Reviews would be much appreciated :) I hope everyone is all right
4 January 1995
"Scarf?" Minerva said as she entered the staffroom. Pomona, the only person in the room excluding Minerva, looked up and Minerva nodded at the crocheting needle and yarn sitting on her lap.
"Quilt, actually," she replied, showing Minerva the small patterned square she was busy making. "I have a few more squares at home," she added, as Minerva settled herself opposite her. "Then, when I have enough, I'll sew them all together to make a blanket." She smiled and resumed her work. "Busy day? I've hardly seen you since breakfast."
"I was in Hogsmeade meeting my niece this morning," Minerva said, carefully omitting the fact that she had also gone to provide Sirius Black with some food. She sighed and leaned back in her chair. "Then I sat at my desk for 6 hours trying to get through my work. How is Albert?"
"Enjoying himself apparently," Pomona said. "School trip to London, I'm actually quite jealous." Minerva smiled as did Pomona. "I think his class is off to see a play in the theatre this evening," she added. "Othello, I think."
"Oh, how exciting," Minerva said. "My father brought me to see Macbeth at the Globe theatre in London once. I think it was the first time I had ever been to England," she said, remembering how excited she had felt sitting on the train with her father and discussing Shakespeare with him. "It was quite an incredible experience."
"So I've heard," Pomona said. "I can't believe I've been married to an English teacher for almost 30 years and I've never once been taken to the theatre. Especially, an English teacher with a dying passion for Shakespeare and Webster."
Minerva smiled and leaned back in her chair, pulling out a copy of the Evening Prophet as she did so. For a moment, both witches were silent; Pomona happily making her granny squares, and Minerva reading the newspaper. The silence was punctuated, however, once Minerva reached Rita Skeeter's newest article. Minerva breathed in sharply causing Pomona to look up.
"What is it?"
Minerva sat up as her eyes continued to read the article, her disgust and anger growing more and more as she digested Skeeter's nasty accusations. Frowning, Pomona put down her crocheting and leaned over to read the article in the Prophet too.
"Oh, that is horrible," said the older witch, looking genuinely upset. She pointed out a sentence. "Campaign of intimidation... Maimed several pupils during a series of lessons," she quoted. "What happened with Buckbeak wasn't Hagrid's fault. And how could she know about his mother..."
"I don't know," Minerva said, pursing her lips and putting the newspaper down rather sharply. "She should not even have been on the grounds," she said. "Let alone interviewing students without permission from the Headmaster."
"Do you think Hagrid will have read this?" Pomona asked.
"Quite possibly," Minerva replied sadly. She frowned one last time at the newspaper before tutting and closing it irritatedly. "I will ask Severus to have a word with his students. Though, I suppose the damage has already been done."
Pomona sighed. "It looks like it, unfortunately," she said, beginning to get up. "What a horrid woman. It's surprising she still gets published."
"Is it?" Minerva said rather cynically.
Pomona shook her head. "Perhaps not," she admitted. "Though it should be," she added.
They both looked back at the article for several minutes - re-reading the article. Then, Pomona suddenly sighed and started to get up.
"Going home?" Minerva asked.
"I think I had best," Pomona nodded, picking up her belongings. "One of our neighbours fell down the stairs last week, poor dear. She lives on her own so I have been visiting her every evening and bringing her some food. She's probably wondering where I am."
Minerva nodded handed Pomona her coat. "See you tomorrow then, dear."
Pomona smiled, kissed Minerva on the cheek, then left the staffroom quickly. With a sigh, Minerva took her glasses off to give them a good clean with a small cloth from her pocket. She had barely had 5 minutes to herself all day. Perhaps she would eat quickly then go straight to bed, she thought as she put her spectacles back on.
She made a move to get up but stopped when green flames erupted in the fireplace.
"You're back," Minerva said, raising her eyebrows as Albus came into the room. She slowly sank back down into her chair, and Albus came to join her.
"I arrived 20 minutes ago," he replied. "I checked on Sirius before returning."
"How is he?" Minerva asked.
"He has decided to consider our suggestions," he said, referring to the idea that Sirius should relocate to Grimmauld Place as soon as possible. "In the meantime, it has been decided that we should no longer visit him for a while, in case it raises suspicions."
Minerva frowned. "I am glad he might heed our advice," she said. "But I will admit that this whole situation still worried me a great deal."
"I am inclined to agree, my dear," Albus sighed.
Minerva was silent for a moment. "Where were you this weekend?" she asked finally.
She turned to face him, half expecting him not to answer. He had been quite secretive about the reason as to why he had asked her to watch over the castle this weekend. She had asked him before, where it was he was intending on travelling to. He had never told her so she was quite sure he would not tell her now either.
Albus cleared his throat, and Minerva raised her eyebrows slightly at what came next. "I was doing some research."
"On what?" she prodded, pushing her luck.
"Voldemort," Albus said. "His whereabouts," he added.
Minerva pursed her lips slightly at the name. "And?"
"There has been some strange activity in Albania but also in England."
"So he has moved?"
Albus sighed. "It appears to be a possibility," he agreed tiredly. "I will not be leaving the castle again for the rest of term."
He caught her eye and Minerva swallowed. "You think there is almost certainly a spy inside Hogwarts then?"
"I am quite certain," he admitted.
Minerva nodded silently. "I don't understand why, though? What is their intention?"
Dumbledore shook his head, clearly as puzzled as she was. They sat in silence for a minute before Albus suddenly cleared his throat. "There are still a few days left before term starts," he said, causing Minerva to frown at the random comment.
"Hm?" she prodded.
"Go and spend some time with your family, my dear," he said. "This term and the next are going to be busy," he added. "I will take care of your duties whilst you are away."
"Are you sure it is a good time Albus?" Minerva asked hesitantly.
He nodded firmly and patted her hand. "Yes," he assured her. "Go now while it is still light" he added. "And do let me know once you have arrived safely."
Minerva nodded. "Thank you," she said sincerely.
He shook his head. "I should be thanking you, my dear," he said, "You have been an enormous support this year."
He smiled as they both stood up and he gave her a rare hug and kiss on the cheek.
"I will see you at the start of term," he said, before stepping into the grate and disappearing in a whoosh of green flames. Minerva watched as the embers died slowly. Then, shaking her head, she began to pack away her belongings and then made her way to her own quarters to get ready to leave.
