20th February 1973
"You can't be serious Minerva!" said Elphinstone incredulously. When Minerva didn't say anything he let out an irritated sigh and closed his eyes for a few moments. "This could be extremely dangerous! We have no idea what could happen and no way of communicating with you once you're there. What if something goes wrong?"
"Don't you think I've thought of that," sighed Minerva.
"I don't know," answered Elphinstone truthfully. "It doesn't seem intelligent to –"
"Do not question my ability to make decisions!" snapped Minerva angrily.
Elphinstone's eyes widened in shock and he started to splutter that that was not what he meant. His flustered expression and attempts to take back what he said made Minerva take pity on him and she felt her anger ebb away.
"I talked to Alastor after the meeting about this idea of his," she admitted. "I am not particularly partial to this plan either so I asked if we could have a few extra meetings to sort the details out."
Elphinstone looked back at her and seemed to relax in his chair, "What did he say?"
Minerva sighed. "He agreed, although somewhat unwillingly." Elphinstone smiled at that and Minerva could not help from smiling just a little too. "But he reminded me that the clock is ticking and Voldemort and his Death Eaters are on the move."
Elphinstone nodded but a hard expression came over his face. "It doesn't mean we should put everyone in danger, though."
"No, it doesn't," Minerva conceded. "But we do need to act."
"Agreed." Elphinstone took a sip of his drink before asking, "Are you up for it though?"
Minerva raised an eyebrow, "I think I can handle myself thank you very much."
"Not in that way," said Elphinstone rolling his eyes, however they twinkled amusedly. "I just meant are you ready?"
Minerva felt her mouth go dry. Truth be told she felt very uneasy about Moody's plan. Disguising herself in her animagus form to eavesdrop some suspected Death Eaters in Knockturn Alley did not feel very safe. Furthermore, Alastor was keen that Order members should sneak up on the suspected Death Eaters ready to attack if she heard anything incriminating. Somehow, Minerva felt that Voldemort and his followers would be prepared for such an attack whether the Order wanted to admit it or not was another story.
Apparently, Elphinstone had managed to see what she had been thinking based on her facial expressions, and he nodded darkly. "What does Dumbledore think of it?"
"I don't know. He hasn't been at school for at least a week so I haven't had the chance to tell him."
"Where does he go?"
Minerva gave an exasperated sigh, "If only I knew! Heaven forbid he tells anyone of his plans and suspicions just as long as we listen and trust him then everything will be fine!" She pursed her lips tightly together as she waited for her anger to pass. "I'm sorry," she said finally, "I shouldn't get angry but… Well, it's infuriating that he can't seem to trust anyone!"
"He will tell you in his own time," said Elphinstone wisely. "He trusts you more than most."
Minerva sighed and took a sip of her Gillywater. She felt embarrassed at her outburst and a little ashamed that she had revealed such personal thoughts about a colleague and friend she cared about. "I suppose so," she said finally.
Elphinstone smiled and held her hand, which was on the table. "Don't feel pressured to make a decision yet. Talk to Dumbledore first and see what he thinks. We can sort out the details afterwards." Minerva nodded as he gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "Moving on from all the gloom, though," he said leaning back in his chair, "How have you been these last few weeks?"
Minerva laughed, "Quite a big change in conversation don't you think?"
"It was getting too dark for what was meant to be a friendly Friday meet up at the Three Broomsticks!"
Minerva inclined her head and shrugged, "You're right. Although I feel that every conversation I have these days is about what's going on. I hope it will all be over soon."
Elphinstone nodded, however, the all too familiar distant look in his eyes which she had seen both him and Dumbledore wear several times before told her that these muggle attacks were just the beginning of something much larger.
Golden snitch - used prompt - feeling stuck in-between
