1 September 1952

"Level 2. Department of Magical Law Enforcement" announced a woman, whose voice filled the small lift.

Minerva took a deep breath then marched out of the lift, her head held up high despite the ball of anxiety growing in the pit of her stomach. Straightening her robes, which she had been pleased to get back into after the summer, she knocked on a door that bore a plaque with the name Elphinstone Urquat on it.

"Come in," said a muffled voice.

Minerva opened the door, her hands shaking ever so slightly. The office she was met with was small and circular with books stacked haphazardly on the numerous bookshelves and piled up on wooden chairs, their legs spindly and wobbling under the weight of the many volumes. Two velvety red armchairs, not unlike the ones she had been so used to sitting in a few months ago in Dumbledore's office, were placed on either side of a wooden table. One of them was empty, apart from the most recent Daily Prophet which was lying folded on the arm of the chair. The other, however, was occupied by a young man. Minerva guessed him to be no older than twenty-five. Yet, despite this, his hair was already greying at the front.

The man looked up from the stack of papers on his desk and put his quill down. "Minerva McGonagall?" he asked as he stood up to greet his new employee. When Minerva nodded the skin around his eyes creased as he smiled and shook her hand warmly. "Elphinstone Urquat," he said, "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Pleasure to meet you too, Mr Urquat," said Minerva, a little taken aback at this warm welcome. She had always imagined Ministry workers to be quite severe.

Elphinstone sat back down, moving some papers to the side so as to better see her over his desk. "I am awfully sorry about this mess," he apologised. "A result of a very busy few weeks in this department," he explained. "I am afraid I haven't quite found the time to tidy everything up." He looked up at Minerva who felt her heart twist as she realised his eyes were the same shade as Dougal's. "I hope you don't mind?" he added.

Minerva shook her head. "Not at all."

Elphinstone smiled. "I can promise it is not always like this," he added, trailing away slightly as he began searching for something under the many sheets of parchment on his desk. "Restful summer I hope?" he added conversationally. "I daresay you needed one after your final year at Hogwarts? I hear the examinations are getting harder every year." He stopped shuffling, carefully extracting his glasses from beneath some papers, before looking at her expectantly.

Minerva's smile faltered. "Yes, it was quite enjoyable, thank you."

"I am glad to hear it," said Elphinstone, clasping his hands together on his desk. "Because frankly, this department can be quite a challenging place at times. The hours can be long and irregular. We have recently set up three new teams, one of which you will be working in," he added, referring to the hit squad Minerva had applied for, "and we expect our employees to work at a high standard." He paused and Minerva nodded to show that she understood. "Based on your N.E.W.T results, however, I can tell that you're a very hard worker so I doubt that will be much of a problem," he smiled. "Apart from that, there isn't much more to say unless you have any questions?"

Minerva thought for a moment, but could not think of anything. She shook her head.

"Well, McGonagall we could not be happier to welcome you to the department. I hope you will find it interesting and perhaps even enjoyable here, or am I pushing my luck?"

"I'm sure I'll be kept on my toes," Minerva answered diplomatically.

Elphinstone chuckled and stood up from behind his desk and walked around it. "If you come with me I think I have left some papers you need to sign in the other room. Once that is done, I can get one of your new co-workers to give you a tour of the department. I would do it myself but unfortunately, I have back-to-back meetings from nine until four," he said, checking his pocketwatch briefly; Minerva guessed he only had a few minutes until nine by now. "Annabella will be able to explain to you what you will be doing here for the next few weeks," he added. "I will introduce you to her before I leave you."

He held open the door for Minerva who thanked him before following him down a large corridor. The fear and anxiety, which had previously been lodged in her stomach had gone, and Minerva felt a little more hopeful for the life she could lead at the Ministry.