15th May 1999

Minerva was never quite herself in the last few weeks of May when Elphinstone loomed large on her mind. This year, without Albus or Pomona's usual intervention, which consisted of inviting her for tea in their office to discuss some school issues they both knew they had made up, Minerva found herself feeling restless and quite alone.

Her plan that morning had been to stay behind after class to catch up on some marking, or to finish some smaller administrative tasks she had left for the end of the week.

Now, at the end of the working day, this seemed rather less appealing. And as the last of her students filed out of the Transfiguration classroom on the last Friday of term, Minerva's only objective was to follow their lead.

She stooped to retrieve her handbag, collected a few loose files from her desk and began to wipe down the blackboard as she prepared to leave. Yet, no sooner had she put the board eraser down and made a start at weaving her way between the desks, that there was a knock on her door.

Minerva suppressed a sigh. "Come in," she called eventually, rearranging her features so that she appeared less weary and a little more welcoming.

Minerva's goddaughter, now a seventh year, opened the door and hovered over the threshold of the Transfiguration classroom.

"Sorry to disturb you, Professor McGonagall. Could I have a word please?" Grace's eyes drifted to the handbag in Minerva's hand. "Or would tomorrow be better?"

"Now if just fine, Miss Matthews," Minerva replied, following Grace's lead and addressing her formally. "Do come in and take a seat."

Grace followed Minerva and they both settled down on the opposite side of Minerva's desk. She looked nervous, Minerva noted. Pomona had alluded to the fact that Grace had been troubled by something but had not told anyone what it was yet. Minerva vaguely wondered if this would finally be the moment when she would discover what had been on Grace's mind for the last few weeks.

"I wanted to speak with you about the Ministry apprenticeship," Grace began. "I've just received final confirmation that I have a place on the scheme but—erm—I need some advice."

"I am happy to help in any way I can," Minerva said. She put her hands on her desk and interlocked her fingers. "What kind of advice are you seeking? I take it that it might have something to do with this role at the Ministry?"

"Yes. The thing is," Grace paused and bit her lip. "The thing is, Professor Flitwick encouraged me to apply for the position when I was unsure about my career prospects. He told me that the role would offer a lot of variety, and would allow me to learn a bit more about myself and my interests."

This was sound advice, Minerva thought. "I see. And which department have you been placed in?"

This time, Grace smiled slightly. "The Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Professor Flitwick told me you worked there for a bit before coming to Hogwarts," she added. "I think that's why he suggested I come to speak with you. He thought you could tell me a bit more about what the role would involve?"

Minerva frowned slightly as she took a moment to recall her time at the Ministry; it had been a long time since she had had any reason to think about it.

"Well, as you are no doubt aware, I worked at the Ministry a very long time ago now," Minerva began. "It was just after the First Wizarding War and at the start of the Second, so our work ended up being quite varied and protocols were different compared to now. I was with the Hit Squad and the Witch Watch, and sometimes my work overlapped with the role of the Aurors. That would not happen so much now, as we were quite understaffed then."

"What did you do, mainly?"

Minerva cast her mind back to the mid-50s. Annabelle, her colleague at the time, came to mind. She had liked Annabelle very much and remembered well the many hours they had spent in each other's company, sitting in their cramped office filling in paperwork until the early hours of the morning with Annabelle's latest baking endeavour to snack on. Minerva smiled slightly at the memory. They had stayed in touch for many years afterwards, until Annabelle had been killed by some Death Eaters while on duty.

Minerva cleared her throat. "Lots of research, mainly," she said eventually. "We spent hours in the Ministry Library trying to get more information on potential suspects. We were the first port of call when the Aurors were having difficulty arresting witches and wizards, and usually, we wrote most of the reports detailing the events surrounding arrests so that they could be used in trials."

"Did you supervise people?"

"Not while I was there, no. But I was only there for two years, mind, and I did decline a promotion at the time so that I could become a teacher instead," Minerva said. "It is possible, if I had accepted the role at the Ministry, that I would have managed more people. If that is what you wanted to hear? Otherwise, Elph—my—erm—the Head of Department was the only one who managed people."

"Elphinstone Urquat?"

Minerva nodded and cleared her throat. She had not spoken of Elphinstone much to Grace, and Grace would have been much too young when he had died to properly remember him. It was natural that his name would crop up in such a conversation, but hearing it out loud still came as a shock, especially now.

"That's right," she said eventually. She cleared her throat and tried to push Elphinstone from her mind so that she culd focus on the task at hand. "If I am being quite frank, I think it would be best if you spoke with someone who had more recently worked at the Ministry. My experience is—dated, to say the least."

"It wasn't that long ago. I'm sure it's not as different as you think," Grace said.

Minerva was unconvinced. She shook her head, "No, I think it would be in your interest to hear from those with more up-to-date experiences. Kingsley Shackelbolt was Head of the Department for very many years, and Mr Potter and Mr Weasley have recently joined the Department you will be working in. I am sure they would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have."

"So you're proposing I speak with the current Minister for Magic and the two people who saved the entire Wizarding World for career advice?"

Minerva nodded. "All very kind and helpful people who have been in the same position as you, once upon a time," she pointed out. "I am happy to write to them, and introduce you if that is something you would be interested in?"

"I—thank you," Grace said and bit her lip in the way Pomona so often did when her mind was weighed down by something.

Minerva narrowed her eyes. She had the distinct feeling there was more to this matter than Grace was letting on. "Is there anything else I can help you with, Miss Matthews?"

Grace paused, looking torn. Then, she cleared her throat. "As it happens, there is," she said eventually. She shook her head. "How do you do that?"

"Years of practice," Minerva replied. "And you have the disadvantage that I know you quite well, Miss Matthews. I assume whatever it is that is on your mind, still pertains to your role at the Ministry?"

"Yes and no." Grace winced. "I'm just—I don't think I want to take the role anymore. I haven't told Mum yet, because she's been so excited for me to start my new job once I graduate. I thought, perhaps, you would be able to talk me out of my indecision?"

"What are you indecisive about?" Minerva asked. "Has another position caught your eye?"

Grace nodded. "Please don't laugh as I know it might sound silly," she said. "But I think I would like to go into teaching. And that's not just because Mum and Dad—were—both teachers. When everything was happening at Hogwarts with the Carrows and—and even before that with Umbridge, I had—erm—opportunities to deliver lessons of some sort."

"Defence Against the Dark Arts by any chance?"

"Y—es," Grace said, and she frowned. "I take it you know what I'm talking about?"

"If it is Dumbledore's Army that you are speaking of, then yes, I do," Minerva said. "For what it's worth, Miss Matthews, I do not think this is a silly idea at all. You applied for the Ministry role quite a while ago now, and it is not uncommon for people to change their minds. Fortunately for you, I am better placed to offer advice on this particular career path."

She smiled and Grace, seemingly relieved that her ideas had not been met with ridicule—not that Minerva would ever have done such a thing—smiled too.

"In fact, I believe I can do better than just offer advice, in this instance," Minerva continued.

"Oh?"

"Indeed. As you know, Professor Sprout, your mother, is expecting to retire in the next year or two and we are hoping to advertise a teacher-in-training position this summer. We will also be doing the same for Transfigurations—"

"You're not retiring are you!"

"Certainly not," Minerva said. "At least, not yet, I won't be. However, we are in dire need of a new Transfiguration professor and this position seems a useful way of solving our problems. So," she sat up straighter and folded her hands on her desk. "You might be interested in applying for either of those two positions."

"Don't tell Mum this, but I'm not very green-fingered, so to speak."

Minerva smiled slightly. "I'm afraid we had rather noticed, dear," she said. "Either way, you are more than welcome to apply for either or both. Even if your preference is Transfigurations," she added, with a whisker of a smile. "We won't be releasing the advertisements for the role for several more weeks yet, which gives you some time to decide whether or not you would like to proceed with this career path. You would be very welcome to shadow us until the end of term, it might help you make your decision if that is of interest?"

"It would be," Grace said enthusiastically. "Very much so!"

"Excellent," Minerva replied. "I wouldn't say anything to the Ministry yet, although do speak with Mr Potter and Mr Weasley as you might find that the Ministry work is more appealing." She leaned back in her chair. "Who would you like to shadow? Any subject you find yourself particularly attracted to you?"

Grace blushed. "I'm quite partial to Transfigurations if I'm honest."

"A very admirable choice," Minerva said.

"Spurred by a very inspiring person."

Minerva tutted. "Now then, you know very well that flattery does not work on me," she said. "Besides, this might work in both of our interests as I would welcome an additional pair of hands in the classroom. Whenever you would like to start, let me know. After your final exams, perhaps?"

"That sounds—great. Thank you, Minerva. Really. I really appreciate it."

"Ask and you shall receive, isn't that the saying?" Minerva smiled. "If this does go ahead, Grace, then it won't stay a secret very long. Perhaps it is time to tell your mother what has been on your mind?"

"I didn't realise she had noticed. Or told you, in fact. Who would have thought Professor McGonagall was a gossip!"

"A gossip, my foot," Minerva said, looking at her goddaughter over her spectacles. "My dear, your mother is much more perceptive than you give her credit for. And she cares for you very much."

Grace smiled. "I know. I will speak with her this evening, Minerva," she added, coming round the desk to kiss Minerva on the cheek. "Thank you for your help today."

"You are most welcome, dear," Minerva said.

Grace had almost reached the doorway when she turned. "Oh, and Mum wants to know if you're coming for dinner this Sunday? Malcolm and Helen are invited too."

"We'll be there," Minerva replied. "Goodnight, Grace."