Greetings peeps! I can't sleep tonight, it just won't come so I decided to finish typing this chapter up while watching Doctor Who (the good ones with David Tennant) and drinking from my new Tardis mug which is quite possibly the best birthday present I've ever been given. It's the actual Tardis and it even has a lid! It's brilliant – I may even post a picture on my LJ I'm that in love with it, ha!

Anyway enough of all that. Here's chapter 25 which I really hope you enjoy. It carries on straight from the last chapter which I wanted this moment in their history to be finished before I jumped a few weeks (maybe a month) into the school year. So I hope you enjoy it, I'm not really sure what I think about this chapter but I've been trying to rework it for days now and I think it's time to just let it go. But please let me know what you thought, I'm very grateful of any feedback you can give.

Thanks to everyone that has continued to review my work. I have gained so much from you all. And thank you once again to everyone that has added me to alerts and what not. You're all amazing!

Enjoy and goodnight!

Lillibet x

P.S. any Doctor Who fans reading this – I'm watching Blink from season 3... wise choice before I go to bed? Me thinks not!

Chapter 25

Minerva stepped off the stairs and knocked gently on Albus' door. It swung open immediately and she was greeted with the rowdy chorus of past Headmasters and Headmistresses. They were arguing over something and as usual Albus sat at his desk, working away amongst the madness. He glanced up and smiled gently when he realised who it was.

"Is it that time already?" Albus asked and Minerva affectionately shook her head; he knew exactly what time it was. She watched him roll up his scroll and stamp it with the Hogwarts seal. He then raised his hand and the men and woman in their portraits fell silent. "I wanted to discuss replacing the Head of House to Slytherin."

Minerva nodded in agreement. Filius had been looking after the Slytherin students since the last Head of House had retired and although he had earned the trust of some of the younger Slytherins, the majority still wouldn't accept him.

"Who did you have in mind?" She asked and Albus pressed his finger tips to his mouth in contemplation.

"Severus..." he said after a pause.

Minerva let the name hang in the air.

"What do you think?" Albus asked and she knew she had taken too long to answer him.

"I don't know what to think," she said after a moment. Albus stood from his chair and motioned for her to follow him upstairs to his study. "He's a Slytherin; the students would look up to him, seek his advice and it would make sense to..." she spoke almost to herself as she followed Albus up the stairs. "But with his past do you really think..?"

"I think that due to his past he would make a very suitable fit for the position." He lowered himself into an arm chair and motioned for Minerva to do the same. She felt his eyes fixed on her. "I thought you would agree with me," he said.

Minerva turned to look at the fireplace and instead of sitting down she moved over to stare into the flames. She noticed the embers shift slightly and Fawkes lifted his head and let out a soft squawk. His tiny wrinkled body warming and regenerating in the heat.

"You think this a bad idea?" Albus asked. Minerva could tell he was getting annoyed with her lack of participation in their conversation.

"I don't understand why you seek my counsel on this..." she started but Albus interrupted her.

"You are my deputy. You've always had an active say when it comes to the appointing of new staff."

Minerva bristled a little but hoped Albus hadn't picked up on it. Being a part of the recruitment process for new teachers was something she always enjoyed but this time it was different. She was torn; at a cross roads in choosing between giving a friend an exciting promotion so early in his career and keeping the impressionable young Slytherin flock from a man who once associated with most evil wizard to exist.

"He would need coaching for the role, he's never been in a position where people will go to him for help, he's never had to be supportive... he can't just... he has to be their mentor." She continued to watch Fawkes in the fire and she bent down to carefully place a few more logs onto the dwindling fire.

"I agree," Albus said with a nod. "Which is why I would like you to guide him..."

"No!" Minerva said absolutely.

"This is not up for negotiation," Albus said, a smile softening his words. "He trusts you. He will listen to you."

"Albus I'm asking that you not do this. Severus would not take kindly to me instructing him in this..."

"But you are friends, are you not?" Albus asked, interrupting her. Minerva sighed.

"You know very well that Severus is a complicated creature; it is because of our friendship that he would not react well to this proposal." Minerva finally turned and she lifted her eyes to his. "I know him well enough to know that he would not like any help from me. It would be best for everyone if you were to choose someone else." Albus considered her for a moment before speaking.

"Then who would you suggest?" He asked and Minerva sighed. "None of the other teachers have been particularly welcoming of him. No one would be willing to volunteer their time."

"They would have no choice if the orders came from you," Minerva said with a frown. Albus gave her a look that told her that she would be the one dealing with Severus and the other teachers.

"There is going to be some backlash from this Albus; the community and the teachers."

"It's nothing you can't deal with is it?" Albus asked as he stood from his chair. He began to head back down the stairs and Minerva looked back at Fawkes for a moment before following him.

"I'll take care of it," she said once they had both arrived back in the Headmaster's office. "I'll speak to Severus first thing in the morning." Albus sat down behind his desk and picked up his quill. Minerva knew the meeting was over and she headed for the door.

"New positions have to be filed to the board and the Ministry by March. You should get confirmation from Severus on his receiving the post and proceed with the necessary follow up." Albus returned to his papers and Minerva nodded.

"Thank you Sir," she said as she left the office.

Minerva stepped onto the stairs and took a deep breath. Albus' habit of reminding her of her duties and the procedures of the school was something she had come to expect of him. At first his constant reminders had irked her and left her with the feeling that her performance as deputy was unsatisfactory. However over the years she had learned that he meant nothing by it. He was fastidious with the running of the school and sometimes verbally listed the things that needed to be done; not only for the benefit for his staff but for himself also. Minerva recognised that he was reassuring himself that everything was as it should be. Even after all the years, Minerva was still as much in awe of him as she had been when she first met him as an eleven year old girl. He was an extraordinary man.

-x-

"Are you sure?" Filius paced the floor in Minerva's rooms. She looked up at him from her place on the sofa and rubbed a hand over her forehead.

"Yes," she repeated for the fourth time. "I think you would be the best choice."

"And you're sure he wouldn't prefer for you to..."

"No, I'm absolutely sure of that." Minerva gave him a weak smile. "So you'll do it?" She asked.

"Well yes of course," Filius said stopping his pacing and looking down at her. "Anything I can do to help the boy."

"Good," Minerva said with a sigh of relief. "Thank you Filius, I'll let the Headmaster know once I've attended to a few other things." She stood up and made her way over to her friend.

"But why have you asked me?"

"Because you have been acting Head of House this past year and have come to know some of the students." She said softly. "Besides, he trusts and respects you. Who else would he listen to?"

"What does Severus think on the matter?" Filius asked. Minerva turned to look at him and smiled slightly.

"That remains to be seen," she said with a shrug.

"And you will be the one to tell him?" Filius asked with a smirk. Minerva nodded as she headed toward her door. "Good luck." He said as he disappeared into the fireplace.

Leander opened the door for Minerva as she walked toward him and she heard him growl. The door closed behind her and she turned to look at her Dolor Altor.

"What is it?" She asked, calmly.

"Nothing my Lady," Leander said with a bow. He shifted from into his human form and peered at her from under his golden locks.

"You have been out of sorts Leander," she said, crossing her arms over her chest and levelling her eyes on his.

"Have I not performed my duties my Lady?" He asked, somewhat coldly.

"Of course you have," Minerva said with a frown. "But we used to be friends."

"We still are," Leander said, the tension in his shoulders melting away. "I just don't understand why you are doing all this for him."

"Severus?" She watched Leander's eyes grow dark. "This is about him?"

"He will turn against you my Lady," he said in a menacing whisper.

"What do you know of it?" Minerva demanded.

"I may not know the boy but I know his kind of old," he said. "I used to be just like him."

"And what was that?"

"A traitor."

Minerva froze and stared at the painted man. Her bond with Leander was deeper than that of a usual resident and Dolor Altor but never had she been wary of him. Her relationship with Leander had come under strain when she had begun a friendship with Severus. At first she had taken it as a bout of jealously which she had come to expect of him at times. However this time it was different. He was different.

"What do you mean?" Minerva asked, stepping closer to the portrait and pressing her fingertips to the canvas.

"I am trying to protect you my Lady," he said, tensely. "I swore to protect you."

"I do not need protecting Leander," she brushed her fingers over his face. "You have warned me and I take your forewarning into consideration... but I believe Severus will never betray us."

"I hope you are right my Lady," Leander said, his eyes showing a sadness Minerva had never seen on him. "I so hope you are right."

Minerva watched her Dolor Altor shift back into his Lion form and he stalked away from her. Minerva chewed her thumb nail, deep in thought as she started to make her way down to the dungeons. Leander's warning had left her feeling uneasy. She didn't know much about Leander's past but had the sinking feeling that hundreds of years locked inside a painting had mellowed him. Come to think of it, she knew about as much of Leander as she did about Severus. Leander claimed to recognise himself in the potions master but was it true? Could Severus really betray her?

Minerva stopped when she suddenly found herself outside the potions master's office. She pushed her way inside and ducked under the tapestry behind the desk. At the main door to his chambers she found an empty portrait, she knocked gently.

Sir John appeared with an exasperated sigh and Minerva watched his rather grumpy face slip into a smile.

"My dear girl," he said softly, all trace of annoyance gone from his person.

"Hello Sir John," she said watching his smile increase. A wave of fondness swelled in her chest at the sight of his kindly face.

"He's in a foul mood today Neva," he warned, his frown reappearing.

"When isn't he?" Minerva asked as Sir John let the door slide open. She heard his soft laugh as she passed him and smirked. The door closed behind her and she caught sight of Sir John travelling through the portraits to Severus' bedroom.

"He'll be right with you," Sir John said in a clipped tone. He shook his head and muttered something under his breath; she had no doubt what had him out of sorts.

Minerva paced the sparsely furnished living room but made no move to sit down or look at anything. Although Severus took it upon himself to wander her quarters as he wished he did not take well to others doing it in his own.

Suddenly the doors to the bedroom crashed open and Minerva jumped. Severus scowled at her as if staring her down but she refused to look away from him. He fiddled with the cuffs of his shirt as he began to make his way toward her. As he drew closer Minerva could see that his hair was damp and she blushed at the thought that she had disturbed him in the shower.

"Well?" he asked in his usual dry way.

"I didn't realise you were busy, I could have come back." She said and Severus turned away from her.

"I was just changing," he said as he made his way to his desk. There was a teapot and cup that Minerva was sure had just been brought in by an elf because she hadn't noticed it before.

"Are you alright?" she asked carefully. Severus poured the tea into the cup and added a good dose of milk. He turned to her and handed her the cup which she took with a smile of thanks. She took a sip; exactly how she preferred it.

"What has Sir John been saying?" Severus asked and Minerva shook her head.

"He hasn't told me anything," she said truthfully. "What's happened?"

"I had a letter today; the convicted Death Eaters have been sentenced to life in Azkaban... I have been officially cleared of all charges..." he said. Minerva watched him; he seemed almost confused, angry even.

"That's good news," Minerva said and Severus nodded briefly.

"Yes," he muttered. He sat down in the wooden chair at his desk and indicted for her to sit in the worn but comfortable armchair by the fire. She did as he asked and smiled at him.

"You think you should be with them," she stated, almost able to read his mind.

"I was there, I joined them... I was one of them..."

"But that's just it Severus," she said softly. "You were those things... but you're not anymore. Are you?"

"No," he rubbed a hand over his face. "But I was..."

"Enough Severus, I won't allow you to do this again. You have repented for your past indiscretions. And knowing you as I do, you'll continue to blame yourself, constantly working away to make up for the mistakes you've made." He scowled at her and Minerva shook her head. "I have some news for you," she said changing the subject. Severus stared at her. "But its good news, at least I hope you'll take it as good news."

"What is it?" he asked looking somewhat concerned.

"As you know, since Professor Slughorn left the school Filius has been doubling up as Head of Slytherin. However Albus has decided that although Filius is doing a fine job that it would be more appropriate to finally find a more permanent replacement." Minerva watched Severus' eyes narrow at her and she felt distinctly uncomfortable under his gaze. "How would you feel being put forward for the position?"

"Head of Slytherin?" He asked slowly. Minerva nodded and gave him a hesitant smile. "You want me to take the role of Head of Slytherin?"

"Yes." Minerva watched Severus' cautious eyes turn hard.

"Are you mad?"

"I can most assure you Severus that I am as sane as you," she said with a smirk. Severus scoffed and Minerva let out a chuckle.

"But why?" He asked, somewhat bemused.

"You are a Slytherin and the students of your own house trust you on that basis alone. Albus believes that you will be able to give counsel to those that seek it and provide a strong line of what is right and wrong for those that may be considering... a different path." She let her meaning sink into his mind and observed his features. He was thinking hard on something, he turned away from her for a moment.

"What do you think?" he asked, keeping his eyes focused on his possessions that littered his desk.

"I believe that Albus is right," she said carefully. Severus turned to look at her slowly and she knew he had seen right through her.

"What do you think Minerva?" He asked again.

"I think it may be too soon for you," she admitted. Severus nodded and relaxed back in his chair. He brushed his hands through his damp hair and sighed.

"I agree," he said after a moment. Minerva had to admit she was surprised by his admission. She thought he would have been angered by her words in him but he seemed accepting of it. It disconcerted her. "I'm still too close to my former life... what would I say to them? How could I prevent them from making the same mistakes as I?"

"You tell them what you would have liked to have heard when you turned down the wrong path, you support them, give them advice... the truth is Severus you can only do so much for them. In the end it's their own decision." She sighed and couldn't help thinking of the students that had slipped through her fingers.

"Then what's the point?" he asked cynically.

"To help those that you can, to hold a hand when they need it, to supply a warm office where they can escape their troubles. To help them in their studies, their lives... to be there for them." She stood up and made her way toward him. She touched his cheek softly and knelt down in front of him. "The students need a strong Head to look up to. Someone who will protect them, someone that, in the end, is on their side."

"Who would look up to me?" He asked gently.

"They all ready do Severus, I've heard the Slytherin students talk of you. They just want the knowledge that they have someone watching their back." Minerva clasped his hand in hers and she felt him grip her tightly.

"Do you think I can do it?"

"I think with time and training, you'll make an exceptional Head of House." She gave him an encouraging smile. "I still think it's too soon but Albus is right, the students need one of their own. And you'll have mentoring from Filius for the rest of the term. I will assess your progress at the end of term and should the board agree with the reports then you will be set up on a trial basis next September. You have plenty of time to consider it even after I file our proposal to the board. If by the end of term you wish to stay as you are then you are breaking no contracts. There's no pressure on you." Minerva watched him ponder her words. She remained on the floor in front of him, her hand still firmly clasped in his own.

"Filius... these aren't going to be lessons are they?" he asked after a moment. Minerva laughed and shook her head.

"You will shadow him while he's dealing with the Slytherin students; see how he interacts with them. You don't have to take part in the sessions if you don't want to but I would suggest trying to get to know them while you can. It's also useful to try to handle matters on your own while you have Filius with you, that way if you need guidance he will be hand with some suggestions."

"Why Filius?" he asked. "What not you?" His question took her by surprise and it took her a moment to answer. Had she been wrong about him?

"Filius has been acting Head of House; he can fill you in on what he's learned of the students. How they work, how they behave, what problems they have. All information I cannot give you."

"But you could give me everything else," he said, his voice flat and void of emotion. Minerva looked carefully at his face and wished he wasn't so hard to read.

"I didn't think you'd want to take lessons from me," she said. Severus frowned.

"Why?"

"I thought that considering our friendship that you would not like me to be your teacher once again," she said. Severus pursed his lips in thought and he smirked.

"I thought you said these weren't lessons," his voice was dark but Minerva could sense the humour behind it.

"You know exactly what I mean," she rolled her eyes. "I'm sorry that I have misunderstood you on this matter Severus, I presumed to know too much about you and I shouldn't have..." she stopped talking when she felt Severus' fingers tapping on her hand.

"You're right," he said quietly. "I will no doubt be difficult... perhaps for the sake of our friendship this course is the right one."

"Our teaching methods would have clashed too much; I believe we would have spent much of the time arguing."

"An enjoyable sport," he remarked with a serious face. Minerva laughed and shook her head.

"But not at all useful!" she admonished playfully. She turned the hand over that was still holding his and he began to tap his fingers against her palm. The feeling sent tingles down her wrist.

"Once again professor, you are correct." He said with mock distain. Minerva laughed again and regretfully stood up. Her hand slipped from underneath his.

"How did that taste?" She asked and Severus gave her a dark look.

"Not pleasant," he growled. He looked up at her carefully and for a moment they were silent. "I think you should leave before I do it again." He said after a moment with a smirk. Minerva returned his smile but couldn't help but wonder what was going through his mind.

"I'll inform the Headmaster and the school board of your decision." She said, moving toward his door instead of thinking too much. "Congratulations Severus," she said as she stepped through the open door.

"Thank you Minerva," Severus said from behind her. He lifted his hand slightly but let it fall by his hips before is reached its destination. Minerva wondered what he had stopped himself from doing. Feeling slightly awkward she gave him one last smile and turned on her heel to walk back through his office and into the hallway.

Hope you liked it and please remember to leave me review...

xxx