It was one evening, about four days later, when Minerva, in cat form, heard a scream from the girl's bathroom. She dashed in but all she found was the collapsed figure of a girl. She recognised this latest victim – Myrtle Warren – a younger girl who, in truth, Minerva had found a little irritating due to her perpetual complaining. Transforming back into her human form she bent over the girl and realised with a sudden jolt of horror that she didn't look like the others.

The scream had attracted nearby staff and Professors Dippet and Caset arrived first.

"Another attack," gasped Dippet taking in the scene before him.

"How did you come to be here, Miss McGonagall? And alone?" asked Caset. "I didn't see you in the corridor."

Minerva was still staring at Myrtle.

"Well, Miss McGonagall?" Caset asked more insistently. "What are you doing here? And why were you alone? Or were you with Miss Warren when she was attacked?"

Dumbledore had arrived.

"Is there a reason you are interrogating my student, Professor Caset?" he asked coolly.

"Another girl has been petrified, Albus," said Dippet, turning to him.

Minerva looked up suddenly. "Excuse me, Professor," she said, "But I don't think she's petrified."

The three professors moved closer and all reacted with horror and alarm as they saw what Minerva had seen.

"She's dead," said Dippet. "Dead." He shook his head. "I shouldn't have delayed. I should have closed the school sooner."

Dumbledore put a hand on Minerva's shoulder and carefully steered her out of the room and down the corridors to his office. He sat her in a comfortable chair and pressed a cup of hot chocolate into her hands.

A short time later Professor Caset and Professor Dippet joined them.

"Minerva," began Dippet, "We need to know what happened tonight."

"I don't know," she answered slowly. "I heard a scream, I went into the girl's bathroom, and I found her."

"How soon after the scream did you get there."

"A minute, maybe, I was very close…"

Dumbledore looked worried.

"Did you see anyone or anything coming out, Miss McGonagall?"

She shook her head.

"Or anywhere nearby in the corridors?"

She shook her head.

Caset leaned forward, "So by your own evidence you were the only person in the vicinity when the poor girl was murdered."

Dumbledore bristled.

"To her knowledge, Professor Caset. Someone or something could have slipped out very quickly, down a different corridor, or been concealed, or any number of possibilities."

Dippet nodded, "Yes, Dumbledore Nobody is accusing anyone of anything – yet." He leaned forward in his chair. "Miss McGonagall," he said gently, "Is there anything you want to tell us now? We all know how difficult things have been for you, since your parents… You haven't been yourself. We should have encouraged you to talk more, tried to help you deal with… things. You can talk to us now, Minerva, you can tell us whatever has been going on."

"Nothing," she breathed, "Nothing's been going on."

Caset looked doubtful.

"I didn't do this!" Minerva said desperately, "If you don't believe me why don't you get some veritaserum and force it DOWN MY THROAT!"

"Nobody is going to do that, Minerva," Dumbledore said gently, "And I think that's enough for tonight," he added to the other Professors. "Minerva's been through enough for one evening."

Dippet nodded and he and Caset turned to leave. In the doorway Dippet paused.

"Dumbledore," he said softly. "Would you join me in my office in a few minutes?"

Dumbledore nodded slowly. Whatever disagreements he and Armando Dippet may have had, they were still friends and colleagues. Right now, Armando needed his support more than ever.

Outside, Professor Caset had been stopped by Tom Riddle. "Professor," he asked, "Is Minerva in some kind of trouble?"

"I really can't say, Riddle."

"But, has something happened."

"I'm sure you'll hear soon enough, Riddle."

"Do you think she opened the Chamber of Secrets, Sir?"

Caset's expression changed. "Riddle, that is enough."

"I'm sure it wasn't her, Sir. Truly I am. She was with me when some of the attacks happened."

"Well, if that's the case then Headmaster Dippet will want to speak to you."

Tom nodded and then headed for the Headmaster's office.

Dumbledore turned back to Minerva. She kept her eyes on the cup of hot chocolate, but hadn't taken a single sip.

"Minerva," he said gently.

She didn't meet his eyes.

"Minerva, you have had a terrible shock this evening."

"Or committed a murder," she said sarcastically.

"I don't believe that for a moment," Dumbledore assured her. "Minerva, I have to go and assist the Headmaster, but I will be back very shortly. Please drink your chocolate and then I hope we can talk."

Dumbledore left the room and headed for Dippet's office. As he descended the staircase to the Entrance Hall he saw Tom Riddle.

"What are you doing, wandering around this late, Tom?"

"I had to see the Headmaster, sir."

"Well hurry off to bed," Dumbledore told him, "Best not to roam the corridors these days. Not since…"

Dumbledore headed up to Dippet's office and found the Headmaster seated at his desk with his head in his hands.

"Headmaster?"

Dippet raised his head.

"What are we to do, Albus? I'll have to send the students home and close the school. It's the only way."

"I think it may have reached that point."

The older man shook his head. "There hasn't been a death at Hogwarts in over 70 years. Seventy years."

Dumbledore paused the memory again.

"It was while I was talking with Professor Dippet," he explained, "That Tom Riddle caught Hagrid and Aragog and accused Hagrid of releasing the monster."

"Poor, Hagrid," said McGonagall fiercely, "There are many things to hate you-know-who for, but stealing Hagrid's future always makes my list."

Dumbledore nodded. "Still, it was an excellent idea of yours to offer him the Care of Magical Creatures job, my dear."

Harry, Ron and Hermione stared at McGonagall.

"Giving Hagrid the job was your idea?" asked Harry eagerly.

McGonagall nodded.

"Indeed," said Dumbledore, "One of the great secrets of Hogwarts is just how much the irresponsible Headmaster delegates to his much put upon Deputy."

McGonagall gave a wry smile.

"Professor McGonagall was also responsible for suggesting my appointment," said Lupin quietly, "For which I will be eternally in your debt, Minerva."

McGonagall gave him an affectionate smile. "You were one of my best ideas," she told him warmly. "But then I also recommended Quirrell. And look how that turned out."

"Lockhart?" asked Ron suddenly.

"Was Albus's choice," sighed McGonagall, "We take it in turns for Defence Against the Dark Arts as the turnover is so frequent."

"I found him entertaining," said Dumbledore cheerily, "And I think there was a lot to learn from him - although not necessarily about the Dark Arts or defence."

McGonagall rolled her eyes. "You didn't have to work with the man every day."

Moody interrupted, "So does that mean you picked me, Albus?"

"Of course," said McGonagall definitively, "I would never have suggested you for a teacher, Alastor. I'd let Severus have the job first!"

"Thanks a lot, Minerva."

"Turning students into ferrets, demonstrating unforgiveable curses to young children..."

"THAT WAS CROUCH!"

"Yes," said McGonagall sharply, "But I think it says something about you that we never suspected that."

Moody's face aimed for a scowl, but a slight grin broke though his features as Dumbledore interrupted, "If you two are quite finished? Could we continue?"

"Certainly, Albus," said McGonagall sweetly, grinning back at Moody.