22nd September 1971

The sudden change in weather marked the looming start of November and the fast approaching winter season, which always brought extreme weather to Hogwarts. The wind howled and sheets of ice covered the cobbled pavements of Hogsmeade, which was cocooned in a shell of clouds and snow. And yet despite the whistling of the wind, the piercing cold, which usually came hand in hand with wind, ice and snow, was absent – the clouds serving as a protective shell from the freezing temperatures, which were trying to break through the thick blanket of clouds.

Hardly anybody could be seen out of the warmth and peacefulness of their homes apart from two Hogwarts Professors who were slowly but steadily making their way to the Hog's Head. With one hand Minerva firmly held onto the clasp of her cloak, which flapped and whipped in the wind. With the other hand, she clutched Albus' arm tightly as she tried to keep up with his long strides. Noticing Madame Puddifoot's Teashop through the thick sheet of snow, Minerva realised that their trudge through the thickening layer of snow and the brutal gale was thankfully coming to an end. Making a sharp left turn they found themselves in front of a large door with a sign swinging wildly above it, the words Hog's Head in faded black lettering could just be made out.

Albus led the way and pushed the door open. Instantly, Minerva felt the difference in temperature from the outside to the inside. Having just opened the door and taken one step in, her glasses immediately steamed up as did Dumbledore's and Minerva could feel a tingling sensation in the tips of her fingers telling her that she was now regaining feeling in her hands.

'Come along, my dear,' said Dumbledore, closing the front door and cutting them off from the storm they had only just managed to escape – the windows were rattling in their frames now and the snow, which had only been falling lightly a few minutes ago, was now pummelling down in torrents. The houses on the street opposite were hardly visible now, not to mention Hogwarts. Hoping that no student was foolish enough to go outside that afternoon, Minerva tried hard not to think of Black and Potter, she turned away from the rattling windows and followed Dumbledore who was already waiting at the end of the bar.

'Ready?' asked Albus lightly.

'As I'll ever be,' answered Minerva tiredly. Albus nodded and pushed open the door behind which a small but cosy room was concealed. Having only been in the Hog's Head a few times, Minerva did not pretend that she knew the place well however, she was sure that the little room she was standing in now was very much a secret even to the usual people who came to the bar for a drink.

'Ah, Professor Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall… Been wonderin' when you'd turn up!'

'I am afraid we left the castle rather late, Hagrid,' said Albus apologetically, 'And the storm did not help us either.'

'I had a bit of trouble comin' down here meself,' answered Hagrid – Minerva noticed that he was sitting down on a magically enlarged chair and yet despite that his head was still bent forward, narrowly missing the ceiling.

However, Hagrid was not the only one who had decided to come to the meeting. In fact, Minerva was quite surprised as to how many people had actually come. Excluding Hagrid, around a dozen chairs had been filled, most of them by people whom Minerva recognised. Alastor Moody sat nearer to the front and gave Minerva a brief smile, or rather the closest he could come to a smile, which in reality resembled more of a grimace. An older man, whom Minerva knew to be Elphias Doge, was sitting next to Alastor and gave Albus a nod. However, the older generation of wizards who had turned up did not startle nor concern Minerva. Having worked alongside Alastor and even briefly talked to both Benly Fenwick and Caradoc Dearborn, Minerva knew for a fact that they were more than capable of participating in a society such as this one. On the other hand, what did concern her was how many seats the younger generation filled. Emmeline Vance, one of her students from only a few years back, was sitting next to Marlene McKinnon and –

'Fabian and Gideon Prewett!' said Minerva in a hushed voice. Their presence, when she came to think about it, did not surprise her. They were both able and strong wizards. However, to see former students fill more than half the chairs in the room pained her, as she did not like to think of what could happen to them if things did start to get dangerous. As a teacher, and as their former professor, she did not like the idea of them risking their lives when they had only just begun.

'Welcome everyone,' echoed Dumbledore's voice. He was standing on a small podium at the front of the room. Quickly taking a seat, Minerva watched Albus intently, listening with attention to his every word.

The meeting had ended after a short one hour. Dumbledore had briefly outlined the aims of the group and had given them all a brief and yet detailed analysis of Voldemort and what was currently happening in the Wizarding World. The time and date of the next meeting had also been set as well as a name for the group. Presently, the dozen of people who had come were leaving the room, Minerva waiting for Dumbledore to finish talking with his brother as she and Albus were both going back to the castle anyway.

'Good name isn't it?' came a voice from behind her.

'Sorry?' said Minerva, spinning around sharply to come face to face with Elphinstone.

'Order of the Phoenix. It has a nice ring to it,' said Elphinstone, coming to stand next to Minerva.

'Yes, yes I suppose it does,' she said, smiling a little bit. She had spotted her friend when she had first arrived at the Hog's Head, however, with Dumbledore's speech she had not had the time to properly speak to Elphinstone whom she had not seen for a long time.

'How is Hogwarts then? I don't suppose you want to –'

Minerva pursed her lips in mock annoyance, 'Elphinstone Urquat, I left the ministry almost 20 years ago, I'm afraid I'm not coming back.'

'Ah, you got me! I thought my words of wisdom and my dashingly good looks would be enough to get you back,' admitted Elphinstone smiling, 'You were one of our best McGonagall,' he said.

'I am sure my replacement is more than satisfactory,' said Minerva modestly, 'But aside from that,' she said, trying to change conversation, 'Because you have had years to try and persuade me to come back and have failed every time, how has it been at the Ministry for you?'

A sombre expression descended on Elphinstone's feature, 'Exceptionally bad, I'm afraid. The Auror department is going on a downward hill because Jenkins refuses to believe that we need to take action against this Voldemort. He's moving across Europe and it isn't going to be long until he reaches us. Poor judgement on her side,' he said bitterly.

Minerva, shocked to see him accuse the Minister for Magic like that, frowned. 'I'm sure she will see reason soon enough.'

Elphinstone looked darkly at Minerva for a few seconds, before passing a hand through his hair and saying, I hope so, I really do.'

However, before Minerva could reply, Dumbledore had arrived. The room in the Hog's Head was empty apart from Elphinstone, herself, Dumbledore and Hagrid.

'All right, my dear? Shall we?' said Dumbledore, cheerfully, extending his arm for Minerva to take.

'Yes, of course,' answered Minerva, still feeling quite sombre after the small talk she had had with Elphinstone, 'Goodbye, Elphinstone,' she said, giving him a kiss on the cheek, 'I'll see you next week I suppose.'

Minerva took Albus' arm and was about to leave when Elphinstone said, 'Perhaps we could have lunch together tomorrow, I'm not working so I could meet you at the Three Broomsticks.'

Minerva smiled inwardly – she had missed Elphinstone. 'I am off at two o'clock,' she said.

'Two o'clock it is then. See you tomorrow, Minerva. Albus, Hagrid,' he said, nodding in the direction of both Hagrid and Albus before walking over to the small fireplace concealed in the corner of the room. A minute later and he had vanished in a puff of green flames and smoke.