Oh gosh sorry for the late update! I had the busiest of days today and completely forgot that it was Wednesday! Sorry again. I hope you can forgive me? :)

Also, I forgot that the whole ferret business happened so early on. Definitely my fault for watching the film too often... Anyway, thanks for the lovely reviews :) I hope you enjoy this chapter as well

2 September 1994

"I heard it was Malfoy who tried to attack Potter?"

"He did, but nevertheless," Minerva said, glancing up at Pomona to whom she had been speaking for the last ten minutes, "it was completely outrageous behaviour on Alastor's part. To think that he considered it appropriate—" she broke off suddenly and took a deep breath. "Not to mention the fact that my previously organised papers are now all in a mess," she added, nostrils flaring.

Pomona winced sympathetically. "Have you spoken to the Headmaster?" she asked.

"Of course I have," Minerva replied, continuing to sort through the papers she had dropped earlier on. "I went to him immediately after my last class. I believe he is reminding Alastor of the school rules at this very moment."

"Well, hopefully, that will be the end of it," Pomona said, though this only made Minerva even more nettled. "Won't it?" she added.

"Unfortunately not," Minerva said. "Lucius is now on my back, wanting my head no doubt."

"Not Alastor's?"

Minerva rolled her eyes as she finally put her reorganised papers into a folder and snapped it shut. "Lucius would never send a raging letter to an ex-Auror," Minerva said briskly. "Nor, apparently, is he brave enough to broach this topic with the Headmaster. So, alas, it is me, as the Deputy Headmistress, who must be blamed for this morning's events."

"I'm sorry," Pomona said apologetically.

"Yes, well," Minerva sighed, deflating slightly and leaning back in her chair. "So am I. I had other things planned for this evening that did not involve answering angry letters or meeting Lucius Malfoy. Or rearranging files, for that matter," she added, gesturing at her papers.

"What was your evening going to involve?'

"A quick run to the bookshop," Minerva said, shrugging, "a bit of tidying, some reading and many cups of tea."

Pomona chuckled. "Sounds peaceful," she said.

"It would have been," Minerva said grumpily. "Goodness knows I could do with some relaxation. An old woman like me should be given some rest."

Pomona laughed. "Old woman indeed," she scoffed. "Now, you are just fishing for compliments, Minerva. You are still very much in your prime, dear."

Minerva smiled slightly. "Well, I don't feel it today," she said finally. "What are you doing this evening?"

"I bit of marking," Pomona shrugged. "I have an empty house this evening. Albert has a teacher's conference tonight, so he won't be home until late."

"Will you stay for dinner?" Minerva asked.

Pomona's eyes flicked to the hourglass in the staffroom. "Oh, I might as well," she said at last. "But only if you promise to come for dinner on Sunday?"

"What is happening on Sunday?" Minerva asked suspiciously.

"Does anything need to be happening?" Pomona said exasperatedly, though she smiled slightly. "Fine," she conceded. "The headmaster of Albert's school is coming for dinner. He also knows that I am a teacher so..."

"You need support?" Minerva finished.

"Well, maybe. But really I actually need help cooking," Pomona corrected. "Usually Albert does it but he won't be home until late that evening."

Minerva rolled her eyes. "Oh, now really, Pomona," she said.

"Please?" Pomona pleaded. "I'll make it up to you. It'll be an I owe you."

Minerva tutted and gave her friend a stern look. "What kind of I owe you?" she asked finally.

Pomona smiled. "Anything you choose?"

Minerva thought for a moment. "All right," she said. "But really you should have asked Poppy or Albus," she said, "even Filius would have been better than me."

"You underestimate yourself."

Minera scoffed. "I do not," she said. "Finn forbade me from cooking once."

"He never," Pomona laughed.

Minerva shrugged. "As long as you are not planning on cooking something with pastry, then we should be all right."

Pomona smiled. "Nothing involving pastry, I promise."

"Very well, then it is settled," Minerva said, before sighing and getting up. "Right, I must speak to Lucius now. I shall see you at dinner, Pomona."

"Good luck," Pomona said, giving Minerva a sympathetic smile.

Minerva sighed. "I think I'll need it," she replied tiredly.