Minerva sat in her usual spot next to the office window overlooking the Hogwarts courtyard. You could normally find her there every Friday evening. As she and Severus always got together. They used to talk about the insane classroom mishaps that occurred during the week or perhaps a short life story that accompanied the topic. But since the war had ended and Hogwarts was magically rebuilt to its former glory. The openings in her Friday evening schedule was pointless for Severus was dead. But deep down Minerva still, believes he's alive. That he's out there somewhere. That he'll return and say it was all a hoax and everything would be back the way it was before. Before, everything.

"Come in!" Minerva called out once she heard a few loud knocks on the door. "Good evening Neville!" She greeted.

"And good evening to you as well, Ms. McGonagall." Neville Longbottom smiled.

"Would you like some tea? Or a biscuit perhaps?" She asked.

"Uh no thank you, Professor." He answered. She gave him a small smile. "Alright, some tea please." Minerva filled up an empty cup and poured a bit of honey into the mix. "Ah, You remembered." He smiled, taking the cup and then a sip.

"So, What brings you up here today?" She asks politely.

"Oh right. I heard it was your birthday a little while ago." He said reaching into his robes and pulling out a black box. "I came across it when looking for something for Hannah for our anniversary. It instantly reminded me of you!" Minerva grabbed the box and opened it. Inside was a brooch. A silvery cat with bright emerald eyes. It had a simple yet elegant design. "The cat is charmed. Once on the wearer it can flick its tail and meow." Minerva smiled.

"Etiam. That'll make it stop." He explained. Minerva nodded and pinned the cat to her robes. It flick its tail, once, twice. Mewing a few times as doing so. It then turned a few times and plopped down hiding the bright eyes.

"Etiam." The animal awoke, sat up straight, and stayed. Neville nodded.

"Eviligare reverses it. I best be off. Goodnight Professor."

"Oh, Neville! You're allowed to call me Minerva. After all, you're not my student, but a colleague, and my friend." They shared a smile.

"Goodnight Minerva."

"Goodnight Neville."

BAM!

CRASH!

BAM!

The Headmistress awoke violently. Her hand shakily reached out for her wand. She crept down the hall towards the stairs but something was blocking it. She froze at the sight of a black figure standing at the top of the stairs. A death eater? A dementor? Either would have an unpleasant outcome. She's pulled out of her stupor by her name being repeated by the figure.

"Minervaaah. Minervaaah. Minervaaah." The thing fell to the floor and the Headmistress slowly walked over guided by the light from her wand. She bent down to lift the cloak. She gasped. His face was caked with dirt and blood. His clothes were stained with the crimson substance all over. His arm was in a misshapen sling. A tear rolled down her red cheek.

"Severus." She croaked. The man coughed up blood. "Kirby!" With a pop, a house elf appeared in front of her.

"Yes, Mistress McGonagall." He squeaked.

"Go get Madam Pompfrey. Say it's urgent." The elf nodded and vanished. Seconds later he reappeared with the Head Nurse. "Help me move him to the guest bedroom."

"Is that?" Pompfrey started.

"Yes! Now help me!" Minerva spat. The witches raised their wands and lifted Severus' body to the room next to Minerva's. Turning into nurse mode, Poppy started giving Minerva orders.

"Help me get his robes off." Poppy ran her wand over his body. "Alright Severus, this is going to hurt so bite down on this." She stuck a rolled up cloth in his mouth and flicked her wand at his chest. A cracking sound followed making Minerva cringe. Severus gasped and groaned. His eyes clenched shut. His clothes changed into a hospital gown and his skin was cleaned. Poppy leaned over and gave him a sleeping draught. "He should wake up in a day or so. When he does give him these." She handed Minerva various potion vials. "Goodnight Min."

"Goodnight Poppy."