A/N: J.K. Rowling owns anything and everything that you recognise as canon.

Minerva McGonagall

4 October 1935

To most people, Minerva McGonagall always came across as a Ravenclaw — so it was always quite intriguing to wonder what it was that made her a Gryffindor.

(That was just one of the things she had in common with one of her brightest students: Hermione Granger — Hermione Weasley actually.)

Many students looked up to Professor McGonagall because she was quite the role model — fair, brave, intelligent, firm, but still with a heart that cared for her Gryffindors.

(And let's not even get started on her love for Quidditch.)

Even Draco couldn't say anything bad about the Professor — except that she was in Gryffindor. Still, he never said this in her presence, just because he valued his life a bit more than his reputation.

Minerva was intelligent.

Minerva was caring.

And if anyone who knew her past, knew that Minerva was strong.

It was when she retired from her role as Headmistress of Hogwarts that people realised that Minerva McGonagall too was real. She made an excellent headmistress, a great role model and was a remarkable witch — but like every other witch or wizard of her time, she too had gone through a war — and even Minerva McGonagall needed a break sometimes.

She had let Harry on the Gryffindor Quidditch Team in his first year — it was the first step that Harry Potter took in fulfilling the many great expectations he was a victim of. And she had made a wise choice — as Harry had been a remarkably wonderful improvement to the team; even in his first year — and this was especially significant for someone who didn't even know what Quidditch was a few months prior — Harry Potter had won his first match and it had been down to McGonagall's excellent judgement that he got the chance to do so. (Though Harry should probably have thanked her for this.)

She had stood her ground against Umbridge — the evil woman had tried to send off Trelawney and Hagrid and on both occasions, Minerva had defended her colleagues. She didn't even like Trelawney! She had taken four Stunning Spells to the chest for her students and for Hagrid. This was one of the moments that proved just how much of a Gryffindor McGonagall truly was. And to be honest, no Gryffindor could've asked for a better Head of House. Still maintaining her ground against the ex-High Inquisitor, McGonagall managed to disregard Professor Umbridge with as little respect and subtle words as possible — another feature that the students (who also shared her intense dislike for Umbridge) loved about their Transfiguration.

She had defended her school when the time came — Voldemort may have been powerful and everything, but there was no way he was going to lay a hand on her home. Not if she had anything to say about it. Her Gryffindors had fought alongside her; and Minerva couldn't've been more prouder than that. She had managed to hold her own against so many Death Eaters all at once, even after going through so much — she had already been a part of the previous war — without fail. She had gone against Snape; against the Carrows; and aided their only hope. All in the same day. Hogwarts was her home — a place for wizards and witches to come from many different places and learn about the wonders of magic together, all whilst forming bonds between themselves.

She had looked after her students when the battle came to them — it was inevitable, with the Carrows reinforcing the Dark Arts and Snape not disagreeing with them, it was obvious that the battle would be soon. Snape had fled like a coward; Dumbledore was dead; and Harry Potter had been missing for months — it was McGonagall's time to step up and lead her students into battle; whilst ensuring their safety. But deep down, she knew that some of her Gryffindors, (for instance Ginevra Weasley) would stay behind and fight — as if there was no age limit. Because — and McGonagall knew better than anyone — a Gryffindor is always capable of defending themselves, no matter the age.

She had tried to convince Dumbledore that living with the Dursleys was a bad idea — seriously though, what had Albus been thinking? Harry had been the product of James and Lily — two absolutely wonderful, remarkable, wonderful ex-students who had good hearts (even though one of them wasn't at first). How Lily had been related to these people was beyond McGonagall. Why did Albus think that letting Harry live here was a good idea? Was it worth it — letting Harry be abused just so he grows up to be modest? Sure Dumbledore was a great and wise wizard, but sometimes McGonagall felt that he had been affected by his old age.

She had taken on the role of Headmistress of Hogwarts when the situation called for it — despite just finishing a war, losing Dumbledore, and finally, finally, ridding the world of Voldemort, there was finally peace in the world. But like all wars, scars were left — on the spirits of her students, on the ancient castle, on herself, but still, the wizarding community had been drained. Drained of spirit, power and some, hope. The world was in ruins but it wasn't going to fix itself. They had to do something. They had to start with Hogwarts, and McGonagall took on the role of Headmistress. Snape was dead; Dumbledore was dead; and everyone had other duties to attend to. She however, was the Deputy Headmistress, and this was her duty. And she fulfilled it — stayed Headmistress until she was absolutely sure that Hogwarts was going to be fine without her.

Maybe it was because she had lost both Dougal McGregor and Elphinstone Urquart, and known the pain of losing something so dear to you — that Minerva had such a dedicated drive to protect her students.

But one thing was sure; anyone who knew McGonagall would be proud of her.

Robert McGonagall Jr. and Malcolm McGonagall were infinitely proud of their elder sister.

Gryffindors under the lead of Minerva were incredibly thankful for such a wonderful Head of House.

And as sure as the Chudley Cannons coming last again; Elphinstone would've been the proudest of his dear wife for all that she had accomplished despite his untimely unfortunate death.

Happy birthday Professor McGonagall.