Minerva sat at her desk in her classroom preparing for her first lesson with the second years. She began writing things on the chalkboard herself while her quill began writing out papers. She had brooms sweeping up near the animals, the desks washing themselves, and much more. She heard the door open, but was too wrapped up in her work to realize that she should turn around to see whom it was.
"I would expect during times like these you would pay more attention as to who enters your classroom." A voice said. Minerva dropped the chalk when she heard him. She slowly turned around and saw Aberforth standing by her door. Minerva waved her wand and the door shut, locked it, and the window's shades were pulled down. She stared at Aberforth not knowing what to say. He began walking toward her while looking around the classroom.
"How did you get into the castle? There are death eaters everywhere searching to make sure all passageways are closed." She said quietly. Aberforth looked at her.
"I had a visitor at my pub a couple hours ago," he said ignoring her question. "She came asking for my help… with you. Apparently you haven't been yourself since my brother passed away."
Minerva rolled her eyes and turned back around to continue writing on the chalkboard.
"Poppy paid you a visit did she not?" Minerva asked. When Aberforth didn't answer she knew that was the answer. "She seems to believe I'm not fine even though I have repeatedly told her I am fine."
She heard Aberforth move closer to her and she turned around to see him leaning up against her desk.
"Your mind is telling you you're fine, but your heart is telling you different, am I right?" he asked her. Minerva stopped writing on the chalkboard, but didn't turn around. Aberforth knew he was right. She finally looked back and looked him in the eyes. He had Albus's blue eyes as well and Minerva felt her eyes begin to water, but looked away and toward a book.
"I have to focus on preparing the lessons. I do not have time to focus on…" she began.
"Feelings? Love? Sadness? Wretchedness?" he finished for her. Minerva didn't look at him, but she felt him come up behind her. "Minerva, my brother loved you enough to give you Ariana's phoenix necklace."
That was her breaking point. Tears trickled down her face and hit the book she was reading. She moved her hand and found the necklace under her robes and pulled it out. She held it tightly and felt Aberforth hug her from behind. She turned and cried into his beard. Aberforth looked down at her and held her tight. They stayed like that for a couple minutes until she pulled away and sat down in her seat. She waved her wand and a chair appeared next to her. Aberforth sat down next to her and looked at her.
"I didn't see him at all that day he died, besides in the morning. When I left his quarters that morning I didn't know that would be the last time I…" she said and trailed off feeling her eyes water up. Aberforth took her hand and held it. He listened to her as she spoke and then it was silent.
"Tomorrow, students will be arriving at Hogwarts, students who will need you Minerva," Aberforth finally said. She looked at him. "He may not be with you, but you've got to hold on. Albus would want you to protect them as much as you can. From what I have heard, you are one of the most powerful witches here and in the Order. Do not let them underestimate you."
They stood up and Minerva nodded.
"Thank you… Aberforth. Thank you." Minerva said softly. He gave a small smile and pulled her in for a hug. Minerva then heard voices coming their way. Aberforth looked down at her.
"One thing is certain though, even though he may not be here, he will always be in your heart. Always."
She smiled and hugged him one last time. The door was then unlocked and Minerva turned to see Alecto Carrow standing there with her wand pointed at them. Minerva raised her wand back and pointed it straight at her.
"Severus! I found an intruder!" she yelled down the hall. Moments later Severus appeared at the door and saw Aberforth with Minerva. "Well what do we do with them?" Alecto sneered. Severus looked at them.
"Let him off with a warning and let him return to Hogsmeade. If he is sited here again we will take action." Severus answered. Aberforth looked at Minerva and squeezed her hand one last time.
"Always." He whispered. She nodded and he then let go and headed for the door. Minerva watched him leave and then looked at Severus. They met eyes until she turned away to finish her work. She heard the door shut and she then turned around. She saw she was alone again. She sat down at her desk and looked at the necklace. She remembered the night he gave it to her…
She waved her wand and the radio flew right into the wall and broke the radio. She put her head back into her hands. She suddenly jumped out of her skin. A pair of arms wrapped around her. She looked up and Albus was sitting next to her.
"Did you think I would leave my lovely lady without saying where I was going?" he asked. She didn't know what to say. He didn't give her a chance. He leaned in and kissed her. She wasted no time in wrapping her arms around his neck. He deepened the kiss and she had no problem with that. She loved him. He brought her closer. They both finally needed air and so she let go and she buried her face into his beard. Tears started to run down her face. He held her close for a few minutes until they heard her door open. Thank the heavens it was only Madam Pomfrey and Rolanda Hooch, her two best friends. They walked in and saw Albus with Minerva and her leaning on his chest. Albus had one hand on her back and the other on her head.
"Albus!" Rolanda said quietly as the portrait shut fast. They both walked over. "I do not mean to break this up, but Umbridge and the Minister are looking for you Minerva and they said it had to do with relationships and I now see what they were talking about!"
"She is coming this way." Madam Pomfrey added. They then stepped back to give them some space.
"I must go, I am not going into hiding like I said, but I must give you something before I leave." Albus said and put his hand in his pocket to get something out. It was a necklace with a gold phoenix on it. He didn't hand it to her, he put it on her. She looked down at it and then looked up at him. Here eyes were really red.
"Albus, what is this?" she asked softly.
"Something I meant to give you sooner. It is a Phoenix necklace. I put a charm on it so whenever I am thinking of you, you will know. I am the only one who can touch it besides you, if someone were to try and take it off, I would know and they would not be happy," He answered. He heard Umbridge and Fudge coming. He leaned in and quickly kissed her and then pulled away and put her hand in his hands. "I love you." Then he quickly stood up and disappeared. Minerva was speechless and then she felt the charm on her necklace become warm and she looked down and the phoenix turned red like Fawkes. That is how she could tell he was thinking of her.
She smiled at the memory as a couple tears rolled down her face. She tucked it back under her robes and stood up. She walked out of her classroom and headed toward the staff room. She entered and only saw Professor Sinistra sitting drinking a cup of tea. She looked up and smiled at Minerva.
"Minerva, how are you?" she kindly asked. Minerva smiled, something she hadn't done in a long time. She waved her wand and began making tea. She went and sat next to Aurora.
"I'm alright, busy preparing for the students arrival. How about you Aurora?" Minerva answered. Her tea arrived in front of her and she took a sip of it.
"I've been doing the same thing. Minerva, I don't know if you have heard but not many students are returning. Probably about a hundred per house." Aurora said with a concerning voice. Minerva sadly nodded.
"Many of the parents are aware of what is happening here, I assume we will have the majority if not all of Slytherin house returning."
Aurora took a deep breath and then looked up to see Horace at the door. She waved at him and Minerva turned around.
"I believe you are correct on… on that statement Professor." Horace said and slowly walked over and sat next to Aurora.
"I caught a glimpse of the Carrows with Severus a couple hours ago. Is it true that they are going to be in charge of punishment?" Aurora asked.
"That is what it unfortunately sounds like." Horace answered with Minerva nodding in agreement.
"The most important thing is the students safety and I am going to do everything in my power to protect them." Minerva said firmly.
"I overheard Poppy, Pomona, Rolanda, and Filius planning to follow your orders Minerva," Aurora said. Minerva looked up from her tea and looked at her. She gave a small smile. "You're the true headmistress of this school, to the students… well to three out of the four houses you are."
Minerva looked down again at her tea and smiled. Aberforth was right and she took in a deep breath. She looked up and nodded with a smile to Aurora and Horace. Before she could respond, Rolanda appeared at the door. She hurried in and said,
"Finally! We have been looking everywhere for you!"
Minerva looked behind her and saw Pomona, Poppy, and Filius at the door. They came in and all surrounded Minerva. Minerva met Poppy's eye. She stood up and flattened her robes out.
"I hear you four have already talked about creating a plan." She said.
"Yes Minerva we have!" Filius said. "We are not going to let those three death eaters underestimate us."
Minerva looked down and smiled at Filius and then looked over at Pomona and Rolanda.
"Protect the students. That is your top priority. The Carrows say they are in charge of punishment, but I feel like letting a couple things slide if I must." She said to them. Rolanda and Poppy shared a smile.
"As you wish headmistress." Poppy said happily knowing that Aberforth had indeed helped her. Minerva smiled at Poppy. They began talking about the student's arrival and they all ended up sitting down with Minerva at the head of the table standing.
"Do you believe there will be any first years arriving?" Aurora asked as they reviewed the Sorting Hat ceremony. Minerva shrugged.
"Most likely Slytherin first years, but you never know." She answered. She was about to say something else when her eyes caught who was standing at the door. Amycus and Alecto had found the staff lounge.
"What do we have here!" Alecto sneered. "Planning on sneaking in more visitors Professor?"
Everybody but Minerva and Poppy looked confused. Minerva stiffened and looked at Alecto.
"No, we are merely going over start of the school year agenda like we do every year."
Amycus walked over to the table and looked over Pomona's shoulder.
"I've always thought Herbology was a waste of time. Why weren't we invited to this little meeting?" he sneered.
"If Severus…" Minerva began when Alecto cut her off.
"That is headmaster to you!" she spat. Minerva pursed her lips and continued.
"Our meetings are always at certain times and we assumed the headmaster had informed you of that."
"He did not. Next time inform us!" Amycus ordered and turned to leave with Alecto. They all watched them leave.
"This will be a fun year." Rolanda groaned. Minerva nodded and kept looking at the door.
"Indeed it will be."
