I hope everyone is doing well!

20 December 1984

"Off you go," said Minerva, shooing two of the four students out of her classroom. "If I see any of you do that again it will be more than a detention as punishment. Now, Miss Tonks—"

"Professor, I am so—"

Minerva held up her hand and stopped the Hufflepuff in her tracks. "If Professor Sprout were here, I would send you straight to her-"

"It was my idea, Professor."

"Mr Weasley, I do not like to be interrupted." Charlie Weasley stopped speaking and looked down at his feet. "As I was saying, if Professor Sprout were here I would be sending you straight to her. However, she is not and won't be back until after the holidays. So, Professor Snape will be the one handing out your punishment."

Tonks looked ashen-faced up at Professor McGonagall. "Professor can't you-."

"No, I cannot. I am not your head of house and Professor Snape was the one you were impersonating."

Charlie Weasley snorted, however, tried to turn it into a cough. "Sorry."

Before Minerva had the time to say anything, there was a knock at her door. "Enter."

Professor Snape came in. "Miss Tonks."

Tonks looked up at Minerva almost pleadingly. Feeling a twinge of guilt she watched the Hufflepuff drag her feet towards Snape. Before they slipped out of the room Minerva cleared her throat. "Christmas spirit, Severus."

Snape scowled and shut the door behind him with a bit more force than necessary. A whisker of a smile appeared on Charlie's face however disappeared very quickly when he noticed Minerva's eyes on him.

"I'm leaving to go home on Saturday, Professor," said the Gryffindor.

"I am aware of that, Mr Weasley. I think detention on Friday night will suffice."

"Detention for a small joke?"

Minerva peered down at him through her spectacles. "It was your idea was it not, Weasley?"

Charlie winced. "In a way… But what about your Christmas spirit, Professor?"

Minerva tutted. "Detention with Professor Dumbledore," she repeated, firmly. "I will not change my mind, Christmas or not. Now back to your dormitory, Weasley."

Charlie nodded. "Night, Professor."

"Goodnight, Mr Weasley," replied Minerva, shaking her head as the first year left her classroom. Then, noticing the time, she too began to pack her things and then left the classroom.

"Ah, Minerva. A bit late is it not?"

Minerva stepped into Dumbledore's office and closed the door behind her. "I just wanted to say goodbye before I left."

Dumbledore smiled. "How kind."

"And to tell you Charlie Weasley will have a detention tomorrow at 7 o'clock."

Dumbledore chuckled. "Yes, I heard what he did. Quite amusing."

"Well, don't let Severus hear you say that," Minerva told him. "I wouldn't admit it in front of the students however I am quite impressed with Nymphadora's metamorphic powers."

"Yes, I heard she did a good job of becoming Severus."

Minerva bit back a smile. "We shouldn't laugh," she said, trying to remain serious. "Anyway, I also wanted to say that I have told Weasley you will be supervising his detention."

Dumbledore raised his eyebrows and Minerva looked at him apologetically. "Sorry," she added.

Dumbledore shook his head. "I suppose I deserve that after all, I have asked of you over the years," he admitted.

This time it was Minerva's turn to be surprised. She cupped her ear with her hand and leaned forward. "Did I hear that correctly, Albus Dumbledore?"

Albus smiled. "Merry Christmas, Minerva. Give my regards to Elphinstone and the rest of the family."

"Will do," she said, getting up. "Happy Christmas, Albus." She started to make her way to the door but Dumbledore called her back.

"Use the floo powder," he said, gesturing at his fireplace. "It'll save you some time."

"Oh, thank you." Minerva took the floo powder pot down from its place on the mantelpiece, stepped into the fireplace and vanished into the green flames.

"You're a bit late."

Minerva put her books, hat and cloak down. "Evening to you too, Mr Urquat," she said.

Elphinstone put his newspaper down and smiled. "Happy to be on holiday?"

Minerva gave him a kiss. "Yes."

"Right, I'll go and warm up your dinner." Elphinstone got up a little stiffly and went into the kitchen whilst Minerva went to hang up her cloak and scarf. "Would you like some bread with your soup?"

"Yes please," called Minerva from the hallway.