So here it is. My first ever Tom/Minerva fic. I wrote this a couple of month's ago but I never uploaded it anywhere. Comments are greatly enjoyed and need thank you in advance and I hope you enjoy. Roses

The Riddle of Life (01/?)

This Chasm, Sweet, upon my life

I mention it to you,

When Sunrise through a fissure drop

The Day must follow too.

If we demur, its gaping sides

Disclose as 'twere a Tomb

Ourself am lying straight wherein

The Favorite of Doom.

When it has just contained a Life

Then, Darling, it will close

And yet so bolder every Day

So turbulent it grows

I'm tempted half to stitch it up

With a remaining Breath

I should not miss in yielding, though

To Him, it would be Death—

And so I bear it big about

My Burial—before

A Life quite ready to depart

Can harass me no more—

"This Chasm, Sweet, upon my life" Emily Dickinson

Tears clung to her eyelashes as she looked up to the man with fear shining brightly in her eyes.

"Why? Why?…"

This was all the black-haired woman seemed to mutter for the past half hour since he had captured her. It wasn't as hard as he thought it would've been amazingly. Blood slowly trickled down from her face onto her white blouse. She held a hand in a fist in front of her face; crying and whimpering. He kicked her and she curled up into a ball. He laughed maliciously at her attempts to save herself.

"You'll never do it Minerva. I have you, no one can save you."

She whimpered slightly and he lowered down into a crouch. Tears rolled down her cheeks and into the new found scrapes and scratches stingy heavily. She sobbed and wrapped her arms around her legs. Her black bun had fallen down and strands of it fell into her face.

"Please Tom...please!"

Hmm. Progress. At least she wasn't muttering questions now. He let a long and lanky hand slowly tilt her head up. She shivered beneath his touch. He smirked at this pulling out his wand in his other hand.

"This won't hurt at all Minerva. Breathis obstructis."

His wand was now aimed at her throat and suddenly her hands went rigid and scrapped at the ground, her lips widening and trying to gulp for air. Her lips soon began to turn purple and he released his wand. She gasped immediately and tried to stem the now even heavier flow of blood from the rush of blood to her head. Her sleeve was now on her nose and she looked up at him with hatred.

"You bastard…you fucking bas-"

He aimed his wand at her directly snarling.

"Crucius!"

Minerva let a howl of pain, her body shaking uncontrollably and twitching. Tom waved his wand and her head flew back quickly, several popping noises could be heard and she let out a silent scream. Tom laughed and stopped. Minerva laid still tears streaming down and mixing with blood. She sputtered and several specks of blood came out of her mouth. Her eyes clenched even harder in agony.

"What did you call me Minerva?"

She whimpered softly her eyes still clenched shut. He sneered at her and stood.

"That's what I thought. Not like it would make much difference. Your neck is broken now. I suggest you not move for awhile but just to keep you alive…"

He waved his wand idly at her decomposed form.

"Vitalism. I need you to play around with more Minerva. I shall be seeing you soon. Nagini will keep you company for now."

Minerva tried to turn to watch him go but something was wrong with her neck. It wouldn't move. It had been welded together like metal. She screamed in agony.

"WHY DAMNIT! WHY?!"

She tried to move but it was impossible. Her perfect posture was gone now. He was taking her away one piece at a time.

"You bastard. You god damn fucking bastard!"

She didn't understand why this was happening. Why were the gods choosing to forsake her now? What had she done? She cried in pain, in hatred, and worry. No one knew were she was, not now at least. She heard footsteps but since she couldn't move she just opened her eyes and looked up at the figure towering over her.

"Oh Professor, please let me help you!"

The figure let out a snicker and stepped onto Minerva's chest and pushed a heel deeply into it. More cracking. Minerva finally placed the figure in her mind.

"Be-…bell-…"

Minerva's hazel eyes rolled backwards from unconsciousness. Words, muted. What was he saying?

"Damnit Bella! Look at what you've done! Vita-"

She couldn't hold on any longer. Minerva's body went limp.

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"Minerva…"

Minerva wheeled around in her abnormally cold room.

"Severus? What are you doing here? Didn't Albus…?"

Severus stood leaning against the doorway, his eyes actually full of emotion for once. He shoved off the entrance and entered the room.

"Minerva. Please…don't do this. It isn't necessary."

His hands wrapped around hers, his eyes pleading with her. Minerva cast her gaze downwards in shame and in pain.

"Severus…you know I must do this. It's for the order."

He sighed deeply and hugged her to him. She was shocked but comforted by his warmth in the cold quarters.

"Be careful ok?"

"I will Severus. I will."

"Take this. If you're ever in trouble use this and we'll be able to find you immediately."

Minerva pocketed the item like it was a treasure. He hugged tightly to her once more and released her. She sighed and exited the room, not looking back at him. The day was cold today and snow was falling lightly as Minerva walked down the pathway to Hogsmeade armed with only her wand and Severus' item. The door tinkled softly as she entered The Three Broomsticks. She sat down at the counter ordering Gillyweed Water. She sipped softly and felt a hand upon her shoulder. She looked up her eyes widening in shock.

"Bellatrix?!"

Then everything was a blur, thirteen stunners to the chest and the room she was in now was all Minerva remembered.

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