Disclaimer: Heck I couldn't get JKR to give me the rights to Harry even under the Imperius curse!! So I guess it's still hers! :(

Chapter 2

A Scandalous Affair

Three months before the prophecy

A broad and well built man late in his thirties walked briskly towards the famous Café Leopold on Brooke's street. The café was spacious and had ambient lighting. It was designed for business meetings with ample room for privacy. However it turned out to be a hit amongst couples, young and old alike.

The man wearing a handsome satin colored suit entered the café, and took a quick glance inside. He then made his way and seated himself beside a beautiful woman, who was evidently awaiting his arrival. He glanced around once again and noticed that the café was relatively less crowded, something which would definitely work in his favour.

The woman said "Hello Wallace, I see that you still haven't gotten the courtesy to ask before you sit at someone's table."

Wallace smiled and replied, "You know me, Minerva. Some habits never change."

Minerva McGonagall wasn't in the mood to waste any time. As soon as he had sat down, she started her barrage of questions, "What's the meaning of all this? Why did you choose this muggle place for us to meet? You better give me a good reason as soon as possible, or I'll have no option but to leave."

Wallace couldn't keep the smile off his face. He knew about the fiery nature of the woman. Once she started on something, she didn't stop till she had all the answers. He tried to cool her down a bit, "Take it easy, Minerva."

She responded in a fierce tone, "There is no chance that's happening. You know I told you that I'd never meet you again, Wallace, and still you insisted on this meeting. You lost the chance to see my calm side once you chose to go into the service of that miserable excuse for a human being! You chose being a death eater over me, Wallace, and I will never forgive you for that."

Wallace cringed a bit on hearing the harsh words of the woman in front of him. He composed himself and stated, "But you are still here, aren't you? You have to admit it, Minerva; you can never stop loving me!"

Minerva responded in the same fierce tone, "Watch your mouth, Wallace! Don't flatter yourself too much. Now get on with what you have to say, and make it quick! I only came here because you said that it was very important!"

Even though she was angry, Wallace couldn't help but admire her. He still felt a deep connection with her. He knew that she too felt the same way.

However, he was also aware that now was not the time for him to think about his feelings for her. The time had come for him to let her know about the reason behind their meeting.

Wallace shifted a little towards Minerva and whispered, "Listen Minerva, I want to show you something."

Then Wallace folded the sleeve of his shirt and showed her his arm.

"Oh my god!" cried Minerva in shock. "It's gone. The mark … it's gone!"

Wallace appeared calm, "Yes Minerva. The mark is gone. And soon will the dark lord also be gone … forever! We are going to kill him Minerva; we are going to kill that bastard!"

There were a thousand questions running through Minerva's head. She couldn't control herself. She muttered out, "But … But how is that possible? He is too powerful. How can you possibly kill the greatest dark wizard of all time?"

Wallace simply replied, "I don't know. Nobody knows. But we will soon come up with something!"

On hearing this, Minerva composed herself and leaned back again, "Wallace, all this time that I have known you, I didn't even for once think that you were this dumb. So, you plan to kill him without having a plan… Is that what you're trying to tell me? Or is this some stupid game to get my attention?"

Wallace replied, "Minerva, I know that you can never forgive me for the way things ended between us. But you have to understand that this is no joke. It's really happening. There's already a large amount of dissent in the ranks of the Death Eaters. It's just a matter of time before we get a chance to make our move."

Minerva just stared blankly at him. Wallace continued, "Minerva, I know that you're finding it difficult to believe me. But whether you do believe me or not is immaterial. It is going to happen anyways. All I ask of you is to just this… please remember me as a good person … not the Death Eater, but the person who loved you."

McGonagall raised her eyebrows, "Why do you say that?" Although her face was impassionate, her pulse was racing. It was clear that she still loved him.

But Wallace didn't answer. He just took her palm and kissed it gently. His eyes met hers and she knew the answer to her question. She looked up to him. She wanted to say, "No … you don't have to do this!" but no words came from her mouth.

Both sat there in silence, reliving the past moments of their life and their relationship which had been amazing while it had lasted. Both sensed the same emotions at the same time. It couldn't end like this. It shouldn't end like this.

But after some time, Wallace started to move away. He had to leave his beloved now, for there were other pressing matters on hand. Besides that, if somebody spotted them together, there would be hell to pay.

Wallace got up and took Minerva's hand, "Just one more thing, darling"

Minerva just looked expectantly into his eyes.

Wallace paused for a moment when he saw her. But Wallace knew that it had to be done. He knew that she was to be set free of him and danger.

With a swish of the wand which he was holding below the table, the deed was done. No one noticed a thing. He let go of her hand and left the café. There was no turning back now.

Minerva sat there unable to move. She blinked her eyes unable to understand what had just happened.

The memory charm placed by Wallace had made her forget him forever.

A/N: I know that there's still a lot of ambiguity in the story so far. However, I would implore you to stick with me till the end, and you wouldn't be disappointed.

Special thanks to my beta reader, The Unusual Suspect.

I would love to get some feedback. Reviews would be most welcome!