1 June 1952
"Ah, McGonagall, good evening," said Dumbledore; looking up from the many forms he had been sorting out.
"Good evening Professor Dumbledore," replied Minerva who had just entered his office. Closing the door behind her she walked up towards his desk and took a seat in the chair opposite her teacher.
Dumbledore finished writing whatever he was writing on the form, then, satisfied, he grouped up all the papers and set them aside so that he could devote his full attention to his student. "So this is it," he said, watching the young Gryffindor from over his half–mooned spectacles.
"This is it," agreed Minerva suddenly feeling a huge wave of sadness at the thought that this was the last meeting she would ever have with her Transfiguration Professor.
After a long pause, Dumbledore asked, "Will you be going straight to London tomorrow?"
Minerva sighed before answering, "I—no, no I won't be. My brothers can't disapparate yet so I need to bring them back home to Caithness before leaving. I will most likely move out once my job starts at the Ministry."
"Have you found somewhere to stay?" asked Dumbledore quietly, noticing Minerva's subdued attitude.
"I think I'll stay in the Leaky Cauldron for a while as it's quite well located. After that, I'm not too sure. I think, once I start working full time at the Ministry, I'll try to buy my own place," replied Minerva. There was a long pause before she continued. "I will miss Hogwarts though."
Dumbledore smiled slightly. "Hogwarts will always be here for you Minerva if ever you wish to come back," he said.
It was rare for Dumbledore to use her first name and Minerva felt herself suddenly overcome with emotion.
"When do you start at the Ministry?" he asked, leaning back in his chair.
"September third," she answered. Dumbledore nodded and a silence fell over the room. "Thank you for helping me get the job," she said, her voice breaking the silence.
"Not at all. It is my job as your teacher to ensure that you can pursue any career you want to pursue after Hogwarts." He smiled. "I'm sure you will enjoy your time at the Ministry."
Minerva tried to smile. "I hope so, Professor." Glancing at the clock, Minerva smoothed her robes and stood up. "I think I ought to go now; I need to make sure Robert and Malcolm are ready and…" she trailed off.
"Of course," said Professor Dumbledore, he too standing up. He walked her over to the door and opened it wide for Minerva to pass through.
"I suppose this is goodbye then," said Minerva a little sadly.
"I suppose it is," he said, as Minerva walked out of the room. "Do come and pay me a visit from time to time or send a letter."
Minerva nodded. "Thank you for everything, Professor Dumbledore," she said, sincerely, "Really." Then, hoisting the strap of her bag onto her shoulder Minerva started to make her way to her dormitory, turning around only briefly to give the Transfiguration Professor a small wave.
It was a while before she arrived at the Fat Lady's portrait. Quickly saying the password she slipped through the hole and went up to her dormitory. As she got into bed Minerva briefly looking around the sleeping dormitory and sighed at the thought that this would be the last time she would ever sleep here.