Simultaneously, a squeak emerging from the hinges of the front door announced another arrival. A mildly flushed McGonagall - on account of the fine but cold weather - emerged into the Hog's Head accordingly; a subliminal hint of censure crossing her specs-laden features as she inspected the vaguely familiar locales.

Oh. She was a tactful specimen, tolerant of her Headmaster's quirks, though why of all places Hogsmeade - or, more specifically, the Hog's Head - was deemed suitable for their upcoming conference was a curious mystery; That was, if not a downright proof of Albus' growing eccentricity. Not that she was about to file a complaint, of course; as, regardless of the lack of a prudent explanation, she supposed that the decision to conduct their meeting outside of castle itself had to have its plausible significance.

Another twist to working with Dumbledore, that; as he didn't always relate the prior reason behind his moves or, for all that matters, what inspired his spectacular strokes of genius. It was hard, if anything, to understand what went on in his head; and though she presumed to have established a genuine familiarity with his nature she would border on hypocrisy if she was to claim that he had ever ceased to surprise her. If not shock her entirely, as it was not an unusual - if scarcely evident - phenomena.

Wasting no time in dawdling by the door, however, the middle-aged professor disregarded her initial disapproval - as well as Aberforth's scrutiny, though she met it with an appropriate nod - as she turned to face her intended gathering. Her lips pursed into a thin curve as she moved to intercept a seat, her head bowed in greeting toward the more familiar individuals about the place. That was, her fellow colleagues, as well as the unusual but expected supplement of assorted old graduates that crowded their end of the pub.

"Pardon my..," She excused as she propped herself on Dumbledore's side, though her apologetic note was briefly interrupted by the sight of the provided beverage. The courtesy of a former student, and of all things supported by Dumbledore; though essentially such general frivolity induced little more than a subtle frown and a cough on her account -- as well as a pointed tinge to the brisk resonance of her voice. "May I remind you that we did not come here for spirituous refreshments alone, Mr Collier. Besides," She continued, her point dictated accordingly. "I do believe you will find this gathering a little different from your typical after-work drink,"

"Sleep; I don't need sleep, I hide my life behind me,
Dream; I keep on dreaming, My conscience lays beside me,"