Thanks so much for the lovely reviews! Absolutely swamped with work (uni and 3 jobs does that to you) but I'm definitely planning on continuing this story until the very end - we've come too far to end things now I think.

Anyway, would love to know what you think :)


9 September 1995

"Revolutionised the teaching of Defense Against the Dark Arts, my foot," Minerva said, folding her copy of the Daily Prophet and putting it on her desk.

She and Pomona had been sitting in her office for the past 15 minutes, trying their best to avoid Dolores at all costs. It felt similar to the time Gilderoy had been teaching. The only difference was that this time, they were not dealing with a simple buffoon with no influence.

"Sybill was in tears this morning," Pomona said, looking upset. "Her class is being inspected tomorrow, poor dear. Filius too."

"I believe she is going to inspect all of us, Pomona," Minerva said tiredly.

"Have you received a note?" Pomona asked worriedly.

Minerva nodded and pulled out a pink slip of parchment outlining the date and time of her inspection. Pomona took it and read the short message. As she reached the end of the page, she gasped and covered her mouth with her hand.

"Failure to meet requirements could lead to redundancy?" she repeated, pointing out the sentence. "No wonder Sybill is so worried. Does Dolores really have that much power?"

Minerva nodded as Pomona returned the pink slip. "It would appear so. Though it does seem as though Albus still has the final say," she added. "For now."

Pomona leaned back in her chair and looked into the flames of the crackling fire in the grate. "Are you worried?" she asked after a moment.

"I worry about a lot of things, Pomona," Minerva sighed. "However, I am not sure if I am worried about this particular problem," she added, nodding to the pink slip sitting innocently on the table. "As long as we follow the curriculum there is no justified way she can fire anyone. I doubt the Ministry want the added stress of finding new candidates to teach at Hogwarts. She cannot make all of us redundant."

"But she could still make some," Pomona pointed out.

Minerva sighed. "I suppose she could," she admitted tiredly just as the flames in her grate turned emerald green.

Minerva and Pomona looked at the fireplace in time to see none other than Dolores Umbridge step out of the flames.

"Professor Sprout, I was not expecting to see you here," Dolores said primly. "May you step outside while I speak to Professor McGonagall?"

Pomona frowned, looking surprised at Umbridge's sudden appearance. Before she was forced to reply and leave, Minerva sat up and cleared her throat.

"Excuse me, Dolores," she said, causing Dolores to turn her attention towards her, "and good evening, I might add. It never harms one to exchange a few pleasantries before getting down to business. Particularly, if said person enters someone's office without knocking." She gave Umbridge a pointed look over her spectacles, though smiled tightly afterwards. "You wanted to have a word?"

"That is right, Minerva," Dolores said sweetly though, like Minerva, her eyes were cold and hard. "A private word."

Minerva bowed her head slightly, before turning to Pomona. She did not have to say anything, however, because Pomona had already stood up.

"I'll see you tomorrow, dear," she said, smiling kindly at Minerva then turning to Dolores. "Goodnight, Dolores."

Umbridge nodded silently and Pomona left the room.

"Minerva."

"Dolores." Minerva folded her hands on her desk and waited patiently for Umbridge to begin.

"One of your Gryffindors has been causing a considerable amount of disquiet in my classroom and in the school as a whole."

"I am sorry to hear that, Dolores," Minerva replied.

"I am speaking of Mr Potter."

Minerva smiled tightly. "I thought you might be," she said. "But I seem to recall that he is serving detention with you?"

"He is," Dolores replied. "Though I do not believe that he is learning his lesson. His persistent desire to spread lies is growing quite tiresome, I must admit."

Minerva resisted the urge to take a deep steadying breath. Instead, she tried to appear mildly interested. "What would you like me to do about it, Dolores?"

"I would just like to remind you, Minerva, that there are consequences to actions such a these. If Potter cannot restrain himself then I will be forced to report his behaviour to the Minister."

Minerva suppressed a scoff. "Report to the Minister that a student shouted in class? I am sorry, Dolores, but I rather think the Minister has more important matters to attend to," she said. "But seeing as Mr Potter is in my house, and if you find that he is disrupting your classes, then I can have a word with him should this happen again."

Dolores pursed her lips.

"Is there anything else that I can help you with?" Minerva said before Umbridge could answer.

They held each others' gaze until Umbridge finally shook her head. "I believe that is all."

Minerva nodded. "Then I shall see you tomorrow morning," she said, getting up and packing her belongings. "Goodnight, Dolores. Feel free to use the door this time."