It's been quite a hectic week with work and university and nursing sore feet and knees after spending my days crouched down in a sitting position for 8 hours. But I did say that I was going to upload twice this week so here is a little second update gift on my part :) I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Thanks again for the lovely reviews too. They do make me smile when I read them :)


24 November 1994

"Oh, thank the Lord," Minerva said, passing a shaky hand over her eyes as she tried to recover from what she had just witnessed. Everybody else in the stadium was up and standing apart from Albus and Minerva herself. Not that they weren't pleased; in this case being pleased was a massive understatement. The relief Minerva felt watching Harry fly across and scoop up the Golden Egg, was more than she could describe.

Finally dropping her hand, though the other was still holding Albus' arm, she stood up. Abus looked up at her.

"He'll need to see Poppy," she explained, patting his arm shakily and then leaving the seating area. As she descended the steps she realised that Hagrid and Alastor had also followed her.

"Rudy amazin' that was, Professor," said Hagrid proudly, as they walked along the pitch.

Minerva glanced at him as he smiled at her. Slowly a smile began to appear on her own lips too. She let out a breath she hadn't known she had been holding and turned back to see Harry slowing down on his Firebolt.

"That was excellent, Potter," she told him before his feet had even touched the ground. Despite the fact that the boy had just tackled a dragon, Harry's eyes widened slightly as though the compliment he had received from Minerva was the most surprising thing of the day. Minerva gave him a once over with her eyes to see what damage had been done. Apart from a messy cut on his shoulder, he appeared well. "You'll need to see Madam Pomfrey before the judges give you your score," she told him, trailing away and turning to show Potter where she meant. "Over there, she's had to mop up Diggory already."

Potter nodded weakly just as Hagrid came forwards.

"Yeh did it, Harry!" he said hoarsely. "Yeh did it! An' agains' the Horntail an' all, an' yeh know Charlie said that was the wors'—"

Harry nodded. "Thanks, Hagrid," he said loudly, and Hagrid beamed.

Alastor began to say something, but Minerva did not quite catch it. She was looking at the tents trying to see if Poppy was available. Once she spotted the matron, Minerva turned and put a hand on Potter's good shoulder.

"Right then, Potter," she said briskly, "the first aid tent, please."

She directed the Gryffindor to the tent and watched as he walked shakily to where Poppy was standing. Even at this distance, Minerva could tell that Poppy was positively fuming that even more students had been harmed by the dragons.


Later that afternoon Minerva and Albus were walking through Hogsmeade and towards the small cottage Elphinstone and Minerva had shared when they had been married. Since neither she nor Albus wanted to be seen walking to the supposedly empty cottage, Albus had cast a disillusionment charm before they had left the castle. It was not a spell Minerva had used recently and so it felt slightly disorientating being completely invisible. For that reason, her arm was looped around Albus'.

When they reached the cottage, similarly to the couple of times she had visited the place since Finn's death, Minerva felt her heart clench slightly. The curtains were drawn and no smoke was coming out of the chimney. Sirius, who had arrived a day ago, had been true to his word; the cottage looked empty.

Albus made his way around the house and towards the back door and knocked very gently. A soft rustle could be heard within.

"It is Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall," Albus said.

The door opened a second later and Minerva and Albus entered.

"How is he?" asked Sirius immediately.

"Harry is quite well," Albus replied, causing Sirius to almost sigh with relief. Minerva nodded, though slightly distractedly. "His flying was spectacular."

Sirius beamed. "I thought it would be," he said proudly. "Just like James."

Albus nodded. "Have you found this house to be satisfactory?"

"Yes," he replied. "The previous owners left almost everything," he said. "Furniture, sheets, some tinned food and the like."

Albus glanced at Minerva but she looked away and walked towards the mantelpiece. It was empty now. She had taken all of the photos back to Hogwarts with her, letters and postcards as well. The armchairs kept in the living room were also gone, as were some of the rugs, some crockery, all of the books, and Elphinstone's ring. She still wore it, along with her own, attached to a silver chain around her neck. It had taken her many years to build up the strength to wear them again.

Sirius sat down on the small sofa with a sigh. "I wonder who lived here?" he mused. "It looks like whoever left this place could come back any minute."

Minerva turned. "You will be quite safe here," she said. "So long as you keep quiet. Though if anybody does hear anything, which is unlikely," she added quickly, "they will most likely think the cottage is being cleared out."

Albus nodded.

"By who?"

Minerva sighed. "Me," she said, catching Albus' eyes. It seemed useless to lie. "I lived here many years ago with my husband."

Sirius' eyes widened in a comical fashion and he looked at both Albus then Minerva. "You're married? I mean there were rumours but—"

Minerva rolled her eyes. "We are not married," she interrupted tersely. "Contrary to common belief," she muttered, and Albus caught her eye.

Indeed, Rita Skeeter had attempted on numerous occasions to write about Minerva and Albus' so-called relationship, much to Minerva's annoyance. And apparently, the fact that Albus was almost twice Minerva's age did nothing to deter people from creating false rumours. How old did people think she was, Minerva thought as she pursed her lips.

The news that Minerva had been married to someone other than Dumbledore made Sirius appear even more curious. Minerva however was in no mood to divulge any more details of her private life.

"Barty is expecting you this evening, Albus," she said. "I think we must think about leaving."

"I agree," Albus said.

Sirius got up. "Is there still no news on who put Harry's name in the cup?"

Minerva shook her head. "We are looking into it," she said. "But we do not know as of yet. Meanwhile," she sighed, "is there anything else that we can help you with?"

"A copy of the Daily Prophet every now and then would be nice," he admitted.

Minerva nodded. "That can be arranged," she said. "However, it would be best if we give them to you in person. I expect it would look suspicious if owls were seen coming to and from here."

"Is the floo network still connected, Minerva?" Dumbledore inquired thoughtfully.

"Oh," she said, "do you know it might well be. If I recall correctly, it only gets disconnected if you arrange it with the Ministry?"

Albus nodded. "Perhaps we can try this week. We can provide you with some floo powder," he added, turning to Sirius.

"Thank you," said Sirius.

Dumbledore bowed his head and Minerva waited for Albus by the back door. A small throbbing pain had settled in her chest and her throat was feeling as though it was clogged. Though she was not one to overtly show her emotions, Minerva knew that if she stayed here any longer, everything that she was feeling internally would soon become very obvious. One day, she thought to herself, she would be able to come in here without getting so upset.

"Ready, my dear?" said Albus, coming to stand beside her.

Minerva mentally shook herself, attempting to rid herself of images of Elphinstone, and nodded. Together they tapped their heads with their wands and instantly became invisible. As Minerva stepped out of the cottage she felt Albus' hand slip into hers.