.
“Minnie, are you visiting family this holiday?” Poppy asked her.
“No I haven’t really since my father passed.” Minerva answered truthfully and nonchalantly. It was true. It happened a few years ago. Old age. She’d mourned and accepted it by now and didn’t see the point to go back any more since her brothers almost never did and she herself never had the best relationship with her mother.

The following day, the vast majority of students left the school to go home for the holiday. Minerva truly was quite elated over the quiet the school now had. Minerva hadn’t noticed her noisy first year students somehow until Christmas Eve. She saw the group in the corridor that evening.
“Merry Christmas boys.” She told them while passing them.
“You as well, Minnie!” Sirius Black responded, enthusiastically.
“What are you boys still doing here?” She asked. It’s not uncommon for a few students to not go home over holidays, but this many? When they’re all friends? Not right to Minerva.
“No marauder left behind, don’t you worry!” James Potter told her. Minerva couldn’t possibly fathom what he meant. But she was going to put a small bit of hope in James Potter to make sure they were all safe.
“Have a nice Christmas, Mr. Potter.” It was a weird feeling to no longer addressing him by James for Minnie.