Sooooooo just because we haven't had one in a while, DOUBLE CHAPTERS TODAY! Got another one coming later tonight. :) Love you.
22 June 1959
Minerva clasped her hands together anxiously, trying appear much more cheerful than she looked as she gave the password to the headmaster's office and stepped behind the gargoyle.
"Come in," he called, when she knocked.
She stepped inside. "You wanted to see me, Albus?" she asked, removing her glasses.
He smiled and looked up. "Have a seat, my dear."
Minerva did, watching him carefully. "Can I help you with something?" she asked.
"Perhaps," said Dumbledore, leaning forward and folding his hands on top of his desk. He gave her a smile. "I was hoping to have a word with you about a matter I must tend to rather urgently."
"Anything," she said, nodding once.
"I'm sure that it hasn't escaped your notice that…well, Hogwarts in general…and I…have had some rather unusual circumstances arise, lately," he said, fixing her with a careful look.
Minerva lowered her head; she knew what he was going to say. "Who will be your replacement, Albus?" she asked quietly.
Albus looked startled. "Replacement?" he asked. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"You've been offered the post as Minister for Magic, haven't you?" she asked, frowning. "You must be taking it."
He raised his eyebrows curiously. "Must I? Why?"
She gave him a sharp look. "That's not what I meant, I just—the rumors have been going for weeks about the offer. Aren't you taking it?"
Dumbledore smiled, amused. "No, my dear, I'm not. Flattered as I am, I've no interest in pursuing the Ministry as a career," he told her. "I have, however, lent my support to the new Minister, whomever that may be."
Minerva felt very confused. "Then…"
"I was referring," he continued, examining his interlocked fingers, "to the predicament we have again found ourselves in, for the third consecutive year. We need a new professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts."
Minerva's mouth fell open. "What? I thought—but I liked Osborn, why would he leave? You didn't sack him?"
Dumbledore shook his head. "No, not at all. Unfortunately, Professor O'Brien cannot continue his post here at the school; he misses his family terribly, and wants to return to find a job closer to his home."
Minerva sighed. "I'll start composing advertisements…maybe Elphinstone will be able to help." She got up. "Thank you for telling me, Albus, I'll start working as soon as I can. And speaking of which," she said, turning and facing him with her finger raised. "I've got a number of responses to Portman's Astronomy vacancy I'd like to give you. I'll need to give them a decision soon."
"Of course," he said, inclining his head, "but I did have one more matter I'd like to discuss," he added, indicating that she should sit back down.
She frowned and sat again. "Yes?"
"With Professor Portman's retirement from the faculty," he said, "I'm sure you've noticed something rather unusual about the composition of the remaining members."
Minerva stared at him. "I…can't think of anything," she said. "What do you mean?"
"Well, Julius was the Head of Gryffindor…and I've almost no other members of staff who were in the House," he said, starting to smile. "And I was wondering if you might be willing to accept the post as Gryffindor's Head of House."
Minerva stared at him, her mouth falling open slightly. "R-really?"
"I should think a former Gryffindor Quidditch player and Head Girl ought to be fairly apt in organizing House-related activities," said Albus lightly, strolling past Fawkes' perch to gaze out at the Quidditch pitch, visible through the window. "As headmaster, I shouldn't take sides, but…" he winced, shaking his head.
"Three-hundred and eighty to seventy," Minerva said dully. "I know."
"They'll need a strong new Captain," Dumbledore replied. "Though if his last name happens to be McGonagall, you'll have to get my approval," he teased. "Do you accept, Minerva?"
She smiled widely. "Yes, sir," she said happily. "Thank you, headmaster!"
