Minerva McGonagall

Hogwarts, Aug. 6 th

With a barely disguised scowl, Minerva McGonagall angrily walked back from the Headmaster's office. The topic of their meeting had disturbed her greatly, and she now had to explain to her colleagues that the Dementors would be patrolling the grounds until Peter Pettigrew was caught.

Minerva couldn't blame Albus for saddling her with the duty to inform the rest of the professors, even though it was her busiest time of the year. She knew just how much Albus was juggling right now. The news of Peter's escape, along with the Minister's part in allowing the escape to happen, had caused a political storm at the Ministry and Wizengamot. Fudge was doing everything he could to 'rectify the horrible bureaucratic miscalculation,' which essentially translated to mucking up other people's lives even more.

Albus had tried to get the minister to reconsider the use of Dementors, but Fudge was adamant about being seen as doing something proactive in re-capturing Peter.

The thought of her former student caused Minerva's face to wrinkle in disgust. Peter had made his choice long ago. He wasn't the first Gryffindor to go dark, and, unfortunately, he wouldn't be the last.

Reaching her office, Minerva quickly went about organizing the last few letters to prospective Muggleborn students. Making a note of the students who were out of the country and needed to be visited by a professor, she went about the rest of her duties. When she got to the fifth year boys' prefects list, Minerva fought the urge to hiss at the prospects. For the first time in her 27 years as the Head of Gryffindor house, she had no idea who to select. The two most dominant figures in her fifth year class were Fred and George Weasley, neither of which could, or would even want to, be a good prefect. Unfortunately, the other three boys in their year were hardly exemplary, nor would they be able to control the twins.

Muttering a curse under her breath, Minerva penciled Alicia Spinnet in as the girls' prefect and left the boy's spot blank for the moment. Perhaps she'd speak to Albus later about amending the rules and allowing two girls to be prefects for that year. Angelina's grades certainly made her a viable candidate.

A soft tapping at her window caused Minerva to glance outside and notice a small brown post owl sitting on the ledge. Unlocking the window, the bird fluttered over and Minerva undid the small envelope tied to the owl's leg.

Noticing a note attached to the envelope, Minerva went back to her desk and put on her glasses.

Minerva,

Read pages 5-8. I think you'll be impressed.

Lily

Curious, Minerva removed a copy of Transfiguration Today from the envelope and flipped to the pages Lily's note had mentioned. A single glance at the headline caused her eyes to widen, and she quickly sat down and began to read.

Fifteen minutes later, Minerva set down the magazine, torn between pride and disappointment.

Her feelings were rational, she supposed. Lily and James were two of her favorite students, and she was proud of what their son had managed to accomplish; however, a part of her was upset by what she read. While Minerva remembered overhearing Nathan mention to Hermione that Harry was excelling at Transfiguration at Durmstrang, she hadn't realized the extent the boy had progressed in such a short time.

Losing Harry Potter as a student had clearly been a blow for Hogwarts, and it saddened her that Harry felt he needed to leave in order to get the best education he could. Looking back over Harry's discovery and glancing at the picture of Harry and his new Transfiguration professor, Minerva couldn't help but wonder if she would have allowed Harry to achieve as much had he stayed at Hogwarts.

A part of her stubbornly said yes –that the truly great wizards don't need much instruction or direction.

Still, seeing Harry smile at his new Professor, Minerva wondered if she was being honest with herself. Harry might not have needed as much guidance as some of his peers, but that didn't mean he didn't like the companionship. Ultimately, the boy's loneliness was what drove him to Quirrell and out of Hogwarts.

Sighing, Minerva walked to her fireplace and pulled out some floo powder. "Filius!"

After a moment, the Charms professor's head appeared in her fire. "Minerva, what can I do for you? I was just sitting down for tea."

"I believe I have something you might be interested in seeing."

"Oh, very well," Filius said somewhat reluctantly. "Stand back, I'll come through."

Standing up, Minerva walked over to her desk and poured two cups of tea, and, a few seconds later, Filius appeared in her office.

"Tea?"

"Thank you." Filius accepted the cup and easily transfigured one of Minerva's straight back chairs into something more comfortable.

"I thought you might like to see this." Handing her colleague the magazine, Minerva added, "The article begins on page five."

Intrigued, Filius began reading at the top of the page, after reading a few lines, his tea lay forgotten on the table.

"He crafted a Semi-Permanent Enchantment Receptacle... as a first year." Filius looked particularly pained as he continued to read. "Mr. Potter's placement test was one of, if not, the finest entrance examinations in the history of Durmstrang. The young man did things with a wand I would never have believed possible from an eleven year-old."

"And we didn't even know," Minerva muttered distastefully. "Such a waste."

Flipping to the next page, Filius shook his head at his former student's discovery. "Unbelievable. He's enchanting as a second year, and he actually found a use for a broken enchantment."

"Soon to be fifth year, Filius," Minerva corrected. "According to the article, Harry will be entering his fifth year in both of our subjects."

Not bothering to hide his scowl, Filius said, "Lady Ravenclaw is likely rolling over in her grave at my mistake."

"Filius, it is not your faul–"

"Don't say it Minerva," Flitwick interrupted. "I was derelict in my duty. Had I not, perhaps Harry would still be a Ravenclaw."

"You have over seventy students to look after Filius, and you alone cannot hold all the blame for what happened to Harry." Minerva countered. "He came to all of us for help. You weren't the only one who turned him away."

"Minerva, a part of me knows you're right, but I cannot help but feel I should have done more."

"You know what they say about hindsight Filius. Not even a time turner can alter the past. You should be happy that he has found his place at Durmstrang. All we can do is try to not repeat our past mistakes. Perhaps it was a lesson we all needed."

"Perhaps."

Deciding that there was no better time to bridge the issue, Minerva said, "While I have you here, there is another matter I must speak to you about."

"Oh?" Filius asked, finally taking a sip of his cold tea.

"I just spoke to Albus. It appears that Dementors will be patrolling the grounds for an undetermined amount of time."

Placing his tea back on the desk, Filius stood up and walked over to the floo.

"Filius?" Minerva asked in concern.

"I will return, Minerva," Filius said tiredly, "however, I sense I'm going to need a headache drought by the time this day is over."