At Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the halls were absent of any students and the professors were busy preparing for the new year to start in a few days.
Minerva McGonagall was sitting at her desk, her workload long forgotten as she read the Daily Prophet over and over again. She remembered what occurred in the headmaster's office a few days prior and couldn't help but smile proudly at the picture that was printed. She felt at ease, knowing nothing could harm the little girl, especially not Albus Dumbledore.
- Flashback -
Minerva was enjoying her lunch with the rest of her colleagues, all wondering why Albus had been summoned to the ministry so suddenly.
"Perhaps something serious happened" Pomona Sprout, the Herbology professor and head of Hufflepuff House, spoke, earning a wonderous hum from the other professors.
"I don't think it's any of our business" A deep and cold voice spoke out, gaining their attention. At the end of the table sat a man with greasy shoulder-length black hair and a large black cloak that stood out immensely against his pale skin.
"Don't pretend you aren't curious, Severus" Filius Flitwick, the charms professor and head of Ravenclaw house with goblin heritage said, rolling his eyes at the closed-off Potions master.
Before another word could be spoken, the doors to the main hall swung open revealing none other than Albus Dumbledore. The professors expected him to join them for lunch but instead, he remained by the doors.
"Staff meeting, now!" The professors were taken back by his demand which was full of anger. They all exchanged curious and concerned looks before pushing away their meals and following the headmaster to his office.
As they entered, they all stood back and watched the usually calm and collected older man, pace back and forth as he whispered to himself. Minerva couldn't help but feel concerned but what surprised her the most was the clear disapproval on the face of Fawkes the Pheonix, Albus' supposed familiar.
"Albus, what's going on?" The headmaster's head snapped towards them as though he had no clue that they arrived only moments ago.
"Please, take a seat" His tone was stern but kind, making the professors feel more at ease.
More chairs were conjured and the professors took a seat in front of his desk. Minerva, being a long-time friend of the headmaster could see something in the man's eyes that made her uneasy, it was as though she was staring into the eyes of someone who lost their insanity in Azkaban. She knew he was an old wizard and wondered if his age was finally catching up with him, making his once brilliant mind a little unstable.
"I was summoned to the ministry for a trial, a trial for one Sirius Black-"
"What?!" Severus Snape, who decided to remain standing, stepped forward with a face of rage. The four of the three other heads of houses and the headmaster knew the rough and bitter past the potion master had with Sirius Black and his friends, but thought it was about time the man let the hatred go.
"It seems that Adelaide Potter-Black took over her inheritance and in doing so, found out that Sirius Black was her blood-adopted father-"
"Blood-adopted? Albus, why wasn't this out in the open before? If the ministry knew, then Mr Black would have never gone to Azkaban. He would have never survived if he caused harm to Miss Potter-Black-" Minerva was furious, she always believed the man to be innocent but Albus had continued to drill in her head that the ministry had proof. It was now clear to her that that wasn't the case.
"Perhaps you should show us the memory of the Trial, I would like to see for myself what happened," Professor Sprout said, her tone stern and it was clear to those around her that she was unhappy by the clear injustice of one of her favourite students to ever walk the halls of Hogwarts.
Albus was hesitant, he was downright humiliated in that courtroom and was not all that willing to show his professors that fact. However, this could help him in the long run and perhaps he could find a way for them to keep an eye on the girl once she comes to Hogwarts.
"I think that's a great idea, Pomona" With a flick of his wand, the Pensieve began to float towards them.
"This is a waste of time" Severus growled out, not wanting to see one of his school bullies get away from what he believed the man deserved.
"Oh, do be quiet, Severus"
"Here we go" Albus interrupted as they watched a silver glow appear from out of his temple before the headmaster placed it into the Pensieve.
For the next half an hour, they all watched in full concentration what occurred during the trial. They were all, except Albus and Severus, horrified by the appearance of Sirius Black who was usually quite vain and beautifully kept. It wasn't until Adelaide Potter-Black took the floor that they grew gobsmacked as they listened to her put Albus in his place, (rightfully so) and reveal the titles given to her at birth.
Severus watched in disdain at the sight, of the brat of his two enemies and the woman he once loved. It was clear to him that the child held all of Potter and Black's disgusting egos and enjoyed the power she had. Just like her fathers, who had constantly strutted through the halls of the castle as though they owned the place. The only thing he saw of his love, Lily was the brat's eyes, and even then they were much brighter than her mother's. Although he made a magical vow to protect the brat, it didn't mean he had to like it nor did it mean he couldn't make a life a misery, just like her fathers made him feel during his time at Hogwarts.
Minerva, Ponoma and Filius watched in awe, it was clear to them that this young witch was extremely powerful and a perfect mixture of all three of her parents. What shocked them the most, however, was the behaviour of the headmaster and were downright disgusted by what was shown. They watched Albus, both the present and the past version and saw the clear anger in his eyes as the eleven-year-old put him in his place, which is something people were usually too afraid to do.
When the memory finished, Albus sent the Pensieve back to its rightful place before turning to the professors, who all seemed to be in deep thought.
"That brat! We cannot allow someone, especially a child to have such power!" Severus growled, snapping everyone out of their thoughts.
"I must agree, Severus-"
"Have you lost your mind, Albus? This girl is the most powerful witch to ever walk this earth, what makes you think you can decide whether or not she deserves as such?" Minerva interrupted the old wizard in fury as she stood from her seat, glaring down at the man she once looked up to.
"She's a child, Minerva. We don't want the power to get to her head, do we?" Albus spoke with feigned kindness, though for the three heads of houses, they could hear the hidden anger behind his words.
"Even so, this is who she is and she should not be ashamed of having such a precious gift. I for one look forward to little Adelaide coming to Hogwarts, it will be fascinating to see how those powers work in her classes" Filius spoke, the clear excitement in his tone receiving agreeable nods from Ponoma and Minerva.
"Her magic is dark-"
"You, yourself have a dark core, Severus or did that slip your mind?" Severus glared coldly at the stern woman, who did not cower away like most people do. Instead, she glared back and the two only looked away when Albus cleared his throat.
"I would like you all to keep a close eye on her, we cannot allow her to go down a dark path because of these powers" he spoke sternly towards the staff, who had to hold back from rolling their eyes.
Whilst he didn't receive a response from either one of them, he knew they would follow his word and dismissed them with a wave of his hand.
- Flashback over -
Minerva sighed, wondering how far her old friend had fallen. The man was brilliant in his own way and in the past, she looked up to him immensely for being so. However, there was something in the pit of her stomach that felt as though he was now using his brilliance in a way to control people's lives, or more like Adelaide Potter-Blacks life.
She glanced down at the article once again, the headline reading 'The Magical Princess' and felt that though she already held a few titles, somehow this one felt more fitting than 'the girl who lived'. Minerva felt worried for the young girl, wondering how her time at Hogwarts would be now that the article was released. Being the 'girl who lived' already came with such fame and expectations, she couldn't help but feel as though this added to her burden.