25th March 1973

"Another term gone. Is it bad that I'm a little bit pleased only 10 students are staying over Easter?"

Minerva continued to watch the carriages carry the students down to Hogsmeade station, a small smile spreading across her lips.

"It is bad isn't it?" said Pomona, answering her question. She shuffled in her spot on the windowsill and leant closer to the window they were looking out of. "I don't think I could have lasted another week, though."

"Problems in the Hufflepuff Common Room?" asked Minerva slyly.

Pomona looked at her friend, "The noise was unbearable! A whole week they were celebrating! At least we have a chance of winning the cup though. I will be very pleased if we manage to pry it out of your clutches."

"Your team is very good," admitted Minerva, "But I have grown rather fond of the Quidditch Cup sitting on my shelf in my office; you won't be getting it from me easily."

"Noted," said Pomona, resting her head on her hand. She suddenly checked her watch. "We should go. She'll be arriving soon."

Minerva sighed, "You're right. Besides I would like to say a last goodbye to Elizabeth before she leaves."

The two women got up from the windowsill and Pomona casually waved her wand so that the candles in her quarters dimmed and the fire in the grate extinguished.

"Don't forget your papers," said Minerva suddenly, "Mine are already in the staff room," she added when Pomona pointed at her own empty arms.

"I regret agreeing to this," grumbled the older witch as the wad of essays zoomed towards her a second before the door snapped shut.

"A promise is a promise," answered Minerva. "Anyway, if we finish our marking this evening we have the rest of the holiday free."

"I thought you were leaving to see your family this evening?"

Minerva shook her head. "Change of plans. I'm leaving tomorrow afternoon instead."

"One more day stuck with me, then," said Pomona.

"Oh the joy," smiled Minerva. Pomona chuckled and they continued their descent to the Great Hall in a comfortable silence. Dumbledore was waiting for them at the bottom of the staircase; his new set of aquamarine and silver robes glistening in the rays of the setting sun.

"Ah, Minerva, Pomona, just on time!" he smiled at them warmly before walking over the large oak doors and opened them without so much as a word or a flick of the wand. A carriage could be seen pulling in just outside the gates.

"It's going to be strange having one of our old students work here don't you think?" whispered Pomona.

Minerva shrugged. "I suppose. Ah, here she comes," she said when a young girl emerged from the carriage and started to make her way up to the castle doors.

Together they squinted into the distance and watched as the young mediwitch climbed up the steep path. Dumbledore had gone to meet her and Minerva watched as he shook her hand, no doubt welcoming her back to Hogwarts.

"Where is Hagrid? I thought he was coming to greet her too," asked Pomona, nodding at the young girl.

Minerva sighed, "Somebody lost their toad in the Forbidden Forest. Don't ask," she added when Pomona opened her mouth, "Anyway, Rubeus has gone to look for it, Merlin knows how he is going to find it!"

Pomona was about to answer but was cut off by Dumbledore who had just come back.

"-and I'm sure you remember Professor McGonagall and Professor Sprout?"

"Of course," said Poppy Pomfrey's quiet voice. The young witch looked up at her two old Professors and smiled nervously.

Minerva couldn't help but smile back she had always liked Poppy. "Welcome back," she said warmly.

"I expect you would like a nice cup of tea after your journey," said Pomona to Poppy who nodded shyly. "We will show her to her room, Headmaster."

"If you would, Pomona," answered Dumbledore. He smiled at the three of them, "I will see you all at dinner." He looked at Poppy, "I hope you settle in nicely, my dear," and, bowing his head, he walked off towards the Great Hall, no doubt helping the charms Professor, Elfrinda, get everything ready for the evenings Easter dinner.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter! :) I would love it if you left a review about what you think so far. Have a wonderful day! :)