16 May 1956

Minerva knocked on her boss' door. "I have the paperwork ready for you, Sir," she said, poking her head around the door.

Elphinstone looked up from his work. "Thank you, McGonagall," he said, "If you could just leave it here for the time being. I'll have a proper look at it as soon as I get the chance." He tapped at a clear spot on his desk.

Minerva placed the file down, her hand trembling only slightly. After a day like she had just had, she was exhausted. Her team had unusually been called out three times already and it was only midday.

"Have the Auror department been in contact?" Elphinstone asked, his eyes scanning the title of the file.

Minerva shook her head. "They think things could turn sour in Chipping Clodbury but they haven't asked for a Hit team yet."

"All right," said Elphinstone, looking deep in thought. "Well, keep an eye on it and, just in case, tell Moody, Peasegood and Anderson that you four will be going out together if the Aurors do need help."

Minerva nodded and made a move to leave the office.

"One minute, McGonagall," said Elphinstone suddenly. He gestured at her to come and take a seat. "This won't take a moment," he assured her. "I just wanted to take this opportunity to discuss a few matters." He waited for Minerva to sit down before continuing. "How are you finding things in the Hit wizard squad, McGonagall?"

Minerva thought for a moment. "Busy, but satisfying work."

Elphinstone nodded and clasped his hands seriously on top of his desk. "Recently, I've noticed that your team has been taking on a lot of Auror duties," he told her. "Since the increase of Muggle attacks and the rise of this group, the Knights of Walpurgis, I have seen that the Hit wizards have been working closely alongside the Auror department to prevent and answer these attacks." He paused and looked expectantly at Minerva.

"I expect you are right, Sir," she answered, a little unsure as to where this conversation was heading.

"Well, then I would like to talk to you about your position in this department, McGonagall. Your skills are highly valued and the work you have been producing," he tapped the folder she had just placed on his desk to emphasise his point, "has been very helpful in terms of catching dark wizards and preventing attacks."

"Thank you, sir."

"Hit wizards are solely in charge of responding to dangerous situations," continued Elphinstone. "But based on your work, I think you can offer a lot more than that." He smiled. "What I am trying to say is that I would like to offer you a transfer and a position in the Auror department."

Minerva's eyes widened slightly. "Goodness," she said, "I don't know what to say."

Elphinstone smiled and pulled out a folder from his desk drawer. "I am hoping that you will say yes," he said. "At the moment you are simply arresting suspects of Auror investigations," he added, opening the file and taking out a few papers. "In the Auror department, rather than being among a force that primarily responds to situations, you will be leading investigations into dark wizards. I have more information about the job here," he said, passing her the papers. "I think you will find it most interesting."

Minerva looked down at the papers in her hand, the word Auror standing out from the page. It was more than she had ever wished for and yet instead of feeling excited she felt almost unhappy. Putting it down to lack of sleep and not having digested the news properly, Minerva looked back up at Elphinstone. "Could I think about it?" she asked, "I will have an answer for you by tomorrow."

"Take the weekend if you need to, McGonagall," he answered. "I understand that this is a big decision so I would rather not rush you."

Minerva nodded appreciatively. "Thank you, Mr Urquat," she said, before getting up and leaving the room.

Later that evening, Minerva took out the documents from her bag. This was the first time she had looked at them since Elphinstone had given them to her. Instead of feeling excited, however, yet again Minerva was overwhelmed by the same feeling of unhappiness but also disinterest. She realised she missed her home a great deal and her experience in London so far, coloured by what happened over the summer but also the very anti-muggle stance many of her colleagues were taking, had not been a very positive one.

Minerva got up from her chair and walked towards the only window in her small apartment. As her mind continued to dwell on London, her work at the Ministry and the promotion, she finally came to the conclusion that she was not happy. Since her last summer in Caithness, she had been miserable and found she lacked enjoyment in her job and her daily life. Apart from Elphinstone, Anabelle and Alastor she had not met anyone with who she felt any connection w. Furthermore, none of her friends from school lived nearby which, Minerva admitted finally, made her feel even more isolated and homesick.

Nevertheless, despite this realisation, none of her problems had been solved. Instead, it just made her feel even more miserable as currently, she could not see any way out. She couldn't go back to Caithness, not least because she knew she would never feel fulfilled over there but also because of the possibility of bumping into Dougal. Furthermore, she did not know what she wanted to do. Since the age of 15, she had wanted to work at the Ministry. She had never thought of any other path and so now, when it came to wanting to change profession, she did not know what she would enjoy.

Minerva sighed loudly. Deciding that there was no point moping pointlessly by the window, she went back to the armchair she had previously been sitting in and picked up her bag. She had not managed to read the Daily Prophet that day largely due to the huge amount of work she had had to do that day - the Aurors having eventually called for their squad to tackle the goblin revolt at Chipping Clodbury. Thinking that this was the perfect opportunity to distract herself from her thoughts, Minerva summoned her tea then unfolded the newspaper and started to read.

DUMBLEDORE APPOINTED HEADMASTER OF HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY

Headmaster Dippet died later yesterday evening...

Minerva nearly choked on the tea she was drinking. Armando Dippet was dead?

"That's not possible," she whispered, shaking her head as she continued to read the newspaper article.

Albus Dumbledore, previously Head of Gryffindor and Deputy Headmaster, has now taken the place of Armando Dippet as Headmaster. A request for a new Transfiguration Professor to join the staff...

Minerva stopped reading and put the newspaper aside. An idea had just popped into her head however part of her was unsure if she should act on it. It felt silly and impossible. She had never shown any interest in becoming a teacher before. Yet, the idea of becoming a teacher filled Minerva with an excitement she had not experienced for a long time.

Making up her mind, opting for the argument that the worst her former Professor could say was no, Minerva hurried to her desk and quickly started to write a letter to the former Transfiguration professor of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.