Almost forgot to upload! I'm so sorry the update is so late in the day

17 April 1996

Minerva pushed open the door to the Hog's Head and walked briskly to the bar.

"Bad day?" grunted Aberforth. He was washing a glass with a dirty cloth and supervising the pub which unusually was quite full. Fortunately for her, Minerva thought, as she would be able to move about unnoticed.

"You could say that," she replied, pursing her lips slightly. She then raised her eyebrows and gave Aberforth a look over her rectangular glasses, trying to silently communicate with Aberforth her thoughts. He seemed to cotton on, and Minerva almost sighed with relief knowing that her theories were now confirmed.

"Downstairs," he told her. "Go round the back and knock 5 times."

Minerva nodded her thanks and left the pub quickly. It had been a risk leaving Hogwarts - she had left Filius in charge during her absence. Poppy was tending to Marietta, Dolores was still trying to get into her new office, and Minerva had asked the Fat Lady to keep an eye on Potter.

After checking on Sybill, Minerva had then used the excuse of visiting her niece in Hogsmeade when Dolores had stopped her in the corridors. Though this was not exactly a lie, indeed Minerva had briefly gone to visit her niece who had moved into her cottage in Hogsmeade just last week, Minerva had also been intent on visiting the Hog's Head. She had not had any contact with Albus since he had been forced to depart the previous evening. And, although he had told her that he was not going to Grimmauld place, Minerva was also aware that he would need to have a base. Who better to ask for help than his own brother?

Minerva exited the pub and, to make sure that no one saw her enter the basement, she transformed into her animagus form and made her way to the back of the pub as Aberfroth had instructed. Once she had gone down the stairs and was well and truly out of sight, she transformed again and knocked five times on the door. There came a creak and shuffle from behind the door. Then, after several more minutes, it opened.

Minerva entered quickly. "You took your time," she said, giving Albus a look over her glasses.

"How—"

"This seemed the likeliest place you would go if Grimmauld Place was not an option," she cut in gently.

"That was good thinking," he said.

"Yes, well," she began tiredly, "it has been known to happen," she added, causing Albus to smile slightly.

There was a slight pause, and Minerva took the opportunity to take in her surroundings. The room was quite small. Minerva had been in here a few times since it was where Order meetings during the First Wizarding war had taken place. A door at the back on the left led to a small bedroom, and a small door at the back on the right led to an even smaller bathroom.

Currently, Minerva and Albus were standing in the makeshift living room. There was a chair and a table while the rest of the room was consumed by boxes Aberforth had no doubt placed in the basement to economise on space upstairs. A storeroom essentially, with the added benefit of having access to a cramped bathroom and a bedroom.

"The gargoyles will not allow Dolores access to your office," Minerva commented mildly, turning her attention back to Albus. "I am afraid she is in quite a mood and I believe has no resorted to remaining in her own office in the meantime. A pity she was not locked out of her own office either."

"I see Cornelius has instated Dolores as Headmistress, then?"

Minerva nodded. "That is correct," she said, pursing her lips afterwards. "Temporarily," she added. "Until you return."

"And the students?" he asked.

Minerva sighed. "Detention for the lot of them," she said. "It could have been worse if you had not taken the fall for Potter. I believe Dolores and Cornelius have quite forgotten about Potter. They are still reeling over the fact that they have managed to get you to step down."

"Quite a success for them," Albus remarked mildly.

"A short-term success," Minerva corrected firmly. "Dolores has been interrogating Severus and I about your whereabouts," she added.

"What have you said?"

"That I haven't the faintest notion as to where you have gone," Minerva replied. "She cannot argue much with that either," she added, "seeing as she still believes that you knocked all of us out before you left."

Albus nodded. "Yes, thank you for reacting so quickly, my dear," he added. "No one was hurt?"

"Potter and Edgecombe were fine," Minerva said. "I had enough time to put up a shield charm to protect them from most of the blast."

Albus nodded again, seemingly grateful. "Thank you," he repeated sincerely.

They were silent for a moment, Minerva watching Albus carefully. Finally, she sighed and folded her arms.

"What will happen now?" she asked quietly.

"There are only a few more months until the end of the year," Albus began thoughtfully. "I will continue my research for now."

"And that research being what, exactly?" Minerva asked, narrowing her eyes.

He looked up at her, and Minerva knew then that he was not going to answer her question.

"Fine," she said quietly, looking away from him briefly. "Would you like me to keep you updated?"

"If you could, Minerva."

Minerva nodded, finally looking back at him. "I will come next week," she said. "I can tell Severus too if you like?"

Albus shook his head. "There is no need," he said softly. "But I would like you to remind him to continue Harry's occlumency lessons. I believe it is vital that these lessons should resume. Could you do that for me, my dear?"

"Of course," Minerva answered. She paused, wanting to stay for longer but knowing, too, that she had several meetings she could not miss that afternoon. "I must return to the castle," she said after a moment. "I can come at the same time next Saturday?"

Albus nodded. "I will see you then, my dear," he said, smiling slightly.

Minerva returned it, though it was only a weak smile. Her brow was still creased with a worried frown. "Be careful, Albus," she said. "With whatever it is that you are doing."

"I promise," he replied.

Minerva nodded one last time before opening the door and leaving Albus alone in Aberforth's basement.