I've clearly been reading too much Philip Pullman (has anyone else watched/read his Dark Materials?) but what if Fawkes was Dumbledore's daemon? Fawkes did disappear once Dumbledore died. They also did seem to be very connected. I mean who knows, Dumbledore could have travelled between worlds and that's why it seems as though he is the only one with a daemon? Not inconceivable - witches could too in the books. Then, technically it would have been Dumbledore saving Harry in the Chamber... Wishful thinking on my part maybe? (Perhaps that'll be my next story - Harry Potter but a world in which characters have their own daemons?)

Anyway, aside from that random thought I hope you enjoy this chapter! Last Chamber of Secrets chapter. Prisoner of Azkaban next :) I hope everyone is excited and liked reading about the 1992/3 school year. Your kind reviews were also very much appreciated! :)


30 June 1993

It was late in the evening and a bright orange glow spilt over the hills basking the castle in warm light. Minerva had been busy making sure that all the students were in bed, arranging files and getting the last few papers signed before term officially ended. In all that time she had barely found five minutes to speak to Albus whom she knew had officially returned to the castle no more than an hour ago.

She had, of course, spoken to him already after Harry Potter had left his office. During this time Albus had explained as best as he could the events that had led up to three students and a teacher entering her office late in the evening covered in rubble and with the sword of Gryffindor in their possession. Yet, it had been a brief conversation since the Minister, as well as the governors, had wanted to speak to Albus urgently. Now, however, having dusted off the last few tasks she had needed to complete, Minerva was finally knocking gently on the Headmaster's door.

"Come in."

Minerva entered the room, closing the door behind her with a gentle click. Albus was resting on his desk, his half-moon spectacles halfway down his nose like they usually were, and Fawkes resting comfortably on his shoulder. He looked up when he heard her come in and he smiled kindly at her.

"Minerva, my dear," he said, putting down a few sheets of parchment he had been reading. "How are you?"

"I am well," she said, aware of her slight hesitation before she had spoken. "Well, as well as I can be," she added.

Albus nodded understandingly. "The students?"

"All in bed. I checked at least three times. And I will probably check another twenty before the sun rises again tomorrow morning. They all seem quite worn out, unsurprisingly," she replied with a sigh. "A few Healer's from St Mungo's will also be arriving to collect Gilderoy in the morning." She caught his eye when she said this. "Poppy believes he has irreversibly damaged his memory."

"How unfortunate."

"Indeed," Minerva said, though she pursed her lips; the reason why Lockhart had lost his memory in the first place had not slipped her mind. "I heard the Minister wrote you a formal apology."

Albus nodded as Fawkes cooed softly and flew down onto his lap. "He did."

Minerva nodded. "And rightly so," she added.

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled amusedly however he did not say anything. There was a strange atmosphere in the room. The light pouring over the moors filled the room with an orange-reddish tinge while the sky outside shone a brilliant purplish pink. Meanwhile, Albus was resting quite comfortably on his tabletop stroking a silent Fawkes. Minerva herself was standing by the door, not quite sure what else could be said. It had been a strange year, a difficult year, but now, finally, order seemed to have returned. Yet it was difficult to put all of this into words. And although a lot of Minerva and Albus' relationship relied on unspoken words between them, this time, despite knowing that he understood how she felt, Minerva believed it was still important to say it.

"I'm glad you're back," she said finally pausing again but briefly. "We missed you."

He smiled slightly and Minerva cleared her throat and nodded curtly.

"I'll leave you to get settled in again," she said, making a move to leave. However, the sound of him moving behind her made her turn. "Do you need anything from me?" she asked, frowning slightly.

"Might I ask you to accompany me to the kitchens, my dear?" Fawkes fluttered off his knees and went to rest on his perch, tilting his head as he watched the witch and wizard.

"You may," she said, "but for what purpose? I must admit that I am in no mood for hot chocolate this evening."

He smiled. "There is an elf waiting for us there."

Without further explanation, he offered her his arm which Minerva took. At this point, the thought of probing him was long gone. She was too tired to ask him anything.

The two descended the steps and walked in silence to the kitchens. Minerva's arm fell away from Albus' as he reached to tickle the pear. The portrait swung forward revealing a corridor and some stairs. Albus stepped aside and gestured that she could enter first. When they emerged from the corridor into a large room they found themselves surrounded by elves cleaning the kitchen apart from one who was sitting on a chair and eating a sandwich.

"Good evening, Dobby," said Albus, smiling kindly at the little elf.

Dobby's eyes widened and he jumped down from the chair, his sandwich still clutched but forgotten in his hand. "Professor Dumbledore, sir."

"There is no need to stand," Dumbledore said. "We do not mean to disturb your lunch for long."

Clearly not used to this level of politeness, Dobby hesitated between sitting back down and remaining standing.

"This is Professor McGonagall," introduced Albus, as Minerva came to stand beside him. "We came to give you our thanks for trying to warn Harry Potter about the Chamber. I understand this could not have been an easy task to complete."

Dobby shook his head silently while Minerva glanced briefly at Dumbledore and frowned slightly - after all, she knew not of Dobby's involvement in the recent events of that week.

"Dobby was only trying to help," Dobby said finally.

Albus nodded kindly. "And for that, we would like to express our gratitude," he said, smiling slightly. "Even if it meant Mr Potter did end up in a spot of trouble once or twice."

Dobby blushed but smiled too once he knew Dumbledore was not being too serious. "Dobby thanks you for the food," he said, "and for the kindness. Dobby very much appreciates it."

"You are most welcome," Albus replied. "I am aware you are no longer working for Mr Malfoy, Dobby."

"Dobby is no longer a servant thanks to Harry Potter."

Albus nodded. "Do you have any future plans?"

Dobby considered this for a moment before shaking his head from side to side so that his bat-like ears flapped freely. "Dobby is not sure, Sir. All Dobby knows is that he would like to find work, but not unpaid work," he added firmly.

There was a collective gasp from the elves who were finishing wiping the tables, and a few of them gave Dobby dirty looks.

"That is no more than you deserve, Dobby," Minerva said, leading her to receive a wide beam from the elf.

"In fact, there is a paid position for you here at Hogwarts to work in the kitchens," Albus added, "if you so wish. You do not need to answer now," he added. "The position will always be available to you if ever you decide to take it. The least we can do, however, is offer you a place to stay while you decide what your next steps are."

Dobby's large eyes brimmed with tears. "Professor Dumbledore is too kind," he said.

Albus smiled. "Not at all." He then straightened a bit and stood back next to Minerva. "We will leave you to finish your meal, Dobby," he said. "Do stop by my office when you have made a decision, whatever it is. I would be most glad to offer you any support I can provide."

"Thank you, Professors."

Albus bowed his head respectfully and Minerva smiled at the small elf who seemed to be quite overwhelmed. After a lifetime in service and working in abysmal and abusive conditions Minerva found it quite astonishing that Dobby had managed to remain so positive.

They shook hands, and then Minerva followed Albus out of the kitchens.

"Helen sent me an interesting collection of teas last week," she said, raising an eyebrow in Dumbledore's direction as they linked arms again. "Care to join me and try one?"

He smiled. "Certainly."

"Then you can tell me all about Dobby and how he tried to protect Potter."

"Ah, so you want only to pick my brains, as the muggle saying goes?" he said, a twinkle in his eye.

"Not only," Minerva replied, smiling slightly. "But it is the least I deserve. I also may or may not have some caramels too," she added.

"Well, now you are just bribing me, my dear," he said with a chuckle.

"That's because I know it works on you."

He raised his eyebrows slightly, though still looked amused. "Well," he began thoughtfully, "you may be right in that regard."

Minerva looked at him as they turned the corner and reached her office, "I am always right, Albus."

This time Albus did smile and Minerva answered it briefly before turning around and opening the door for them both to walk through.