Odd (and very short) chapter I know! But I would still love to know what you think :)

And again, sorry for the late update (work has been crazy!). I promise that the next chapter will be longer :)


28 July 1997

"Minerva Isobel McGonagall."

Minerva stepped forward to the white desk behind which sat a Ministry worker; an old and wizened man that Minerva still remembered from her time at the Ministry. He eyed her warily.

"Wand."

Minerva produced her wand and the man, Gerald Humphrey she now recalled, took it from her. With a deep frown, he inspected the wand closely - tip-to-tip. Then, abruptly, he slammed it onto the table.

"9 1/2. Fir. Dragon heartstring."

"That is correct," Minerva agreed.

"Go through the last door on your right," he said, indicating a dark wooden door behind him. "Next!"

Minerva pocketed her wand and made her way to the aforementioned door. It swung open before she had time to knock, and swung shut as soon as she entered the room.

"Name?"

"Minerva McGonagall."

Corban Yaxley glanced up. "Ah, Professor McGonagall. How kind of you to make the visit."

Minerva did not think kindness played any role in her being at the Ministry that afternoon. She pursed her lips and folded her hands in front of her body so that they were resting on her pocket where her wand was currently tucked away.

"Will this take long, Mr Yaxley?" she asked.

He smiled though his eyes flashed dangerously. "Not if you have anything to hide, Minerva. Do please take a seat."

Minerva sat down on the stiff wooden chair opposite Corban's desk. He had some papers in front of him. The topmost paper had a photograph stuck on the pages - it was of Minerva when she had first started at the Ministry. ID cards had not been compulsory throughout the Ministry, though they had been in Minerva's department. The photograph in front of Yaxley had been taken in 1952 - more than 40 years ago now.

"A new photograph will need to be taken for your ID card," Yaxley said. "I am afraid Hogwarts staff are not exempt from wearing their ID cards at all times."

Minerva did not say anything. It had not been a shock to her, or any of the Hogwarts staff for that matter, that Pius Thickness was requesting all Hogwarts staff to be vetted. All Ministry workers needed to have ID cards now. Because Hogwarts was controlled by the state too, this new rule of ID cards had been extended to Hogwarts professors.

Filius had received his last week and it had proved quite difficult due to the nature of his heritage. Minerva herself had been concerned about her appointment this week given the fact that she had received a letter from the Muggle-Born Registration Commission. Poppy too. But they were both half-bloods and the Ministry would have this information. If anything, Minerva believed the letters were just Dolores' way of demonstrating the power she now had over Hogwarts and Hogwarts staff.

"Tell me about your parents, Minerva."

Minerva pursed her lips slightly. Yaxley looked up expectantly.

"My mother, Isobel Ross, was a witch," she said. "My father was a muggle."

"And they are both deceased?"

"Yes."

Yaxley scribbled something down on his parchment. "As you know the Muggle-Born Registration Commission was involved when checking your parentage," he said. "I can happily inform you now that no discrepancies between what you have said and what the Commission uncovered have been found."

"I am glad," Minerva replied stiffly.

"Perhaps it would be worth being grateful as well," Yaxley added. "Dolores Umbridge was keen to point out that your mother shunned the wizarding community and favoured muggles instead. It led to a bit of a conundrum, I must say. Fortunately, or unfortunately, we could not find someone qualified enough to take on the position as Transfiguration Professor."

"I will take that as a compliment," Minerva said.

He narrowed his eyes at her. "You were close to Albus Dumbledore, were you not?"

"I was."

"You shared his views."

"He had many, Mr Yaxley," Minerva said. She folded her hands on her lap and straightened in her seat. "In all honesty, I do not quite understand where you are getting to. Is this necessary information for an ID card?"

Yaxley scowled and finished scribbling a few notes down. Then, he waved his wand and a piece of purple card appeared. "Your ID."

Minerva took it.

"Your photograph will be taken next door."

Minerva stood without thanking him. She had almost reached the door and escaped the small office when Corban cleared his throat.

"Be in no doubt, Minerva, that Hogwarts will be carefully monitored from here on now. Those who do not comply with the rules will have to be dealt with."

"I see."

"Those who do not hold our views will also need to be dealt with," he added significantly. "I hope Dumbledore's beliefs did not rub off on you. Or any of your colleagues for that matter."

"You need not fear," Minerva replied. Without a further word, she left the room.