Back to Hogwarts we go! (Just started a new job, and will be moving to a new city in a few days - busy times ahead but I will try my very best to reliably post every other week!)

31st June 1998

"You're home late," Malcolm said mildly, as Minerva entered the living room of his and Helen's cottage. "How is Pomona?"

"Fine, just fine," Minerva said and she sighed contentedly as she settled down in a chair opposite Malcolm's. "Grace insisted I stayed for dinner, so I did. I should have let you know."

Malcolm shrugged. "You are a grown woman, Minerva—"

"A grown woman," Minerva interrupted, rolling her eyes at her brother's words.

He smiled. "Indeed, meaning you have every right to stay up past 9 pm. Although," he added, checking his watch, "if you hadn't come back by half-past we would have sent out a search party."

"Is that so?"

She lowered herself into an armchair beside Malcolms and stole a biscuit from the small plate balancing on his knee.

"Oi!"

Minerva smiled and Malcolm rolled his eyes, though a small smile tugged at his lips too. He then closed the book he was reading and slipped it beside his legs and the arm of his chair.

"What time are you leaving tomorrow?" he asked.

"Just before lunch, I think," Minerva said. Indeed, she had promised to meet Aberforth, at his request, for lunch the following day. She had been rather surprised by the invitation, and although she was wont to leave Caithness and her family, she suspected that Aberforth could do with some company. "And then back to school."

"Yes, back to school," Malcolm agreed quietly. He sighed. "As Headmistress and Transfiguration Professor. It's been months and you still haven't found a replacement?"

"No, not yet. To tell you the truth, hardly anyone has applied." Minerva sighed. "Frankly, I would be surprised if anyone did for a while given—recent events."

Malcolm nodded slowly. "Maybe so," he agreed quietly. Then he sighed, shook himself, and leaned back in his chair. "We'll miss not having you here. After a whole summer, it's going to be strange not having you pottering about. I mean, who's going to help me with my crossword now?"

Minerva bit back a smile. "I don't think you should really need my help anymore, Malcolm," she said. "But I will only be an owl away—or you can use the floo network if you are desperate."

Malcolm chuckled. "You might regret saying that soon enough, Minerva," he teased. "I'll be round at Hogwarts every weekend."

"Or the cottage, perhaps," Minerva corrected lightly. She had not spoken about it to many, however, she had started to wonder if she shouldn't in fact move back into her and Elphinstone's cottage.

Malcolm raised his eyebrows and looked rather hopeful all of a sudden. "Are you retiring?"

"No," Minerva replied. "Not yet, anyway. But I will one day," she added, and Malcolm gasped in mock surprise and horror. She clucked her tongue and hit him lightly on the arm. "Don't be silly."

"I just never thought I'd hear those words come from your mouth. My big sister finally deciding that she might deserve a break/ I'm almost too stunned for words."

"Perhaps I won't retire then, just to spite you," she said with a tut. "Are you done now, with all of your teasing?"

Malcolm chuckled and reached out to pat her hand. "Yes. Sorry." He picked up the last biscuit from his plate. "Another biscuit?"

"Oh, I shouldn't think so, no," Minerva sighed. She pushed herself up from her seat again. "I think I had best take myself upstairs before I fall asleep down here."

She stooped down slightly to kiss Malcolm on the cheek, before straightening again and making her way out of the living room.

"Night Malcolm," she said softly. "I'll see you in the morning."

"Goodnight, Minerva," he called after her.

"Say hello to Rubeus for us," Malcolm said, as he handed Minerva her bag and cardigan. "And, I'll see you again this weekend for dinner, yes?"

Minerva nodded. "Yes, indeed," she agreed, and she allowed Malcolm to pull her in for a brief hug.

No sooner had she and Malcolm broken apart, and Minerva opened the door in preparation to make her way down the path and away from Caithness, that an upset wail sounded from the kitchen.

"Don't leave us, Aunt Minerva!" came the upset whine from the kitchen.

Rosie came running out into the hallways, still in her nightie and with her piece of toast with blackcurrant jam clutched between her fingers - her cousins were still in bed, asleep.

Minerva bent down and scooped Rosie up into her arms. "I won't be gone for long," she said, gently pinching Rosie's cheek until the little girl giggled, and then giving her a kiss. "Besides, I'm going to see you this Saturday for lunch."

"Saturday is ages away. Simply ages and ages away," Rosie moaned. "Why can't you stay?"

"Because your Aunt Minerva has to go to work," Malcolm said, earning another pout from Rosie. He smiled and pried the toast from Rosie's sticky fingers, which had been getting dangerously close to Minerva's clean clothes.

"I wish I could go to school with you, Aunt Minerva," Rosie said, and she wrapped her arms around Minerva's neck and rested her head against her chest. "Can't I come to Hogwarts? I promise I'll be good. I can be your assistant. I'll make sure everyone listens to you."

Minerva smiled, then lowered Rosie back down to the floor. "When you are older, dear," she said. "But I promise I will keep the Teaching Assistant position open just for you."

Rosie beamed, and Malcolm chuckled. "Hurry along now, Rosie. Gran is going to the park to feed the ducks, but she won't wait for you if you're late."

As if to prove his point, Helen emerged from the kitchen too, already dressed and with shopping bags in her hands. She had already said goodbye to Minerva before heading out for the shops that morning.

"I should have known you would still be here," Helen said, rolling her eyes good-naturedly. "Leave your sister alone now, Malcolm, and let her go to work. You too, Rosie. I'm going to leave as soon as I unpack these bags."

Rosie, eyes widening, snatched the toast from Malcolm's hands and stuffed it into her mouth. "Goodbye, Aunt Minerva," she said and then scrambled up the stairs to get dressed. "Don't leave without me, Granny!" she called as she ran.

As the sound of Rosie's footsteps gradually faded away, Minerva opened the door. "I think that is my cue to leave," she said.

Helen walked down the corridor and planted a kiss on her sister-in-law's cheek. "Goodbye, Minerva," she said, for the second time that day. "Travel safely, and see you this weekend for tea."

Malcolm pulled Minerva in for one last hug. "Bye then, Minerva," he said. "Let us know when you arrive."

"I will do, Malcolm."

Minerva finally pulled away from her brother, smiled, waved, and then stepped out of the cottage. Term did not start for another two weeks yet, but Minerva had wanted to give herself time to get used to being back at Hogwarts, and to finalise all arrangements before students returned in September.

She would miss Caithness, she knew. But she had work to do, and Hogwarts still needed her - for the time being, at least.