So for some reason, this didn't upload properly... Not sure why but I hope it's working now

20 September 1992

Minerva was sitting on a stool in the Herbology greenhouse, watching as Pomona repotted some venomous tentacula. Feeling ill to the stomach, she looked away and slipped off the stool.

"I best be going-"

"No!"

Perplexed Minerva looked questioningly at her friend who had reached out and grabbed her arm to stop her.

"What's wrong"

"I—I need back up," Pomona replied desperately. "Please stay, just for 2 more minutes."

"Why? Pomona?"

"Gilderoy's been down to see Hagrid and I know he's bound to come in here afterwards," she said. "I swear Minerva if he tells me one more time that the students and I would benefit if he led a few classes I will hex him into next week."

"I think you will be doing all of us a favour..." Minerva muttered under her breath before clearing her throat. "I doubt my presence will change anything, dear," she said truthfully. "In fact, I think he has irritated me quite enough since September that I might even join in with your-erm-plan."

Pomona laughed. "You're Deputy Headmistress you can't say such things."

Minerva shrugged innocently but there was an amused look in her eye. "I think you are confused, Pomona," she said. "I did not say anything."

"Of course not," Pomona smirked. She put her trowel down and moved the venomous tentacula to a safer spot in the corner of the greenhouse. "I would be eternally grateful if Albus lifted some spells and allowed us to disapparate inside the castle. The second I saw any lilac I could just pst," she clicked her fingers imitating disapparation, "and be corridors away in a matter of seconds."

"I think that is what we all desire at the moment," Minerva said, smiling slightly now. She waited for Pomona to lock the greenhouses then they made their way up the hill - clear from students who were all in their respective classes.

"How is Grace finding her first term?" Minerva asked after a while.

"Wouldn't we all like to know," Pomona sighed, rolling her eyes. "From what I can tell she seems absolutely fine. But that girl is avoiding me like the plague."

Minerva smiled but didn't say anything.

"She's determined to make sure that no one knows we're related."

"I'm sure that will pass," Minerva said. "Robert was quite the same when he discovered I would be teaching his year; the epitome of embarrassment apparently if your older sister is your teacher."

Pomona chuckled. "Seems it goes the same way with parents too."

"Yes, well, he did get over it eventually," Minerva continued. "As I'm sure Grace will too. After all, I only taught Robert for a year and it took him barely a month to accept things."

"Grace will give you a run for your money," Pomona informed her. "She can be very stubborn."

"More than a McGonagall?"

"You would be surprised."

Minerva smiled slightly as they ascended the steps to the castle and stopped in the Entrance Hall.

Pomona took a deep breath in as she looked around the empty hallways. "Right then, off into hiding I go," she said tiredly, "Any advice for me?"

"I suggest you work in the library," Minerva told her. "I believe Irma's rule of no talking will provide ample protection. I have found it to be quite effective."

"And why is it that you didn't tell me this sooner?"

Minerva shrugged nonchalantly, although she was suppressing a smile. "I would rather this fact not become common knowledge or else I will never find a good place to work."

"So much for staffrooms and offices," Pomona joked before straightening and miming zipping her lips together. "I promise, my lips are sealed."

Minerva nodded once. "Then I shall see you this afternoon, dear," she said, just as the bell rang and a wave of students entered the hallway. "Weasley those are forbidden items!"

Minerva heard Pomona snort as she left for the library; trying to get as much mud off her clothes so as to avoid being told off by Irma. Meanwhile, Minerva spent the next few minutes extracting the multiple dungbombs George Weasley had inexpertly tried to conceal from her in his robes. 5 minutes and 10 dungbombs later, she finally made her way to her lesson taking the long way round so as to avoid crossing Guilderoy sporting his favourite lilac robes and usual toothy grin.