Second update as promised :) Hope you enjoy it!
18 December 1993
"May I have a word, Minerva?"
Minerva looked up from her parchment and raised her eyebrows as she noticed Remus Lupin at her classroom door. "Certainly," she said, putting her quill down and indicating that he could come in.
Remus smiled and came to take a seat. He moved a little stiffly Minerva noticed, and his skin was much paler than usual. Possibly the full moon was close.
"Marking? he said, nodding at the parchment in front of her.
Minerva folded her paper. "I am writing a letter to my niece," she replied. Remus' eyebrows shot up and Minerva smiled inwardly — it always seemed to shock people that she had a life and family outside of Hogwarts.
"Niece?"
"Yes, my brother's youngest," she said, putting the letter to one side. Indeed, her niece, also named Minerva, had just informed her of her recent engagement with a colleague from work. It was a long-time expected announcement, and Minerva was writing back now to arrange a time to meet her niece in order to congratulate her properly. "How can I help you, Remus?"
"Sorry," he said, holding up his hands apologetically. "I was being nosy."
Minerva smiled politely but did not comment and instead nodded for him to continue.
"I came to raise some concerns about a student," he began, stalling slightly when he saw Minerva sigh and nod. "I gather you know who I mean?"
"Miss Granger," Minerva said.
"Yes. She seems to have taken a bit more than she can chew."
"I do not recall her marks to be slipping," Minerva said, with a frown. She held open her hand and a large black file settled there. Minerva put it on her desk and flicked through to the proper page. "She has received nothing below 99% in your class."
"I am not referring to her results or her performance in class per se," he said. "But according to Hagrid she hardly spends a minute away from the library, or his house."
Minerva immediately frowned. "Excuse me?"
"Apparently she is helping Hagrid build a case for Buckbeak. I believe she has done quite a lot of good research."
"Oh, I see," Minerva said, pausing for a moment to think. "Well, I understand why you are concerned, Remus. I must say I believe we have similar thoughts on the matter."
"But not similar enough?" he added, knowingly.
Minerva sighed and shook her head as she closed the folder and returned it to its previous position. "I agree Miss Granger has stretched herself this year," she began. "But we both came to an agreement that if her marks were not slipping, and she still attended each of her classes, then she would be able to keep the Time-Turner."
Remus moved in his chair but Minerva carried swiftly on.
"However, I was intending on discussing this precise matter with Granger this week," she continued. "Rest assured I will take your concerns into account."
"Thank you, Minerva."
Minerva nodded and Remus began to get up. "Going to Hogsmeade?" he asked, noticing Minerva packing up her things and getting up too.
"Yes," she said. "I have been tasked with meeting the Minister at the Three Broomsticks and escorting him back up to the castle."
"You sound very enthusiastic," he replied, smiling wryly.
Minerva pursed her lips as they both made their way out of her office. "I won't pretend I am looking forward to it," she said. "I have lots of papers to mark, detentions to supervise, and exam arrangements to put in place. Though I am thankful he is dining with the Headmaster and not myself this evening."
Remus chuckled. "Quite a fan of Fudge, I take it?"
"I can barely contain my excitement," Minerva replied.
Remus smiled, though it faltered. "I heard Harry asked you to sign his form."
"For Hogsmeade? Yes," she said, with a sigh. "Then Weasley tried as well just last week because he thought Potter deserved some cheering up. "
"Quite the dedicated friend," Remus commented.
"Hm. Any other year I might have allowed it," she added tiredly, "but it doesn't seem sensible considering—well considering the situation."
Remus' features darkened and he nodded. "Yes, I agree."
They reached the Entrance Hall and he stopped.
"I will see you later this evening, Minerva," he said. "Good luck."
A smile tugged at Minerva's lips though she managed to maintain a straight face.
"Thank you, Professor Lupin," she said, stepping to one side to allow a fourth year student to run past.
He tipped his head, looking slightly amused, then continued his way to the Defence Against the Dart Arts corridor. Meanwhile, Minerva herself made her way to join Filius and Hagrid by the front doors.