8 October 1995

"They were speaking to someone in the fire, Minerva!"

Minerva let out an irritated breath, "Preposterous," she retorted, though not before she caught Albus' eye. For the last ten minutes, she and Dolores had been engaged in a heated discussion about the possibility of Granger, Potter and Weasley using the floo network in the Gryffindor Common Room to speak to Sirius Black. They were standing in Albus' office, seeing as Dolores had been adamant that this was a matter to take up with the Headmaster.

Minerva knew that Potter, Granger and Weasley had been speaking to Sirius. Mainly because Sirius had told Molly what had occurred in the fireplace, and Molly had then relayed this information to Minerva. Albus had not formally been told yet, however, Minerva knew that he was also aware of this night's most recent events.

Albus cleared his throat, "Dolores—"

"Potter was speaking to someone in the fire," Dolores interrupted firmly. "A student is not permitted to use the floo network while at school."

Minerva folded her arms. "How can you be sure that it was Potter, Dolores?" she said. "Did you manage to see him in the common room while you were rooting around the fireplace?"

"No—"

"Then, you have no possible reason to report this incident to the Minister," Minerva interrupted. "Much less to accuse Potter of speaking to a criminal!"

Umbridge's face had gone tomato red during this short interaction. Her fists were clenched and her lips were pursed angrily. "I know what I saw, Headmaster," she replied, turning resolutely away from Minerva and towards Albus.

"But you did not see anything, Dolores!"

"Minerva," Albus said firmly, stopping the argument in its tracks. He gave her a warning look and Minerva bit back her tongue. Though she folded her arms crossly. "Perhaps see that all the Gryffindors are in bed?" he said. "I will meet you later to speak about security measures — if Sirius Black was indeed in the castle tonight then the safety of the students should be our priority."

He paused and gave Minerva a significant look until finally, she swallowed.

"Of course," she said, finding it difficult to master her temper. And with that last word, she turned sharply on her heel and left Albus' office.

Minerva opened the door to her private quarters to find Albus standing on the other side. While she had already changed into her nightdress, Albus was still wearing his robes. Evidently, he had only just finished speaking to Dolores and had come straight to see Minerva afterwards.

"I have a good mind to go to Grimmauld Place and speak to Sirius myself," she said before Albus had the time to say anything. She then sighed and stepped to one side to allow him in. "What did Dolores say?"

"Nothing that you did not already hear," he replied, entering the small circular room.

Minerva nodded gently as she took a seat and folded her arms across her middle. Albus followed her lead.

"That must never happen again," she said seriously. "That is the third time Sirius has put himself at risk. First at the train station, then by sending letters to Potter, and now this."

"Letters?"

Minerva's features darkened — she had forgotten that she had not yet had the time to share the troubling information about Hedwig with Albus yet. She sighed. "Potter sent a letter to Sirius," she informed Albus tiredly. "Sirius replied and the owl was intercepted on the way back — Dolores checking the mail no doubt," she added. "I don't think I have received a single letter this month that hasn't been crudely ripped open before it's reached me."

"I see," Albus said thoughtfully.

"I tried telling Potter, but he seems to disregard everything I say," she added. Her last words came across as frustrated, which upset her. Of course, she could not imagine what Potter was experiencing at the moment. It also made sense that he wanted to speak to Sirius and keep communication consistent. But Minerva also felt that now the teachers were battling so many different fronts at once.

First, they had to continue with their teaching duties which involved lesson planning, teaching, marking, and keeping an eye out constantly for either misbehaving students, upset students, or struggling students. Then, both Minerva and Albus also had the added responsibilities of being Deputy Headmistress and Headmaster respectively. Not to mention their additional responsibilities and dedication to the Order of the Pheonix duties which took up a lot of their time

Added with the fact that Dolores was now at the school, threatening to exclude students and Professors alike... Minerva sighed and took a deep breath. It was exhausting. She could not remember the last time she had felt relaxed or had allowed herself to take a break. As it was, she had not been able to have even an hour to herself, let alone an evening or a weekend. Indeed, she had not even managed to see her family since September.

And now there was this — Sirius nearly being caught, and Potter and some other students attempting to create a banned defence against the dark arts club.

Minerva straightened slightly. "Do you think Dolores knows about this group Potter, Granger and Weasley are creating?" she said quietly.

Albus sighed. "Potentially," he admitted. "Will you keep an eye on them?"

Minerva looked up and caught his eye, only realising once she had, that this was a serious question. "Of course," she told him, before pausing slightly. "But should we even allow them to continue? Given the risks?"

"I doubt anything we could do will stop them, Minerva," Albus replied. "Though I have been made aware that Molly Weasley is trying her very best to discourage her children. If they do choose the Hog's Head, Aberforth may be able to suggest one of the back rooms."

"You mean the one we used for Order meetings the first time around?" Minerva asked, to which Albus nodded. Minerva bit her lip nervously, visibly torn. On the one hand, she was proud that her students were trying to find a way to get some proper practice using defensive spells despite the new restrictive decrees Dolores seemed to be writing up daily. On the other hand, Minerva could not help but agree with Molly Weasley. "I fear this could end badly, Albus," she admitted.

Albus nodded. "I understand," he said.

Minerva massaged her forehead lightly with her fingertips. "Even if we forget about Dolores, practising jinxes and countercurses unsupervised could have serious consequences."

"Madam Pomfrey is highly trained."

Minerva pursed her lips. "Is that you telling me that they are bound to injure themselves? That does not fill me with a lot of confidence, Albus," she informed him bluntly. She then sighed and rubbed her eyes. "What a mess," she murmured, more to herself than to Albus.

"If only Filius had taken up Gilderoy's Dueling Club," he said after a moment.

Minerva smiled despite herself. "Be serious, Dumbledore," she said. "That was probably one of the most ironic of societies. Dolores would most likely have discontinued it anyway."

"Hm," Albus said, looking at her thoughtfully. After a few minutes, however, he stood up. "I must inform Severus about this evening's events," he added. "Then I must speak to Sirius."

Instead of staying in her seated position, Minerva stood up too. She walked with Albus to the door. "Are you sure you do not want me to speak with Severus?" she asked him. "If you are talking to Sirius—"

"I am sure, my dear," Albus cut in gently. "I was planning on having a word with Severus anyway," he added before stepping out into the corridor. "Goodnight, Minerva."

Minerva nodded, though her brow was still creased worriedly. "Goodnight, Albus."