Hello! Yes, it's me with another chapter to add to this collection. Sorry I've been away without updating for a very long time. I promise all is fine—I was completing the last stretch of my degree and juggling two jobs at the same time. Thank you to all those who sent me messages to check up on me :)

Anyway, I have many chapters waiting to be uploaded for you lovely readers. Not much is really happening in this one. I believe I may be guilty of having written a bit of a filler... I promise the next chapter is more exciting - it's just that I can't seem to accept the fact that all Minerva/Albus interactions will soon be over :'( Why do all of Minerva's friends die!

(I might post another chapter this week as a sort of apology for having missed a few updates these last few weeks)

1 January 1997

"Knock, knock?" Minerva tapped the door twice with her knuckles, then waited patiently for a response.

"Come in," came the muffled reply.

Minerva smiled despite herself and entered the small shed tucked away at the end of Helen and Malcolm's garden. In it sat Malcolm at a small dek inundated by old newspapers and magazines lying pell-mell across the surface — though Malcolm insisted it was an organised mess, Minerva was inclined to disagree. Each time she visited the small shed her brother had decided to convert into a rickety study, the piles of books and articles had grown into haphazard heaps on the ground leaving hardly any space for one person, let alone two, to manoeuvre around the hut.

Malcolm looked up from the article he was busy editing. "Leaving us already?" he said, pushing his glasses up his nose and placing his quill back onto the tabletop.

Minerva sighed. "I'm afraid so."

"Scared you away did we?"

"Well, now that you mention it..." Minerva trailed away, her lips curving into a small teasing smile. "I promise if I could stay another day, I would."

"So do," Malcolm said simply.

Minerva shook her head. "You know I can't. I need to start getting ready for next term," she said. "I've said goodbye to everyone now, apart from you. I hope you weren't hiding from me?"

"Well, now that you mention it..."

"Oh, do stop," Minerva said, swatting her brother lightly on the arm as he chuckled. "I promise I will be back as soon as I am able, but for now I'm afraid it is going to have to be goodbye."

Malcolm sighed and stood up, accidentally bumping the table with his knee as he did so. The article he had been editing floated up and off the table, but Minerva caught it before it drifted to the floor.

"I did not know you were working for the Quibbler now?" she said, raising an eyebrow as she placed the article back onto the table.

"Xenophilius needed some help," Malcolm explained, tapping the parchment absent-mindedly with three fingers. "His paper is selling more than usual, which has caught him a bit by surprise."

"Is that so?" Minerva said interestedly. It seemed at least some people were after more truthful articles than those that could be found in the Prophet, she supposed. "Well, I am pleased. I look forward to reading the next edition," she added. "Now, I think it is time that I head off."

Malcolm smiled and walked towards her. "It was lovely to see you, Minerva. Don't overexert yourself back at the school," he said.

Minerva shook her head as they broke apart. "That word is foreign to my ears, Malcolm McGonagall."

"Liar."

Minerva smiled slightly but Malcolm, though he initially had been teasing, looked more serious now.

"You are feeling better, aren't you?" he asked.

This time Minerva sighed. "Of course, Malcolm. I've said so already, haven't I?"

"Yes, well, you have a track record of saying you're fine regardless of whether you are or aren't," Malcolm continued. "You're exactly like Mum when it comes to these things," he added, ignoring Minerva's exasperated tut. "Honest to God truth? You seemed tired this week."

"Really now, Malcolm," Minerva said, walking to the door and pausing there. "I am fit as a fiddle," she said, echoing her mother who had frequently used this expression when anyone asked her about her wellbeing. "I will alert you once I am safely back at the castle."

Malcolm looked as though he was suppressing a sigh. In the end, he merely nodded. "Please do. Travel safely, Minerva."

Minerva nodded and slipped out of the shed.

A few minutes later and Minerva was walking up the small hill to the castle doors. It was late in the evening and she had just returned from her brief sojourn in Caithness visiting her family.

As she looked up at the castle, she could just about make out Albus' familiar outline as he stood on the steps to the Entrance Hall. She wondered vaguely if he had been waiting for her.

"Good evening, Albus," Minerva said as she got close enough. "Happy New Year," she added.

Albus smiled and embraced her warmly. "Happy New Year, my dear. I trust you had a good Christmas break?"

Minerva nodded, and they broke apart. "And yourself?"

"Very peaceful I must say," he replied, though something subtle about his expression, which Minerva found hard to pinpoint, betrayed his words. Nevertheless, he smiled and then sighed. "But I am glad that you are back."

"Was I that terribly missed?" she teased.

"Always, my dear," Albus replied quite seriously. "How is your family?"

"Oh, well enough," Minerva said off-handedly. "Tired and busy but, overall, they are quite all right."

"I'm glad."

"How about Aberforth? I hope you did go and see him in the end?" she commented as they traversed the Entrance Hall and began to walk in the direction of Minerva's office - their feet automatically carrying them to that location.

"I did," Albus said but he did not elaborate. Minerva did not push him to either - she knew Albus' relationship with his brother was a rather strained and previously tempestuous one.

Instead, she sighed comfortably as they reached the door to her office. "Coming in, or are you busy? I have tea and biscuits."

Albus smiled. "One can never be too busy for tea and biscuits," he said cheerfully.

Minerva suppressed a smile and rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "Mhm," she said, raising her eyebrows amusedly at him.

Albus' eyes twinkled and Minerva opened the door and stepped inside. She was soon followed by Albus.