Something and nothing chapter. I think I'm trying to delay the inevitable - I really will miss writing about Albus and Minerva when the time finally comes... First Elphinstone and now Dumbledore :'( At least Pomona is still alive and well. (Also, thank you so much for the lovely reviews and I am so sorry for posting this chapter late!)

16 November 1996

The lift jerked to a stop and Minerva waited patiently for the doors to open.

"Level 11, Department of Magical Education."

The doors opened and Minerva squeezed into the already packed lift. She was desperate to be back at Hogwarts. Already she did not like leaving it while Albus was also away; which he was now. Yet, her appointment at the Ministry had been unavoidable. Two more students had been pulled out of Hogwarts this week alone and both were young and muggleborns no less, with no means of continuing their education outside of school even if they wanted to.

While Minerva fully understood the reasons why the children had been pulled out of school, it was still a matter of concern when the students were young and had not yet completed their magical education. A concern for educators, but a concern for the Ministry as well - considering what could happen if children did not learn to control their magic.

"Level 3 - Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes," said the voice in the lift.

Minerva pursed her lips as she cursed the system used by the Ministry lifts - floor sequence was disregarded and only which button was pressed first was considered. So far Minerva had been to Level 2 through 7 and all she really wanted to be was on floor 8 so that she might finally get home. Luckily, the 8th floor was the next one.

The doors to the lift opened to reveal two redheads Minerva instantly recognised. Bill Weasley was speaking very seriously to Percy Weasley, the latter's expression stony for reasons Minerva could not guess.

"Think about it Perce," Bill said, reaching out to pat Percy on the arm, however, Percy did not give him time to.

"I already have, William," he said, moving away. Then, with a deepened scowl, the 3rd oldest Weasley turned briskly on his heel and walked back up the corridor.

Bill sighed and ran a hand through his hair and watched his brother's retreating back just as the lift made a loud ding and the doors began to close.

Minerva moved her foot to block the door. "In or out, Weasley?"

Bill jumped and his eyes widened when he spotted her. "Professor McGonagall!"

"That is indeed my name," Minerva said tartly. She raised her eyebrows and Bill jumped into the lift.

"In," he said. "Thank you."

Minerva drew her foot back and the doors to the lift closed. "No thanks required," she said, as the lift jolted and finally made its way to Level 8. "How are you, Mr Weasley? How is Ms Delacour?"

Bill's ears turned a darker shade of red. "We're just fine," he said, clearly embarrassed. Minerva bit back a smile - she had heard much about Fleur Delacour from Molly Weasley. Though she was sympathetic with Molly's anxieties, Minerva was inclined to think that Bill was old enough to make these decisions for himself.

"Still adjusting to life at Gringotts," he added, referring to his recent career change from working in tombs to a desk job. He had wanted to be closer to his parents, and he also wanted to be in England so that he could devote more time to the Order. "How about yourself, Professor? I haven't seen you much recently. Only Dumbledore comes on Fridays now," he commented, referring no doubt to the weekly Order meetings held on Friday evenings. "School keeping you busy?"

"Always, Mr Weasley," Minerva replied.

The corners of Bill's mouth curved upwards. "Those siblings of mine not causing you any grief, I hope?"

"Not at all," Minerva said smoothly. She caught his eye and Bill grinned.

"I'm asking on behalf of Fred and George who are keen to keep their position as top mischievous misfits," he explained.

Minerva smiled slightly too as the lift finally shuddered to a halt. She gripped the handlebar in the elevator to steady herself, then straightened when the doors opened. "You can reassure them that they have no need to worry about that," she said, and she stepped out of the lift. "I shall see you this Friday, perhaps?"

Bill nodded. "Take care, Professor McGonagall." He waved cheerfully as the doors closed and swept away to whichever floor he needed to get to.

Minerva sighed. Time to get home now, she thought tiredly. Gripping her handbag more tightly in her hand, Minerva strode to the red telephone box that had just descended from the muggle street above the Ministry, and stepped inside. With a casual flick of her wand, Minerva turned her robes into a two-piece skirt suit. She stepped out of the phone box and walked so that she was in a concealed alleyway so that she might disapparate. As she twisted on the spot, Minerva thought that she needn't have bothered changing her clothes - she had not crossed a single muggle on her way to the alley.

"—Oh!"

"Oh, Lord, Albus—!"

Minerva almost lost her balance when she found herself apparate inches away from Albus. They both took a step back and Minerva's hand went straight to the gate to support herself.

"I must say, that has never happened to me before," Albus said looking pleasantly amused once he had got over his initial shock. "Are you all right, my dear?"

He put a hand on Minerva's arm and raised his eyebrows.

Minerva nodded weakly and massaged her chest. "You gave me a fright, is all," she said. "Have you just arrived or are you leaving again?"

"I have just arrived, my dear," Albus replied, opening the school gates and motioning that she should go through first. "I take it you have just returned from the Ministry? How was Peter?"

Minerva waved her hand. "Oh, exactly as we expected," she said tiredly. "Find a way for teaching material to be delivered to the appropriate students etcetera etcetera,"' she said, quoting what she had been told at the Department of Magical Education. "Offering no explanations as to how we might do that, while also respecting cautionary measures parents are putting in place to safeguard their families. Having owls arrive this day and that will of course attract no undue attention to families who are in hiding," she added bitterly.

"I am sure we can manage, my dear."

Minerva pursed her lips. "Mm," was all she said on the matter. Albus patted her elbow. "Where have you been then?" Minerva questioned, changing the direction of the conversation.

Albus' expression clouded over and he dropped his hand.

Minerva pursed her lips. "Fine, keep it to yourself if that is how you like it," she sighed. "But next time I would rather neither of us was away from the castle at the same time. I know there are enchantments in place, and Pomona and Filius are more than capable of keeping an eye out," she said. "But I still do not like us both being gone for that long."

"I agree, my dear," Albus said. He paused. "I recall you do not have any more lessons today?"

Minerva nodded.

"Would you mind sparing a few minutes to discuss exam timetable arrangements and some other matters?"

"Of course," Minerva replied. They walked up the steps to the castle and stepped inside to be greeted by the sound of something small hurtling through the air. Minerva instinctively lifted her wand and transfigured the shooting paper pellets into several butterflies.

Peeves angrily threw down the small catapult he had been using to shoot scrunched up paper at people and blew a raspberry. "Not fair!" he shouted gumpily, before flying away down the corridor.

"Remarkable instincts, my dear," Albus said, admiring the butterflies bouncing above their heads."And beautiful magic."

Minerva shrugged though a smile tugged at her lips. "What can I say? I learnt from the best." She caught his eye and Albus smiled too. "Your office or mine?"

"Your choice, my dear. You can lead the way."