3 or 4 chapters to go until the Battle...

13 April 1998

Minerva's classroom was not empty when she entered it.

"Miss Patil?"

Parvati Patil stood abruptly and the chair legs scraped painfully on the tiled floor. "Sorry, Professor. I didn't mean to startle you."

"You did not," Minerva replied. She gently closed the door and went to stand in front of her student. "It is very early, Miss Patil. What brings you here at this time in the morning?"

"I—I wanted to speak with you, Professor about—a friend. I'm worried about them."

Minerva frowned slightly. "What is concerning you about your friend's situation?"

"She's—not herself. She's upset. About yesterday and about Neville and about everything. She received a letter yesterday from her brothers saying that her mother is unwell."

Minerva's frown deepened - both because of how weary she felt and at the news Parvati Patil was sharing with her. "Can you tell me the name of this student? It is not Miss Brown by any chance, is it?"

Parvati lowered her eyes, which said it all. Minerva recalled overhearing Parvati and Padma whispering in class about Lavender's mother. From what Minerva had gathered Mrs Brown was not grievously ill, but she had been bedbound for the last week. Nothing unusual - it was just a cold. But Mineva could understand why the news would affect Lavender so.

"And her father has been sent away from his post at the Ministry," Parvati added. "Lavender's angry. I think she's going to do something to the Carrows and I know—I know we have been causing a little disruption throughout the year but—I think maybe we should stop after what happened to Hagrid... I know that's not brave—"

"Miss Patil," Minerva interrupted, trying not to let the tiredness seep into her voice. Her heart fluttered disconcertingly. "Thank you for sharing this with me. I will speak with Miss Brown if you can ask her to come to my office—"

"We have Transfigurations first thing today, Professor McGonagall."

Minerva looked away briefly. "I know that. But you will not be taught by me for the next few days."

Parvati's eyes widened. "You're leaving?"

"No, I am not. I would not leave now," Minerva put a steadying hand on her desk, an action which she hoped would not alarm her student much.

"It's about yesterday, isn't it? We all heard about what Amycus did last night," Parvati said, looking quite distressed now. "I heard him speaking to Snape about removing teachers who are not complying with the rules—"

"Miss Patil, I can assure you that I am well. And this predicament has nothing to do with what happened last night," Minerva continued smoothly. "But—"

They were interrupted by a sharp knock on the door. Severus did not wait to be called inside. He opened the door and stepped into Minerva's classroom - or someone else's classroom, now, Minerva privately thought.

"A word, if you please, Professor McGonagall." He looked at Parvati and narrowed his eyes. "In private."

Parvati looked at Minerva for reassurance perhaps. Minerva nodded slightly. "Off you go now, Miss Patil. I expect you have much schoolwork yet to complete."

With one last worried look in Minerva's direction, Parvati left the classroom so that only Severus and Minerva remained.

"I believe all that needed saying has already been said this morning, Severus," Minerva told him tiredly. "I merely came to collect my belongings and remove the clutter from this classroom for whoever it is that will be taking it over."

"You need not act like the victim, Minerva," Snape said. "You should know by now that insolence cannot go unpunished."

Minerva sighed and straightened, her heart protesting at all the sudden movements. "Fine. Is that what you would like me to say? Really, Severus, I do not know what you would like me to do. I may have been short with you this morning, but I can assure you that I was not aware of Rubeus' plan to hold some sort of event yesterday evening. I do not know where he has gone either. But, like I said this morning, I will not try to apologise for trying to keep students safe."

"I would not have harmed any students, Minerva."

"No, indeed," Minerva said in a tone that made it clear to Severus that she did not believe a word that had escaped his lips. "However, I recall that you were not in fact present when Amycus was screaming blue murder. I was concerned for the welfare of our students, and acted with their best intentions at heart."

"I should be the decider of how a student should or should not be treated," Severus said. "As it is I who is Headmaster."

Despite her attempts to remain calm and measured, Minerva felt a sudden rush of anger and spite. She stopped herself from speaking for a moment, hoping to reign in her emotions and remain in control of her words. "I have taught at this school for many years now, Severus. I prepare lessons, mark homework and exams, and take care of my students. I do speak my mind if the occasion demands it. And I will have you know that a good manager would take on board the feedback given to them by their staff, and values their experience in a field they have been working in for a long time. Albus understood this, and it stood him in good stead. Protecting young children should not be deemed punishable."

"Albus is not Headmaster."

"No, you saw to that, Severus," Minerva said, and Severus eyes flashed dangerously. "But Albus was older and wiser than a great many of us, and I am of the opinion that one should listen to their elders if they would like to learn anything about life at all."

"You revered the man much too much, Minerva," Severus snapped, his pale cheeks uncharacteristically flushed. "Dumbledore did not listen to others. He did not care for anyone's opinions apart from his own."

"Well, I disagree," Minerva said. "But if that excuse helps you to justify your actions last year, then I shall not argue with you."Severus clenched his fists as his cheeks flushed a brilliant red. Minerva continued quickly, "I doubt you came to speak to me about Albus and your clear dislike of him. Why have you come?"

"I came to say that I will be taking over your classes, Minerva," he said through clenched teeth. "Until you return next week."

"How kind of you for keeping me informed," Minerva said smoothly.

Snape scowled. "I need to know what you have planned for your next lessons."

"I will leave my folder of lesson plans here, so that you may use it if you so wish," Minerva said. "Filius can provide support if you need it. He has covered my lessons in the past, and will know what to do seeing as I will not be here."

Severus pursed his lips. He looked away from her and clasped his hands behind his back. "I also came to say that I spoke out of turn this morning. You are allowed to remain at the castle for the duration of your suspension."

Minerva tried not to let her relief show. She had had an argument with Severus that morning. As soon as she had left the Hospital Wing, Severus had called her to his office. They had spoken of Hagrid, the party, her students and Minerva's willful ignorance of those who were now 'in charge'. It seemed that on this occasion, Minerva had taken it too far. Amycus and Alecto had wanted her removed from the school, but Severus had instead settled with a week-long suspension from her teaching duties. Pomona had been sure to remind her that it was lucky her punishment had not been any more severe.

Minerva pursed her lips. "Thank you, Headmaster," she said, stiffly. "Good afternoon."

She picked up her bag, papers, and wand, and then left the small office. Severus remained silent.