23 October 1994

Minerva stifled another yawn behind her hand. It was almost 3 o'clock in the morning however she and Albus had only just finished discussing arrangements for the Beauxbatons and Durmstrang students; their lodgings, teaching, time of arrival... Now tired, Minerva was finally on her way to her private quarters. As she passed the Gryffindor Common room, however, she hesitated. She had been meaning to put a notice up that evening — a document outlining the arrival of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang schools to Hogwarts.

Minerva put her hand in her pocket and was pleased to find that the notice was there. Seeing as she was beside the Common Room now, she decided she might as well put the notice up now. That way she would not need to wake up so early in the morning.

"Banana Fritters," Minerva said to the Fat Lady who had just glided back into her portrait. The portrait opened and Minerva entered, wondering vaguely what it was with Gryffindors and food-related passwords. Albus first, and now, apparently, the Fat Lady.

"Professor McGonagall?"

"Oh!" Minerva exclaimed, her hand flying to her chest. She looked in the direction where the sound had come from and spotted Hermione Granger looking at her over a pile of books. "Miss Granger, it is 3 o'clock in the morning," she said. "You should be in bed and asleep like your fellow housemates."

Hermione grimaced. "I must have got a bit carried away," she said, glancing at her parchment then back at Minerva. "Sorry for scaring you."

Minerva pursed her lips as began to make her way to the noticeboard. "I hope this is not a habit of yours, Miss Granger. When we set students essays we do not expect them to sacrifice all hours of the day and night to work," she added, turning to look at Hermione pointedly.

"It's not a habit, Professor," Hermione assured her quickly. "It's only every once in a while and—and besides this isn't an essay of sorts. I'm writing to the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures."

Minerva raised an eyebrow. Whatever she had been expecting Hermione to say, it was not this.

"For any reason in particular?" she asked curiously.

"I want to talk to them about the mistreatment of house-elves," Hermione said, surprising Minerva yet again. "I think elves are entitled to the same rights as witches and wizards."

"Goodness," Minerva said. "Well, that is a very interesting endeavour, Miss Granger."

"A necessary one, Professor," Hermione said, her passion for the topic clear in her voice. "I can't believe elves have been treated so horribly for so long without anyone doing anything about it. You must agree that elves should have equal rights?"

Minerva nodded. "Yes," she said. "I do. However, I doubt anyone from the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures is actually at work at this time."

Hermione frowned looking slightly confused. The look on the girl's face caused Minerva to smile slightly.

"I am saying, Miss Granger, that you can finish and send your letter to the Ministry tomorrow," Minerva explained. "The Department is not going anywhere anytime soon. However, the few hours left for you to sleep are rapidly diminishing. I suggest that you call it a night and try to get some rest while you still can. I will not be sympathetic if I find you trying to catch up on rest in my class."

The young girl's eyes widened for a second until she realised that Minerva was teasing her a little bit.

"Of course, Professor McGonagall," she said, smiling slightly. She stood up and flicked her wand so that her books grouped themselves into a haphazard pile in her arms. "Goodnight."

Minerva gave her a nod. "Goodnight, Miss Granger," she said, turning back to finish pinning the Beauxbatons and Dusrmstrang document on the common room noticeboard.

I think SPEW had to come in some way or another. Anyway, I hope you liked the chapter? Sorry that it's quite short - I'm reaching the end of exam season now and have two deadlines next week that I'm not quite ready for. Thanks again for the lovely comments. If you can it would be lovely if you could drop in a quick review :) I promise next chapter is much longer