New first years arriving next chapter :) Very exciting!

I hope you enjoy this chapter (I know there's a lot of Dumbledore and Minerva at the moment but I am convinced there can never been too much of these two)

Reviews are greatly appreciated :)

15 July 1991

"The Cerberus is in–Oh!" Minerva did a slight double-take when she realised Albus was not at his desk but instead sitting quite comfortably in a red chintz armchair. "Knitting?"

"A favourite pastime of mine," he said as the knitting needles stopped their furious clicking and slowly sank down onto his lap. "How can I help you, my dear?"

"I just wanted to let you know that the Cerberus is in place," she said, walking in and standing by one of the armchairs. "Hagrid is calming it down with some music."

"Excellent," he replied offering her a sherbet lemon which, like on all previous occasions, she declined. "The first years' letters have been sent as well?"

"They have. I did it this morning," she answered, sitting down opposite him. "Which reminds me, cupboard under the stairs?"

Dumbledore sighed and Minerva folded her arms.

"All these years telling me they would treat him like their own son when really they are locking him up like–"

"Minerva, I am not happy about this either."

"I should hope not," she said, feeling herself grow annoyed. "I have a good mind to go and show them exactly what happens when–"

"Minerva, please. I suspect after receiving the letter the Dursleys will no longer keep him in that room. Either way, we cannot do anything about it now. Harry must stay there or else he will be in even graver danger."

Minerva took a deep breath. "I know," she said, "but it isn't right."

"I would have been concerned if you had not appeared worried," he said just as there was a loud knock on his door. He put his knitting away. "Come in."

"Headmaster," said Snape, striding into the room. "Quirrell has just informed me that he will be getting the position as Defence Against the Dark Arts professor. Is that correct?"

"It is," said Dumbledore.

"I thought–"

Minerva cleared her throat before Snape could go on any further. With the back of the armchair facing the doorway, it was likely that he had failed to notice her when he had walked.

"I should go," she said as she got up, causing Snape's eyebrows to shoot up behind his curtain of greasy hair. "This is clearly a private conversation."

She made a move to leave, nodding at a stunned Snape when Dumbledore spoke up.

"Professor McGonagall, there is no need for you to go," he said. "Professor Snape and I have finished, there is nothing more that needs discussing."

Minerva stopped, her eyes flicking towards Snape who gave her a look of pure venom. Although not accustomed to feeling sorry for Severus, this time she could empathise with him.

"It is no trouble," she told Dumbledore. "I don't have to stay."

"I insist," Dumbledore said, looking at her significantly over his half-moon spectacles. Then, switching his attention towards Snape he continued, "Severus, while I appreciate your determination to take on this position, your skills are of much greater value in the Potions classroom. Furthermore, since Professor Quirrell does not have a qualification to teach potions we would have to find a replacement potions master which quite frankly we cannot do in such short notice. You will remain as potions master this year. That is my final decision."

Snape was silent for a moment and Minerva wondered whether he was composing himself or thinking up a possible argument. In the end, however, he did not push the matter.

"As you wish, Headmaster," he said stiffly, before turning sharply on his heel and striding out of Dumbledore's office.

Minerva waited until the door shut before looking at her friend. "That was harsh, Albus," she told him honestly. "You didn't have to keep me here, that was obviously a private conversation."

"My dear, I have had this discussion with Severus on numerous occasions. He should know by now that my decision will not change," Albus replied.

"Even so," Minerva sighed. "Anyway, why did you ask me to stay?"

"Because I have something I wish to show you," he said, now a flicker of excitement in his eyes.

He got up, indicating that Minerva should follow him, and walked to the back of his office where a large object covered in a black sheet was standing.

"What is it?" she asked curiously.

"The seventh protective measure for the stone," he explained, smiling slightly at Minerva's quizzical look. He then pulled the sheet off so that they were now facing a large mirror encased with a gold, ruby-encrusted frame.

"A mirror?" She took a step forward and looked at the engravings along the top. "Is that written back to front?"

Dumbledore smiled properly this time, please that she had cottoned on so quickly. "Indeed," he said.

"I see not your face but your heat's desire?" she whispered, straightening her spectacles and squinting at the inscriptions. She looked at Dumbledore then turned back to look directly into the mirror. "I don't understand," she said, finally. "I can only see myself."

"You must stand in the centre," Dumbledore explained, guiding her along so that she was in the right place.

For a moment, all Minerva could see was herself, then, slowly, a blurred figure started appearing in the glass. Automatically, she stumbled backwards and then to the side so that she could no longer see her reflection.

"It shows you anything?" she said quietly, her hand moving unconsciously to a bracelet on her wrist. Elphinstone had given it to her on their last anniversary – after six years now she had only just started wearing it again, "anything you desire the most?"

"Yes," agreed Dumbledore.

Minerva felt her heart start to beat fast in her chest. "I don't think I want to look."

Dumbledore nodded understandingly and moved to where she had previously been standing and looked directly into the mirror. Minerva could have sworn that his eyes looked shinier than usual.

"Then you are a lot stronger than most people, my dear," he said, finally.

"Not strong," Minerva corrected him. "I–I thought I saw–and I don't think I could bear to see him like that when I know he can never," she stopped herself and swallowed.

"Come back," finished Dumbledore, although he seemed lost in thought and talking more to himself than to her.

Minerva took a tentative step closer. "What do you see?"

Dumbledore didn't answer immediately. Then, suddenly, he sniffed and pulled his eyes away from the glass and smiled at her. "The mirror will be moved to a new home this evening."

"The third floor?"

"No, a disused classroom on the fourth floor," he said, waving his wand so that the black covering draped itself back over the mirror. "I have a few modifications to make before it can be used."

"I see," Minerva said, looking back at the mirror one more time before following Albus back to the armchairs and his knitting. "Is there anything you would like me to do?"

"Do you have anywhere to be this evening?"

"I've finished everything that needs doing today," she said slowly, "Why, would you like me to stay?"

Dumbledore's beard twitched as he picked up his knitting again. "That is very kind of you, my dear."

Minerva smiled. "Not at all."

She caught Albus' eye then settled down into the chair she had previously been occupying, took a copy of Transfiguration Today he had left on the table, and began to read.