A/N: Hi everyone... Sorry about taking so long to update, and also for the short update. I'm in the middle of my year-end exams, so I'm kinda busy, but decided to write this Interlude and publish it to at least try and keep you guys interested in the story. Updates will be a bit slow initially, but as soon as my exams are finished, it'll be much quicker.

Disclaimer: I still don't own anything, and I'm still not making money. Just playing in JK Rowling's beautiful world that she so lovingly created, and borrowing some characters for a while. :-)

CHAPTER 2

Minerva McGonagall appeared in Privet Drive with a loud crack. She had never managed to do it with a pop like others do, but she couldn't care less right now. She practically ran towards her destination, number 4 slowly appearing magically on the street.

She knocked on the door, barely containing her happiness. She just knew things were better now. The hum of new magic caressed her core and almost made her purr like the cat animagus she is.

The door flew open and she found herself staring at two wands. Taken completely by surprise, she just kept very still and tried calming her heart, beating 700 miles a minute.

"How did I manage to get accepted onto the Quidditch team in my first year, and how did you contribute to that?" Harry asked immediately.
"You disobeyed direct orders from Madam Hooch, got on your broom and saved Mister Longbottom's Rememberall, after which I took you to Oliver Wood and introduced him to his new seeker. I contributed to that by getting you a state of the art broom, a Nimbus 2000, the broom in question was smashed by the whomping willow in your third year during the Hufflepuff-Gryffindor game after you were attacked by Dementors." Minerva answered without skipping a beat. "Now", she pulled her wand and trained it on Harry faster than Harry thought was possible, "How did you manage to best your transfiguration professor in your first year?" she asked.
"I didn't best you, Ronald Weasley did. On our way to rescue the Philosopher's Stone, we encountered your giant chess set, where Ronald Weasley managed to kick some Transfiguration Professor's butt." Harry grinned at Minerva.

Security done (so tedious, yet so necessary), Minerva quickly entered into the house. "Oh Harry! I cannot begin to tell you how happy this made me!" She practically squealed like a little school girl. "Of course I had hopes that you never found out what that crazy old man did, but alas, you did. Should have known you would you nosy little boy!"

"Uhm... Professor, what crazy old man are you talking about?" Harry carefully asked, he had his suspicions but he still wasn't sure.
"Don't play dumb Mister Potter, it's very unbecoming", Minerva snapped, "You know perfectly well who I'm talking about."
"Yeah, I think I do. I'm not playing dumb, Professor, I'm simply trying to give him the benefit of the doubt." Harry said.
"Now mister Potter, you can trust me when I say this, giving that man the benefit of the doubt will do nothing but give him leverage to keep you under his thumb. He will play a game so intricate that you will not be able to distinguish between truth and lies. If I were you, I'd do away with the niceties, and write him off for now. At least until this is all over. My question to you Mister Potter is simple... What are you going to do about this? How are you going to go about keeping this under wraps until such a time that an opportunity presents itself to reveal this?"

Harry stared at his professor. He had no idea. Not even half an idea. Not even a spark. Hermione however had a solution at the ready. And it was simple.

"Professor", Hermione began, "when Harry came to me with his request, I decided not to leave a single stone unturned. I quite literally ransacked big parts of the castle after finding a very enlightening book under the floor boards under one of the shelves in the Restricted Section in the Library. Don't ask me how or why I decided to look there, I don't know, I just felt a pull towards it and ta-da, there it was. This book was not your standard library book. I'll go over the details another time, but let's just say that this book took me on a wonderful tour through the castle. I know some of the secrets Hogwarts holds, probably not all of them, but enough to rival Dumbledore's knowledge of the castle. Imagine my surprise, when I open a door in Trelawney's class that has never been seen before and find myself facing a tapestry the size of Monte Vesuvio hanging on the opposite wall. And after careful investigation, I can promise you that the information the tapestry holds is explosive – and that's putting it mildly."

Hermione took a much needed breath before plunging right back in.

"I will tell you everything I know professor, and I'll substantiate the tales with cold hard evidence, but regarding my Modus Operandi ala Potter, you'll have no input and you can do nothing to change my mind. I know Harry trusts me, and the reason I haven't let that particular cat out of the bag is because Hogwarts has ears. And all those ears report to the Oh-so-Revered Bumblepork."

She relayed her MO ala P to Minerva, getting both disapproving and praiseworthy expressions from the Deputy Headmistress, but nothing more than that. She knew she had covered all the bases as well as she could, and even though Minerva disapproved on some parts, she couldn't fault Hermione on her genius.

While Hermione was talking, Harry just sat dumbstruck at what he was hearing and the Dursleys even more so. They couldn't believe what they were hearing. Of course they wouldn't be telling anyone anything, as they'd be chucked into the funny farm quicker than a bullet can pierce a target.