//------------------------------//
// Chapter Eight 
// Story: Sweetie Belle and the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry 
// by AnnonyMouse 
//------------------------------//

Disclaimer:  My Little Pony Friendship is Magic belongs to Hasbro.  Harry Potter belongs to JK Rowling.  This is a free fiction, not to be sold or traded for any money, services or goods.

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Sweetie Belle and the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry 
08


Minerva was more nervous about the upcoming trip to Sweetie Belle's hometown in the morning than she would have liked to admit.  With much to do to prepare for traveling to a whole new world, the witch actually didn't know how to prepare for this.
She was confident in her magic to be able to pull her through any situation, but it never hurt to be prepared for any eventuality.
But she was also going in the guise of her Animagus form.  There was not really that much she could bring with her and make use of as a cat.  Heck, spellcasting was only possible in her native human form.
“Goodness.  Albus, what would you do in a situation like this?”  She looked up at the painting of the previous headmaster, who looked back at her and offered a silent chuckle and smile.  “Knowing you, you'd have foreseen something like this and prepared days in advance.”
The tall witch paced back and forth, her mind going a mile a minute.
About then, there came an unexpected knock at the door.
“Oh, who is it?”  She tried not to sound frustrated, but she simply couldn't help it.
The door opened and a familiar and much loved individual entered.
“Harry Potter.”  Minerva's face lit up.  “Whatever brings you here?”
Harry smirked, looking so very much like his father had so many years ago.  “Hello to you too Headmistress Mcgonagall.  I'm doing quite well, thank you.”  He flashed his grin and pulled something out of the sleeve of his black Auror robes.  “Actually, I came here to deliver this.”  He held out two letters.  “I'm certain you know what to do with these.”
Minerva took them and looked at them, then glared at Harry.  “Harry Potter, is this some sort of joke?”
“If it is, then it's one the Ministry is keeping to themselves.  Anyways, I have to be off.  I have a rather unfriendly Boggart I have to deal with today, and I have to be in the best of moods to laugh at whatever it feels like trying to frighten me with.”  At that, he turned and headed back toward the door.  “Oh, one more thing.  How is the exchange student doing?  She's in Gryffindor, isn't she?”
“She is doing remarkably well, and is making friends.  I do believe a few of the students from Slytherin have taken a liking to her as well, which is a rather surprising turn of events, considering the rivalry that's been between Gryffindor and Slytherin for so very long.”
Harry laughed lightheartedly.  “Well I'll be.  Never thought I'd hear of the day those two houses would ever get along.  It's good to hear though.  I best be off then.  And Headmistress, be careful on your little trip tomorrow.”
Minerva glared at Harry.  “How could you know about that?  I haven't told anyone.”
Harry winked at Dumbledore's painting before leaving, closing the door behind him.
“You told him?  Why would you do that?”  Minerva stared at the painting, feeling quite perturbed at the former headmaster.
Dumbledore just smiled and smoked his pipe.
“Ugh, you're incorrigible.”

…

Sweetie Belle, Zwei and Deuce were sitting in the main hall at the table, snacking on various goodies, ranging from sliced cheese to all manners of pastries, as well as those odd hayfries and sandwiches with flowers in them.
Oh how she wanted to tell her friends that she was going on a trip back to Ponyville for the day, but Headmistress Mcgonagall had asked she keep it a secret.  It wouldn't do to have the rest of the school know that she was receiving special treatment, even if it WAS just to pick up supplies that were necessary for her lessons.
Still, the filly kept the news to herself as she played a game of mage-ong.  She couldn't believe how good Deuce was at this game.
“Ah, I have almost no stones left...”  Her cute little face scrunched up, her eyes narrowed and her tongue sticking out the side of her mouth in concentration.  “Ah HA!”  She placed one of her white stones, and instantly a dozen of the black ones turned white.  “Take that.”  Sweetie Belle gave a look of triumph.
Deuce chuckled and placed a stone, and all the remaining white ones turned black.  “Thanks, I was hoping you'd do that.”
Sweetie Belle's jaw fell to the table in disbelief.  “But... but...”
“Sweetie.”  Zwei patted her tiny friend on the back.  “Deuce is a regional champion at Mage-ong.  I don't know anyone who's ever beaten him besides Mom.”
“But...”
Deuce smirked.  “Don't worry, I bet you'll get better in no time.”
Sweetie Belle sighed.  “Ok, you won this time.  Next time I'll win for sure.”  She beamed a smile.
In the background a Hufflepuff boy clutched his chest and fell over.
“Well, what are we gonna do now?”  Deuce asked.
“Um... I should be going to bed soon actually.  I'm feeling tired with all the running around and nearly getting blown up today.”  She hopped off the bench and yawned.  “I'll see you two later, okay?”
“Alright Sweetie.”  The twins chimed in unison.
With that, the little Unicorn made her way back to the dorms and entered her own room.  It was cozy, and more roomy than the dorm room upstairs, as well as had a 'no boys' spell on the door for good measure.
She crawled into bed and snuggled in, and in moments, she was asleep, dreaming of home and her friends.

…

Morning arrived and Sweetie Belle was awakened by a knock at the door.  “Five more minutes.”  She moaned, snuggling deeper into her bed.
But she heard the door open and peeked out to see Mcgonagall entering.  “Now now Sweetie Belle, we have something important to do today.”  She came over, followed by a couple other teachers who were levitating a full length mirror along with them.  “Place that over there by the wall.”  She directed.
Sweetie Belle crawled out of bed and yawned, her horn glowing and making her bed at the same time.  “What time is it?”  She asked.
“It's still early, but I think that the sooner we go, the sooner we can be back and avoid unnecessary questions about where we went.”  Mcgonagall replied as the other two teachers set the mirror down and left, closing the door behind them.
Sweetie nodded and got dressed.  “Okay.”  She grabbed her saddlebags and put them on under her cloak.  “I'm ready.”
Mcgonagall nodded and stood behind Sweetie Belle as the filly approached the mirror.  She watched as the small horn lit up with that pretty green light, and watched as the room's reflection in the mirror changed to another room entirely.
She shifted into her cat form and looked at the now slightly larger filly, who flinched away from her.  “I'm not going to hurt you Sweetie Belle.  So, how does this work?”
“We just walk into the mirror now.  The magic mirror on the other side is in a room at the Golden Oak Library in Ponyville where Princess Twilight lives.”
Sighing, Mcgonagall nodded and followed the filly to the mirror and watched as she stepped through, the surface not even rippling, which looked strange to see her step into her reflection and through to the other side.
A moment later, after taking a few calming breaths, she stepped through as well.
It was strange.  She felt the magic, and the moment she stepped through the mirror, she felt like she was falling for a few moments through a rainbow tunnel.
Then she stepped out of the other side and fell on her face with a soft thud.
Soft green magic picked her up gently and set her on her paws.
“Welcome to Ponyville.”  Sweetie Belle beamed.  “Let's go see if Princess Twilight and Spike are up.”
Mcgonagall nodded, looking around the room.  “This room.  It looks all wood, like it's part of a tree.”  She was very impressed.  Such magic to transform a tree into a still living home was unheard of.  These ponies certainly were impressive.
“It was grown and shaped by an Earth Pony a long time ago.”  Sweetie Belle educated her headmistress as she lead the feline up a curving set of stairs.
The fact that there were stairs and not just a ramp impressed Mcgonagall, but then, she felt she was about to be seeing amazing things throughout their visit.
And she was right.  As they reached the top of the stairs, they entered into an amazing looking room, the walls lined with shelves that were stacked with all sorts of books and scrolls, as well as statues, decorations and other nicknacks.  
“Oh my.”  She took in a breath at how clean and lovely this place looked.  It was so unlike any library she had ever seen before.
“Sweetie Belle?”  A new voice spoke up, and the pair turned to see a small purple and green creature that looked remarkably like a small wingless dragon.  “Welcome back.  I'll go get Twilight.”
“Thank you Spike.”  Sweetie Belle smiled as the dragon scurried up another flight of steps to a higher level.
“Was that a dragon?”  Mcgonagall asked in awe.  “A dragon that can talk?”
Sweetie Belle giggled.  “That's Spike.  He's a friend, and the Number One Assistant for Princess Twilight Sparkle.”
“I see.”  Minerva smiled.  “I've just never met a dragon that was capable of speaking.  They're normally quite vicious back on Earth.”
Sweetie nodded.  “They can be the same here, but you can also reason with them.  Dragons are really smart, but also territorial.”
Again Minerva nodded, but was stopped from saying anything more when she heard hoofsteps from above.
Her breath was taken away at the sight of the creature that came into view.  She had only ever seen art of such creatures, and she had no words to describe the one she was now seeing.
A winged Unicorn.
She was slender, held herself with dignity, but no arrogance.  She moved with grace as she came down the stairs, a gentle smile on her lips, and joy in her eyes.
“Sweetie Belle.  It's wonderful to see you, but why are you back so soon?”
And her voice, it was so pretty,
Sweetie Belle met Twilight at the bottom of the stairs and gave her a pony version of a hug.  “I missed you Princess.  Oh, I'd like you to meet Minerva Mcgonagall, Headmistress of Hogwarts.”  The filly stepped aside and gestured a hoof at the witch hat wearing black cat.
“It is an honor and a privilege to meet you Princess Twilight.”  Mcgonagall bowed before Twilight.
“It is an honor and a privilege to meet you as well Headmistress... Though I'd have thought you would also have been a human.”
“She is a human.”  Sweetie Belle hopped about excitedly.  “She's an Animagus.  She can turn herself into a cat.”
Twilight blinked, then smiled again.  “I see.  Facinating.  Transformation magic is an amazing thing and I've been studying a few new spells recently.”
“Yes, indeed Transfiguration is a fascinating field of magic.”  Mcgonagall felt relaxed around Twilight.  She had thought she'd be nervous and uncomfortable around royalty, but Twilight just seemed so, nice.  “But that isn't the reason we came here.”
Twilight glanced at the small white unicorn.  “Is Sweetie Belle in any sort of trouble?”
“Well, she is in a bit of a tight spot concerning one of her classes.”  The black cat replied, then explained the situation.
Twilight sat down and listened as Spike came in with a tray that held some cookies, a tea pot and three tea cups.
As they discussed the need for Equestrian Pegasai feathers, sipped at a most wonderful rose and lavender tea and nibbled the surprisingly good chocolate chip, oatmeal cookies, Sweetie Belle sat at a desk and flipped through a book on the Theory of Pegasai Magic.
“Sweetie Belle?”  Twilight called over to her after a while.
“Yes Princess?”  Sweetie closed the book and put it back where she found it, much to the delight of a certain baby dragon.
Twilight smiled at the filly.  “I think I can help you with your situation, but I will need time to get everything together for you.  Why don't you give your Headmistress a tour of Ponyville?”
“Really?”  Sweetie beamed and scooped the surprised cat onto her back.  “Thank you Princess Twilight.”  With that, she rushed out of the library.
Mcgonagall squinted her eyes to adjust to the beautifully bright morning sun and sky.
The smell... oh how the air smelled so fresh... with a hint of pony.  The sky was mostly clear save for a few oddly pretty, swirly clouds.
The colors were vibrant in everything she gazed at.  Looking back at the library, her eyes went wide at the sight of a fully living tree with windows and a door set into it in such a way that it just looked perfectly fine.  She'd have thought that it would have looked unnatural, but was pleased to learn otherwise.
Then there were the buildings.  The homes looked lovely, clean and she could tell they had to be comfortable and cozy on the insides.
Sweetie Belle would point out the various stores, some of the ponies she knew, who would smile and wave back at her when she greeted them.
Three different types of ponies, four if you counted Princess Twilight, all living in harmony.
“Oh, there's Rainbow Dash.”  Sweetie Belle pointed up into the sky.
Minerva's eyes went wide as she witnessed something that could only be described as impossible.
The Pegasai in question was literally pushing around a few of the clouds, as though they were solid objects, and then landing on one and folding her wings, literally standing on it like it was the ground.
“Rainbow Dash!”  Sweetie Belle called up to her.
Dash blinked and looked down.  “Sweetie Belle?”  She flew down and landed, flourishing her small, but powerful looking wings.  “I thought you were off at school or something, and what are you wearing?”
“I am at school, sorta, and this is my uniform.”  Sweetie Belle beamed and turned sideways, revealing the cat that sat with dignity on her back.  “And this is Headmistress Mcgonagall.  She runs the school.”
“A cat?”  Rainbow Dash chuckled.  “That's just silly.”
“One would consider the existence of brightly colored, talking ponies to be a silly thing as well.”  The cat spoke sternly.
The Pegasus blinked.  “Whoa, you can talk?  That's pretty cool.  What other tricks can you do?”
Sweetie Belle facehooved as the cat hopped off her back.
“Perhaps you would like a demonstration?”
Sweetie Belle jumped in between the pair.  “Uh, maybe we shouldn't?”
Mcgonagall frowned at the pegasus.  She was one of 'those' types that would never have done well at Hogwarts.  Brash, arrogant, you get the idea.  Heck, if she did, she'd most likely be placed into Slytherin.  “Yes, you are correct Sweetie Belle.  My apologies Rainbow Dash, but I do not do 'tricks'.  I am the head teacher at Hogwarts, where Sweetie Belle is attending.”
“Whatever, that's cool.  Are you having fun there Sweetie?”
Sweetie nodded.  “I'm learning all sorts of things.”  She glanced at Rainbow Dash's wings.  “Say Rainbow Dash?  You wouldn't happen to have any molted feathers laying about, would you?”
Chuckling, Rainbow Dash nodded.  “Yea, I'm always getting loose feathers that I have to remove.  I've just been tossing them into a basket back at home.  Why do you ask?”
“Oh, well... um, I kinda need some Pegasai feathers to make something that will let me fly in my flying classes.”
Hearing this made Rainbow Dash pause.  “Wait, you don't even have wings.  How can you fly?”
Mcgonagall fielded this question.  “You see, we use such items as enchanted brooms to fly, seeing as we don't have wings of our own.  Now, Sweetie Belle lacks the ability to properly grasp the broom to keep from falling off, so she and her flight teacher came up with an idea for something that can let her fly, but she needs the feathers of Equestrian Pegasai to make it, due to the innate magic in them.”
Rainbow Dash blinked.  “Really?  That's actually really cool.”
Sweetie Belle pulled out a notebook and flipped it open to show off a few concept sketches she'd come up with.  “It's a flat board that will use the feathers of a Pegasai to help it fly, but I really don't have any real idea on just how to make it work, so I'll need plenty of feathers to experiment with.”
“The best feathers are the Primaries.”  Rainbow Dash stated, looking over the designs and wondering just how in Equestria could any of them have any hopes of flying.  “I think I have a few, but secondaries are important too.  Without them both, flight is impossible, along with all sorts of other factors.”
Mcgonagall blinked.  This Pegasai was smarter than she first seemed.  “Well, we will be using magic along with the feathers to make the flying device, so they shouldn't actually need to have wings, just like the brooms don't need wings.”
“I'd love to see that.  A flying broom.”  Rainbow Dash grinned.  “Specially to see just how fast they can go.”  She doubted they could move anywhere near as fast as even an average Pegasai when they really wanted to get moving, never mind herself.
“Perhaps one day.”  Mcgonagall was not sure, but she could see herself actually liking Rainbow Dash.  Her attitude aside, she reminded her of herself when she attended Hogwarts as a student herself.  “Anyways, I have to move a few clouds over to Sweet Apple Acres.  They're scheduled for a little extra rain this morning and I'm already a little behind.  Catch you later Sweetie Belle.”  With that, the Pegasai took to the sky, trailing an amazing rainbow contrail behind her.
Minerva's eyes went wide at that display.  The contrail was pure magic, but at the same time, it wasn't wasted magic.  It was just an alteration of the magic that already existed in the air itself.
She was now starting to feel it in the air.  So much magic all around her, woven through the very air, the ground, the ponies and most likely everything else that existed in this world.
Strangely, Minerva was starting to feel more energetic, more rejuvenated than she had felt in decades.
And then a scent drifted into her nostrils and she licked a little drool from her lips.  “What is that heavenly scent?”
Sweetie sniffed the air and licked her lips.  “I haven't had breakfast yet.  How about we stop in at Sugar Cube Corner and grab a bite to eat.  Maybe you can even meet Pinkie Pie.”
“Did somepony say my name?”  A startling pink and rather poofy maned pony hopped out from behind a far too small rock.
Minerva felt her heart jump into her throat at the sudden appearance of this pony, and her fur went on end.  She was now standing on Sweetie Belle's back, her own back arched, tail straight up and poofed out to the max.
“Hi Pinkie Pie.”  Sweetie Belle beamed a smile a mile wide, which was reflected on Pinkie Pie's face.  “We were just heading to Sugar Cube Corner to grab something to eat.”
“What a coinkidink.  I was heading here to have my second breakfast too.”  She looked at the cat that was staring at her.  “Hello.  Are you a friend of Sweetie Belle's?  I thought she didn't really like cats.”
Minerva relaxed a little.  “I am one of her teachers.”  She hopped down and looked at the pony who's eyes were now so wide there was almost nothing else to be seen of her face.  “Um... hello?”
“Oh wow!  I got Fluttershy's talent to talk to animals all of a sudden.”  With that, she zipped off at speeds that were physically, and maybe even magically impossible.
Blinking and staring at the now empty space for a few moments, Minerva looked at Sweetie Belle.  “What... just... happened?”
Sweetie Belle giggled.  “It's a Pinkie Pie thing.  Best you not try to think about it or you'll get a headache.”
“I see.”  Minerva shook her head to clear her thoughts.  “Well.  That aside, we should EEEK!!!”
Pinkie Pie was back, face to face with Minerva.  “Oh yea!  I have to throw you a welcome to Ponyville party.”  And again she was gone.
Minerva's heart was beating faster than it had ever beat before.  And strangely, the whole world was upside down.
It took her a few moments to realize she was over fifteen feet off the ground, hanging upside down from a tree branch.
“What are you doing up there Headmistress?”  Sweetie Belle asked, looking up at the black cat.
“I... uh...”  She scrambled up onto the branch and made her way back down to the ground easily.  She hadn't climbed a tree in decades, and it felt good to do so once again.  “Your friend just startled me, is all.  Now.”  She smoothed out her coat before continuing.  “I think breakfast sounds like a wonderful idea.”
“Oh yes it does.”  Sweetie Belle beamed, giggling at the cat's antics.  She then led Mcgonagall to a building that looked almost as good to eat as what was most likely inside it.
And she was not mistaken.  Inside the shop, Minerva was treated to all manners of delicious looking baked goods.  Muffins, cupcakes, cakes, fresh bread, tarts and more.
“My treat.”  Sweetie Belle beamed and approached the counter where a plump mare with a mane that looked like a swirl of pink frosting stood.  “Choose whatever you like.”
“Why if it isn't Sweetie Belle.”  Mrs. Cake gave a most delighted smile upon seeing the filly.  “Your two friends come in here every day.  They miss you a lot you know.”
Sweetie Belle nodded.  “I miss them too and think of them every day.”  She approached the counter and looked at the goodies on display.  “Oh, this is...”
“Call me Minerva.  I am a teacher at the school Sweetie Belle is attending.”  The cat spoke up, catching Mrs. Cake by surprise.
“My goodness.  A talking cat.”  She smiled.  “Well, I am delighted to have you here as well, though I don't think we have anything you might like.  Perhaps Fluttershy might?”
Minerva offered a friendly smile and pointed a paw at one of those big, fresh muffins.  “Oh, I do enjoy baked delights on occasion.  Perhaps that muffin and some tea.”
Mrs. Cake looked a little surprised, but then smiled.“Oh yes, those came out of the oven not long ago.  Would you like some fresh butter on it?”
Minerva licked her lips and simply nodded.
“I'll have one as well please.”  Sweetie Belle added.  “With butter too, and some tea as well.”
The plump Earth Pony nodded and took the two muffins and placed them onto plates and added a pat of butter on top.  She placed them on the counter and Sweetie Belle payed for them.  She levitated both plates and brought them over to one of the tables.
Minerva hopped up onto the table and smiled at Sweetie Belle.  “Thank you.  This is most generous of you.”
“My sister would have done the same.  We'll be going to see her next.”
With that, they dug in as their tea was delivered.  To say that Minerva had never tasted such delicious muffins in her life was an understatement.  Somehow, she was able to finish it off, along with the fresh mint tea that went with it.
After the pair had made short work of their breakfast, they thanked Mrs. Cake once again and were heading out when Pinkie Pie burst into the storefront, looking around, almost in a panic.
Upon spotting the cat, she scooped her up into her hooves and stared into her eyes.  “Say something.  Anything.  Please don't tell me I was imagining that you can talk.”
“I-uh...  May you please put me down?”  Minerva asked, a little worried.
Pinkie Pie squealed in delight and hugged the cat, much to said feline's dismay.  This pink pony was a LOT stronger than she had thought.
“You CAN talk.  I thought I was going crazy.”
Minerva would have said something, but she was being hugged a bit too tightly.
“Um, Pinkie Pie?”  Sweetie Belle nudged her with a hoof.  “I don't think Headmistress Mcgonagall can breathe.”
Pinkie Pie gasped and released the relieved cat.  “I'm so sorry.  I'll make it up to you with an extra special welcome to Ponyville and sorry for nearly squishing you party.”  She tore off once again at impossible speeds, leaving the cat spinning in place on the floor.
“I... I don't understand that pony.”  She said once she stopped spinning, though the store still seemed to keep on doing so for a bit.
Sweetie Belle giggled and gently levitated her escort back onto her back.  “That's Pinkie Pie for you.  Come on, let's go say hello to my sister.”
The pair left Sugar Cube Corner and made their way through the delightful town.  The next building looked amazingly like a carousel, and was very beautiful.
Sweetie Belle knocked on the door and entered.  “Rarity?  I'm back.”
“Sweetie Belle?”  A stunningly beautiful Unicorn emerged from the back room, a pair of red glasses balanced on her muzzle.  “Welcome back.  Whatever is the occasion?”
“Rarity, this is Headmistress Mcgonagall of Hogwarts.”  She stepped aside as said feline hopped down to the floor with grace and stood there with poise.
“Hello Miss. Rarity.”
Rarity beamed in delight.  “Oh my goodness.  You are such a wonderful looking feline, and you can talk.”
“She's actually a human.  She can transform into a cat whenever she wants.”  Sweetie Belle explained.
“Simply amazing.”  Rarity bowed her head.  “It is a pleasure and an honor to meet you Headmistress Mcgonagall.”
“And you as well.  I must admit, your little sister is an absolute delight to have as a student at the school.  She's smart and resourceful and makes friends quite easily.”
Rarity could not have been more pleased to hear this.  She then looked at the hat the cat was wearing.  “Oh my, what a dreadful thing, your... hat.”
Mcgonagall blinked and looked up at her hat.  “I admit it is a little on the old side, but it is most comfortable.”
“This will not do.  You are in the highest position in the school, yes?  Well, allow me to make you something nicer.”  She plucked the cat up in her magic and placed her onto her own back before carrying her into the back.
She then set Mcgonagall onto a podium and looked at the hat.  “Mind if I take a look at it?”
“I... I guess?”  The cat removed the hat and held it out.
Smiling, Rarity plucked the hat up and took it aside.  She examined it carefully, then at the cat with equal scrutiny.  After a few uncomfortable moments, she headed off and selected some materials and thread and got to work.
Mcgonagall was treated to a most amazing sight, that of a true master in their craft creating something.  
In the end, while it was simple in form, identical to the original, it was made from the same material that had gone into Sweetie Belle's uniform.  In addition, there was beautiful embroidery added around the rim, dark reds and greens.  She even added a few shiny gems to add just a little extra sparkle.
“Now, I know it won't be as comfortable as your old one, but I must admit it looks wonderful.”  She rest it onto the cat's head and brought over a mirror.
Mcgonagall looked at her reflection and had to admit, this hat was far nicer than her original.  It even fit her comfortably.  “I must say, this is very lovely.  How might I pay for it?  I doubt I have anything of value on me.”
“Nonsense.  Consider it a gift.”  Rarity smiled and offered the original hat back.
Sweetie Belle took it and placed it into her saddlebags.  “I'll carry this for you Headmistress.”
“Thank you Sweetie Belle.”  Minerva was very pleased with her new hat.  Her old one was over thirty years old, and it was about time she replaced it.  This one felt like it would last another thirty years, such was the craftsmanship.  Or was that craftsponyship?  Ponies were so confusing at times.
“SWEETIE BELLE!!!”  A pair of young voices called out, a moment before the white filly was bowled over by a pair of like sized forms and hugged tightly.
“Oof.  Hi Apple Bloom, Scootaloo.”  Sweetie Belle returned the hugs.  “How did you know I was here?”
“Rainbow Dash told me.”  Scootaloo released Sweetie Belle from the hug.
“And she told Applejack who told me.”  Applebloom beamed, still hugging her friend.
Mcgonagall stared at the trio of fillies.  She could tell they were the best of friends.
“Apple Bloom.  Scootaloo.  I'd like you to meet the Headmistress of the school I'm attending.”  She slipped from Apple Bloom's embrace and gestured to the cat in the nice hat.
“Hiya.”  Apple Bloom held out a hoof, which the cat took and shook.  “So you're like the Princess of yer school or something?  Ah'd heard humans were tall and walked on two legs.”
“Yea, you look more like a cat.”  Scootaloo leaned forward and looked the sleek cat over.
Sweetie Belle giggled.  “Headmistress, maybe it would be alright if you showed them what you really look like.”
Mcgonagall knew it might not be the best idea, but oddly, she felt it would be alright.  Her form shifted, growing larger and taller till she finally stood... hold on...
Mcgonagall was staring at Rarity in the eye.  She KNEW she was supposed to be taller.  Her head spun as she turned to look into the mirror.
What greeted her was NOT a human, but rather, a pony.
Light tanned coat, with neatly combed graying mane and tail.  She was wearing her robes as she had expected, but they felt and looked to be for that of a slender mare.
Sure, she was a little taller than Rarity, and slimmer, but this was just not right.
“What in the name of all that is magic?”  She blinked and looked herself over again.  She looked younger than she had been expecting a pony of her age should look.
“Goodness.”  Rarity's eyes had gone wide.  “Sweetie Belle, I think that the portal mirror's transformation magic seems to be working again.”
“R-really?”  Sweetie Belle's eyes went wide.  Would this mean she would become a human once she stepped back into the human world?
Scootaloo looked up at Mcgonagall.  “So, you become a pony here in Equestria just like how Princess Twilight became a human when she visited your world?”
“Well, I will most certainly be hoping I return to my human form once back, or things could become... complicated.”  Mcgonagall said, still looking herself over.  “Though I have to admit, this form feels just as comfortable as my true form.”
Rarity sighed, then looked over the mare's robes.  “Now your garments do not match your hat.  I must do something about that.”
“Wait.  What?  AHHHH!!”

…

Mcgonagall walked along next to Sweetie Belle, wearing a set of simply wonderful and comfortable robes that matched her hat perfectly.  Her old ones had been folded neatly and stored in Sweetie Belle's bags, though there should have been no way they could have fit.  Those were obviously magical bags, which were not against any rules, so it was fine.
“Your sister is quite... forceful, isn't she?”
Sweetie Belle giggled and nodded.  “Yea, she can be.  I'm sorry about that.”
“No, it is alright, though I still hope to return to human form upon our return.”  She looked down at the filly and smiled.  “Though even if you remain a pony, I feel that would not be a problem.”
Nodding in agreement, Sweetie Belle lead the taller pony, who had been revealed to be an Earth Pony, along a trail up to a most adorable cottage that looked like it was alive.
“What is this place?”  Minerva asked, noticing all the birdhouses and the chicken coop.
“This is where Fluttershy lives.  She's really shy, but she's also really nice.  I love singing with her from time to time.”
“Well, you have a lovely voice.  I would like to hear you sing sometime.”
Sweetie Belle blushed visibly, which should have been impossible due to having a fine coat of hair covering her whole body.  “I don't know, maybe sometime.”
“Sweetie Belle?”  An amazingly sweet and honeyed voice came from above the pair.
Looking up, Minerva was a little stunned to see a pony up in a tree, with birds all over her, in her mane and poking out of her long soft pink tail.
Then the pony spread her wings and fluttered down, most of the birds flying back into the branches, though a few stayed put in her mane.  “Welcome back.  Are you just visiting?”
“Yea, I'm showing my teacher around.”
Fluttershy just now noticed the other pony and squeaked and dove into a nearby bush.
Minerva blushed, then remembered Sweetie Belle talking about how this pony was very shy, yet loved animals.  A moment later, she stood once again as a cat.
Fluttershy had watched the transformation and slowly emerged, staring at the cat.  “You... you became a cat?”
“I am an Animagus.”  Said cat replied.
“Oh you are adorable.”  She scooped her into her hooves and snuggled her.  Unlike Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy was amazingly gentle with her hug, and Minerva didn't mind so much, even though she normally hated being picked up and cuddled.  Something about this pony just made it feel alright.
“And you can talk like a pony too.”  Fluttershy beamed and set the cat down.  “You must really be good with magic.”
“Well, I am Headmistress of the greatest school of witchcraft and wizardry in all of the United Kingdom.”
Fluttershy was impressed.  “That is just so... wonderful.”  She smiled and lead the pair up to the cottage and let them in.  “Would you like some fish?  Some milk?  Oh, I know, you're not really a cat but a pony who can become a cat.  Would you like a Daisy and alfalfa sandwich?”
It had been a long day so far, especially with the time spent at Rarity's.  “Lunch does sound good, though I cannot say I have ever tasted daisies or alfalfa.”
“Goodness.  What do you normally eat?”
Mcgonagall paused.  It might not do to tell her that humans enjoyed things like meat.  “Well, I enjoy fresh baked muffins.”  She grinned a little nervously.  “But that sandwich does sound delightful.”
Fluttershy clopped her forehooves together and flew into the kitchen.
Sweetie Belle lead the new pony over to the living room table and sat down.  “So, what do you think of Ponyville so far?”
“Well, aside from this odd turn of events, I must say it is very lovely.  I do feel quite rejuvenated here, better than I have in many, many years.”  She stretched and transformed back into a pony, even though she had been concentrating on becoming a human.  “But I do find it strange that I would become a pony here.”
“Um... magic?”  Sweetie Belle grinned.  “I really didn't expect that to happen, and I'm really, really sorry.”  She then hung her head and looked sad.
Minerva patted the filly's back.  “Well, magic can sometimes do unexpected things.  It is no fault of yours.”
Sweetie Belle looked up and hugged Mcgonagall.  “Thank you for not being mad.”
Her heart simply melted.  She hated being hugged at the best of times, but this filly's hug just felt so nice.  She'd have to be careful about letting her hug her back at the school...
Fluttershy returned, balancing the tray on her back.  She paused and looked at the tall mare, and saw how Sweetie Belle was hugging her.  If that wasn't a hint that Mcgonagall was a nice pony, then that was all that Fluttershy needed.  She set down the tray and joined in the hug, with Minerva in the middle.
It was almost too much.  After years of virtually no physical contact, she was being hugged by a pair of the sweetest ponies she had ever met.  Her smile softened and she hugged them back.
After a short while, they broke the hug and ate while talking about all sorts of things they liked doing.
“Oh, Headmistress, I promised Apple Bloom and Scootaloo that I'd tell them about my time at the school.  They should be at the clubhouse at Sweet Apple Acres.  Maybe you can meet Applejack while we're there.”
“Well, I trust you won't go getting yourself into trouble.”  Minerva replied.  “And Fluttershy, thank you ever so much for lunch.  I must say, it was delicious.”
Fluttershy smiled.  “Do you really think so?  I mean, it was just a sandwich.”
“I've never had such good food before.  Ponyville is an amazing place in so many ways.”
“I'm glad to hear that.  I hope you enjoy visiting Applejack.  She's an amazing pony.”  Fluttershy waved the pair as they headed out the door.
Minerva returned the smile.  “Every pony I have met so far has exceeded my imagination.  Take care.”
Fluttershy watched as they left before an annoyed Angel Bunny kicked her leg and pointed at his empty bowl.

…

The air smelled so good out here.  Minerva was impressed at the strength of the pony senses.  Sure, her hooves were nowhere near as sensitive as human hands, but her hearing, sight and sense of smell were just heightened.  Oddly, she couldn't smell the scent of pony anymore.
They rounded a bend in the path and the sight that greeted Minerva was just as wonderful as everything else she'd seen so far.  
The farm and orchard stretched for as far as the eye could see.  The barn, or was that house?  Anyways, it was bright and colorful and looked just like the perfect place for a pony to live.
Overhead, she heard a voice.  “Hey there.”  It was Rainbow Dash.  She waved down after knocking apart a few clouds, then flew down and landed before the pair.  “Hey Sweetie Belle.  Who's this and where's that cool cat?”
“Hello Rainbow Dash.  It's nice to see you again as well.”  Minerva grinned.  She couldn't help it.
“Hold on.  YOU'RE the cat?  I mean, you sound just like her, but you're a pony.  I get it, you're a Unicorn right?”
Minerva pulled off her hat, which had indeed changed to fit her, which was quite nice, seeing as it had been made to fit her cat head.  “Actually, I am an Earth Pony.”
“Whoa, an Earth Pony who can use magic?  That's awesome.  What's your cutie mark?”
“My... Oh, yes.”  She lifted her cape and revealed it.  A black cat with a witches hat riding on a broom.
“Nice... what's it mean?”
Sweetie Belle fielded this one, which Minerva was actually thankful for.  “It's because she's an Animagus and can become a cat and she's a witch and can use magic too.”
“Huh, that's really cool actually.  Never knew anypony other than Unicorns who could use magic.  I mean, I can sorta use some when I do my job with the weather and stuff, but nothing like what any Unicorn can do.”
“And whatcha talking about over there RD?”  An orange and blond mare approached.  “Oh hey there Sweetie Belle.  Ah think Apple Bloom is at the Clubhouse with Scootaloo.”
“Yea, they told me they were going to wait there.”  She turned to her escort.  “Um, may I go visit my friends?  I bet Applejack and Rainbow Dash would have fun talking to you.”
“Well, I don't see any trouble with that.”
“Thank you.”  Sweetie Belle nuzzled her teacher and took off, but paused.  “Oh yea.  Rainbow Dash.  Don't forget about the feathers.”
“Don't worry Sweetie Belle.  I haven't forgotten.  I'll go get them shortly.”
Sweetie Belle smiled, waved and took off.
Minerva was now alone, and actually felt alone now that Sweetie Belle was no longer at her side.  “So...”  She turned to the pair of mares.
“Ah'm Applejack.  Ah heard ya already met my little sister, Apple Bloom.”
Minerva nodded.  “Yes, she is quite an inquisitive little filly, and yet polite.”
“And Scootaloo looked excited about having met Sweetie Belle's teacher too.”  Rainbow Dash added.
“Yes.  She's very curious, and can't seem to stay still for too long.  Still, they are both quite bright.  Were I to have my way, I would be tempted to ask if they could also tend my school, but alas, that is not my decision to make.”
“Ya kiddin right?  Ah thought only Unicorns could use that magic stuff.”  Apple Jack stated.  “Just don't seem right having an Earth Pony doing that magic stuff.  No offense Ma'am.”
“None taken.  I am actually a human, though it seems some magic here has decided that I should be a pony.  Oddly, I feel quite comfortable like this.”
“Ain't nothing wrong being a pony.”  Applejack smirked.  “Say, RD and Ah just finished a bunch of work and we were gonna relax a bit and have a mug of my home made apple cider.”
Minerva's taste buds nearly screamed 'YES!!!  APPLES!!!'  “I... I guess a sip wouldn't hurt.”
Applejack grinned and led an even wider grinning Rainbow Dash and a softly smiling Minerva to the barn house.
The farm mare brought out a small keg and poured three mugs and handed them out.
One sip, and Minerva fell in love.  Thankfully, it was not alcoholic like she had feared it might be, and it tasted so much better than she had imagined it might.
A few apple based snacks on the side, and the three chatted for well over an hour.
Rainbow Dash and Applejack took quite a liking to Minerva, and were soon on a first name basis with her.
It felt good to just relax and not worry about rules and regulations all the time.
She even demonstrated a few simple spells, by using her wand in her mouth and casting the spells wordlessly.
Needless to say, even Applejack was impressed that an Earth Pony could use magic like a Unicorn.
It was about then that Minerva remembered something from yesterday.  “Oh how could I forget.  I actually DO have a pair of letters for one Apple Bloom and Scootaloo.  They're invitations to come visit Hogwarts, though not acceptance letters to attend.”  She reached into her robes and pulled out the pair of letters that Harry had delivered personally.
“Ya kiddin.  This mean Apple Bloom and Scootaloo can come visit Sweetie Belle?”  she took the letter and looked at the writing.  It had Apple Bloom's name on it.  “Well, it ain't often my lil' sis gets mail.  Ah bet she'll be delighted.”
Minerva nodded.  “I am certain she will be.  Of course, it only applies to Sundays, and only while the sun is up.  Once it sets, they'll be sent back home.”
Rainbow Dash accepted Scootaloo's letter.  “I'll deliver this to Lyra and Bon Bon, her parents.”  She tucked it into her mane where it seemed to just vanish.
About then, the trio of fillies returned, bounding along and looking to be having a great time.
Normally Minerva would have none of that, especially students having company, but Sweetie Belle was quite a special case.  That, and she honestly was taking a liking to the filly, something she'd not felt since Harry Potter had been one of her students.
“I'll go get those feathers and be back in a few minutes.”  Rainbow Dash took off in a flash.
Scootaloo rushed up, and looked sad.  “Aww, I just missed her?  Bummer.”
Applejack ruffled Scootaloo's mane.  “She'll be right back so don't cha worry.  Oh, Apple Bloom.  Ya got a letter.”  She held it out.
Apple Bloom accepted it and opened it, reading it over.  “Wait, this means Ah can go visit Sweetie Belle on Sundays?”  She turned and hugged Sweetie Belle.  “This is awesome.”
Sweetie Belle hugged Apple Bloom back.  “You can come visit.  There's so much to see at Hogwarts.  It's an amazing place.  I still get confused when it comes to the changing stairs, but I'm getting the hang of the place.”  She paused.  “Wait, what about Scootaloo?”
Scootaloo sat there, looking left out.
Minerva smiled.  “Rainbow Dash has your letter Scootaloo.  I'm sure she'll give it to you when she comes back.”
“You bet I will.”  With a flourish of her wings, the rainbow maned mare landed, a sack filled with feathers grasped in her forehooves.  “And here's your feathers.”  She then took out the letter and gave it to the excited Scootaloo.  
The filly opened it and read it over.  “It says I need my parent's permission.  Papa wouldn't have a problem, but Mama is a bit overprotective at times.”
“I'll talk to them with you Squirt.”  Rainbow Dash scooped Scootaloo onto her back.  “What say we go say hi to Lyra and Bon Bon, after a quick flight around town.”  Before Scootaloo could say anymore, she was airborne on her heroine's back.
“An ya got my permission.”  Applejack said to her little sister and received an excited hug in return.
Sweetie Belle hugged Minerva.  “Thank you so much Headmistress Mcgonagall.”
Minerva smiled and hugged the filly back.  “No, thank you Sweetie Belle.”

…

Needless to say, it had taken an hour longer than intended to get back to Hogwarts, thanks to Twilight being overly curious about Mcgonagall's transformation into a pony.
In fact, she had to be denied accompanying them back to the school to see if the transformation magic was indeed once again working.
And as the pair stepped back into Sweetie Belle's room, the filly was still a filly, and Mcgonagall stood tall once again as a human.
“Odd, the magic seems to be selective.”  Minerva replied.  “Well, it is getting late.  I should return to work.”
Sweetie Belle gave Minerva one last nuzzle, knowing that once she left the room, such actions were inappropriate.  “I'll go to bed now.  It was a long day.”  She then looked at the human.  “Um, Headmistress Mcgonagall?  You look a little younger, I think.”
Minerva looked in the mirror.  No, she still looked her age, but she also looked relaxed.  Perhaps her visit to Ponyville had just rejuvenated her a little.  It had not reversed her age, which might have taken a lot of explaining.
“Well, not younger.  Though I do feel pretty good.”  She ruffled Sweetie Belle's mane and smiled.  “Now, off to bed with you young filly, and sweet dreams.”

To Be Continued...

“WAAAAAIIIIT!!!”  Pinkie Pie pokes her head out of the shrinking 'fade to black' circle.  “They totally missed my party.  WHYYYYY?!?”