Sorry for the late post - I was considering re-writing this chapter but thought against it at the last minute. Anyway, I hope you enjoy it. I promise that there will only be a few more chapters until September and all the students come back to Hogwarts.


18 July 1996

Minerva pursed her lips and folded her hands on her lap. She had found the process quite uncomfortable, to say the least, yet she knew that it had to be done. She only wished that she could have kept some of the information from Albus since, as well as being the headmaster, he was also her friend. Minerva did not wish to worry him, nor did she quite like the idea of having such personal information shared with someone she was close to. For some reason, it felt worse having Albus read this document as opposed to a complete stranger.

Albus placed his hands beneath his bearded chin and the movement made Minerva look up at him again.

"I believe everything is present and correct, Minerva," he said. He tried to catch her eye, but Minerva looked away. In the end, he sighed and shuffled the documents. "The only recommendation is that you alert us if there are any changes."

Minerva resisted the urge to tut. Instead, she nodded and smoothed down her robes to give her hands something to do. "I understand," she said. "Is that all?"

There was a brief pause before Albus finally spoke. "Yes, unless there is anything you wish to add?"

Minerva shook her head, then got up. "I don't believe there is. Thank you, Albus," she said courteously. "I shall see you at dinner."

Albus nodded and Minerva left the room. As she stepped out from behind the gargoyle, she spotted Pomona from across the corridor. It looked as though she had been waiting for her.

"How did it go?" Pomona said, hurrying to catch up and fall into step with Minerva. "Was everything fine? Were you signed-off? Were—"

"Yes, yes," Minerva said stemming Pomona's flow of questions. "Apparently I am fit enough to teach in September."

Pomona let out a breath looking visibly relieved. "Well, of course you are," she said, looping arms with her friend and smiling. "I knew everything would be fine."

Minerva raised her eyebrows slightly and gave Pomona a sidewise glance. "Yes, you anxiously waiting outside the Headmaster's office for me really shows that," she said with a hint of sarcasm.

Pomona rolled her eyes. "Don't be difficult, Minerva," she said, though she gave Minerva's arm an affectionate squeeze. "You know that it is only routine procedure."

"I know, but it does not mean that I need to welcome it with open arms."

"And no one asked you to," Pomona said. "You are silly sometimes," she added. "But I am glad that that is all over now, as I am sure Dumbledore is."

"I would not be so sure," Minerva murmured.

"What do you mean?"

Minerva did not answer immediately. Recently, she had noticed the increased worried looks Albus had been giving her - mostly when he thought she was not looking.

As though knowing exactly what was going through Minerva's mind, Pomona pursed her lips. "It is only because he cares about you, dear. His concern is not completely unfounded."

"What does that mean?"

"It means something big happened to you a few weeks ago, and your friend wants to make sure that you are all right," Pomona said, refusing to back down.

"I am fine. And unlike Albus, I actually have a letter to prove it," Minerva said irritably, waving the Healer's letter in her hand.

Pomona gave her friend a look. "You don't make it easy for people to show their concern, you know?"

Minerva pursed her lips. "I don't mind concern," she said. "Only excessive concern." She deflated slightly. "But I appreciate what you are saying, and will take that on board."

Pomona attempted to conceal her smile, though did not quite manage it. "Good. And now that that is all sorted, will you be so kind as to finally come for lunch this friday?"

This time it was Minerva's turn to smile slightly. "If I recall correctly, I do not have anything planned for this Friday."

"At last," Pomona teased. "No excuses this time," she added warningly.

"I do not count a planned appointment at the Ministry as an excuse," Minerva corrected, referring to the last time she had had to turn down Pomona's invitation. "But I promise to keep this coming Friday absolutely and completely free."

The two witches stopped outside the staffroom - their final destination.

Pomona smiled and kissed Minerva on the cheek. "I appreciate you making time for an old friend in your busy schedule."

"Always, dear," Minerva replied, finally allowing a reluctant but genuine smile.