Thanks for the reviews :) Possibly there will be another update this week so do keep an eye out for another chapter.

Also, updates may not always be on Wednesdays going forward because I've just started my new summer job and work hours are irregular. Though I promise I will update at least once a week.

1 November 1994

"Albus I disagree with you completely on this matter," Minerva said sharply, as Albus appeared next to her.

It was early the next morning, and Minerva was currently returning some books to the library; she was not quite sure how Albus had known where to find her, yet he had managed to somehow.

"People have died participating in this tournament," Minerva continued, walking briskly to another aisle and slotting a book back into its rightful place.

Albus followed her. "We will keep a close eye on him, my dear."

Minerva couldn't help but scoff. "Are you sure there is no rule preventing us from doing that too?" she said in a clipped tone. Indeed, every suggestion she had made last night had been quickly shut down with the same excuse of it being 'against the rules'.

Minerva could not help but wonder what Ludo and Barty's reactions would be if everything turned sour later on. Would these so-called regulations be changed for future tournaments? Or would there be any future tournaments, Minerva thought.

Pursing her lips at this last thought, she turned resolutely away from Albus again and walked the length of the aisle to return her third book. Persistent, Albus followed her.

He put his hand out and rested it lightly on her forearm. "Minerva, I hope you know that I share your sentiments entirely," he said softly. "But Bartemius and Ludo have been quite clear that we cannot do anything to stop Harry from participating in this Tournament."

Minerva sighed and lowered the last three books she still had yet to put away. "I know that. But, Albus, someone put Potter's name in there with the specific intention of making him participate in this frankly outrageously dangerous tournament," she told him, reminded herself to lower her voice in case Irma came to swooping in to kick them out of her library. "By letting things proceed without any sort of intervention or change, is ensuring that whoever put Potter's name in the cup gets exactly what they want."

Albus frowned. "You heard Ludo yesterday evening, my dear—"

"I know," Minerva said. "I was there, I remember what I said, and I remember what he replied to my suggestions," she added. "But I would not have called that discussion much of a meeting, Albus. I came up with an idea in the space of five minutes. I am sure if Ludo wanted to, we would be able to put our heads together and find a loophole in the rules, and a solution to this mess."

Albus did not say anything, and Minerva knew that he could not fault her argument. Some part of him was interested to see how matters would unfold, just as Severus was, and Ludo - though admittedly for different reasons. And, even though Minerva was curious, she was also sure that answers could be found to these puzzling questions without having to put a student's life at risk.

Minerva pursed her lips again and walked down the aisle to return another one of her books. Men, she thought distastefully. She knew that she was being a little unfair, however, her briskness was masking a deep-seated fear and worry that something terrible was going to come of this Tournament. Partly, she needed to vent, and Albus just so happened to be the first person to encounter her that morning.

Minerva slotted the last books back into their rightful places, then turned to face Albus. "I can see that you will not be persuaded to rethink this matter," she said, folding her arms. "I assume our efforts must begin on deducing how Potter's name came to be in the goblet?"

Albus nodded, seemingly pleased that Minerva appeared to have calmed down a bit. "Indeed," he said quietly.

Minerva pursed her lips slightly. "Well, it could not have been a student," she said after a moment's thought. "No one under 17 could have fooled the age line."

"I agree."

They were both silent for a minute - each knowing exactly what the other was thinking. Finally, Minerva sighed.

"We're assuming whoever it was had bad intentions?" she said, voicing what they had both been thinking - or had thought yesterday evening.

Albus nodded.

"It could be anyone," Minerva said. "Hogwarts staff or staff from—

"Another school," Albus agreed with her. "Perhaps—"

Albus' sentence was punctuated by sudden angry footsteps and someone clearing their throat. Minerva already had an idea as to who was about to make an appearance.

"The library is not a place for long conversations," came Irma Pince's irritated voice.

Minerva gave Albus a dark look when Irma came marching around the corner and into their aisle - in Minerva's eyes, Albus was the one at fault here. Indeed, he had been the one who had followed her into the library. If he had not, Minerva would not have been engaged in a conversation in the library, and Irma would not have had any reason to be frustrated.

"My apologies, Irma," Minerva said, nodding respectfully to Madame Pince who seemed to soften slightly. Despite being slightly cantankerous, Irma had always been quite pleasant with Minerva who often frequented the library. The same could not be said about her relationship with Albus. Minerva knew that he had been sharply told off a few weeks ago for doodling on a copy of Transubstantial Transfigurations - clearly, absent-mindedness was not a trait Irma admired.

Seemingly somewhat satisfied with this response, the librarian nodded and walked away again. However, not before shooting them both a stern look before disappearing around the corner.

Albus winced. "I fear that has not done me any favours," he admitted.

"Honestly Albus, I think you have already reached the point of no return," Minerva told him. "First you were caught eating lemon drops in the library, then you drew on equation on the page of a Transfiguration book..." Minerva trailed away and gave Albus a look that roughly translated into 'need I really go on?'. "I doubt Irma will ever trust you again, whatever you do."

"I don't suppose we were disturbing anyone really?" he added thoughtfully. "It is too early in the morning for anyone else to be up."

Minerva tutted, and rolled her eyes. "I'm glad you kept that to yourself when Irma was here."

An amused look flickered in Albus' eyes, however, it was gone just as quickly as it had come. "Perhaps you will join me in my office so that we may resume our conversation?"

Minerva nodded, and together they left the library before they were kicked out.