June 25th1977

Reaching for a new piece of parchment Minerva bent over the ledger and continued to copy down the names of new students who would be joining them the following academic year. Already having covered a page, her wrist was starting to get sore as she transcribed the unusually long list of names onto a paper she could bring to Dumbledore.

Just as she was finishing off adding Gilderoy Lockhart to the list, there was a gentle knock on her door.

"Come in," she said. The door opened to admit Albus whose face unusually did not bear the grim expression she had become so accustomed to. "Good day?" she asked, leaning back over her work as Albus came to sit down opposite her. She looked up again as she dipped her quill in her inkpot and gave a wry smile, "You haven't been this cheerful since you refilled your supply of sherbet lemons last week."

Albus smiled and leaned back in his chair. "It seems I am not the only one who is in a good mood, my dear," he answered, his eyes twinkling as he read the words on her blackboard. "Hangman?"

Minerva rolled her eyes and leaned back over her work, "I thought it would cheer them up what with it being their last day of school and all. There isn't much left to teach a group of N.E.W.T students who have already taken their exams."

Albus shrugged, the traces of his smile still lingering. "I remember you and Augusta insisting to practise more magic even on your last day."

Minerva narrowed her eyes as she looked at her friend through the rectangular lenses of her spectacles. "Is there any particular reason you came to see me? You see I am in the middle of doing something very important. Something which I will remind you is your job."

"I don't know what you are talking about," answered Albus, who was now looking out of the window. "I would have thought you would be more than happy to take on these responsibilities as my deputy. Particularly paperwork."

Minerva snorted and Albus smiled. "When are you leaving for Caithness?" he asked suddenly.

"Tomorrow evening." She narrowed her eyes suspiciously at Dumbledore, "Why? What is it you want me to do?"

"The new Astronomy professor is arriving this evening and I was hoping you could help him get settled in."

Minerva frowned, "You told me you wanted to do that yourself when I offered to do it last week." She eyed him suspiciously. "Well, I'll give him a tour, though I daresay he needs one, and I'll show him to his room. But I'm expecting an extra tin of biscuits in September. Not the flavourless ones mind," she added, "Only my favourites because I've done a lot for you this year and I deserve them."

"I am forever in your debt, Minerva," said Dumbledore.

"Hm. Where are you off to then? I hope this arrangement isn't just because you want a longer holiday?"

"I have… certain affairs I need to attend to," answered Dumbledore. He looked at her significantly, "I have a few ideas that I would like to explore."

She cocked her head and frowned. "Meaning?"

Albus smiled as he looked at his deputy, "I see you won't give up easily."

Minerva folded her arms and leaned back in her chair. "No." She gave him the stern look she usually reserved for Potter and Black, "Now go on."

Albus sighed however just as he was about to answer, there was another knock at the door. "Popular today?" he said.

Minerva rolled her eyes at him. "Don't think I will forget Albus Dumbledore," she said before calling at the door for the second time that day. "Come in!"

Lily Evans' face appeared around Minerva's door and, upon noticing Dumbledore, blushed slightly. "Sorry Professor, am I interrupting?"

"Not at all," Minerva said, putting aside her work and turning her attention away from Albus. "What can I do for you?"

Lily hesitated, looking shyly between Minerva and Dumbledore, before entering the classroom. "Erm," she glanced nervously again at Dumbledore who was now staring interestedly out of the window, "I just – since the train is leaving this evening – I just wanted to properly thank you for the help you have given me whilst I have been here." Although standing slightly more confidently she still gave an embarrassed smile as she tucked a strand of red hair behind her ear and added, "I don't think I would have managed without your help."

Touched, Minerva felt herself smile. "That is very kind of you, my dear. It has been a pleasure teaching you. I hope you will come to visit in the future?"

Lily nodded vigorously. "Of course Professor!" she said. Then, blushing a deeper crimson, she produced a small card and a box from her satchel and handed them to Minerva. "James and Sirius chipped in as an apology for all the trouble they caused over the years. Remus too." She smiled slightly as Minerva took the box and opened it revealing a beautiful small silver cat with emerald eyes. "It's a muggle good luck charm," Lily explained. "Sirius managed to charm it so that it can move too."

Minerva took out the cat which mewled as it stretched its legs and padded softly across her desk. "Thank you. That's very thoughtful of you all." Before she could say anything else, however, the clocks chimed 5 o'clock and a loud whistle echoed across the lake from Hogsmeade. Minerva stood up. "You had better hurry or the train will leave without you," she said, walking Lily to the door. "I hope you have an enjoyable summer, my dear. Do try to relax, you deserve it."

"Thank you, Professor." Giving one last wave, Lily turned around and made her way up the corridor and down to the grounds to get the Hogwarts Express for the last time.

"I don't think that's happened to me once before in all my years of teaching," said Minerva as she closed the door and went back to sit down.

"She must think you are a very good teacher," said Dumbledore, his eyes twinkling.

Minerva felt a smile tug at her lips as she sealed her finished list of names in a letter and handed it to Dumbledore. "She's right then. I am a very good teacher." Dumbledore chuckled as Minerva tidied her desk with a flick of her wand. "I also have a very good memory and I am not easily distracted. So, what was it you were saying before?"

"I see I cannot escape easily. Elphinstone was right, you would have made a very good Auror." Sighing again, he put down the Transfiguration Today he had been leafing through and leaned back in his chair. "Do you remember what the Prewett twins said last week?"

Minerva frowned as she tried to take her mind back to the last Order meeting. "About Lucius Malfoy purchasing that large manor?" she asked slowly.

Dumbledore nodded. "And did anything strike you as odd?"

"I did wonder how he managed to come across such a large sum of money," said Minerva, "But I just assumed his father must have helped him." She looked up at Dumbledore whose bearded chin was now resting on his clasped fingers. "But I don't see how this is in any way important… unless," she paused and her frowned deepened, "I suppose it is quite a large building for just one person." Suddenly something clicked and Minerva widened her eyes, "You don't think he's-" She didn't both finished her sentence as Dumbledore had already nodded, confirming her idea.

"I think we have reached the same conclusion, my dear," he said gravely. "It's a large manor and kept quite hidden away in the countryside. Several large rooms and, if I say so myself, an ideal location for, erm, private meetings."

"Do you think this is it then?" said Minerva, "After keeping an eye on all those other pureblood homes do you think this is the one?"

Albus shrugged. "Perhaps. It won't be long until we find out."

"You're not thinking of going there on Friday, are you?" she said sharply. Dumbledore didn't say anything and Minerva felt an urge to press her palm against her eyes. "Albus if what you are saying is true then there are bound to be plenty or protective spells."

"I am sure you are right, Minerva," answered Dumbledore quietly.

"Then we should talk about this with the rest of the Order and make a plan," said Minerva but Albus merely shook his head. Anxious to make him see sense, she leaned forward across the table, "At least take someone with you, in case something happens."

"I think it is best if I go alone, although I do appreciate the concern." He stood up and Minerva realised she would not be able to change his mind. "I had best go through this and start making the timetables." He pocketed the letter Minerva had handed to him earlier on and made his way to the door.

"At least keep me updated," said Minerva, "I will be in my office until 9 o'clock tomorrow."

"I don't know how long I will be, Minerva. I won't promise anything but I will come and see you if I am back before then."

Minerva felt a deep sense of uneasiness settle in her stomach. "All right then. Travel safely Albus."

Dumbledore gave her a small reassuring smile, before disappearing out of her classroom leaving it completely silent apart from the creaking of the swinging door closing behind him.