Welcome to my first HP fanfic - the usual disclaimer applies... the characters are not mine, I have borrowed them and no infringement of coyright is intended.

This is McGonagall centred but with eventual ADMM.

Please read and review :-)

It was during the Christmas holidays of Harry's fifth year and Harry, Ron and Hermione were sitting quietly in a corner of the living room at Grimmauld Place.

Arthur Weasley had returned from St. Mungos a few days previously, but after the initial celebrations the atmosphere, particularly around Harry had returned to one of tension. This was hardly surprising, considering the anxious brooding mood of Harry himself, which was affecting everyone around him.

Harry and Ron were playing Wizard's chess, speaking only to direct their pieces, whilst Hermione was enjoying re-reading Hogwarts: A History, when they heard an authoritative tap at the door followed by Moody's distinctive footsteps, approaching it whilst muttering "Constant vigilance" under his breath. Wordlessly Ron produced a handful of extendable ears and gave one to each of his friends and took another for himself before returning the remainder to his pocket. Using the extendable ears the three Gryffindors listened to the hallway conversation.

"Minerva," they heard Moody growl.

"Good evening, Alastor," replied Professor McGonagall briskly, "I wonder if you could help me?"

Moody growled a non-committal response.

"I need to speak with Albus," McGonagall continued.

"What about?"

"Its private," she answered curtly.

"Keep your love life separate from Order business," growled Moody as he walked away.

"Its that Umbridge woman," Minerva said suddenly.

"What about her," Moody inquired, although Harry, Ron and Hermione could see him outside the door, still facing away from McGonagall.

"She's been asking questions and snooping around mine and Albus' lives."

"I always said your relationship was a bad idea," growled Moody, "Putting yourselves in danger is what it is. Constant vigilance!"

"Alastor!" McGonagall exclaimed fiercely, "She is not looking at our relationship, she has been asking about Albus' power, how – how he became the most powerful wizard alive and…" she sighed, "Asking about my family history and perhaps looking for the dark mark… she also asked whether I can do wandless magic."

"What did you say?" demanded Moody, turning with the concern clear on his face.

"That I can, but in general I chose to use a wand."

"Does she believe you?"

"I don't know."

Moody growled something inaudible under his breath, "If Fudge discovers what happened as well as your mark…"

"He will use it to further discredit Albus," finished Minerva worriedly. "He could probably use it to send him to Azkaban. And if it becomes public knowledge, well, then You-Know-Who could find out."

"He doesn't already know?"

"Not everything…only what – what he saw."

"You'd better come in," Alastor said calmly. "Dumbledore will return soon."

She sighed, "Thank you, Alastor. I wish I could contact him as I used to but he made me promise only to do so in life or death situations."

Alastor growled, "This is close enough."