12 April 1998

"Is he out of his mind!" Minerva said, reaching out to grab her cloak and wand before following Pomona out of the Transfiguration classroom half walking half running.

Pomona wrapped her cardigan tighter around her shoulders as they hurried down the corridors - both always looking warily around corners before emerging into new corridors.

"I honestly don't know, Minerva," she said. "But Miss Bones, when she told me, also added that a student has reported this 'support Harry Potter' party to Amycus and Alecto. They are likely on their way to Hagrid's at this very minute."

Minerva felt her fear and anxiety grow. Yet, she also felt slight irritation towards Hagrid, who tonight had added another item to the list of things Minerva ought to be worried about. As if that list was not already long enough, she thought.

"He better not have put banners up," she muttered under her breath.

Pomona tutted. "Do not joke, Minerva," she said. "There are at least a dozen students in that hut right now. If Amycus or Alecto get there before we do..." she trailed away and both she and Minerva caught each other's eyes.

Without saying another word, both picked up their speed so that they were now almost running. They reached the Entrance Hall in a matter of seconds. Pomona opened the doors and immediately the pair rushed down the grassy hill towards Hagrid's slightly illuminated hut.

Though her mind was focused very much on reaching Hagrid's hut before Amycus and Alecto, Minerva was still able to remember very vividly the occurrences that had happened two years ago now on this very lawn. While she was intent on ensuring Hagrid's and the students' safety, Minerva was keen to keep herself safe as well, and not end up unconscious on the ground as a result of well-aimed stunning spells.

As the thoughts crossed her mind Minerva felt, rather than heard, a spell shoot past her ear. She turned and saw, to her alarm, two dark figures exiting the castle and chasing them down the hill.

"Hurry!" she said, urging Pomona forwards.

Minerva was the first to reach the hut. Without knocking, she pushed open the door and instantly there was the sound of chair legs scraping the floor as several students and Hagrid stood up.

"It's not what it looks like," Hagrid began.

Minerva was about to speak but was surprised when Pomona beat her to it - Pomona usually was the calm one.

"We don't have time for this now, Hagrid," Pomona snapped. "We need to get you out of here now—" she broke off and her eyes widened. "What are you doing here Macmillan?"

Minerva stopped trying to usher the students out and looked around to where Pomona's voice had come from. Not only was Ernie Macmillan there, but Lavender Brown, Seamus Finnigan and Neville Longbottom.

Minerva and Neville Longbottom locked eyes. Minerva felt a moment's confusion followed almost immediately by frustration, worry and apprehension knowing that he had left the security of the Room of Requirements.

"Longbottom—"

"I can explain, Professor," Longbottom interrupted urgently. "The Carrows—"

BANG.

Fang yelped loudly as the whole hut shook. Pomona stumbled and Minerva reached out to grab her arm to stop her from falling. Hagrid had managed to prevent Longbottom and Finnigan from toppling, as well as the three other unfortunate students who had come for the party and lost their balance.

A spell hit the door with such force that wood began to splinter and the walls of the hut shook again. Minerva locked eyes with Hagrid. His initial look of horror had morphed into apologetic and then understanding. He nodded once and bent to secure Fang under his arm.

Minerva turned quickly to face Longbottom. "Stay with Finnigan, Macmillan and Brown. You must all return to the fifth floor. at once"

"What about—"

The hut shook again - the door was almost broken now.

"There is no time to argue," Minerva interrupted. She waved her wand and the four students instantly took on the colours and textures of their surroundings. "Go, now."

Without being able to see them, Minerva could not be certain that the four had headed her advice. Yet, with the Carrows nearly upon them in Hagrid's home, and with still three visible students still trapped inside, Minerva did not have time to dwell on the matter.

She did not want to turn the younger students invisible as she wanted to make sure they remained with her or Pomona at all times. And it would be easier, if they were visible, for Pomona and Minerva to protect the students from being injured by any spells.

"Follow me or Professor McGonagall," Pomona instructed the students.

The three nodded wordlessly. They were terrified, Minerva could tell. What eleven or twelve-year-old would guess that their first years at school would involve being attacked by their professors, she thought.

"Professors!" Hagrid warned.

The house shook once more and Hagrid's wooden door creaked ominously under the strain. Minerva stole a look at Pomona, who nodded, then at Hagrid who did the same. Before the next spell could hit the front door, Minerva waved her wand and shot her own spell at the wood. With a deafening crack, the door was ripped off its hinges and was propelled outwards onto the lawn.

Hagrid bellowed and charged at two hooded figures whom Minerva could only assume were Amycus and Alecto. Pomona raised her own wand and instantly an all-pervasive darkness spread across the lawn, which concealed everything and everyone from sight. And then they ran. Hagrid was causing enough of a distraction so that Pomona, Minerva and the three students could cut across the grass and reach the castle without being stopped.

Minerva only hoped that Hagrid would manage to escape in one piece.