Hi everyone. This is my first HP fanfic. I've been a huge fan of the HP series and my absolute fave character has always been Minerva McGonagall and I was delighted to read a little of her backstory from JK Rowling. Since reading it I've been playing with an idea of a story for some time and I've not been able to shift it. So here it is – I don't own any of the characters except Penny (her involvement will become clearer later) and I don't own Hogwarts either. I hope you enjoy my story and would love to read any feedback you've got =)

The beginning of November had erupted into life with much celebration and for the first time in decades there was a true sense of freedom in the air. There seemed to be new colour in the world, new energy and everyone in the wizarding community was taking advantage of this.

In the grounds of Hogwarts a tall, slim figure began to head out for an evening stroll, something she hadn't felt safe to do in a long time. Minerva walked along the banks of the Black Lake, enjoying the evening breeze as she felt that subtle nip of wintery cold; but she didn't care, for nothing was going to spoil her good mood.

Voldemort was gone, maybe not permanently, as some believed, but he was gone for now and that was something she could take great comfort in and the wonderful little boy who had, miraculously, stopped him was safe and now in the care of his aunt and uncle. At this thought her brow creased slightly; she still couldn't shift the uneasy feeling about those muggles.

She'd spent the whole of the previous day sat on Privet Drive outside number 4 observing the comings and goings of the street and the family Harry Potter was to live with. She was disgusted and concerned at what she saw, as, in her opinion, they were the worst sort of muggles imaginable and she wasn't entirely convinced that they were the best people to look after a little boy who was now one of the most famous wizards of all time. However, Dumbledore believed it was the best move for the child and, therefore, it was good enough for her.

She finally came to a halt at a large tree that had fallen across the pebbled beach and into the lake. She took a seat and began to look for the person who had asked to meet with her there, but, as yet, there was no sign.

In recent years she hadn't appreciated the true beauty of what had become their spot, their meeting place to discuss whatever they pleased away from prying eyes. She'd put a stop to their walks through Hogsmead as she didn't appreciate being the subject of gossip, whether it be students or the locals, especially after Elphinstone's first visit, when they'd gone to Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop and he proposed to her. He'd caught her rather off guard at the time and she turned him down.

It was now, as she sat by the gently lapping water that she thought about her feelings for Elphinstone Urquhart, a man ten years her senior, a good friend and former colleague. Whilst she had turned down his proposal on that first occasion, it hadn't deterred him from continuing to pursue her, if anything it just made him more determined.

She'd known for a long time before returning to Hogwarts that Elphinstone had feelings for her, but at the time her heart belonged to another, a love that she had struggled with on a daily basis for the best part of twenty years. His name had been Dougal McGregor, a muggle farmer in Caithness whom she had fallen madly in love with in her youth, but to be with him would have meant giving up her wand and what she believed to be her freedom; it was a chain she had been determined not to wear.

She did have feelings for Elphinstone, but they had never been strong enough to combat those she had for Dougal, except things had changed in recent years when she had heard of his death. His death had awoken something inside her, as if her ability to love had been asleep all those years. However, the rest of her thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of Elphinstone himself, a large grin playing on his aging face.

He was quite a tall man with short peppered hair and neat glasses placed on his nose. He was always dressed smartly, a gold watch chain dangling from him waistcoat pocket and a cloak of deepest green wrapped round his shoulders.

They greeted each other fondly and Minerva saw a look flash in his eyes that she'd seen many times before; it's the same one her wore the other dozen times he had proposed to her and she could feel a soft smile play on her own lips.

'Have you not bored of your pursuit yet Elphie?' She said with an arched brow.

'I don't know what you mean Minerva!' He exclaimed at one, feigning indignity. 'Can't a man ask an old friend for a walk without his intentions being questioned?'

Minerva couldn't help smile at his words and looked at him expectantly.

'You know it's lovely to see you Elphie, but I'll have less of the old if you don't mind.' She playfully chastised.

He gave her a wink before slowly walking away from her, waiting briefly for her to join him. She took hold of his arm as they began to walk around the lake.

'It's such a beautiful evening.' He said finally after several minutes of silence.

'I was thinking the same before you arrived. It feels…different now doesn't it?'

'Yes it does. Do you think he's really gone?'

'Albus thinks not. He believes he's merely injured or powerless and I have to say I'm rather inclined to believe him. However, I'm going to enjoy his absence whilst I can.' Minerva replied, unaware that her companion wasn't really listening to her.

'Hmmm.' He said.

'I dare say it'll be some time before things truly settle though; whilst I can appreciate the celebrations, we've still got the losses to consider. More than half the students in that school have lost someone or know someone who has.' She continued. 'Take little Elouise Taylor, she's only eleven and she lost both her parents and her grandfather. Teddy Mason…are you even listening to me Elphinstone?' She said sternly, at last realising she didn't have his full attention.

He finally turned to face her, the glow from the setting sun creating a soft shadow on his features.

'Nearly thirty years I've been in love with you Minerva and there isn't anything I wouldn't do for you. I've never understood why you won't marry me.' He explained seriously, there was no longer a playful glint in his eyes. 'I've retired from the ministry, it's time some new blood took over, and it got me thinking about where I want to spend the rest of my life. This is what I want, up here away from it all, the peace, the quiet and the solitude; I want to be close to you Minerva, I want to be with you and this time I won't take no for an answer.'

She looked at him and felt a deep love and affection for the man standing in front of her. One of the truths about why she'd never said yes to him was because she was afraid, something she'd never admit to anyone. She had been afraid to allow herself to love anyone after Dougal as she didn't want to deal with that pain again. But now, stood there in front of the one man who would have truly pursued her to the end of the earth and back, the man she'd said no to so many times before, she found all of those fears drift away; after all, if a one year old little boy could defeat the darkest wizard of all times because of love, then surely she could allow it to replace her fears?

'Alright.' She said softly.

'…what?' He said with shock, certain he'd missed her.

'Yes I will marry you.'

'Oh, right…well…um…' He stammered, flummoxed as to what to say next.

Minerva took the decision out of his hands, grabbing his arm once more and continuing their walk back up to the castle where they shared a nightcap and talked until the small hours of the morning.

A few weeks later they had a very small wedding ceremony, neither of them had been keen on anything grand at their ages, they just wanted a few witnesses of close friends and family. After the wedding they had agreed to buy a cottage in Hogsmead so that Elphinstone could enjoy his retirement in peace and so Minerva could continue teaching.

Elphinstone and managed to change her opinion on many things, but one of the things he could never change was her surname. Much to the disapproval of many she had decided to keep her surname McGonagall, a decision Elphinstone had accepted and respected; he was just grateful to finally have the hand of the woman he truly loved.