Double post this week as well because I'm feeling extra generous :)
Thanks for the lovely reviews!
31 October 1993
"I don't know how he did it, Minerva, but Potter was there," Severus repeated for what felt like the hundredth time since he had entered the staffroom a few minutes ago.
"And you are basing these accusations entirely on Mr Malfoy's testimony?" Minerva asked lightly, as she made herself some tea.
"What are you suggesting, Minerva?"
"I am merely commenting on the fact that Malfoy and Potter are not best of friends," Minerva replied. "Interestingly, I have heard many stories about Mr Potter from Mr Malfoy that have often turned out to be untrue."
"Malfoy was not lying."
Minerva put her ready mug of tea down and looked away briefly to fetch some letters from her pigeonhole. She scanned the top one, registering it was from her sister-in-law, before looking back up at Severus. "Look, Severus," she said, "I can assure you that Mr Potter could not have been in Hogsmeade. I was there this morning too and I did not see him anywhere."
"Mark my word, Minerva, that boy will have found a way."
He folded his arms as Minerva picked up her papers and then her mug.
"All right," she replied. "I will tell Filch to be extra vigilant the next time there is a trip to Hogsmeade. Now, was there anything else you wanted me to do?"
He shook his head. "I believe that is all."
"Very well," Minerva said. "Thank you, Severus, for informing me."
He nodded then left the staffroom. Once the door clicked shut behind him Minerva sighed and walked over to where Pomona was sitting by the fire.
"Real bee in his bonnet, today," Pomona commented, moving some of her plants so that Minerva could place some of her papers onto the table. "What do you think happened?"
"Well, Potter was apparently in the Gryffindor Common room all day," she said. "Naturally, I went to check as soon as I heard what Malfoy claimed to have seen in Hogsmeade."
"And?"
Minerva shrugged. "Longbottom told me Potter had been helping him with his essay on vampires."
"Great mystery solved then," Pomona said.
"I hope so," Minerva muttered, before taking a sip of her tea. "Because if Potter was in Hogsmeade I will tell you now that I would not be at all forgiving. A 13-year-old boy should be sensible enough to realise that risking his life for a few sweets is not a worthwhile adventure."
"Mhm," Pomona agreed, slightly distractedly as she stared into the flames.
Minerva frowned and cocked her head. "Are you all right, dear?" she asked. "Shouldn't you have been back at home by now, anyway? Albert will be wondering where you are."
Pomona shifted uncomfortably. Then, noticing Minerva's frown, she sighed and let her hands fall to her knees with a slight tap. "We've had a bit of an argument," she said. "And I'm a bit embarrassed to go back. I've been putting it off a bit."
"A bit longer than a bit, dear," Minerva said, checking her watch. "It's almost nine o'clock. You're usually back home at six."
"I know, I know," Pomona replied. "It's just, oh," she sighed and rubbed her eyes with her hands. "I just don't know if I can have this conversation again."
Minerva folded her legs. "Which one?"
"The usual."
"Magic?"
Pomona nodded. "That's the one. It's become much more of a sore spot recently and—well, I don't know what to say to him really. I can't help that Grace needs to come to school here, and I can't help the fact that..." she trailed away and shook her head. "We've been going round and round in circles for days."
"I'm sure it will pass, Pomona," Minerva said. "He is probably still adjusting to the fact that he won't be seeing Grace until Christmas but—"
"I see her every day," Pomona interrupted.
"No," Minerva said calmly, "I was going to say that there is nothing stopping us from arranging for Grace to use the floo network a couple of times a week so that she can catch up with Albert."
"Hm."
"I'm sure it is not you, he's annoyed with, dear," Minerva said. "It's likely he just misses everyone being at home and feels—"
"A bit left out," Pomona finished. "I don't know how to fix that, though. Perhaps—"
But whatever Pomona had been about to say, Minerva never found out. The staffroom door swung open and Albus appeared, followed closely by Severus.
"There has been an incident," Albus said seriously before either Minerva or Pomona could ask. "Professor Sprout, could you find Professor Lupin and ask that he comes to Gryffindor Tower?"
"Certainly, Headmaster," Pomona said, getting up from her seat and giving Minerva a questioning look. Just as bemused, Minerva shook her head and Pomona left the room to find Remus.
Meanwhile, Albus was having a hurried discussion with Snape who seemed less than pleased. Before Minerva could ask, Albus held up his hand to stop Snape from speaking. They shared a look but Snape did not persist. Albus then turned to her.
"Minerva, I need you to come with me to the Gryffindor Tower," he told her.
"What has happened?" she asked, already up and following Albus and Severus out of the staffroom. A million thoughts were running past her head, however, she was at a complete loss as to what this 'incident' could be.
"There appears to have been a break-in."
"Pardon?"
Snape tutted. "Someone has broken into the castle."
"Yes, I gathered as much, Severus," Minerva hissed back. "Do we know who broke in? Is anyone hurt?" Albus caught her eye and Minerva felt her stomach drop. "Black?"
"Perhaps," he replied.
"Is anyone hurt?" she repeated.
Dumbledore didn't answer however, Minerva noticed his pace quickened so that she and Severus had to take even wider strides to keep up.
"Anything?"
"Nothing," Minerva said, coming to stand beside Albus. "I went up three floors, looked through all of the classrooms, that hidden staircase, the bathrooms and...nothing," she said. "Black is nowhere to be seen."
Albus nodded softly, his eyebrows furrowed as he thought. They were standing in the darkened corridor outside the Great Hall. The lights had been turned down so as not to disturb the sleeping students in the other room. This meant Minerva could just about make out Albus' outline and a few of his features but nothing more.
"What did the Dementors tell you?" she asked him.
"They are quite at loss as to how Black managed to get past them."
"Hm," Minerva said, folding her arms. She felt Albus' eyes rest on her. "Do you have any idea how he managed to do it?" she asked him softly.
Albus didn't say anything for a moment. "I am not sure," he replied finally. "I have some theories but..." he trailed away and shook his head. "None of them conclusive."
Minerva nodded. "Well, don't keep them all held to your chest," she said, giving him a knowing look.
Albus tipped his head in acknowledgement. His eyes then slid to the small gap between the great wooden doors.
Minerva watched him for a moment, then moved her head closer too so that she could peer through the small crack in the door to check the students. They all seemed to be sleeping quite peacefully despite the fact that a mass murderer had managed to break into the school a few hours ago. Only a gentle rumble could be heard — some snores, some muttering, and the occasional sound of someone turning and ruffling their duvet.
"You must write to the Minister and inform him of what has happened," Minerva said quietly.
"Will you be all right here?"
She nodded. "I can keep watch," she assured him.
Albus looked up and Minerva could just about see a hint of his piercing blue eyes. "Thank you," he said sincerely. "I will ask Severus to come and take your place in a few hours."
Minerva nodded and Dumbledore patted her arm before leaving to go to his own office.
