A/N: Couldn't update this last week, so ya'll getting a double update. Enjoy!

Interlude

Barely restrained anticipation hangs thick in the air as Minerva casts her eyes about the staff room, to every strained, yet excited face.

She doesn't quite blame them. She's equally excited. Though, she is more guarded with her emotions.

It's terribly hard to hold these meetings without Umbridge getting wind of them. It's already several hours past curfew. She'd even called in the patrolling staff, too aware that they aren't supposed to leave all the patrol to the Inquisitorial Squad. They can't afford to.

But they can't delay this meeting either, they've been waiting for this opportunity for a very long time. Minerva releases a long held breath as she exchanges a glance with Poppy.

The parchment in her clenched hand feels scalding hot and yet she is unwilling to burn it as instructed. It's the only bit of good news any of them have gotten recently, and Minerva thinks that she deserves to cherish it for at least a few minutes longer.

It carries the hopes of an entire system, it gives them the freedom to act, the impetus to start walking out of the sandpit they've been dragged into.

Potter was found. Send P.P. to HQ. Proceed accordingly.

And proceed accordingly she shall.

Umbridge has cast a dark cloud over the school since the first day she stepped in. Even with her dark affiliations still a mystery, she was barely tolerable.

The only people not sick of her at this point, are the members of the IQ and Filch. Not a ringing endorsement.

This has been a long time brewing, really. It's a little surprising that Umbridge hasn't caught on. She's overconfident, and underestimates the staff. Some of which have taught in the school longer than she's been alive. Umbridge seems to think she has them all cowed under her foot.

Minerva lets a smile take over her face, something very rare nowadays.

She wishes Severus were here. She has it on good authority that he'd have loved to be in on the 'action', so to speak. Though, his handwritten letter is enough of a presence. If not the most prominent one in this room.

"Harry Potter," she begins, and feels every one take in and hold a collective breath, "is alive, and well."

They knew he was alive, of course. News of his death would spread faster than pollen in the air. And had he, Merlin forbid, died by the hands of the opposing side? They wouldn't have seen the end of such a debacle.

Minerva is very much glad that it wasn't the case. That she didn't have to live, knowing that Potter was killed in the most brutal manner.

So they knew that he was alive. What they didn't know was in what state. They do now. She's eager to go see him for herself, but duty comes first, no matter how concerned she is for Harry, or fond.

"We have him back with us, along with Mr. Malfoy. They, for understandable reasons, won't be coming back to Hogwarts for some time yet." A few heads nod, and she leans back in the chair, eyes meeting Poppy's.

"Poppy," she says, "Your assistance is required at the Headquarters tomorrow. Meet me after breakfast in my office."

Concern overtakes her face as Poppy needs, murmuring a quiet, "Of course."

Minerva clears her throat, turning to the others, "I know the last several weeks, months, have been hard. Feeling helpless. But Umbridge no longer has the upper hand. We're free to make the move."

"We'll still have to wait until the Christmas break," Pomona points out.

Aurora shrugs at the woman, "But we can stop walking on eggshells around her."

Minerva never had much interaction with Aurora before she took over Severus' duties; she regrets that now.

Aurora is a brilliant woman; talented, witty, and could give Severus himself a run for his money. She is quick-witted, one could even say wry. Yet, she doesn't find it at all necessary to boast about that fact like her fellow Slytherins do.

Minerva nods at her, and steeples her fingers. "We will also need to take care that any remaining students don't get caught in the crossfire."

"Somehow I doubt there are going to be many kids to take care of," Septima points out drily. The Arithmancy professor sits straight-backed, lips pursed, but her eyes gleam.

"For those who remain, nonetheless," Minerva says firmly.

Pomona looks at Charity, then says, "We'll be on it." Charity nods alongside.

"I will keep any members of the Inquisitorial Squad that stay, in line," Aurora says, her mouth twisting a little in distaste. It's never a good feeling when one of your own students turns out so horrid.

Felius perks up in his seat, "Doesn't she still have that seal from the Ministry though? Should we get in contact with the-"

"The Ministry doesn't care," Minerva declares, "So we don't have to worry about that. Even as Headmistress, her control on the school wards is tenuous at best, if at all there. She might very well be bluffing. As Deputy Headmistress, it won't be hard to take it back from her. Albus' Office still won't open to her.

"The plan will have to be swift, it is heavily time reliant. I will not lie, this may as well cause ripples that will affect the war."

"Dolores might seem harmless now," Charity fidgets, her hands clenching in their crossed state, "But that will not always be the case."

"When will it happen?"

Minerva purses her lips, "I need to speak with several people first. Every move that we make from now on has to be calculated. To the second."

"Hopefully for a better cause."

"And in hopes of a hero. To Potter."

"For Potter."

Minerva's throat goes dry and yet she speaks, "For Potter, to the start of the end of this war."

The chorus back is the first battle cry.