And there we have it! The end of year 1!

Looking forward to the Chamber of Secrets (especially moments with Gilderoy Lockhart) :)


20 June 1992

Minerva put her hands in her pockets as she strolled across the grounds. It was a beautiful day. The birds were chirping and the sun was shining in a clear aquamarine blue sky. Taking a deep relaxing breath, she tilted her head up so that the sun beat down on her face.

"Do my eyes deceive me?"

Minerva turned and shielded her eyes with her hand. When squinting, she could just about make out Pomona's outline walking up the small hill from the greenhouses.

"Sorry?" she asked, as Pomona caught up with her.

"I said, do my eyes deceive me? I don't think I've seen you this cheerful since Filius gave you that new tin of ginger newts."

"Nonsense," Minerva said, although she was smiling slightly.

"Smiling too now. Goodness, has the world gone mad?"

"Don't be daft."

Pomona chuckled. "All right, all right," she said, resuming a more serious manner but still smiling slightly. "On your way to claim your prize then, I take it?"

"At long last," Minerva replied.

"Well, enjoy it while you can," Pomona told her, nodding. "Hufflepuff will win the cup next year."

Minerva gave her friend a side-glanced.

"There's no doubt about it," Pomona repeated solemnly. "I'll even bet on it."

"Tempting," Minerva said, in mock thoughtfulness. "But that would just be cruel."

Pomona gave Minerva a friendly shove as they reached the castle. They stopped on the stairs, Minerva still smiling, and Pomona waved her wand so that the remnants of mud sprinkled across her robes vanished.

"Well, if I were you I'd enjoy the cup while you can," she told Minerva seriously, slipping her wand back into her pocket before smiling too. "Now, I'll see you at dinner. I would walk with you but I have to go through some forms with one of my Hufflepuffs before the train leaves - he's applying for an internship and needs a reference."

"He left it quite late," Minerva observed.

"Well, nerves I suppose," Pomona said, shaking her head. "I'm an intimidating person, you know."

Minerva arched an eyebrow and Pomona snorted.

"See you later, dear," she repeated, leaning in to embrace Minerva.

"See you later, Pomona."

Minerva patted her shoulder and then they parted; Pomona in the direction of the Hufflepuff Common Room and Minerva for Albus' office.

"Fizzing Whizbeez," she said to the gargoyle, who bowed respectfully and allowed her access to the staircase. When she reached the landing she knocked twice on the door.

"Come in."

Minerva pushed open the door but was shocked to find not only Albus in the room but two other people as well.

"Oh, sorry," she said, already taking a step back. "I didn't realise you had company, Headmaster. I can come back later."

"My dear Professor, do not trouble yourself," said one of the guests as she turned around in her chair.

Minerva's eyebrows almost disappeared behind her hair. The woman was no other than Perenelle Flamel; Minerva recognised her instantly from a newspaper article she had read recently.

Perenelle smiled kindly, taking Minerva's surprise very graciously.

"Nicholas and I were just leaving," she told her, patting her husband's hand delicately with her own. "I think all that needs saying has been said." She turned to face Albus who bowed his head slightly, then back to the man sitting beside her. "Come now, Nicholas, let us say our goodbyes and then depart."

She rose and helped up her husband, a slender, pale, wrinkly man. Once up, if a little stooped, he leaned quite heavily on the walking stick Perenelle had handed him, then went to shake Albus' hand.

"Thank you, Albus," he said, looking deeply into Albus' eyes. "It has been a pleasure to work alongside you."

Then, to Minerva's surprise, Nicholas turned to her and walked over.

"And thank you, my dear Professor, for giving your time and your energy to protect the stone," Nicholas smiled. "We very much appreciate everything you have done," he added sincerely.

"T-That's quite all right," Minerva stammered, letting him shake her hand, then allowing Perenelle to give her a kiss on the cheek; still not quite comprehending what exactly was happening at this moment. Albus caught her eye, however, and she understood that he meant to explain afterwards.

"Will you use the floo network?" he asked the older couple, turning back to Perenelle and Nicholas.

Perenelle chuckled. "Albus, it has been quite some time since either of us have used the floo network," she said, sharing an amused look with Nicholas. "Our balance is quite past its prime."

"We will call a carriage when we reach Hogsmeade," Nicholas continued. "And enjoy the walk through the forest to the village."

Albus bowed his head again. "Very well," he said, coming round his desk. "But allow me to see you out."

The two nodded and Albus turned to Minerva. "Would it trouble you very much if I left you here while I walk Nicholas and Perenelle to the gates, my dear?"

"No, of course not," she said.

Albus smiled and opened the office door for the Flamels.

"It was a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance, my dear girl," said Perenelle, as she passed. She smiled kindly at Minerva one last time before accepting the arm Nicholas was offering her and following Albus out of the room.

Minerva was there for almost half an hour before he returned. He smiled at her tiredly as he closed the door and walked around his desk and sat down.

"I'm sorry, Albus," she began. "If I'd known you had company I wouldn't have disturbed you..."

"You did no such thing, my dear," he said kindly. "Nicholas and Perenelle came to settle a few matters regarding the future of the Philosopher's Stone."

"Oh," she said, "I see..."

In truth, she had not thought much about the stone following the incident with Granger, Potter, and Weasley. She had been so concerned about dismantling protections, speaking to families, ensuring the trio had fully recovered, as well as marking exams that she had not truly considered what ought to happen to the stone.

"I take it they have just brought it home?"

"Quite the opposite, my dear," he said. "The stone is going to be destroyed. Nicholas and Perenelle have agreed it presents too many dangers to our world."

Minerva widened her eyes. "But that means-"

"They have lived long and very fulfilling lives, Minerva," he cut in gently.

"But still, Albus...Is there no other way?" she asked.

He smiled at her expression. "They are not looking for another way, Minerva. Nicholas and Perenelle are quite happy to proceed to the next step of their journey. They are at peace with their decision."

Minerva looked away.

"Come now," said Dumbledore, when she still hadn't spoken. "I believe you came here to collect something, am I right?"

She looked up and he smiled as he retrieved a golden cup from beneath his desk.

"I think I am right in saying this now belongs to you," he said, handing her the cup. "I give you my warmest congratulations, Minerva."

"Thank you," she said quietly, accepting the cup.

"I suggest you keep a good eye on it. I do believe Professor Snape is in quite a-erm-mood, shall we say."

"That is one way to put it," Minerva muttered.

Albus shrugged. "Well, I am a firm believer that students should receive recognition for their courageous acts."

"Even if they break thousands of school rules in the process?" she asked, raising her eyebrows and catching his eye.

Albus chuckled and Minerva couldn't stop a small smile from spreading across her lips.

"Where will you put it?" he asked.

"The cup?"

Albus nodded.

"I was thinking perhaps on that bookshelf in my classroom...or do you think that is showing off too much?"

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "It is never a bad thing to be proud of your students' achievements."

"You're right..." she said, looking down at the cup and smiling properly for the first time. "Oh, maybe for a day or two. I think I deserve a bit of joy after this year."

"You certainly do, Minerva."

She smiled. "Very well, I think I should get this sorted before dinner."

He smiled and stood up too. "I agree."

He walked her to the other side of the office - Minerva holding the cup proudly in her arms. When he opened the door for her, however, she paused and turned around.

"I'm sorry about the Flamels, Albus," she said sincerely. "I know they were good friends of yours."

Albus smiled slightly but with a distinct sadness in his eyes.

"I shall see you at dinner, my dear," he said softly, avoiding the topic in a way she was now so used to.

Unsure if she should say anything else, Minerva hesitated, stalling between the office and the landing. Finally, she leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek.

"See you at dinner, Albus," she told him, before stepping out of the office and making her way down the spiral staircase.