First of all, I am so sorry for not updating! We upgraded to Explorer three and I was still using Notepad, and I couldn't upload, so dad downloaded OpenOffice for me

Umm, big apologies to Always Hopeful, I cannot get attached emails through, so sorry!

This is not beta read (which explains the punctuation!)

Here we are, chapter 3, please enjoy and don't forget to drop leave a review! thanx!

I don't like this, it was hard to write, sorry if it's boring.

Please review!

Disclaimer: If I was J.K I would probably not be writing fan fiction.

Chapter Three.

Friends Reunited.

Minerva shuffled her feet a bit. She had Flutterbyes the size of Heffalumps in her stomach. It was going to be strange teaching, not being taught. When she'd been in school, Poppy, Rolanda and her had been the terrors of Gryffindor tower. Pops and Ro, she hadn't seen them in ages. Her Auror work had taken her all over Britain and some of France and Germany, and other various parts of Europe. They'd only corresponded by owl, and now they were all teaching together! At least there was one thing for certain, she wouldn't be lonely.

Her gaze travelled to the man sitting opposite her, his auburn hair and bright blue eyes made him look slightly eccentric, though he was quite handsome, she supposed. He had previously been looking outside, his eyes shrouded with deep thought, but now he looked at her, his bright blue gaze boring into her.

Minerva felt uncomfortable, and subconsciously started using Occlumency. Minerva had years of experiences to make her distrustful and wary, not to mention quick to attack, this man had no business to look at her like that, as if sizing her up!

Minerva knew herself, but she was the only one who knew Minerva Jean Mcgonagall. Minerva Mcgonagall was an Ice Queen. She had perfected the art of not letting anyone see her emotions, and had even trained herself not listen to her softer parts. This Professor could try to size her up as much as he wanted, he would find nothing!

Albus looked at the new Professor. He didn't even try to use Legilimengy, but she surprised him, (again) by employing basic Occlumency, Battle Auror,he reminded himself, of course she could use Occlumency.

He wondered how she would fit in with the rest of the staff, he knew that she was good friends with Poppy and Rolanda, but he rest of the staff was a different matter. She had been taught by Horace Slughorn, and Matthew Binns, however the rest of the staff was new. Ah well, he'd just have to wait and see.

The carriage finally stopped and Albus climbed out, he turned round and offered his hand to Miss Mcgonagall, who, like before, ignored it.

She got out and surveyed Hogwarts, as far he could tell by her face, she looked happy.

Armando was waiting on the top of the large flight of stairs. Minerva looked up at him and back at Albus.

Albus understood the look, it said, you work here, so you first.

Albus started up the stairs, and Minerva followed him. When they reached the top, Armando walked forward and greeted Minerva warmly.

"Ah, Miss Mcgonagall, good to see you again, good to see you. You were taking a while, we thought that maybe Albus had fallen asleep in the waiting hut."

Minerva said nothing, just raised a fine eyebrow slightly.

"It is good to see you again, Headmaster, and Hogwarts too."

"I can imagine," chuckled Armando, "shall we go and meet the others then?"

Minerva nodded and picked up her luggage.

"Excellent, they're waiting in the staff room. Poppy and Rolanda are very anxious to see you."

Armando led the way, with Albus and Minerva following. Minerva was looking ever so slightly nervous at the prospect of meeting all the staff members.

Very soon, they arrived at the staff room, where the two gargoyles flanking the door were very much surprised to see Minerva.

"Oo's this then?" said one.

"Not ickle Minnie Mcgonagall?"said the other

"Ringleader of the Terrible Trio?" said the first one.

"Naah, can't be. Can it?" they said together.

Minerva smirked a little, she remembered these two," Oh I assure you, it can be." she said with a hint of laughter.

Armando frowned a little, "Be quiet, you two, and let us in!"

"Oh, sorry, MisterHeadProfessorSir," said the first one.

"We'll let you in now," said the second one.

And they did.

Inside the staff room the whole of the Hogwarts staff were sitting, awaiting the newest addition to their ranks.

When Minerva entered there was a short silence and then;

"Min!" Poppy had hurtled out of seemingly nowhere, closely followed by Rolanda, and where soon hugging Minerva as tight as it was physically possible.

Minerva finally disentangled herself, and managed to say, "Hello, you two."

Rolanda looked at her mock-sternly," we have been waiting for you for ages! what took you so long?"

"Oh, we-I- had a bit of difficulty in the village."

"Oh. So, how's everyone? How's Stan? and Ben? What was his and Lena's marriage like? I'm sorry I wasn't there but the Bludger backfired again, I was in the hospital wing for a week! And-"

Armando cut off Rolanda's relentless gush of words," Thank-you Rolanda. Right then, introductions. Minerva, this is Bethan Harmon, Astronomy."

A tall, ethereal-looking woman smiled and shook Minerva's hand.

"Filius Flitwick, Charms."

A tiny little man with a shock of chesnut hair waved from an armchair, his legs dangling over the edge of it.

"Lana Trevors, Arithmancy and Ancient Runes"

A wispy, short blonde woman, smiled and nodded at Minerva.

"Hector Jones, Muggle Studies."

A smiley, plump man grinned and walked over to shake Minerva's hand.

"And of course you know Horace and Matthew."

Minerva's former professor's stood up to shake her hand.

"And last but not least, Poppy and Rolanda."

All introductions had been made, and everyone felt fairly comfortable, so Armando thought it a good time to show Minerva to her rooms.

"Albus, would you show Minerva her rooms, please?"

"Of course. The Red Room, I suppose?"

"Yes."

"Right, shall we go then?" Albus asked Minerva.

She nodded and got up to go, when;

"We'll come too!"

Poppy and Rolanda were threading their way through the numerous chairs that dotted the staff room.

"Of course you are," said Albus, his moustache was twitching.

Rolanda and Poppy each grabbed one of Minerva's arms while Albus grabbed he luggage, and so they made their way to Minerva's new rooms

As Minerva was dragged through the maze of corridors in Hogwarts, she was fondly remembering her school days. Disgusted with herself for being so soppy, she focused her mind on another topic. Her mind fell on Dumbledore, he was-he was-was ...something else, eccentric and-and-...her musings were interrupted by their arrival at her rooms.

The Red Room was just like it's name - red. Well, red and gold, the colours of Gryffindor. Apparently Pops and Ro had told Armando that she was a devout Gryffindor, hence the décor. Minerva couldn't complain, the room was comfy and warm, she was looking forward to snuggling down in the huge four-poster bed tonight.

Albus left her luggage where she told him to and watched as Poppy and Roland showed Minerva over her rooms. She looked quite overcome that her two friends had gone to so much trouble for her.

Minerva once again noticed him and thanked him for his help.

"Thank-you very much for your help, Professor Dumbledore, it is greatly appreciated."

"Please call me Albus, and your welcome."

"Oh, well thank-you, Albus."

He smiled his thanks, and nodded at the other two. As he walked towards the door, he heard Poppy eagerly talking.

"So? tell us everything!.

And as Albus was closing the door he distinctly heard an exasperated sigh.

Hope you enjoyed that, next chapter we will have more on thestrals, YAY!!

Please review, and thanx to all my other reviewers!! you are the best!!