Hey Lovelies! Sorry for the wait, but I've been busy with real life, and my story "Maternal Instinct" has decided that it won't give my head much of a reprieve to work on anything else! Anyway this is here now and ready to go! Let me know what you think!

Chapter 11 – Obliviate

There were tears in her eyes as she stood on the steps of the great castle. It was September 1st and her students were returning. She closed her eyes, and took a deep breath, pulling her tartan cloak a little closer around her body as she regained her composure. She has known that they wouldn't be returning, she had known exactly what three faces she wouldn't see step off the train, but that didn't mean that she hadn't held the slightest hope that maybe, just maybe they would change their minds.

That they would show up in front of her safe and smiling and ready to start the new school year. It was foolish, both Tom and her Order had assured her that they wouldn't be returning. Harry had told her himself at the beginning of the summer, but that didn't mean that it didn't hurt all the same.

She opened her eyes and threw her carefully calculated mask back in place just as she saw Hagrid leading the newest batch of first years up the path. "The firs' years Professor McGonagall."

"Thank you Hagrid." She gave him a small smile and she turned to lead the eleven year olds into the castle. They followed her without a word, and she couldn't help but give a little shake as she looked towards the Head Table.

There, sitting in the high backed chair just to the left of her empty one, was Severus. He was sitting in the place that Albus had occupied since the day that she joined the staff, and even though she knew there was a reason, that he was there for just the same reason that she was. Tom had sent them both back to Hogwarts, providing familiar faces along with the new ones.

Her eyes skimmed along the staff table as she moved to place the three-legged stool before the rest of the school. She missed the entirety of his foreboding song as she studied her colleagues. There were few among them, Snape, the Carrows and Poppy in all that knew of her position at Tom's side.

Everyone else saw nothing different in their Deputy Headmistress. They failed to see the worry in her eyes; if she was here they assumed that they were all safe. Little did they know that they were in more danger when she was among them. She could do less to control her husband when she was away from him.

As she took her seat at the Head table Severus leaned over and whispered in her ear. "I can see your worrying Minerva. Stop. You cannot let anyone who does not already know find out the truth. You are here because Our Lord thinks it is the best place for you. You must do everything that he expects of you, if not…"

"I know that Severus!" Even her whisper was sharp. "I am here because it is my place now, though I truly believe that I would do more with him than I can do here."

"I agree but if he finds out that you doubt him…"

"He won't." She looked over at him. "One thing about my husband, he knows better than to try and spend too much time in my head. Too many memories." She gave him a small smile and her gaze shifted out over the Gryffindor table as she slipped into a very familiar memory.

She was humming to herself as she moved through the hallway. She was looking for him and she ducked her head into every room as she went. It was a Saturday afternoon and she had snuck away from Hogwarts to come and see him. He had sent her back to Dumbledore at the beginning of the school year, saying that she would be safe there. That Dumbledore could not question her again, that she must go back to teaching.

Reluctantly she had agreed. Albus had no idea who it was that she was married to, he only knew that she had come to Hogwarts on Mad-Eye's request to get away from him after an incident that she had never spoken about. He hadn't pushed her and she preferred it that way, it made it much easier for her to slip away on days like today.

Finally, after going through many of the rooms in the house she sighed and called out, "Tom!"

"In here!" His voice sounded from the direction of the kitchen and she chuckled as she made her way that way. When she pushed open the door the chuckle sounding from her throat turned into full on laughter.

"What on earth are you doing in here?" There was flour all over the kitchen and all over Tom. She moved towards him and used the hem of her sleeve to wipe the flour from his cheek. "Are you baking?"

"I was trying too." He rolled his eyes. "It turns out that I'm useless at it."

"Why on earth didn't you just use magic?"

"I was trying to surprise you."

"By destroying my kitchen?" She raised an eyebrow at him. "You thought that you would surprise me by destroying my kitchen?"

"No." He wrapped his arms around her waist. "I thought that you weren't coming until dinner. I had plenty of time to clean it up."

"Well I came early." She kissed his cheek where she had wiped the flour away. "I have a surprise for you as well."

"Oh?" He grinned at her, "What's that?"

She leaned in and whispered in his ear. One corner of her mouth turned up as he pulled away from her suddenly and stared at her. "Are you sure?"

"Yes. I had Poppy run the test," She laughed at his panicked expression, "Don't worry, she had no idea that it's yours. She was rather put out when I wouldn't tell her who the father was, though I think she suspects Albus." His lips turned up in a snarl, but she kissed it away. "You and I know better. Our baby will be here at the end of July."

"A baby…" He was shaking his head, but a smile was starting to grow on his lips. "We are having a baby…"

"Tom?" She caught his gaze with her own and his smile broke out across his face. He wrapped his arms around her and spun her in a tight circle.

"Thank you Minnie. I didn't even know that I wanted a baby, but now, knowing that you are giving me one…" He trailed off and he came back to himself. He turned to her as reality came crashing down around him. "You have to go back to Hogwarts. You are safest there. No one will be able to hurt you there, no one will want too, and you will both be safe."

"Tom…"

"No." He took her chin gently in his hand, "Go back, hide the fact that you are pregnant and you can come here in the summer. No one knows of this place, you will be safe here." He kissed her gently, "Both of you."

She didn't say a word, but she nodded. He was right; Hogwarts really was a safe place for everyone.

"Minerva?" Severus's voice called her back to the present. He was looking at her with curiosity. "Where did you go?"

"1979…." She didn't say anymore, as she took his arm and together they left the hall behind their students.

"Tom…"

"Come on Minnie, you're almost there." He looked down at the healer, who simply nodded. "You can do it, one more and then you can hold our baby in your arms."

She nodded through her pain, and she screamed as she clutched his hand in her own. His fingers were turning white from a lack of blood, but he knew better than to say anything.

"One more Mrs. Riddle, and that will be it. Just the shoulders are left." She pushed one final time and relaxed as she felt the baby leave her body. The sound of a loud cry brought tears to her eyes as the healer handed Tom their baby.

"She's beautiful Minnie…" He smiled as he laid their daughter on her chest. "Just like her mother."

"Hello beautiful…" She smiled down at the baby before she looked up at Tom. "Vayda. Her name is Vayda."

"Famous ruler…" Tom kissed the top of the baby's head and then pressed his lips to Minnie's forehead. "That's perfect. Vayda Minerva Riddle."

"Tom…"

"Look at her Minnie, she's you all over again, your name should be hers as well."

The healer ran his wand over both Minerva and Vayda. "They both seem to be in perfect health Sir."

"Thank you." Tom nodded at the healer and looked at Minerva, as much as she hated it she nodded. Tom turned back to the healer and raised his wand. "Obliviate."