Bella quickly catches up with Minerva.
"That was rude" Bella folded her arms.
"We were going to be late" Minerva glances at the witch beside her.
"Yes well a simple ' come along Bella we're going to be late' Is by far better than 'I think we should go'-then abruptly get up and just abandon me"
"I did not abandon you, you just failed to move quick enough" Minerva said just as they reached the top of the stairs.
Bella mumbles something under her breath earning a small nudge from Minerva.
Bella turns to smile innocently at Minerva who arches her brow.
"I said nothing" Bella flickers her eyelashes.
"Of course you didn't" Minerva rolls her eyes smiling slightly at the witch beside her.

The first years began to crowd the bottom of the stairs, all silently looking at the women.
Harry studies both women for a moment and something about the women seemed familiar, what he didn't know, but something.

"Welcome to Hogwarts. Now, in a few moments, you will pass through these doors and join your classmates. But before you can take your seats you must be sorted into your houses. They are Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin. Now, while you are here, your house will be like your family. Your triumphs will earn you house points. Any rule breaking, and you will lose points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup" Minerva said, her eyes shifting to each new student. When out of nowhere a boy jumps forward nearly knocking Minerva over.
"Trevor!" The boy yells excitedly looking at his toad, but his excitement soon disappears when he notices McGonagall staring down at him "sorry" he said then backs away.
"The sorting ceremony will begin momentarily." Bella said, she caught Harry staring at her and just before turning around she winked at the boy then walked off with Minerva.

A boy with blonde hair, gelled back out of his face approaches Harry. The boy smiles. As two bigger boys came behind him.
"It's true then, what they're saying on the train. Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts." Harry remained silent.
"This is Crabbe, and Goyle, and I'm Malfoy...Draco Malfoy." The blonde smiles proudly but frowns when he hears the snickering of Ron "Think my name's funny, do you? No need to ask yours. Red hair, and a hand me down robe? You must be a Weasley." Draco snapped just as Minerva and Bella return.
Minerva hit the boy on his shoulder with rolled up paper causing him to spin around to see both women staring at him and both cocked their brow in unison.
Draco smiles slightly as he then retreats.

"We're ready for you now." Minerva said then both her and Bella lead everyone through two large doors and into the Great Hall, where there are four long tables with many children as well as floating candles. And the roof appears to be the sky.

Minerva glances at Bella as they continue to walk down the great hall.
Bella smirks slightly ever so slyly nudging Minerva in the side, earning a glare from the older witch as they both turn around to look at the children.
"It's not real, the ceiling. It's just bewitched to look like the night sky. I read about it in Hogwarts: A History." A small brown fuzzy haired girl said, and boy did the girl remind Minerva of Bella.

"All right, will you wait along here, please? Now, before we begin, Professor Dumbldedore would like to say a few words." Minerva spoke as Dumbledore rises from the main table.
"I have a few start of term notices I wish to announce. The first years please note that the dark forest is strictly forbidden to all students. Also, our caretaker, Mr. Filch" Dumbldore signals towards a ragged old man with a cat upon his shoulder and the cats eyes were of the colour red "has asked me to remind you that the 3rd floor corridor on the right hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a most painful death. Thank you." Dumbldore smiles.
Bella notices the absolute horror on Harry's face and couldn't help but chuckle, it so reminded her of James when he witnessed Lily kissing Sirius' cheek. He ignored him for the whole of two days.

"When I call your name, you will come forth, I shall place the sorting hat on your head, and you will be sorted into your houses."
"Hermione Granger." Minerva calls
"Oh, no. Okay, relax." Hermione mutters to herself as she goes up.
Minerva glances at Bella then the girl before placing the hat upon her head.

"Mental that one, I'm telling you." Ron mutters unaware Bella heard him and when Harry nodded in agreement she wasn't impressed.

"Ah, right then...hmm...right. Okay...Gryffindor!! The hat yells and the Gryffindor table cheer. Hermione jumps off with a smile and walks towards that table.
"Draco Malfoy."
" anything but Hufflepuff anything but hufflepuff" Bella murmurs earning a nudge to her side from Minerva.
Draco saunters up proudly.
He smiles at both women before taking a seat
The elder witch places that hat upon the boy's head. It's a good few moments before that hat finally yelled "SLYTHERIN!"

Draco smiles widely at his aunt who returns the smile.
She watches him as he walks to the Slytherin table.
"Thank merlin it wasn't hufflepuff" Bella sighs quietly earning an annoyed glance from Minerva.
"Susan Bones." Minerva calls, turning her attention back to the students.
A small, redhead skips towards both women smiling wildly as she sat down.
"Definitely a hufflepuff" Bella whispers, smirking slightly at the annoyed look on her friends face.
"Just you wait until this is over" Minerva whispers as she places the hat on the girls head.

The hat thought for a minute before yelling "Let's see...I know...Hufflepuff!"
The girl skips happily over to hufflepuff table.
"Bloody Knew it"
"Would you be quite" Minerva nudges the woman before calling "Ronald Weasley."

The boy gulps as he approaches then sits down and the hat is placed on his head.
"Ah! Another Weasley. I know just where to put you...Gryffindor!!" Yells the hat and the ginger boy sighs in relief.
"Harry Potter." Minerva calls as everyone fell silent, all staring at the boy as he walks up and takes a seat.

Harry glances at Bella who smiles at the boy, he gulps as the hat is placed on his head.
"Hmm...difficult, very difficult. Plenty of courage I see, not a bad mind, either. There's talent, oh yes, and a thirst to prove yourself. But where to put you?" The hat ponders.
"Not Slytherin. Not Slytherin." Harry whispers
"Not Slytherin, eh? Are you sure? You could be great, you know. Its all here in your head. And Slytherin will help you on your way to greatness! There's no doubt about that!"
"Not Slytherin...anything but Slytherin" Harry repeats
"Well, if youre sure" The hat sighs "better be...GRYFFINDOR!!"

The Gryffindor table cheer madly.
Bella watched Harry as he walks over to the table, her lips curved into a smile and Minerva notices the small tear in the corner of her eye. Truth be told she felt like crying herself.
"Bella" Minerva whispers softly.
"What, carry on" Bella frowns, the tear didn't fall, Bellatrix wouldn't permit it. Bellatrix Black did not cry.
Fred and George cheer as Harry approaches "We got Potter! We got Potter!" Harry smiles shyly and sits down.
A few minutes later and all first years are sorted into their houses.
Minerva smiles at Bella as they both head to the Professors table.

At the table Minerva remains standing and clanks her cup "Your attention, please." She nodded to Dumbldore then took her seat next to Bella.
"Let the feast...begin." The old man smiles as
Food magically appears on all the tables, and the hall is filled with awe and chatter.

Minerva reaches under the table and gently squeezes Bella's knee.
"Can't stop yourself from touching me can you?" Bella smirks placing her hand on top of Minerva's, Minerva lowers her head as her cheeks turn a slight pink.
"Arsehole." Minerva mumbles moving her hand, but Bellatrix grabs hold of it.
"I don't think so love." She whispers before turning to Snape
"Staring at the boy isn't going to creep him out at all" Bella smirks.
"What a shame...because....creeping him out....is what I was going for" Severus shifts his gaze to Bella.
"You alright?"
"Why...wouldn't I be?" Snape cocks his brow when an Irish boy caught there attention
"I'm half and half. Me dad's a Muggle. Mam's a witch. Bit of a nasty shock for him when he found out."

Minerva rolls her eyes at the boy.
Bella was about to say something
"Don't even think about it" Minerva warned.
"What?" Bella tilts her head to the side.
"You know what" Minerva arches her brow as Bella chuckles.

Harry couldn't help but notice the black haired man staring at him and had to ask just who he was and what he does.
"Say, Percy, who's that teacher with the short black hair sat next to Professor Quirrell?" Harry asks.
"Oh, that's Professor Snape" Percy answer.
"What's he teach?"
"Potions. But everyone knows it's the Dark Arts he fancies. He's been after Quirrells job for years."
"And who's next to him?"
"Well next to Snape is the gorgeous Professor Black" The boy smiles " she's great, scary sometimes...well most of the time, but she's great just don't get on her bad side"
"And what does she teach?"
"She mostly assists Professor Mcgonagall in Transfiguration lessons, by the way Mcgonagall's the Professor sat next to Black.
Black used to teach DADA and I've heard she was the best but things happened and she stopped teaching for a while but when she came back she refused her DADA post instead she assisted McGonagall. McGonagall's the head of our house, Gryffindor. She comes across stern and terrifying at times but she's actually a big softy."Percy smiles just as Ron screams.

Both boys look at Ron who stares at the
ghostly head that stuck out of the chicken.
"Hello! How are you? Welcome to Gryffindor." The head smiles as more ghosts come pouring from the walls, sailing along.
"Hello, Sir Nicholas. Have a nice summer?" Percy asks. Ron stared at the ghost for a moment, trying think of why he looks familiar.
"Dismal. Once again, my request to join the headless hunt has been denied." He said as he started to leave.
"Hey, I know you! You're Nearly Headless Nick!" Ron smiles finally figuring out why the ghost looks familiar.
"I prefer Sir Nicholas if you don't mind." The ghost turns away.
"Nearly headless? How can you be nearly headless?" Hermione questions.
"Like this." Nick takes hold of his head and pulls it to the side. Hermione's eyes widen as she notices his head is hanging on just by a thread.
Ron pulls a face at this and so does Hermione, neither one liking what they just saw.

***

Bella stood in Minerva's office staring out of the window as the elder woman looks over a few things.
Satisfied their schedule was set for tomorrow Minerva took of her glasses about to put them away when the soft hum of Bella caught her attention. Minerva smiles leaning on her desk nibbling the end of her glasses as she gazes upon the girl by her window.
Minerva always did love the soothing sound of Bella humming, or singing or even if she was just talking.
However unfortunately Bella's humming was interrupted by a knock on the door also snapping Minerva out of her daze.

Minerva clears her throat as she looks towards the door.
"Excepting someone?" Bella smiles.
"No I am not" Minerva answers "come in" the elder witch raised her voice slightly.
The door opens and in walks a smiling Draco Malfoy.
"Sorry to intrude" he closes the door behind him.
"Yes you look sorry" Minerva arches her brow at the boy, though a smile was evident on her face.
Bella smiles " what do you want dove"
Draco looks from Minerva to his aunt
"Are you proud of me auntie, getting into Slytherin?"

"I'd be proud with whatever house you got into...apart from Hufflepuff Of course"
"Bella you can't keep saying that,  all houses are equally as good." Minerva said.
"Yeah okay whatever you say Minerva" Bella smiles then leaned closer to Draco.
"No they're not, she's just saying that to be nice" Bella whispers earning a giggle from Her Nephew and an arched brow from Minerva.
"I said nothing" Bella smiles sweetly
"Of course you didn't" Minerva sighs.

"But promise me Draco, you won't forget who you are, please be true to yourself. Don't let anyone convince you otherwise, Slytherin can make a great wizard out of you but it can also pull you towards much darker things. Promise me you won't choose that path" Bella said looking into the eyes of her nephew.
"I promise auntie" Draco smiles.
"That's my sweet little boy now give me and auntie Minnie a kiss and run along" Bella smiles.
"Okay" Draco smiles placing a kiss on his aunts lips then he happily walks over to Minerva.
" whatever you do don't break that promise Draco." Minerva warns
"I won't, I know how much promises mean to her" Draco smiles.
Minerva returns the smile "good lad"
Draco places a kiss on her cheek then leaves closing the door behind him.
"He's a good lad Bella you shouldn't worry so much" Minerva looks at the girl.