4 October 1996

"Congratulations, my dear," Albus said, and Minerva smiled despite herself.

"It's been so long since I wrote it, I almost forgot that I had," she said in response to his praise. She shrugged mildly, though the gesture masked the pride she felt as a result of her new paper being approved for publication only this morning.

"It was quite an interesting read if I say so myself," Albus mused. "I look forward to reading more about it."

Minerva raised her eyebrows at the compliment. "That is high praise indeed, Albus."

Albus shook his head, a small sigh escaping his lips. "You underestimate yourself too much, my dear," he said. "I have always found your thoughts to be of great interest — unusual and unique, if I say so myself."

Minerva let out a breath. "Goodness," she said. "Aren't you the flatterer this evening?"

Albus chuckled. "I was being entirely truthful, Minerva," he said. "But I will accept the fact that you dislike receiving such compliments."

Minerva merely shrugged - she did not bother denying it as she knew Albus was right; as always of course. Suddenly, she heard a familiar crinkle of the small brown paper packet Albus always seemed to have on him. He did not have to say anything for Minerva to realise what it was he was offering her.

"No thank you, Albus," she said, shaking her head.

Albus shrugged and pocketed the small paper bag — though not before fishing out a small sweet from it first. "I know you do not like to have sweets during the year, my dear," said. "But you really ought to make an exception on your birthday."

Minerva swatted his arm, albeit lightly. "Do stop going on about that," she tutted.

This only made Albus smile slightly more. And though Minerva was being serious when she was telling him to stop, she was also partly pleased that something was at least making Albus smile. Nowadays, in the current climate, amusement seemed to be a rarity.

Finally, they slowed their pace and climbed the stairs to Grimmauld Place. Albus opened the door and entered the house, closely followed by Minerva who was smoothing her down her skirt. As she wiped her shoes on the doormat, she was again reminded of how much she resembled her mother now. When Minerva had dressed that morning in preparation to leave with Albus for Grimmauld Place, she had briefly paused in front of the mirror and noticed that her reflection was almost the spitting image of the late Isobel Ross. This had made Minerva feel slightly odd - a feeling that had somewhat persisted throughout the day.

Self-consciously, Minerva brushed a few of the still unnoticeable grey stray hairs neatly back into her bun before nodding briefly at Albus and then proceeding to the kitchen. Before they arrived, Albus left to go the bathroom while Minerva continued towards the door. As she approached, she heard the faint sounds of people talking within.

"Stop saying that, Remus. You know as well as I do that it doesn't have to be this way—"

Minerva opened the door and quickly, the hushed conversation stopped. Remus and Tonks turned to see who had entered and the looks of their faces told Minerva enough - she had just walked in on an argument.

"Minerva!" Remus said, evidently surprised as well as embarrassed - Minerva shared this last feeling and was currently trying to mask the fact that her cheeks had reddened considerably upon her entrance. "Is it 5.30 already?"

Minerva nodded, her eyes briefly flicking to Tonks whose face was also flushed though, Minerva noted, possibly for different reasons. Indeed, the younger witch had her arms folded and was breathing somewhat heavily - a very unusual transformation from the usually cheerful Tonks that Minerva was familiar with.

Remus cleared his throat and drummed his fingers twice on the table as though trying to break the heavy awkwardness present in the kitchen. "Right," he said, clearing his throat again. "I'll—I'm—" he tutted and shook his head. "I'll be back in a moment," he finally managed to say before striding out of the room.

Minerva looked after him, as did Tonks. After a moment Tonks also cleared her throat.

"If you'll excuse me as well, Minerva," she said somewhat distractedly. "Back in two ticks," she added, leaving after Remus.

The door clicked shut behind her, and Minerva heard a faint muffled discussion in the hallway before the door opened once more.

"Those two seemed in a rush," Molly Weasley said, talking to someone behind her - no doubt her husband Minerva thought. Indeed, Arthur Weasley appeared a moment later with his eyebrows slightly furrowed.

"Hm," he said thoughtfully. He shrugged then leaned in to peck Molly on the cheek. "Maybe they're finally sorting it out?" he said lightly.

Though Minerva was not entirely sure as to what they were referring to, she was aware that it was perhaps best that she made her presence known to the couple. She pulled out a chair and instantly Molly and Arthur looked up.

Arthur smiled. "Evening, Minerva," he said cheerfully, coming to sit down with Molly at the kitchen table. "I believe birthday wishes are due."

Minerva's eyebrows went up involuntarily causing Arthur to chuckle.

"Your secret is safe with us," he assured her. "We met Professor Dumbledore on our way in," he explained, causing Minerva to purse her lips slightly - of course it was Albus who had told them. "He should be down in a moment - I think he went to look for something in the drawing-room."

"The drawing-room?" Minerva said, her eyebrows furrowing slightly.

Molly nodded and shrugged. "He said he wouldn't be long."

Though somewhat puzzled, all Minerva said was a faint, "Hm," before taking a seat at the table.

"So, any birthday plans?" Arthur asked as they all seated themselves. "Apart from an Order meeting?"

"I am hoping for just a peaceful evening," Minerva replied, which was true. She was planning on having dinner with Pomona this evening and perhaps spend some time after that with Albus. Over the last few months, they had taken to doing the rounds of the castle together; tonight they were in charge of the east and north side of the castle while Severus and Filius did the south and west. It was a nice few hours where they spoke about something or nothing — usually matters that had nothing to do with Voldemort.

Arthur smiled slightly. "I expect that is easier now with Fred and George gone," he said, making Molly and Minerva smile too.

"Perhaps a little," she admitted. "How is the shop?" she then asked with genuine interest.

"Good," Arthur replied, sharing a look with Molly who nodded; Minerva did not miss the proud look in both of their eyes. "Business is booming."

"I'm pleased to hear that," Minerva said. "I must say that I was very impressed by their work."

"You've been?" Molly asked.

Minerva nodded. "In September," she said. "But I was also fortunate enough to have seen quite a lot of their projects when they were at school."

Both Arthur and Molly chuckled and Minerva smiled just as the door to the kitchen opened. Minerva turned to see Albus sporting a somewhat troubled expression.

"Found what it was that you were looking for?" Minerva asked.

Albus' expression cleared, though the distant look was still visible in his eyes. He shook his head gently as he came to sit beside Minerva. "Not quite," he replied enigmatically just as four more faces appeared in the doorway.

Remus and Tonks came in followed closely by Alastor and then Kingsley. More were still yet to come, however, talk of current Order projects slowly began while current members waited for the others. Minerva's eyes flicked between Remus and Tonks who had sat on opposite sides of the table. Her eyes then drifted back to Albus who still appeared to be lost in thought. She frowned mildly but was then forced to turn her attention back to the meeting as the last few Order members finally arrived.