2 November 1981

Minerva shrugged on her coat and picked up a small box on the mantelpiece containing floo powder. There seemed to be just enough for two trips. Making a mental note to buy some more when she got back, she made her way back to her desk and placed her packed carpetbag on it with a soft thud. At the same time, there was a knock at her door.

Expecting to find her niece on the other side when she opened the door (Albus had given her permission to take Isobel home), Minerva was surprised to come face-to-face with Pomona, who bore an uncharacteristic frown.

"Minerva," Pomona said without pause, "Have you seen this?"

Minerva took the newspaper Pomona was waving and shook her head. "No. What's happened?"

"Just look at it," answered her friend, a slight tremble in her voice.

Slightly apprehensive, Minerva took the newspaper Pomona was offering and unfolded it. Sirius Black's face stood out on the page. It snarled angrily, eyes flashing in anger at something the readers could not see. Confused as to why she was looking at a former student's face in the morning newspaper, Minerva's eyes glided towards the headline.

Sirius Black arrested for the murder of 12 muggles

"It happened last night," said Pomona, answering Minerva's horrified look. "He," she paused as she struggled to find the words, "Apparently he was with Peter Pettigrew – they were arguing about something and then -"

"Arguing?" Minerva interrupted sharply. She looked up at Pomona, her heart banging hard against her ribcage. "About what?"

Pomona's eyes filled with tears and Minerva felt a sickening sensation in her stomach.

"Lily and James," she said eventually, her voice cracking. "Apparently Black knew where the Potters were hiding. Before they-they died he gave their location to You-Know-Who and-" Pomona bit her lip unsure how to continue.

"Betrayed them," finished Minerva.

Pomona nodded mutely, and Minerva covered her eyes with her hand and leaned against the doorway.

So it had been Black all along – all this time and he had been the spy. Although she was reluctant to believe it, the more she thought about it the more it started to make sense. Sirius was the one who had found the Bones' safe house. He had also known where the McKinnons' were hiding. And he had been the Potters' secret keeper. Now, all those families were dead at the hands of Voldemort.

"What about Pettigrew?" she asked.

"Sirius blew up half a muggle street. Pettigrew was caught in the explosion." Pomona leaned in and gave Minerva a hug. "I'm so sorry, Minerva," she whispered. "They were in your house and I know you knew them well."

"Not well enough..."

Pomona released her suddenly and looked Minerva dead in the eye. "There was nothing you could have done," she said firmly. "No one could have predicted this. If Sirius was a Death Eater from the start, he definitely did not show it."

Minerva nodded, although she was not entirely convinced. Just as she was about to answer, however, the sound of hurried footsteps made her stop. Pomona turned around just as Isobel McGonagall made her appearance and skidded to a halt outside Minerva's office.

"Professor Sprout, Professor McGonagall," she wheezed, her right hand on her heaving chest. She looked at both Professors before turning her attention back to her aunt. "Sorry, I'm late."

Pomona stepped aside to let Isobel through. "I'll leave you two to get home," she said. "Try to enjoy your time off, Minerva."

"I'll try my best," Minerva replied. "Say hello to that husband of yours for me."

Pomona smiled and patted Minerva on the arm. "I will do. See you on Sunday." Then, with one last wave, she turned around and made her way back up the corridor.

Minerva watched her friend's retreating back for a few seconds before shaking herself. "Right then," she said, closing her office door. She picked up her carpetbag and then the floo powder. "Have you got everything?"

Isobel nodded. "It feels strange going home on a Thursday."

Minerva smiled. "It does a bit, doesn't it?" she agreed. She walked over to the fireplace and opened the small box. "I don't have a lot so try to take a small pinch."

Isobel hurried into the fireplace and carefully extracted a small amount of powder. "Caithness, McGonagall Manse," she said loudly. She dropped the floo powder into the fireplace and disappeared behind the green flames.

Waiting for the fire to subside, Minerva then took a step into the grate and followed her niece. The living room of her brother's house had barely spun into focus when two arms wrapped themselves around her.

"I'm so glad you're home!" said the older Isobel, giving her daughter a kiss on the cheek.

Minerva waited for her mum to let go before stepping out of the ashes. She flashed a tired smile at her brother Malcolm and his wife who were both hugging their youngest daughter, Isobel. "How are you, Mum?" she said finally, looking back at her mother.

Seemingly over her initial surprise and happiness at being reunited with her daughter after several weeks, Isobel's features darkened. She glanced back at Malcolm and Helen who seemed preoccupied with their own daughter, before looking back at Minerva and holding her hand. "Will you help me with the tea, sweetheart," she said, already guiding Minerva towards the kitchen.

When they entered the kitchen, Isobel sat Minerva down and started to fuss around with the tea things. She seemed determined not to face Minerva as she collected the tea bags and switched on the kettle.

"I'm not sure if you've heard, darling," started Isobel, "but there was quite a big attack in London yesterday afternoon. 12 people died."

Minerva frowned. "I-I know," she said uneasily. "I found out this morning. I didn't think many other people knew about it."

Isobel paused over the drying rack, then turned to face Minerva. "Dougal McGregor's wife," she said, "Louisa McGregor, got a call from the police down in London late yesterday evening. I-I'm afraid Dougal was on a business trip at the time of the explosion. He was walking down the street and-and, well, he was caught in the blast."

For the second time that day, Minerva felt a crushing sensation in her chest. She started to hear a ringing noise in her ears and the room started to swim.

"Minerva?"

Minerva tried to compose herself. "That's-That's terrible," she stammered hoarsely. "What about the rest of his family?"

"They're all safe," answered Isobel. "They were all here when it happened."

Minerva nodded. "I'm sorry to hear about Dougal," she said, "He didn't deserve it – none of those people did."

Isobel ignored the click of the kettle telling her it had finished boiling. "I'm so sorry, Minerva. I didn't want to tell you when you'd only just got back but I also didn't want you to hear it from anyone else either. Are you sure you're all right?"

Minerva tried to nod. "He was just a friend," she lied. "I-I can't imagine what his family is going through."

Isobel looked at her daughter worriedly. Before she had a chance to say anything else, however, the rest of the family came through and crowded the kitchen. Minerva allowed herself to be hugged and kissed and patted by the rest of the family nevertheless her mind was stuck resolutely on the notion that perhaps if she hadn't declined Dougal's offer all those years ago then he would still be alive.