16 February 1957

"Professor McGonagall?"

Minerva turned around and saw Sally Jones, a first year, looking up at her with large protuberant eyes. The other Gryffindors had just left the classroom and Minerva vaguely wondered what the young girl needed; Sally had been unusually quiet during the lesson.

"Miss Jones," answered Minerva, setting down the cloth she had been using to clean the blackboard, "Is there anything I can help you with?"

Sally shuffled her feet looking positively terrified and looked down at her shoelaces too embarrassed, it seemed, to talk.

Minerva sighed and sat down at her desk. Already she had an inkling as to what it was that was bothering the girl.

"Take a seat, Miss Jones," she said. "Is this about the new essay?"

Sally nodded as she sat down. She had been very subdued throughout the lesson, and Minerva had noticed that she had hardly answered any of the set questions about the new topic on Gamp's Law of Elemental Transfigurations. With a new essay due at the end of the week on this very topic, Minerva deduced that Sally wanted either an extension or some help to properly understand the theory; it was indeed more complicated than it seemed.

"I understand the basics, Professor McGonagall," she said nervously. "But I can't seem to wrap my head around the formula. Much less how to analyse it."

Minerva nodded. "I will confess that the subject is a difficult one, despite what most say," she said. "But many Transfigurations spells do rely on these sorts of formulas, so it is important that you understand it," she added, before thinking. "I will be holding a revision session for some seventh years here at 6.30 before dinner," she said slowly. "Most will be doing their own work so if you do come, I can explain the theory again. If you believe that would help?"

"Yes, that would," Sally said gratefully. "Thank you, Professor."

Minerva nodded and stood up. "Not at all, Jones," she said. "I shall see you at 6:30."

Sally nodded, picked up her bags and then left the classroom. Meanwhile, Minerva went back to arranging all of her files and tidying up her classroom. She was doing that for five minutes until she heard a knock at the door.

"Headmaster," she said, feeling the heat rise slowly in her cheeks. The memory of the previous night's occurrences sprung vividly to her mind and she could not help but feel embarrassed.

Minerva rarely lost control over her emotions however, last night had been one of the rare moments when she had cried. The news of Dougal's engagement to a local girl in Caithness in a letter mailed to her by her mother had sent Minerva's mind back to the farmer boy she was still in love with. Unfortunately for her, Dumbledore had happened to walk in on her during this moment and in the end, she had told him everything.

"Professor McGonagall," Dumbledore said. "I hope that you are feeling better?"

Minerva swallowed and broke eyes contact with him briefly as she organised some files on her desk. "I am," she answered truthfully, before looking up. "Is there anything I can help you with Headmaster?"

Albus paused briefly and Minerva hoped that he would not ask her anything more about it. Although he had been kind when she had spoken to him last night, even sharing some of his own private history regarding his own family, Minerva was still mildly embarrassed that she had been so transparent.

Thankfully for her, Albus did not push her to reveal anything more. "Not necessarily," he replied. "I was merely interested to find out whether you were planning on attending the conference on Transubstantial Transfigurations?"

"Oh, I had forgotten that it was taking place this evening," Minerva said, slightly surprised. She thoughts for a moment. "I am not sure," she admitted finally. "I have quite a lot of marking to get through today. I doubt that I will have the time to travel to London as well. Will you be attending?"

Dumbledore shook his head. "Unfortunately, I find myself in a similar predicament to yours," he said, causing Minerva to smile slightly, "with much paperwork to finish before the end of the week. Perhaps next month," he added.

"Indeed," Minerva replied, picking up some books.

"Perhaps we might discuss the topic ourselves over a game of chess?"

Looked up from her books again, a smile tugging at her lips. "Chess?"

"Do you play?"

"I do," Minerva said. Her father had taught her many years ago now. She found it a relaxing game, something which her father had laughed about he she had told him. "This evening?"

He nodded.

"Very well," she replied, just as the bell marking the end of the lunch hour rang. "I shall see you this evening, Headmaster."

"Until this evening," he replied, tipping his head before setting out of the classroom again.