So, here is the next chapter, we hope you enjoy it :)
A few months later the situation in Hogwarts had not really changed – Umbridge was mad, investing much time into finding a reason to bully Rolanda and Minerva while the two always managed to avoid those situations with a sweet smile. Rolanda and Severus sometimes had a really hard time to conceal their relationship which seemed to blossom even more under these circumstances. They would sneak to each others room every evening and cook dinner together, talk, dance, read books and remain silent together. Sometimes, but only sometimes, Rolanda would wish that she could display her feelings openly, but on the other hand it was a little bit adventurous that their relationship had to remain secret to everyone except Minerva and Albus.
It had been quite an accident that Minerva and Albus had found out about the relationship. Rolanda had been in Minerva's quarters one evening when Albus had stopped by to say goodbye to Minerva as he and Severus had to attend a conference at the Ministry and Rolanda had unthinkingly gone over to Severus and kissed him goodbye, much to the astonishment and delight of Minerva and Albus. Rolanda and Severus had then come clean about their relationship and the other two promised not to tell a soul about their new advancements. If anything, they were just happy for their friends. When the men had left, however, Minerva had no end of fun teasing Rolanda, which provided some blessed relief away from all matters related to the pink toad of doom.
Rolanda was sat one evening with Severus, reading a book and gently rubbing her foot along his calf, which he seemed to enjoy. He was grading some papers and from the sound of his mutterings, the students hadn't done particularly well. It was quite a pleasant atmosphere, when, all of a sudden, a portrait rushed into the room and started shouting loudly.
"Umbridge furious! School danger! All staff! Meeting now! Help please!" Unsure what to make of it but knowing it was serious, the two leapt into action immediately.
"What do you think has happened?", Rolanda asked as she hurried to get into her boots. "It has to be something urgent!"
"I don´t know", Severus answered as he grabbed his cloak. "Go, I will follow you in two minutes."
"Okay", she smiled, concern showing in her face. He leaned forward and kissed her softly before Rolanda left Severus rooms.
The staff gathered in the staff room, everyone looking as puzzled as the other. Nobody knew what was going on, but everybody was sure that it could not be good if Umbridge was furious. Five minutes after everyone had gathered in the staff room the door was opened with so much force that it hit the wall. Umbridge entered the room, her hair in a mess. She looked furious, but as she looked around the room she started to smile in a satisfied manner.
"I called you all together to hereby inform you that Albus Dumbledore is no longer the Headmaster of this institution, from this minute on I, Dolores Umbridge, am the new Headmistress of Hogwarts! The minister is putting his highest trusts in us all and I am sure we will achieve new things and make this school a better place for young people to learn!"
She smiled, her gaze resting a little bit longer then normal on Minerva and then Rolanda as if she was silently threatening them.
The staff were gobsmacked to say the least. Rolanda glanced worriedly at Minerva, who had a harsh mask upon her features which was utterly unreadable. Dolores Umbridge leaned on the table, taking heaving breaths, as the staff all nodded silently as some sort of way of showing they understood, when they were all deeply confused. Albus Dumbledore? Gone? How had a woman like the pink toad before them managed to overthrow such a powerful and loving man? Severus reached out almost instinctively for Rolanda's hand, but checked himself quickly and made as if he was shaking some dirt off his cuff. He was pleasantly surprised by how easily it came to him to want to protect and comfort her, and he took some courage from that as his mind wondered what on earth Albus Dumbledore was doing, allowing himself to be kicked out of Hogwarts. The man trusted Severus, and Severus trusted him, and yet he had no notion that this was going to happen, and, if he had interpreted correctly. Neither did Minerva. Something strange was definitely going on. And Severus was quite sure that Dolores Umbridge was the woman behind all of the chaos. What did she want though?
"I wish you all a pleasant night", Umbridge grinned. "We shall discuss what will change in Hogwarts tomorrow after the last class! Oh, and Minerva my dear, of course you will remain my deputy!"
Minerva did not let anything slip past her mask as she said:"Sure, Headmistress."
The staff left the room after Umbridge had left, everybody muttering, except for Minerva, Rolanda and Severus. Rolanda gave Severus a decent sign that she would look after Minerva and come back later.
Minerva had trouble to hold her façade up until she reached her rooms. She did not mind how Rolanda slipped through the portrait hole behind her friend, but she was happy that the younger witch was there as the tears broke through. Rolanda pulled Minerva into her arms as she started to sob, sensing the shock in her friend.
"I... I don't understand this, what... what has happened?", Minerva murmured a few minutes later as the two women sat down on the couch. "He... he said he would work a little bit longer tonight, everything seemed okay..."
"I don't know...", Rolanda answered, rubbing Minerva's upper arm to sooth her.
Minerva was uncharacteristically weak as she allowed herself to crumble into Rolanda's hug, tears dripping down her cheeks as Rolanda continued to rub her back.
"What has she done to him? Where is he? I need him!"
"Shhh, you're a strong woman, Minerva, I am sure you'll manage, and we will kick her arse in!" Rolanda tried to lighten the situation. Severus suddenly stepped out of the fireplace.
"Rolanda, Minerva. It appears that a few of my students were... Working with Dolores in order to catch out Potter and some friends who were holding a secret form of duelling club or something called Dumbledore's Army. From what I can gather, Albus took the blame for the group and has vanished. It is believed that Dolores has dismissed him due to allowing improper behaviour to be secretly conducted upon school grounds and attempting to indoctrinate the minds of impressionable minors. I am so sorry, nobody knows where he has gone." Severus stood awkwardly, having decided to come and break the news after having a conversation with Umbridge about how he should reward his Slytherins. For once, Severus had been more bothered about Gryffindors instead of Slytherins as Umbridge had lectured him. Then, of course, he had heard the rest of the details from the common room. Severus lowered his voice.
"I must remind you, I am in a position where I need to put up some sort of show of appreciating the changes, no matter where I stand. Please don't make this difficult for me, as I believe we are already in enough bother as it is. Minerva, I am sure Albus will contact you somehow. He always says how love can never drive people apart," he glanced at Rolanda as he said this, and she smiled slightly. Severus had never before made such mushy comments in public. He must be desperate to be saying it now. She smiled at him and Minerva before Severus flooed away again.
"See, Minerva, I am sure all will become clear soon."
Minerva wiped some tears away and looked at her best friend through her red, puffy eyes and her mouthed twitched into a sad smile.
"Are you honest?"
"Yes, Minerva. He always came back!"