24 August 1956

Minerva knocked lightly on the door and waited until she heard Elphinstone's familiar voice calling her in. She opened the door and stepped inside the small circular office, still inundated in stacks of parchments and books as it had been when she had first started at the Ministry.

"Is it midday already?" Elphinstone said, putting down his quill and taking off his spectacles.

Minerva nodded apologetically as she came further into the office. "I'm afraid so," she said. "I am expected at Hogwarts in an hour"

Elphinstone sighed. "I have been dreading this day ever since you handed in your notice," he admitted as he stood up. "Albus Dumbledore will forever regret taking you from me."

Minerva smiled slightly. "I wouldn't lay all of the blame on his shoulders," she said.

"Not all," he admitted, "but enough." He finally smiled and came over to Minerva and extended his hand. "It has been an absolute pleasure working with you, Minerva. And while I cannot say that I am thrilled that you're leaving us, I would like to offer you my sincerest congratulations. Transfiguration Professor at Hogwarts is a very respectful job. I really wish you all the best at Hogwarts."

"Thank you, Elphinstone," Minerva said. "I truly am very grateful for the opportunity to have worked here, and the help you have given me over these past two years." She smiled. "I hope that we can stay in touch?"

"I would like that, Minerva," he said.

Minerva smiled and kissed him amicably on the cheek, before leaving the small office.

A few hours later and Minerva was climbing the stairs to the Headmaster's office. When she reached the top, she straightened the pins in her hair and smoothed down her robes. Once she was satisfied, Minerva took one last deep breath before knocking smartly on the door.

"Enter," called a voice from within.

Minerva felt a wave of anticipation mixed with excitement wash over her. She opened the door to find her old Transfiguration Professor sitting behind the large desk that had once belonged to Professor Dippet. Dumbledore looked up from his parchment and smiled broadly when he recognised who it was who had entered his office.

"Minerva," he said warmly. He stood up to greet her properly. "How good it is to see you again, my dear."

"It is nice to see you too, Headmaster," Minerva replied, as they shook hands. Although she had seen Dumbledore once or twice since she had graduated - indeed both frequented similar Transfiguration conferences, Minerva had not been to many for the last few months.

"Albus, please," he corrected. "Seeing as we are colleagues now."

Minerva smiled.

"I trust you had a safe journey?" he said conversationally.

"Yes," Minerva replied. "I crossed paths with Pomona Sprout when I was walking through Hogsmeade. I had no idea that she was working here."

"Ah yes," Dumbledore said, bending down whilst he got some keys from a desk drawer. "If I recall correctly she began a few years after she graduated," he explained before straightening. "Would you allow me to show you the way to your private quarters? There is a bit of paperwork to get done before tomorrow as well, however, I believe it would be kinder to let you settle in first."

He walked to the end of his office and opened the door for her. Minerva stepped through and together they went down the spiral staircase and emerged from behind the gargoyle. As both made their way down the hallways, the sound of scratching quills and Professors talking from within classrooms, Minerva let out a breath she hadn't known she had been holding. A deep sense of peacefulness and ease washed over her as finally, she felt the stress that she had been carrying ever since her summer with Dougal, slowly disappear.

She continued to follow Dumbledore down the corridor until they approached a door located, if Minerva remembered correctly, just below the Gryffindor Common Room.

Dumbledore shook back his sleeve to reveal a small silver key. He inserted it into the lock and twisted it. Minerva heard the sound of a bolt moving. Dumbledore removed the key then pushed open the door. Before her stood the office that had once belonged to Professor Dumbledore. Minerva remembered the many times she had come here to practice her animagus transformations. Instead of the usual decorations around the room, and the few knitting magazines Minerva was sure she had noticed propped up on the bookshelf when she was a student, the office now was quite bare. Ready for a new occupant, Minerva thought to herself.

Dumbledore handed her the key. "Your private quarters are at the end of the room behind that door on the right," he said, pointing to a large brown door at the end of the room. "I hope that you will find it satisfactory."

"I am in no doubt that I will, Headmaster," Minerva replied, accepting the small silver key.

He smiled. "I will leave you to get settled in then, Minerva," he said. "I will be in my office for the remainder of the day, so do feel free to come once you have finished here. Then, we can sort out the last few details before you begin class on Monday."

He smiled and Minerva answered it too. "Thank you, Headmaster."

He nodded. "I shall see you soon, my dear."

Minerva nodded and watched as Dumbledore turned back around and walked back down the corridor they had just come from. Feeling a tingling sensation run down her spine, she looked back at the empty office, pushed the door open a little wider, and took a step in.