Ok, so this is where it gets confusing... I hope I've thought of all the details (time travel is always so confusing!)

Also, I've almost finished writing chapters for the Goblet of Fire so maybe there will be a few double posts in the next few weeks.

Reviews would make my day :)

6 June 1994

Minerva pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes as she flicked through each exam paper and ticked off the names of each student on a list beside her. Although it had not happened in her career so far, Minerva still wanted to make sure that no exam paper was missing. It was a tedious and tiresome job going through reams and reams of parchment, yet it was a necessary task and overall had more benefits than disadvantages.

After another half hour, Minerva finally reached the last exam paper. She ticked off Percy Weasley's name from her list, put the exam papers in a file and secured it with cream string. Then, placing the file in her carpetbag she stood up, grateful for the chance to stretch her legs at last. After all, at her age, staying seated at a desk for hours on end did no favours to her joints.

With a final few graceful flicks of her wand, she tidied her desk and left her office. She also sent a small note to Albus informing him that she would be out of the castle for an hour or so while she went to Hogsmeade to pass the exam papers to a ministry worker.

As she neared the Entrance Hall she noticed Severus, in a fouler mood than she had seen him for a long while, stride purposefully away from the Defence Against the Dark Art corridor. However, when he spotted her, he made a beeline towards her.

"Can I help you, Severus?" she asked, as he approached.

"Have you any idea where Lupin is?" he said, through pursed lips.

"Professor Lupin," Minerva corrected him. "No, I have not seen him recently," she added. "Last I heard he was in his office."

"He is not there, anymore," Severus said with such vehemence that Minerva could not help but cock her head and frown.

"Is it such an urgent matter?" she asked him.

"Yes," he said, lifting a small bottle he was holding in his left hand. Minerva recognised the Wolfsbane potion immediately. "Unless we want a little accident on our hands."

For a short moment, she felt a little concerned. Yet, almost immediately, she dismissed this concern — Remus was a sensible person after all.

"Severus, I doubt Remus is purposefully trying to hide from you," she said. "You know how to send a Patronus with a message," she added. "I expect he has simply been held back by a student after class. I am sure once he receives your message he will come to meet you as soon as he can."

Severus scowled as Minerva had expected he would.

"Try his office or his classroom," she told him. "But seeing as he has not informed me otherwise, I can assure you that he still on the grounds," she added. She then shifted the weight of her papers from one arm to the other, briefly checking the time as she did so. The needle was getting dangerously close to marking 7 o'clock. "I must really get on, Severus. Speak to Albus if you have any troubles."

And with those last words, she left Severus and exited the castle at a very brisk walk. She had not realised how late it was. If she did not hurry she would miss her appointment with the Ministry worker; something she very much wanted to avoid.

An hour later Minerva was walking up the hill to the castle feeling distinctly disgruntled. Despite the frequent patronising messages she had received instructing her that she should arrive on time, it was the Ministry worker who had in fact been one hour late. Typical, Minerva thought to herself as she flicked her wand and lit the tip. It was completely dark now, and oddly enough, even a little cold. The light her wand was casting on the path helped make sure she did not trip on a twig or protruding stone. Not that she was the clumsy sort, however. Though best be safe than sorry, as her mother always used to say.

As she approached the gates, Minerva stifled a yawn behind her hand - she had been sleeping terribly these last few weeks. This was usually the case during this time of year. Thankfully, it was the end of the exam season now. Thus, she would not be having to deal with students requesting additional revision lessons almost every evening. Or younger students bursting into tears in her class. Indeed, her much-depleted supply of biscuits was evidence of the level of stress present among her Gryffindors during this time of year.

Finally reaching the front doors, Minerva thought longingly of her bed as she entered the castle. Yet, no sooner had she taken two steps did Hagrid suddenly come running down the hallway. Upon noticing her he gave a great sigh of relief and came towards her.

"Professor McGonagall!" he said, panting slightly. "Professor Dumbledore is lookin' for you. Buckbeak-an' Sirius Black—Dementors everywhere—Harry—"

Minerva frowned and held up her hands. "Stop, Hagrid," she said, attempting to slow him down. "You're not making any sense. What has happened?"

He shook his head, trying to regain his breath. "I can't I dunno all the details," he wheezed, making Minerva's concern grow even more. "Werewolf outside too," he added, his eyes suddenly widening. "You're not hurt are yeh?" he said, looking at her as though trying to find some sort of injury.

"No, I'm not," Minerva said, now with a great sense of apprehension. "Where is Albus, Hagrid?"

But Minerva did not have to wonder for long. Albus appeared just as she said his name. Similarly to Hagrid, he was wearing a particular sombre and troubled expression.

"Minerva," he said, striding over to them.

"Albus, what is going on?"

"Sirius Black has just been caught," he told her. "Just a little over 5 minutes ago."

Minerva's hand covered her mouth, "Oh my," she said weakly.

Albus nodded, though he looked away from her and at Hagrid instead. "Hagrid could you see that the Minister come to my office, please?"

"The Minister?" Minerva said, looking at Albus again. But he did not explain.

Hagrid nodded and left the Entrance Hall while Albus looked both ways then guided Minerva towards Filius' office.

"Minerva, I need you to do something for me fairly quickly," he said, in an urgent tone she was not accustomed to. Aware that she was about to ask him a question, he stopped and faced her. "I can assure you that I will explain everything in due course," he told her seriously. "However, this needs to be done almost immediately seeing as we have very little time."

Minerva frowned, completely bemused. "Albus—"

"I am sorry, my dear," he interrupted, though he did seem sincere and apologetic. "We really do not have much time. Dementors are currently guarding Sirius who is in the West Tower. I would like you to tell them to leave."

"Leave?" Minerva repeated. "Albus, I would any other day but there is currently a murderer at the school where we have hundreds of sleeping children! I will do no such thing."

"Minerva the Dementors are as much a danger to our students as Black is," he told her. "They attacked three of our students this evening and were prepared to administer the Kiss."

Minerva's stomach lurched. "Their souls? Are they—?"

"Madame Pomfrey says that they will recover completely with a bit of rest," Albus assured her. "Minerva, please will you do this for me? I can assure you that Sirius will be unable to escape the tower alone. With or without Dementors being present."

"I—"

"Please," he repeated.

Minerva stopped then swallowed. "All right," she said, and he looked almost relieved.

"Be quick," he told her.

Minerva nodded then left.