Argh I'm not too sure about this one... Thought we haven't seen much of Minerva and Albus doing magic together. And according to wiki this is actually what the Headteacher has to do with their portrait so I thought maybe this would be a fun idea to explore? Anyway, let me kow what you think?

30 June 1996

Minerva folded her hands on her lap and watch as Albus flicked his wand. She smiled and cocked her head as a gold frame appeared around the painting. "Not silver?"

Albus tipped his head too and looked at the framed painting. "I thought this went better with the wall," he said finally. He looked at her and raised an eyebrow.

"Mm... Maybe," she said thoughtfully. She caught his eye and smiled. "Just plain or..."

He shrugged and nodded at her, giving her permission to have a go. Minerva straightened in her seat and thought for a moment. Finally, with a clear image in her mind of what she wanted to produce, she cleared her throat and gave her wand a sharp flick. Carvings of what looked like small ridges, or petals, decorated the edges of the frame.

"Hm," he said pleasantly. He tapped the frame again to make it gold gilded and even more ornate than before.

Minerva laughed. "Suits you," she said.

He smiled and moved the painting. As he did, the cover draped over the picture began to slip off.

"Oh no!" Minerva said quickly. She clicked her fingers in a hurried fashion, and the cloth resettled itself on top of the painting.

Albus raised his eyebrows. "Am I that terrible to look at?"

Minerva tutted. "Of course not," she said, rolling her eyes. "It's just—it's just different." She leaned back in her chair again. "It isn't really you anyway," she added. "Right?"

"No, I suppose not," he said softly, pausing very briefly before saying, "You do not like the idea?"

"Of having a portrait of myself in the Headteachers office?" Minerva said, raising an eyebrow, and folding her arms. "Not particularly..." she murmured.

"I did find the idea somewhat strange at the start," he agreed with her. "Elphinstone must have felt the same way?"

Minerva raised her eyebrows slightly. "Yes, he did," she said, remembering now the conversations she had had with Finn years ago. "I'd forgotten he had a portrait in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement... He never once went to visit it. I don't believe he ever saw it, in fact," she added, thoughtfully. "He thought it too strange."

Albus nodded. "Understandably."

"Do you speak with yours?" she asked, nodding at the covered portrait again.

Albus shrugged. "Occasionally. We must so that it retains a likeness with the person it is based on," he said. "Teach them certain facts and phrases. You will do the same one day," he added, catching her eye.

Minerva pursed her lips and frowned - slightly unsettled. "Maybe," she said, "But not for a long time yet," she added finally, just as her heart gave an unexpected flutter. Her frown deepened and she shifted in her seat, rubbing her chest mildly as the pain subsided.

Albus frowned. "Are you all right, my dear?"

"Of course," Minerva said quickly, a little irritable. She took a deep breath, then leaned back in her chair again grimacing. "Sorry."

Albus waved away her apology. "How are we doing with our search for Defence Against the Dark Arts teachesr?" he asked.

Minerva sighed. "I will be drafting some adverts this week. Though in this climate I am not sure if anyone will be interested. Or will be fit for the role," she added significantly. "We must be careful with the vetting process this time. I don't want anyone that resembles Gilderoy Lockhart or Barty Crouch again. If only Remus would reconsider..."

"He cannot, Minerva," Albus said softly.

Minerva sighed again. "I know," she said tiredly. "But he would be the ideal candidate."

Albus nodded, and Minerva breathed in deeply then stood up.

"I want to be included this time, when we check whoever it is that applies for the position," she told him seriously. "I will not be happy if you spring something on me like you have done these last few years."

Albus nodded solemnly. "I will not do anything of the sort, my dear," he assured her.

Minerva pursed her lips suspiciously. "You best hope not," she warned him, picking up her walking stick. The cane annoyed her to no end but she had been told by the Healers at St Mungo's that she would be able to go without it by the end of August - just before term started. "I am due to meet Molly Weasley this afternoon," she told him. "I expect it is to discuss Potter."

"You can reassure Molly that he will be moved very soon," Albus assured her.

"Very well," Minerva said. "Might I enquire when and by whom?"

Albus did not reply immediately. "Soon," was all he said.

Minerva watched him for a moment, then sighed. "Fine. I will see you later then, Albus."

"Until later, my dear."