Hey Guys! This is my first ever fanfic so please keep an open mind! I don't have a beta so please forgive any mistakes...though I think I've found most of them :)

Albus strode through the doors of hogwarts castle in a mood as black as the thunder clouds that dominated the sky. Apollyon Pringle the care taker appeared round the corner ready to give which ever student coming in late a lynching second to none but seeing it was Albus he disappeared round the corner as fast as his shuffling feet would carry him although albus barely glanced at him. His mind was turning faster than a spinning top and it all revolved around an owl he had received earlier from Professor Merrythought informing him about the duel between Miss Minerva McGonagal and Mr Tom Riddle. And now they wanted to expel her? She was the schools top transfiguration student, best of her year in all her subjects, prefect and soon to be head girl as well as Gryffindor's top quidditch player. What did they expect her to do? Sit there looking pretty while that monster fired random spells at her? First Hagrid now this? Could this boy get away with murder? HAD this boy got away with murder? Oh gods. Had he hurt Minerva? Even Merlin couldn't save him if he had. Though Albus told himself (and sometimes Fawkes) that he only cared what happened to her because she was his top student but, if he was completely honest it was so much more than that. He was in love with her and had been ever since she had walked into his class a year ago during her fourth year. Striding in to sit right in the front row, with her ebony shiny black hair tied back loosely away from her pale face. Although most people with pale skin looked slightly ill, it suited her with her high cheek bones and large emerald green eyes that sparkled with mirth when she found something funny. Her pink lips which practically disappeared when she was angry were absolutely lovely when she laughed and he had often caught himself wondering how they would feel pressed up against his.

"Albus?" A voice came timidly from around the corner as albus strode towards the entrance to the headmasters office.

"Horence" he answered curtly.

"I just wanted to say that I am dreadfully sorry about Miss McGonnagal. I know you had high hopes for her but engaging in a duel on school grounds whilst NEWT students were writi-"

"Professor slughorn, unless you want me to break every last bone in your body WITHOUT magic I suggest you be silent immediately." Albus interrupted stopping dead in front of the stone gargoyle to glare at the shorter man.

B..but Albus surely you must see what must be d..d..done?" Slughorn stuttered quelling slightly under his furious gaze. "I mean it sir, shut...up...right...now!" Albus practically yelled quivering with the effort to keep his anger in check.

"Professors?" A young Hufflepuff girl said as she stepped round the corner holding out two parchments. "The Head master asked me to give you these" Albus took the one with his name on it and uncurled it

'Albus, meet me in the staff room at 7:30 for an emergency staff meeting regarding the duel. Both students being attended to by Madam Greene. See you then,

Amardo".

" Thank you Miss Sprout." He said a good deal calmer than before and turned to walk the other way.

"Professor? Will...will Min be okay?" She asked timidly. Albus blinked in surprise before answering

"I don't know. I honest to Merlin hope so"

"Last bed on the right" was all he heard as he entered the hospital wing, nodding slightly he went to stand in front of the bed where she lay. Though for a moment he wished he hadn't because to say she looked like hell was being kind. Her usually pale face was now the colour of sour milk, her black hair had lost its shine and life as it stuck to her sweat covered forehead, her breathing hitched in her throat when she drew air and her fine delicate hands clutched listlessly at her sheets.

"What did he do turn her Mary?" He asked as the matron came and stood by him looking concerned

"I don't know Albus, he won't tell us. Claims it happened so fast. My guess though is a half fledged Cruciatus mixed with her own rebounded Stupify, but I can't be sure until she's awake and I can perform Finite Incantatem

"And you can't do it now?"

She sighed " Unfortunately not. I might reverse the effect the potions have on her." He was silent for a few minutes before withdrawing his wand and conjuring up a comfortable chair beside her bed. "Tell the head master that I won't be attending his meeting or any classes until she has woken up. He can give the school a week off or take the classes himself.". He muttered as he sat down and reached for her hand.

"He won't like that Albus, the board and Slughorn are pressuring him to sort this out as fast as possible. It could cost you your job." She warned as she handed him an extra pillow.

"I don't care, he can have the damn job" Albus growled accepting the pillow and returning his gaze to the ill girl in the hospital bed.

Please review honestly! :)