Ache

by CharlieFenwick

October 1981- Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall share a toast, and the memories, of everything that Gellert Grindelwald and Tom Riddle took from them. "Time and whiskey won't heal your heart, Minerva," Dumbledore warned her before assigning her to see to welfare of the newest member of Hogwarts staff, Severus Snape.

7. Smoulder

A/N: Ah! The last chapter! It feels great to be at this point. Thank you to all who have read, reviewed, or favourited the story. My sincere apologies in the delayed update of this story. I've had a series of medical set backs this last year that have made it difficult to write consistently.

I do not own Harry Potter, its characters, nor its universe. These stories do contain excerpts from the book. I don't own them.

Although based on cannon, I have taken several liberties. For example, in this timeline, Minerva is born in 1925 and not 1935.

Even though Ache is ending the story is far from over. Ache is one part in a series of stories revolving around Severus and Minerva. All stories can stand alone. Please check out the other stories in this series coming soon!

Ache: Halloween 1981 – Spring 1995

Soak: Summer 1995 – CHAPTER ONE DROPS 1/31/2019

Ignite: Fall 1995- Spring 1996

Damp: Summer 1996

Flare: Fall 1996 – Spring 1997

Burn: Minerva received her Dark Mark

Glow:The Minister's Inauguration

Wet: Summer 1997

Ash: Minerva, post battle of Hogwarts

Brand: How Severus received his Dark Mark

Chill: Fall 1997 – Spring 1998

---

24 February 1995

Severus had been suspicious from the moment he'd seen Potter use the gillyweed at the start of the second Triwizard Tournament task. It wasn't the first time he'd suspected Potter of stealing potion ingredients. All year long boomslang skin, lacewing flies, and knotgrass had been disappearing from his stores at an alarming rate.

Until now, he'd had no evidence to prove it was Potter. Yet now he had all the proof he needed. Potter had just consumed gillyweed in front of the whole school- the same gillyweed that had gone missing overnight.

Although he should feel furious, he admitted he actually felt gleeful. He was giddy at the prospect of putting Potter in his place. Severus loved to one-up others. He'd find out what Potter was up to. The boy had no business brewing polyjuice potion.

The boy's recklessness also provided Severus with an opportunity to confront Minerva. He'd relish in the chance to confront her about Potter. And at the moment, it was just what he was on his way to do.

He first checked in the staff room where most of the Hogwarts staff was celebrating the recent success of the second task. Both Hogwarts champions had finished in first and second place. Pomona had been especially proud of Cedric Diggory. Minerva was also proud of Diggory, but extremely proud of Potter.

The dual champion situation had caused awkwardness among the staff. Although Pomona and Minerva maintained friendly support for their students, the feelings of animosity were there. Minerva had expressed disappointment with the students' badges that supported Diggory and denounced Potter. She felt he was being treated unfairly for a situation he'd never wanted to be at in the first place.

---

One Week Earlier

"He didn't put his name in the Goblet," Minerva said defensively.

"The students can support whomever they like," Pomona replied.

"Potter stinks," Minerva went on. "Potter stinks!"

"You have to understand my students feel like he always gets special treatment," Pomona explained.

"And your students need to realize he's still just a child," Minerva said angrily. "He didn't ask for this."

Both Pomona and Minerva stood facing one another. Pomona's face was flushed with anger and her hands her were clenched as she looked up at Minerva. Minerva's lips were pursed and her brow was furrowed as she stared down at her colleague. The height difference between the two women would have made the situation amusing if it weren't so serious.

"Minerva," Charity Burbage said sweetly as she stepped between the two women. "Please know that we all support Potter. But you have to realize how it feels for those who aren't Gryffindors. Gryffindor always gets the attention. The last two years you've won the house cup- at the last minute- because of what many students feel is an unfair advantage."

"You're a Gryffindor!" Minerva said exasperated to Professor Burbage.

"Yes, but you have to see it from an outsider's perspective," the young Professor replied.

"Last year my house worked all year to win the house cup," Filius explained. "We should have won. But at the last minute Professor Dumbledore awarded Gryffindor enough points to give the cup to Gryffindor."

"And the year before, my house should have won," Severus added.

"It's classic Gryffindor," Professor Vector chimed in. "You've always been the public's favourite house."

"Diggory was our chance to shine," Pomona said softly. "Our one chance to be the house on top. But it's upstaged by Potter."

"You have to understand that from the student perspective it feels like they've been overshadowed again by Gryffindor," Filius stated.

Minerva felt uneasy. She'd always worked to dismiss this feeling but they all knew it was true. The Gryffindor reputation had always been in the spotlight.

"The students feel like your house is always getting special treatment," Poppy Pomfrey chimed in.

"That is preposterous," Minerva replied.

"Gryffindor has always had the advantage," Rolanda Hooch said joining in the conversation.

"Oh rubbish!" Minerva exclaimed, "Special treatment? There are four staff members from each house. It's not as if we monopolize the points system."

"Well, actually," Filius started to say but trailed off.

"Headmaster, Deputy, President of the Board of Governors," Severus said as ticked off the three positions, "All Gryffindors."

He hated to pile on, but he couldn't disagree with Pomona's point. It was an issue he'd tried to raise with Minerva over the years. His efforts had fallen on deaf ears. He was hopeful that since others were the ones behind it now, perhaps she would listen.

"Do you all feel this way?" Minerva asked disheartened.

There was no immediate response. Pomona sighed. Charity looked down at her feet. Rolanda Hooch took a long, deliberate sip of her tea. Aurora Sinistra shifted uncomfortably in her seat. Severus was listening intently from behind a copy of the Daily Prophet.

Filius Flitwick was the first to find his voice.

"Yes. Sorry, love," he said with sympathetic eyes.

Minerva had left feeling dejected. She had always striven to demonstrate fairness and equity in her role as Deputy. She felt even guiltier that she'd brushed off Severus's prior warnings about the matter.

---

Present

Severus congratulated Pomona on Diggory's success and excused himself from the affair. He wasn't surprised that Minerva hadn't been at the party. She probably had felt that her presence would take away from the Hufflepuff moment. Since the incident in the staff room, Minerva had kept herself mostly isolated. She took the words of colleagues to heart and didn't want to make matters worse.

He found her in her office. She greeted him politely and invited him in to take a seat. She was sitting behind her desk with her glasses perched on the end of her nose. She was polite, but professional. She looked peaky.

Ever since he'd seen Potter pull out the gillyweed hours earlier, Severus had wanted nothing more than to throw in Minerva's face. However, now that he was here face to face with her, he couldn't bring himself to do it. On top of looking peaky, it was clear she hadn't been sleeping much. She looked sad.

"I'm here because a number of ingredients have been stolen from my stock," Severus explained solemnly as he met her eyes. "Lacewing flies, boomslang skin, knotgrass, bicorn horn, gillyweed, and others."

"Polyjuice potion?" She asked seriously.

He nodded in response. Her brow was furrowed- though not in anger. If he had to describe it, Severus would call the look despair.

"I'm afraid so," he said. "This morning Potter used gillyweed."

Minerva didn't respond. Instead she sat back in her chair.

"I'm not accusing him," Severus said although his mind screamed otherwise. "Perhaps he purchased it elsewhere. I'd just like to ask him. Polyjuice potion is dangerous."

"I'll speak with him," Minerva said as she removed her glasses and rubbed the bridge of her nose.

"Thank you," he said with a small nod as he rose from the chair.

"And thank you for the gift," he added at the door.

"You're welcome," she said with just a hint of a smile.

It had been his birthday two weeks earlier. He'd awoken to find a copy of Practiced Potions: A Brewer's Handbook. Upon inspection he realized it was a first edition. It was an old and rare potions textbook. Severus had never read it. He had only ever heard about it. As far as anyone was aware, there were no remaining copies. He knew she'd been the one to send it. She had a knack for selecting thoughtful and practical gifts.

"We could catch a late lunch in the library," he suggested.

"Thank you. But I have far too much work," she declined.

He tried to slip into her mind, but she could sense it.

"Please don't," she said aloud.

He nodded and left feeling uneasy. Her professional demeanour was in stark contrast to the emotional and exposed person she'd been on New Year's Day.

The pair still worked together in a professional capacity. However, their jokes, wagers, and professional competitiveness had disappeared. Even the private conversations and work sessions they had shared before becoming intimate were gone.

He suspected Dumbledore was behind her change of heart. After they had realized their mutual feelings they had spent a week discussing the potential repercussions. Both Minerva and Severus had expressed doubts about the coming war, concerns about their professionalism, and worries about how it would impact their obligations to the Order and Severus's possible role as a double agent. In the end, the two had agreed it was worth it. Yet, a few hours later she had changed her mind.

---

1 January 1995 (7 Weeks Earlier)

Severus had returned from his rounds that morning feeling genuinely elated. As promised he'd swung by the kitchens and had nabbed a bite for the two of them. The castle was quiet. The students had been unusually well-behaved since the Yule Ball. He suspected it was due, in part, to exhaustion from the activities as well as the weather. All the snow that had fallen was providing outdoor fun for the students and visitors.

Severus was looking forward to spending a quiet afternoon with Minerva in the library.

When he returned to his rooms, he was surprised to find her awake. She was sitting near his fireplace deeply engrossed in a book. Her hair was twisted on top of her head and her square glasses sat on the edge of her nose as she stared down at the text.

As he handed her a teacup, their hands touched. Legilimency was increased with tactile sensation. From the moment their hands made contact, Severus could sense something was wrong. Minerva put down her book and, with a heavy heart, started a frank conversation with Severus.

Although she had began the conversation in a calm and factual manner, twenty minutes later Severus could see the cracks in her facade.

"Perhaps we took this too quickly?" Severus suggested. "How about we slow down and-"

"No, please," Minerva said pleadingly. "This can never work."

They had gone back and forth.

"This won't work because I have to protect you. And I can't protect you if this continues," she said sadly.

"From what?" He demanded. "Because we don't even know if he's back. We don't know if I'll have to play double agent again. We don't know anything yet."

"Trust me, Severus. Please. There are things I can't explain," she said as she started to tear up. "I have to end this for your safety."

"How about you start with trusting me?" He asked. "Did Dumbledore put you up to this? Is it something Moody's done? I can assure you my skills in Occlumency-"

"He'll find out," she said. She didn't need to say his name. Severus knew she meant the Dark Lord.

"I've spent a lifetime trying to atone for the mistakes I made," she said in a voice barely above a whisper. "I don't want you to be another one."

It had hurt them both in ways they hadn't expected. As she made her way to the door, he had grabbed for her hand. They didn't look at one another. They couldn't. They both understood and that's what had hurt the most.

They were both people with compartmentalized pasts. He wasn't put off by the physical scars she bore. She wasn't afraid of the scars on his heart. They shared an unspoken understanding of one another. And in the dark days that very well may be coming, that understanding provided a small comfort.

---

Present

Every time Severus thought back to that day it hurt. He'd never seen Minerva like that. She'd cried openly in front of him and it had disturbed him.

He had so many questions he wanted to ask her. However, he knew it wasn't his place to ask her. She didn't owe him her story. He respected her and that meant expecting nothing when it came to explanations of her personal history. But he couldn't shake the incident he'd witnessed a few weeks prior from his mind.

---

14 February, 1995 (2 weeks earlier)

Despite his curiosity, he'd respected Minerva's vague explanation- at least until he'd met up with some former colleagues for an evening. Although Severus couldn't stand Karkaroff, Dumbledore had requested he get close with him (and other former colleagues) that were willing.

So he'd joined Lucius Malfoy, Ciaran Yaxley, Igor Karkaroff, Niall Nott, and Augustus Rookwood for a trip to Rene Charles Buford La Tour's home. Severus had always felt uncomfortable around the vampire. Yet, he knew La Tour wielded considerate influence. He'd been one of the earliest supporters of the Dark Lord.

It had been that evening when Severus's curiosity got the better of him. The six men were relaxing in La Tour's lounge following an exquisite meal. Niall Nott was seated in a plush armchair puffing on his pipe. Yaxley was leaning against the mantle and watching the ocean below the La Tour estate. Karkaroff, Rookwood, Malfoy, and La Tour were seated around a small table playing cards. Severus sat in an armchair opposite the group, deeply engrossed in a copy of the Daily Prophet.

"Your Transfiguration mistress, she is uninvolved, no?" Karkaroff asked. "She is quite feisty."

"That's one word for it," Malfoy said as he drew a card from the deck. "She's much more competent than Dumbledore, though."

Nott had begun puffing furiously on his pipe. Rookwood looked distant as if he was lost deep in thought.

"Yes, bless her heart," La Tour said with great disdain, "the plucky little cunt."

"So you have personal story?" Karkaroff asked La Tour.

"If I'd been allowed to kill her when I had the chance-" La Tour said shaking his head. "Feeling every beat of that heart as she tried to pretend she wasn't terrified. Mmm-mm."

La Tour seemed lost in a memory.

"She's a blood traitor," Niall Nott said in an attempt to end the conversation.

"Of the worst kind," La Tour went on.

His eyes flashed in the firelight as he made eye contact with Severus as if to invite him into his mind. Severus resisted the opportunity. Vampires were keen legilimens and Severus couldn't risk La Tour seeing anything about his own history with Minerva.

"You would do well to avoid mentioning Minerva McGonagall," Yaxley warned as he lit a cigarette. "Take my advice and don't even think about her."

Severus could sense a distinct shift in the mood of the room. It suddenly felt very tense. Karkaroff and Lucius appeared to be confused. It also left Severus with more questions about Minerva's past.

---

Present

Since his trip to La Tour's house, Severus had done some investigating into Minerva's history and how La Tour played into it. Minerva had always insisted she was never a Death Eater. Yet, she bore the mark. And Severus knew there were only four ways one could obtain the mark- to give your life in his name, take a life in his name, create a life in his name, or pledge the allegiance of your first-born.

Minerva had no children and she had obviously not given her life in his name. It left only one option.

Had she? He thought to himself. If anyone was clever enough to cover the tracks of a murder, it was certainly Minerva.

He'd found out very little about her life. Despite her position and proximity to power (within Hogwarts and wizarding politics) she'd managed to keep herself out of the limelight.

He couldn't dig up much. What he really wanted to see was her employment file. But that was kept under lock and key in her office. The Deputy was always responsible for such matters. He knew he couldn't very well just stroll in and snag it.

No, he'd need to be very subtle.

---

28 May 1995

Severus had just left a very uncomfortable meeting with Professor Dumbledore. He loathed having to explain to the man the conversations and movements of former Death Eaters. He had offered- many times- to merely provide Dumbledore with memories. But the old wizard seemed set on having Severus recount them instead. Dumbledore wanted Severus's analysis and not just his recollection.

Dumbledore was usually keen to discuss the events but today was different. Severus's curiosity had gotten the better of him. He'd broken down and mentioned La Tour's comments about Minerva.

"I don't think that's relevant," Dumbledore said dismissively. "An old dislike for independent women."

"He expressed he should have been 'allowed' to kill her," Severus pressed.

"La Tour's always been a misogynist," Dumbledore replied.

He exited the stone spiral stairs that led to the Headmaster's office feeling dejected but was quickly pleased to see none other than his resident Gryffindor pest Harry Potter running down the corridor.

"POTTER!" He called loudly as he emerged from the hidden staircase behind the gargoyle.

Harry skidded to a halt and looked around. The wall was sliding shut behind him even as he beckoned Harry back toward him.

"What are you doing here, Potter?" Severus questioned.

"I need to see Professor Dumbledore!" said Harry, running back up the corridor and skidding to a standstill in front of Snape instead. "It's Mr Crouch...he's just turned up...he's in the forest...he's asking-"

"What is this rubbish?" said Snape, his black eyes glittering. He didn't know what Potter was involved in but he was determined to find out. "What are you talking about?"

"Mr Crouch!" Harry shouted. THAT was unnecessary. Severus noted internally.

"From the Ministry! He's ill or something. He's in the forest, he wants to see Dumbledore! Just give me the password up to –" the boy continued to yell.

But Severus was having none of it. Potter would tell him what was going on and was certainly going to be in trouble for this nonsense.

"The headmaster is busy, Potter," said Snape, his thin mouth curling into an unpleasant smile.

"I've got to see Dumbledore!" Harry yelled.

Severus beamed internally. This boy could be insufferable and it would only lead to more trouble.

"Didn't you hear me, Potter?" Severus replied calmly with his classic raised eyebrow.

Harry could tell Snape was thoroughly enjoying himself, denying Harry the thing he wanted when he was so panicky.

"Look," said Harry angrily, "Crouch isn't right – he's – he's out of his mind – he says he wants to warn- "

The stone wall behind Snape slid open. Dumbledore was standing there, wearing long green robes and a mildly curious expression.

"Is there a problem?" he said, looking between Harry and Snape.

"Professor!" Harry said, sidestepping Snape before Snape could speak, "Mr Crouch is here – he's down in the forest, he wants to speak to you!"

Although Severus was displeased with Dumbledore's arrival, at least now he would get to the bottom of whatever Potter's latest scheme was. Both Harry and Snape stood waiting for Dumbledore to ask questions. But Dumbledore did nothing of the sort.

"Lead the way," he said promptly, and he swept off along the corridor behind Harry, leaving Snape standing next to the gargoyle and looking twice as ugly.

He felt dejected. Every time. He though bitterly.

"What was all the commotion?" shouted Alastor Moody as he limped out from around the corner. His magical blue eye was following Potter and Dumbledore as the swept down toward the end of the corridor while his human brown eye was intently fixed on Severus.

"Just Potter rambling on," Severus said with a hint of disdain as began to walk away. He had no desire to chat with Alastor Moody.

"Rambling on about what?" Moody said as he limped heavily behind Severus.

"I'm certain it's just some wild theory Potter's concocted," Severus said as he continued to walk away.

"I heard him say Crouch," Moody said.

Severus stopped and turned around slowly. Moody was eyeing him carefully. His gaze unsettled the potions master. Crouch licked his lips and was breathing heavily.

"He seems to be under the delusion that Barty Crouch is mad and on the loose in the Forbidden Forest," Severus drawled with disbelief. "A scenario that is equally as likely as me enjoying this conversation."

A dark look passed across Moody's face. He limped off quickly in the same direction as Potter and Dumbledore. Severus, relieved Moody was gone, shrugged off the odd encounter and made his way back to his office.

An hour later, Severus found himself seated between Minerva and Karkaroff in a very tense meeting. He had been summoned by Dumbledore to one of the classrooms on the first floor. Dumbledore had tried to calmly explain that Viktor Krum had been attacked allegedly by Barty Crouch in the Forbidden Forest.

Karkaroff's mind was swirling with thoughts of conspiracy. His student had been attacked and Potter had been the last one with him.

"I vant Potter out of the Tournament!" Karkaroff ranted. "He's a dangerous, ambitious liar. He vill stop at nothing to win!"

"I can assure you we will investigate this matter fully," Dumbledore said seriously.

"Who vill?" Karkaroff scoffed. "You're all in on this together. Conspiracy!"

"I have had quite enough of your unfounded accusations!" Minerva responded heatedly. She'd been trying to remain calm for the better part of the last half hour but Karkaroff had finally pushed her over the edge.

"I have had quite enough of your conspiracy!" Karkaroff shouted as he rose out of his chair. "I have been attacked by your half-breed, my champion has been attacked in an act of sabotage, and you – you – hitrovyebannyi!"

Severus had no idea what Karkaroff had said but it was enough to make Minerva physically lean back with shocked anger. Her eyebrows were higher than Severus had ever seen them.

"Izvinite?" Minerva asked with a dangerously low voice.

"Ty suka," Karkaroff said as he threw his hands in the air. "Drug grjaznokrovok i oskvernitelej roda."

Severus leaned back in his chair and stared across the table at an equally resigned Madame Maxine. She was just as bored as Severus. Dumbledore appeared to understand the discussion as he was intently watching the pair. His head would move back and forth between the Durmstrang Headmaster and his Deputy as they traded what Severus assumed were nasty verbal spars. Every once and while Dumbledore's eyebrows would shoot up or a his mouth would form a small "oh" to indicate surprise.

"Za ètim vsem – ty!" Karkaroff said with suspicion as he leaned in toward Minerva and poked her squarely in the chest.

"And what would I possibly have to gain from that?" Minerva asked with disgust as she stared down Karkaroff.

"So you're mad that a much younger and smaller boy got the one up on your champion, eh?" Moody growled with amusement as he limped over to Karkaroff. "Bested by a kid."

"He's quite talented, that Mr Potter," Ludo Bagman eagerly chimed in.

Minerva whipped around and scowled at Bagman.

"This is preposterous. Stop it," she demanded, "both of you," she added looking at Moody.

"The Department of International Games will be conducting its own investigation," Professor Dumbledore explained. Karkaroff's suspicion was only slightly alleviated by this announcement.

"As for Mr Crouch," Dumbledore went on, "I have written requesting that the Ministry check into his whereabouts at the time of the incident."

"So the conspiracy goes even higher than I thought," Karkaroff said with scowl.

"As zif ze would care about you!" Madame Maxime huffed. "You are not az im-por-tant az you zhink!" She added enunciating important as if to put Karkaroff in his place. "You sound ridiculous! Az zhough anyone would hate you zat much but I am beginning to zee why zey could!"

"Ve have a history," Karkaroff said darkly as if to imply Mr Crouch's alleged actions were part of a personal vendetta against him.

"Oh don't flatter yourself," Snape said rolling his eyes finally chimed into the conversation.

"It is because of him that I was left to rot in Azkaban despite my villingness to help the Ministry," Karkaroff explained as he tried to paint himself as a victim of Crouch.

"Oh? I thought it was because you assaulted and tortured that muggle student in Sandwell," Minerva replied dryly as she tilted her head.

"I say now, that's all in the past," Bagman said shifting uncomfortably and tugging at his collar.

"Is it?" Moody asked as he stared at Karkaroff.

---

29 May 1995

The next evening Severus was summoned to Dumbledore's office. On his way there he ran into Minerva who had also been summoned to the Headmaster's office. They nodded to one another but said nothing on the remaining walk there. It was late- past midnight- so the corridors were abandoned.

Inside his office, Dumbledore was in the upper loft gazing out at the grounds. He was wearing coquelicot coloured robes and did not turn around when they entered. He got straight to the point.

"I've called you hear because I wanted to share with you a letter received," he said as he turned around and descended the small staircase. Stepping behind his desk he pulled out a small letter and read it aloud.

Dear Professor Dumbledore,

As of late, Mr Crouch has chosen to work from home due to his health and work load. He will be back to London in no time.

I can assure you that Mr Crouch was nowhere near the Hogwarts grounds at the time of this alleged incident. Mr Crouch denies any involvement and has dispatched a Ministry representative to look into the matter.

Please forward any future inquires to Mr Dawlish of the Department Magical Law Enforcement. Mr Crouch's office is quite busy at the moment and cannot continue to devote time and resources to dispelling these ridiculous rumours.

Best of luck with your investigation.

Sincerely,

Percy Weasley

"I had sent an owl to the Ministry requesting they dispatch someone to check on Mr Crouch," Dumbledore explained.

"And it appears they have," Severus replied with a grin, "I knew Potter was lying."

"And what makes you think Potter had something to do with this?" Minerva huffed.

Before their spat could get off the ground, Dumbledore raised his hand and requested they be silent. Severus bit his tongue and Minerva sat back in her chair and crossed her arms.

Dumbledore had another letter- a letter that was from Mr Dawlish with the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.

Mr Dawlish had written to explain that he had been dispatched to check on Mr Crouch and had found nothing unusual. Dawlish had spoken with the Crouch house elf, Winky, and she had confirmed that Mr Crouch had been in his home office at the time of the attack.

"Did Dawlish actually speak to Mr Crouch?" Minerva asked with a hint of scepticism, "Did he see him? Or just the house elf?"

"The house elf, Winky, has not been with Crouch since August," Dumbledore replied gravely.

"Perhaps it has returned?" Severus suggested.

"She is currently employed by Hogwarts," Dumbledore explained. "She hasn't left the grounds since August."

Minerva had no response. She was mulling over Dumbledore's words.

"So what are you saying?" Severus wondered aloud. "Is Karkaroff right? Is there some conspiracy? Or do you think Crouch is somehow behind Potter being in the tournament?"

"Harry Potter said that Mr Crouch seemed ill," Dumbledore said, "So I decided to contact him directly as well. This is the letter I received in response."

He reached out and handed Minerva a letter. Her brow was furrowed and her face scrunched up in confusion. She looked at it for a moment before passing it to Severus.

Severus was equally perplexed by the letter. It was bizarre. There were scribbles throughout the parchment as if someone had doodled small circles all over the page. At the top of the page there were what looked like attempts at writing a letter. Half way down the parchment someone had indeed begun writing but it was disjointed sentences scrawled across the parchment.

I must warn...his power grows stronger...my poor Marilyn...my son...my son is my fault...

At the bottom of the parchment the words "Warn Dumbledore" were written over and over and the print became larger as it reached the bottom of the sheet. It was pure madness.

"His son has been dead for some time," Minerva said, "Do you think he's losing his mind?"

A rap on the door quickly snapped the three out of their thoughts. Alastor Moody didn't wait for a summons and entered the office. He limped in and closed the door. Before speaking he took a swig from his hip flask and then licked his lips.

"Am I disturbing something?" Moody said.

"Alastor," Dumbledore greeted the wizard. "I am just discussing an inter-house disciplinary issue with Minerva and Severus."

"At one o'clock in the morning?" Moody asked with a knowing smile.

"What are you doing here at one o'clock in the morning?" Severus clapped back annoyed at Moody's insinuation.

"On my rounds," Moody growled. "I wanted to pop by and discuss all the marks we've got walking around given recent events."

"Has something occurred?" Dumbledore said wondering if Moody had observed anything.

"Aye," Moody replied.

"We'll continue our discussion tomorrow," Dumbledore said dismissing Minerva and Severus.

As they made their way down the spiral stairs the pair said nothing. Dumbledore had quickly shut the door behind them so they were unable to hear anything coming from the office.

At the bottom of the stairs, Minerva stopped Severus as he turned to go down to the dungeons. She placed her hand on his forearm but didn't make eye contact with him. She had remembered something important.

"Pomona is on duty tonight," Minerva said slowly.

"Why would he lie?" Severus pondered aloud. "Did anything actually happen or was that a rouse?"

Minerva turned around and gave the password to the gargoyles. They jumped aside and she silently climbed the stairs to Dumbledore's office. Severus was right behind her. When she reached the door she knocked lightly and found it unlocked. She quickly poked her head in.

"Sorry," she said with an apologetic smile, "I think I left my book here."

She walked over to where she had been standing and began to feel in the cushions for the imaginary book. She took her time to give Severus the opportunity he needed.

"Must be some book if you needed Severus to help carry it," Moody quipped.

Minerva shot him a dirty look.

Pomona is on duty tonight. Not Moody. Severus said through Legilimency to Dumbledore.

Dumbledore gave him the smallest of nods to acknowledge the message.

"Ah ha!" Minerva said with a smile as she pulled a small book out of his armchair. The book was quite small- about the size of a reporter's scratch pad.

"Did you really leave a book in there?" Severus asked as they made their way back down the spiral stairs to the corridor.

"No. It's a piece of candy I found wedged in the cushions," she said with a smile. "I transfigured it into a book. That's why it's so small."

"Could I have a look at Moody's personnel file?" Severus asked directly.

Minerva deliberated for a moment. She bit her lip and sighed.

"One day," she agreed. "And then I need it back."

Once upstairs, Minerva unlocked her office and led Severus in. With a wave of her hand the scones on the wall lit up and cast shadows against the wall. She opened a hidden drawer on inside her desk and handed Severus an old brass key.

"It's that one over there. Second drawer," she said indicating a tall wooden filing drawer in the corner of her office.

Minerva sat down at her desk and began rummaging through some paperwork. Severus walked over to the cabinet and unlocked the second drawer down. The drawer contained the personnel files for staff members with surnames J-R. It appeared to contain staff members from the last 75 years or so.

Severus reached the "M's" and began flipping through the files. MacAskill, Mackay, McClellan, McDonough, McGonagall.

Severus stopped, his hand resting on the tab to Minerva's personnel file. The information he had been seeking was now at his finger tips. This could be his only opportunity to gain access to it. He could sneak it inside of Moody's file and take it with him but he wouldn't know how to return it. If he handed her the file back she would no doubt discover his actions.

"Do you have any exemplum parchment?" Severus asked suddenly thinking of the idea.

Exemplum parchment allowed the contents of one parchment to be copied to the blank exemplum parchment with a simple charm. Severus would be capable of performing the spell wordlessly.

"You don't want to take it with you?" Minerva questioned.

"I don't want to lose it," Severus lied. "Or worse run into Moody while carrying it."

"Good point," Minerva said. "But I don't have any."

So much for that plan. Severus thought to himself.

"But you're welcome to stay. There's a quill and ink here," she said after a moment. "Stay as long as you need. The office will seal itself when you leave. If you'll excuse me, I have to get some sleep," she said with a yawn as she stretched her arms out.

Minerva bid Severus goodnight and Severus tried not to appear too giddy.

Once she was gone, Severus pulled out both her and Moody's files. He painstakingly set about copying notes from the two files. There was quite a bit of information in Minerva's file, though he surmised that 35 years of teaching would do that.

Mindlessly he copied notes, dates, and names for two hours. His hand was starting to cramp up and the he could hear the large clock tower chiming four times. Severus was thankful it was a weekend. He'd have time to analyze some of the information and then sleep late. He could catch an early lunch and follow up with Minerva about Moody in the afternoon.

---

Back in his rooms Severus sat down in his armchair to scan through the notes he'd made on the files. Although he wanted to check out Moody, he couldn't shake the curiosity he had to know what was in Minerva's file.

By the light of his fireplace, Severus scanned through her personnel file while sipping a nightcap. It was an extensive bit of information. Hogwarts personnel files included background information, the Professor's original application materials, medical records, formal reviews, documentations, and any other pertinent information.

Prior to seeing the file, Severus had known very little about Minerva's life before becoming a Hogwarts professor. In fact, he knew nothing about her life before becoming a professor. It wasn't something he'd ever thought about. And from looking at her file, there had been quite a gap of time between her graduation and return to Hogwarts - thirteen years to be precise.

She'd received a perfect score on her N.E.W.T.s Severus had to give her credit for that. He knew she was a learner at heart. He also knew that perfect N.E.W.T.s was remarkably rare. He also had to admire the fact that she'd achieved it with eight core classes and nine – nine – electives for a total of seventeen N.E.W.T.s.

Severus chided himself for previously bragging about his twelve. Furthermore, for a score that high to be possible it would have required her to study over the summer holidays, although, he didn't find that particular scenario surprising. She'd been a prefect, head girl, and had played Quidditch. There were a handful of detention slips present as well.

There was very little information about the years between her graduation and the start of her tenure as a professor. Her employment began 31 December, 1956. It struck Severus that this was an odd day to begin employment. It was also strange that her file contained no application and no letters of recommendation.

There were certifications of the advanced studies she'd completed. However, many were from after her employment had begun rather than the years in between. So he was no closer to learning what she had done with her thirteen year absence from Hogwarts. He was disappointed that he hadn't learned more.

What Severus found most interesting was a series of medical reports from October 1956 to October 1957. The medical reports had been filed by Madame Vella Vesper, former Hogwarts healer. Severus had never known her.

The medical reports detail treating Minerva for injuries of an "unknown cause" in December of 1956. However, to Severus's distaste, the majority of the file had been blacked out. It was odd. The same was true for all of Minerva's medical records that year. He could see the healer, the patient, and the purpose of the visit and occasionally bits and pieces of other information. Yet, most of the details had been covered up.

As he scanned the records he noted Minerva had been to the healer a total of 14 times for a "routine check-up" up for her first year of employment. Following that, her visits dropped off and she was only seen again occasionally over the years for a physical or minor injury or illness. She'd also been prescribed a high amount of peppermint tea with luna moth wing, vitamin replenishing potions, and a disgusting troll fat and lavender treatment.

He laughed as he noted that she had gained an outrageous three and half stone between December and October.

Well, the Hogwarts food really did pack on the pounds. He thought with a smile.

He was about halfway through his notes when his eyelids gave out. His head nodded off and he jerked awake. There were still notes left to go through including Minerva's previous run-ins with the Board of Governors and a formal disciplinary documentation for violating the staff relationship policy. Severus was quite curious about that.

But it would have to wait. For now, he needed to rest. Setting down the paperwork on his desk, Severus retired to his bedroom. The sun would be coming up shortly and he needed to get a few hours in before lunch.

As he unbuttoned his black robes his wrist tingled. It served as an important reminder. If war was coming then he needed to remember to get sleep when he could. If the Dark Lord returned, Severus might not know when his next chance to sleep would be were he to be summoned.

Frankly, he wasn't sure how he would manage the responsibility of teaching, being in the Order, playing a Death Eater, and filling in Dumbledore on everything. In hindsight, it seemed that perhaps Minerva ending their relationship before it could start had been for the best.

As his head hit the cool of his pillow, he breathed deeply. It was nights like this that Severus was thankful for being in the dungeons. It was getting warmer out but it didn't impact his rooms. Being located in the dungeons had kept his quarters nice and cool. It made sleeping easier.

He only had a month left before the summer holidays he reminded himself as he began to drift peacefully off to sleep.

Abruptly, he opened his eyes. He stared into the blackness as a sudden thought had appeared in his head. He sat up swiftly and the blankets pooled around his waist.

He counted off on his fingers as his eyes grew wide. Three and half stone.

It couldn't be. It wasn't possible. It was possible. He had to remind himself of that. He rested his chin on his hand as he mulled over the information.

Today a vitamin replenishing potion with peppermint, luna moth wings, lavender, troll fat, and several other ingredients was commonly known as the Sweat Pea Potion. But in 1957 it didn't exist. The ingredients would have had to have been prescribed separately.

Sweat Pea Potion was an essential part of wizarding prenatal care. It curbed the effects of morning sickness, promoted healthy development of the foetus, and kept the expecting mother happy and healthy. It soothed the nerves, prevented gestational diabetes, and helped to ensure a healthy delivery.

Severus let his head fall straight back onto his pillow as he stared up at the cracks in his ceiling.

Minerva had given birth in October 1957.

The next morning Severus had been unable to think about anything other than the information he'd deduced about Minerva. She'd never spoken about having a child and Severus knew there were a million possibilities.

His mind was racing. Had she given it up? Was it non-magical? Was it stillborn? Had her child died later on? If the child had been magical, it would have attended Hogwarts roughly the same time as Severus. Did he know her child?

It was also possible, he reminded himself, that her child had attended another magical institution.

He had so many burning questions that he wanted to ask. Nevertheless, he could only speculate about how Minerva would react. He couldn't see her taking his questions well. In fact, if she didn't blast him, then she'd likely never speak to him again.

He'd have to tread carefully. Even though he'd looked into her file to satisfy his interest into her past, it had only served to leave him with more questions. He had a deeper desire to learn more.

Severus had spent the next week trying to push the notion of Minerva's pregnancy from his mind. To occupy his time, he had focused on digging through the notes he had on Moody's history. And quite a history it was.

Moody was older than Severus had suspected. He'd been a top-notch Auror with an impressive track record. He'd retired in the late 1980s. Severus found it odd that Moody's file contained no alcoholism given how often he was nipping from his hip flask. Severus considered the possibility it was a new found hobby although it seemed unlikely. A man didn't drink responsibly for 70 years and then suddenly become an hourly drinker.

Most notably, Severus was taken aback to discover that Moody had been married in 1943 to woman named Ellette Pearce. As far as he could tell, the couple had no children. Upon further research, Severus discovered that Mr and Mrs Moody had divorced in 1957. Ellette Moody had then remarried.

Severus had made a few inquiries into Moody's time at the Ministry. He'd learned from Yaxley that Moody had left on poor terms. Yaxley described Moody's final days as "unhinged" and "deranged." A long-time employee with Moody's reputation typically would have moved into a desk job role as a Department Head or adviser. However, Moody's instability meant the Ministry had pushed into a forced retirement.

Yaxley had explained that Moody had felt the Ministry was crawling with former Death Eaters who had escaped punishment. He didn't feel it was right. He had refused to cooperate with other employees and thus had sealed his fate.

Meanwhile, several floors above, Minerva was busy making preparations for the final task. She was writing to invite each of the champion's families for the final event. She also had to arrange rooms for each of the families during their stay at Hogwarts. She didn't hesitate to reach out the Arthur and Molly Weasley on behalf of Harry Potter. She knew that he was as much a Weasley as the lot of them.

It reminded her of the days when she would contact Mr and Mrs Potter on behalf of Sirius Black. Much like the Weasleys, the Potters had taken Black in as one of their own. It warmed her heart to think that somewhere the Potters were very grateful to the Weasleys and understood, first hand, how important their efforts were.

They were fast approaching the final task and Minerva had been busier than she could remember. The final task would require a significant effort from the Hogwarts staff. The first task and second tasks had required little support from the Hogwarts staff. The professional dragon handlers had ensured the safety and setup of the first task. The merpeople had ensured the setup of the second task and had monitored the lake for the safety of the participants.

But it was Hogwarts that was primarily responsible for the third task. Pomona Sprout had worked all year with her N.E.W.T. students to create the maze on the Quidditch field. The various challenges within the maze were being coordinated through the Ministry. Minerva was struggling to find Professors who were comfortable with serving as guardians that would patrol the maze and step in if there was risk to safety.

Filius Flitwick had volunteered and was more than capable of handling himself. Professor Moody had also volunteered, much to Minerva's distaste. She still needed two more volunteers and she was hoping Severus and Aurora Sinistra would be up to the task. Although she had great respect for all of her colleagues, she needed people who could handle themselves in the maze. There were dangerous challenges and some of her colleagues were excellent when it came to the theoretical but lacking in practical application.

Last but not least, Minerva was both nervous and excited for the delivery of the Sphinx. Minerva had never seen one in person. The Ministry had secured the Sphinx as part of the maze. It would be set deep in the maze as one of the final challenges encounter before cup. The sphinx was to arrive on the evening before the tournament during the night. The creature had requested privacy and Minerva was happy to oblige as it would keep the students from seeing it.

It was times like this when she felt the loneliest. She'd always been a staunchly independent person. But from time to time she wished she had someone to relax with, to laugh with, and to take her mind off everything.

She missed Severus.

---

7 June 1995

With just two weeks left before the Tournament finale, Minerva couldn't wait for the school year to be over with. It was bittersweet. She would miss her students that wouldn't be returning but she was looking forward to the summer holidays.

Minerva had decided that with all the stress from the Tournament and Moody, the loss of Severus, and the growing concerns of war that she deserved to take some time for herself. Usually, she remained at Hogwarts for the summer. Occasionally, she would take small trips to the north. Sometimes she would give a guest lecture. And she'd always make a trip overnight to London with some of the staff to attend the Annual British Wizarding Educational Conference.

But this year was going to be different. She'd accepted an invitation from her dear friend Vasyl Yavorskiy to visit his home in Crimea. He promised that she would enjoy herself. She was looking forward to enjoying the Black Sea and exploring the ruins of Chersonesos. It had been 50 years since Minerva had last been there.

"Excuse me, Professor," said a voice, pulling her from her thoughts.

Minerva snapped out of her daydream to find Cedric Diggory at her desk.

Snap out of it! She told herself. She still had to get through a few more weeks of school – and her N.E.W.T. transfiguration class – before she could go.

"I'm sorry, Mr Diggory," she apologized. "What can I do for you?"

"I was wondering if I could ask a favour you, Professor?" Cedric said. "As you know, I was planning to study under Madame Morgan Halpert."

Madame Halpert was a skilled transfiguration mistress. Several months prior, Mr Diggory had expressed a desire to continue his transfiguration education. Minerva had recommended Mr Diggory to Madame Halpert.

"But I've been offered a chance to work with the ICWAR," he explained. He was beaming.

ICWAR was the International Confederation of Wizards African Relief program. It helped to establish agricultural infrastructure in areas prone to drought and they were on the cutting edge of some fascinating transfiguration research.

"I'll be working in Uganda. I'll also be able to study with Professor Mangeni of Uagadou," Diggory said.

Uagadou, one of the oldest wizarding schools in the world, was renowned for its Transfiguration program. In particular, its self-transfiguration studies were far more advanced than Hogwarts. Professor Mangeni was an animagus.

"The project I'm being assigned to is research on transfiguring crops," Diggory went on.

It was impossible to create food from nothing. It was also impossible to transfigure an object into food. The object would always – eventually – return to its original state. And that certainly wasn't something you wanted to have happen in your stomach or anywhere else in your body.

"I'd like to do some more research into the subject before I go," he explained. "While I still have the Hogwarts library at my disposal. I was wondering if you had any recommendations?"

"Of course," Minerva replied as she pulled out a piece of parchment and began scribbling down some books and authors to start with.

She would certainly miss Mr Diggory when the term ended. But it filled her heart with pride to see one of her students choosing to continue down a Transfiguration learning tract. Cedric Diggory was an exemplary student.

As she turned the door from her classroom she ran straight into none other than Alastor Moody. She tried to work her way around him but he didn't budge. She found herself stuck between a wall and the grizzled Moody. His breath smelled wretched as his magical eye swivelled and landed on her shoulder.

"Excused me, Professor," Minerva said as she tried to push past him. Moody extended a hand to stop her. "Is there something you need?"

Moody said nothing as his eyes traced down from Minerva's mark and followed the scars down her arms. She had the uneasy feeling that Moody could see right through to her scars.

"Alastor," Minerva said in a warning tone. "I need to go."

"Darkness is coming, Minerva," he replied as his magical eye swiveled to a stop and made eye contact with her. "Is that why you've been avoiding your lover?"

"Don't be preposterous," Minerva retorted.

"Or have you had a falling out?" He asked.

"I don't have a lover," she said as she met his eyes. "And it really isn't any of your business."

She slipped into her animagus form and stalked off down the hallway.

---

17 June 1994

Severus and the rest of the staff were all running ragged with the final task of the tournament just a few days away. He was sitting around a table with several officials from the Ministry and the other magical schools along with the Hogwarts staff.

They were discussing the final preparations in advance of the evening. Severus had been recruited as a one of the guards of the maze. There were a great many dangers in that maze and Severus had his reservations about allowing Potter to proceed.

A sphinx? Minerva heard him say in her head.

Let's hope whoever is after Potter makes their move BEFORE he enters. He added.

She paused momentarily from her note-taking to look up and scowl at him.

His eyes grew wide with mock innocence.

My concern is not over his lack of ability. Severus explained. I am concerned about his lack of planning. You and I both know he's not one to prepare.

Minerva sighed. She knew it was true. Potter was very talented – but did not apply himself as he should. She did have concerns about him in the maze.

As the meeting adjourned, Severus was caught by Karkaroff and invited out to his quarters on the Durmstrang ship for a small gathering later in the evening.

Severus made his way down to the lake as the sun was beginning to set. When he reached the shoreline he spotted a small boat that would take him to the ship. The water was cool and it was still early enough in the year that it was quite cold.

The Durmstrang ship sat in one of the deeper portions of the lake. It was a large ship with space to house the students and support staff for travel. Although Hogwarts had provided rooms for the students and staff, Karkaroff had largely preferred the solitude of his ship. Severus suspected it was due in part to a concern for his own safety.

Once aboard, Severus was ushered into a large cabin lit with oil lamps. Around a long table sat La Tour, Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy, Niall and Rose Nott, and Ciaran and Celia Yaxley. There was wine and food spread out along the table as the group chatted. They grew quiet when Severus entered and he felt like he'd interrupted something important.

"Good evening, Severus," Karkaroff greeted with a large, yellow smile.

Severus took a seat near Lucius Malfoy as the wine glass in front of him magically filled.

"I invited some friends for the final task," Lucius said. "It will be quite a night to remember."

"Yes, I didn't want to miss this," La Tour said.

The group took bets on whom they thought would succeed and, unsurprisingly, they all threw their weight behind Krum. The group dined and chatted away for several hours. The mood was giddy and it seemed like the days Severus had spent in his youth.

"I have to say I am genuinely excited for the final event," Yaxley said with a grin.

Malfoy raised his glass to Yaxley.

"As I am, old boy. As am I," La Tour added as he joined the toast.

It left Severus feeling uneasy. Something was in the works but Severus would have to earn his place back in the group before being included in such plans.

---

24 June 1995

As the sun set on the ground on the day of third task, Severus was glad it was finally here. He knew dark days were coming. But they weren't there yet. He was looking forward to having some time on his own after the students returned home for their summer holiday.

However, the growing pain on his wrist made it difficult to focus on anything else. He'd warned Dumbledore to beef up security at the event given his encounter on Karkaroff's ship. Dumbledore had listened and quietly ensured there would be extra wands that night.

As Severus descended down to the Quidditch pitch he felt increasingly uneasy. Halfway down the path he realized Alastor Moody was ahead of him. Severus began to slow down, having no desire to speak with the old man. But Moody's magical eye meant Moody had seen his approach.

"Hello Severus," Moody said as Severus silently cursed Moody's magical eye.

"Are you ready for tonight?" Moody asked as his eye whizzed excitedly. "It will be a night to remember."

Moody nipped at his flask and Severus stood silently watching the man. Severus wanted nothing more than for this night to be over – quickly.

As the hours dragged on, Severus waited impatiently for the final task to be done. He was inside a large tent with some of staff. Ludo Bagman was bouncing back and forth on his heels. Madame Maxine was giving an interview to the French La Radio Nouvelles. Dumbledore was chatting away with Professor Sinistra.

Severus decided he'd had enough of this and wandered out to try and find Minerva.

---

Minerva walked along the edge of the maze carefully. She'd already had to push some creeping devil's snare back into the maze and was on her guard for any other escapees. She cursed herself for every being convinced that this Tournament could be made safe enough for students.

Suddenly, she felt like she was being followed. She didn't stop walking but her pace slowed a little. She could hear the rustle of grass ever so quietly. Someone or something was indeed following her. With her hand gripped tight around her wand, she proceeded in the darkness. Although there were lights illuminating the maze from above, the perimeter was encased in darkness where shadow of the hedge met the shadows of the Quidditch stands.

Minerva considered changing to her animagus form. She could see better in the dark that way. But her animagus form left her at a disadvantage should she meet one of the creatures from the maze.

Before she could decide, she hissed as the mark on her shoulder shot a wave of pain through her chest and arm. She stopped. The pain went as quickly as it came and her shoulder was left with the same aching feeling she'd had before.

She used the opportunity to cast Lumos and look behind her. There was nothing within view. She waved her wand as she scanned from the edge of the stands over to the hedge. A small shiver ran across her neck.

You're fine. She told herself as she exhaled. She took one last look behind her and put out her light.

"Spooked?" An unwelcome voice growled as she felt an arm grasp her shoulder.

Minerva froze.

"You're alright lass," Alastor Moody said in a voice that was anything but comforting.

Minerva turned around slipping her shoulder out of Moody's grasp. Straightening herself up to her full height she eyed Moody. He licked his lips quickly. It was an odd habit he'd shown in the last year that Minerva had attributed to his isolation and alcoholism.

"You're patrol area is the other side of the maze," Minerva said coldly. "What are you doing over here?"

"I just want to make sure tonight goes as planned," Moody said as his magical eye swiveled wildly.

"That plan involves you monitoring your own patrol area," Minerva said reminding him that his patrol area was currently unmanned.

Suddenly, red sparks rose within Minerva's patrol area. She shared a glance with Moody before heading off into the maze. Twisting through the hedges, Minerva ran as quickly as she could with Moody close behind.

---

Across the field, Severus had seen the red sparks go up too. The crowd had sighed a collective "oh!" Severus knew that was Minerva's corner of the map and he set off quickly down the darkened perimeter to find out what had caused the sparks. If someone was intent on hurting Potter, the maze would be the place to do it. Severus's pace quickened as his wrist pulsated with pain. He thought about the comment's La Tour had made earlier regarding the final task. Something was afoot. Severus could sense it.

---

Minerva didn't recall this much mist being put into the maze. It was nearly impossible to see and Minerva was forced to slow down. Proceeding with caution, Minerva crept carefully along the hedge with Moody two steps behind her.

She rounded a corner a nearly tripped over a body. She'd have fallen were it not for Moody grabbing her arm.

"Careful lass," Moody growled.

"Thank you," Minerva said as she stepped away from Moody. She surveyed the scene quickly to ensure there was no danger before bending down to examine the body.

It was Miss Delacour. Her eyes were wide open but she wasn't moving. Minerva could feel pulse and the girl was breathing.

"It's Miss Delacour," Minerva said, "She's been stunned."

"One down," Moody said. "Your boy's chances are looking better."

"Rennervate," Minerva said as she swept her wand across the stunned student. She ignored Moody's distasteful comment.

"We should get her out of here," Moody said quickly, "Before whatever stunned her comes back."

"Miss Delacour should be awake in a few moments. She will need to decide if she wishes to forfeit or continue," Minerva explained as she rose to face Moody. Moody's face darkened. "There is nothing we put in this maze that causes stunning," she added.

"You're cleverer than that old bat gives you credit for," Moody smiled as his tongue darted across his lips.

"I will remain here with Miss Delacour," Minerva said. "You should return to your portion of the maze in case anything else happens."

Alastor didn't move.

"Alastor, please get back to your section," Minerva said hoping this would spur Moody into action.

"I'm sure everything is fine," Moody said. "I really do think we should get Miss Delacour out of here."

"Who are you and what have you done with the real Alastor Moody?" Minerva said in astonishment.

Moody's eyes flashed with anger.

"Relax, Alastor," Minerva said trying to diffuse his anger. "I'm just surprised to hear you say everything is fine. No conspiracy theories on this one?"

"Obviously it was someone in the maze," Moody responded.

Miss Delacour was stirring. She sat up as Minerva bent down to talk to her. She was shaken by the experience. According to Miss Delacour, the mist had come upon her suddenly and she'd felt someone was following her. She asked them to identify themselves but the person refused to do so. She recounted running through the maze attempting to lose this mysterious person stalking her. The fog had become suffocating and she felt like she had run in circles.

"Zey were right behind me," Fleur said as she closed her eyes. "I screamed. And zen I woke up."

"Do you wish to continue on or would you like to forfeit?" Minerva asked her calmly.

Suddenly there were footsteps. They were approaching rapidly.

Minerva and Moody drew their wands. Miss Delacour jumped to her feet as her hand gripped her wand tightly.

"Identify yourself!" Minerva called into the mist.

"Professor Severus Snape," Snape said as he emerged from the mist with his wand drawn. Minerva was relieved.

Severus could tell by Minerva's face that something was afoul.

"I zink I vould like to leave ze maze," Miss Delacour stated. "I forfeit."

"Of course Miss Delacour," Minerva said as she gave the student a smile. "You've made your school very proud."

"As much as I vould like to win ze tournament, I vould prefer to live in one piece," she replied with a grin.

"What are you doing here?" Moody said as he raised his wand to Severus.

"I could ask you the same thing," Severus retored.

"Professor Snape could escort Miss Delacour back to the tent to formally forfeit?" Minerva said. "Professor Moody you may return to your post."

"Aye," Moody said as he limped off into the mist.

Why is he going that way? Minerva thought to herself as Moody had chosen to head through the maze rather than around it.

"Alastor, shouldn't you go around?" Minerva questioned.

Can't you just be glad he's leaving? Severus said in her mind.

"It's faster this way. And I want to keep an eye out," Moody said gruffly. "I need to make sure Potter's still OK."

---

Minerva and Severus navigated their way out of the mist of the maze with Miss Delacour in tow. Once they had reached the edge of the maze, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Severus had felt uneasy since he'd visited the Durmstrang boat. The red sparks and subsequent forfeiture of Miss Delacour only added to that unease.

Did she say what had stunned her? Severus asked Minerva as they communicated via legilimency.

There is nothing in the maze that stuns. Minerva replied. Except people. She added darkly.

Their eyes met. It was possible another one of the champions had done this. Possible, but not likely.

Severus nodded as he swept away into the darkness to escort Miss Delacour back to the judges.

---

Severus and Miss Delacour had just arrived back at the judges when the crowd shouted "OH!" It was not the "oh" of disappointment. As he scanned the maze, Severus could see red sparks flying high into the dark of the night sky. There was another problem. These sparks were coming from Filius's quadrant.

Severus didn't stay to listen to Miss Delacour's gratitude as he shot off into the dark. He found his feet carrying him toward Minerva's section of the maze rather than the location of the sparks. As he raced along the edge of the tall hedge his mind began to think of every possibility. He was worried what Minerva may do if she found Potter in danger, injured, or dead. He had to find her before she found Potter.

Lost in his own thoughts, he ran carelessly without regard for his surroundings when suddenly he ran into the very person he was looking for. The collided with some force and both were knocked back.

Minerva was feeling around for her wand. Severus held out his hand and summoned it to him. He handed it back to her and helped her to her feet.

"Sparks," Severus panted.

Minerva was still catching her breath. Unable to speak, she merely pointed.

Severus turned to see the blue and white swirl of Elephant patronus approaching the pair. It stamped twice before raising its trunk and shaking its head up and down.

"Victor Krum has been found stunned," Filius Flitwick's voice said. "He is alright. But something is amiss. He said he couldn't control his actions. The last spell to come out of his wand was a Cruciatus Curse. He's agreed to forfeit. Professor Burbage is taking him back to have him looked over. Rolanda and I will conduct a search for the injured person."

Minerva and Severus stood in silence for a moment as they contemplated his words. Somewhere in the maze someone had been cruciated and was likely injured.

"Potter," Minerva said as she subconsciously brushed her fingers along the knife in a tension holster on her leg. It reaffirmed Severus's fear that Minerva would put herself in danger if meant protecting Potter.

Severus reached out and spun Minerva round to look at him.

"I will find Potter," he said. "You should stay here in case anything happens."

"I'll come with you," she replied. "It could be-"

Minerva dropped to her knees. She grabbed her shoulder and cried out as searing pain rippled from the mark on her shoulder. Clutching the mark she fell on her back as she writhed on the ground struggling to breath.

Simultaneously, Severus had gripped his wrist as his Dark Mark seared with pain. He fell to his knees grasping his wrist as waves of paint radiated out from his wrist. His fingers gripped so tightly they were white. His chest as tight as his flesh felt like it would burn off. Tears filled his eyes as the pain immobilized him.

Minerva's hand reached out to squeeze his. His eyes were wide with fear. Neither could speak. Her face was filled with regret.

Minerva had experience this once before on October 31, 1981 the night that the Dark Lord had disappeared. She didn't know what to think.

Their marks still burned but the intolerable pain had subsided. Minerva rubbed her shoulder, but it was fruitless in dulling the pain.

"That was," Severus struggled to find the words. "I mean I've never-"

"I have," Minerva said with a faraway look in her eyes. "I have."

"Do you think he's back?" Severus asked.

"Or gone again," Minerva replied quietly as a tears fell softly.

She was still holding his hand so Severus pulled her up to her knees.

"Do you think he's dead?" Severus asked her.

She refused to meet his eyes.

"You can't kill him," she said cryptically.

"Do you know what it would it mean if he were dead?" Severus said as he took her chin and turned her face to him.

"You can't kill him," she repeated as she looked at him with dark eyes.

"What do you mean?" Severus asked her seriously.

Minerva leaned in and kissed him. Severus was unsure if this was because she felt overcome by emotion or if it was to avoid answering his question.

After a moment, Severus pushed Minerva back.

"Relax," he said.

"I'm sorry," she replied.

"No really," Severus said softly as he gently squeezed her hands. "Devil's Snare."

Minerva suddenly became aware that the Devil's Snare she had previously pushed back into the maze had crept out once more and snaked its way around the pair.

Minerva slowed her breathing and tried to calm her heart rate. Severus reached for his wand but a vine encircled his wrist and pulled it back.

"Ah," Severus said uncomfortably as the vine tugged his wrist out of his control.

The vine that encircled the pair tightened it's grip and Minerva struggled to remain calm as it became harder to breath. As Severus tried to pull his hand from hers, he moved too quickly and a vine shot out and tightened around his wrist. The pain of his mark was overtaken by the lack of circulation to his hands.

But Minerva still had one hand free. She moved very slowly and cautiously as she tried to reach for her wand. Severus's hopes were dashed as her eyes widened. Panic set in as her eyes darted to the grass. Her wand wasn't in her robes. She dropped it when the pain had hit.

"I-I'm sorry," she stammered as she struggled to speak. A vine had snaked around her neck and she was starting to feel dizzy as it closed in.

Severus's vision was beginning to blacken as he struggled to maintain eye contact with Minerva.

There was a bright flash and Severus found he could breath. Oxygen filled his starving lungs and Severus opened his eyes to see spots.

"Are you alright?" Rolanda Hooch shouted as she shook Minerva violently by the shoulders.

"Severus-" Minerva said.

"He's fine," Rolanda snapped. "Are you alright?"

She didn't even ask me! Minerva heard Severus say in her head signaling that he was unharmed.

Minerva stood up and brushed off her robes.

"Any word on Potter?" She asked Rolanda.

"Still in the maze," Rolanda said. "Go back and get checked out. I'll watch your quadrant in the meantime."

Minerva shook her head.

"I wasn't asking," Rolanda said curtly as she stared at Minerva.

"I'll walk back with you," Severus said hoping to entice Minerva away from the maze.

Minerva relented and she and Severus made their way back toward the crowd.

---

Half an hour later Minerva was walking along the perimeter. They had located no injured person in the maze and everyone was on high alert. Severus was now patrolling inside the maze.

Minerva heard the crowd erupt and she turned back to see white sparks flash brilliantly into the sky. Someone had returned with the cup. It was all over.

But as quickly as the joy had come it had passed. The crowd had stopped cheering and a lone scream had torn out through the night.

Minerva raced back to toward the crowd. She was almost there when she heard Dumbledore shout for everyone to ''GET BACK."

Her heart was pounding as she turned the corner to see two figures on the ground. Potter was yelling.

He's alive. She thought to herself as she breathed a sigh of relief.

"He's back!" Harry cried. "He's back!"

Professor Dumbledore was speaking to Harry privately. The body on the ground was obstructed from her view. She approached the crowd. It seems Dumbledore's request had devolved to madness. The Minister of Magic and various Ministry officials had begun to surround Dumbledore and Potter. Minerva noticed Professor Sprout was struggling to hold Amos Diggory from rushing toward Dumbledore and Potter.

Her eyes scanned the crowd. Miss Delacour and Mr Krum were on their feet. They looked horrified.

Minerva looked back at Amos Diggory and clutched her hand over her mouth.

Cedric Diggory was the body. Cedric Diggory was dead.

Minerva did the only thing she could think of. Amos Diggory had broken from Pomona Sprout and had rushed to the body of his son who was lying on the ground - all but forgotten in the wake of Potter's announcement.

Potter was sobbing but Dumbledore was with him.

"My boy!" Amos cried as Minerva sat down next to him. She said nothing and instead ran her hand across his back in way she hoped was comforting.

Minerva felt a hand on her shoulder. It was Cedric's mother. She knelt down next to her husband and Minerva stepped away to give them a moment alone with their son.

She needed to speak with Dumbledore but he was in deep discussion with the Minister of Magic. Minerva had no desire to speak with the Minister or with his Undersecretary. She tried to make eye contact with Albus but there were too many people. She would have to get closer.

She pushed her way through the crowd toward the man in the bright robes. Someone had grabbed her sleeve in an attempt to get her attention, but Minerva pressed on. She was grateful when Hagrid noticed her. Using his size, he was able to push her right up to Dumbledore. She could tell Dumbledore was furious. The Minister seemed to be unable to grasp the severity of the situation.

"Minerva," he said as he looked grave." "Meet me in my office immediately."

She nodded in response and made her way toward the Headmaster's office. On her way to the castle she asked Professor Burbage to watch her students. Students had died at Hogwarts before. Sadly, it was something Minerva was familiar with from her own time as a student and from her many years on the staff. But it never got easier.

As she left the crowd she ran into Alastor Moody. He was beaming. Minerva felt uncomfortable calling it that but it was certainly the only way she could describe his appearance.

"What a night!" He said as he licked his lips.

"You have a very funny way of dealing with grief," she snapped before she could control it. "I suggest you find a more suitable tone before rejoining the crowd."

"If there's one thing I hate more than anything it's traitors that walk free," Moody snarled at her. "I know what my role is. Something you never learned."

Minerva left quickly and attributed Alastor's response to the attitudes around women in the workplace she'd often experienced.

---

Inside Dumbledore's office the fire had grown dim. There was a soft glow on the portraits.

"My dear girl, what has happened?" asked Elizabeth Burke's portrait. It had always disturbed Minerva that Headmistress Burke called her "my dear girl" and had taken a liking to the Gryffindor. Burke had been a notorious Headmistress during her day and had rabid pureblood beliefs.

"Are you alright, Minerva?" the portrait of Armando Dippet asked.

"A student is dead," Minerva said bluntly. The portraits erupted with chatter. Minerva wanted nothing but quiet. But as much as the roar of the portraits disturbed her, she knew that it would better for them to get it out now before Albus arrived. Minerva was bombarded with questions of who and how and why and found herself unable to answer them.

Armando Dippet was asking everyone to remain calm. Dilys Derwent was concerned for the safety of the school. Antonia Creaseworthy and Elizabeth Burke were shouting at another. Some of the portraits had fled their frames to spread the message throughout the school or to find out more information. Minerva closed her eyes and tried to block out all of the sound.

Potter had said "He's back" and Minerva knew it could only mean one thing. She shouldn't have kissed Severus. She knew she shouldn't have done that. She knew better.

The sound of the door closing drew Minerva back to reality. She turned around to see Severus.

He took two steps toward her and they embraced.

He's back. Severus's voice said in her head.

I know. She replied as she laid her head on his shoulder.

They stood like this for a moment and Minerva allowed the comforting silence to embrace her.

As they broke apart they stared at each other. Severus reached out and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear and kissed her forehead.

An audible gasp shook them both. Their private moment was, in fact, not so private.

"My dear girl," Elizabeth Burke said in a scandalized voice. "What have you done?"

Before Minerva could respond, the door burst open and Dumbledore walked in. Minerva and Severus could sense his anger. He swept behind his desk. He pushed his glasses up and rubbed the bridge of his nose.

"Cedric Diggory is dead any I believe that Voldemort is responsible," he said as he sat down.

"Where's Potter?" Minerva asked.

"Mr. Potter has returned unharmed," Albus said. "The cup was a portkey."

"But where's Potter?" Minerva asked again.

"Did he say where it took him?" Severus asked Dumbledore.

"A graveyard," Dumbledore responded. "I suspect the location of the late Mr. Tom Riddle Sr."

"Where is Potter?" Minerva pressed as her nostrils flared.

No one responded. Minerva cursed herself for not seeing to Potter's whereabouts before following Dumbledore's orders to go to his office. She knew how he was. She knew it foolish to think Dumbledore could see to Potter's safety while dealing with the Ministry.

"I've asked Alastor Moody to stay with Mr Potter down on the Quidditch pitch," Dumbledore said. "I've asked him to keep Harry there until we get things sorted. I'll need to speak with him and Minerva, I'll need you to deal with the Ministry and the Board."

"I saw Mr Potter with Professor Moody heading up the stairs on the third floor," said the portrait of Phyllida Spore.

"Why would Alastor take Harry away from the safety of the crowd?" Severus asked.

"He wouldn't," Dumbledore and Minerva said simultaneously.

---

Minerva felt uncomfortable as she sat across from Barty Crouch Jr as his eyes felt invasive and his lip-licking habit was intolerable.

After Dumbledore had stunned the impostor he'd sent Minerva to fetch a dog - the she knew was Sirius Black - from the grounds and bring him to his office. Minerva had returned to find Dumbledore interrogating the man. The real, horribly weak Alastor Moody had been taken off to the Hospital Wing to be examined. Minerva knew he would have a long road to recovery.

Potter, Severus, and Dumbledore had exited and had left Minerva to guard the prison until the Ministry officials arrived.

"Blood traitorous whore," Crouch spat at her. Minerva didn't acknowledge the comment.

"I've waiting a year to say that to you," Crouch went on as his eyes widened. "I've seen every inch of your scars."

That disturbed her. She had always wondered how much Moody's eye could see.

"He's back," Crouch went on madly. "And I have remained loyal. And I will watch you beg for mercy at the feet of my Lord."

"Like how you begged for your mother to save you at your trial?" Minerva retorted nonchalantly as she pushed her glasses up her nose.

"I don't want him to kill you," Crouch explained. "I hope he keeps you around so I can revel in the great Gryffindor bitch brought to heel."

A chill overtook Minerva.

"Well where you're going I am sure you'll have plenty of time to think about that," she said, unsure of how to react.

"For a year I got to delight in torturing that ugly, old cripple," Crouch said salivating. The firelight danced off his eyes as Minerva looked up at him. "But none of it compared to pleasure of watching you frozen with fear at the thought that someone had discovered your revolting little secret."

Minerva was growing cold. Crouch had hit a nerve.

"And when he finds out that you, the queen of traitorous whores, is warming the bed of another traitor-"

"Shut up," Minerva snapped as she shivered. She looked at the mirror as frost grew across it.

Grabbing her wand she stepped back so she could focus on the window and the door. The windows were frosted over. Minerva knew that there were dementors nearby. Crouch was squirming. He no doubt had traumatic memories from his days in Azkaban.

The door flew open and the Minister of Magic entered with his Undersecretary and two aurors. They were accompanied by a dementor.

"What is the meaning of this?" Minerva demanded.

Minister Fudge stepped forward and pulled reading glasses out of his robes. He cleared his throat. But before Fudge could speak, Crouch began to rant.

"The Dark Lord has returned and you're government will fall," Crouch said madly. "We will cleanse this earth and secure the existence and dominance of our people and we will ensure a future for pureblood witches and wizards."

"Crouch has been acting on Voldemort's orders," Minerva started to explain. "We are all in danger."

"I've seen enough," Fudge said as he took off his glasses. "Do the deed."

Minerva watched as the Dementor swept in and began to suck the life from Crouch.

"Stop!" Minerva cried, "This isn't right!"

Crouch squirmed in his chair as fear overtook him. Fudge had looked away, unable to watch the scene before him.

"STOP THIS!" Minerva screamed. "He needs a trial!"

Minerva drew her wand and aimed it at the Dementor. Before she could say anything, one of the auror's covered her mouth and grabbed her outstretched arm.

"She will need to be subdued," the Undersecretary said to the Minister.

Minerva watched helplessly as Barty Crouch Jr's soul left his body and was consumed by the Dementor. He was lifeless and unmoving. The auror let go of Minerva and she squared her shoulders.

"You can't do that without a trial," Minerva said angrily to Minister Fudge.

"Oh but you'll find I can," Fudge replied. "When my life is in danger, dementors are well within their authority to protect me."

"He was tied to a chair," Minerva said as she felt fury growing inside her. "YOU BLOODY ORDERED IT."

"Imagine how dangerous it could be if this lunatic's rantings got out to the public?" Crouch said uneasily. "There would be a panic. It would be very dangerous."

"You're covering this up!" Minerva said aghast. A wave of emotion swept over her. She'd never held much respect for Fudge and his Ministers. He'd risen to power in the vacuum created by Millicent Bagnold's retirement and a series of political downfalls of more popular candidates. Fudge had been a relative nobody, a dark horse.

"I'm containing the situation before it gets out of control," Fudge replied angrily. "If the public got wind of this it could lead to calls for new elections!"

"Ya sniveling, cowardly bampot," Minerva spat as she pointed at the Dementor and added dangerously, "get that thing out of this castle."

---

Hours later Minerva had returned to the castle. She was feeling a little sheepish for her shouting match with the Minister that had carried through the school. It had certainly made the emergency meeting of the Board of Governors uncomfortable. Minerva had been forced to attend in Albus's place- a choice that, Minerva feared, he would come to regret.

Cornelius Fudge had never forgotten Dumbledore's popularity in his first election. Although Dumbledore had refused the position of Minister, there were a great many people that had hoped Dumbledore would accept. Fudge had long viewed Dumbledore as a rival and Minerva was concerned Fudge was worried Dumbledore would somehow use the return of the Dark Lord as an effort to usurp the Minister.

Minerva noted that Lucius Malfoy had been conspicously absent from the meeting of the Board. The Ministry had come in full force and Minerva was concerned about their approach. The Senior Undersecretary had suggested that they meet again to discuss, in depth, a plan from the Ministry to intervene in what they viewed as a deeply troubled Hogwarts.

Minerva hated to admit that the death of Cedric Diggory had left many Governors feeling a desperate need for reform. Their judgement was clouded by the suddenness of the night's events and the Ministry was abusing that.

She entered her rooms and shook off her cloak. It would be dawn in a few hours and Minerva would have to be up early to attend to business. She realized she hadn't even talked to Pomona who would be grieving the loss of her student. Minerva popped the cork off a bottle of whiskey and dumped a hefty pour into a tumbler. She titled her head back and downed it in one swig.

Instead of using magic, she took her hair down and massaged her temples. She'd have a headache tomorrow, but for now she needed something to dull the pain. She picked up her glass and walked over to her window. Gazing out onto the grounds she contemplated the events of the night.

"Come to bed," a voice said behind her.

Minerva dropped her glass and reached for her wand. She cast Lumos and pointed to wand into her sitting room.

Severus Snape was sitting perfectly still in the dark in her armchair. He said nothing and raised an eyebrow.

"Dammit Severus," she cursed. "I could have hurt you."

She waved her wand and banished the broken glass. Sighing she leaned against the cool glass of the window. Severus came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her.

"Things are going to change at Hogwarts," Minerva said in a soft, sad voice.

"I know," Severus said he kissed the top of her head.