this one story completely makes up for the piles and piles of rubbish there is out there about McGonagall, thank you!

Wonderful... :)
I'm so glad I decided to check your profile again to see if you'd written anything new (NO idea why i wasn't alerted of these past two!)
I can't wait for the next chapter.
**Duckies

Plausible and well-imagined explanation for Minerva's presence at Hogwarts. I can't blame the sister for bolting to the Antipodes.

This was a wonderful character piece! As are all of your others.

A very good portrait of Professor McGonagall - or rather, I should say, of Minerva. Also a tasteful little nudge to all us dirty minded fans. The life you paint is sad, with a little too less passion and a little too much responsibility; but it is very, very fitting. I like the repeated comparison between Minerva and Hermione. The little glimpses of a young(er) and slightly less responsible Albus was also a wonderful thing.

Also, I find the passed comment about eugenics intruiging. That particular theory certinly made an impression of the muggle world. It seems to have been discussed in the wizarding world as well, and it is not hard to realize why. Eugenics is right in line with the pureblood ideas.

Oh, excellent! I love McGonagall stories, but I can never really see her with Albus. This was fantastic -- I loved you characterization. And the bit about Snape's hidden!powerful!daughter was hilarious.

I would like to hear why you take her to be 70 at the beginning of SS, instead of directly after GoF. (I love random timeline details that don't seem to matter to most people.)

Lovely. I'm an ADMM shipper on and off, but more of a McGonagall fan than anything, and this was a beautiful look into the mind of a wonderful woman. Loved it all. Bravo.

Wow. That was insightful. I look forward to reading more of your fics.

Excellent - I once had a conversation with a seventy year old woman who was part of our church homegroup. She never married and never had children, and a lot of what she voiced sounded very much like this. Thanks for a realistic look into Minerva's head.

The Snape's-secret-daughter bit made me laugh. So did the rest of the rampant rumor mill.

awsome story, one of the best i have read in a long time. it was refreshing to read a story that is realistic as far as relationships are concerned. much mor conected to the books as far at the character is concerned. well done.

Excellent!
A great story about a great personality in a through and through realistic way.
Ok, I have to say that I like the Minerva-Albus-Shipping very much but this look on their lifes/friendship is extraordinary close to the books` storyline.

Best wishes, aurea.

A McGonagall (love) story! Desire for love, love of what she does, platonic love of her mentor...but also the need for the roots to make it blossom.
Am I so lucky. I am visiting your profile for the first time and I discovered your intelligent, elegant writing in this recent piece. I'll have to read them all.
I always had a soft spot for McGonagall the teacher: she is dedicated, passionnate about her teaching and yes, ** her students, Gryffindor and all houses alike. You give her a woman's voice. I enjoyed this tremendously. The rumor mill at the beginning was such a nice introduction.

--MysticScribe--

A good, sound, realistic look at Minerva and Albus - and certain ludicrous notions in circulation about other Hogwarts staff.