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June 30th 1991
Minerva slipped the parchment into an envelope just as the clock on the corner of her desk chimed seven o'clock. Quickly writing the name and address on the front, she then gathered all the first years' letters and tied them together with a piece of blue ribbon. Although she had several more to do before she could send them out, Dumbledore had asked to see her. So, getting up from her chair, Minerva turned the lights out and headed for his office.
As she approached the gargoyle outside, she prepared herself to give the password however it sprung aside before she had even opened her mouth.
Quirrell jumped, both of his hands flying to the purple turban on his head. "Min-Minerva!" he said, several files cascading out of his arms down onto the floor.
"Oh–Quirinus, I'm sorry," Minerva said, equally as surprised. She bent down to retrieve some of the papers he had dropped. "We weren't expecting you back until August. Here."
She passed him the papers, which he took from her quickly.
"T-t-thank you," he stammered.
"Not at all," she smiled. "How was your research?"
He looked at her blankly.
"In Albania," she prompted, failing to hide a slightly quizzical look.
"Ah, oh yes," he said quickly. "R-really quite f-f-fascinating."
"I'm glad," she said. "Well, I would stay and chat but I'm afraid I have a meeting with the Headmaster, so I really must get on."
Quirrell laughed nervously. "I-I won't k-keep you then, M-Minerva," he stammered. "It's g-g-good t-to see you again."
He then stepped to one side so that she could get onto the staircase, straightened his turban, and then left rather quickly back down the corridor. Minerva watched him go feeling slightly nonplussed – Quirrell had always been the nervous sort however he seemed distinctly more ruffled than usual. Putting it to the fact that he was still recovering from the shock of bumping into her in that way, she shrugged off her unease and continued her way to Albus' office and knocked on the door.
"Come in," he called. "Ah, Minerva, thank you for coming so quickly."
"That's all right," she answered, closing the door behind her and coming in. "You needed my help with something?"
"Yes," he said, indicating that she should take a seat. "I hope you have no other plans for this evening?"
"I don't," she said, frowning. "Has something happened, Albus?"
Dumbledore didn't answer immediately. Instead, he retrieved a piece of parchment from his desk drawer and placed it face up onto the table. "I need your advice on a certain matter, my dear, and I was hoping you would be able to help. You see, several days ago I received a letter from my dear friend Nicholas and his wife Perenelle—"
"Nicholas Flamel?" interrupted Minerva.
Dumbledore nodded. "I think you will understand better if you read this."
Minerva accepted the letter he was offering her and, after a moment's hesitation, began to read. When she had finished she could not quite find the words to express herself.
"They are worried about the safety of the Philosopher's stone?" she said finally.
Dumbledore nodded solemnly. "The stone has been kept in a secure vault in Gringotts for many years now. Every few months Nicholas or Perenelle must go to the vault and retrieve some Elixir," he explained. "However, for several weeks now, they have become aware of a stranger following their movements to Gringotts. Naturally, they are starting to become concerned by the appearance of this—ah—individual and the connection this may have to the stone."
"Naturally," agreed Minerva slowly. "What are they going to do?"
"They raised their concern to the goblins at Gringotts and they have now been assured that the security surrounding the vault has been doubled."
"But they are not satisfied?" she asked.
"No, they are not," agreed Dumbledore. "And I am inclined to agree with them. Since they have raised this concern we have made a few inquiries and, as it happens, this stranger has appeared multiple times in the vicinity of the Flamels' house in Devon as well as Gringotts."
Minerva's frown deepened. "Has there been any attempt to take the stone?" she asked.
"No, but I believe it is only a matter of time before there is one and by someone who would profit greatly from a stone such as this one."
He looked at her significantly over his half-moon spectacles and it then occurred to Minerva to whom he could be referring. Suddenly the all too familiar sensation of foreboding and concern now lodged itself back into the pit of her stomach.
"You don't mean... after all this time? How can you be sure?"
"As of yet, I am not sure–these are only theories. But you can understand why such a stone would be of interest to someone like Voldemort?"
"Of course," she agreed. "I sense your plan is not to keep it at Gringotts then?"
"No."
Minerva took a deep breath. "You would not be telling me all of this if it didn't include me in some way," she said after a while. "You want to bring it here? Am I right?"
"Yes," he answered, "I believe it will be safer here."
"I cannot disagree. There are already powerful enchantments protecting the castle, and I am sure we could find other ways to protect it once inside the castle," she said thoughtfully. She bit her lip and looked out of the window.
"What is it?"
"Well," began Minerva, looking back at him, "if you are right about You-Know-Who wanting the stone, then is it really safe to bring it to a school?"
"I do not wish to make a decision unless I have your support," he said firmly.
She smiled. "I'm glad you feel my opinion is of value."
"Always, my dear."
"Then, I will admit that the idea worries me," she said truthfully. "But if you are right and there is an attempt on the stone—if he succeeded—"
"The consequences would be beyond disastrous," finished Dumbledore, nodding solemnly.
Minerva considered what he was asking. "It will mean a great deal of planning," she said finally, making eye contact with him. "And additional protections will have to be put in place around the castle should You-Know-Who discover the location of the stone."
"I take it you are agreeing to the plan to go forward?" asked Dumbledore.
"I trust your judgement, Albus," she told him. "If you believe it can be done then it can be done."
"I appreciate it, Minerva," he said gratefully.
"Have you any ideas on how we might protect the stone?" she asked him.
He nodded. "First, we will need to find a location in the castle where we can hide it."
"Leave that to me. I'm sure I can move some classrooms around. Merlin knows we have enough spare rooms in this castle," she said.
Dumbledore smiled. "I would also like you to come up with a way to protect the stone."
"Like an enchantment?" she asked.
"Anything you want, my dear. I would like to create–a line of defence shall we say."
"Very well," she said, "I will think of something."
"Excellent," Dumbledore said happily. "I will speak to Nicholas this evening."
"Given the situation perhaps leaving things off paper is best," she acknowledged, starting to get up. "All right, I will start the preparations. If I remember correctly there aren't many classes on the third floor."
Dumbledore smiled. "I cannot thank you enough. Would you care to send Severus, Hagrid and Filius up please…oh and Pomona."
"Pomona is on holiday with her family. She won't be back until next week I believe, but can send her a letter to make sure," she replied, making a move to the door. "I will send the others up."
"Thank you, my dear."
Minerva nodded, twisted the doorknob and left his office.
