Oh my goodness I am so sorry! I forgot it was Wednesday today.

I suppose I did get the chapter in before midnight... Anyway, I hope you can forgive my tardiness and forgetfulness. I hope you enjoy the chapter too. Would love to know what you think :)

2 September 1995

Minerva felt her stomach plummet. So far, this morning had not gone how she had previously intended. She had started the day with some class preparation and getting through some admin. It was tedious work, but necessary, and Minerva had decided to complete her work in her office.

She had almost finished when her brother's head had suddenly popped into the fireplace. Malcolm did not usually call her while she was working, much less when she was in her office in the middle of the morning However, he knew her timetable well and, when urgent, he would surprise her in this way.

Initially, Minerva had thought that Malcolm was merely trying to escape the boredom of prescribed bed rest; indeed he was still recovering from Dragon Pox. When had begun to talk, however, she quickly realised that this was not an attempt at escapism, but actually an attempt to inform Minerva of recent happenings.

Minerva put her quill down and folded her arms on her desk as Malcolm proceeded to explain the situation at home.

"She does not regret it," he said, referring to his niece, Minerva, who had been fired from her job that morning.

"Was anybody else asked to leave?" Minerva asked.

Malcolm sighed and put his hand through his greying hair. "A few others, so I'm told. Almost everyone who has ties or is loyal to Dumbledore, basically. Min said it was like a massive purge within the Auror department," he added. "She raised the idea of attempting to locate active Death Eaters, a few others agreed and," he paused and shrugged, "they were told there were no active Death Eaters anymore. This raised a bit of a heated discussion surrounding Dumbledore's word, Harry Potter's testimony, and the return of You-Know-Who. Anyway, the next day and some, if not all, received letters telling them not to return to the office."

Minerva thought of Alastor, Nymphadora and Kinglsey. Had they managed to keep their loyalties secret and keep their jobs, she thought worriedly. She made a note to speak to Albus as soon as he returned from his meeting with Aberforth.

"What about—"

"Isobel is fine," Malcolm cut in gently, referring to his other niece who also worked at the Ministry. "But she is worried as well."

Minerva nodded slowly. "What will Minerva do now?"

Malcolm sighed and threw up his hands. "I don't know. Julian's salary as a librarian may not be enough to keep them both in London," he said. "They hinted that they might have to move out of their flat and back to Scotland. Maybe Caithness."

Minerva shook her head however before she could say anything, the sound of someone shouting outside her office made her look up.

Clearly having heard it too, Malcolm began to get up. "I'll let you get back to work," he said. "Take care of yourself, Minerva. We can speak more about it this weekend."

With a last wave, his head vanished from the flames which then slowly diminished in the grate. Minerva sat for a moment, still thinking about what had happened to her niece. Suddenly, another shout sounded again from outside and this time, Minerva tutted, stood briskly up from her desk, and abruptly opened the door to her office to find Potter standing in the corridor.

"What on earth are you shouting about, Potter," she snapped irritably. "Why aren't you in class?"

Minerva put her head in her hands as soon as Potter left her office. Although she understood the reason behind his outburst, Minerva could not help but feel slightly frustrated that this had occurred only on the second day of term. Further, that Potter did not seem to understand the precarious position that they were in.

"Am I interrupting something?" came a voice from the doorway. Minerva looked up to see Pomona come into her office. The Hufflepuff smiled cheerfully, a mood Minerva did not share, and settled herself down in a seat opposite Minerva's. "Who's been crying?" she asked, pointing at the open biscuit tin on the desk.

Minerva pursed her lips and closed the tin with an abrupt snap. "No one," she replied. "Potter has been given a detention by Dolores."

"On the second day of term?"

"It would appear so," Minerva said, breathing in deeply. "One every day this week because he shouted at her," she added, by way of explanation.

"And you rewarded him with biscuits?"

Minerva rolled her eyes. "It was not a reward," she replied tiredly, putting away the biscuits. "I merely empathise with his position," she added. "But realistically there is not much I can do for him apart from warning him not to lose his temper in this way again." Suddenly she sighed and put her head into her hands. "I don't think he digested a single word I said."

"He is only 15, Minerva," Pomona said gently. "He has been through a lot," she added, tilting her head slightly as Minerva pinched the bridge of her nose.

"I know. I know he has," Minerva said again before her shoulders sagged and she deflated slightly, leaning back into her chair. "But as much as I hate to say it, he cannot afford to act like a 15-year-old this year. The Ministry have been trying everything to get him expelled. If Dolores is here to stay for the year, and Potter continues to behave in this fashion, then he may face expulsion. I doubt Albus will be able to protect him a second time," she added, shaking her head.

"Minerva, Potter will have to do a great deal more than just shout in order to be expelled," Pomona said, pausing momentarily as she observed her friends tired countenance. "You need a break, dear," she stated abruptly. "Do you want to go out for dinner this evening?"

Minerva frowned. "I wouldn't want to intrude—"

"You say that every time, Minerva. I promise you, you won't be intruding on anything," Pomona cut in, rolling her eyes. "Albert is not home this evening so I am purely asking you for selfish reasons," she added, catching Minerva's eye and then smiling. "But even if Albert was home, he would not have minded you being there one bit," she said. "Now, I can meet you at the gates after your last class?"

She raised her eyebrows until Minerva finally nodded. "All right," she said.

Pomona smiled just as the bell rang. She stood up and picked up the flowerpots she had brought into the classroom. "See you later then, dear."

Minerva nodded and gave a half-wave as Pomona left the room for her next class in the Greenhouses.