Epilogue

Albus watched from the chair as Minerva nervously ran her hand over her hair, once again fashioned in its customary bun. She was frowning into the mirror on her dressing table, her foot tapping absently.

"Min, you are fidgeting," he observed from his safe position across the bedroom.

"Nonsense, Albus. You know I do not fidget!" she snapped distractedly.

"Of course not, dear, how silly of me," his eyes twinkled merrily as he noticed she instantly dropped her hand to her side and her foot stilled. Today was the first day of classes following the Christmas Holidays, and subsequently Minerva's first day teaching since her return from captivity at the Riddle Mansion, and she was understandably on edge.

He moved to stand behind her, placing an affectionate kiss atop her head. "You look quite lovely this morning, as always," he said, his arms circling around her from behind.

She smiled at him in the mirror, her hand moving up to rest upon his. Indeed, the woman whose reflection gazed back at them was quite lovely, her cheeks filled out with a bit of color, all signs of abuse completely faded and invisible. She had almost returned to her previous weight, and her normally slender size was still a vast improvement on the frail, skeletal form she had been a few weeks ago. "I suppose I am a bit tense this morning. I'm sorry."

"I understand completely, my dear, but you have nothing to worry about. The students will be thrilled to see you." He took her arm and helped her from the chair, leading her to the door.

"I'm not so sure about that," she murmured, as Albus closed the door to their chambers and they began the long walk to the Great Hall for breakfast.

"They will be, love; that is they will be until you assign them an enormous amount of homework as always, on their first day back." He was trying to keep the conversation light, but he could feel her quickened pulse as they strolled arm in arm, his hand holding tightly to hers.

It was silly to be so anxious, she told herself. After all, she had taught for forty years, and a mere absence of two short months was no reason to get jittery. She hadn't been around anyone since her return to Hogwarts, save Poppy and Albus and a few of the Order members. Albus had insisted they visit Arthur and Molly on Christmas Day, to get her used to being around people again, and she had been able to relax after a time, and thoroughly enjoyed herself. But she had not yet faced the public at large, and the embarrassment and shame surrounding her very public week in the hands of the enemy seethed below the surface of her normally composed demeanor.

As they approached the staff doors to the Great Hall, Albus stopped, allowing her a moment to calm her nerves. He smiled at her, and she returned it tentatively. And then Albus Dumbledore watched in fascination, as once again he observed his wife steel herself, drawing on her inner strength, visibly transforming into the stern and serene Professor McGonagall that students and adults alike feared to cross. She nodded to him and began to stride toward the door, when he stopped her by clearing his throat. She looked at him, puzzled, and then he said, "Care to take my arm, Mrs. Dumbledore?"

Her face lit as she took hold of his proffered arm and they went through the doors together, taking their traditional places at the head of the staff table. Minerva held her head high, and forced herself to refrain from licking her lips that now seemed to have gone dry as hot desert sand. A hush fell over the crowded hall, as The Headmaster helped his Deputy into her seat. Albus did not release her hand, but rather held it visibly atop the table.

"I am delighted to announce that Professor McGonagall will be resuming her classes today," he said, his voice carrying over the room.

"Thank Merlin," Severus whispered dryly, "I don't think I could stand to teach her bloody first years Transfiguration one more day, little idiots can't even turn a match stick into a needle…" But his voice was drowned out by thunderous applause as the students leapt to their feet, cheering and catcalling loudly. The staff joined them, and Hagrid blew his nose into an enormous handkerchief: the sound rising above the cacophony of clapping hands and stomping feet.

Minerva felt her own eyes mist over, and with the slightest waver in her voice, said, "Thank you. It's quite good to be back." Breakfast appeared on the plates before them and Albus took his seat beside her.

"You see, I told you there was nothing to be worried about," still not releasing her hand. The noise of the hall returned to its normal din, as everyone went about the task of consuming their sausages and eggs and toast.

Minerva ate in silence, listening contentedly to the chatting going on around her, as the teachers discussed their duties and concerns for the upcoming term. It struck her that she had never before appreciated the comfort and familiarity of the morning routine, and she was happy to be back among the normal hubbub of Hogwarts. She was glad to be home.

The mail came, owls swooping in, dropping their packages and letters on the tables below. Once again a silence fell over the Great Hall, eerie this time, as a large black bird flew swiftly overhead through the center aisle, straight for the middle of the staff table. A raven. It perched on the table in front of Minerva, and she took with trembling hand a letter from its beak. There was no mistaking who the letter was from. The raven flew off, leaving a deafening quiet in its wake.

"Albus," she whispered faintly, I can't open it here—in front of the students—" but Albus was already helping her to rise, so that they could hear its' contents in private.

But the seal exploded, the letter rising into the air out of her hands, and short screams burst out randomly from the students below as the sound of Lord Voldemort's terrible voice rang out:

"Minerva, my love, I trust you have been waiting to hear from me. I am sorry that my correspondence was delayed, but I thought it best to give you time to recover from the festivities we enjoyed during your stay.

"Mark my words, our game isn't finished quite yet. There will be another chance to play; and this time you will not find the rules so easy. Indeed I look forward to our next encounter, and anticipate that it will be sooner than you think—"

The parchment burst into flames with a loud roar, causing Minerva to jump back, startled. She turned to find Albus standing calmly next to her, his wand drawn. Around them stood Professor Flitwick, Sprout, Snape and Madame Pomfrey, all with wands drawn.

Down below her many of her Gryffindors stood also, wands drawn, pointing to the now empty air where the letter had been. Minerva felt a warmth spread inside her, as she realized that the explosion had been caused by multiple wands; their spells striking the object simultaneously. Albus once again pulled her chair out from the table, and she sank into it gratefully.

Severus cleared his throat and sat saying, "Perhaps now we can get on with breakfast without further interruption." And that is exactly what they did.

The end.