Here's the next instalment. This chapter is a little darker in places and refers to rape, if you don't want to read that sort of thing you have been warned (no complaints please). It is only a short part of one paragraph that makes reference to it so I have left the rating for now, but if anyone is unhappy please let me know and I'll change it.

Thank you very much DarthVandola for editing and rating advice – You're brilliant! :D

Thank you for the reviews, I really appreciate it.

#####

After she had left school, Minerva never considered the manipulative, self-important Slytherin boy who had once asked her to the Yule Ball. Despite his threat Minerva hadn't concerned herself with Tom Riddle once since their meeting. She had never taken his threat seriously, or allowed herself to dwell on the potential of it. She didn't even think of his name again until one afternoon in early February when she found Albus sitting at his desk, frowning over a letter that had just arrived.

'Anything interesting, love?' she asked, entering his office with a pile of parchment clasped in her arms.

'Hmm.' Albus murmured. When he finished scanning the letter he looked up and smiled as he realised Minerva was watching him.

'Another planet away?'

'It would seem so. Sorry, what did you ask me?' He asked, Minerva smiled.

'I only enquired whether the letter was anything of interest.'

'Very interesting.' Albus sighed. Sitting back in his chair and opened his arms for her to join him. She obediently sat in his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing her lips to his as she did so. He wrapped his arms around her waist and she rested her head on his shoulder. 'Do you remember Tom Riddle? He was the year below you I think.'

'Yes I think so,' she replied. 'Slytherin of the very slimy variety.' Albus chuckled.

'Indeed. He enquired about the Defencive Arts post the summer after he left. I naturally declined as Professor Merrythought had made no suggestion she wanted to leave and didn't. He has obviously heard of her desire to retire this year and applied again.'

'And you don't wish to appoint him?'

'No.' Albus sighed heavily. 'He had a rather unhealthy interest in the darker side of the Dark Arts, rather than defence.' Albus was unconsciously rubbing small circles along Minerva's hip with his thumb. 'Of all the students I've ever taught, he concerns me the most. I don't trust what he could be capable of doing.'

'As a teacher, or more generally?' Minerva asked, shifting her position slightly so Albus moved his hand.

'Both. I don't trust him to teach my students.' He stated simply.

'Then tell him you don't wish to appoint him, or that you have someone else in mind. You don't really have to give him a reason.' Minerva stated.

'I know. If anyone is going to follow Grindelwald and cause another war though, it'll be him.' He ran his hand over his forehead, attempting to massage away the headache that was attempting to take over. Noticing, Minerva reached up and stroked his long fingers. Taking them in her hand she kissed each one, before placing gentle kisses on his head. 'He wants to come up to the castle and meet tomorrow to discuss it.' He continued. Minerva took hold of his hand, gently running her fingers along his.

'Then meet him and inform him either you have filled the post or that you do not feel he is a suitable applicant. If you don't want him to have the job because you are concerned about his morality and its impact on our students then don't appoint him. He can't persuade you to sacrifice the safety of our students; it's not a risk I'm willing to take.' Albus nodded.

'What would I do without you?' he enquired, kissing her. 'Thank you.' Minerva nodded.

They remained quiet for a while, Minerva still in his lap, arms wrapped around him. Both lost themselves in thought for a few moments, until Albus spoke again.

'Did you want something when you came up?' he asked, 'You had an arm full of papers.' Minerva smiled.

'Not really, I brought my marking up. I was going to sit and do it in here with you. We've barely seen each other all week and I was beginning to miss you.' Albus smiled.

'When are you returning the work?' he asked.

'Not until next Thursday, I only taught them this afternoon.'

'Leave it for tonight. I'll let Merrythought know we are having a meeting and we'll skip dinner. I'll have the houselves bring something up and we'll have a night alone.'

'That sounds lovely.'

'Good.' He kissed her nose. 'Shall we adjourn to the sitting room? I feel the sofa may be more comfortable.' Minerva nodded.

#####

A while later, when their empty dinner plates had vanished and their wine glasses were almost empty; they were curled up on the small sofa. Minerva lay in Albus' arms, her head resting on his chest.

'When do I get to marry you then?' Minerva asked. Albus chuckled.

'Right now?' Albus asked, causing Minerva to giggle.

'I'm serious, how are we going to do this? If we don't want anyone to know about us, how are we supposed to get married?' Albus chuckled again.

'We'll find…' Albus trailed off, 'a…a…way.' The pitch in Albus' voice increased as an idea dawned on him. 'Minerva, would you have a muggle wedding?'

'I don't see why not, they mean the same thing.'

'Then how would you like to visit your parents this weekend?' Minerva grinned.

'He wouldn't tell a soul.' Minerva thought aloud

'I know.' Albus grinned. They both laughed, a plan forming between them.

#####

The following afternoon, Minerva sat with Albus in his office, waiting for Tom Riddle. As a knock came at the door, Minerva squeezed Albus' hand and placed a kiss on his lips. He nodded, letting her walk towards the door. They exchanged a last loving look before Minerva reached for the door.

'Thank you for your assistance, Headmaster,' She was saying as she opened the door, 'I'll get these back to you before dinner.' She gestured at a pile of papers in her hand. 'Mr Riddle.' She nodded and motioned for him to enter Albus' office.

'Minerva McGonagall.' He hissed. Minerva wanted to flinch away, but held strong. His hand reached her arm, gripping it tightly he leaned in to kiss her cheek. 'How pleasant to see you once more?' She slipped away down the staircase, trying to avoid looking into his eyes. Once out into the corridor, she slipped the papers in her robes, transformed into her animagus and ran along the corridors to her classroom. She collapsed into the high-backed chair at her desk and took a deep breath. She didn't know what it was or why, but something about Tom terrified her. She had never been so afraid of a person before, despite the strength of her Gryffindor heart. She saw why Albus didn't want him to teach, she only hoped he wouldn't be persuaded to appoint him anyway. She took several calming breaths and summoned one of the houselves. With a pot of tea brewing and a plate of ginger newts sitting before her on the desk she began to mark a pile of fifth year essays.

An hour later she was just adding the list of grades to her mark book when she became aware that she was no longer alone. She lifted her head and peered over her black rimmed glasses at the intruder by the door. Her heart began to beat a little faster, she was a little afraid, but she wasn't going to let him know that.

'Mr Riddle, is there something I can do for you? Or have you just interrupted me unnecessarily?'

'Minerva, you wound me.' He hissed. 'You never did make it up to me anyway.' He continued. Minerva raised an eyebrow.

'Make what up to you, enlighten me?' she continued, unsure of what he was referring to.

'Not coming to the Yule Ball with me.' He began walking, or rather gliding across the room towards her. 'You owe me, Minerva.' He stood before her desk.

'I owe you nothing, Mr Riddle. I didn't wish to accompany you then and I don't now. If that is all, I am quite busy and I…'

'Dear Minerva, I think you misunderstand me.' She stood and walked around the desk. Standing on her teaching platform, she was a few inches taller than him.

'Explain.' She stated coldly.

'Ever the teacher.' He stepped onto the platform and stood over her, reaching out and gripping her arm tightly just above the elbow. He pulled her towards him, grabbing her other arm and leaning down to whisper in her ear. 'I wasn't offering you a choice.' Wandlessly, he bound her hands behind her back and pushed her towards the desk. 'You!' he hissed, fiercely 'You embarrassed me! You made me look stupid in front of half the school. The rest humiliated me by gossiping about it! No one,' he grabbed hold of her hips and pulled them towards him, 'no one humiliates me, especially not a Gryffindor, especially not a woman!' He now gagged her before she could scream. 'Now, now, no one is going to hear you.' He lifted her onto the desk; another wordless spell prevented her from moving. She couldn't move, she couldn't scream. This was hell. This was what her boggart would look like. She felt cool air reach her legs, as her tights, shoes and to her horror, her knickers vanished. 'NO!' she mentally screamed, 'he wasn't going to do this!' But she had no way to stop him. He was going to rape her; he was going to touch her where only Albus had. She hated him; she hated him more than she had words and actions to describe. His hands were pushing her dress up; they were on her bare thighs. She had never been more repulsed by anything or anyone in her entire life. And then his robes were up around his waist and she could see his excitement. He forced himself upon her. She couldn't stop him. He was hurting her now and she couldn't do anything. She wanted him to stop, she wanted it all to go away; she had to make him go away. 'Come on, Minerva!' a voice in her head shouted, 'You're a Gryffindor, you were an auror, and you can get him away from you.'

Albus' eyes flooded into her mind, she remembered a night in this very classroom. 'I know you can do it' he had said. She had become the youngest animagus since Albus himself, she had passed all her exams with outstanding, become an auror, helped fight Grindelwald! Her heart swelled, she could do this. She concentrated, took a deep breath.

'STUPEFY!' she shouted internally. Tom shot away from her, crashing into the desks, his wand clattering across to the other side of the room. 'Finite.' She thought. She twitched her fingers, letting a small smile cross her cheeks. 'Accio wand' she said aloud. Standing to catch it, pushing her dress down. Her knees were unsteady, but she moved forward anyway. Tom still lay stunned on the floor. She cast her patronus charm to send a message to Albus, before turning to Tom. She put him in a full body bind before making sure he was listening to her.

'Tom Riddle.' She addressed him. 'You are nothing but a sad, lonely boy incapable of love. You will not hurt me ever again. You will leave this castle and not come back.'

'Minerva!' Albus shouted from the door, breathlessly. 'What happened?' He rushed across to her side.

'Mr Riddle tried to take something that wasn't his. Please can you have him escorted from the castle so he cannot return.' Albus nodded, levitating Tom's frozen body and leading him from the castle, not releasing him from the bind until they were outside the gates. He turned from Riddle and didn't speak or look back, re-entering the castle grounds and restoring the wards. When he returned Minerva was sitting at her desk, face pale and tears streaming down her cheeks.

'What happened?' He asked again, reaching down to touch her cheek, brushing the tears aside. 'What did he do to you?' Albus asked. Minerva looked him in the eyes and Albus gasped, he knew what had happened, he didn't need to ask. 'Oh, Minerva. I'm sorry, I should have been here. I shouldn't have let him touch you.' He lifted her and carried her through her office into her private sitting room. He sat on the sofa with Minerva in his arms. 'Did he? Did he…' Albus couldn't finish. Minerva's red, tear filled eyes blinked at him.

'I can't,' she whispered, 'You can look, but… I can't say it.' Albus nodded and delved into her memories. Watching the event unfold again, anger boiling inside him.

'Hold me.' Minerva whispered as Albus withdrew from her memories. He did so, wrapping her as tightly as he could in his embrace, kissing her hair. For hours they sat there, missing dinner in the great hall for the second time in a week. Professor Merrythought at least had the sense to continue on without them. Eventually Minerva shifted slightly in his embrace and spoke.

'Can you help me to the bathroom?' She asked, 'I want a bath, I can still feel him on me.' Albus nodded, standing with Minerva still in his arms. He ran the hot water and helped her undress. Gently he laid her in the warm scented bubbles and slipped in beside her. He ran the sponge over her body, placing gentle, loving kisses on the bruises appearing on her arms. His lips reached her neck, where his kisses lingered a little longer.

'I love you.' He murmured into her skin. Minerva gave a small smile. 'I promise to protect you; I promise I'll keep you safe. No one will ever hurt you again.'

'You can't promise that, Albus.' Minerva said finally. 'You can't promise no one will hurt me because you can't protect me from everything. Just promise you won't leave me and I'll be happy.'

'Never.' He stated. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into his chest. She felt completely safe in Albus' arms despite her ordeal. 'I will never leave you. Even in death I shall come back and haunt you!' Minerva laughed. Reaching to take the sponge from him, she kissed his fingers. She carefully washed between her legs with the sponge.

Albus charmed the water to stay warm and they lay among the bubbles for a while longer, content to be in each other's arms.

'Promise me we are still going to see my father this weekend.' Minerva said, finally.

'You still want to?' he asked.

'There is nothing else in the world I want more.'

'Are you sure? You've been through a lot today, I don't want you to make a decision you will regret.'

'Albus, stop.' She turned to face him. 'I love you! I don't want anyone but you. I'm not going to change my mind and I will never regret choosing to be with you. Why would you think that?' Albus sighed.

'Everyone I have ever loved has left me, the odds don't look good.' Minerva smiled at his confession.

'Since when do I go along with anything anyone else did? Albus, I was the biggest swot in my year, I never fit in with anyone. Besides Poppy, no one in my year even liked me. While they were all out having fun, having pillow fights in the common room, procrastinating about homework and avoiding the library like it had dragon pox; I was in your office studying, playing chess and reading every book in the library. I'm not like everyone else. I'm not going to leave you.' Albus nodded. 'Tell me about them? Your family, you never talk about them, why?'

'Let's get dried off and warmed up, then I'll tell you.' Minerva smiled.

Later that night they were both laid spooned together under Minerva's thick duvet. Only when Albus' strong arms were wrapped around her slender body, did he begin his story.

'My sister, Ariana. She was attacked as a child by some muggle boys in the village where we lived. She was never the same after the attack. Father was heartbroken and angry; he found the boys and attacked them. Unforgivable curses I would expect. He was sentenced to life in Azkaban and I never saw him again. My mother, the ever perfect Kendra Dumbledore took Ariana, Aberforth and myself to Godric's Hollow. We lived there in some vague normality for a few years until Ariana started to show signs of magic. She had no control over her emotions and as such her magic tended to…explode quite violently. One of these explosions caused the death of my mother. I'd finished Hogwarts so I stayed home to look after her. This was the same summer Grindelwald was staying in Godric's Hollow too. Aberforth felt I was spending more time talking about the Hallows and making plans with Grindelwald and not caring for Ariana. The three of us go into a fight and a stray spell hit Ariana and,' his voice broke; speech failed him for a moment. Tears were silently falling down his cheeks. 'Aberforth has always blamed me for Ariana's death. He lives in Hogsmeade but he never speaks to me now.'

'Oh Albus.' Minerva rolled over to face him. 'It wasn't your fault.'

'We don't know who's spell hit Ariana, for all I know it could have been me.'

'You didn't intend to hurt her, Albus. It happened, you can't change it. You can't punish yourself forever; doing so would only insult her memory.' Albus remained silent, staring into her emerald green eyes. 'I love you and I won't leave you.' She finished, snuggling herself closer to him. He kissed her hair and wrapped his arms around her. 'Marry me?' she murmured into his long auburn beard.

'Yes.' He whispered, tears still spilling down his cheeks.