Disclaimer:- I do not own Harry Potter, the great J.K. Rowling does. I do, however, own Marie McDore. :P

A/N: For those of you who read Surprise this is the first chapter of the promised sequel. Marie's first yeat at Hogwarts! I hope to be updating at least once a week, fingers crossed life won't get in the way too much lol.
Enjoy!

-CHAPTER ONE-

Marie's eleventh birthday

Minerva lay in the arms of her husband eleven years after the birth of their daughter Marie. It was the night before Marie would get her letter telling her of her place at Hogwarts. Minerva knew it was going to be hard on her daughter, and the thought of her daughter becoming independent scared her, so she turned over, pulled herself closer to Albus and buried her head in his chest.

"Tabby?" Albus brushed a loose strand of raven hair from her face and held her tight.

"What's Marie going to say when she receives her letter?"

"She's going to be so excited. You know she can't wait to start school."

"I know. But, what about what the other children will do?"

"We'll cross that bridge when we need to, my love. Now, I think we should both get some rest before Marie comes in, in a few hours to wake us both." Albus smiled and kissed Minerva's forehead.

"Good night, Albus." Minerva raised her head slightly and lovingly kissed Albus before falling back to sleep in his arms.

At six the next morning, Marie called her house elf to help her out of bed and into her wheelchair. Making sure she was fairly presentable, Marie thanked the elf and went rushing into her parents' room to wake them up. It was her eleventh birthday and she knew she would get her Hogwarts letter. She was ecstatic!

"Mommy! Dad!" Marie grabbed the corner of the duvet and pulled it off her parents' sleeping forms. Minerva squealed as the coldness of the room hit her and Albus pulled her closer.

"Mmm ... Happy birthday kitten." Minerva pulled herself up and embraced her daughter.

"Happy birthday, tabby kitten." Albus too embraced his daughter.

"Thanks." Marie giggled and held onto Minerva's hand. "Can I open my presents please?"

"Let's get you dressed, first." Minerva smiled, transfigured her nightgown into a set of emerald robes and followed her daughter to her room, leaving Albus smiling goofily to himself.

Half an hour later and the McDore family were sat in-front of the fire as Marie opened her gifts from the Hogwarts faculty and family, leaving her parents presents until last, just like she did every year. So far she had received; a new Quidditch book from Rolanda Hooch, her own cauldron and potions book from Severus Snape, a healing kit from Poppy Pomfrey, a new set of quills and inks from Pomona sprout and a new charmed wheelchair cover that will change to her house colours and hold the house badge when she was sorted in just a few months time.

"The last two. Which would you like to open first?" Albus said from his armchair where he and Minerva were snuggled up.

"Yours please, dad."

"Of course, kitten." Minerva handed Marie her father's gift.

"Thanks." Marie carefully pulled off the sparkling purple wrapping paper. "Oh, dad." Marie's eyes sparkled as she licked her lips. "They're great! Thank you." Marie went over to her father and gave him a peck on the cheek.

"Don't think you'll be eating all of those today missy." Minerva laughed. Marie had her father's sweet tooth.

"Yes, mommy." Marie winked at her father.

"Here you go sweetie." Minerva passed Marie her gift. Marie opened the small jewellery box and gasped at the necklace that lay inside.

"Mom, it's beautiful."

"Look inside."

Marie opened the heart shaped locket. On the left hand side was a photo of her father, on the right was a photo of herself and Minerva.

"Mom, I – I don't know what to say." Marie threw her arms around Minerva the best she could.

"You're welcome, sweetie." Minerva took the necklace and fastened it around her daughters' neck. "Beautiful." Minerva conjured a hand mirror and handed it to Marie.

"This is the best birthday ever." Marie smiled widely at her parents and embraced them both. "Thank you."

"So, what do you want to do today, kitten?"

"Spend the rest of the day with the best people in the world."

"Oh, and who would they be?"

"You two of course!" Marie giggled as her father pretended to be shocked while her mother pretended to faint into Albus' arms. Stopping their little act, Minerva and Albus stood a few feet away from their daughter and bowed low.

"Your wish is our command." The pair chanted together. Marie burst out laughing at their antics, but as the tears started to trickle, she started to struggle for breath. Minerva snapped up and went straight to her daughter as quick as her legs would carry her.

"I'm here, tabby kitten." Minerva pulled Marie into her lap in-front of the fire while the fit passed.

"You pair need to stop doing this to me." Marie managed to squeak as she gained her breathing again. Albus chuckled, but Minerva glared at him. "Lighten up, mom. I'm fine." Marie hugged her mom to reassure her. "Now how about a - " Marie was cut short by a knocking on the window. Albus let the owl in, which swooped down next to Minerva and handed her Marie's letter before taking off back out of the open window. Once the owl had taken flight, Minerva handed Marie the letter and she opened it eagerly.

HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY

Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. Of Wizards.)

"Wow. It seems weird reading all your titles in mom handwriting, dad." Marie smiled and carried on.

Dear Miss McDore,
We are pleased to inform you that you have a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress

"Yes!" Marie shouted at the top of her voice.

"I take that you want to start in September?"

"Yes mommy." Marie dug out the enclosed list and skimmed it over. "Does this mean we get to go on a shopping trip?"

"Yes, Marie. Yes." Albus let out a breath he didn't know he was holding when he saw Minerva relax slightly.

"Can we go today?" Marie looked from her father to her mother, waiting for an answer.

"Perhaps in a couple of weeks." Minerva replied.

"But – "

"No 'buts' missy. What your mother says, goes."

"Why can't we go mom?"

"Because it's the last week of the year. And you know it's hard for us to escape for even a couple of hours at the moment."

Marie sighed, "Okay, mom."

"Now, how about a picnic out by the lake?"

"Okay." Marie hugged Minerva. She never could stay angry at her mother for very long. "Can Rolanda and Poppy come?"

"Of course." Minerva pulled her daughter close, kissed her temple and set her back in her chair.

"Why don't you go and get the girls?"

"Okay."

"And don't forget Pomona." Albus called after Marie, whom had already zoomed out the door.

Albus joined Minerva on the couch and pulled her close. Minerva relaxed in Albus' arms and smiled.

"You okay, my love?"

"I'm fine, Albus." Minerva pressed her lips to his in a heated kiss. Albus deepened the kiss and pulled Minerva into his lap. She moaned as she felt his manhood press into her thigh. The pair stayed entwined until they were interrupted by their daughter and friends.

"Merlin, can't you pair keep your hands off each other?" Rolanda chuckled. The other girls joined in the giggling as Minerva turned a bright shade of red and buried her face in Albus' beard.

"Come on Ro, it's not like you and Pom don't do it." Marie said from the front of the small group. Minerva giggled and sat up slightly. "Now then, how about we go and have that picnic and celebrate my birthday?"

***

Three hours later and everyone was sat at the edge of the lake with their feet in the cool water, just relaxing, all bloated with food and rink. Marie was sat with Rolanda and Pomona, while Minerva and Albus were practically sat on top of each other a few feet away. Poppy had already gone back up to the castle not so long ago, claiming she was meeting Severus for 'business'.

"Min?" Albus nuzzled Minerva's neck.

"Hmm?"

"How about we let Marie got into Hogsmeade with Ro and Pom, and spend the afternoon in our room?" Albus shifted so he was sat behind Minerva, his legs either side of her.

"I don't know, Albus." Minerva lent her head back into Albus and closed her eyes. Albus snaked his arms around her thin waist and held her close. Feeling so safe and comfortable, Minerva started to doze off to sleep.

"Marie, look." Roland poked Marie and pointed at Minerva.

"Don't even think about it, Ro." Marie raised an eyebrow at the woman sitting next to her.

"And why ever not?"

"You know she hasn't slept in weeks." Marie used her stern voice, which she had inherited from her mother.

"I know." Rolanda sighed and rolled her eyes. "Still, would be fun to push her in."

"If you're not careful, Rolanda Hooch, then you'll find yourself at the bottom of the lake." Huffing, Marie asked Pomona to sit her back in her chair, and without thinking twice, she pushed both Rolanda and her lover into the lake.

***

As the day started to draw to an end, Rolanda and Pomona dragged themselves from the water, and over to Albus, Minerva and Marie. Minerva was still sound asleep in her husbands' arms, while Marie was reading her new Qudditch book.

"We're heading off now. Good night."

"Good night, girls." Albus said, not taking his eyes off his wife.

"Good night aunt Ro." Marie closed her book and hugged Rolanda then Pomona. "Good night aunt Pom."

"Good night, chick."

"Look after your parents."

"Will do." Marie smiled and waved as her aunts walked back to the castle. "Should we get mom inside, dad?" Marie asked as she looked down at her father.

"Yes, I think you're right, kitten." In one swift motion, Albus scooped up Minerva in his arms and headed to the castle with their daughter at his side.

Almost an hour later, and the McDore family was sat on the floor in front of the fire.

"Did you enjoy today?"

"Yes! Mom, it was the best birthday ever. Thank you. Both of you."

"If you don't mind my asking, how did Ro and Pom end up in the lake?" Minerva was now sat plaiting Maries' beautiful, waist long, raven hair.

"Aunt Ro wanted to push you into the lake while you were asleep. She said it would be funny, so, I pushed her and Pom in." Marie giggled as she remembered the pair of them screaming and splashing her wheelchair whenever she went to the waters edge. Minerva too, started to laugh, but the stifled yawn both girls made, did not go unnoticed by Albus.

"Come on, I think it's time for bed." Albus scooped Marie up, carried her to her room and placed her in her double bed. Minerva pulled the satin and silk covers up to her daughters' shoulders and kissed her cheek.

"Good night, my special kitten."

"'Night, mom."

"Good night, little tabby." Albus too, kissed his daughter.

"'Night, dad." Marie said, but instead of letting him go, she pulled him into a hug and whispered, "Make sure mom rests. She doesn't look very well."

"I promise." With another peck on the cheek, Albus blew the last candle out, pulled Minerva into his arms and closed the door behind them.

Laying down, Albus pulled Minerva close, brushed a few stray strands of gorgeous hair from her perfect face and looked into her emerald orbs. Minerva held onto her husband and gazed into his brilliant blues.

"Tabby, please, I need to know if you're alright."

"Albus, I'm fine, just a little tired." Minerva smiled weakly and rested her head against his chest.

"I'm worried about you, Min. And so is our daughter."

"Marie?"

"Yes. She told me to make sure you rested because you don't look too good."

Minerva sighed and closed her eyes, "I'm fine."

"If you insist, my love." Albus placed a gentle kiss on Minervas' lips whispering, "Sleep well."

"I love you, Albus."

"I love you too, my dear." Albus pulled Minerva closer and held her tight throughout the night.

A/N: Thanks so much for reading along! All suggestions and thoughts are very much welcomed. It always makes me smile when I recieve a review. Feel free to PM me and I promise I will reply to anything that I recieve (including reviews). Thanks once again!
Take care,
Paige x