Yay! Finally an update that is on time! I hope you enjoy this chapter. And, as always, thank you for the lovely reviews :)


22 April 1997

Minerva read the letter once more, before nodding and returning it to Katie Bell.

"This will not be difficult to arrange, Miss Bell," she informed her student. "I will speak with the Headmaster this weekend, and we can discuss your timetable and the possible delay of your exams. The Ministry will need to be contacted as well, but I am in no doubt that the conditions expressed by your Healers will be accepted."

"Thank you, Professor," Katie said quietly. She looked down at her feet and her knees began to bounce nervously.

Her whole demeanour was quite different to how she had behaved prior to the incident with the necklace. Ever since her return from St Mungo's earlier yesterday afternoon, Minerva had been keeping an eye on Bell. The girl seemed more subdued than usual. She appeared nervous and Minerva had to strain her ears to actually hear what it was that Katie was saying.

"I haven't managed to catch up on all the work I missed yet," Katie said.

Minerva wanted to sigh. "Miss Bell, I can assure you that that will be no trouble at all," she assured her. "I would be happy to arrange some additional classes in the afternoon or in the morning to review some of the materials that you missed. Professor Flitwick and Professor Sprout have told me that you were already ahead before you left, so you will not have much to catch up on. Defence Against the Dark Arts classes have largely been reviewing what you studied in your 6th year. The only subjects with a bit more content are Transfigurations and History of Magic."

Katie looked up.

"I would be more than happy to support your Transfigurations work and History of Magic," Minerva said, knowing full well that Professor Binns had somewhat of a reputation for being a little dull. Minerva could understand it in some ways, however, to her classmates' amusement when she was at school herself, Minerva had quite enjoyed History of Magic.

A whisker of a relieved smile flickered across Katie's face. "Thank you, Professor McGonagall," she said. "I really appreciate it."

"Miss Bell, we are your teachers. Offering any less support would be a dereliction of our duties," she said, causing Katie to smile properly this time. Minerva returned her own smile, which had a reputation among students of being a rare occurrence. "If there is anything else you need, then please do let us know. In the meantime, it is getting late and I am in no doubt that getting a good night's rest would be a sensible way to start the week."

Bell nodded and stood up. "Goodnight, Professor. And thank you again."

Minerva stood up too so that she might tidy her classroom before going to her office. "Goodnight, Miss Bell. I shall see you in the morning."

Katie Bell left, and Minerva bent over her desk to clear some parchments and blackboard markers. She used some chalk to write the next day's date on the board and then used her wand to turn out the lights. She would patrol the corridors with Severus, then she too would make her way to bed.

It had been a long day with a rather peculiar incident involving a student transfiguring his hand into a toad's leg. Though the student in question's friends had laughed, Minerva had been mildly impressed that the boy had managed to transfigure something - even if was his own arm rather than the rabbit's he was supposed to have been working on.


Minerva walked into her office and was barely surprised when she saw Albus sitting at her desk, already waiting for her. He turned in his chair, travelling cloak still draped over his shoulders and the tip of his nose still pink from the cold.

"Good evening, Albus," she said.

"You are not surprised to see me?"

Minerva shrugged and came round her desk to sit down in her customary chair. She folded her arms across her chest. "Severus told me that you were back and headed towards my office. Kind of you to let yourself in," she added. "Comfortable?"

"Your chairs could do with some additional padding," Albus replied. He caught her eye, and Minerva finally softened. "I am sorry, my dear. Scrimgeour was very keen to speak with me. It took longer than expected."

"No matter," Minerva said. "Though I would much prefer to hear it from your own mouth than from Severus'. What did the Minister want?"

"We were merely discussing the security of the school," he said. "There have been rumours..." he trailed away and bit his lip. "There have been rumours that someone may be trying to get to me, so to speak."

Minerva's forehead creased into a puzzled frown. "It is too late for riddles at this time of night, Albus," she said. "What do you mean 'get' to you?"

"Headmaster?"

Minerva and Albus turned to see Armando Dippet step into a portrait. The previous occupant looked somewhat disgruntled at having their space invaded.

"I have come to inform you that Mr Potter is waiting for you outside your office. He appears to be in quite a rush however, he has forgotten the password. Should he be let in? He mentions it is about a memory that he has managed to—"

"Yes, thank you, Armando," Albus said quickly, stopping Professor Dippet from saying anything further.

Albus looked at Minerva as though seeking her permission, or apologising for needing to leave.

Knowing full well that she ought to be suspicious, and perhaps if it had not been so late she would have narrowed her eyes shrewdly at him, instead, Minerva shrugged and waved her hands. It was something Albus could explain later on, she thought resignedly.

"Go, Albus," she said. "It may be important."

Albus stood up. "We can speak tomorrow, my dear?"

Minerva nodded distractedly. "I have some floo powder in the pot beside A criticism of Gamp's Law."

Albus raised his eyebrows at her.

"Yes, it is your book," she admitted. "I was intrigued and it was clear it had barely been touched on your shelf. I can understand why. Take it back, by all means."

Albus picked up the book and examined the cover briefly. "You do not approve of the theories suggested?"

"It was absolutely ridiculous," Minerva said, causing the corners of Albus' mouth to twitch upwards slightly. "It provided a criticism with no evidence to support the points made." She rolled her eyes. "But I can tell you all about it tomorrow, Albus. Potter is waiting for you. You might remind him that curfew is imminent."

"Of course, Minerva. Goodnight."

"Good night, Albus."