We're getting dangerously close to THE chapter with Umbridge and McGonagall and Hagrid... But until then I hope you enjoy this chapter :) Also, this did actually happen on Monday 6 of May (in the Harry Potter universe) - the book says Harry's meeting was the first Monday of May in 1996. I looked up which Monday that was and it turned out to be the 6th - just a little tidbit of information :)

6 May 1996

"You are raving," Minerva said, giving Dolores a disdainful look before turning her attention back to Potter. "Potter, that concludes our career consultation," she told him briskly.

The boy did not need to be told twice. He hurriedly picked up his bag and almost skidded out of the room, looking purposefully away from Dolores whose face had become redder and redder.

"I suppose you think you can get away with this, being Dumbledore's right-hand woman?" Dolores hissed before the door to Minerva's office had properly closed.

"I rather think giving Potter the appropriate information regarding his career choice is my job," Minerva snapped.

"You and Albus Dumbledore believing that you can do anything," Dolores continued, completely ignoring Minerva now. "You know where he is!"

"I most certainly do not," Minerva replied crisply.

"You know you can be charged for harbouring a criminal?" Dolores said.

Minerva scoffed and began to pick up her books and papers. "Where exactly would I harbour a criminal, Dolores? In my store-cupboard?" She tutted and made a move to leave the room. "I have never heard such nonsense."

Dolores stepped in front of the door and blocked Minerva's path.

"Kindly step aside, Dolores," Minerva warned the shorter witch.

"You ought to be more careful, Minerva," Dolores told her. "I have told Cornelius of your troublesome behaviour—"

"I should be the least of the Minister's worries," Minerva interrupted brusquely. "Frankly, it continues to astound me that your primary concern as Senior Undersecretary to the Minister is Hogwarts staff and the career choice of a 15-year-old boy. Now, do please step aside or I will be late for my next lesson."

Dolores, still breathing heavily, swallowed. "You won't get away with this, Minerva," she said in a dangerously quiet voice.

Minerva raised an eyebrow. "Teaching?"

"Flouting authority," Dolores corrected through clenched teeth. "And flouting the rules."

Minerva pursed her lips. "The only rule I will be flouting, if you do not move aside, is your rule for being on time to lessons," Minerva said, leaning past Dolores and opening her office door. "That I believe you will be breaking if you do not leave my office forthwith." She pursed her lip tightly and indicated for Dolores to leave. "I shall see you at dinner, Dolores."

Reluctantly, and still breathing heavily, Dolores gave one last angry look in Minerva's direction, before leaving the office.

Minerva locked her office door, then left to teach her 6th year class — a little terser with them than usual.

"Knock knock?"

Minerva jerked awake to see Pomona enter her office. Realising that she had fallen asleep while marking, Minerva groaned and rubbed her eyes.

Pomona winced. "Oh dear," she said, coming to sit down. "Any use telling you to go to bed?"

"I really wish I could," Minerva told her, finally straightening and beginning to shuffle and reorganise some papers so that she could resume her marking. She was not in the mood to continue marking, however.

Not only had today involved a rather heated discussion with Dolores during the careers meeting, but it had also involved another heated argument with her following Fred and George's dramatic departure.

Minerva was still not quite sure how to react to that last event. It had been quite a spectacle, to say the least. Not that it really surprised her; indeed Fred and George always leaned towards the dramatic side. Nevertheless, she could not help but feel slightly upset that they had disappeared so suddenly. After all, they had been halfway through their NEWT studies, and neither had been performing badly. With only three and a half more terms, they would have been able to graduate from Hogwarts with both their OWL and NEWT qualifications.

Needless to say, this did not appear to be something that was likely to happen now. Even if they did want to return, of which Minerva was doubtful, Dolores was the one with the power to re-admit them, and Minerva was fairly certain that Dolores would never do such a thing.

"What time is it?" she asked Pomona.

"Almost midnight," Pomona replied quietly. She paused for a moment. "What is it that you have left to do?"

Minerva sighed tiredly. "Just some marking," she replied. "Then I need to arrange for Fred and George Weasley to sign some documents," she added, "and then I must speak to Severus."

"Well," Pomona began, "I can't help you with Severus," she said. "Though I doubt he will be pleased to be disturbed at midnight anyway. I can help you sort out the documents those boys need to sign, however." Without waiting for Minerva's permission, Pomona leaned forwards and took some parchments away from Minerva's already sizeable pile. "Do they need to come to the school to sign them?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Minerva shook her head. "Normally yes," she admitted. "But I am sceptical that Dolores or Argus will allow them to step foot in this castle now," she added. "I think I will arrange to meet them in Hogsmeade or in London. They can sign the forms there."

"And then they are no longer students here?"

Minerva nodded, sighing again. "Indeed," she said, picking up her quill again.

"Must Molly and Arthur sign some forms too?"

Minerva shook her head again and shrugged mildly. "Fred and George are of age," she explained. "Though I am writing to Molly and Arthur anyway just to make them aware of the situation."

Pomona nodded, and looked briefly down at the documents Fred and George had to sign; Minerva had only half prepared them so far. She then looked up again after a minute. "Can you even do this without Dolores' permission?"

"Write a letter?" Minerva replied, only a little irritably. "I don't see any rules preventing me from doing so."

"I mean this is more a job for the Headteacher," Pomona explained, and this time Minerva really did tut.

"Dolores' main priority is giving out punishments wherever she can," she replied. "She has not been performing any of the other duties required of her by her new position at the school."

Pomona's eyes widened. "Have you been doing everything then?" she asked, more than a little shocked.

Minerva shrugged and looked away while she picked up her quill.

"So the exam timetabling, ordering of supplies, staff meetings..."

Minerva nodded, and Pomona trailed away.

"You should have said," Pomona said earnestly. "Minerva—"

"Pomona, there are some things that I cannot argue with Dolores about," Minerva cut in tiredly.

Pomona did not seem to be listening. "Have you even had a full night's sleep since Albus' departure? Have you even seen Malcolm since Christmas?"

Minerva felt her heart clench, however, she tried to push her emotions to one side. She had not, in fact, seen her brother or any of her nieces and nephews for several months. The work of managing the school was overwhelming enough. Coupled with her teaching duties, as well as visiting Albus, and continuing with Order meetings - Minerva was on the verge of complete exhaustion.

Pomona tutted before Minerva had the chance to reply. "You should have said," she repeated sternly; a tone she only adopted very infrequently. "Filius and I would have been only too happy to help," she added, before bending down over the documents in front of her. "Come on," she said. "If we work together we might be able to get to bed before 1."

"Pomona..." Minerva began tiredly, however, Pomona gave her a hard look.

"No arguing," said the older witch.

Minerva was silent for a moment, then pulled her next essay over and began to mark it. After a few minutes, however, she looked up at her friend working efficiently on the other side of the table. "Thank you, dear," Minerva said sincerely.

Pomona looked up briefly and smiled. "No thanks required," she replied.